🎙 Douglas Vigliotti explores "We the Animals" by Justin Torres, a coming-of-age novel that tackles the intricate themes of family, identity, and personal growth. Douglas sheds light on the author’s background and the book's narrative, which follows a young protagonist as he navigates complex family dynamics and his emerging sexuality. With a focus on the book's emotional depth and minimalist storytelling, Douglas shares his reflections, inviting listeners to join the conversation and embrace the subtle richness of literary fiction.

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📚 Learn more about "Aristotle for Novelists" at AristotleforNovelists.com or READ IT NOW!

⚡️ Connect with the host on Instagram @douglasvigliotti or learn more about him at DouglasVigliotti.com.

🎧 Listen to Douglas Vigliotti's other podcast: Slightly Crooked: Good Stories, Told Well.

⭐️ Please consider sharing "Books for Men" with other men who enjoy reading, or subscribing and rating on your favorite podcast platform. Either goes a long way in helping new listeners find the show and inspire (more) men to read.

🗣️ Listen to episode #95: Miles from Nowhere | Nami Mun!

🗣️ Listen to episode #244: 'Reasons to Live'—Why What Isn't There Is Just as Important as What Is!

💥 TOPICS COVERED IN THE EPISODE:

• Introduction to "We the Animals" (00:09) - Douglas introduces the book "We the Animals" and its themes of family and identity.
• Author Background (01:17) - Discussion on Justin Torres, his writing career, and his connection to the book.
• Book's Adaptation (02:31) - Mention of the indie film adaptation of "We the Animals" released in 2017.
• Themes of the Story (03:36) - Exploration of the book's themes of family life, childhood longing, and the protagonist's coming out.
• Complexity of Emotion (05:00) - Insight into the emotional complexities in the story, compared to works by Amy Hempel.
• Growth is Painful (06:13) - Discussion on the protagonist's painful journey of growth and self-discovery.
• Meaning of the Title (08:51) - Analysis of the title "We the Animals" and its symbolic significance in the narrative.
• Closing Remarks (10:24) - Douglas encourages listeners to subscribe, rate the podcast, and connect with him.

🎙 In this Special Edition episode, Douglas Vigliotti unveils his book selection and curation process, sharing insights into his reading habits, the methodology behind his recommendations, and the importance of a "consumption diet" for mental health. Douglas outlines three pillars for curating his reading list, shares his reading statistics from the last five years and current "to be read" list, and encourages listener feedback and suggestions for future Special Edition episodes.

✓ Sign up for the monthly newsletter at BooksforMen.org.

📚 Learn more about "Aristotle for Novelists" at AristotleforNovelists.com or READ IT NOW!

⚡️ Connect with the host on Instagram @douglasvigliotti or learn more about him at DouglasVigliotti.com.

🎧 Listen to Douglas Vigliotti's other podcast: Slightly Crooked: Good Stories, Told Well.

⭐️ Please consider sharing "Books for Men" with other men who enjoy reading, or subscribing and rating on your favorite podcast platform. Either goes a long way in helping new listeners find the show and inspire (more) men to read.

🗣️ Listen to episode #182: Special Edition | Part 2: 10 Reasons to Read (Fiction)!

🗣️ Listen to episode #202: Special Edition: Audiobooks vs Books (Or, 7 Reasons Why Listening is Not Reading)!

💥 TOPICS COVERED IN THE EPISODE:

• Introduction to the Episode (00:09) - Douglas introduces the special edition episode about his book selection and curation process.
• Encouragement for Listener Engagement (00:40) - He invites listeners to share questions and suggestions for improving the podcast.
• Promotion of New Book (01:26) - Douglas discusses his new book, "Aristotle for Novelists," and its relevance to storytelling.
• Importance of Curation (02:35) - He emphasizes the significance of being intentional about what one consumes in literature and media.
• Reading Deficit Concept (02:35) - Douglas explains the idea of a perpetual reading deficit and its implications for readers.
• Consumption Diet (02:35) - He introduces the concept of a "consumption diet," stressing the importance of quality input.
• Intimacy of Reading (03:47) - Douglas highlights the unique intimacy of reading compared to other media forms.
• Methodology Behind Recommendations (05:03) - He asserts that he only recommends books he has read in their entirety.
• Curating Reading Choices (06:10) - Douglas outlines his three pillars for curating reading material: interest, adjacency, and relationships.
• Interest as a Pillar of Curation (06:10) - He discusses how personal interests guide his reading choices.
• Adjacent Interests (08:30) - Douglas explains how books related to his interests help expand his knowledge and understanding.
• Relationships in Book Selection (09:52) - He talks about the importance of trusting recommendations from others and authors.
• Statistics on Reading Habits (12:05) - Douglas shares his reading statistics for 2023 and previous years, including books read and DNFs.
• Current To Be Read List (15:16) - He concludes with details about his current "to be read" list and its significance.
• Closing Remarks (16:27) - Douglas encourages listener feedback and promotes his new book and social media.