In Lem Can Help, Fred Armisen plays life coach Lem Bennings, who tackles life’s big questions on his popular advice podcast. So maybe it shouldn't come as a surprise that in real life, the comedian, writer, producer, and musician looks to an eclectic assortment of sources for inspiration and life lessons.
As he explains about his curated list of listens: “These selections have been helpful in a multitude of ways, from providing inspiration to helping fill in the gaps of my knowledge and learning about history and some of my favorite musicians—especially in their own voice. Plus, it’s fun to try to learn Icelandic! I find it soothing, hearing people speak this language in simple, demonstrative tones.”
Save Fred's collection to your library.
One More Hour
"Carrie Brownstein and Corin Tucker discuss their experience in Sleater-Kinney (my favorite band). They share their history and also talk at length about the music scene in the Pacific Northwest. It’s conversational between them, and it feels like a more personal way to hear their stories."
A Swim in a Pond in the Rain
By George Saunders
Narrated by George Saunders, Phylicia Rashad, Nick Offerman, Glenn Close, Keith David, Rainn Wilson, BD Wong, Renée Elise Goldsberry
A Swim in a Pond in the Rain
"A look at writing structure in Russian short stories. A friend of mine recommended it to me when I was stuck on a script I was writing. It was really helpful. I loved reading a story and then re-reading it with observations by the author."
See a Little Light
"I love Bob Mould. He’s an incredible songwriter, and I wasn’t surprised to see that he’s also a brilliant writer. His whole life is fascinating, and I couldn’t get enough of hearing about his Hüsker Dü days."
Stasiland
"An account of life behind the Berlin Wall when the East German government was in power. It’s so well written, describing the overall sense of fear and paranoia. I had family in East Berlin. When I visited in the early 1980s, I experienced the intimidating presence of the Stasi (their secret police) almost everywhere I went. This book reveals so much about how invasively they spied on their own citizens."
Tammy Wynette
"I started getting into country music a few years ago, and was really drawn to Tammy Wynette’s records. I knew very little about her, and this book painted a more complete picture for me. It’s so well written, and I hear her music in a whole new way now."
Short Stories in Icelandic for Beginners
"It’s fun to try to learn Icelandic. I find it soothing, hearing people speak this language in simple, demonstrative tones."
Lonely Boy
"A really entertaining memoir from the influential guitar player of the Sex Pistols. That’s him on the audiobook, and he has the best London accent I’ve ever heard. He’s funny and engaging all the way through."
The Guns of August
"I can’t remember how much World War I history I was able to retain in school. Maybe a few grainy black-and-white images of tanks. As a grown up, I liked approaching this as something that I wanted to learn about. It’s informative while at the same time being tense and suspenseful."
The Rise
"This is a kind of study of creativity, but focused on the role of failure and abstract thought. It’s much more than that, and I still think about this book when I’m working on something new. I believe in it."
