Skylight Books Podcast Series

Moor! Moor! Moor! The Better Than the Movie gang is hanging out where it's wily and windy, and they've brought along filmmaker and labor organizer Paige Gresty to talk about it. The subject is Emerald Fennell's "WUTHERING HEIGHTS" (complete with quotation marks) and its purported source novel, WUTHERING HEIGHTS (no quotation marks) by Emily Brontë. (Justin also watched the 1939 version with Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon, so there's an eensy weensy bit of talk about that movie too.) Is Fennell's film horny? Is it kinky? Is it subversive? Is it flashy? Is it any good? Well, I guess we'll find out.   Hosted by Justin Remer, Allan Traylor, and Tyler Austin. Produced by Justin Remer.  Recorded at the LAPL Octavia Lab.  Check out the "Better Than the Movie" audiobook playlist on Libro.fm - https://libro.fm/playlists/skylight-better-than-the-movie Opening music: "Optimism (Instrumental)" by Duck the Piano Wire   Closing music: "Rule of 3s (Solemnity Child)" by Elastic No-No Band  

Keywords for this episode: Surprising, enlightening, entertaining, provocative, warm, inclusive, thoughtful, required listening. Simona Supekar talks with bookseller Justin Remer about her new book in the Object Lessons series, Stock Photo. Starting with her history as a former keyworder for a stock photography company, Supekar explores the way these largely ignored components of the websites we visit shape our ideas about beauty, race, cultural heritage, and gender. She discusses the way that photo-generating AI is being trained on datasets that she helped construct. She talks about the changes in the industry in the past half-century. And, of course, she talks about all those stock photo memes.  If you're in the Los Angeles area, please check out our in-store event for the Object Lessons books Stock Photo and Ballot on Thursday, March, 12, 2026.  Produced and hosted by Justin Remer.  Recorded remotely via Zencastr.  Opening music: "Optimism (Instrumental)" by Duck the Piano Wire.  Closing music: "Rule of 3s (Solemnity Child)" by Elastic No-No Band. 

KOSMIC! Novelist, comics writer, and historian Stuart Moore joins the podcast to discuss his new book for the Marvel Age of Comics critical series from Bloomsbury and Marvel, Doctor Strange: A Decade of Dark Magic. As the title promises, Moore's book looks at the first ten years of the character - from its start as a supporting feature in Strange Tales from artist Steve Ditko and writer Stan Lee through multiple reimaginings and adjustments in the hands of writers and artists like Roy Thomas, Gene Colan, and Steve Englehart. In this discussion with bookseller Justin Remer, Moore talks about the dialogue Doctor Strange created with the '60s counterculture, the tumultuous publishing history of the title, and his own prior interactions with the late Ditko and Lee. If you stick around, there's some Toxic Avenger talk near the end as well.  Pick up a copy of the book at Skylight or order the audiobook version from Libro.fm. Hosted and produced by Justin Remer.  Recorded remotely via Zencastr.  Opening music: "Optimism (Instrumental)" by Duck the Piano Wire.  Closing music: "Rule of 3s (Solemnity Child)" by Elastic No-No Band. 

Adorn yourself. Cultural critic and poet Eileen G'Sell joins Skylight's Keila Cone-Uemura to about her new book in the Object Lessons series, Lipstick. They discuss perceptions of beauty in social contexts, in political contexts, and in pop culture. How is Chappell Roan's use of makeup a cultural subversion? What makes "Mar-a-Lago face" such an unsettling phenomenon? These questions and more are explored. Pick up a copy of the book at Skylight or order the audiobook version from Libro.fm.  Hosted by Keila Cone-Uemura.  Produced by Keila Cone-Uemura and Justin Remer.  Recorded remotely via Zencastr.  Opening music: "Optimism (Instrumental)" by Duck the Piano Wire.  Closing music: "Rule of 3s (Solemnity Child)" by Elastic No-No Band. 

Frank Miller and David Mazzuchelli's classic story arc of Daredevil comics from the mid-'80s, known as Born Again, is the subject of a new book from comics writer and editor Chris Ryall. Daredevil: Born Again - An Exploration is part of Bloomsbury and Marvel's new series of small critical books dedicated to classic comics runs, Marvel Age of Comics. Comics writer and artist (and Skylight's own) Sina Grace talks to Chris Ryall about this legendary Daredevil run and about the process of writing a book about such a major piece of the Marvel Comics canon. Pick up a copy of Chris Ryall's book from Skylight or order the audiobook version from Libro.fm.  Hosted by Sina Grace.  Produced by Sina Grace and Justin Remer.  Recorded remotely via Zencastr.  Opening music: "Optimism (Instrumental)" by Duck the Piano Wire.  Closing music: "Rule of 3s (Solemnity Child)" by Elastic No-No Band. 

It's the end of an era - or a trilogy - or something. Author and podcaster Garon Cockrell (Demonic and Other Tales) returns for his third guest appearance on BTTM to talk Clive Barker! This crew previously reviewed Nightbreed (BTTM episode 11) and Hellraiser (BTTM 22), so there's only one last feature film where Barker adapted himself: 1995's Lord of Illusions, based on the novella The Last Illusion (from the same collection that contains Nightbreed's source: Cabal). It's an opportunity for another raucous, silly discussion that is just good, clean, macabre fun. Check out the "Better Than the Movie" audiobook playlist on Libro.fm - https://libro.fm/playlists/skylight-better-than-the-movie Hosted by Allan Traylor, Tyler Austin, and Justin Remer.  Produced by Justin Remer.  Recorded remotely via Zencastr.  Opening music: "Optimism (Instrumental)" by Duck the Piano Wire  Closing music: "Rule of 3s (Solemnity Child)" by Elastic No-No Band 

As a music genre, plunderphonics is somewhat misunderstood. While the genre is based on samples, much like hip-hop, it isn't just music made from other music. It utilizes samples to push the boundaries of copyright -- what is fair use, what is public domain, who truly owns a piece of music? Matthew Blackwell's new book for 33 1/3's GENRE series, Plunderphonics, traces the genre back to the quote-heavy compositions of early 20th Century composer Charles Ives and follows it up through the mash-up madness of Danger Mouse and Girl Talk. Along the way, Blackwell looks at the recordings and legal battles of diverse artists like Bay Area pranksters Negativland, comedy pioneers Buchanan and Goodman, hip-hop legends De La Soul, Biz Markie, and Beastie Boys, Aussie art-poppers The Avalanches, and avant-garde theorist (and coiner of the term Plunderphonics) John Oswald. Bookseller and writer Justin Remer talks with Blackwell about all these artists and more of the tidbits contained in his new book. Hosted and produced by Justin Remer.  Recorded remotely via Zencastr.  Fan of audiobooks? Check out the "On the Skylight Pod" playlist on Libro.FM - https://libro.fm/playlists/skylight-podcast Opening music: "Optimism (Instrumental)" by Duck the Piano Wire.  Closing music: "Rule of 3s (Solemnity Child)" by Elastic No-No Band. 

The BTTM guys are running their mouths about THE RUNNING MAN. Allan, Tyler, and Justin dig into the recent Edgar Wright-directed film and the same-named 1987 Arnold Schwarzenegger star vehicle, which are both adapted -- to different degrees -- from the novel by Stephen King (under his Richard Bachman alias). It's a boisterous discussion among three guys whose reactions range from ambivalent to underwhelmed to disgusted. Maybe the trickiest adaptation to rate for the Better Than the Movie fellas since the HALLOWE'EN PARTY / A HAUNTING IN VENICE debacle of BTTM episode 7.  Enjoy!   Hosted by Tyler Austin, Justin Remer, and Allan Traylor. Produced by Justin Remer.  Recorded at the LAPL Octavia Lab.  Check out the "Better Than the Movie" audiobook playlist on Libro.fm - https://libro.fm/playlists/skylight-better-than-the-movie Opening music: "Optimism (Instrumental)" by Duck the Piano Wire   Closing music: "Rule of 3s (Solemnity Child)" by Elastic No-No Band  

Ambient Music, as a genre, is one that is meant to be experienced consciously or unconsciously. It can be focused upon or ignored. It can feed your soul, brighten your day, or just counterpoint the din of the everyday. Dusty Henry, in his new book for 33 1/3's GENRE series, focuses upon 20TH CENTURY AMBIENT. The book looks at early and unexpected influences like Erik Satie and Blind Willie Johnson. It highlights leading artists of the form like Brian Eno, Harold Budd, Laraaji, Suzanne Ciani, and Hiroshi Yoshimura. It also touches upon artists like Wendy Carlos and Aphex Twin whose relationship to the genre is only part of their identity. Bookseller and writer Justin Remer talks with Henry about the book, which is one of his Holiday Catalog staff picks! Hosted and produced by Justin Remer.  Recorded remotely via Zencastr.  Opening music: "Optimism (Instrumental)" by Duck the Piano Wire  Closing music: "Rule of 3s (Solemnity Child)" by Elastic No-No Band 

Ocean waves, ocean waves. One of the best-loved movies of the fall has been Paul Thomas Anderson's ONE BATTLE AFTER ANOTHER. The Better Than the Movie crew is joined by Rene Franco, the head of Skylight's Rabbit Hole Reading Club, to discuss the flick and also the novel which provided some inspiration, Thomas Pynchon's kooky and kaleidoscopic Vineland.  Hosted by Justin Remer, Allan Traylor, and Tyler Austin.  Produced by Justin Remer.  Recorded at the LAPL Octavia Lab, with remote recording via Zencastr.  Check out the "Better Than the Movie" audiobook playlist on Libro.FM - https://libro.fm/playlists/skylight-better-than-the-movie Opening music: "Optimism (Instrumental)" by Duck the Piano Wire.  Closing music: "Rule of 3s (Solemnity Child)" by Elastic No-No Band. 

Mwahahaha! The Better Than the Movie crew have gathered again to celebrate R.L. Stine's GOOSEBUMPS horror series for young readers. Rather than just talk ABOUT the books, as they did on the last Halloween special, they talk THROUGH a book. Justin reads a GIVE YOURSELF GOOSEBUMPS title (a kind of CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE sub-series from the late 1990s) while everyone provides color commentary as the BTTM fellas navigate through various DEAD ENDS (mwahahaha) in search of a happy conclusion.  Hosted by Allan Traylor, Justin Remer, and Tyler Austin. Produced by Justin Remer.  Recorded at Tyler's house. (Sorry for all the handheld mic rustling.) "Johnny Graves" commercial taken from HALLOWEEN DREAMS by Creep Tape. Thanks to Matt Meindl for permission to use it. Selected incidental music by Duck the Piano Wire. Opening music: "Rumination: If I Should Die (Slowed / Instrumental)" by Duck the Piano Wire.  Closing music: "Rule of 3s (Solemnity Child)" by Elastic No-No Band. 

In Angel City, alchemy is everything. Red City is the new fantasy novel from Marie Lu (Legend, Stars and Smoke). Bookseller Keila Cone-Uemura talks to Lu about the difference between writing for an adult audience and for a YA audience. During this wide-ranging talk, they discuss the inspiration that Lu pulled from her own life and from the city of Los Angeles. They also touch on the unexpected influence of The Hidden Life of Trees upon the new novel, as well as some favorite video games and video game soundtracks.  Pick up a copy of Red City from Skylight books or order the audiobook version from Libro.fm.  Hosted by Keila Cone-Uemura.  Produced by Keila Cone-Uemura and Justin Remer.  Recorded remotely via Zencastr.  Opening music: "Optimism (Instrumental)" by Duck the Piano Wire.  Closing music: "Rule of 3s (Solemnity Child)" by Elastic No-No Band. 

In advance of the screening of Johnny Mnemonic in Black & White that the BTTM crew is hosting for the American Cinematheque's Friend of the Fest 2025, Allan and Justin get together to discuss the film and the William Gibson short story that inspired it.   If you're going to be in Los Angeles on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, why not come to our movie screening at the Los Feliz 3 theater? Tickets available now on the American Cinematheque website! Hosted by Allan Traylor and Justin Remer. (Hope that Japan is fun, Tyler!) Produced by Justin Remer.  Recorded at the LAPL Octavia Lab.  Opening music: "Optimism (Instrumental)" by Duck the Piano Wire.  Closing music: "Rule of 3s (Solemnity Child)" by Elastic No-No Band. 

Abashed the devil stood, and felt how awful goodness is. The Crow (1994) is a one-of-a-kind film, borne out of tragedy and thought to be cursed. Critic and culture writer Alisha Mughal takes a look at the film, its graphic novel origins, its beautiful but doomed star Brandon Lee, and much more in her new book for the Pop Classics series, It Can't Rain All the Time: The Crow. Alisha joins Skylight's Justin Remer for a talk about her book, her hyperfixation on the movie, and the '90s grunge ethos. For more of Alisha Mughal's recent writing, check out: *"The Lonely Landscapes of Materialists and The Worst Person in the World" on RogerEbert.com  *"Let's Rock: The Dialectic of the the Sublime in Twin Peaks" on FilmDaze.net  For more information on the screening of Johnny Mnemonic hosted by the Skylight Books podcast crew on August 26, 2025, check out:  *The American Cinematheque's website for Friend of the Fest 2025 For Pop Classics titles on audiobook, check out Libro.FM please!  Hosted and produced by Justin Remer.  Recorded remotely via Zencastr.  Opening music: "Optimism (Instrumental)" by Duck the Piano Wire.  Closing music: "Rule of 3s (Solemnity Child)" by Elastic No-No Band. 

Author and comedian Sophia Benoit (Well, This Is Exhausting) joins the Better Than the Movie crew to discuss a modern children's book classic, HOLES by Louis Sachar, and its 2003 live-action Disney adaptation, which was scripted by Sachar himself, directed by Andrew Davis (The Fugitive), and starred an insanely talented ensemble cast headed by Megalopolis co-stars Shia LaBeouf and Jon Voigt. Both the book and movie have held up extremely well in the ensuing years... but which is better? Check out Sophia Benoit discussing her book with Tyler Austin on this episode from the Skylight Books archive: https://youtu.be/MxvdzJVo51c?si=Cc2Mq7j_o5YNU21Y Hosted by Tyler Austin, Allan Traylor, and Justin Remer.  Produced by Justin Remer.  Recorded at the LAPL Octavia Lab.  Opening music: "Optimism (Instrumental)" by Duck the Piano Wire.  Closing music: "Rule of 3s (Solemnity Child)" by Elastic No-No Band.  

Don't drink? Don't smoke? What do you do? THE VINYL DIARIES follows Pete Crighton's journey from a closeted goody two shoes to a blissfully self-possessed lover of queer community, queer joy, and queer sex, while keeping track of the key pop music that resonated along the way. For this episode, Pete Crighton (The B-52s' Cosmic Thing) discusses releasing a memoir as a first-time writer, processing a lifetime of trauma through art, and the role music has played in the whole process. Writer-bookseller Justin Remer asks about the bands and artists that meant a lot (Adam Ant, Fleetwood Mac, Yoko Ono) and those that... well... didn't (Madonna, HAIM). They also talk about how Pete wrote his forthcoming 33 1/3 book on The B-52s in 90 days.  Pick up a copy of the book from Skylight Books or order the audiobook version from Libro.fm.  Hosted and produced by Justin Remer.  Recorded remotely via Zencastr.  Opening music: "Optimism (Instrumental)" by Duck the Piano Wire.  Closing music: "Rule of 3s (Solemnity Child)" by Elastic No-No Band. 

This is so unexpected, we didn't even have a speech prepared. Author Veronica Litt joins us to talk about her new book in ECW Press's Pop Classics series, Ugh! As If!, on Amy Heckerling's classic film comedy Clueless. This is the 30th Anniversary of Clueless's theatrical release, and the book is both a warm, conversational appreciation and clear-eyed dissection of what the movie gets wonderfully right and what is a bit cringe now.   Litt talks with bookseller Justin Remer about Clueless and all sorts of tangential topics including Jane Austen, girly art, human potato Channing Tatum, footnotes, audiobooks, and the Fast and Furious franchise.   Get the book from Skylight and order the audiobook from Libro.FM please!   Hosted and produced by Justin Remer.  Recorded remotely via Zencastr.   Opening music: "Optimism (Instrumental)" by Duck the Piano Wire.   Closing music: "Rule of 3s (Solemnity Child)" by Elastic No-No Band.  

The Old Man WAS Still Alive! Film writer and physical media enthusiast Conor Holt returns to Better Than the Movie to discuss a pair of classics: John Huston's film The Dead (1987), adapted from the short story by James Joyce, which first appeared in Dubliners (1914). Spoiler alert: Everyone loved them both. But between the film and the story, which did they think was better? Hosted by Allan Traylor, Justin Remer, and Tyler Austin.  Produced by Justin Remer.  Recorded at the LAPL Octavia Lab.  Check out the "Better Than the Movie" audiobook playlist on Libro.FM - https://libro.fm/playlists/skylight-better-than-the-movie Opening music: "Optimism (Instrumental)" by Duck the Piano Wire.  Closing music: "Rule of 3s (Solemnity Child)" by Elastic No-No Band. 

From BITCHES BREW to "Feels So Good" and beyond, author Matthew Reed Baker delves into the funky, smooth, and transcendent records that resulted from the merging of jazz with R&B, pop, rock, and much much more in the 1970s. Miles Davis, Weather Report, Chuck Mangione, Herbie Hancock, Joni Mitchell, and Steely Dan are just some of the acts that are discussed in 1970s Jazz Fusion, a welcome new installment from 33 1/3's spin-off series on musical genres. Bookseller and writer Justin Remer hosts this discussion of both the book and the music.   Hosted and produced by Justin Remer. Recorded remotely via Zencastr.  Opening music: "Optimism (Instrumental)" by Duck the Piano Wire  Closing music: "Rule of 3s (Solemnity Child)" by Elastic No-No Band

Abe is Bae? The wonderful Emily VanKoughnett (Los Angeles Review of Books; LIT ANGELES) returns to Better Than the Movie with a classy pick: Kobo Abe's existential psychological thriller The Woman in the Dunes. The novel, from 1962, was made a few years later into an Oscar-nominated film adapted by Abe and directed by the inimitable Hiroshi Teshigahara. Both are considered top-tier classics... but which is better?  Hosted by Justin Remer, Allan Traylor, and Tyler Austin.  Produced by Justin Remer.  Recorded at the LAPL Octavia Lab.  Opening music: "Optimism (Instrumental)" by Duck the Piano Wire.  Closing music: "Rule of 3s (Solemnity Child)" by Elastic No-No Band.