Comedian Anthony Jeselnik has developed a notable presence in the literary world through his Jeselnik Book Club, which reflects his evolving interests beyond stand-up comedy. The club, launched as an extension of his online activities during touring, emphasizes short, engaging novels that Jeselnik personally enjoys, aiming to make literature more accessible—especially to male readers.
Jeselnik routinely recommends books at the end of his comedy podcasts, and with his book club, he sought a format that felt natural and sustainable alongside his comedy career. His selections span diverse authors, including Jim Thompson and Jenny Offill, all chosen for their brevity—generally around 250 pages—to encourage readers who may be reluctant to tackle longer works. Jeselnik believes this focus on shorter novels helps overcome what he perceives as a cultural challenge of convincing men to read fiction, attributing their reluctance to a perception of reading as a non-essential activity and a broader decline in attention spans due to digital distractions.
“I think it’s a marketing problem,” Jeselnik said, suggesting literature should be promoted as a form of mental exercise akin to physical workouts. He hopes the current decline in reading fiction is a temporary trend that can be reversed over time.
Jeselnik also offers insight into his personal reading habits. Among authors whose works he keeps close are Rachel Cusk, whose *Outline* trilogy sits permanently beside his bed, and Jack Handey, famed for his *Deep Thoughts* collections. A notable personal anecdote involves his 15 copies of Bret Easton Ellis’s *Glamorama*, collected over time in different languages by a traveling friend. Jeselnik once met Ellis in person and learned he had been mispronouncing the novel’s title.
His ideal reading environment is on a dark airplane, Kindle illuminated, headphones in, uninterrupted except for a flight attendant refilling his water glass. This setting allows him to fully immerse himself in literature between performances.
Jeselnik is also candid about comedy and literary humor. While his taste includes books that made him laugh out loud—such as Charlie Kaufman’s *Antkind* and Joseph Heller’s *Catch-22*—he expresses little patience for some humorists, notably David Sedaris.
Among recent impactful reads, Jeselnik highlights *Chain-Gang All-Stars* by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, a book he describes as a “stunning achievement” and one that inspired him to write a foreword for a new edition. He singles out Sam Tallent’s *Running the Light* as an underappreciated novel about stand-up comedy.
Jeselnik’s literary interests extend beyond reading; when asked about a dream dinner party, he chose Rachel Cusk, Joan Didion, and Emily St. John Mandel, anticipating a gathering marked by sharp personalities and spirited conversation. The Jeselnik Book Club’s unofficial motto, “You don’t shoot dogs in Jeselnik Book Club,” is intended to distinguish its selection ethos from more conventional book clubs.