SFF Yeah!: Recent Episodes
Book Riot
SFF Yeah! is a biweekly show dedicated to the latest happenings and our favorite recommendations from the worlds of science fiction and fantasy.
This week, Jenn talks about some nonfiction reads that have changed the way she approaches SF/F! Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! Book Riot's editorial team is writing for casual and power readers alike over at The Deep Dive! During the month of September, all new free subscribers will be entered to win Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler, plus 5 mystery books from The Deep Dive. To enter, simply start a free subscription to The Deep Dive. No payment method required! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Books Discussed The Carrier Theory of Fiction by Ursula K. Le Guin, introduction by Donna Haraway The Disordered Cosmos by Chanda Prescod-Weinstein Physics of the Impossible by Michio Kaku Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sharifah dives into "rich people problems" in SF/F, with two favorites. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! Wanna escape the Dog Days of summer with purrfect book recommendations? Let Tailored Book Recommendations pick awesome books to keep you entertained. Touch grass, grab some lemonade, and enjoy TBR's picks. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Books Discussed The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo (tw: abortion scene, racism, homophobia) The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson (tw: intimate partner violence, harm to children, addiction) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jenn and Sharifah are off this week, so please enjoy this When in Romance episode about witch romances and more, with Jess Pryde and Liberty Hardy. Jess is joined by Book Riot's resident velocireader, Liberty Hardy, who listens patiently while Jess discusses news and then actually gets the chance to talk when the pair discuss witch romances (with many detours along the way). Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
News When In Romance Book Club is back! We'll be reading The Perfect Find by Tia Williams AND discussing the adaptation on Netflix, and discussing it at the end of September. Check out Tailored Book Recommendations! The Seattle Times does a good rundown on the BookTok/Kraken drama. Here's Marines's video on TikTok. Strength, solidarity, and healing vibes to Emily McIntyre. Visit A Novel Romance if you're in Louisville! Find Jess at Steamy Lit Con!
Books Discussed The Bad Ones by Melissa Albert Snow Place Like LA by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone Crossed by Emily McIntyre The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna Not the Witch You Wed by April Asher The League of Gentlewoman Witches by India Holton Binding Shadows by Jasmine Silvera Let us know what you think about witch romances and tell us your favorite! As always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address (wheninromance@bookriot.com). You can also find us on Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @franzencomesalive), and Jess is even on TikTok (@jess_isreading). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Jenn talks about two SF/F books that she read because someone else strongly recommended them. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! Wanna escape the Dog Days of summer with purrfect book recommendations? Let Tailored Book Recommendations pick awesome books to keep you entertained. Touch grass, grab some lemonade, and enjoy TBR's picks. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Books Discussed Lady Hotspur by Tessa Gratton (cw: PTSD, death fixation, violence and gore), author rec’d by Karen Lord in The Blue, Beautiful World acknowledgements Buffalo is the New Buffalo by Chelsea Vowel (cw: racism, suicide, drug use and overdose, violence), rec’d by Danika in Our Queerest Shelves Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sharifah and Jenn talk about Octavia Butler Avenue, a new crime series from Marvel, cover trends and tropes in SF/F, and more. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! Wanna escape the Dog Days of summer with purrfect book recommendations? Let Tailored Book Recommendations pick awesome books to keep you entertained. Touch grass, grab some lemonade, and enjoy TBR's picks. News Lizzo Meets LOTR [People] New Marvel Crime Series [Publishers Weekly] Greta Gerwig to direct Narnia movie [Variety] Octavia Butler Avenue in Forest Park, Washington [Publishers Weekly] This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Books Discussed Fit for the Gods: Greek Mythology Reimagined edited by Jenn Northington and S. Zainab Williams Haunting of Alejandra by V. Castro (cover by Alex Eckman-Lawn) House of Cotton by Monica Brashears (design by Donna Sinisgalli Noetzel) House of Marionne by J. Elle (Cover art by Elena Masci, cover design by Theresa Evangelista) Tensorate series by Neon Yang (Omnibus cover art by Yuko Shimizu) The Water Outlaws by S.L. Huang (cover art by Feifei Ruan; design by Christine Foltzer) Guardians of Dawn: Zhara by S. Jae Jong For a complete list of books discussed in this episode, visit our website https://bookriot.com/listen/cover-talk/. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Sharifah is playing Guess That Backlist SFF Book, where she tells you what the book is about and you guess the title before she gives you the answer! (Titles below so don't look if you want to guess) Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! Wanna escape the Dog Days of summer with purrfect book recommendations? Let Tailored Book Recommendations pick awesome books to keep you entertained. Touch grass, grab some lemonade, and enjoy TBR's picks. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Books Discussed Rosewater by Tade Thompson The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sharifah and Jenn discuss the Ursula K. Le Guin Prize Shortlist, a new way to doomscroll, The Changeling adaptation, the most exciting books of the second half of 2023, and more. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! What do S.A. Cosby, Khaled Hosseini, Sarah Bakewell, and Yahdon Israel have in common? They've been guests on Book Riot's newest podcast, First Edition where BookRiot.com co-founder Jeff O'Neal explores the wide bookish world. Subscribe to hear them and stay to hear Book Riot's editors pick the "it" book of the month. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
News Ursula K. Le Guin Prize Short List [Tor.com] Timeline of the far future [Wikipedia] Context for the WGA & SAG-AFTRA Strike [Variety] The Changeling coming to Apple TV+ [Deadline]
Books Discussed He Who Drowned the World by Shelley Parker-Chan (Aug 22, Tor Books) The Splinter in the Sky by Kemi Ashing-Giwa (July 11, Gallery/Saga Press) Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas (August 15, Berkley) The Deep Sky by Yume Kitasei (July 18, Flatiron) Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (July 18, Del Rey) The Saint of Bright Doors by Vajra Chandrasekera (July 11, Tordotcom) I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast is Me by Jamison Shea (Aug 29, Henry Holt (BYR))
Books Mentioned: Tiny Pretty Things by Sona Charaipotra, Dhonielle Clayton The Walls Around Us by Nova Ren Suma The Blue, Beautiful World by Karen Lord In Charm’s Way by Lana Harper Where Peace is Lost by Valerie Valdes Mammoth at the Gates by Nghi Vo The Jinn-Bot of Shantiport by Samit Basu System Collapse by Martha Wells The Reformatory by Tananarive Due Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In which Jenn talks about two older series that she's reading and loving this summer. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! What do S.A. Cosby, Khaled Hosseini, Sarah Bakewell, and Yahdon Israel have in common? They've been guests on Book Riot's newest podcast, First Edition where BookRiot.com co-founder Jeff O'Neal explores the wide bookish world. Subscribe to hear them and stay to hear Book Riot's editors pick the "it" book of the month. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Books Discussed The Honey Badger Shifter Chronicles (Hot and Badgered #1) by Shelly Laurenston The Expanse series (Leviathan Wakes #1) by James S.A. Corey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sharifah and Jenn discuss their favorite books from the last few months, award season winners and nominees for Locus and the Hugos, a new AI shenanigan, and more. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! What do S.A. Cosby, Khaled Hosseini, Sarah Bakewell, and Yahdon Israel have in common? They've been guests on Book Riot's newest podcast, First Edition where BookRiot.com co-founder Jeff O'Neal explores the wide bookish world. Subscribe to hear them and stay to hear Book Riot's editors pick the "it" book of the month. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
News Locus 2023 Award Winners [Locus] Hugo 2023 Finalists [Book Riot] Alix Harrow on the Hugos [Instagram] Error-Ridden AI-Generated Star Wars Article on io9 [Variety] Sign a poem going to Europa! [Book Riot]
Books Discussed The Archive Undying by Emma Mieko Candon (cw: intimate partner violence, suicidal thoughts, gore, body horror) Titanium Noir by Nick Harkaway (cw: discussion of intimate partner violence) Untethered Sky by Fonda Lee (cw: child death, graphic violence, animal abuse, animal death) Our Hideous Progeny by C.E. McGill (they/them) (cw: violence against women, animal experimentation, violence against animals) H is For Hawk by Helen MacDonald The Haunting of Alejandra by V. Castro (cw: infant death, maternal mortality, attempted suicide, child endangerment, rape, spousal abuse) Flux by Jinwoo Chong (cw: death of a parent) Chain Gang All Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Sharifah looks at some favorite books from 2013 by BIPOC authors! Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! What do S.A. Cosby, Khaled Hosseini, Sarah Bakewell, and Yahdon Israel have in common? They've been guests on Book Riot's newest podcast, First Edition where BookRiot.com co-founder Jeff O'Neal explores the wide bookish world. Subscribe to hear them and stay to hear Book Riot's editors pick the "it" book of the month. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Books Discussed The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo (warnings: drug addiction, attempted suicide, overdose, death of a parent) The Summer Prince by Alaya Dawn Johnson (warnings: racism, mention of suicide) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jenn and Sharifah are off this week, so please enjoy this First Edition episode about sci-fi and fantasy "insta-buys" and more with Jeff O'Neal, Sharifah, and Kendra Winchester. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
First Edition Kendra Winchester comes on to commemorate the 15th anniversary of two events that heralded the modern audiobook boom: Amazon buying Audible and Apple allowing third-party apps on the iPhone. Then, Sharifah Williams, Book Riot's Director of Content and co-host of our SFF Yeah! podcast, joins me to debut a new segment: The Insta-Buys. Check out First Edition on Twitter, on Substack, and on Instagram. And if you have a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, please and thank you!
Discussed in this episode: Better Than Nothing? Exploring the Limitations of AI-Narrated Audiobooks from a Disabled Person’s Perspective 10 Audiobook Narrators You Need to Follow on TikTok The Untold History of the Talking Book by Matthew Rubery Check out Kendra's podcast, Read Appalachia. You can also follow her on Substack, Winchester Ave, and posting photos of her Corgis on Instagram and Twitter @kdwinchester. Sharifah Williams co-hosts our SFF Yeah! podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jenn brings you a couple more cozy SF/F options for your summer reading. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! Looking for fascinating stories, informed takes, useful advice, and more drawn from our collective experience as power readers, teachers, librarians, booksellers, and bookish professionals? Subscribe to The Deep Dive, a biweekly newsletter featuring stories to inform and inspire readers, to get exclusive content delivered to your inbox! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Books Discussed Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree Murder in G Major by Alexia Gordon (cw: discussion of suicide, use of ableist slurs) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sharifah and guest Jeff O'Neal talk about the SFF book that topped B&N's bestseller list, yet another Game of Thrones spinoff, D&D's new streaming venture, travel a decade back in time to look at the most popular SFF of 2013, and more. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! Looking for fascinating stories, informed takes, useful advice, and more drawn from our collective experience as power readers, teachers, librarians, booksellers, and bookish professionals? Subscribe to The Deep Dive, a biweekly newsletter featuring stories to inform and inspire readers, to get exclusive content delivered to your inbox!
News Barnes & Noble Top 100 Bestselling Books [Barnes & Noble] GOT Universe Expands [Tor.com] D&D launching a TV channel [Gizmodo] Taika Waititi in Talks to Direct Klara and the Sun [Deadline]
Books Discussed Goodreads's Most Popular Books of 2013 Note to listeners: Goodreads's list does not meet our standards for diversity. In 2013, there was less awareness about the importance of representation and BIPOC-authored books, and less marketing dollars went toward those books. Unfortunately, we continue to see a dearth of representation in many "most popular" lists. Look out for Sharifah's next backlist episode where she'll discuss some great 2013 BIPOC SFF books. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sharifah dives into two great SF/F books for beach reading, for your summer needs. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! Looking for fascinating stories, informed takes, useful advice, and more drawn from our collective experience as power readers, teachers, librarians, booksellers, and bookish professionals? Subscribe to The Deep Dive, a biweekly newsletter featuring stories to inform and inspire readers, to get exclusive content delivered to your inbox! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Books Discussed Chilling Effect by Valerie Valdes The Passage by Justin Cronin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sharifah and Jenn talk about awards finalists and winners, more good news for Amal El-Mohtar, books they wish they could send back in time to their younger selves, and more. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! BookRiot.com co-founder Jeff O'Neal explores the wide bookish world. Interviews, lists, rankings, retrospectives, recommendations, and much more, featuring people who know and love books. Subscribe to First Edition on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your podcatcher of choice. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
News Ignyte Awards Finalists [FIYAH] Future Worlds Prize Announced [File 770] British Book Award Winners [Locus] Nebula Award Winners [SFWA] Nimona Movie Coming (June 30) [The Mary Sue] Amal El-Mohtar's Four Book Deal [Tor.com]
Books Discussed Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki The Vanished Birds by Simon Jimenez A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jenn and guest Erica Ezeifedi discuss a handful of good news stories including the winners of the Shirley Jackson Awards, and talk about fictional worlds. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! NEWS DISCUSSED Black Panther: Wakanda Forever smashes box office records [The Mary Sue] Shirley Jackson Award Winners 2021 [Locus] Moon Girl & Devil Dinosaur Teaser [Twitter]
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BOOKS DISCUSSED Valerie Valdes’s world of the Chilling Effect series Nghi Vo’s Singing Hills Cycle world The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova Premee Mohamad’s The Rising world Micaiah Johnson’s The Space Between Worlds Charlie Jane Anders’ City in the Middle of the Night Murderbot Universe by Martha Wells Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas Flyaway by Kathleen Jennings The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden Alice by Christina Henry (many content warnings) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Sharifah discusses two of her favorite SF/F reads with wintery vibes. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter!
This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
BOOKS DISCUSSED Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik (cw: antisemitism, domestic abuse, child abuse, mention of rape & sexual assault, death of a child, animal death) Radio Silence by Alyssa Cole (cw: racism, attempted rape) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sharifah and Jenn answer listener requests and give their favorites for gifting this holiday season in an extra-long episode! Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! LISTENER QUESTIONS 1. Hi there, I heard you were looking for holiday recommendation requests. I would like to ask for readalikes for books like Winter’s Orbit by Everina Maxwell or A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland. (I’ve been really enjoying the “Red White & Royal Blue but make it fantasy/scifi” trend lately.) Thank you, Morgan 2. Hi Sharifah and Jenn, I’m looking for SF/F gifting advice for my dad. He used to be a big fantasy reader when he was younger (some of his favorite authors were Ursula K. Le Guin and Terry Pratchett) but doesn’t read as much now. The last SF/F he read and loved was the Murderbot series. Do you have any SF/F recommendations that are fast-paced, on the shorter side, and possibly reminiscent of classic fantasy? I love the podcast and particularly love that you recommend excellent new and backlist titles. Thank you, Emma
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BOOKS DISCUSSED Sorcerer to the Crown by Zen Cho (cw: racism, misogyny) The Tensorate Series by Neon Yang (cw: harm to children including medical experimentation and death) Spear by Nicola Griffith (cw: mention of rape) Light Years from Home by Mike Chen (cw: dementia, loss of a parent) The Dawnhounds by Sascha Stronach (cw: so many, espec homo/trans phobia and body horror) The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna (cw: child neglect) The Way Spring Arrives And Other Stories, edited by Yu Chen and Regina Kanyu Wang (cw: many, depending on story) The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd
For a complete list of books discussed in this episode, visit our website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Jenn discusses airships in SF/F, courtesy of a listener request! Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter!
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BOOKS DISCUSSED Ann Sei Lin’s Rebel Skies Nisi Shawl’s Everfair P. Djeli Clark’s Black God’s Drums Ken Liu’s Dandelion Dynasty series See Also:
Alexis Hall’s Prosperity series
Maria Dahvana Headley’s Magonia series
Gail Carriger, Cherie Priest, Katherin Addison’s Goblin Emperor series
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sharifah and guest, Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, author of The Disordered Cosmos: A Journey into Dark Matter, Spacetime, and Dreams Deferred, discuss exciting news from Wakanda, the Ursula K. Le Guin Prize for Fiction winner and finalists, shout out some of their SF/F pop culture highlights of the year, so far, and more. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! Get your SF/F gifting questions in to sffyeah@bookriot.com by November 10!
This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
NEWS Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Tracking for $175M Opening [Variety] The 2022 Ursula K. Le Guin Prize for Fiction Winner and Finalists Never Let Me Go Drama Series [Hollywood Reporter] MEDIA DISCUSSED The Midnight Club (based on the Christopher Pike books) [Netflix] Alien Series marathon (Prometheus) Everything Everywhere All at Once Prey and Predator series marathon The DragonCon Costume Recap [New York Times] Pantheon [AMC+] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Sharifah discusses two backlist SF/F titles that are great for gifting. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! Check out our Reading the Stars giveaway!
This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
BOOKS DISCUSSED The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo Spaceman of Bohemia by Jaroslav Kalfař Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sharifah and Jenn discuss some happy news (the Kindred adaptation! Interior Chinatown!), some less happy RPG news, recommend creepy SF/F for Halloween season, and more. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! Follow-Up: Black No More by George S. Schuyler Get your SF/F gifting questions in to sffyeah@bookriot.com by November 10! Check out the Reading the Stars giveaway, in collaboration with Obvious State. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
News Butler’s Kindred Series will premiere Dec 13 [The Root] Wizards of the Coast going to court to stop racist, transphobic RPG from being sold [Them] Fiona Apple writes LOTR song [EW] Interior Chinatown going to Hulu with Taika Waititi [Variety] Harvey Awards SFF highlights [Book Riot]
Books Discussed Siren Queen by Nghi Vo (cw: self-harm, domestic violence, homophobia, mention of sexual assault) Lana Harper’s Witches of Thistle Grove series We Have Always Been Here by Lena Nguyen (cw: use of ableist language around mental health) Solaris by Stanislaw Lem The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson (cw: sexual abuse, pedophilia, animal sacrifice, grooming, racism) House of Hunger by Alexis Henderson Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice (cw: racism) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Jenn discusses speculative fiction from Indigenous authors in honor of Indigenous People’s Day. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Books Discussed Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger Future Home of the Living God by Louise Erdrich Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse Never Whistle At Night, co-edited by by Shane Hawk and Theodore C. Van Alst, Jr. (Fall 2023) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sharifah and Jenn discuss Marvel’s giant slate of offerings, some weird science, a Hocus Pocus Airbnb, and their favorite recently-published reads. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
News Stay at the Hocus Pocus House [EW] Weird Science: CIA funding de-extinction of the Woolly Mammoth?? [Gizmodo] Allllllll the upcoming Marvel MCU stuff [Variety] … and some setbacks on the Blade reboot [Variety] Books Discussed The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez (cw: use of ableist and homophobic slurs; lots of violence; child abuse; cannibalism) Nona the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir (cw: harm to women and children) Before You Start Nona – A Reading Plan:
Reread Epilogue of Gideon the Ninth
Reread Chaps 32 & Epilogue of Harrow the Ninth
Read “As Yet Unsent” [Tor.com]
Then read Nona
The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean (cw: sexual assault; child abuse; child abduction; spousal abuse) The Last White Man by Mohsin Hamid (cw: racism; racially motivated violence; blackface) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Sharifah discusses two books by Latine authors for Latine/Hispanic Heritage Month. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Books Discussed Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova Infomocracy by Malka Older Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sharifah and Jenn discuss The Little Mermaid teaser, a profile of DragonCon, con-langs, and more, and dig into Alex White’s August Kitko and the Mechas from Space. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
News 2022 Hugo Awards [Tor.com] Little Mermaid teaser trailer reactions [Harper’s Bazaar] DragonCon gets profiled in the NYT [New York Times] Learn High Valyrian on Duolingo [Duolingo]
Book Club August Kitko and the Mechas from Space by Alex White (cw: suicidal ideation, PTSD, violence)
Also mentioned: Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki The Ballad of Perilous Graves by Alex Jennings Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Jenn discusses two creepy reads for heading into Fall. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Books Discussed The Dawnhounds by Sascha Stronach (cw: gore, institutionalized homophobia and transphobia, drug use) The Sentence by Louise Erdrich (cw: COVID, violence against protesters) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sharifah and Jenn discuss a ton of adaptation news including a new Stephen Graham Jones story and The Rings of Power, dig into speculative flash fiction, and more. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! Don’t forget to read along with us! Our next Book Club pick is August Kitko and the Mechas from Space by Alex White (cw: struggles with suicidal ideation). This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
News My Best Friend’s Exorcism trailer [EW] A deep dive into The Rings of Power [TIME] Parasyte: The Grey series announcement [Hollywood Reporter] Stephen Graham Jones’s Earthdiver GN to be adapted [Dread Central]
Discussion Writers Digest: What Is Flash Fiction? Tor.com’s general flash fiction section and FIYAH collab Flash Fiction Online Futures | Nature Lightspeed Magazine Archives and Queers Destroy PseudoPod “No one sleeps on an empty stomach” by Lucy Zhang (Flash Fiction Online) “What Is Yours Is Yours” by K-Ming Chang (Flash Fiction Online) “Please fill out this form regarding your loved ones” by Carol Scheina (Nature Futures) “Teatime” by Zin E. Rocklyn (Tor.com) “If It Bit You” by Donyae Coles (PseudoPod) “The Disappearing Dream Engineer” by Rati Mehrotra (Lightspeed Magazine) “Bucket List Found in the Locker of Maddie Price, Age 14, Written Two Weeks Before the Great Uplifting of All Mankind” by Erica L. Satifka (Lightspeed Magazine) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Sharifah discusses some completed epic series. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter!
This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Books Discussed Green Bone Saga by Fonda Lee (cw: Addiction, Overdose, Self-harm (mentioned), Sexual abuse of minor, Suicide (mentioned)) Broken Earth series by N.K. Jemisin (cw: Child abuse, Sexual abuse of minor, Death (including child, graphic), Racism, Rape, Slavery) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sharifah and Jenn discuss Hunger Games and Game of Thrones adaptation news and some awards lists, talk about their most anticipated sequels and series for the second half of 2022, and more. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
News Update on Game of Thrones spin-off shows (why are there 7!!!!) [AV Club] George R.R. Martin asks people not to speculate on his death [Book Riot] Viola Davis headlining Hunger Games Prequel adaptation [Essence] More information about the prequel [Hollywood Reporter] Aurora Awards, Sir Julius Vogel Awards, and Small Press Awards Finalists [File 770]
Books Discussed The World We Make by NK Jemisin (Nov 1) Into the Riverlands by Nghi Vo (Oct 25) Fault Tolerance by Valerie Valdes The Immortality Thief by Taran Hunt (Oct 11) The Atlas Paradox by Olivie Blake (10/25) The Oleander Sword by Tasha Suri Nona the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir (9/13) A Prayer for Crown Shy by Becky Chambers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Jenn discusses some of her favorite dragons in sci-fi and fantasy. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Books Discussed Dealing with Dragons (Enchanted Forest Chronicles #1) by Patricia C. Wrede Phoenix Extravagant by Yoon-Ha Lee Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sharifah and guest host Vanessa discuss Nichelle Nichols’ legacy, the Wakanda Forever teaser, the Ursula K. Le Guin Prize shortlist, and, once again, pair musical tracks with SF/F books. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! *This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission
News Star Trek Actress and Icon Nichelle Nichols, RIP Watch the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Teaser Trailer Check Out the Shortlist for the Inaugural Ursula K. Le Guin Prize for Fiction
Books Discussed When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill (CW: terminal illness, child neglect, all kinds of misogyny) Mixtape Tracks: “Freedom” by Beyoncé + Kendrick Lamar (+ “Don’t Hurt Yourself”); “King” by Florence + the Machine; “Breaking Dishes” by Rihanna; “Truth Hurts” by Lizzo; Nicki’s verse on “Monster” by Jay-Z and Kanye (Honorable Mention: “Not Ready to Make Nice” by The Chicks or “Armor” by Sara Bareilles) The Ballad of Perilous Graves by Alex Jennings Mixtape Tracks: “Rollercoasters” by Tank and the Bangas; “God Bless the Child” by Billie Holiday; “Sinnerman” by Nina Simone; “Cry” by Jon Batiste, “New Orleans Bump” by Jelly Roll Mortin The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (CW: physical abuse) Mixtape Tracks: “Flor De Azahar” by Trovadores Yucatecos; “Sabor a Mi” by Alvaro Carrillo (and Luis Miguel); “Rata de Dos Patas” by Paquita la del Barrio; “Hasta la Raiz” by Natalia Lafourcade; “Morena Mia” by Girl Ultra Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao (CW: mention of sexual assault (no on page depictions), suicidal ideation, physical and emotional abuse, alcohol addiction, torture) Mixtape Track: “Army of Me” by Björk; “Spring Breeze” by Hiperson; “Apocalipstick” by Cherry Glazerr; “Circular Ward” by RUBUR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Sharifah discusses friendship in backlist sci-fi and fantasy! Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! We’re hiring! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Books & Links Discussed Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire The Black God’s Drums by P. Djèlí Clark Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sharifah and Jenn discuss some nice news for once (Disney’s first enby character, nominees for the World Fantasy Awards, and more) and get into their most anticipated reads coming out in the second half of 2022. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
News Quidditch rebrands as Quadball [NPR] Wheel of Time renewed for a third season [Tor.com] Disney’s first nonbinary character played by Terry Hu [Them] Nominees for the World Fantasy Awards
Books Discussed August Kitko and the Mechas from Space by Alex White (July 12) Africa Risen, edited by Sheree Renée Thomas, Oghenechovwe Donald Ekpeki, and Zelda Knight et al (Nov 8) The Monsters We Defy by Leslye Penelope (August 9) The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez Aug 30 Babel by RF Kuang (Aug 23) The Genesis of Misery by Neon Yang (9/27) The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno Garcia (July 19) The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean (Aug 2) The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna (Aug 23) The Ballad of Perilous Graves by Alex Jennings Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Jenn discusses disability in backlist sci-fi and fantasy, in honor of Disability Pride Month! Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! We’re hiring! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. BOOKS & LINKS DISCUSSED Issue 30: Disabled People Destroy Fantasy from Uncanny Magazine Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant Nicola Griffith’s list of fiction that passes the Fries Test Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sharifah and Jenn mourn the death of Kazuki Takahashi, discuss some adaptation news and the best Marvel heroes, and recommend some summer reads with “blockbuster” feels. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
News Hocus Pocus 2 Trailer [Variety] (and a yikes to Bette Midler [The Mary Sue]) Peacock Cancels Jade City Adaptation [popculture] Ranking of 100 Marvel Characters [AV Club] Yu-Gi-Oh creator Kazuki Takahashi found dead at sea [Book Riot]
Books Discussed The Kate Kane, Paranormal Investigator series (Iron & Velvet #1) by Alexis Hall The Centenal Cycle (Infomocracy #1) by Malka Older Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi The Dreamers by Karen Thompson Walker Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Sharifah discusses queer books for young readers. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Books Discussed: Not Your Sidekick by CB Lee PET by Akwaeke Emezi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sharifah and Jenn discuss Malorie Blackman’s win of the PEN Pinter Prize, Miles Morales, exciting news for vampires, some favorite recently published books, and more. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. News Discussed Malorie Blackman wins PEN Pinter Prize [The Guardian] The history of queer vampires and a look at First Kill [Them] Racism in Miles Morales/Thor “What If?” comic [Indy100] Dune 2 Casting Update [Gizmodo] Books Discussed Siren Queen by Nghi Vo (cw: self-harm, domestic violence, mention of sexual assault) War for the Oaks by Emma Bull The City Inside by Samit Basu (cw so far: rape, violent racism) Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood (cw: child abuse) This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub (cw: chronic illness, loss of a parent) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Jenn discusses two favorite speculative short story collections. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Books Discussed Tender by Sofia Samatar Sooner or Later Everything Falls Into the Sea by Sarah Pinsker We are Satellites by Sarah Pinsker Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sharifah and Jenn discuss updates on the Sandman adaptation, B&N’s Best Books of 2022 list, some recent favorite under-the-radar reads, and more. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. News Update on The Sandman Adaptation [The Mary Sue] Catching up on Disney+/Marvel Kamala Khan news [PopSugar] SFF leads B&N Best Books List [B&N Reads] Unburnable copy of The Handmaid’s Tale sold at auction [The Guardian] Books Discussed Destroyer of Light by Jennifer Marie Brissett (cw: graphic harm to children, rape, sexual assault) Elegy for the Undead by Matthew Vesely Reconstruction: Stories by Alaya Dawn Johnson (cw: unwanted pregnancy and abortion access issues, harm to women and children, slavery, racism, body horror, etc) Everyone on the Moon is Essential Personnel by Julian K. Jarboe (cw: dysmorphia, self-harm, fat shaming, ableism, child abuse) Flowers for the Sea by Zin E. Rocklyn (cw: pregnancy horror; child death) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Sharifah discusses SF/F audio for road trips. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Books Discussed Forest 404 (BBC Radio 4) An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sharifah and guest Erica Ezeifedi discuss the Nebula Awards, Dracula Daily, some favorite mystery SFF, and more. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. News The Nebula Awards (and Mercedes Lackey’s removal) Thor: Love and Thunder trailer [Deadline] How Dracula Daily Got So Big [Slate] Books Discussed Far From the Light of Heaven by Tade Thompson Murder in G Major/Gethsemane Brown Series by Alexia Gordon Six Wakes by Mur Lafferty Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Jenn discusses two series she’s looking forward to picking back up this summer. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Books Discussed Kangaroo series by Curtis C. Chen (Waypoint Kangaroo #1) Beneath the Rising series by Premee Mohamed (Beneath the Rising #1) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jenn and guest Kim Ukura discuss SF/F comfort reading, talk about Locus Award Finalists and Percy Jackson casting, pay their respects to Patricia McKillip, and more. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. News Locus Awards Finalists Percy Jackson on Disney+ Casting Update (and a statement from Riordan) [Hollywood Reporter] RIP Patricia McKillip [Locus] RIP George Pérez [NPR] Books Discussed The Locked Tomb series by Tamsyn Muir ®evolution series by Stephanie Saulter Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki Nghi Vo’s Singing Hills Cycle The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells The Grisha Trilogy (and subsequent books) by Leigh Bardugo The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Sharifah discusses some YA sci-fi/fantasy. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Books Discussed The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan (cw: suicide) The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline (cw: rape, genocide, child death)
Sharifah and Jenn discuss cyberpunk, adaptation news about Wicked and Dune, dig into all things Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel, and more. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
News Reimagining the future of cyberpunk [Wired] Books like Cyberpunk 2077 [Book Riot] Wicked adaptation news [Variety] South Korea is making a floating city! [Newsweek]
Discussion Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel Station Eleven on HBO Max [IMDB] Ableism in Station Eleven [Salon]
This week, Jenn discusses sci-fi and fantasy with work-place romance subplots. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Books Discussed The Ruthless Lady’s Guide to Wizardry by C.M. Waggoner (cw: addiction & drug use, death by “heroic” suicide) Chilling Effect series by Valerie Valdes
Sharifah and Jenn discuss the Hugo Awards finalists, the Interview with a Vampire teaser, additional favorites from early 2022, and more. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
News Hugo Finalists For 2022! [Book Riot] The Nimona Movie Is Saved [EW] 2021 Aurealis Awards Shortlist [Aurealis Awards] Interview with a Vampire Teaser [Bleeding Cool] (Teaser on YouTube) Books Discussed When We Were Birds by Ayanna Lloyd Banwo Light Years From Home by Mike Chen (cw: dementia, loss of a parent) Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century by Kim Fu (cw: partner abuse; suicide) Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel (cw: mention of suicide)
This week, Sharifah discusses rompy SFF backlist that promise a good time. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Books Discussed Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir Undead Girl Gang by Lily Anderson
Sharifah and Jenn discuss Lambda Literary Award finalists, Addams Family and Hocus Pocus adaptation news, favorites that came out in early 2022, and more. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. News More of J.R.R. Tolkien’s art posted [Smithsonian Mag] That piece about Fanworks and the Tolkien Estate [Silmarillion Writers Guild] Lambda Literary Award Finalists for LGBTQ Speculative Fiction [File 770] Wednesday Addams is getting her own series [Variety] Hocus Pocus sequel gets three Drag Race superstars [Them] Books Discussed The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd The Way Spring Arrives And Other Stories, edited by Regina Kanyu Wang, Yu Chen The Lost Dreamer by Lizz Huerta (cw: emotional abuse) How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu (cw: child death) Shout-Outs: Aliette De Bodard’s Obsidian and Blood series Rebecca Roanhorse’s Black Sun Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s Gods of Jade and Shadow
This week, Jenn discusses older favorites from authors with upcoming new releases. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Books Discussed The Book of M by Peng Shepherd The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd Payback’s A Witch by Lana Harper From Bad to Cursed by Lana Harper (coming May 2022)
Jenn and guest Vanessa Diaz discuss the Nebula finalists, that Ms. Marvel trailer, some favorite speculative poems, and more. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.f News That Ms. Marvel Trailer [Book Riot] Disney and the “Don’t Say Gay” Bill [The Guardian] Nebula Award Finalists Martha Wells declines nomination [Publishers Marketplace] Interview with Evan Ross Katz about his Buffy Book [AV Club] Reebok is Making Power Rangers Shoes [Gizmodo] Poetry Discussed Clock Star Rose Spine by Fran Wilde “All the Army Ghost Stories I Have Heard” by Natalie Wang, Strange Horizons “On Where to Find Strange Horizons, And How to Get There” by Julia Rios, Strange Horizons “Dancing Princesses” by Roshani Chokshi, Uncanny Magazine “Assimilation” by Valerie Valdes, Uncanny Magazine “Keening” by Valerie Valdes, Uncanny Magazine
This week, Sharifah discusses two backlist must-reads. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Books Discussed Severance by Ling Ma Small Gods by Terry Pratchett
Sharifah and Jenn discuss a Miyazaki graphic novel, Black superheroes, Octavia Butler, recent award-winning short fiction, and more. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. News 2021 Bram Stoker Awards finalists English translation of Miyazaki graphic novel “Shuna’s Journey” [Nerdist] “My Super Hero Is Black” book forthcoming [EW] Octavia Butler profile [USA Today] Works Discussed “Rat and Finch are Friends” by Innocent Chizaram Ilo, 2021 Nommo Award Winner for Short Story (Tied), published in Strange Horizons (cw: homophobia) “Metal Like Blood in the Dark” by T. Kingfisher, 2021 Hugo Award Winner for Short Story, published in Uncanny Magazine “Hungry Daughters of Starving Mothers” by Alyssa Wong (warning: disordered eating) (2015 Nebula Award for Best Short Story; 2016 World Fantasy Award for Short Fiction) Emergency Skin (Forward Collection) by NK Jemisin (warning: racism, homophobia) (2020 Hugo and 2020 Ignyte Awards for Novelette)
This week, Jenn discusses fun SF/F graphic novels and manga. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Books Discussed Space Battle Lunchtime by Natalie Riess Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba by Koyoharu Gotouge
Sharifah and Jenn dive into all the new details about Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, some Jurassic Park news, favorite foodie SF/F, and more.
Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter!
This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
News
SFF trailers get big superbowl spikes [Deadline]
LOTR: Rings of Power
Feedback from a listener [Twitter]
The full trailer [CNet]
Racism in the fandom [Daily Beast]
“First Look” [Vanity Fair]
Jurassic World: Dominion trailer [YouTube] and more info [Tech Radar]
The 2021 Stabby Awards [File 770]
Books Discussed
The Heartbreak Bakery by AR Capetta
Space Battle Lunchtime by Natalie Riess
The Tea Master and the Detective by Aliette de Bodard (cw: PTSD episodes)
Light From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki (cw: sexual assault, child abuse, transphobia, racism)
A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Sharifah discusses some favorite performers in SF/F novels.
Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter!
This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Books Discussed
The Prey of Gods by Nicky Drayden
Amberlough by Lara Elena Donnelly See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss the Rings of Power promo, Terry Pratchett’s official biography, some favorite SF/F magazines, and more.
Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter!
This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
News
The Rings of Power teaser [Instagram] and promo [Forbes]
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn getting series adaptation [Deadline]
Accurate Sci-Fi Predictions [Book Riot]
Preditions from 1922 [Open Culture]
Terry Pratchett biography in the works [The Guardian]
SF/F Magazines
Uncanny Magazine
Solarpunk Magazine
FIYAH
Strange Horizons See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Jenn discusses two recent favorites from the last couple years.
Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter!
This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Books Discussed:
The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel (cw: drug abuse; mention of suicide, mention of domestic violence)
Destroyer of Light by Jennifer Marie Brissett (cw: graphic harm to children, rape, sexual assault) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss a delightful book auction and the Philip K. Dick Award nominees, look back at SFF Yeah’s 2021 in review, and more.
Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter!
This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
News
Xiran Jay Zhao’s Amazing Book Auction [Book Riot]
Philip K Dick Award nominees announced
The return of Heavy Metal Magazine [Publishers Weekly]
Follow-Up: Isabel Fall and The Helicopter Story [Vox]
Hugo 2022 Nominations Are Open! [File770]
Our 2021 In Review
The Most Recommended Titles from 2021:
Chilling Effect by Valerie Valdes (Fault Tolerance, #3 in series, coming out in August!!)
Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri
Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova
Top 5 Episodes By Download:
Backlist to the Future: Under the Radar
Our Fall Most Anticipated SF/F
SF/F And the Natural World (with Jen Zink)
Most Anticipated Stand-Alones of 2021
Favorite SF/F of 2021 So Far & SF/F Summer Reading List (tied)
Jenn’s Favorite Eps of 2021:
Howl’s Moving Castle and Raybearer Book Club
Sharifah’s Favorite Eps of 2021:
Anime and Dream Adaptations/Cast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Sharifah discusses some favorite books with adaptations.
Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter!
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Books Discussed
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
Contact by Carl Sagan See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss the Hugo and Nommo Award winners, Cowboy Bebop getting canceled, their most anticipated reads for the first half of 2022, and more.
Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter!
This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
News:
2021 Hugo Award Winners (Related: The Helicopter Story)
2021 Nommo Award Winners
Cowboy Bebop Canceled After One Season [Hollywood Reporter]
On the Station 11 Adaptation [The Atlantic; Instagram for non-paywalled version]
Books Discussed:
Sweep of Stars by Maurice Broaddus (March 29, Tor)
The Memory Librarian: And Other Stories of Dirty Computer by Janelle Monae (April 19, Harper Voyager)
When We Were Birds by Ayanna Lloyd Banwo (March 15, Doubleday)
The Stardust Thief by Chelsea Abdullah (May 17, Orbit)
How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu (January 18, William Morrow)
Goliath by Tochi Onyebuchi (January 25, Tordotcom)
Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century by Kim Fu (February 1, TinHouse)
Wild and Wicked Things by Francesca May (March 29, Redhook) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Jenn discusses two must-read sequels.
Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Books Discussed
Redemptor by Jordan Ifueko (Raybearer series)
Blood Binds The Pack by Alex Wells (Ghost Wolves series) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Sharifah discusses SF/F with fresh starts.
Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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Books Discussed
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
The Good House by Tananarive Due (cw: sexual assault, child molestation, racism, animal abuse, and suicide) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss a SF/F sales surge in 2021, some Star Wars news, a few books published late this year that they love, and more.
Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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News
Charlie Jane Anders on Trans Speculative Fiction and Rethinking ‘Hope’ [Autostraddle]
Amandla Stenberg coming to Star Wars! [Tor.com]
SFF up 50% in 2021 [Penguin Random House]
ViacomCBS + Wattpad team-up [Book Riot]
A dive into Nintendo’s early days [Kotaku]
Books Discussed
Redemptor by Jordan Ifueko
Far From the Light of Heaven by Tade Thompson (cw: use of racial slurs, incl. N word, by a secondary character)
Payback’s A Witch by Lana Harper
Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao (cw: rape mentioned, suicidal ideation, physical and emotional abuse, alcoholism, torture)
Comfort Me With Apples by Catherynne M Valente (cw: domestic violence) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Jenn continues to cheat and gives two more of her favorites from 2021.
Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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Books Discussed:
In the Watchful City by S. Qiouyi Lu, ae/aer (cw: suicide, body horror)
The Ones We’re Meant to Find by Joan He (cw: intimate partner violence) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss adaptation news for Good Omens and Marie Lu’s Legend, dive into NPR’s Books We Love selections, and give some go-to authors.
Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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News
Good Omens S2 is happening [AV Club]
PRH re-records Pratchett’s Discworld series with Nighy and Serkis [The Bookseller]
NPR’s Books We Love, SFF Section
Series adaptation of Legend by Marie Lu [Deadline]
Authors
Ursula K. LeGuin
Charles Yu
Karen Lord
Alexis Hall
Terry Pratchett
Nghi Vo (The Siren Queen)
NK Jemisin
Nino Cipri
Zin E. Rocklyn See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Sharifah discusses some fireside favorites for winter reading.
Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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Books Discussed
Ash by Malinda Lo
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss the World Fantasy Award Winners for 2021, PW’s Best of the Year, that Station Eleven trailer, and recommend their picks for gifting this holiday season.
Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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News
The Station Eleven trailer dropped [Polygon]
2021 World Fantasy Award Winners [Tor.com]
PW’s Best SFF of 2021 [Publishers Weekly]
The long Wheel of Time trailer [Ars Technica]
Books Discussed
The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova
Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri (cw: child abuse and child death, violent misogyny)
Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki (cw: sexual assault, child abuse, transphobia, racism)
Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon (cw: domestic violence, child abuse, queer-phobia, body horror, racism)
We Have Always Been Here by Lena Nguyen
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
Flowers for the Sea by Zin E. Rocklyn (cw: body horror; suicide attempt; mention of child death)
Black Sci-Fi Short Stories (Gothic Fantasy) from Flametree Publishing, with editorial support from Tia Ross and the Black Writers Collective and more
Tales From the Hinterland by Melissa Albert
Pilu of the Woods by Mai K. Nguyen See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Jenn discusses books from this year she hasn’t already had a chance to talk about.
Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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Books Discussed
Son of the Storm by Suyi Davies Okungbowa
Gearbreakers by Zoe Hana Mikuta See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jeff O’Neal, Jenn Northington, and Amanda Nelson discuss Frank Herbert’s Dune and break down Denis Villeneuve’s 2021 adaptation.
Mentioned in this episode:
Frank Herbert’s Distrust of JFK
Hari Kunzru on Dune
Muslim Influences in Dune
Is Dune a White Savior Narrative?
Sidelining Arab Voices in Dune
Dune Book Club with Ausma Zehanat Khan See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn briefly discuss Dune: Part One and then dive into their book club pick, Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko.
Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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Notes:
Follow our new podcast, Adaptation Nation.
Dune: Part Two is confirmed [IGN] See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Sharifah discusses sci-fi and fantasy about immortality.
Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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Books Discussed
My Soul to Keep by Tananarive Due (cw: child abuse, slavery)
Wild Seed by Octavia Butler (cw: sexual assault, incest, slavery) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jenn and guest Jeff O’Neal discuss the return of Saga and the Apple TV+ adaptation of Foundation.
Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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Links
Saga is coming back! [Hollywood Reporter]
Saga: Compendium One, by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples
Isaac Asimov was a serial harasser of women [LitHub, content warnings for specific descriptions of harassment]
Foundation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Jenn discusses some urban sci-fi and fantasy backlist titles.
Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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Books Discussed
Vigil by Angela Slatter (cw: harm to children)
War Girls by Tochi Onyebuchi (cw: war crimes, violence against women and children) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss the British Fantasy Award winners, adaptation news for Raybearer, The Changeling, and The Watch, and recommend some favorites from the last three months.
Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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Miscellany
Book Club Pick: Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko, read by November 3rd!
Book Riot Limited Edition 10th Anniversary Merch
News
2021 British Fantasy Awards
Raybearer is getting an adaptation
The Changeling adaptation casting update
Update on The Watch adaptation
Books Discussed
The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova (cw: child abuse)
We Have Always Been Here by Lena Nguyen (cw: use of slurs around mental illness by certain characters)
Certain Dark Things by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (cw: body horror, explicit violence and assault)
A Psalm for the Wild–Built by Becky Chambers See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Sharifah discusses some cerebral speculative reads.
Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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Books Discussed
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
Exit West by Mohsin Hamid See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss some very weird science news, Y: The Last Man, robot unicorns, and their picks for Fall vibes.
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Vote For Book Club!
F: Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko
SF: The All-Consuming World by Cassandra Khaw
SF/F: Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki
News
Y: The Last Man trailer [Twitter] + Charlie Jane Anders
Using human blood in Martian habitats? [Syfy]
Own your very own robot unicorn [TechCrunch]
Weird Science! Voice Cloning [The Verge]
Books Discussed
The Singing Hills Cycle by Nghi Vo (especially When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain)
Yoon Ha Lee’s “Machineries of Empire” series
Circe by Madeline Miller
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Jenn discusses some recent serendipitous SF/F reads.
Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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Books Discussed
The Vanished Birds by Simon Jimenez (cw: child abuse)
Rose Daughter by Robin McKinley See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss a Tolkien-ian cryptocurrency, adaptation news for Witchmark and Game of Thrones, a Book Club episode, their most anticipated Fall releases, and more.
Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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Vote For Our Next Book Club Pick!
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Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko
The All-Consuming World by Cassandra Khaw
Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki
Send your pick in to sffyeah at bookriotdotcom by September 30th!
News
‘Worst Witch’ author Jill Murphy dies [NPR]
Rosetta Awards shortlist announced
Animated Game Of Thrones show in the works
The JRR Token cryptocurrency
CL Polk’s Kingston Cycle acquired for adaptation
Books Discussed
The All-Consuming World by Cassandra Khaw (Erewhon, Sept 7) (Nothing But Blackened Teeth)
Destroyer of Light by Jennifer Marie Brissett (Tor, October 12)
The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova (Atria, Sept 7)
The Veiled Throne by Ken Liu (Gallery, Nov 2)
Jade Legacy by Fonda Lee (Orbit, Nov 30)
Far From the Light of Heaven by Tade Thompson (Orbit, Oct 26)
Light From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki (Tor Books, Sept 28)
The Death of Jane Lawrence by Caitlin Starling (St. Martin’s Press, Oct 19)
Certain Dark Things by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (Tor Nightfire, Sept 7) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Sharifah discusses some SF/F from under the radar.
Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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Books Discussed
The Woman Who Thought She Was a Planet and Other Stories by Vandana Singh
Ambiguity Machines and Other Stories by Vandana Singh
Mistress Masham’s Repose by TH White See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jenn and guest Jen Zink discuss a bunch of adaptation news about Witches of Mayfair, Foundation, and the Wheel of Time, talk environmental sci-fi and fantasy, and more.
Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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News
NPR’s 50 Favorite SF/F Books of the Past Decade results
Sir Julius Vogel Awards 2021 Winners Announced
Wheel of Time First Look [Entertainment Weekly]
Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches Are Coming to TV, Too [Gizmodo]
That Foundation Trailer, Though [Deadline]
Books Discussed
Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger, illustrated by Rovina Cai
Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon
The Fallen (The Outside #2) by Ada Hoffmann (cw: self-harm)
Crossroads of Canopy by Thoraiya Dyer (cw: slavery, suicidal ideation, child abuse, child death)
The Interrogation of Ashala Wolf by Ambelin Kwaymullina (cw: child death, depictions of child detention, and torture) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Jenn discusses speculative fiction on the edges of SF/F.
Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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Books Discussed
She Who Became The Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan
A Hero Born (Legend of the Condor Heroes) by Jin Yong
The Talented Ribkins by Ladee Hubbard See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss adaptation news for Mercedes Lackey’s Valdemar Universe, a hotel in space, an air date for the Lord of the Rings series, and talk about some current favorite reads from SF/F.
Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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News
Mercedes Lackey’s Valdemar Universe being adapted for TV [Deadline]
Air date for Amazon’s Lord of the Rings series! [Tor.com]
Jenn’s piece on Lord of the Rings Fandom [Book Riot]
Space hotel! [Entrepreneur]
Tamsyn Muir’s Locked Tomb is now a series, not a trilogy [Tor.com]
Recommended read: What Is And Is Not Silkpunk [Book Riot]
Books Discussed
Sangu Mandanna’s Celestial Trilogy (Spark of White Fire #1)
Earthsinger Chronicles by L. Penelope (Song of Blood & Stone #1)
Severance by Ling Ma
Night of the Mannequins by Stephen Graham Jones See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Sharifah discusses her backlist summer reading picks.
Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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Books Discussed
The Killing Moon by NK Jemisin
Dealing in Dreams by Lilliam Rivera See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and guest Vanessa discuss the 2021 World Fantasy Awards Finalists, the 2020 Kitschies Winners, their SF/F summer reading recommendations, and more.
Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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News
World Fantasy Awards Finalists
2020 Kitschies Winners
Kindred Adaptation News
Books Discussed
Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno Garcia
A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark
Chilling Effect by Valerie Valdes
The Tea Master and the Detective by Aliette de Bodard
Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson
Undead Girl Gang by Lily Anderson
The Prey of Gods by Nicky Drayden
Space Opera by Catherynne M. Valente See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Jenn discusses sci-fi and fantasy set in the 1920s (ish).
Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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Books Discussed
Iron Cast by Destiny Soria
MEM by Bethany C. Morrow
Books Mentioned
The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo
Amberlough Dossier by Lara Elena Donnelly
The Kingston Cycle by CL Polk See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss some Hugo Awards committee follow-up, Locus Award Winners, a new Lord of the Rings audiobook, their favorites of the year so far, and more.
Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter!
News
Comics Bookstore Sues Neighboring Hotel, Includes Comic Book Version of Factual Allegations in Amended Complaint [Miami Herald]
Hugo / DisconIII Follow-up [File 770]
Ursula K. Le Guin Stamp! [File 770]
Andy Serkis Is Recording The Lord of the Rings Audiobooks [Tor.com]
2021 Locus Award Winners [Tor.com]
Books Discussed
Jasmine Throne (Burning Kingdoms #1) by Tasha Suri
Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon
The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo (tw: abortion scene, racism, homophobia)
Victories Greater Than Death by Charlie Jane Anders
Finna by Nino Cipri See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Sharifah discusses SF/F books that are ideal for camping.
Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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Books Discussed
The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman
The Bees by Laline Paull See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn celebrate the Kitchies shortlist, try to figure out what’s going on with the Hugos and DisCon III, celebrate some new LGBTQ+ SFF, and more.
Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter!
News
Kitchies Awards Shortlist! [Locus]
NPR’s Summer SFF Reader Poll!
What is going on with DisCon III and the Hugos?File 770 reportingSome possible clarity from Reddit?Update 06/29/21: The chair has also resigned (?!) [Locus]
Interview With A Vampire TV Show update [io9]
Books & Other Notes
Our Queerest Shelves Newsletter
2021 Upcoming Queer Fantasy Novels [Book Riot]
Order of the Pure Moon Reflected in Water by Zen Cho (cw: transphobia, sexual harassment)
A Pale Light in the Black by KB Wagers (cw: emotionally abusive parents)
Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker and Wendy Xu
Finna by Nino Cipri See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Jenn discusses two SF/F favorites from the last five(ish) years that she thinks deserve a bump.
Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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Books Discussed
A Taste of Honey by Kai Ashante Wilson (cw: violent homophobia)
Lightless by C.A. Higgins See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss the Nebula Award winners for 2021, some Cowboy Bebop and Broken Earth adaptation news, compare Howl’s Moving Castle the book and the movie, and more.
Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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News
NK Jemisin is adapting Broken Earth [Tor.com]
2021 Nebula Winners
A problematic Sweet Tooth advert [io9]
Live action Cowboy Bebop follow-up! [Tor.com]
Discussion Notes
Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
New York Magazine review (movie)
The Spool retrospective (movie)
Miyazaki’s anti-war message in Howl’s Moving Castle [Hornet]
ASMR Cottagecore: Rain, fire, and music and Howl’s bedroom See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Sharifah discusses some favorite SF/F with monsters.
Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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Books Discussed
The Changeling by Victor LaValle (tw: ableism, child murder, child abuse, racism)
Rolling in the Deep by Mira Grant See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss adaptation news including Marvel’s Eternals and new Sandman casting, the Nommo Awards longlist, and get really into SF/F fan and cover art.
Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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News
A big list of Sci-Fi/Fantasy Awards on Book Riot
The Nommo Awards longlist has been announced
Danai Gurira Might Be Back as Okoye for Disney+ Series
Marvel’s Eternals trailer drops
Netflix’s Sandman Has Cast Death and a Whole Lot More of the Dreaming
Fan And Cover Art
Maki on Tumblr (this Gideon and Harrow art!!!)
CB Messer‘s covers for The Seafarer’s Kiss and The Navigator’s Touch by Julia Ember
Simini Blocker’s Wayfarers’ art of Sissix and Rosemary
Paul Lewin, “How Long Til Black Future Month” print
Children of Blood and Bone Fan Page on Instagram (@_shonneri, @yingjue.chen)
Josh Kirby original Discworld book covers (Terry Pratchett)
Abigail Larson
Station Eleven character art by @snejkha
Gearbreakers by Zoe Hana Mikuta (out June 29, 2021), art by Taj Francis
Joshua Mays See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Jenn discusses some favorite action-packed sci-fi and fantasy.
Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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Books Discussed
Nocturna by Maya Motayne (cw: abusive guardian, graphic violence)
A Pale Light in the Black by KB Wagers (cw: emotionally abusive parents) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss the 2021 Locus Award finalists, a new Dragon Ball movie, that Green Knight trailer, and do a group-watch of two anime.
Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter!
News
Regina King To Direct ‘Bitter Root’ Adaptation Of Image Comics Series For Legendary
Queen Latifah and Jim Henson Co working on Conductors adaptations!
2021 Locus Award finalists
New “Green Knight” trailer
New “Dragon Ball” movie
Anime
Maquia: When The Promised Flower Blooms
Cowboy Bebop: The Series (1998)
John Cho to star in Cowboy Bebop remake See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Sharifah discusses dream adaptations in light of Shadow and Bone!
Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter!
Books Discussed
Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice (tw: alcoholism, suicide)
The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss #DisneyMustPay, the Ignyte Award shortlist, some one-sitting SF/F reads, and more.
Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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News
Ignyte Award shortlist! And anyone can vote.
Exploring Fanfic TikTok
A truly disappointing update re #DisneyMustPay
Guardians of the Galaxy Christmas Special … in 2022
Books Discussed
The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson
Mating the Huntress by Talia Hibbert
The Galaxy and the Ground Within by Becky Chambers (Wayfarers #4) (note re: accidental, nonfatal harm to a child)
A Dead Djinn in Cairo by P Djèlí Clark (tw: mention of suicide)
Gods, Monsters, and the Lucky Peach by Kelly Robson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Jenn discusses two sci-fi/fantasy titles that don’t necessarily have a theme, she just really likes them!
Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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Books
Record of a Spaceborn Few (Wayfarers #3) by Becky Chambers (The Galaxy, and The Ground Within #4)
Infinity Son (Infinity Cycle #1) by Adam Silvera (Infinity Reaper #2)
Epic Reads Virtual Fantasy Meet-Up See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss the 2021 Hugo Finalists, a Dark Crystal ballet, adaptation news, their favorite SF/F from this Spring, and more.
Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter!
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News
2021 Hugo Award Finalists announced [Book Riot]
Follow-Up: Here’s a great piece on Redwall [Book Riot]
Dark Crystal will be a ballet [Gizmodo]
The Inheritance Trilogy by NK Jemisin optioned for TV series [Deadline]
Kindred adaptation in works at FX [Hollywood Reporter]
Welcome to ‘Octavia E. Butler Landing’ [NASA]
Books
Soulstar by CL Polk
Machinehood by SB Divya
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
The Memory Theater by Karin Tidbeck See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Sharifah discusses the stuff of nightmares.
Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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Books
The Murders of Molly Southbourne by Tade Thompson
The Merry Spinster by Mallory Ortberg See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and guest Vanessa Diaz discuss King Arthur retellings, the Game of Thrones Broadway musical, pairing sci-fi and fantasy with music, and more.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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News
Every King Arthur Retelling Is Fanfic About Who Gets to Be Legendary [Tor.com]
I wore Arwen’s bridge dress to prom thanks to a united Lord of the Rings fandom [Polygon]
Game of Thrones Broadway Musical? [Joblo]
Shatner will live on as an AI program [AV Club]
Books And Music
Chilling Effect by Valerie Valdes (“Me cago en diez!)”
Song(s)/Album: 1977 by Anna Tijoux / La Torre by Gabriel Rios /Quimbara by Celia Cruz / Ring the Alarm by Queen B / Bitch Better Have My Money by Rihanna
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
Song(s)/Album: Ode to a Conversation Stuck in Your Throat by Del Water Gap/ Te Ve by Piso 21 or anything by Bad Bunny / Ojos de Sol by Y La Bamba / Seven Devils by Florence + the Machine
Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
Song(s)/Album: A Warm Place by NIN / Apocalipstic by Cherry Glazerr / Leaving on a Jet Plane by Peter, Paul & Mary / Miracles by Shonen Knife / This Corrosion by The Sisters of Mercy
The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo
Song(s)/Album: Malice Mizer (the live 25th anniversary Deep Sanctuary VI concert) / Beautiful Collision by Bic Runga / Next Lifetime by Erykah Badu / Felt Mountain by Goldfrapp See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Jenn discusses sci-fi/fantasy series spin-offs.
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This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission.
Books Discussed
Blood Heir by Ilona Andrews (Aurelia Ryder #1, follows Kate Daniels #10)
Silver Silence by Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling Trinity #1, follows Psy-Changeling #15) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In their 100th episode, Sharifah and Jenn discuss some favorite heroes and villains from sci-fi and fantasy.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission.
Books Discussed
Murderbot from Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells
Prunella from Sorcerer to the Crown by Zen Cho
June from In the Quick by Kate Hope Day
Jam and Pet from Pet by Akwaeke Emezi
Melisande from Phedre’s Trilogy by Jacqueline Carey
The Fridge from The Chilling Effect by Valerie Valdes
The Enemy in The City We Became by NK Jemisin
Ama from “Through the Flash” in Friday Black by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenya
Lillith from The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, humanity takes to the stars as Sharifah discusses speculative migration.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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Books Discussed
The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell
Midnight Robber by Nalo Hopkinson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss the Shadow and Bone teaser trailer, CJ Cherryh, recent adaptation news, and sci-fi/fantasy novelettes.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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News
Shadow and Bone Teaser Trailer
CJ Cherryh wins 2021 Heinlein Award [Locus]
Watchmen writer Stacey Osei-Koffour to write Blade remake [Black Girl Nerds]
Idris & Sabrina Elba developing Afrofuturist series for Crunchyroll [The Slanted]
Redwall Adaptation Happening [AV Club]
Books Discussed
Locus Reading List
“If You Take My Meaning“, Charlie Jane Anders (Tor.com 2/11/20)
“The Transition of Osoosi“, Ozzie M. Gartrell (Fiyah Winter ’20)
“For He Can Creep” by Siobhan Carroll
“Omphalos” by Ted Chiang (Exhalation) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Jenn discusses shared world stories in sci-fi and fantasy.
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This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission.
Books Discussed
The Vela Season 1 (Serial Box) by Yoon Ha Lee, Becky Chambers, SL Huang, and Rivers Solomon
Riverside / Tremontaine
Two Dark Moons (The Sãoni Cycle / The Shale) by Avi Silver See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss Pokemon fashion, adaptations for Sulwe and We Hunt The Flame, their dream adaptations and ‘casts, and more.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission.
News
Locus 2020 Recommended Reading List
Daniel José Older brings first YA books to Rick Riordan Presents
Pokemon Denim Tuxedo From Levi’s
STXtv options We Hunt the Flame
Netflix adapts Sulwe
Books Discussed
The Fatma al-Sha’arawi series by P. Djèlí Clark (A Dead Djinn in Cairo, The Haunting of Tram Car 015)
The Good House by Tananarive Due (TW: suicide, pedophilia)
Further Reading: Black Horror Rising by Tananarive Due: https://uncannymagazine.com/article/black-horror-rising/
Jenn’s LOTR recast is no longer online but here’s a PDF, just for y’all See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Sharifah discusses her favorite Black characters of sci-fi and fantasy.
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Books Discussed
Helen Lee from Gingerbread by Helen Oyeyemi
Shuri from the Shuri comics by Nnedi Okorafor and Leonardo Romero See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss speculative fiction about climate change, a.k.a. climate fiction, a bunch of adaptation news, an update from George R.R. Martin, and more.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission.
News
Disney+ Wakanda show updates [Gizmodo]
Event celebrating Octavia Butler on Feb 24 (and our newsletters!)
GRRM gives a Winds of Winter update
Update on Willow director [Tor.com]
Netflix’s ‘Sandman’ Cast Revealed [Hollywood Reporter]
Books & More
A Beginner’s Guide to Climate Fiction
Winterkeep by Kristin Cashore (cw: child abuse, harm to animals, abduction & imprisonment)
Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler (cw: harm to everyone, rape, animal death, fires, just everything)
Glass & Gardens, edited by Sarena Ulibarri
The Marrow Thieves by Cherie Dimaline (TW: child abuse/death, pedophilia, and sexual assault)
The Broken Earth trilogy by NK Jemisin (TW: child abuse/death) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Jenn discusses darkly compelling sci-fi and fantasy (and horror).
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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Books Discussed
Little Black Book of Stories by A.S. Byatt
Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon
An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss their most anticipated series books of 2021, further details about Amazon’s Lord of the Rings, Nalo Hopkinson’s SFWA Grand Master award, and more.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission.
News
New details and speculation about the Amazon LOTR series [Tor.com]
Climate disaster fiction as comforting [BBC Culture]
EXTREMELY FRANK interview with Terry Brooks about finishing Shannara [SYFY Wire]
Nalo Hopkinson named SFWA Grand Master [Locus] and interview [CBC]
Books Discussed
Soulstar by CL Polk (Feb 16, Book 3 in The Kingston Cycle)
The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri (June 8, Book 1)
The Galaxy, and the Ground Within by Becky Chambers (April 20, Wayfarers Book 4)
Escaping Exodus: Symbiosis by Nicky Drayden (Feb 23, Exodus Book 2)
Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells (April 27, Murderbot Book 6)
The Conductors by Nicole Glover (March 2, Murder and Magic, Book 1)
The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna (Feb 9, Deathless, Book 1)
Rise of the Red Hand by Olivia Chadha (Jan 19, The Mechanists, Book 1)
A Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark (May 11, Fatma el-Sha’arawi Book 3) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Sharifah discusses games in sci-fi and fantasy!
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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Books Discussed
The Gauntlet by Karuna Riazi
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss their most anticipated stand-alone sci-fi and fantasy of 2021, along with the True Blood reboot news, issues with H.G. Wells’ new commemorative coin, and more.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter!
News
True Blood Reboot
5-book deal for Tamsyn Muir
Error on HG Wells coin discovered by fans
Werewolf arrested in Pakistan on New Year’s Eve
Books Discussed
Reconstruction: Stories by Alaya Dawn Johnson
Never Have I Ever by Isabel Yap (February 9) (Read her story “How To Swallow The Moon“)
A River Called Time by Courttia Newland (April 6)
Blue Mar by Francesca G. Varela (March 16)
We Could Be Heroes by Mike Chen (January 26)
Lost in the Never Woods by Aiden Thomas (March 23)
In the Quick by Kate Hope Day (March 2)
Remote Control by Nnedi Okorafor (January 19) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Jenn discusses her “I’ve-been-wanting-to-read-these-forever” holiday break reads.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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Books Discussed
Exhalation by Ted Chiang
Archivist Wasp & Latchkey by Nicole Kornher-Stace See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Sharifah discusses her “I’ve-been-wanting-to-read-these-forever” holiday break reads.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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Books Discussed
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
Mama Day by Gloria Naylor See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss some exciting adaptation news, a campaign to buy Tolkien’s house, and their picks for the best sci-fi and fantasy of 2020.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter!
News
The Poppy War series being developed for TV [Deadline]
Ring Shout being developed for TV [Variety]
Campaign to buy Tolkien’s house: Project Northmoor [Locus]
Lord of the Rings casting update [Black Girl Nerds]
Octavia Butler’s life mapped out [LA Times]
Books Discussed
Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse
The Burning God (Poppy War #3) by RF Kuang (tw: graphic violence, reference to rape & assault)
Burning Roses by SL Huang (tw: animal death, child abuse)
Prime Deceptions (Chilling Effect #2) by Valerie Valdes
The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson (tw: intimate partner violence, harm to children, addiction)
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno Garcia (tw: racism, attempted rape, incest, suicide (mentioned), miscarriage and stillbirths, cannibalism, and death of a child)
The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson (tw: sexual assault (mentioned), pedophilia (mentioned), death during childbirth, racism, sexism, animal death)
Riot Baby by Tochi Onyebuchi (tw: sexual assault, attempted suicide, racism, police brutality, suicide (mentioned))
Harrow the Ninth (Locked Tomb #2) by Tamsyn Muir (tw: self mutilation) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Jenn discusses two books that utilize machines in two very different ways!
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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Books Discussed
Mech Cadet Yu, Vol. 1 by Greg Pak and Takeshi Miyzawa
Mechanica by Betsy Cornwell See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jenn and guest Vanessa Diaz discuss the end of Shannara and SYFY Fangrrls, some award news, the latest Disney debacle, and then dive into a cheerfully haunted holiday rom-com and a darkly comedic holiday horror flick.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter!
News
Goodbye SYFY Fangrrls, we will miss you! (Hire them!)
Disney Must Pay (its authors)
New Hugo category: video games!
Charles Yu wins National Book Award
The Shannara series is officially ended
Films
The Holiday Calendar
Rare Exports See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Sharifah discusses favorite science fiction and fantasy that revolve around secrets.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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Books Discussed
Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
Mirage by Somaiya Daud See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn answer some listener book questions and recommend their sci-fi and fantasy picks for holiday gift-giving this year.
This episode is sponsored by TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service offering reading recommendations personalized to your reading life, Tor Books and Kalipso by Marie Blanchet.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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Questions
- Hi!
I have the stereotypical hard to buy for husband. He’s a big epic Sci-fi/fantasy fan. He loves the Expanse series, Game of Thrones, Peter F. Hamilton, Jeff Vandermeer, and Neal Stephenson. He’s also likes NK Jemison’s series and Octavia Butler. Any ideas for some new author or series? Thanks so much!
-Melanie
- I would love some great winter fantasy books to curl up with over this holiday season. Living in Florida I don’t really experience a winter unless I travel, which is obviously not happening this year, so I get all of my snow feels from books. I loved Katherine Arden’s series and I already have Sisters of the Winter Wood on my TBR. I lean towards fantasy, but if you have a great sci-fi rec then that would be awesome too! Thanks so much, y’all are amazing!
-Liza
- Hi,This year for Christmas, my sister and I are buying each other books so she’s writing in to When in Romance to request a recommendation and I’m writing into y’all.
I’m looking for something in the vein of Orphan Black, Ex Machina, Dollhouse and the Villains duology by V.E. Schwab. The best way I can think of to describe is: amoral people doing kind of terrible things in the name of science that brings up questions of humanity (but isn’t that just all sci-fi?)
Anyway, I’ll put a link to my goodreads at the bottom but it’s kind of a mess so here’s a quick(ish) rundown:I think the only ones already on my radar are Gemsigns and Jurassic Park (even though it’s dinosaurs and not humans, I’m gonna give it a go.)Books I’ve read that seem like they would fit here include:-Never Let Me Go – tbh I probably would have liked this better if it had followed the people that ran the school instead of the kids.-Island of Dr. Moreau – obvious OB connection and it’s been years but I remember loving it.-Frankenstein and Brave New World – putting these together because both of them just weren’t what I was expecting, if that makes sense.-Mila 2.0 – again it’s been years and I remember it being fine but it was the same situation as Never Let Me Go.
-Crystal
Books Recommended
The Poppy War trilogy by RF Kuang (trigger warnings: basically all of them, it’s really brutal)
The Green Bone saga by Fonda Lee (Trigger warnings: mentions of sexual assault, suicide and self-harm)
Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust
Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik
Gemsigns by Stephanie Saulter
The Psychology of Time Travel by Kate Mascarenhas (tw: self-harm, disordered eating, hazing)
Vita Nostra by Marina and Sergey Dyachenko, translated by Julia Meitov Hersey
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune (tw: child abuse)
Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse (tw: harm to children, graphic violence)
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas (tw: transphobia)
Vagabonds by Hao Jingfang, translated by Ken Liu (tw: reference to suicide)
The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo
The Down Days by Ilze Hugo (TW: child abuse/death; CW: drug addiction, fatphobic language)
Woven in Moonlight by Isabel Ibañez
Riot Baby by Tochi Onyebuchi (all the trigger warnings) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
SFF Yeah! is a biweekly fantasy and science fiction podcast dedicated to the latest happenings and our favorite recommendations from the worlds of science fiction and fantasy. Join longtime geek-nerd (nerd-geek?) hosts Jenn Northington and Sharifah Williams on Wednesdays as they dive into books, media, and more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Jenn discusses genre books in which things are not as they seem … or are they?
This episode is sponsored by Fallen Queen (Mariposa Book 1) by Y. R. Shin, with POPPYPUB and KPIPA.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter!
Books Discussed
The Wanderers by Meg Howrey
Mongrels by Stephen Graham Jones See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss the Ignyte Awards, Spaceman of Bohemia casting, under the radar sci-fi and fantasy, and more.
This episode is sponsored by TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service offering reading recommendations personalized to your reading life, Kingdom of Sea and Stone by Mara Rutherford, published by Inkyard Press, and Space Throne by Brian Corley.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter!
News
2020 Nerdy Joy [Tor.com]
Adam Sandler to star in Spaceman of Bohemia [Tor.com, Deadline]
Tour the Twilight House [BookRiot.com]
Ignyte Award winners announced! [Tor.com]
Books Discussed
Elegy for the Undead by Matthew Vesely (note: queer tragedy)
Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim
Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica, translated by Sarah Moses (all the trigger warnings!)
The Twisted Ones by T. Kingfisher See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Sharifah discusses sci-fi and fantasy featuring existential crises!
This episode is sponsored by Book Riot Insiders, the digital hangout spot for the Book Riot community.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter!
Books Discussed
Spaceman of Bohemia by Jaroslav Kalfař
Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss TIME’s 100 Best Fantasy Books Of All Time, adaptation news, the Star Wars LEGO Special, and some favorite sf/f featuring mythology.
This episode is sponsored by TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service offering reading recommendations personalized to your reading life, Skyhunter by Marie Lu, with Fierce Reads, and Kingdom of Sea and Stone by Mara Rutherford, published by Inkyard Press.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter!
News
TIME chooses 100 Best Fantasy Books of All Time [TIME]
Star Wars LEGO Holiday Special [io9]
Marsai Martin to adapt Savvy by Ingrid Law [Deadline]
Emma Roberts is producing author V.E. Schwab’s teen vampire series [EW]
Books Discussed
The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul by Douglas Adams
A Thousand Beginnings and Endings, edited by Ellen Oh and Elsie Chapman
Half-God of Rainfall by Inua Ellams (tw: rape on the page)
The Black God’s Drums by P. Djèlí Clark
Serpentine by Cindy Pon See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Jenn discusses books she rediscovered while packing.
This episode is sponsored by Scholastic.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter!
Books Discussed
The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories by Angela Carter
The City of Folding Faces by Jayinee Basu See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss adaptation news for The Stand and Underground Railroad, cyborgs, a gorgeous Afrofantasy MMO/RPG, and some favorite books from this Fall.
This episode is sponsored by Book Riot’s mystery thriller podcast, Read or Dead, the audiobook edition of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab, and Saga Press, publishers of speculative fiction like Stephen Graham Jones’ THE ONLY GOOD INDIANS, Rebecca Roanhorse’s BLACK SUN, and more.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter!
News
First look at Underground Railroad adaptation [Slashfilm]
“The Stand” Air Date Set [Tor.com]
Specialized polymers bring us one step closer to cyborgs [Inverse]
Afrofantasy MMO / RPG: The Wagadu Chronicles [Kickstarter]
Books Discussed
Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots (content warnings: body horror, medical trauma, PTSD, panic attacks) – “If Doctor Doom Were Your Boyfriend” [Tor.com]
Prime Deceptions by Valerie Valdes
Each of Us A Desert by Mark Oshiro (content warnings: abusive parent, graphic violence)
The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson (tw: physical abuse)
A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Sharifah takes SFF back to school!
This episode is sponsored by Ship of Fates, available now from Lanternfish Press.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter!
Books Discussed
Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
Ignite the Stars by Maura Milan See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss the Dune trailer, lots of adaptation news, accessibility in D&D, and dig into “Story Of Your Life” by Ted Chiang and Arrival.
This episode is sponsored by TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service offering reading recommendations personalized to your reading life, To Sleep in a Sea of Stars by Christopher Paolini, and the Award-Winning Bestseller: Athena’s Choice.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter!
News
Let’s talk about this Dune trailer!
Want to go to university for fantasy?
Sweet wheelchair combat miniatures for D&D
Adaptation corner: Warcross, Sphere, and Felix Ever After
Discussion
Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang
Arrival See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Jenn discusses science fiction and fantasy about the multiverse.
This episode is sponsored by TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service offering reading recommendations personalized to your reading life.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter!
Books Discussed:
The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson
Famous Men Who Never Lived by K. Chess (tw: assault, bigotry)
Worldbreaker Saga by Kameron Hurley (tw: harm to children, rape, gore)
The Unquiet by Mikaela Everett (tw: harm to children) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jenn and guest Preeti Chhibber discuss Baby Yoda, the Wheel of Time casting, go deep into the world(s) of The Witcher, and more.
This episode is sponsored by TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service offering reading recommendations personalized to your reading life, A Kingdom of Flesh and Fire by Jennifer L. Armentrout, and Del Rey, publishers of Ink & Sigil.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter!
Editor's Note
Preeti and Jenn mistakenly called this Russian-inspired; The Witcher is inspired by Polish mythology. They sincerely apologize for the error!
News
New episodes of The Mandalorian coming in October
Marvel’s Indigenous Voices comics
The Wheel of Time Casting continues to be amazing
What the WoT (horses!)
So many Witcher prequels?
The Witcher Links & Notes
Disability representation in The Witcher
The official Witcher show timeline
The Book Riot Reading Guide to The Witcher (Books & Comics)
Geralt Says “Hmmm”
Two (!) Witcher ‘Making Of’ Documentaries
Desi Geek Girls See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Sharifah discusses some favorite weird women in sci-fi and fantasy.
This episode is sponsored by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan’s THE HOLLOW ONES.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter!
Books Discussed
What is Not Yours is Not Yours by Helen Oyeyemi
Radiance by Catherynne M. Valente See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss the Ignyte and World Fantasy Awards, women in SF history, and give you some starting points to dive into fanfiction.
This episode is sponsored by TBR: Tailored Book Recommendations, Vault Comics and #1 New York Times Bestselling author Brandon Sanderson’s new, original hardcover graphic novel DARK ONE, and Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse.
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News:
“Every Possible Kind of Science Fiction Story”
2020 World Fantasy Award Finalists
Ray Bradbury Readathon
2020 Inaugural Ignyte Awards Nominees
Links & References
“Homestead” by katemonkey (Finn/Poe/Rey after events of Rise of Skywalkers)
Authors who have written fanfic
The Rec Center email newsletter
Archive of Our Own / AO3
FanFiction.net (FFN)
The most popular tags on AO3
Fanfic subreddit (resources for readers and writers)
Recs on Reddit
Wattpad
The Promise and Potential of Fan Fiction, on The New Yorker See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Jenn discusses two favorite evil queen retellings.
This episode is sponsored by Amulet Books and Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko.
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Books Discussed
Julie C. Dao’s Rise of the Empress series
Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and guest Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein stir up an old debate, comparing and contrasting science fiction films Inception and Paprika.
This episode is sponsored by Read or Dead, Book Riot’s mystery/thriller podcast, Hawk by James Patterson, and Flatiron Books, publishers of Court of Lions by Somaiya Daud.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
Books Discussed
Paprika by Yasutaka Tsutsui See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Sharifah discusses series she wishes she could read.
This episode is sponsored by Flatiron Books, publisher of Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust.
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Books Discussed
The All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness
The Dandelion Dynasty series by Ken Liu See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss lucid dreaming, The Old Guard, Shirley Jackson Award winners, series they wish they could read again for the first time, and more.
This episode is sponsored by TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service offering reading recommendations personalized to your reading life, the audiobook edition of Axiom’s End by Lindsay Ellis and Tor Books.
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News
Interview with Gina Prince-Bythewood about The Old Guard
New lucid dreaming study (and Waking Life)
Paper Girls is being adapted by Amazon
Shirley Jackson Award Winners
Books Discussed
The Dreamblood duology by NK Jemisin
Turbulence & Resistance by Samit Basu
The Binti series by Nnedi Okorafor
Abhorsen / Old Kingdom series by Garth Nix See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Jenn discusses humans up against the supernatural.
This episode is sponsored by Tor Books.
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Books Discussed
Realm of Ash by Tasha Suri (Books of Ambha #2)
The Outside by Ada Hoffmann (tw: self-harm) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss the Locus Award Winners, some exciting reprints, their favorite titles from the Spring of 2020, and more!
This episode is sponsored by TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service offering reading recommendations personalized to your reading life, Tor Books, and The Harbinger Series by Jennifer L. Armentrout, published by Inkyard Press.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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News
2020 Locus Award Winners
Silvia Moreno-Garcia’s backlist is being reprinted
The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Cancelled
“New” Lyra novella from Philip Pullman
Books Discussed
Vagabonds by Hao Jingfang, translated by Ken Liu (tw: suicide)
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune (tw: discussion of past child abuse)
The Down Days by Ilze Hugo (TW: child abuse/death; CW: drug addiction, fatphobic language)
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (TW: Sexual Assault, mention of rape) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Sharifah discusses two SF/F beach reads!
This episode is sponsored by Flatiron Books, publishers of Mirage by Somaiya Daud.
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Books Discussed
The Hike by Drew Magary
Mem by Bethany C. Morrow See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss a new podcast about Octavia Butler, some adaptation news, their most anticipated series books, and more.
This episode is sponsored by TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service offering reading recommendations personalized to your reading life, Scarlet Odyssey by C. T. Rwizi, and The Harbinger Series by Jennifer L. Armentrout, published by Inkyard Press.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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News
Disney Splash Mountain Redo (History of the ride)
Six new Wheel Of Time cast members revealed
A.I. Robot Cast in Lead Role of $70M Sci-Fi Film
New podcast about Octavia Butler: Octavia’s Parables
Books Discussed
Haunted Heroine by Sarah Kuhn (July 7 2020, Penguin)
King of the Rising by Kacen Callender (Dec 1 2020, Orbit) (tw: slavery and all its abuses)
Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir (August 4 2020, Tor)
The Burning God by RF Kuang (November 17 2020, Harper)
Ambergris by Jeff Vandermeer (December 1 2020, MCD)
A Deadly Education by Naomi Novik (Book #1, September 29 2020, Del Rey)
The Fires of Vengeance by Evan Winter (Book #2, November 10 2020, Orbit)
Prime Deceptions by Valerie Valdes (Book #2, September 8 2020, Harper Voyager)
Seven Devils by Laura Lam and Elizabeth May (Book #1, August 4 2020, DAW) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Jenn discusses two books that evoke a sense of wonder.
This episode is sponsored by TBR: Tailored Book Recommendations, Book Riot’s personalized reading recommendation service, which now has gifting!
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Books Discussed:
Dragons in a Bag by Zeta Elliott
The Prey of Gods by Nicky Drayden (tw: child abuse, sexual assault) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss the Nebula Awards, Pride month, anti-racist SF/F, and more highly anticipated books coming out in 2020.
This episode is sponsored by Hey YA, Book Riot’s own podcast about all things young adult lit, The Harbinger Series by Jennifer L. Armentrout, published by Inkyard Press, and Book Riot Insiders, the digital hangout spot for the Book Riot community.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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Links:
Correction: Thank you to Fantasy Faction!
Nebula Award Winners
Sarah Pinsker adaptation in the works
150 Queer SFF Books
Daniel Radcliffe + The Trevor Project
Incredible and important essay by Tochi Onyebuchi (TW: police brutality, violence)
Books:
Trouble The Saints by Alaya Dawn Johnson (July 21 2020)
Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse (October 13 2020)
The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson (August 4 2020)
Crosshairs by Catherine Hernandez (December 8 2020)
Master of Poisons by Andrea Hairston (September 8 2020)
Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark (October 13 2020)
On the Origin of Species and Other Stories by Bo-Young Kim, translated by Joungmin Lee Comfort (October 27 2020)
The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson (October 6 2020) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah recommends two great Black female authors of science fiction and fantasy.
This episode is sponsored by TBR: Book Riot’s service for Tailored Book Recommendations, now available as a gift!
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Books Discussed:
Octavia Butler: Bloodchild and Other Stories
Tananarive Due: Ghost Summer: Stories
Due Interview mentioned: https://locusmag.com/2018/04/tananarive-due-sense-of-mission/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss online read-alongs, some exciting adaptation news, and a few favorite anime and manga series.
This episode is sponsored by TBR: Tailored Book Recommendations, Dark Horse Comics, publisher of American Gods: The Moment of the Storm by Neil Gaiman, and Book Riot Insiders.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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News
Thanks for the mention, Fantasy-Fiction.com!
Taika Waititi Leads All-Star Reading of JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH to Fund COVID-19 Relief
Old Guard trailer on Netflix (drops July 10)
Peter Dinklage and Jason Momoa’s New Movie Is About a Vampire/Vampire Slayer Con Artist Duo
Fifth Season Read-Along at Tor.com
Edgar Wright to Adapt Tade Thompson’s The Murders Of Molly Southbourne, Plus Works From S.A. Chakraborty and Jonathan Stroud
Books & Media Discussed
Little Witch Academia, created by Yoh Yoshinari and Trigger; manga published by Yen Press, by creators and art by Keisuke Sato
Pluto by Naoki Urasawa and Osamu Tezuka
Cowboy Bebop, created by Shinichirō Watanabe
Sailor Moon by Naoko Takeuchi See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Jenn discusses two favorite sci-fi and fantasy retellings.
This episode is sponsored by TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service offering Tailored Book Recommendations for readers of all stripes.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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Books Discussed
A Spark of White Fire (The Celestial Trilogy) by Sangu Mandanna
The Arthurian Saga by Mary Stewart (The Crystal Cave #1) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss Anne Rice and Rick Riordan adaptations, Middle Earth boyfriends, classic SF, and reread two favorites.
This episode is sponsored by TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service offering Tailored Book Recommendations, Amazon Publishing, and Little Bee Books.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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News
Anne Rice literary catalog acquired
Snowpiercer premieres this week on TNT and next week online
Classic SF With Absolutely No Agenda Whatsoever…
Middle-Earth Bad Boyfriends
Percy Jackson TV Series
Mad Max: Furiosa prequel has already been written & is in casting
Books Discussed
A Stranger in Olondria by Sofia Samatar
The Conjure Woman and Other Conjure Tales by Charles W. Chesnutt See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Sharifah discusses feel-good science fiction and fantasy.
This episode is sponsored by Lit Stitch: 25 Cross-Stitch Patterns for Book Lovers, made by Book Riot and Abrams.
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Books Discussed
Zero Sum Game by S.L. Huang
Undead Girl Gang by Lily Anderson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss Discworld and Hunger Games adaptations, swords, and nonfiction about sci-fi and fantasy.
This episode is sponsored by TBR: Tailored Book Recommendations, Dark Horse Comics, publisher of Fight Club 3 by Chuck Palahniuk, and Nine Bar Blues by Sheree Renée Thomas, published by Third Man Books.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter!
News:
Project Decameron (tw for abusive parents)
Terry Pratchett novels to get ‘absolutely faithful’ TV adaptations
Here is a cool new geek-fashion retailer: Svaha
A Hunger Games Prequel Movie is happening
This is just a really great piece about swords.
Books Discussed
Physics of the Impossible by Michio Kaku
The Dark Fantastic by Ebony Elizabeth Thomas (D&D Wildemount)
Lady from the Black Lagoon by Mallory O’Meara
Broken Places & Outer Spaces: Finding Creativity in the Unexpected by Nnedi Okorafor See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Jenn discusses books inside of books -- in this case, a fantasy book inside of a science fiction book.
This episode is sponsored by Book Riot Insiders.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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Books Discussed
This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone
Travel Light by Naomi Mitchison
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss several awards lists including the Hugos, Dune adaptation news, and dream up author collaborations they wish would happen.
This episode is sponsored by TBR: Tailored Book Recommendations, Race the Sands by Sarah Beth Durst, and Chosen Ones by Veronica Roth.
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News
Akwaeke Emezi wins Otherwise Award
Follow-up: Kitchies winners announced just after last recording
Things we learned about the Dune movie (part 1!) (Dune Book Club with Ausma Zehanat Khan)
Hugo finalists announced
Ken Liu anthology series greenlit
‘Dark Crystal’ Puppetry Online Tour
Books Discussed
Kameron Hurley (The Light Brigade) & Nicky Drayden (Escaping Exodus)
TJ Klune (House on the Cerulean Sea) & CL Polk (Witchmark, Stormsong)
Marie Lu (Warcross) & Sana Takeda (Monstress)
Helen Oyeyemi (Gingerbread) & Victor LaValle (The Changeling) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Sharifah gives some isolation reading recommendations.
This episode is sponsored by TBR: Tailored Book Recommendations.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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Books Discussed
The Wanderers by Meg Howrey
Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel, translated by Carol Christensen and Thomas Christensen See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss the Nebula Awards, the Kitchies, Harry Potter at Home, and their rewatch of the movie Willow.
This episode is sponsored by Book Riot Insiders, Sword in the Stars, published by Jimmy Patterson Books, and The Unspoken Name by A.K. Lockwood.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter!
News
Jenn’s review of “Letter to the King”, TLDR: YIKES
Nebulas Award Ceremony will be online
The Kitchies Finalists
(Update: Winners announced!)
Harry Potter at Home
‘The Mandalorian’ Season 2 Casts Rosario Dawson as Ahsoka Tano (note re: allegations of transphobia)
Rewatch
Willow See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Jenn suggests sci-fi and fantasy graphic novels to dig into.
This episode is sponsored by TBR: Tailored Book Recommendations.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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Books Discussed
Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker and Wendy Xu
Saga by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss awards news, good and bad news for TV adaptations, some of their favorite releases from 2020 so far, and more.
This episode is sponsored by TBR: Tailored Book Recommendations, The Faceless Old Woman Who Secretly Lives in Your Home by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor, and by Harper Perennial, and The Midnight Lie by Marie Rutkoski, with Fierce Reads.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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News
Book Riot's COVID coverage
Puestes Pa'l Futuro, a Puerto Rican SFF anthology on Kickstarter
Library of America to Publish the Works of Octavia Butler
SFF shows that have halted production
She-ra's 5th Season Will Be The Final Season...
... and 'The Magicians' Will Also End With Season 5 on Syfy
2020's Lambda finalists include Rivers Solomon
Books Discussed
Interior Chinatown by Charles Yu (Sorry Please Thank You)
The City We Became by NK Jemisin (tw: sexual harassment, racism)
Spoiler Book Club! Saturday, March 28th at 7 PM via Crowdcast
Everyone on the Moon is Essential Personnel by Julian K. Jarboe (trigger warnings: dysmorphia, self-harm, fat shaming, body horror)
The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Sharifah discusses science fiction and fantasy short story collections.
This episode is sponsored by Two Lines Press.
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Books Discussed:
The Woman Who Thought She Was a Planet and Other Stories by Vandana Singh
Magic for Beginners by Kelly Link See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss an Octavia Butler adaptation, Letter To The King, a goth in need, urban fantasy and science fiction, and more.
This episode is sponsored by Book Riot Insiders, the digital hangout spot for the Book Riot community, Bloomsbury USA, and Tor Books.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter!
News
Amazon picks up Adaptation of Dawn by Octavia Butler
Help This Goth Become A Hot Topic Ambassador
Diverse! Magical! Medieval! Teen! Squad! Has Adventures!!!! in Letter To The King
New Practical Magic prequel coming
Stress science and hopepunk
Books Discussed
Famous Men Who Never Lived by K Chess (tw: assault, bigotry, separation from a child, elder harm)
Half-Resurrection Blues by Daniel José Older
Riot Baby by Tochi Onyebuchi (all the trigger warnings)
The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Jenn discusses favorite books from the Star Wars and Star Trek franchises.
This episode is sponsored by Libro.fm.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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Books & Links
The Book Riot Podcast
Project Luminous
The Clone Wars by Genndy Tartakovsky
Star Trek: The Next Generation, Dark Mirror by Diane Duane
Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Resistance Reborn by Rebecca Roanhorse See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss Watchmen, awards shortlists, The Green Knight, and favorite Latinx science fiction and fantasy authors.
This episode is sponsored by Book Riot’s Read Harder 2020 Challenge, Mariner Books, and All the Stars and Teeth by Adalyn Grace with Fierce Reads.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter!
News
Watchmen and education around the Tulsa Race Massacre
Nebula Finalists Announced
Holy hell, The Green Knight trailer
Ray Bradbury Prize Shortlist announced
Books
We Set The Dark on Fire & We Unleash The Merciless Storm by Tehlor Kay Mejia (tw: sexual assault, torture, racial violence, homophobia)
Kalpa Imperial by Angélica Gorodischer
Chilling Effect by Valerie Valdes
Woven in Moonlight by Isabel Ibañez (tw: bloodshed & violence)
More Reading
Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Daniel José Older
Gabriel García Márquez
Zoraida Córdova
Carmen Maria Machado
Anna-Marie McLemore
Malka Older
Lilliam Rivera
Ana Castillo
Rudolfo Anaya
Adam Silvera See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Sharifah discusses science fiction and fantasy that confronts slavery.
This episode is sponsored by Get Booked’s The Handsell.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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Books Discussed
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
Kindred by Octavia Butler See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss the new Doctor, CGI influencers, horror fashion, genre-blending science fiction and fantasy, and more.
This episode is sponsored by Book Marks, Harper Perennial, and the Read Harder Challenge.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter!
NEWS
The New Doctor Who and Diversity in SFF
Simulated Influencers Are Turning Identity into a Form of Currency
Horror/Sci Fi Louis Vuitton Lookbook
Some eye-candy: nature + sci-fi prints
BOOKS DISCUSSED
Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey (tw: body horror, mention of rape, suicidal ideation)
The Book of M by Peng Shepherd (tw: sexual assault)
Prime Meridian by Silvia Moreno Garcia
Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Jenn discusses mind-bending science fiction and fantasy.
This episode is sponsored by Kentstead Media.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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BOOKS DISCUSSED
Gnomon by Nick Harkaway (tw: torture, abduction)
The Weight of Feathers by Anna-Marie McLemore (tw: domestic violence, child abuse, rape) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss Christopher Tolkien’s legacy, adaptation updates for The Watch and Snowpiercer, speculative poetry, and more.
This episode is sponsored by Book Riot’s Read Harder 2020 Challenge, Saga Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, and LMBPN Publishing.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here.The show can also be found on Stitcher here.
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NEWS
Christopher Tolkien dies at age 95
Concerns about The Watch adaptation, Parts 1 and 2
Snowpiercer TV show gets air date
‘Binti’ Adaptation From Michael Ellenberg in the Works at Hulu
Ghost Bride trailer
BOOKS
Reference: Speculative Poetry post
“3-D Printed Brother” by Millie Ho, Strange Horizons
“Ọ́jí Íjè [KOLA JOURNEY]“ by Uche Ogbuji, FIYAH Issue #11
“The Dissolution of Icarus” by Michelle Muenzler, Liminality Poetry Issue #18
“Unbraided, Clean” by Terese Mason Pierre, FIYAH Issue #10
Life On Mars by Tracy K. Smith (“My God, It’s Full of Stars”)
“Turning the Leaves” by Amal El-Mohtar, Apex Magazine
Goblin Fruit — Archives (edited by Amal El-Mohtar)
“Skyscraper” by Annika Barranti Klein, Fireside Fiction See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Sharifah recommends historical science fiction and fantasy.
This episode is sponsored by Lanternfish Press.
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BOOKS DISCUSSED:
The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende
The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss the Hugo nominations, updates on screen adaptations, their most anticipated science fiction and fantasy sequels of 2020, and more. This episode is sponsored by Novel Gazing, Book Riot’s new literary fiction podcast and Flatiron Books, publishers of The Night Country by Melissa Albert. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! NEWS Hugo nominations are open! Snow Crash TV series updates A Willow series is happening. ‘Shadow And Bone’: Netflix Series Adds Seven To Cast BOOKS DISCUSSED Critical Point by SL Huang (Cas Russell #3) April 28, 2020 The Worst Of All Possible Worlds by Alex White (The Salvagers #3) July 28, 2020 Stormsong by CL Polk (The Kingston Cycle #2) Feb 11, 2020 (tw: PTSD, violence towards women and children) The Tyrant Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson (The Masquerade #3) June 9, 2020 (tw: previous books had institutionalized homophobia, assualt/rape, torture, violence, war crimes) Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir, June 2, 2020 Deathless Divide by Justina Ireland, February 4, 2020 Shadowshaper Legacy by DJ Older, January 7, 2020 Come Tumbling Down by Seanan McGuire, January 7, 2020 We Unleash The Merciless Storm by Tehlor Kay Mejia, February 25, 2020 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Jenn discusses science fiction and fantasy stories that include a romance. This episode is sponsored by LMBPN Publishing. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! BOOKS DISCUSSED Heroine Complex by Sarah Kuhn The Wrong Stars by Tim Pratt The AI Who Loved Me by Alyssa Cole Chilling Effect by Valerie Valdes See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss Dracula, PAX Unplugged, the Wonder Woman trailer, their most anticipated sci-fi and fantasy of 2020, and more. This episode is sponsored by the Read Harder Journal, LMBPN Publishing, and Anyone by Charles Soule, and by Harper Perennial. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! NEWS Steven Moffat on Dracula’s Sexuality Follow-up: Jenn has further thoughts on The Mandalorian PAX Unplugged Report! Tea Dragon Society & Aquicorn Cove by Katie O’Neill, Dune, Star Trek Catan Hasbro Announces New Baby Yoda Collectibles (crochet’d Child) Wonder Woman trailer BOOKS DISCUSSED Vagabonds by Hao Jingfang, transl. by Ken Liu (April 14 2020) The Down Days by Ilze Hugo (May 5 2020) The Wolf of Oren-Yaro by KS Villoso (February 18 2020) The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune (March 17 2020) Docile by K.M. Szpara (March 3 2020) Riot Baby by Tochi Onyebuchi (January 21 2020) The City We Became by NK Jemisin (March 24 2020) – short story: The City Born Great Wicked as You Wish by Rin Chupeco (March 3 2020) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Sharifah discusses nostalgic science fiction and fantasy. This episode is sponsored by LMBPN Publishing. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! BOOKS DISCUSSED: The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales by Virginia Hamilton, illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss The Mandalorian and other Star Wars news, a slate of award winners, and sci-fi/fantasy stories with mysteries. This episode is sponsored by the Read Harder Journal, Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi, with Fierce Reads, and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, publisher of The Folk of the Air series by Holly Black. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! NEWS The Mandalorian is on Disney+ (05:40 – 10:20, skip to avoid spoilers) ALL the Star Wars cookware, including Le Creuset 2019 World Fantasy Winners Nommo Award winners British Fantasy Awards winners BOOKS DISCUSSED The Psychology of Time Travel by Kate Mascarenhas (tw: disordered eating, self-harm, hazing) Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir (tw: blood & body horror) The Tea Master and the Detective by Aliette de Bodard Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week Jenn discusses short science fiction and fantasy, to help you meet your 2019 reading goals. This episode is sponsored by Book Riot Insiders. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! BOOKS DISCUSSED The End of the Sentence by Kat Howard and Maria Dahvana Headley Citadel of Weeping Pearls by Aliette de Bodard See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn recommend their favorite science fiction and fantasy for holiday gift-giving this year. This episode is sponsored by Extraneous, Tor Books, and Supernova by Marissa Meyer, with Fierce Reads. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! BOOKS DISCUSSED The King’s Peace by Jo Walton (tw: rape, unwanted pregnancy) Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire (Post: https://bookriot.com/2016/06/10/why-every-heart-a-doorway-made-me-cry-happy-tears/) Signal to Noise by Silvia Moreno-Garcia Severance by Ling Ma The Affair of the Mysterious Letter by Alexis Hall Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (tw: self harm, family violence) Queen of the Conquered by Kacen Callender (tw: violence related to slavery, including sexual assault and torture) Chilling Effect by Valerie Valdes The Outside by Ada Hoffmann (tw: body horror, torture) Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir PET by Akwaeke Emezi (tw: pedophilia/child abuse) The Dreamers by Karen Thompson Walker Gingerbread by Helen Oyeyemi The Murders of Molly Southbourne and The Survival of Molly Southbourne by Tade Thompson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah recommends science fiction and fantasy audiobooks for road trips, especially those long holiday drives! This episode is sponsored by LMBPN Publishing. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! BOOKS DISCUSSED Shadowshaper by Daniel José Older A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and guest Liberty discuss their favorite tropes and shapeshifters in science fiction and fantasy. This episode is sponsored by Extraneous, the audiobook of The Name of All Things by Jenn Lyons, now available from Macmillan Audio, and the audiobook of Fate of the Fallen by Kel Kade, coming soon from Macmillan Audio. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! BOOKS DISCUSSED Chilling Effect by by Valerie Valdes Sleeping Giant by Sylvain Neuvel Wayward Children series by Seanan Mcguire Sidekick Squad series by CB Lee Wayfarers series by Becky Chambers Forest of a Thousand Lanterns by Julie C. Dao The Poppy War by RF Kuang The Folk of the Air series by Holly Black Crooked by Austin Grossman Sisters of the Vast Black by Lina Rather Once and Future by Amy Rose Capetta and Cori McCarthy Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow Wild Seed by Octavia B Mongrels by Stephen Graham Jones Prey of Gods by Nicky Drayden Serpentine by Cindy Pon See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Jenn discusses science fiction and fantasy comfort reads. This episode is sponsored by TBR, Book Riot’s new subscription service offering tailored book recommendations for readers of all stripes. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! BOOKS DISCUSSED Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones Valerie Valdes on Recommended Ocean Light by Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #17, Psy-Changeling Trinity #2) Magic Breaks by Ilona Andrews (Kate Daniels #7) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss the Kingkiller Chronices TV adaptation, a documentary about Margaret Atwood, ocean-themed science fiction and fantasy, and more. This episode is sponsored by Book Riot’s Blind Date with a Book, Penguin Random House Audio, and Wednesday Books. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! NEWS Follow-up: Tiptree Award renamed Kingkiller Chronicles TV adaptation is up for grabs Margaret Atwood documentary out in November Magicians comic, including Lev Grossman, also out in November Harry Potter Subscription Service BOOKS DISCUSSED The Deep by Rivers Solomon, Daveed Diggs, William Hutson, Jonathan Snipes (Nov 5 2019) The Deep – clipping. The Deepest Blue by Sarah Beth Durst Rolling in the Deep by Mira Grant The Girl From Everywhere by Heidi Heilig See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Sharifah discusses traveling in science fiction and fantasy. This episode is sponsored by The Dark Lord Clementine by Sarah Jean Horwitz, new from Algonquin Young Readers. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! BOOKS DISCUSSED The Passage by Justin Cronin Huntress by Malinda Lo See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss a must-read panel recap from NYCC, casting news, the creation of a new award, second books in series, and more. This episode is sponsored by Book Riot’s Blind Date with a Book, Rebel by Marie Lu, with Fierce Reads and Penguin Teen. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! NEWS Shadow and Bone Casting Update The Craft reboot casting This week’s recommended read: Recap from NYCC panel on mental health in SFF and horror New series from MR Carey New award for BAME writers BOOKS DISCUSSED Binary (Revolution) by Stephanie Saulter The Dragon Republic by RF Kuang (tw: graphic violence, assault, rape, genocide, torture, addiction, self-harm) Not Your Villain by C.B. Lee A Hat Full of Sky by Terry Pratchett See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Jenn discusses fashion in science fiction and fantasy. This episode is sponsored by Bezkamp by Samuel Sattin and Jen Hickman. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! BOOKS DISCUSSED Persona (The Persona Sequence) by Genevieve Valentine The Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss further awards news, including the gender breakdown of Hugo winners, African SF/F, and more. This episode is sponsored by our Mystery/Thriller Giveaway, the audiobook edition of The Future of Another Timeline by Annalee Newitz, and Loki: Where Mischief Lies, written by Mackenzi Lee, read by Oliver Wyman. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! NEWS Follow-up: The Tiptree Award is getting renamed after all. Follow-up: Elsa Sjunneson-Henry is the first blind woman to win a Hugo. Gender and the Hugo Awards, by the Numbers (and companion Twitter thread) Fonda Lee to write for Marvel! The Watch Update: non-binary rep! BOOKS DISCUSSED “The Broken Nose” by Mame Diene (read it on Omenana) “What If I Fall” by Anne Dafeta (read it on Omenana) “Skinned” by Lesley Nneka Arimah (read it on McSweeney’s) Rosewater by Tade Thompson “Tatashe” by Cassandra Mark and Tobe Max Ezeogu Shuri by Nnedi Okorafor and Leonardo Romero Shuri novel announcement! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Sharifah discusses her favorite backlist books featuring spooky houses. This episode is sponsored by Witchy by Ariel Slamet Ries. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! BOOKS DISCUSSED Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro The Good House by Tananarive Due See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss the renaming of awards, The Testaments by Margaret Atwood, other award-winners, and more. This episode is sponsored by Book Riot Mystery/Thriller giveaway, Finale by Stephanie Garber, and Recommended. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! NEWS Earthsea Books TV deal! Daniel Henney cast in WoT! The Testaments by Margaret Atwood already in development at Hulu. (Further news about the embargo here.) John W Campbell award renamed Astounding Award. BOOKS DISCUSSED Hunger Makes the Wolf by Alex Wells, 2017 Kitchies Golden Tentacle “They Will Dream in the Garden” by Gabriela Damián Miravete, Tiptree Award 2018; information about the naming of the Tiptree Award here Angelmaker by Nick Harkaway, 2012 Kitschies Red Tentacle Award “If at First You Don’t Succeed, Try, Try Again” by Zen Cho, Hugo Award for Best Novelette, 2019 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Jenn discusses discovering backlist by new favorite authors. This episode is sponsored by Recommended. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! BOOKS DISCUSSED All Systems Red by Martha Wells The Element of Fire by Martha Wells (tw: child abuse, emotional abuse) Fledgling by Octavia Butler Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler (tw: rape, a dog dies) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss the Hugo Award Winners, casting news around adaptations, and the Blade movie trilogy. This episode is sponsored by Book Riot Insiders, Circe by Madeline Miller, and Astronuts by Jon Scieszka and Steven Weinberg. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! NEWS 2019 Hugo Award Winners announced! Practical Magic Prequel! Wheel of Time Casting! BLADE Wesley Snipes is on board with new casting. Talon of God by Wesley Snipes (here’s a review) Blade, directed by Stephen Norrington (1998) Blade II, directed by Guillermo del Toro (2002) Blade: Trinity, directed by David S. Goyer (2004) Patton Oswalt interview, including Blade: Trinity See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Sharifah discusses favorite animal characters. This episode is sponsored by Libro.fm. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! BOOKS DISCUSSED Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton Half World by Hiromi Goto Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson The Old Kingdom Series by Garth Nix How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe by Charles Yu Monstress by Marjorie Liu See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss tabletop RPG and TV adaptations, a new Seanan McGuire series, nonhuman narrators, and more. This episode is sponsored by Book Riot Insiders, The Dragon Republic by R.F. Kuang, and Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! NEWS DISCUSSED The Broken Earth by NK Jemisin is going to be a tabletop RPG! Lev Grossman is writing a Space Opera TV series with the Russo Bros. New Seanan McGuire series coming in 2020! Charlie Jane Anders will write for Y The Last Man TV Show. BOOKS Adulthood Rites by Octavia Butler (Xenogenesis #2) (tw: harm to children) The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi (tw: self-harm, sexual assault, suicide, child death) Pet by Awkaeke Emezi All Systems Red by Martha Wells See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Jenn discusses unusual vampires. This episode is sponsored by Libro.fm. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! BOOKS DISCUSSED: Sunshine by Robin McKinley My Soul to Keep by Tananarive Due (tw: harm to children) The Vampire Tapestry by Suzy McKee Charnas (tw: victim blaming, racism) Fledgling by Octavia Butler (tw: pedophilia, coercion) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss awards shortlists, the Blade reboot, a Hitchhikers TV announcement, and books with games and tournaments. This episode is sponsored by Libro.fm and Book Riot Insiders. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! NEWS Awards Updates: 2019 World Fantasy Award Finalists; Tade Thompson wins Arthur C. Clarke Award; British Fantasy Awards shortlist How Japanese RPGs Inspired A New Generation Of Fantasy Authors Hitchhikers TV series in development Mahershala Ali will be the new Blade! BOOKS DISCUSSED An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir A Big Ship at the Edge of the Universe by Alex White Court of Fives by Kate Elliott The Gauntlet by Karuna Riazi See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Sharifah talks about music in SFF. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! DISCUSSED: Signal to Noise by Silvia Moreno Garcia Sister Mine by Nalo Hopkinson Soul Music by Terry Pratchett The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss Sandman and Harry Potter TV show announcements, Locus Award winners, fiction podcasts and more. This episode is sponsored by Unassigned Reading and The Lightest Object in the Universe by Kimi Eisele. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! NEWS Sandman is getting a Netflix show. All hail the 2019 Locus Award Winners! Harry Potter TV Show In Development At Warner Bros. We’ve got some “facts” about the GoT prequel show. BOOKS DISCUSSED Mission to Zyxx Kalila Stormfire’s Economical Magick Services Night Vale Presents Adventures in New America The Drabblecast Podcastle See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this first installment of Backlist to the Future, Jenn discusses books about non-gloomy futures. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, or via Apple Podcasts here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! Discussed: Our *punk genres show The Wayfarers series by Becky Chambers Earth by David Brin “Non-Zero Probabilities” by NK Jemisin (How Long Til Black Future Month?) Shine: An Anthology of Optimistic Science Fiction, edited by Jetse de Vries A People’s Future of the United States, edited by Victor LaValle and John Joseph Adams See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss Harry Potter: Wizards Unite, the Hunger Games prequel, clones, twins, and doppelgangers, and more! This episode is sponsored by Unassigned Reading, Kingdom of Exiles by Maxym M. Martineau, and Protect the Prince by Jennifer Estep. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, or via Apple Podcasts here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! News: Harry Potter: Wizards Unite is out! A Brave New World adaptation is in the works Hunger Games prequel coming! The queerness of D&D. Books Discussed Six Wakes by Mur Lafferty Temper by Nicky Drayden Murders of Molly Southborne by Tade Thompson Down Among the Sticks and Bones (Wayward Children #2) by Seanan McGuire See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Courtesy of the Get Booked podcast, Amanda and Jenn discuss comps for Game of Thrones and A Song of Ice and Fire! Please note: there are spoilers for GOT starting around the 30:00 mark. This episode is sponsored by Audible, Rebel by Beverly Jenkins, and We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faizal. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Stitcher. Books Discussed Dune by Frank Herbert (tw torture, child abuse) Jade City by Fonda Lee (tw: child abuse) The Acacia Series (The War With the Mein #1) by David Anthony Durham (tw: child slavery) The Machineries of Empire (Ninefox Gambit #1) by Yoon Ha Lee (tw: coercion, rape, body horror) Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey (tw: torture) The Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons (tw: torture, slavery) SPOILERS FOR GOT 31:00-35:45 The Tiger’s Daughter by K. Arsenault Rivera (tw: torture, homophobia) The Poppy War by RF Kuang (tw: war crimes incl. rape, genocide, forced sterilization) A Spark of White Fire by Sangu Mandanna The Inheritance Trilogy by NK Jemisin Dandelion Dynasty by Ken Liu Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss Vans’ new Harry Potter sneakers, Terry Pratchett and Orphan Black adaptations, and the punk subgenres of SF/F. This episode is sponsored by Libro.fm and Reentry by Peter Cawdron. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, or via Apple Podcasts here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! News: Episode 22: Steampunk Terry Pratchett’s ‘The Amazing Maurice’ to Be Turned Into Animated Film. Orphan Black returns as a serial, with Malka Older as showrunner! Vans revealed their HP sneaker line (and the designers are obv Slytherin). There will be a Dune TV series about the Bene Gesserit. Books Discussed: Solarpunk: Glass and Gardens: Solarpunk Summers, edited by Sarena Ullibari Mythpunk: Unraveling by Karen Lord Elfpunk: Blanket recommendation for Holly Black (The Darkest Part of the Forest; Tithe) Post: What is it and 5 books to get started Silkpunk: “The Snow of Jinyang” by Zhang Ran, translated by Ken Liu and Carmen Yiling Yan (The Grace of Kings by Ken Liu) Post: Author Ken Liu Explains “Silkpunk” to Us See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jenn and guest María Cristina García Lynch discuss the Nebula Award winners, the new Terminator and Star Trek installments, military sf/f, and more. This episode is sponsored by All the Books, Magic for Liars by Sarah Gailey, and Gather the Fortunes by Bryan Camp. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, or via Apple Podcasts here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! News Let’s talk about the Star Trek: Picard trailer. Let’s also talk about Terminator: Dark Fate! Hooray for Nebula Award winners! Into the Spider-verse screenplay The Shirley Jackson Award Finalists have been announced. Books Discussed Ancillary Justice (Imperial Radch #1) by Ann Leckie The Rage of Dragons (The Burning #1) by Evan Winter Ball Lightning by Cixin Liu The Cassandra by Sharma Shields Monstrous Regiment (Discworld) by Terry Pratchett See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss Avengers, Vans’ new Harry Potter Collection, some book announcements, and favorite kidlit from SF/F. This episode is sponsored by Audible, BookCon, and Exhalation by Ted Chiang. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, or via Apple Podcasts here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! News Here’s a sciencey look at The Snap from Avengers: Infinity War NK Jemisin is writing a comic for DC! Zen Cho is writing a new novella! Vans Is Launching a Harry Potter Collaboration Books Interstellar Cinderella by Deborah Underwood The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex (Home, Tip voiced by Rihanna!) The Storm Runner by JC Cervantes Binky Adventure Series by Ashley Spires Aru Shah and the End of Time (Pandava Quartet #1) by Roshani Chokshi Phoebe and Her Unicorn (Phoebe and Her Unicorn Series Book 1) by Dana Simpson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Liberty discuss Game of Thrones, Western librarians, Peter Mayhew, and pirates in SF/F. This episode is sponsored by Book Riot Insiders, Stranger Things from Dark Horse Comics and Netflix, and Finale by Stephanie Garber. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, or via Apple Podcasts here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! News: New Sarah Gailey book! Peter Mayhew passes away Double Netflix News: Netflix’s first Arabic series will be a supernatural series!, and Netflix’s ‘Chambers’ is a New Gold Standard for Indigenous Representation in American Visual Media Books: Ship of Smoke and Steel by Django Wexler Warchild by Karin Lowachee (tw: child abuse) A Darker Shade of Magic/Shades of Magic Series by VE Schwab The Black God’s Drums by P. Djèlí Clark See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss The Kitchies Awards, Nnedi Okorafor’s new production company, Saga, nature-filled SF/F, and more. This episode is sponsored by Libro.fm, Upon a Burning Throne by Ashok K. Banker, and BookCon. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, or via Apple Podcasts here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! News: Nnedi Okorafor creating a production company Afrofuturist fashion The 2018 Kitchies Winners Madeline Miller’s Instagram New Horror imprint from Tor Saga has an official endpoint Books Discussed: The Queens of Renthia series by Sarah Beth Durst Empire of Sand by Tasha Suri Southern Reach series by Jeff VanderMeer Gingerbread by Helen Oyeyemi Gods, Monsters, and the Lucky Peach by Kelly Robson See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss Cowboy Bebop, an Octavia Butler adaptation, con-artists and thieves, and more. This episode is sponsored by Book Riot Insiders, The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling, and Voices by David Elliott. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, or via Apple Podcasts here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! News: Hugo Nominees announced! John Cho and Three More Actors Cast in Netflix’s ‘Cowboy Bebop’ Nnedi Okorafor and Wanuri Kahiu to Adapt Octavia Butler’s Wild Seed for Amazon Books Discussed The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty Want by Cindy Pon Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo Zero Sum Game by S.L. Huang See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jenn and special guest Ausma Zehanat Khan dig into Dune by Frank Herbert, including fancasting the upcoming movie adaptation! Books & Links: Ausma Zehanat Khan on Recommended The Bloodprint and The Black Khan by Ausma Zehanat Khan Dune by Frank Herbert Post: Dune and white savior narratives Post: Arab representation in casting Post: Latest casting news See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss the Harry Potter AR game, the return of Bill & Ted, international SF/F, and more. This episode is sponsored by Book Riot Insiders, A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine, and Enchantée by Gita Trelease. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, or via Apple Podcasts here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! News Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter Announce BILL & TED 3 Release Date Time Bandits TV series with Taika Waititi Harry Potter AR game details! Full Stranger Things Trailer Books Discussed Tentacle by Rita Indiana, translated by Achy Obejas (tw: rape, transphobia, racial slurs) Future Fiction, edited by Bill Campbell tw: Suicide, “Grey Noise” and “Proposition 23” Bestiality, “The International Studbook of the Giant Panda” Animal and human experimentation, “Creative Surgery” World of Fantasy Day on Book Riot Vita Nostra by Marina and Sergey Dyachenko, transl. by Julia Meitov Hersey Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice (Recommended episode) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jenn and special guest CB Lee discuss The Night Circus and Lord of the Rings adaptations, the Star Wars EU, and YA sci-fi and fantasy! This episode is sponsored by Libro.fm, The Bird King by G. Willow Wilson, and We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, or via Apple Podcasts here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! News: The Night Circus adaptation has a director The Lord of the Rings TV show will take place in the Second Age Here’s the Good Omens full trailer Even more new Star Wars: EU books coming out! Queen’s Shadow by EK Johnston A Crash of Fate by Zoraida Córdova Black Spire by Delilah S. Dawson Books Discussed: Not Your Sidekick by CB Lee “The Case for YA Science Fiction” by Fonda Lee Dreadnought by April Daniels (tw: abusive parents, transphobia) Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova The Baker Thief by Claudie Arseneault Unsung Heroine (Heroine Complex) by Sarah Kuhn See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss (not) surviving in the Game of Thrones world, Nebula Award finalists, questionable LOTR-writing bots, and more. This episode is sponsored by Audible, An Affair of Poisons by Addie Thorley, and Epic Reads. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, or via Apple Podcasts here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! News: Nebula Award Finalists Announced Researchers Actually Studied How To Survive On Game Of Thrones A Bot Wrote a "Believable" LORD OF THE RINGS Scene Y The Last Man Adaptation Premiering in 2020 Books Discussed: Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by NK Jemisin Ammonite by Nicola Griffith Court of Fives by Kate Elliott Monstress by Marjorie Liu, Sana Takeda Tiger Eye by Marjorie Liu (shout-out) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss the cover reveal for The Testaments, some new Merlin texts, fantasy and sci-fi set in space, and more. This episode is sponsored by the Read Harder Journal, Polaris Rising by Jessie Mihalik, and Here and Now and Then by Mike Chen. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, or via Apple Podcasts here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! News: Middle Ages Merlin manuscript found in Bristol University library Cover reveal for The Testaments, The Handmaid’s Tale sequel Winter Is Coming! HBO’s ‘Game Of Thrones’ Spinoff Sets Diverse Cast The Ghost Bride to be adapted into a Netflix series (Behind the scenesfootage) Books Discussed: A Spark of White Fire by Sangu Mandanna The Wrong Stars by Tim Pratt Mirage by Somaiya Daud Saga by Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples Ignite the Stars by Maura Milan See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss adaptation news for Tasha Suri and Leigh Bardugo, voting in the Hugos, favorite weird SF/F, and more. This episode is sponsored by the Read Harder Journal, the Unusual Suspects Giveaway, and Golden State by Ben Winters. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, or via Apple Podcasts here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! News Netflix Orders ‘Shadow And Bone’ Series Based On Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse Novels Hugo nominations are open! Hugo site to become a voting member; Spreadsheet of Doom Empire of Sand has been optioned! Bandersnatch update: Netflix is getting sued by Chooseco Books Discussed Shout-out: Jeff VanderMeer, China Mieville, and Lauren Beukes Lonesome Bodybuilder by Yukiko Motoya, transl. by Asa Yoneda (tw: bodyhorror) Long Division by Kiese Laymon (tw: family and racial violence, use of slurs) Swamplandia! by Karen Russell (tw: rape; child abuse; suicide) Friday Black by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyan (tw: racial violence, gun violence, violence against children, self harm) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss wizardly puppies, Bandersnatch, their most anticipated sequels of 2019, and more. This episode is sponsored by the Read Harder Journal, Slayer by Kiersten White, and Undying by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, or via Apple Podcasts here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! News This Puppy Learned “Harry Potter” Spells And Hermione Is Screaming We May Never See All of Black Mirror: Bandersnatch Disney Princesses Play ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ The dumb of the Bird Box Challenge Books Discussed The True Queen (Sorcerer Royal #2) by Zen Cho, Mar 12 Cat Sebastian recommends Sorcerer to Crown on Recommended Mahimata by Rati Mehrotra, Mar 5 (Asiana #2) Storm of Locusts by Rebecca Roanhorse, Apr 23 (Sixth World #2) – tw: gore and cannibalism Ruse by Cindy Pon, Mar 12 (Want #2) Hexarchate Stories by Yoon Ha Lee, June 25 (Machineries of Empire) Children of Virtue and Vengeance (Legend of Orisha #2) by Tomi Adeyemi (March 5) The Wicked King (The Folk of the Air #2) by Holly Black (Jan 8) Rosewater Insurrection by Tade Thompson (Mar 12) Binti Trilogy omnibus (Feb 5) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss Christmas dragons, exciting adaptation news, weird trends in pseudonyms, and their most anticipated reads of 2019. This episode is sponsored by the Read Harder Journal, The Similars by Rebecca Hanover, and Nightchaser by Amanda Bouchet. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, or via Apple Podcasts here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! News Discussed ‘Chilling Adventures of Sabrina’ Gets Order For 16 More Episodes From Netflix. Christmas dragons neighborhood fight! Stranger Things Season 3 Teaser Teases Episode Titles And An Air Date(and we learned nothing new) Runaways is back on Hulu! (And, correct, Season 2 has been released simultaneously, so marathon-watching is easy.) Books Discussed Girl Who Could Move Sh*t With Her Mind by Jackson Ford (Jackson Ford is a pseudonym for a critically acclaimed science fiction author.) FKA USA by Reed King (Reed King is the pseudonym of a New York Times bestselling author and TV writer.) The Bird King by G Willow Wilson (March 12) Unraveling by Karen Lord (June 4) The Light Brigade by Kameron Hurley (March 19) The Deep by Rivers Solomon, Daveed Diggs, William Hutson, Jonathan Snipes (June 4); listen to the song here Gingerbread by Helen Oyeyemi (Mar 5)The Candle and the Flame by Nafiza Azad (May 14) The City in the Middle of the Night by Charlie Jane Anders (Feb 12) Broken Stars: Contemporary Chinese Science Fiction in Translation (Feb 19) by Various, translated by Ken Liu See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss J.K. Rowling’s terrible assistant, adaptation news, the Best of 2018 lists, and recommend LGBTQ+ SFF. This episode is sponsored by the Read Harder Journal and our True Story Giveaway. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, or via Apple Podcasts here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. For even more sci-fi/fantasy news and reviews, sign up for the Swords and Spaceships newsletter, delivered every Tuesday and Friday. News The Best Of Spreadsheet Returns! JKR’s terrible assistant, wow. Ursula K. LeGuin’s novelette Nine Lives gets casting! GRRM’s Wild Cards show is going to Hulu. Books Discussed So Lucky by Nicola Griffith The Black Tides of Heaven by JY Yang Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi Not Your Sidekick by C.B. Lee 50 must-read LGBT fantasy books post 8 Queer Sci-Fi books See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn give their picks for the best books to give this holiday season. This episode is sponsored by The Spectral City by Leanna Renee Hieber and the Book Riot Read Harder Journal. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, or via Apple Podcasts here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. Books Discussed: The Broken Earth Trilogy by NK Jemisin The Machineries of Empire series by Yoon Ha Lee Rise of the Empress duology by Julie C Dao (tw: child abuse) The Traitor Baru Cormorant and The Monster Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson (tw: institutionalized homophobia, assault, etc) Witchmark by CL Polk The Wayfarers series by Becky Chambers The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells Rosewater by Tade Thompson (here's our Book Club episode) How Long til Black Future Month by NK Jemisin Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik (tw: child abuse) Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi Circe by Madeline Miller (tw: rape) Mem by Bethany C. Morrow The Completed Binti Trilogy by Nnedi Okorafor Prime Meridian by Silvia Moreno-Garcia Freshwater by Awaeke Emezi (tw: rape; self-harm) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss the deaths of William Goldman and Stan Lee, the World Fantasy Award winners, sci-fi and fantasy romances, and more. This episode is sponsored by Enclave by Thomas Locke and Dragonshadow by by Elle Katharine White.
News William Goldman has died. Stan Lee has also passed away. Congrats, World Fantasy Award Winners! New Erin Morgenstern book coming! Rolling in the Deep adaptation for Mira Grant Books Discussed Silver Silence by Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling Trinity #1) The Unleashing by Shelly Laurenston (Call of Crows #1) Radio Silence by Alyssa Cole (Off the Grid #1) Tiger Eye by Marjorie M. Liu (Dirk & Steele #1) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss Dracula marginalia, the Discworld adaptation, the NOMMO awards, and the best opening and closing lines of SFF. This episode is sponsored by Jade City by Fonda Lee; Lost Arrow, Book I of The Kalelah Series by Marshall Ross; and Fantastic Beasts: The Magizoologist’s Discovery Case.
News Terry Pratchett’s The Watch lands at BBC NOMMO Award winners! London Library Discovers Bram Stoker's Dracula Notes Scribbled In Margins Of Its Books Naomi Watts cast for GoT prequel Books Discussed A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle An Easy Death by Charlaine Harris (tw: rape) The Fifth Season by NK Jemisin (tw: harm to children) The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende (TW: Rape; child abuse) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this first-ever book club episode, Sharifah and Jenn discuss Rosewater by Tade Thompson. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss multi-platform media, Nnedi Okorafor's nonfiction, and The Twilight Zone, and recommend novellas. This episode is sponsored by TBR, On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden, and Putting the Science in Fiction.
News Discussed An ambitious multi-platform launch Liz Gorinsky, formerly of Tor, is starting her own publishing company. Nnedi Okorafor is doing a nonfiction book! Follow-up: The reboot trailer for Twilight Zone mostly just makes me want to rewatch original Twilight Zone. Books Discussed On a Red Station, Drifting by Aliette de Bodard (Listen to her on Get Booked!) The Black God’s Drums by P. Djèlí Clark Prime Meridian by Silvia Moreno-Garcia A Taste of Honey by Kai Ashante Wilson (tw: homophobia, family abuse) (Read his piece on writing dialect in fiction) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss TV shows for The Wheel of Time, Circe, and Narnia, and talk about their favorite witches. This episode is sponsored by The Devil's Thief, His Fair Assassins Trilogy, and In the Night Wood by Dale Bailey.
Book Club pick: Rosewater by Tade Thompson News: Amazon has picked up the Wheel of Time TV show, and signed a big deal with Neil Gaiman. Circe by Madeline Miller has been optioned! Netflix is making new Narnia shows. The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina trailer is great. Books Discussed: Witches of New York by Ami McKay (tw: violence against women) Mama Day by Gloria Naylor Plus also this post: https://bookriot.com/2017/04/18/100-must-read-books-witches/ All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders Bless Me, Ultima by Rudolfo Anaya BONUS ROUND: Fav Witchy Movie Hocus Pocus (Hocus Pocus book!) Practical Magic (Practical Magic and The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss The Twilight Zone reboot, a bunch of Avatar: The Last Airbender news, time travel favorites, and more. This episode is sponsored by TBR, The Caged Queen by Kristen Ciccarelli, and Upgrade Soul by Ezra Claytan Daniels. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and guests Brea Grant and Mallory O'Meara of the Reading Glasses podcast discuss SFF Chia pets, the series adaptation of The Haunting of Hill House, and recommend books about dead people. This episode is sponsored by Legendary by Stephanie Garber and Grim Lovelies by Megan Shepherd. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, or via Apple Podcasts here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. News: The Haunting of Hill House Netflix adaptation Stranger Things, Ghostbusters, and Predator Chia Pets are headed our way Books Discussed: Undead Girl Gang by Lily Anderson (YA urban fantasy) The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo (literary fantasy) Six Wakes by Mur Lafferty An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon Zone One by Colson Whitehead Sabriel by Garth Nix See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss the Hugo winners, a tabletop RPG for The Expanse, His Dark Materials casting, favorite trilogies, and more. This episode is sponsored by Ball Lightning by Cixin Liu, Mirage by Somaiya Daud, and Nightblood by Elly Blake. News: A historic win for NK Jemisin at the Hugos The Expanse is getting a tabletop RPG Ursula K. Le Guin Sci-Fi ‘Nine Lives’ Gets Movie Adaptation BBC His Dark Materials adaptation casts witch queen Serafina Pekkala New HARRY POTTER Books (Including a Hogwarts Pop-Up) Coming This October Books Discussed: Machineries of Empire by Yoon Ha Lee (Ninefox Gambit, Raven Stratagem, Revenant Gun) (R)evolution series by Stephanie Saulter (Gemsigns, Binary, Regeneration) -- trigger warning: hate crimes The Broken Earth series by NK Jemisin (Fifth Season, Obelisk Gate, Stone Sky) Graceling Realm series by Kristin Cashore (Graceling, Fire, Bitterblue) Binti trilogy by Nnedi Okorafor (Binti, Home, The Night Masquerade) His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman (The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, The Amber Spyglass) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jenn and guest Swapna Krishna discuss Star Trek news, adaptations, the Arthur C. Clark Awards, and recent debuts. This episode is sponsored by Book Riot Insiders, Garrison Girl by Rachel Aaron, and Bellewether by Susanna Kearsley.
News: MORE PICARD IS HAPPENING! WorldCon update: the programming looks better. Discovery of Witches finally has a US broadcaster and we’re still confused. Geneva Robertson-Dworet is adapting Andy Weir's novel ‘Artemis’. Arthur C Clarke Award winner announced. Books Discussed An Ocean of Minutes by Thea Lim (July 10) (tw: sexual assault) Witchmark by CL Polk (June 19) Suicide Club by Rachel Heng (July 10) Markswoman by Rati Mehrotra (January 23) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss new books from Becky Chambers and NK Jemisin, Worldcon, the World Fantasy Awards, school stories, and more. This episode is sponsored by Book Riot Insiders, Suicide Club by Rachel Heng, and Contagion by Erin Bowman.
News: New books are coming from Becky Chambers and NK Jemisin! What is going on at Worldcon? Update: Voting closed on July 31, 2018. Mary Robinette Kowal led a team updating the programming. Anne Rice’s ‘The Vampire Chronicles’ In The Works At Hulu World Fantasy Award finalists announced Books Discussed Galaxy Game by Karen Lord (tw: domestic violence) The Poppy War by RF Kuang (tw: graphic violence including rape) Never Let Me Go by Kazou Ishiguro Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and guest Nikki Vanry discuss Stranger Things books and more Star Trek, copyrighting, poorly planned merch, and SFF audiobooks. This episode is sponsored by Recommended and our Best of the Year YA Giveaway. News Discussed: Stranger Things books and comics are coming! Star Trek: TNG to Possibly Return as Alex Kurtzman Oversees Expansion of Star Trek On TV Pulp novelist of harem fantasy novels wants to trademark “dragon slayer”, and then there was this #quantumgate thing. In terrible ideas--Handmaid’s Tale Wine, and Handmaid’s Tale lingerie. Books Discussed: The Bees by Laline Paull, narrated by Orlagh Cassidy Shadowshaper by Daniel Jose Older, narrated by Anika Noni Rose Warcross by Marie Lu, narrated by Nancy Wu The Devourers by Indra Das, narrated by Shishir Kurup and Meera Simhan See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss Harlan Ellison, A Discovery of Witches, the Locus Award winners, and recommend some sci-fi sub-genres. This episode is sponsored by our $500 YA Giveaway and Book Riot Insiders. News: Ron Howard might add to Willow. Harlan Ellison is Dead. Locus Awards Winners! A Discovery of Witches trailer is here but still doesn’t have a US air date or network. Question from Karen: "Over the past three years my friends and I have spent the month of July reading and talking about Science Fiction books - we call it Sci-Fi July. For the last two years I've made a BINGO card with 24 categories to help "guide" our reading a bit throughout the month (this was totally inspired by the Read Harder Challenge). I'm copy+pasting our big list of past categories and some of our ideas for 2018 at the end of this e-mail, but I'd LOVE to get some suggestions from you two for new sci-fi categories to help us stretch our reading this summer!" Books: Science Fantasy: All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders Alternate History: Servant of the Underworld by Aliette de Bodard YA Science Fiction/Video Games: Warcross by Marie Lu Sci-Fi Mystery: Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency (Dirk Gently #1) by Douglas Adams See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss adaptations for Carmen Maria Machado and Victor LaValle, a cosplay ball, aspirational characters in SFF, and more! This episode is sponsored by The Robots of Gotham by Todd McAulty, Prisoner of the Crown by Jeffe Kennedy, and Becoming the Dragon by Alex Sapegin, translated by Elizabeth Kulikov.
News Her Body & Other Parties is getting adapted for TV The Changeling is being adapted by FX Cosplay ball! There might be a GoT prequel series Books Discussed Circe by Madeline Miller Lirael by Garth Nix Ninefox Gambit by Yoon Ha Lee Sunshine by Robin McKinley Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson Sorcerer to the Crown by Zen Cho See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jenn and guest Alex Acks, a.k.a. Alex Wells, discuss the Nebula winners, the upcoming Lord of the Rings series, and more, and recommend cozy reads. Wells is a Book Riot contributor and author of Hunger Makes the Wolf, Blood Binds the Pack, and Murder on the Titania and Other Steam-Powered Adventures. This episode is sponsored by Thick as Thieves by Megan Whalen Turner and our $500 bookstore gift card giveaway.
News Follow up: Amazon did save The Expanse The Nebula Award winners were announced Check out the Nommo Awards for African Speculative Fiction Zack Snyder wants to make The Fountainhead as a movie Aragorn might be the star of the LOTR series Books Discussed The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers Provenance by Ann Leckie Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones Sorcerer to the Crown by Zen Cho A Civil Campaign by Lois McMaster Bujold The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells The Tea Master and the Detective by Aliette de Bodard The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss books about the arts, SF/F TV news, the Ursula Le Guin documentary, and more. This episode is sponsored by Legendary by Stephanie Garber and our bookstore gift card giveaway. News She-Ra Update! Ursula K. Le Guin Documentary Expanse cancelled Note: post-recording, The Expanse was indeed picked up by Amazon Netflix doubling down on SF/F Books Discussed The Chimes by Anna Smaill Bone Witch by Rin Chupeco Space Opera by Catherynne M. Valente The Astonishing Color of After by Emily X.R. Pan (trigger warning: self harm/suicide) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery, Ursula Le Guin's electronica album, immortality in SF/F, and more. This episode is sponsored by Vicious by V.E. Schwab and Annotated. News Star Wars takes a step forward with a black female director Harry Potter: Hogwarts Mystery gameplay discussion Ursula K Le Guin's electronica album 'Game of Thrones' Book 6 'The Winds of Winter' Won't Publish This Year Books Discussed My Soul to Keep by Tananarive Due (trigger warnings: racism, lynching, sexual assault, harm to children) Six Wakes by Mur Lafferty Circe by Madeline Miller The Book of Phoenix by Nnedi Okorafor (trigger warning: self-harm) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss the Lost in Space reboot, Jacqueline Carey's latest book news, Mary Shelley, and lady vengeance. This episode is sponsored by Reborn by Lance Erlick and The City of Lost Fortunes by Bryan Camp. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, or via Apple Podcasts here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. You can enter the mystery giveaway here. News Discussed You can watch the new Mary Shelley Trailer. And there's a new edition of Frankenstein being published. Jacqueline Carey is retelling Kushiel’s Dart from Joscelin’s perspective. Follow-up: The HP game is coming April 25! There's a Lost In Space reboot Books Discussed The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh The Traitor Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir Midnight Robber by Nalo Hopkinson (trigger warning: child abuse and sexual assault) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Please enjoy this bonus excerpt, courtesy of the Recommended podcast, featuring Robin Sloan recommending Octavia Butler's Parable of The Sower. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss the Hugo Award nominees, zombie raccoons, a new Arthurian adaptation, and more. This episode is sponsored by Shattered Roads by Alice Henderson and Libby. You can enter the mystery giveaway here. News The 2018 Hugo Nominees Neil Gaiman Is Bringing the Gormenghast Fantasy Series Back to Television Zombie raccoons?! Frank Miller taking on Arthurian legend in new illustrated YA novel and it already has a TV deal. Books Discussed Rebecca Roanhorse, "Welcome to Your Authentic Indian Experience™" (Nebula nominee) Her Body And Other Parties, Carmen Maria Machado (Winner of the National Book Critics Circle's John Leonard Prize) trigger warnings: violence against women including sexual assault “Fandom for Robots” by Vina Jie-Min Prasad (Hugo/Nebula) “Carnival Nine” by Caroline M. Yoachim (Hugo & Nebula) The Merry Spinster by (Daniel) Mallory Ortberg See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss Serena Williams, geek extraordinaire; Pottermore lay-offs; the Nightflyers adaptation; steampunk; and more! This episode is sponsored by Hot and Badgered by Shelly Laurenston and the Book Riot Store. News: Pottermore editorial staff firing Serena Williams loves Avatar: The Last Airbender and Korra GRRM's Nightflyers Trailer Three Body Problem possibly getting adapted by Amazon Amazon’s Lord of the Rings series reportedly to cost $500 million Books Discussed: Gail Carriger (Parasol Protectorate) Girl Genius by Phil and Kaja Coglio (online) Everfair by Nisi Shawl The Sea Is Ours anthology Monstress by Marjorie M. Liu, Sana Takeda Boneshaker by Cherie Priest See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss Discworld and His Dark Materials adaptations, cover kerfuffles, and science fiction and fantasy in translation. This episode is sponsored by The Glass Blade by Ryan Wieser and Scribesby James Wolanyk. News: Terry Goodkind’s hates his new cover… And then doubled down. Terry Pratchett’s ‘Discworld’ Set For TV Adaptation His Dark Materials’ Adaptation Casting Books Discussed: Jagannath by Karin Tidbeck The Three Body Problem by Cixin Liu, translated by Ken Liu Frankenstein in Baghdad by Ahmed Saadawi, translated by Jonathan Wright Roadside Picnic by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky, translated by Olena Bormashenko See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss the Nebula nominations, Black Panther, their favorite series, and more. This episode is sponsored by The Shape of Water by Guillermo del Toro and Daniel Kraus, and The Philosopher’s Flight by Tom Miller. News Discussed: This year’s Nebula nominations have been announced Black Panther Is A Box Office Smash!!!! Bonus: great round-up of thread on the African cultures featured in and inspiring Black Panther Sam Raimi to direct Name of the Wind adaptation? Shape of Water review Books Discussed: Swordspoint/Tremontaine by Ellen Kushner and now lots of other folks (related: Serial Box got a round of funding) Pluto by Naoki Urasawa and Ozamu Tezuka Discworld by Terry Pratchett (but particularly the Tiffany Aching series) The Patternist series by Octavia Butler See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss Firefly books, Star Wars news, writing retreats, and long books that are worth the read. This episode is sponsored by The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert and Your One and Only by Adrianne Finlay. News: Firefly is getting books! Live-action Sword in the Stone might have a director Benioff & Weiss to write Star Wars films Star Wars Writers/Directors dominated by white men Solo: A Star Wars Story Trailer George R.R. Martin starts 'Worldbuilder Scholarship' for aspiring fantasy, sci-fi writers Books Discussed: Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke Dhalgren by Samuel R. Delaney Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi (out March 6) Seveneves by Neal StephensonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss Ursula K. Le Guin and lots of adaptation news, and recommend weird westerns. This episode is sponsored by The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert and Reign of the Fallen by Sarah Glenn Marsh. News: Ursula K. Le Guin Has Died The Voldemort fan-made movie Hogwarts Mystery game trailer Bidding War for MaddAddam trilogy adaptation Bryan Fuller is working on an Anne Rice TV series Books Discussed: The Lathe of Heaven by Ursula K. Le Guin The Earthsea Cycle River of Teeth by Sarah Gailey The Gaslight Dogs by Karin Lowachee Daisy Kutter: The Last Train by Kazu Kibuishi The Amulet series by Kazu Kibuishi Six-Gun Snow White by Catherynne M. ValenteSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss Starbucks secret menus, Octavia Butler opera, a possible new Merlin series, and small press sci-fi and fantasy. This episode is sponsored by Heart on Fire by Amanda Bouchet and The Night Market by Jonathan Moore. News Harry Potter Starbucks secret menu! Parable of the Sower becomes an opera Gritty Robin Hood movie coming Ridley Scott in talks to direct Merlin origin story for Disney Books Discussed An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon, Akashic Press Elysium by Jennifer Marie Brissett, Aqueduct Press Djinn City by Saad Hossain, Unnamed Press Small Beer Press, Sofia Samatar (A Stranger in Olondria, Winged Histories, Tender: Stories) Falling in Love With Hominids by Nalo Hopkinson, Tachyon MEM by Bethany C. Morrow, Unnamed Press, May 22, 2018 In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan, Big Mouth House (Small Beer Press imprint)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss 2017 Best Of lists, Lord of the Rings wine, gateway reads for SF/F, and more. This episode is sponsored by Libby and Rebel Base Books. News: LOTR Wine Collection Disney now has rights to X-Men and the Fantastic Four Paramount is doing a D&D film! Crunching the Best Of Lists Books Discussed: Sorcerer to the Crown by Zen Cho Lightless by CA Higgins The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency (Dirk Gently #1) by Douglas Adams The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas AdamsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss the She-ra reboot, a new Harry Potter game, Annihilation movie news, and their favorite world-building. This episode is sponsored by The Language of Thorns by Leigh Bardugo and Book Riot's Top 20 Giveaway. News Discussed: She-ra Is Coming BACCCCKKK OMG ANOTHER new Harry Potter game in development Weird stuff is going on with the Annihilation release Plus a comment on the whitewashing from Alex Garland New Buffy middle-grade novels NOTE: Apparently Buffy & Harry Potter started THE SAME YEAR, Jenn apologizes for her error and her mind is blown. Books Discussed: The Kate Daniels books by Ilona Andrews (Magic Bites) The Machineries of Empire series by Yoon Ha Lee (Ninefox Gambit and Raven Stratagem) The Grishaverse of Leigh Bardugo (Shadow and Bone / Six of Crows / Language of Thorns) The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin (Broken Earth trilogy)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss reading studies, news from the Tolkien estate, Harry Potter: Wizards Unite, rewritten fairytales, and more. This episode is sponsored by Penguin Random House Audio and Book Riot Insiders. News: Science fiction triggers 'poorer reading', study finds (see also, Department of Incorrect Headlines) J.R.R. Tolkien's Son Resigns as Director of Tolkien Estate & New LOTR Prequel A New Harry Potter Augmented Reality Game Rag & Bone is doing a Star Wars collection Wonder Woman box-office SMASH The Black Panther trailer Books Discussed: Angela Carter (The Bloody Chamber) Robin McKinley (Deerskin) Forest of a Thousand Lanterns by Julie C. Dao Mechanica by Betsy Cornwell Boy Snow Bird by Helen Oyeyemi Six-Gun Snow White by Catherynne M. Valente Ash by Malinda Lo The Grimm Future by VariousSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn answer your holiday SF/F questions! This episode is sponsored by City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty, Rosemarked by Livia Blackburne, and Renegades by Marissa Meyer. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, or via Apple Podcasts here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. Questions 1. Many years ago I read, and fell in love with, Ted Chiang's ”Stories of your life and others”. I loved the different types of stories spanning all kinds of subjects, from religion to language to philosophy. It blew my mind. Is there an author out there that can fill the Ted Chiang-sized hole in my heart? --Emily 2. Do you read differently during the holidays? I find that i reach for cozy mysteries, something i don’t read the rest of the year. I also tend to pick up Christmas-themed romances— again, this is NOT my usual reading material, as i usually read fantasy (my fave genre is what i call “literary fantasy with covers that don’t have pictures of people”). I also enjoy literary fiction, but fantasy is my usual jam. I’m really wondering if other people find themselves switching it up around the end of the year— for holidays, breaks, etc. Thanks, --Sara 3. a. Do you have any recommendations for Uprooted read-alikes? (particularly with the fairytale feeling, strong characters, and really cool magic!) b. In the spirit of new year’s resolutions, how are you going to keep track of your reading? And/or what is your system right now? --Marie from Poland 4. My mother recently discovered the genre of romantasy and the world of C. L. Wilson. Since this is the first book she has read in a while I would love to give her something along the lines of romantasy where the romance is part of the story but not the plot. --Victoria 5. Every year I try to get a sci-fi book for my uncle and I'm stumped this year. He is a retired scientist and the books I know he's previously enjoyed are Dark Matter and The Martian. He enjoys sci-fi but I think prefers things that have a basis in reality. I would like to get him something that he maybe hasn't heard of, but not too off the wall. --Sarah Books Discussed Ken Liu’s Paper Menagerie and Other Stories Three Moments of an Explosion by China Mieville Bloodchild and Other Stories by Octavia Butler Wintersong by S. Jae Jones The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh Kushiel’s Dart by Jacqueline Carey Infomocracy by Malka Older The Wanderers by Meg Howrey Packing for Mars by Mary RoachSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss their picks for this holiday season. This episode is sponsored by Beasts Made of Night by Tochi Onyebuchi. Send us holiday recommendation questions! Books Discussed Miracle and Other Christmas Stories by Connie Willis, Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman The Machineries of Empire by Yoon Ha Lee (Ninefox Gambit & Raven Stratagem) Spirits Abroad by Zen Cho Provenance by Ann Leckie The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers (Wayfarers series) The Djinn Falls In Love edited by Jared Shurin and Mahvesh Murad Binti, Binti: Home, Binti: The Night Masquerade by Nnedi Okorafor An Unkindness of Ghosts by Rivers Solomon Uprooted by Naomi NovikSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss Philip Pullman's new novel, more sci-fi adaptations, what paranormal is anyway, and more. This episode is sponsored by The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman and Girls Made of Snow and Glass by Melissa Bashardoust. News The New Philip Pullman Book Is Out! Amazon announces three new sci-fi adaptations for its streaming service. That live robot battle? Not actually live. Adrian Tchaikovsky is getting an adaptation Books Discussed Psy-Changeling series (Slave to Sensation #1) by Nalini Singh Spaceman of Bohemia by Jaroslav Kalfar Kate Daniels series (Magic Bites #1) by Ilona Andrews Contact by Carl SaganSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss the British Fantasy Awards, Neil deGrasse Tyson on dragons, horror crossovers, and more. This episode is sponsored by The Bloodprint by Ausma Zehanat Khan and Provenance by Ann Leckie. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, or via Apple Podcasts here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. News Jenn's Medusa cosplay New Rin Chupeco book! British Fantasy Awards announced Neil deGrasse Tyson Signs Off on Game of Thrones' Super Scientific Dragons SyFy Wire picks top 25 biggest genre moments of the last decade First Annihilation Trailer Books Victor LaValle (Devil in Silver/Lucretia and the Kroons) Broken Monsters by Lauren Beukes Invasive Species by Joseph Wallace White is for Witching by Helen Oyeyemi The Girl with All the Gifts by M.R. Carey The Good House by Tananarive DueSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss Dracula prequels, the Terminator franchise, speculative short story collections, and more. This episode is sponsored by Retrograde by Peter Cawdron, The Language of Thorns by Leigh Bardugo, and Lit Chat. News: Bram Stoker's relative Dacre writes first authorised prequel to Dracula Peter Jackson to adapt Mortal Engines New Terminator movie with Linda Hamilton Showtime lands comedy series written by & starring Jessica Williams as a sci-fi writer in Brooklyn Books: The Djinn Falls In Love & Other Stories, edited by Mahvesh Murad and Jared Shurin The Wind’s Twelve Quarters by Ursula K Le Guin The Djinn in the Nightingale’s Eye by A.S. Byatt Falling in Love With Hominids by Nalo HopkinsonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss news including casting choices for Good Omens and Hellboy, mega-bucks book deals, and assassin stories. This episode is sponsored by Retrograde by Peter Cawdron and The Punch Escrow by Tal M. Klein. News: Casting for Good Omens Voldemort prequel fan-movie got approved by Warner Bros Ed Skrein vacates the role of Major Ben Daimio in the upcoming Hellboy reboot VE Schwab book deal Scalzi’s deal from a couple years back 'Brown Girl Begins,' based on afrofuturist novel 'Brown Girl in the Ring' by Nalo Hopkinson, sets premiere Books Mort(e) by Robert Repino Young Elites by Marie Lu Graceling by Kristin Cashore River of Teeth by Sara Gailey (Taste of Marrow, River of Teeth #2 out Sept. 12) Flame in the Mist by Renee Ahdieh Ember in the Ashes series by Sabaa Tahir Pyramids by Terry PratchettSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss news including the 2017 Hugo Award Winners and Ava DuVernay adapting Octavia Butler, and recommend their favorite books about princesses. This episode is sponsored by Mask of Shadows by Linsey Miller and All Rights Reserved by Gregory Scott Katsoulis. News: Our Badass Broads of SFF shirt 2017 Hugo Award Winners TNT is producing a Fifth Season adaptation Our Fifth Season dreamcast Ava DuVernay adapting Octavia Butler The Changeling is also getting an adaptation There Could Be More Hunger Games and Twilight Movies in the Future Books: The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by NK Jemisin Empress of a Thousand Skies by Rhoda Belleza Bloodline by Claudia Gray Three Dark Crowns by Kendare Blake Fairest (The Lunar Chronicles 3.5) by Marissa MeyerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss news including Annihilation's movie release and Matt Groening's new fantasy show, and recommend their favorite dragon books. This episode is sponsored by The Hawkweed Legacy by Irena Brignull and Orbit, publishers of The Stone Sky by N.K. Jemisin, in bookstores now. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, or via Apple Podcasts here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. News: More Nnedi Okorafor news! She is writing a comic. A new GRRM book is coming (not Winds of Winter). How hard is it really to kill a dragon? Matt Groening is going to make an epic fantasy cartoon. The Annihilation film adaptation has a release date! Fandom is good for your mental health. Books Discussed The Dragonriders of Pern by Anne McCaffrey The Memoirs of Lady Trent by Marie Brennan Cast in Shadow (Chronicles of Elantra) by Michelle Sagara The Pit Dragon Chronicles by Jane Yolen The Iron Dragon’s Daughter by Michael Swanwick Talon by Julie Kagawa Seraphina by Rachel HartmanSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss award news, female authors, and a new Kickstarter, and recommend middle-grade science fiction and fantasy. This episode is sponsored by Vanguard by Ann Aguirre and Genius: The Con by Leopoldo Gout. News: 27 Female Authors Who Rule Science Fiction and Fantasy Right Now via EW Announcing the Winners of the 2016 Shirley Jackson Awards via Tor.com Colson Whitehead wins Arthur C Clarke Award via The Guardian World Fantasy Award nominees announced via Tor.com BACK THIS KICKSTARTER: Disabled People Destroy Science Fiction Books Discussed: Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates by Caroline Carlson Bayou Magic by Jewell Parker Rhodes Unidentified Suburban Object by Mike Jung The Crystal Ribbon by Celeste Lim Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator by Roald DahlSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss news including some exciting new adaptations and whether time travel is SF or F, and recommend graphic novels. This episode is sponsored by Hell Divers II: Ghosts by Nicholas Sansbury Smith and Genius: The Game by Leopoldo Gout. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, or via Apple Podcasts here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. News: Han Solo movie kerfuffles! No director and then Ron Howard steps in. New historical fantasy series coming from Zoraida Cordova! And Labyrinth Lost is getting an adaptation. Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okorafor has been optioned, and George R.R. Martin is a producer. Is Time Travel SF or F? That time a guy accidentally read fanfic (called "Harry Potter and the Psychic Serpent") instead of The Order of the Phoenix. Books Discussed: Full Circle by Taneka Stotts, Christianne Goudreau (Note: Jenn did not realize this hadn't been updated since January, but it's still worth reading!) Trish Trash by Jessica Abel Serenity Rose by Aaron Alexovich Destroyer by Victor La Valle, Dietrich SmithSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss news including Jurassic World 2, a diverse writers grant, and a Dracula mini-series, and recommend genre-benders. This episode is sponsored by Libby and Zenn Diagram by Wendy Brant. News Diverse Worlds & Diverse Writers Grants Dracula is getting a TV series Jurassic World 2 gets a name and tagline Independently produced SFF short fiction audiobook show How Hogwarts crushed all other Magical Schools Books Discussed: Crossing The Streams All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders The Paper Menagerie by Ken Liu The Prey of Gods by Nicky Drayden The Regional Office is Under Attack! by Manuel GonzalesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss news including the 2017 Bailey's Prize winner and The Passage casting, and talk favorite villains. This episode is sponsored by Libby and Book Riot Insiders. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, or via iTunes here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. News The 2017 Bailey’s Winner is a science fiction novel A critique of the book from a BR writer The Hunger Games inspires a real life hero The Passage TV series casting: Zack Morris is Brad Wolgast Racebent casting of The Girl With All the Gifts Books Discussed: Favorite Villains Shuos Jedao from Ninefox Gambit by Yoon Ha Lee Lek from the Graceling series by Kristin Cashore The Beast from The Magicians by Lev Grossman Sydney from The Prey of Gods by Nicky Drayden Nimona from Nimona by Noelle Stevenson Commandant/Keris Veturia and The Nightbringer from the Ember in the Ashes series by Sabaa Tahir The Darkling from the Grisha trilogy by Leigh BardugoSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sharifah and Jenn discuss the Arthur C. Clarke, Locus, and Nebula Awards, and recommend alternative history titles. This episode is sponsored by Book Riot Insiders.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jenn and Sharifah introduce SFF Yeah, a biweekly podcast exploring the worlds of science fiction and fantasy, and tell their nerd origin stories.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.