Engineered Unicorns: Recent Episodes
Engineered Unicorns
Ever wondered what an engineer reads after work? SandyJ gives you book recommendations that are fantastic in more than one way. Books to escape from reality (for those not afraid of unicorns) and on how to improve your reality if you should wish to do so. The books will most likely be available in one of Karlsruhes many public libraries. We will explore book stores and talk about reading experiences. All from the perspective of a Bookdragon who is an engineer by day and likes a little bit of magic off the clock. Happy endings guaranteed.
Physics turned weird during the last century, first with the relativity and then with quantum mechanics. Supersymmetry and String Theory have been en vogue for the last decades because they are such beautiful theories, but the experiments (LHC at CERN) don’t turn up the predictions (all the while LIGO has found the gravitational waves). Sabine Hossenfelder is a German theoretical physicist and has asked herself, why the physics community likes the beautiful theories so much more then the ugly but well-tested Standard Model, in this months non-fiction book recommendation.
And Terry Pratchett delivers the highly entertaining fictional wyrdness with the all new audiobook of his „Wyrd Sisters“. Witches and particle physics? A wyrd but entertaining combination.
Hear you soon.
Podcast Timetable: Stream on Sunday, June 12th 7 PM local time. Drops on Monday, June 13th, noon-ish, Oldschool Radio (UKW 104.8) Tuesday 10 AM local time. YouTube: whenever we get around to it (Even the older episodes are now available)
Bookdragon, Producer: SandyJ
Music: Erwin Schmidt
Book Recommendations:
Non-FictionSabine Hossenfelder „Lost in Math – How Beauty leads Physics astray“ (2018) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/36341728-lost-in-math
Fiction:Terry Pratchett „Wyrd Sisters“ (1988) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34504.Wyrd_Sisters
Books mentioned:
Lee Smolin „The trouble with physics“ https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/108939.The_Trouble_with_Physics
Brian Greene „The elegant Universe“ https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8049273-the-elegant-universe
Sabine Hossenfelder „Existential Physics: A Scientist’s Guide to Life’s biggest Questions“ (August 9th 2022) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59695048-existential-physics
William Shakespeare „MacBeth“ https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8852.Macbeth
Other Stuff:
Penguin Randomhouse „Turning Terry Pratchett’s Discworld into Audiobooks“ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zw4kYXx8s4k
LIGO – Gravitational Wave https://www.ligo.caltech.edu/page/gravitational-waves
CERN lhc https://home.cern/science/accelerators/large-hadron-collider
To better understand what is happening in the world our local Bookdragon naturally turned to books. SandyJ will share her findings with you in the new episode of Engineered Unicorns.A classic and considered one oft he best non-fiction books of the 20th century Karl R. Poppers „The Open Society and its enemies“ compares the ideas of three known philosophers and their impact on our societies. The fictional politics you can find in Katherine Addisons „The Goblin Emperor“. How does one deal with the pressures and limitations of power and social status?New Fantasy books are available in the Libby App at Karlsruhe Library System and at the American Library in Karlsruhe. And all of this episodes recommendations are available at Karlsruhes libraries.See you in JunePodcast Timetable: Stream on Sunday, May 8th 7 PM local time. Drops on Monday, May 9th, noon-ish, Oldschool Radio (UKW 104.8) Tuesday 10 AM local time. YouTube: whenever we get around to it (Even the older Episodes are now available)Bookdragon, Producer: SandyJMusic: Erwin Schmidt
Ever wanted to be a character in a fantasy book? Better be careful what you wish for, you might end up not being the main protagonist but the villain and things might get seriously off track.
This happens to the main character of the Danmei novel of the chinese author Mo Xiang Tong Xiu. Our local Bookdragon SandyJ had not only a good laugh while reading the „The Scum Villains Self-Saving System“, but she also pondered the implications of being drawn into a book and having to deal with snarky RPG Systems and filling in plotholes with a shovel.
New Fantasy books are available in the Libby App at Karlsruhe Library System and at the American Library in Karlsruhe
Next Unicorns episode will be out in May.
Bookdragon, Producer: SandyJ
Music: Erwin Schmidt
Book Recommendation:
Mo Xiang Tong Xiu „The Scum Villains Self-Saving System“ (2021) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58701909-the-scum-villain-s-self-saving-system
Books mentioned:
Katherine Addison „The Goblin Emperor“ https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17910048-the-goblin-emperor
T.J. Klune „The Lightning-Struck Heart“ https://www.goodreads.com/pt/book/show/24468673-the-lightning-struck-heart
Benedikt Wells „Hard Land“ https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55886863-hard-land
Mo Xiang Tong Xiu „Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation“ https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58701673-grandmaster-of-demonic-cultivation
Mo Xiang Tong Xiu „Heaven Official’s Blessing“ https://www.goodreads.com/id/book/show/58701949-heaven-official-s-blessing
Other Stuff:
The Untamed https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Untamed_%28TV_series%29
Tor.com https://www.tor.com/
SWR Lesenswert https://www.swrfernsehen.de/lesenswert/index.html
New Year, new paths based on what we learned from the past. In the January 2022 episode of our Engineered Unicorns Podcast our local Bookdragon SandyJ looks back on her reading year and what she learned regarding the different book formats, producing this podcast and in other parts of her life. So there will be some light changes to the podcast this year and in her reading journey. So you can look forward to quite a few audiobook recommendations and some experiences regarding reading during the last two years.
Podcast Timetable: Stream on Sunday, January 16th 7 PM local time. Oldschool Radio (UKW 104.8) Tuesday January 18th 10 AM local time. YouTube: whenever we get around to it ;-) (Even the older Episodes are now available)
Bookdragon, Producer: SandyJ
Music: Erwin Schmidt
Books:
Douglas Adams „A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy“, read by Stephen Fry https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16.The_Hitchhiker_s_Guide_to_the_Galaxy
Arthur Conan Doyle „Sherlock Holmes: The definitive Audio Collection“, read by Stephen Fry https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34429916-sherlock-holmes
P. G. Wodehouse „The Jeeves Collection 1“ read by Stephen Fry https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56528385-p-g-wodehouse-volume-1
Brandon Sanderson „Warbreaker“ Full Cast https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35063331-warbreaker
Katie Mack „The End of Everthing“, read by Gabra Zackmann https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52767659-the-end-of-everything
B.J. Fogg „Tiny Habits“, read by the author https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43261127-tiny-habits
Nedra Glower Tawwab „Set Boundaries, Find Peace“ read by the Author https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55782639-set-boundaries-find-peace
Lori Gottlieb „Maybe you should talk to someone“ read by Brittany Pressley https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37570546-maybe-you-should-talk-to-someone
Dan Charnas „Work Clean“ Read by the Author https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26114603-work-clean
Susanna Clarke „Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell“ read by Simon Prebble https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14201.Jonathan_Strange_Mr_Norrell
Garth Nix „The left-handed booksellers of London“ read by Marisa Calin https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49867186-the-left-handed-booksellers-of-london
Marie Brennan „The Memoirs of Lady Trent Series“ read by Kate Reading https://www.goodreads.com/series/107373-the-memoirs-of-lady-trent
Kate Racculia „Tuesday Mooney talks to ghosts“ read by Lauren Fortgang https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42478640-tuesday-mooney-talks-to-ghosts
Mikhail Bulgakov „The Master and Margarita“ Read by Julian Rhind-Tutt https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7224260-the-master-and-margarita
Youtube Channels:
MuchelleB https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0K7QgyjMvw
Other Stuff:
Fantasy Book Releases 2022 https://www.goodreads.com/list/show/156993.Can_t_Wait_Sci_Fi_Fantasy_of_2022
The winter weather and the whole situation in the news cycle is making you feel miserable? Our local Bookdragon is feeling it too. So, SandyJ has some lifestyle recommendations for you to build your cozy book cave to escape temporarily from it all. Starting out with booknook prep she then introduces books and shows that will provide us all with a cozy retreat this December.
Bookdragon, Producer: SandyJ
Music: Erwin Schmidt
Books:
Colin Cowie Chic https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2024492.Colin_Cowie_Chic
Kay O’Neill „The Tea Dragon Society“ https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34895950-the-tea-dragon-society
Alexander Wolkow „Der Zauberer der Smaragdenstadt“ (Retelling of the „The Wizard of Oz“) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27211837-der-zauberer-de r-smaragdenstadt
P.L. Travers „Mary Poppins“ https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/152380.Mary_Poppins
Manga:
Fujita „Wotakoi – Love is hard for Otaku“ https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31826480-wotakoi
Kintatsu Yamada „Sweat and Soap“ https://www.goodreads.com/series/261169-sweat-and-soap
Shows:
The Gilmore Girls https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0238784/
Coffee Prince https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coffee_Prince_%282007_TV_series%29
Her Private life https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Her_Private_Life_(TV_series)
Secret Garden https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Secret_Garden_(South_Korean_TV_series)
Youtube Channels:
Morgan Long https://www.youtube.com/c/MorganLong
Bernadette Banner https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSHtaUm-FjUps090S7crO4Q
How to train your Gavin https://www.youtube.com/c/GavinHetherington
Hardback Hoarder https://www.youtube.com/c/HardbackHoarder
Savidge Reads https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oR6J52wTXs
Other Stuff:
Nintendo „Animal Crossing: New Horizons“
My Neighbor Totoro https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/My_Neighbor_Totoro
November on the northern hemisphere is often dreary, cold and dark. But when the skies are clear can watch the stars quite early. Books allow us to travel not just to nice places on earth but to the dawn of time and the end of the universe. Our Bookdragon SandyJ found on her travels several interesting books.
For the beginning of the universe she recommends Emma Chapman‘s „First Light – Switching on the Stars at the Dawn of Time“. While Katie Mack takes us to „The End of Everything – Astrophysically Speaking“. Two accomplished female scientists who write with a sense of humour. Even November has its perks.
Join our bookish travels.
Bookdragon, Producer: SandyJ
Music: Erwin Schmidt
Book Recommendations
Katie Mack „The end of everything – Astrophysically speaking“ (2020) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52767659-the-end-of-everything
Emma Chapman „First Light – Switching on the Stars at the Dawn of time“ (2020) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50884561-first-light
Book Release by a Black Author
Natasha Bowen „Skin oft he Sea“ (November 9th 2021) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48691825-skin-of-the-sea
Other Stuff Mentioned
Alain de Botton „The Art of Travel“ (2002) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23422.The_Art_of_TravelJames Hoffmann „Brad Pitt Ad“ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nvlh8Bh-QQA
Koramora Nintendo Direct Live React https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gYzNVHb7lQ
Our Opinions are Correct Podcast https://www.ouropinionsarecorrect.com/
Our Opinions are Correct: Episode 75 https://www.ouropinionsarecorrect.com/shownotes/2021/1/14/episode-75-has-jk-rowling-destroyed-harry-potter-fandom
Dr. Becky Smethurst, „A day in the Life of an Astrophysicist“ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XW_qIqLhPkI
Margot Lee Shetterly „Hidden Figures“ (2016) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25953369-hidden-figures
Ever wondered what books and pens have in common?
Well, our Bookdragon SandyJ drew (pun intended) her own conclusions in a Café this month. With other insights she had help from Kae Tempest’s „On Connection“. And even though it was a summer read for her, she recommends one book for the Halloween season , too.
Short books full of fun and insights in this month’s Engineered Unicorns episode, spy ring included.
Bookdragon: SandyJ
Music: Erwin Schmidt
Book Recommendations
Shaun Bythell „Seven Kinds of People you find in Bookshops“ (2020) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53237298-seven-kinds-of-people-you-find-in-bookshops
Available at Karlsruhe’s City Library (in German):
Kae Tempest „On Connection“ (2020) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54874365-on-connection
Ben Aaronovitch „What Abigail did that Summer“ (2021) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55855546-what-abigail-did-that-summer
Book Release by a Black Author
Dhonielle Clayton „Shattered Midnight“ (October 5th 2021) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57007816-shattered-midnight
Other Stuff Mentioned
The Bookshop Wigtown https://www.the-bookshop.com/gallery/
Cathy Hay „How to make time for yourself and for your hobbies“ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3RcNnPv-z8
A Critical Dragon (A.P. Canavan with Philip Chase) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UQpC6pHFbnY
Bookdragons agree: Fantasy is literature, enjoyable to read and you can explore human issues with it.
If you want to dip your toe or reading glasses in the genre of Fantasy, then our local Bookdragon SandyJ has just the recommendation for you this month. “The Memoirs of Lady Trent” series by Marie Brennan explores not only far off lands with dragons but also the role of women in science and society. So this book is interesting in more then one aspect, plus it also is good for this whole academia aesthetic. And did we mention there are Dragons in it?!?
Other books and Bookdragons are mentioned too.
Bookdragon: SandyJ
Music: Erwin Schmidt
Book Recommendations
Marie Brennan „The Memoirs of Lady Trent Series“ https://www.goodreads.com/series/107373-the-memoirs-of-lady-trent
(Book 1 is available at the American Library Karlsruhe)
Book Releases
T. J. Klune „Under the whispering door“ (September 21st) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53205888-under-the-whispering-door
Ayana Gray „Beasts of Prey“ (September 28th)
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55038226-beasts-of-prey
Other Stuff Mentioned
A Critical Dragon „Is Fantasy Literature? Of course it is“ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSwJ6bprlWQ
A Critical Dragon „We were meant to be talking… „ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AAKdTzQF8K4
Philip Chase „Why read Fantasy? A reaction to Salman Rushdie’s Essay“ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRQ20Ow1zXY
Bernadette Banner „Starting 7 projects at once is probably not a wise decision but here we are“
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=se9cAvPNMEQ
Bernadette Banner „Hunting for Antique Household items“ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1unHb-ZKsI
Cathy Hay „How to make time for yourself and for your hobbies“ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3RcNnPv-z8
Cathy Hay „Peacock Dress 4: How to pick something and focus on it“ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WulaowdcwbA
Robert Jordan „The Eye of the World“ (1990) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/228665.The_Eye_of_the_World
J.R.R. Tolkien „The Lord of the Rings“ (1955) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33.The_Lord_of_the_Rings
It’s August, time for a vacation and maybe reading a few books at the beach or in a mountain cabin. If so, our Bookdragon SandyJ has a few recommendations for you. From absolute classics, which are now available as an audiobook, to a new and exciting fantasy book that brings you back to an alternative London during the wild 1980’s. She also tested a new bookish app that shows the reading habits (Manga Weekends made for a nice statistical outlier this year). Books and Habits, what a combination.
So, here are this months recommendations: B.J. Fogg „Tiny Habits: The small changes that change everything“ (2019) and Garth Nix „The left-handed Booksellers of London“ (2020).
Enjoy your August and vacations.
Stream on Sunday, August 1st, 7 PM local time. Drops on Monday, August 2nd, noon-ish, Broadcast August 10th AM 104.8
Bookdragon, Producer: SandyJ
Music: Erwin Schmidt
American Library Karlsruhe Summer Holidays are from August 9th till September 6th !!! So get your book fix before!
Book Recommendations
B.J. Fogg „Tiny Habits: The small changes that change everything“ (2019) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43261127-tiny-habits
Garth Nix „The left-handed Booksellers of London“ (2020) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49867186-the-left-handed-booksellers-of-london
Book Releases
Jordan Ifueko „Redemptor“ (August 17th) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55624056-redemptor
Nic Stone „Fast Pitch“ (August 31st) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56906939-fast-pitch
Sasha Peyton Smith „The Witch Haven“ (August 31st) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56980357-the-witch-haven
Helen Hoang „The heart principle“ (August 31st) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50056075-the-heart-principle
Other Stuff Mentioned
The Storygraph App https://app.thestorygraph.com/
Public Book Cabinets in Karlsruhe: https://ka.stadtwiki.net/%C3%96ffentlicher_B%C3%BCcherschrank
Morgan Long’s Video „A City of Books“ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srxvkz0cmHE
A critical Dragon’s Video „Why is Grimdark?“ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGylZtkC_G0
Charles Dickens „Our Mutual Friend“ (1864-1865) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31244.Our_Mutual_Friend
Joseph Campbell „The Hero with a thousand Faces“ (1948) https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/588138.The_Hero_With_a_Thousand_Faces
How is it July already? In this episode our local Bookdragon SandyJ has not only some routine suggestions for you, but also two very different book recommendations. While the non-fiction recommendation „Lost Connections“ by Johann Hari explores the difficult topic of depression and the human society‘s condition. The Science Fiction recommendation is, while it explores equally complicated topics, a very cozy and enjoyable read: „The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet“ by Becky Chambers. A Heroine’s Journey through space? Yes, please.
Stream on Sunday, July 4th, 7 PM local time. Drops on Monday, July 5th, noon-ish, Oldschool Radio Broadcast Tuesday July 13th, 10 AM, 104.8 UKW
Bookdragon, Producer: SandyJ
Music: Erwin Schmidt
Book Recommendations
Johann Hari „Lost Connections – Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression – and the unexpected Solutions“ (2018) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34921573-lost-connections
Becky Chambers „The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet“ (2014) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22733729-the-long-way-to-a-small-angry-planet
Book Releases
Elizabeth Lim „Six Crimson Cranes“ (July 6th) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53457092-six-crimson-cranes
T.J. Klune „Flash Fire“ (July 13th) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55169010-flash-fire
Lish McBride „Curses“ (July 20th) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43207851-curses
Other Stuff Mentioned
Legs up the wall pose – Yoga with Adriene Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OQEIiZLY-0
How to be „That Girl“ – Rowena Tsai Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvMSSHO6_wo
Fairyloot May Box Unboxing – Brandie Shanae https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JX15LR9BYCg
It’s Pridemonth and the start of the summer on the northern hemisphere, so our local bookdragon SandyJ has not only a rainbow-coloured book recommendation for you but also chosen music to enjoy after the premiere stream. Yes, AC/DC and Barbra Streisand belong together.
The other book recommendation is a highly awarded science-fiction novella with a protagonist that has it‘s very own point of view. SandyJ also has picked up a new hobby and there are new Fantasy books on Karlsruhe‘s Overdrive Library account. Summer is looking good.
On a roll with non-fiction audiobooks our local bookdragon SandyJ talks about three audiobooks that on first glance don’t have anything to do with each other. But when she read them the connections were building. What connections? Well, for that you need to listen to the all new episode of Engineered Unicorns.
Bookdragon und Producer: SandyJ
Music: Erwin Schmidt
Book Recommendations
Nedra Glover Tawwab „Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A guide to reclaiming yourself“ (2021) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55782639-set-boundaries-find-peace
Elizabeth Gilbert „Big Magic: Creative Living beyond fear“ (2015) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24453082-big-magic
Jake Knapp, John Zeratski „Make time: How to focus on what matters every day“ (2018) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37880811-make-time
Book Release by a Black Author
P. Djéli Clark „A Master of Djinn“ (May 11th 2021) Steampunk Fantasy, https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52504334-a-master-of-djinn
Other Stuff Mentioned
Naomi Novik „Uprooted“ (2015), https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22544764-uprooted
Cal Newport „Digital Minimalism“ (2019) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40672036-digital-minimalism
Elizabeth Gilbert „Eat, Pray, Love“ (2007), https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19501.Eat_Pray_Love
Movie „Eat, Pray, Love“ (2010) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0879870/
Lofi HipHop Playlist by Lofi Girl
13 – a Prime number and the current episode’s reference number. You think this is nerdy? Well, this episode dives head first into nerdyness, so it is only fitting.
In February our bookdragon SandyJ enjoyed two Manga Weekends and read 31 books, most of them by Japanese authors. So this episode’s recommendations are the Manga series „Wotakoi – Love is hard for otaku“ by Fujita and the literary fiction novel „The Housekeeper and the Professor“ by Yoko Ogawa.
A special goodie is the book recommendation by the Show’s musician Erwin Schmidt.
Stream on Sunday, 7th March, 7 PM local time. Drops on Monday, 8th March, noonish.
Bookdragon und Producer: SandyJ
Music: Erwin Schmidt
Book Recommendations
Fujita „Wotakoi – Love is hard for Otaku“ (2014) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31826480-wotakoi
Yoko Ogawa „The Housekeeper and the Professor“ (2003) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3181564-the-housekeeper-and-the-professor
Erwin Schmidt’s Book Rec „Die Vermessung der Welt“ Daniel Kehlmann https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1526595.Die_Vermessung_der_Welt
Book Release by a Black Author
Talia Hibbert „Act your Age, Eve Brown“ (9th March 2021) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51824384-act-your-age-eve-brown
Other Stuff Mentioned
Baden-Württemberg Parliamentary Election https://www.landtagswahl-bw.de/
Yoko Nogiri „Love in Focus“ https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44405147-love-in-focus-vol-1
Anime:
Princess Mononoke https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_Mononoke
Ghost in the Shell https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_in_the_Shell
Dragon Ball Z https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_Ball_Z
Wotakoi – Love is hard for Otaku https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wotakoi:_Love_Is_Hard_for_Otaku
In the 12th episode of Engineered Unicorns our local Bookdragon SandyJ not only recommends an extraordinary audiobook version of the YA fantasy novel „The Extraordinaries“ by T.J. Klune. She also talks about her experiences with her book subscription and the book club she joined in January.
Music theme by Erwin Schmidt
Book Recommendation:
T.J. Klune „The Extraordinaries“ (2020) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52380340-the-extraordinaries
Other Stuff Mentioned:
Akane Tamura „A Side Characters Love Story“ https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51099729-a-side-character-s-love-story-vol-1
Becky Chambers „The Galaxy, and the ground within!“ (February 2021) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54727327-the-galaxy-and-the-ground-within
T.J. Klune „Flash Fire“ (July 2021) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/55169010-flash-fire
Namina Forna „The Gilded Ones“ (February 2021) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40024121-the-gilded-ones
Natsuki Takaya „Fruits Basket“ Collector’s Edition, https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28219400-fruits-basket-collector-s-edition-vol-1
Podcast Episode regarding the Fairyloot-Hack : When books make your credit card howl https://www.campusradio-karlsruhe.de/2020/07/31/when-books-make-your-credit-card-howl/
Ezeekat‘s Book Club https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/1136586-ezeekat-s-book-club
In the January 2021 episode of Engineered Unicorns Karlsruhe's Bookdragon SandyJ looks back on her reading year and forward to the new one.
Fairytales often shape our perception of the world and therefore are important as some of the foundations of our society. Hence it is necessary to take a look at the stories that we tell ourselves and what they teach us and the young generations.
This months fantasy book recommendation „The School for Good & Evil“ by Soman Chainani does just that. In a hilarious story it turns our perception of what good and evil look and act like on it’s head. The narration by Polly Lee gives the story extra oomph.
Looking for a new way to organise your life but none of the „off-the-rack“-systems work for your special case? Then „The Bullet Journal Method“ by Ryder Carroll might be the adaptable system you search for. SandyJ uses the Bullet Journal since 2018 and loves it.
Add in the interesting book releases of this month plus an ALL NEW THEME SONG by our favorite bass guitar player Erwin Schmidt (Thank you, Erwin) and you get an inkling what we will stream on Sunday, January 10, at 7 p.m. on Campusradio Karlsruhe. Dropping on the podcast platforms next week.
(Recorded on January 5th!)
Bookdragon: SandyJ
Musician Extraordinaire (Composer of the Themesong): Erwin Schmidt
Book Recommendations
Fiction:
Soman Chainani „The School for Good & Evil“ (2013) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42080479-the-school-for-good-and-evil
Non-Fiction
Ryder Carroll „The Bullet Journal Method“ (2018)
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39071691-the-bullet-journal-method
Videos:
How to Bullet Journal (Basic Video by Ryder Carroll)- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fm15cmYU0IM
How to ADHD – Interview with Ryder Carroll https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTlHT3d2Grs
TEDx – Talk by Ryder Carroll https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ym6OYelD5fA
Ezeekat’s Youtube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/Kookamungakat
Other Stuff Mentioned:
Ezeekat’s Book Club: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/1136586-ezeekat-s-book-club
Amie Kaufmann, Meagan Spooner „The other side of the sky“ (2020) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40599772-the-other-side-of-the-sky
Amy Noelle Parks „The Quantum weirdness of the almost kiss“ (January 5th 2021) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51075452-the-quantum-weirdness-of-the-almost-kiss
J. Elle „Wings of ebony“ (January 26th 2021) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54304072-wings-of-ebony (Black author)
Sarah Lariviere „Time travel for love and profit“ (January 26th 2021) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50285849-time-travel-for-love-and-profit
Jack Harbon „Meet cute club“ (2020) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51054227-meet-cute-club
Remember the Heroine’s Journey? Well this month our local Bookdragon SandyJ has a mysterious, fun and fast paced book recommendation for you: „Tuesday Mooney talks to ghosts“ by Kate Racculia checks all the boxes. It’s a fabulous, addictive, deep story full of well written characters and the Narration by Lauren Fortgang is on point.
To celebrate the cozy time of the year (on the northern hemisphere) and the 10th episode, there is a Spotify playlist for your Magical Unicorn Morning.
To prep for yourself for 2021 there’s not only the non-fiction recommendation of Monocle: The Forecast, but also the Unicorn Cleaning Playlist for the start of Susuharai (Japanese version of cleaning before the new year) on December 13th. As always some new book releases are mentioned, too.
The episode will be streamed on Sunday, December 6, 7 p.m. with some songs of the Magical Unicorn Morning Playlist afterwards. On the podcast platforms it will drop on Monday around noon.
Bookdragon: SandyJ
Music: Erwin SchmidtMagical
In these trying times our local Bookdragon SandyJ and countless readers around the globe take refuge in magical stories with happy endings. These stories are often based on a distinct and largely unknown narrative structure: the Heroine‘s Journey.
The new non-fiction book by Fantasy author (and Archeologist) Gail Carriger is written for authors and readers to get to know and use this narrative structure appropriately.
So join us on Sunday, November 8, at 7 p.m. on our stream to find the structure of positive stories and where to look for those stories.
On the podcast platforms you’ll find this episode on Monday, noon-ish.
Bookdragon: SandyJ
Music: Erwin Schmidt
In the October episode of Engineered Unicorns our local Bookdragon SandyJ introduces you to her favorite cosy autumnal reads. Instead of spooky she prefers fun and therefore reads Terry Pratchett‘s Discworld Novels. Her favorite character speaks in SMALL CAPS and is more weird than spooky even though Halloween brings out a lot of depictions of him.
Looking for cosy fantasy? Then listen to the new episode of our Engineered Unicorns Podcast, Sunday, October 4th, 7 p.m. at Campusradio Karlsruhe.
On the podcast platforms it will be available on Monday, October 5th.
Bookdragon: SandyJ
Music: Erwin Schmidt
Recommendations
Fantasy:
Terry Pratchett „The Truth“ (2002)
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34498.The_Truth
Terry Pratchett „Mort“ (1987)
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/386372.Mort
Terry Pratchett „Going Postal“ (2004)
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/64222.Going_Postal
Terry Pratchett „Monstrous Regiment“ (2003)
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34511.Monstrous_Regiment
Information
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Discworld
Semaphores = optical telegraph https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optical_telegraph
Book Releases October (Probably ;-):
Gail Carriger „The Heroine’s Journey“ (01.10.2020)
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54618699-the-heroine-s-journey
V.E. Schwab „The invisible life of Addie LaRue“ (06.10.2020)
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50623864-the-invisible-life-of-addie-larue
Stefan Bachmann „Cinders and Sparrows“ (13.10.2020)
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52165391-cinders-and-sparrows
C.L. Polk „The Midnight Bargain“ (13.10.2020) (Black Author)
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49151031-the-midnight-bargain
Katie O’Neill „The Tea Dragon Tapestry“ (27. October 2020)
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51323376-the-tea-dragon-tapestry
P. Djèlí Clark „Ring Shout“ (13. October 2020)
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49247242-ring-shout
Other Books mentioned:
Colin Cowie Chic (2007) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2024492.Colin_Cowie_Chic
V. S. Santoni „I’m a gay Wizard“ (2017) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43809342-i-m-a-gay-wizard
Terry Pratchett (1998) https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34541.Carpe_Jugulum
In Episode No. 7 our Bookdragon SandyJ recommends books that will help you to bring some magic to your life, should you wish to do so. Fantasy books for the young at heart and grown women with shapeshifters galore and an all encompassing lifestyle book by a South African wedding planner.
Katie O‘Neills „Tea Dragon Society“ invites you to enjoy a warm cup of tea and a cozy hour of reading on a chilly Autumn afternoon. „Betwixt“ by Darynda Jones is for all the grown women who wish for witches that are as cool as themselves and older then 25. Colin Cowie gives you the necessary tips to style your life as chic as it could be.
In other news: Libby by Overdrive is now available for users of the Stadtbibliothek Karlsruhe and SandyJ is loving it. September 2020 brings new books in troves, so our Bookdragon gives you a few hints what books to look out for. Luckily with Fall around the corner the weather and reading chairs are calling for travelling in fictional worlds instead of the real world.
Premiere stream: Sunday, September 6, 7 P.M.
Podcast Apps: next week
Host: SandyJ
Music: Erwin Schmidt
While July was a better month for our local book dragon SandyJ, after all it‘s gooseberry season, there still was a cyber security incident which led to her and other Fairyloot customer’s credit cards howling in pain. SandyJ tells you how she experienced it and what she will do under current circumstances.
Cyber security is certainly a cumbersome but necessary part of the real world, so SandyJ turns to the classic „Howl‘s Moving Castle“ by Diana Wynne Jones for comfort. The real world information with a decidedly Asian point of view provides „The Future is Asian“ by Parag Khanna. For those who feel the reading slump „Mystic Pop-Up Bar“ provides fantastic fun on Netflix.
Of course this episode gives you a few upcoming August 2020 Fantasy releases to look out for. The first book will even be released into this wild world before this episode airs.
The show notes contain not only all the books mentioned but also the links to two articles on credit card fraud issues. Read your card statements, dear readers!
Premier stream on Campusradio Karlsruhe, Sunday August 2nd, 7 p.m. On the podcast portals soonish next week.
In the new episode SandyJ not only follows several female Agents but also the international reader community through bookish worlds. Let’s switch the script.
A Manga as non-fiction recommendation, a book subscription box from an engineers point of view and book worlds spanning four continents and several dimensions.
The noodles? For those you need to listen to the episode.
In the 4th episode of the Engineered Unicorns diversity is key. Books recommended include the genres romance, non-fiction physics, fantasy, contemporary, shifter romance, gay romance, alternate history and science fiction, the authors are trans, gay, Italian, PoC or plain old cis gender, but mostly female. The book list is looooong. The Fantasy book recommendation of this month is Gail Carrigers „Defy or Defend“, stylish Vampires and the power of a well chosen wall paper.The Non-Fiction book recommendation is Carlo Rovellis „The Order of Time“, a small but mindbending physics and poetic book.
The recommendations come not only from SandyJ but also from LisaL. This episode celebrates the magic of books and different voices. Black, female and LGBTQ+ voices matter (!!!!) and they provide fun and enlightening reading material, too.
The Engineered Unicorn Podcast is back with some strange recommendations. SandyJ suddenly likes audiobooks and therefore recommends two, one of them she hasn’t even finished yet!
Her non-fiction recommendation is Lori Gottlieb‘s „Maybe you should talk to someone“, Psychotherapists and therapy explained, guess what, they are human and have feelings, too. Strange, isn’t it?! And while we are on the topic, her fantasy/fiction recommendation is „Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell“ by Susanna Clarke. 32 hours of magic in an alternate British Empire during Napoleonic times.
Now that the libraries and bookshops are open, you are free to explore.
New May releases mentioned are: „Defy or Defend“ by Gail Carriger (Pubdate May 3rd) and „Im Sturm der Echos“ by Christelle Dabos (Pubdate June 22 2020).
Music: Erwin Schmidt
Streaming on Sunday, May 3rd, 7 p.m. at Campusradio Karlsruhe.
In the new episode „Windy Sugar & Fantastic Shifter Stories“ of our new Engineered Unicorns Podcast SandyJ gives book and magazine recommendations. Maddening and downright rassist real world industry practices are revealed in „The case against sugar“ by Gary Taubes (available in the American Library Karlsruhe).
A break from the real world provide the books of Forthright „Tsumiko and the enslaved fox“ and even more so „Kimiko and the accidental proposal“. Veritable comfort reads finds SandyJ.
For some insightful and aestetically pleasing reads the Katapult Magazine is recommended (Only in German).
Listen to the new episode on sunday, April 5, at 7 p.m. on Campusradio Karlsruhe.
Musik: Erwin Schmidt
On Sunday we have a premiere on our stream: the first episode of „Engineered Unicorns – Fantastic Book Recommendations“ our new monthly podcast. Our moderator and Podcaster will tell you about books she reads and recommends.
Ever wondered what an engineer reads after work? SandyJ gives you book recommendations that are fantastic in more than one way. Books to escape from reality (for those not afraid of unicorns) and on how to improve your reality if you should wish to do so. The books will most likely be available in of Karlsruhes many public libraries. We will explore book store and talk about reading experiences. All from the perspective of a Bookdragon who is an engineer by day and likes a little bit of magic off the clock. Happy endings guaranteed.
In the first episode she‘ll talk about #awinterspromise by #christelledabos (available in the American Library Karlsruhe) and #finish by #jonacuff. Welcome to the world of fantastic and amusing books.
Tune in on Sunday, March 1st, at 7 p.m. on campusradio-karlsruhe.de.
Host: SandyJ
Music: Erwin Schmidt
Language: English