The Buying of Lot 37

Totally get why serial radio shows were a thing back in the day. For all the book-related and non-fiction podcasts I listen to, a scripted, performed fictional one wasn't anything I tried before, but I really loved this. 
So happy this book, randomly keyword picked in honour of my 37th birthday in January, ended up inspiring me to try out a world that heretofore was simply cryptic fan references I saw on Tumblr.
Might seem weird to start with this volume, which covers episodes 50 to 70, but it was a lovely sample and narrative arc, and I am most definitely going to start from the beginning and continue on with this podcast now! It's honestly got enough joyful random in it that I feel like you could start anywhere, and it does do tidbits of referencing recaps, no doubt a hold over from those long serialized radio broadcasts. 
I'm sad that the live tour performance was not recorded for the podcast, aside from bonus excerpt, but that makes the book valuable for including the full transcript of that performance as well.
I enjoyed the behind the scenes introductions to episodes the book provides, (especially episode 54 & 64) not so much the incredibly, fittingly creepy illustrations accompanying the transcripts of each episode, but I gotta say, having this book introduce me to the Welcome to Night Vale podcast, I would ask, why would you ever read it when you could listen to it?! Most episodes include a segment called ‘weather' that is a different musician performing a song each time, plus various background effects and music and professionals acting out their lines, so much more immersive. We'll call this one 2/3rds - 3/4s audio book with some behind the scenes print add ons. 

That being said, I loved the writing, and will definitely be picking up the other books that make up parts of the Night Vale universe. 

General vibes are: surreal random cozy sci fi horror social commentary satire all at once.