We sit down with 5x NYT Bestselling Author Shea Serrano to discuss his fantastic new book "Expensive Basketball" on the Bookum Author Talks Podcast

We talk about the expensive moments that have made the sport of basketball unbelievable. From Damian Lillard ending two different playoff seasons with a buzzer beater, to big fundamentals of Tim Duncan, to Wembanyama's defensive instincts, to Nikola Jokic's Sombor Shuffle, to Allen Iverson as a cultural iconic, to A'ja Wilson winning five WNBA MVPs.

Additionally, we discussed Shea's expressive writing style, his writing process, what should be in a writer's toolkit? and his perfect day of writing.

And we couldn't help but talk about Good Movies (and his Substack), great hiphop albums, and books he would suggest to an 8th English class.

For hoops fans who are excited about the upcoming season!

Timestamps:

0:55 - Jay Z
1:34 - Celebration of Hip Hop and Music
2:06 - R&B Music
3:01 - Pusha T
3:34 - The Landscape of Hiphop in 2026
5:03 - Good Movies
7:23 - Owning Physical Media and VHS Movies
9:45 - Book recommendations
13:33 - Expensive Basketball Book
17:12 - Steph Curry
17:52 - San Antonio Spurs Dynasty Era
18:20 - Tim Duncan
19:54 - Current Spurs 2026-2027 Season
20:15 - Denver Nuggets
20:50 - Wemby and Dylan Harper
22:45 - Ghost Stories and Grail Stories
23:01 - New York Knicks Championship
24:10 - Damian Lillard
26:55 - Basketball as a Continuum
27:45 - Allen Iverson
28:44 - Allen Iverson's All-Star Game Story
32:01 - A’ja Wilson
37:33 - Becky Hammon Story
38:24 - Writing Process and Perfect Day of Writing
41:43: Tips on Expressive Writing
44:45 - Screenwriting and Being Movie Critic
45:55 - Abbott Elementary
47:45 - What Should be in a Writer’s Toolkit?
51:22 - Good Movies Substack


Get your copy of the new book "Expensive Basketball" Today

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This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com

Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!

Who was Huey P. Newton, and how did he shape the Black Panther Party and the fight for Black liberation?

On this episode of the Bookum Author Talks Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Delio Vasquez to discuss his book, Huey P. Newton, and explore the life, political philosophy, and legacy of one of the most influential figures in the Black Panther Party.

We discuss Huey P. Newton's intellectual contributions, the meaning of Black Power, the Black Panther Party's community programs, and its approach to political organizing. Dr. Vasquez also examines the FBI's surveillance of Newton, COINTELPRO, Fred Hampton, and the government's efforts to undermine the Black Panther movement.

Our conversation explores intercommunalism, the circulation of knowledge, Black Panther media outlets, and the contributions of Black women and women leaders within the party. We also discuss Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., political change, and the lessons that modern movements can learn from the history of the Black Panther Party.

Whether you are interested in Black history, African American studies, civil rights, political theory, revolutionary movements, or the legacy of Huey P. Newton, this episode offers an in-depth conversation about the people, ideas, and organizing efforts that shaped a pivotal period in American history.

GET THE BOOK

Pick up a copy of Huey P. Newton by Dr. Delio Vasquez to learn more about Newton's life, ideas, and political legacy here

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Topics: Huey P. Newton, Black Panther Party, Black Power, Black liberation, Black history, African American history, civil rights movement, COINTELPRO, Fred Hampton, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., political philosophy, community organizing, and revolutionary movements.

This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com

Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!

Bookum Author Talks Podcast

In this conversation, Marcus Thompson II, Senior Columnist at The Athletic and author of Game Changers: The GOATs Who Revolutionized Basketball, for a wide-ranging conversation about the players, moments, and ideas that have changed basketball.

Marcus breaks down what separates a Hall of Famer, a GOAT, and a true game changer, while discussing the evolution of basketball, the Golden State Warriors dynasty, Steph Curry’s impact, Michael Jordan, Nikola Jokic, Victor Wembanyama, Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Candace Parker, Allen Iverson, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, and more.

We also talk about the business and cultural impact of basketball, international basketball, basketball philanthropy, defining moments, and what it takes to tell great sports stories.

📚 Get Marcus Thompson II’s book, Game Changers: The GOATs Who Revolutionized Basketball:

https://www.amazon.com/Game-Changers-GOATs-Revolutionized-Basketball/dp/B0GDZZNPW7/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0

🎧 Listen to The Bookum Nook Show on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

Chapters:

1:12 - Are Dynasties Over?
2:56 - Golden State Warriors Dynasty
6:33 - When The Golden State Dynasty Started
6:50 - 2013 Golden State Warriors
9:28 - Steph Curry’s Impact on Basketball
15:35 - Non-Superstars Who Changed Basketball
17:12 - Arvydas Sabonis
18:13 - Nikola Jokic
19:23 - The Evolution of Basketball
20:12 - Retiring the GOAT Debate
23:12 - Actually Loving the Game
24:01 - Don Nelson
24:45 - Moving From Size to Speed and Skill
26:58 - Angel Reese vs. Caitlin Clark
27:35 - Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird
32:05 - Candace Parker
36:23 - Olivia Miles
40:00 - MVP Is a Playoff Award
41:25 - Game Changers on an International Level
42:00 - Michael Jordan
44:48 - Allen Iverson
46:54 - Caitlin Clark
49:12 - Angel Reese
49:47 - Victor Wembanyama (Wemby)
54:11 - Business Game Changers of Basketball
54:33 - LeBron James
55:10 - Andre Iguodala
55:30 - Kevin Durant
56:33 - Basketball Philanthropy
57:12 - The Impact of Basketball Money
1:00:48 - Writing Process & The Perfect Day
1:01:33 - Dirk Nowitzki
1:03:23 - Game Changers Are Always Doubted
1:08:34 - Defining Moments
1:09:50 - Steph Curry’s Defining Moment
1:12:03 - Michael Jordan’s Defining Moment
1:14:55 - Writer’s Toolkit

Subscribe to Bookum for more Author Talks, conversations with book creators, and discussions about the books and stories shaping culture.

Download the Bookum App and start your book club today: www.bookumapp.com

This Podcast is to brought you by Bookum - The book communities NEW and BEST way to host dynamic online book clubs.

Download the App and Start your Book club today at www.bookumapp.com

Catch all of conversations live on the Bookum App Nooks!