I'm a writer and love to read. This podcast is great fun but there is great information too! Andrew and Craig just make my day—they are honest and funny and challenge and expand your thoughts about books you may have already read. Have been listening from the beginning and so grateful they are still enjoying doing this!

I just listened to their review of ‘The Maltese Falcon’, and man did they miss the mark. First, the kind of bagged on it for being filled with hard-boiled detective tropes while completely ignoring the fact that Hammett along Chandler largely invented those ‘tropes’. The weren’t tropes while they were being invented. Second they said couldn’t figure out why people were interested in the Falcon and said the book wasn’t clear either. The book is pretty clear on the appeal - a sold gold statue covered in jewels would be worth a fortune in Depression era America. Not sure why these guys found that so hard to understand.

One of my favorite podcasts around! So much fun and full of interesting information, as well as insights about an incredibly wide-range of books. Everything from Garfield Comics to Jane Austin. It’s the least highbrow podcast on books ever. I love it! ❤️

This is one of the worst podcasts that I have ever encountered. These 2 hosts are inarticulate, uneducated, and add virtually NOTHING of value to the experience of reading a book. They’re offensive, glib, and often intellectually incoherent. A great disservice was done to each of the books (and their authors) in the case of the 3 episodes that I listened to. Indeed, the essence of each book was substantially misrepresented. A total waste of time and effort.

I don’t get it! I though this could be a great podcast to gain some information from, but I feel like it’s just weird how the hosts spend plenty of time talking about their trips and honeymoon and not about the book :/ such a waste of time

A lot of the reviews here seem to be complaining that this is not a literary podcast. Spoiler alert: it is not a literary podcast. Happily, though, it IS a book podcast. One of the hosts reads the book and tells the other one about it. They switch off regularly. What I especially like about this podcast is that the chemistry of the two hosts comes through. They are longtime friends and have seen each other through ups and downs in life. You don’t have to have a similar background to them to understand how nice it is to chat about books with somebody you have so much history with. They cover a nice range of genres and authors. I have found myself truly enjoying episodes about books that I am never ever going to actually read, like Jonathan Livingston Seagull. Overall, it’s a lovely way to feel a sense of camaraderie and to learn about books that you may or may not ever have time to read.

Disappointing that this podcast has thrown out their own rule for purposefully not being political. It’s exhausting and unnecessary. We get it. We don’t need any more content of being saying how bad things are, we understand and don’t need to be reminded. No longer supporting on patreon.

Reliably not-so-serious podcast that has the same flow as a casual book club. Tangents, funny stories, questions, grumblings, Craig breaking into song from musical theatre. . . they aren’t trying to be high brow. One of the most important takeaways for me is the discussion about how some books - classics or bestsellers - aren’t necessarily good! There is a whole cannon that people are supposed to revere, and questioning that without an air of superiority is refreshing. If you’re unsure, try an episode with Unfriendly Black Hotties or other guests. The episode about Maus is thoughtful. The funniest episode I’ve heard so far is A Walk to Remember. Or any of the horny holiday episides. 😂

I told my podcast listening adult son’s about “Chinwag” … y’all have such a wild and wide topic range of discussions … I’m learning stuff - nothing earth shattering, but mostly things and topics I never thought would float thru my consciousness or stuff I frankly just don’t believe in … I find you the antidote to the daily darkness that is a rabid toxic misinformation orange media cancor … thank you for my new spark of “what’s next” interest and thank you for great conversations!

I was an avid reader as a teenager. Sadly it’s been YEARS since I read a whole book as an adult. My life is just so busy with work. I finally finished a book again tonight thanks to this podcast. I can’t believe it. Thank you for lighting that spark again. I almost teared up when I reached the last page.

would like a discussion of these books without the host guys giggling throughout, and without it leaning toward reducing the books to their tv or film condensed versions. Turns them into pop culture reductions, reducing them to the simplest explanations, or a hustle culture quick take. Would appreciate a do over--not sure both hosts actually ever read the books or just the wiki or reddit style synopsis and online reviews, with way too much about the business/public take. the hosts talk like caricatures of surfer dudes who went to biz college.

This isnt the literary podcast I’m looking for. Not very deep, feels like their forcing these assignments on one another and neither enjoys the actual books. They sort of just share the plot, giggle about it, and move on.

One of my absolute favorite podcasts - so reliable but always interesting and surprising in new and lovely ways. A perfect Monday morning podcast that brightens my week and makes me think!

10 minutes of giggling and boring chatter

I was excited to find this podcast about books as I listen to others about movies/shows that I watch. In the episode I listened to only the guest had read the book so it wasn’t really a discussion, they just asked questions and made fun of plot points. Why would you host a pod about a book and not have read the book? Waste of everyone’s time.

There is too much unrelated talk. The whole podcast can be done in half an hour. The hosts jump from one topic to another topic.

Disappointing for anyone actually interested in literature - but if you are into two friends goofing off you will enjoy! They seem like nice guys- this just isn’t a worthwhile literature podcast

Tried to listen to the episode on Comac McCarthys The Crossing. I’ll say this. These two guys love themselves and think they are funny. They know nothing about literature. Additionally if you have to warn me about the word Indian I’ve already dismissed your take. This is pure drivel.

This is the worst podcast I’ve ever heard. This is just two want to be comedians, who are not funny in the word, peace episode they try to joke around about everything except the book. No discussion of it whatsoever. Just their little rips on Cliff Notes and how smart they are. Easily the worst podcast I’ve ever heard.

Always worth listening to, I have listened to episodes about books I never intend to read because I love Andrew and Craigs banter. I don’t always agree with their opinions but if we all liked the same stuff, life would be pretty boring.

Clown show

They sound very awkward reading the book. Plus, they is WAY too much laughing! Sure laughing is fun and good for you but it’s overdone. And you don’t really read the book you just talk about. Sorry if I’m wrong, but just my opinion.

Andrew had a better understanding of Kunderas the unbearable lightness of being before disagreeing and dismissing it. I was listening to this to get a better understanding of the book but he he kept objecting to things that were just Craig doing his best to interpret what he read. Which I liked hearing but it kept getting dismissed. Anyway maybe just not the podcast I was looking for. Good podcast otherwise

Just try it, what else are you gonna listen to? Serial again? I mean sure do that, but try this one too. You’ll probably laugh and read (or not waste your time reading) a book (thats not) meant for you.

I’m sorry but this is bad. It sounds like they are reading an awkward script for the first time. This was not a discussion between two people analyzing a book. I will admit I listened to ONE episode, but the weird giggling drove me insane. It was like two teenagers talking about nothing. I am not sure these people have even read the books! I think someone summarizes it for them with their “quippy” lines and that is all they read. I apologize if I am wrong, that is just how it comes across.

Really just couldn’t get through a car ride without listening to intro nonsense and these hosts trying to dunk on one of the most heralded fantasy novels of our time. First listen, last listen. Seemed like time was spent trying to research (poorly) outside of the actual novel. If you want banter and bull over actual critique, this is for you.

This is a great podcast but I need you to read a series I personally love called Zodiac ( it’s a fantasy) by romina russel. PLEASE READ IT NO ONE I KNOW HAS HEARD OF IT AND IT DESPERATELY NEEDS PUBLICITY PLEASE READ IT!!!

Terrible hosts. They don't do enough homework and they laugh at each other all the time. Despite the fact that they are not funny.

Great

I stumbled upon this podcast after I finished The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes because I needed to hear what others thought of the book. I loved that episode so much that I followed and started listening to the back catalog. It’s so fun and I look forward to new episodes.

Been listening almost since the beginning. Andrew and Craig have gotten me through some tough times. Just returned after a bit of a hiatus and it was like coming home to see old friends. Thank you for many years of hilarious, insightful discussions. Never stop the references; we are about the same age and I die laughing every time you remind me of some weird obscure thing that was cool in the 90s, etc 😉

This is exactly what I’ve been looking for in a book podcast. I like the format, the books they cover overlap perfectly with my never-going-to-read to-be-read list, and the hosts are gentle, smart, and make me laugh. I’m working backwards and burning through episodes.

I’m a pretty avid podcast listener, but I had never sought out a book podcast before. When looking into the subject, overdue came up pretty quickly. I liked that they had a large back catalog of episodes filled with books I had already read, and they were still active. I was thrilled to discover that they were also funny, insightful and genuine about the books they were reading. I have since joined their Patreon and am enjoying the community that has built up around them. Recommended in the highest.

Quite honestly, I’ve never been so compelled to share how much I didn’t dislike something. That in itself is something of an accomplishment so… we’ll done on touching something so primal in me. But yeah, there’s no care for the books, no care for the story, seemingly no care for the listener or the podcast. Just some really cheap jokes and a dull spark notes copied summary of the book akin to out 12 grade plagiarized essays. Truly why did you start a podcast about something you seem to not like? It had a weird we’re too cool for school vibe. I’m struggling to figure out who the desired audience is?

The pair really come across as reviewers who rarely read the books they talk about and even more rarely enjoy the books they supposedly read. There are far too many ads and a lot of them are passed off like authentic conversations when it's so blatant it's sponsored content. A lot of the nutshelling comes across as SparkNotes interpretations of the books--further convincing that the books weren't actually read. Words from different languages are butchered in pronunciation with such little care. In one episode the pair disrespect an author who passed away before their review of his book and they didn't even bother to get the basic facts of the story right. Really wish this podcast had met expectations...

I listened to four episodes and won’t again. Are these boys still in high school? Too much giggling. They seem proud of their superficial and dismissive readings. They should find something else to do if they don’t like reading. Snarky and silly— they’re in way over their heads.

I finished “Behind Closed Doors” by B.A. Paris and so wished I had someone to talk about it with! As I stayed up pretty late to finish the book, I resorted to searching for a podcast that had done an overview/discussion to indulge myself. The excitement of just having finished the novel and enjoying the ending quickly diminished as I listened to a jumbled recollection followed with poking fun. I can get down with goofy podcasts, but I was truly hoping for a good discussion and I was severely let down. It seems to me these men read books to essentially make fun and really just make you feel silly for actually getting lost in the story and enjoying it. I don’t read novels to examine perfect metaphors and critique the point of view, I read them to entertain my mind and escape to another world. I recommend checking out a different show if you’re looking for healthy discussion about a story and how it felt to read it.

I am an occasional listener because I tend to only listen to episodes featuring books I have read. However, if I don’t plan on reading a certain book and am interested in hearing about it, Overdue is a fun way to do that! I love the goofiness of the show but also its sincerity. Craig and Andrew have great podcast host chemistry which goes a long way.

I really was anticipating hearing this discussion, but you two guys are just too goody. So many wasted words👎🏻

I like the silly episodes and choose your own adventure episodes especially. A delightful podcast over all.

Im so happy that i found you guys & thanks for making me laugh

Great concept. I wanted to like this podcast. I would even be willing to put up with the rambling delivery, but there are just too many dumb errors. They confuse Harper’s Magazine with Harper’s Bazaar. A guest declares that an author was born in the 1930s and came of age during the Vietnam War. I feel a little bit dumber every time I tune in. And it really could be such a good podcast ! Come on guys!

These guys make me laugh during every episode…sometimes so hard that I can hardly tell my family about it. I appreciate the wide range of books they read.

This is my favorite book podcast- and I listen to quite a few. The hilarious conversations and ridiculous puns make me look forward to this very week, even if I haven’t read the book (most weeks I haven’t read the book. Craig and Andrew are clever without being smug and I appreciate that they always acknowledge problematic issues with an author while still taking a book on its own terms as art. Just an all around rollicking fun hour every week.

This podcast is so much fun! I love to hear Andrew and Craig’s reactions to different books. There are so many gem episodes that I go back to and show friends. If you want to learn about different books and hear some different opinions on something you might have read. Listen to this podcast!

something about the way they both speak is very soothing. and content-wise, even when there’s difficult subject matter, I never come away feeling worse. their conversations are funny and thought-provoking, and they approach many subjects with a refreshing humility. they have a really nice conversational dynamic too. good stuff!

A lot of these books sound terrible. I can’t follow what they’re talking about half the time. Why am I listening to this loll. It’s fun in some inexplicable way. And funny! All the stars ⭐️😂👍🏆

Normally I tolerate commentary but it’s so unclear when the summary actually starts. Start recording after you’re done catching up and bantering

had to write in to express my love after all this time listenin’ when I heard andrew say: “listen, listen, listen- it is a talking cat; i’m not gonna sugarcoat it” and then, later in the same episode, craig said: “we can come back to talking about donkey and shriek whenEVER you want”

Not one intelligent thought. Did they even read it?