I first came across Kellen’s work when I saw a video of one of his specials he recorded in Provo where he made fun of my high school mascot (it was deserved). When I found out he did a podcast, I figured I would enjoy that, too, and it’s been really fun to go through the catalog from the beginning whether I’ve read the books or not. The episodes covering Lord of the Rings are a nice contrast to the super nerdy podcasts I listen to that dive super deep into all the lore and meaning behind Tolkien’s writing.

I cannot get enough of these two. I have binged almost all the episodes. The jokes Kellen and David share at each others expense as well as the books they are breaking down has got me!

You guys. I listen to a lot of podcasts, I mean a lot. This one is at the top. I tell my friends to listen to it and get personally offended when they haven’t yet. I started listening after hearing Kellen on an episode of Dustin Nickerson’s podcast and now I’ve listened to every episode. Keep it up!

This is only the second new podcast I have learned about when after listening I thought, What did I do before now? Where has this been my whole life? My husband, son, and I are bingeing back episodes, walking around with goofy grins while we listen, and we’ll be sad to ‘catch up’ and have to (gasp) wait a week for a new one to be released. My kids and I started aspiring to the 100 Book Club after reading Ben Sasse’s book The Vanishing American Adult. I am a slow reader and my two youngest children (now 18 & 21) beat me every year, but we enjoy hearing your suggestions, roasts, and witty banter to further our deep love of books and other bibliophiles.

I knew this was a good podcast when in “The Three-Body Problem” episode, Dave asked Kellen what he thought of if asked to visualize 10,000 people, and I immediately thought, “Saruman’s Uruk-hai.” Then Dave gave his answer and I experienced my own delightful version of Steve Rogers’ “I understood that reference!” Even the jokes that I don’t get make me feel smart, so that’s a plus. Truly a fun podcast find that’s helped me get excited about reading (and listening to) books again.

Sometimes I don’t even know why I laugh at some of this stuff, but I do. I find the weirdest things hilarious. If you also laugh at weird things, you’ll like this.

My brother-in-law introduced me to this podcast a few years ago, both because it’s hilariously awesome and because he knows Dave. I gave it a chance because I had seen Kellen on Dry Bar. I’ve been hooked ever since, looking forward to each new episode every week. Both Dave and Kellen are insightful and extremely funny. Now, because I’ve been listening so long, I feel like we’re friends and each new episode is simply our weekly group call. Thanks!

Thanks for a great podcast! It’s good to laugh at 6 AM on my way to work. I used to tink that you guys are too funny for me to listen to in public, until I decided that I can just cover my mouth and pretend that I’m crying which for some reason is a bit more socially acceptable to do in public.

This is my second favorite podcast behind how to file tax returns. I love Kellen’s comedy videos and Studio C, and have enjoyed it ever since someone recommended it to me. Me and Kellen both laugh at Dave’s jokes, and I laugh at Kellen’s (alone, for some reason). It is one It keeps me laughing while I am working, lifting weights, and when I am consequently in the hospital. Keep up the great work!

I would know because it was me. I also wrote the review at your LIVE episode of Transformers, all on different phones. (Teehee) I love this podcast and listen to it on my walks, in car drives, and while pleading with my parents to become patron subscribers. I was really proud of my 43 books until I listened to how many books Dave listened to. (And Kellen I'm not forgetting you) I've quoted Dave before in a talk at church from the episode Creativity Inc., and learned to play the podcast theme song on the piano with music straight from Dave!! This podcast beats listening to Charlie Puth songs and that's super impressive. My favorite Christmas gift this year was the starlings adventure box! 😁 also statement one is true.

I started listening to this after hearing Kellen’s shameless plug at the end of a Dry Bar Comedy video. Once I started listening, I couldn’t stop. I originally only listened to the reviews of books I had already read, but then I ran out of those, so I just listened to anything and everything. I have shared this podcast with my dad who has me pause the episodes so he can stop wheezing. This podcast is also the reason I am so behind on school. Thanks guys :/

I am raising an only child and he’s used to getting a say in what we listen to in the car. No longer! I have been bingeing this podcast while driving, cooking, folding clothes, and yeah, sometimes even when building spaceships with magna-tiles. I love that it makes me feel smarter and mostly that it makes me laugh. A lot. Someday my kiddo will get to pick what we listen to again. Some dark day when I run out of the back catalog and am reduced to a measly one episode a week.

Kellen and Dave are a dynamic duo with great banter and incredible insight. This podcast has inspired me to read more than I’ve ever read before—and to feel more well read than I actually am! And Dave, I don’t care what your friends say, the Undoing Project by Michael Lewis is a great book (see Grapes of Wrath episode).

I was enjoying Kellen Erskine’s comedy special on Dry Bar, which included an ad for this podcast, and I decided I couldn’t go wrong with checking it out. Cut to: two months later and I’m plowing through the back catalog of thoroughly entertaining episodes and looking forward to each new episode. Both hosts are smart and funny, and the discussion of the books is always well-organized. I also appreciate the occasional punctuations of dark humor that come as hilarious surprises (and are not gratuitous or overused - the perfect amount of spice).

I’m writing this to make a suggestion to Kellen on a short book so he can meet his yearly goal. A short book that I love is C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters. The whole book being written as letters from a senior demon to his nephew is fascinating. It’s one of my favorites that I try to read or listen to at least every other year.

Talking about books has always been one of my favorite things to do. But now listening to people talk about books is my favorite thing to do! And when I say “people” I actually just mean Kellen and Dave. I can’t believe how funny they are. It’s absolutely delightful and addictive.

This is my favorite podcast ever.

I've been watching a lot of podcasts/youtubers that I enjoy slowly fade away into obscurity since the huge boom they got in 2020. I went away from this podcast and all others for a while as I adjusted to working from home. The quality of this show and the effort that goes into editing it to keep it at that quality is notable now, especially compared to so many others. The mark of a good book is that "I wish there was more to it," and I always find myself wanting to hear more of what these two thought on any given subject. I would rank this among the greatest podcasts of all time suitable for any audience that's looking for a good time.

Pleasantly surprised I don’t have to have read the book in order to enjoy your podcast! This podcast is funny and informative, who could want more?

I love laughing and I love learning. And now I love this podcast because I get to do both.

Welcome to the Book Pile!!! Make sure to check out our back catalog of over 200 episodes with ALMOST as many books. (Remember the re-issues? Also what happened to This Book Could Also Be Called?) On a better note this is my third time listening to all of the episodes again, and I totally would become a patron member if my mom would let me. This podcast is the highlight of my Mondays, and I listen to it as I get ready for school. I quote you guys a lot too. My friends think I am very smart because of this podcast.

I first heard of The Book Pile from the Babylon Bee podcast and I have loved it every since. Kellen and David introduced me to Something Wicked This Way Comes, Jurassic Park, and The Three Body Problem (still haven’t listened to the episode because I haven’t finished the series). This is a perfect podcast if you love comedy. If you don’t like books, they will change your mind whether you like it or not. You guys should do an episode on the Princess Bride. Keep up the great work!

One star 👎 Too dangerous for during lunch breaks CHOKING HAZARD As Alan Dean Foster would (probably) say, utterly minacious. I do miss having Dave on every week though :( This podcast is greater than the sum of its parts

I sure love being lectured about how my problems don’t matter by the Mormon versions of Beavis and Butthead

I recommended this hilarious podcast to my teenage daughter and she loved it! She now listens regularly as well. Thank you Kellen and Dave for helping me look cool in the eyes of a young person (first time ever!). I’m going to use the credibility earned in this win to convince her to stop listening to Imagine Dragons (and Maroon 5).

The episode on the Grapes of Wrath was a huge disappointment took forever to even talk about the book, made some bad jokes, and kept going off on nonsense filler that had nothing to do with the book. I won’t waste my time listening to this podcast again.

I learned of this from my dad when we were on the way to the library. It seemed so interesting and very funny! I just finished started listening to “how the grinch stole Christmas” and it made me laugh so hard. For Christmas in my stocking I usually find chocolate bars… so if leggy the stocking warmer comes, then all my chocolate will be melted :)

Kellen when you say “ check out our back catalog of over 200 episodes with just as many books.” Welllllll… think back to the Re-Issued episodes that you did. Correction, ALMOST as many books. Now, I know Kellen will take this review really hard, but given that this is my third review, they are all five stars, and I’m re-listening to all of the episodes for a third time, I think you’ll be fine. I love this podcast SO much! I have taken to telling my family some quote from you that sounds smart, but they know me too well. Usually they just say, “ was that Dave, or Kellen? “ and I reluctantly usually say— Just joking I don’t pick favorites. I quote you both equally.

Truly one of the greatest. Every joke is clever and funny and Dave and Kellen have great chemistry and are funny in their own way. The books are great too and give meaningful story advice for writing 😁😁😁 was a great read while I told my kid sister about JFK.

This is by far my second favorite podcast! The only one I like better is that one where the standup comedian and the comedy/ad writer talk about books they’ve read. Just so you guys know, it’s a close second. By the way, Dave, I can’t get to The Starlings on Amazon. I get the “uh oh” “dog page”. But in all seriousness, I recommend this podcast to everyone I can. Keep up the good work! Go ahead Kellen, tear this comment a new one.

Please.read where the read fern grows also im going. to write a version thats.worng so you guys. can correct for a funy bit

Literally the end of every point these guys make, they laugh at their own jokes or witty observations. Chucklefest when it isn’t even warranted. Tuff listen.

The Book Pile is informative and entertaining, has saved me from reading a lot of books, and inspired me to read others. The witty banter is a joy (especially from the guy on the left). Five stars, great podcast, I enjoy reading it every week.

I love your podcast esp enjoy the repartee and the dad jokes. As for your episode on Charlie and the chocolate factory I thought you would be delighted to know that Roald Dahl ( no jokes about the weird name…Kellen? ) had the idea for the book when he was out driving in the country and he didn’t have any paper or even a pencil to write down his idea. so he wouldn’t forget it, he wrote with his finger the word ‘elevator’ in the dust of the back window of his car. I know your penchant for coincidences that changed the world so we have these two famous ( infamous ?) stories due to the coincidence of there being a dusty road in a rain, soaked country like England. I got this info from his short story, Lucky Break, which is part of the Henry Sugar collection I had as a kid. Keep up the good work.

Dave Vance and Calvin Earthshine are the best podcast hosts I’ve heard! Dave’s charismatic personality makes you feel funny and intelligent at the same time. Keller Deerskin tells good jokes. They remind me both of cough Augustus Waters from cough The Fault In Our Stars cough ( But mostly Dave). Would LOVE TO SEE THEM COVER THAT BOOK. Definitely recommend this podcast to anyone who likes or hates books!

This podcast gives me laughs and wisdom at the same time! Everything revolves around a story and these guys are very good at showing you how to make that story! Btw Kellen and Dave maybe read Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s library next? I love that book and would like to see what you guys do with it!

I love this podcast so much! It’s the best podcast about books I have ever heard! That gives y’all a 5 star rating. Y’all make Books that aren’t funny FUNNY!

Thanks!

I love this podcast. These guys are the best and I like their takeaways. The roast episodes are the so hilarious. I laughed a lot during the Jaws episode and the ones about the twilight series didn’t disappoint. Keep it up guys, and maybe you can do Secret Window and Langoliers by Stephen King, those were crazy books too.

Your jokes aren’t even funny, they’re disrespectful. Your tone is boring and bland. Sounds as if you guys are just high. And the random hahahah is so annoying. I understand y’all just want to be funny but it doesn’t come out that way because of your tone.

Love Kellen’s standup and Dave’s writing. Witty and intelligent. I would love to see the guys review other genres such as other popular adult fiction. Their choices seem predominantly YA fantasy/non-fiction. I’d love to hear their opinions on literary fiction and literary classics (Catcher In The Rye, Tropic of Cancer, Twain, works by Joyce). A takedown of a pretentious yet esteemed novel would be hilarious. I look forward to more episodes!

I’ve been looking for a good podcast with book discussions, and I’m so happy to have found this one! I’m always jealous of the video game and movie reviews that my husband watches on youtube thinking why don’t people talk about books this way? You guys are funny and pick an excellent range of books. Grateful to the creators for making this!

Love this podcast! The episodes are so compact I’m always left wanting more. I found this podcast through Kellen’s comedy first. I love how fast on his feet he is with his improvising. Searched him out and found him as a guest on the Babylon Bee podcast, which led me to the Book Pile. I now love Dave as well. Both are very funny, smart and original. I would recommend checking out Kellen’s second appearance on the Babylon Bee, he makes a comment about being an introvert that is just so funny!

According to my sources, I have just become the 500th person to rate the book pile. This great honor is only surpassed by the honor I feel at living during that time in history when The Book Pile came onto the world stage. I have lived a life of very little honor. Thank you Kellen and Dave for bringing me many hours of joy and laughter!

After a solid two years of listening, I have finally pulled myself together to leave a review, hoping it would be read on the podcast! This podcast has helped me decide which books to read, and which I just need a hilarious book report on! And with all the new information I’ve learned, I have started correcting documentaries, and it’s safe to say my dog is very impressed. And now I can confidently say, Kellen I love you :)

The perfect mix of funny and interesting! I’m a bit burnt out on comedy interview podcasts or ones where it’s a bunch of useless information - this is the perfect alternative. It’s funny, thoughtful, and I learn something actually useful. They hit the right balance of describing books to where I feel like I’ve gotten enough entertainment out of the ones that aren’t my cup of tea, while even more so wanting to read the others! Thank you for putting so much work into this podcast.

Extremely funny and great for book lovers and those who prefer “ze cinema” to books as it’s just as funny as any comedy special! Also, David, I looked up y’alls studio C videos and never realized you looked absolute adorable, like how I imagine a golden retriever looks!

Kellen I love you (no comma no hesitation)

Favorite podcast by far! Mondays are so much more reasonable when I know that I will, at the very least, get a new episode of the book pile. Kellen and Dave have fantastic chemistry and never fail to make us laugh out loud. As a family that loves both books and comedy, this podcast is more loved than Harry Potter in our house and we know most of your episodes like old friends. Would love a review of A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court.

NOTHING! This is the best one. Period. Also, you should review something by Douglas Adam’s or Terry Pratchett (esp Tiffany Aching arc).