We wrap up How to Live in a Science Fictional Universe by Charles Yu, but there's so much more! We look back on all the books from this year, both our book pics and your favorites you read. we also look ahead to the most anticipated books of 2011. It's our year-end spectacular. Break out your favorite sparkling beverage and enjoy.
Year in Review --Books we read-- Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom by Cory Doctrow The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi Bitter Seeds by Ian Tregellis World War Z: An oral history of the zombie war by Max Brooks The Moon is a Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein The Once and Future King by T. H. White The Princess Bride by William Goldman How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe: A Novel by Charles Yu
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UPDATE: Sorry if you only got the flash file in your RSS feed, we've since updated the blog entry to include the MP3 link! Here it is if it doesn't push out automatically.
This week we officially kick off How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe: A Novel by Charles Yu, even if half of us are halfway through it. That's got to be some kind of asymptote. We also discuss a little Terry Pratchett, a dash of Joe Abercrombie and a helping of Patrick Rothfuss.
Hi Veronica & Tom, I was very excited when my friend told me about your show. I'd been looking for a podcast about written science fiction and had started to despair. (We are, of course, awash in those discussing movies and TV, but as science fiction goes, that's a different animal altogether. So when my friend Chris told me about you, I was very happy, and so far, you have not disappointed.
That said, I'm sure you get all kinds of book suggestions, but I just have to throw my 2¢ in here. Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn trilogy is an amazing set of books. His descriptions are precise and vivid, his characters are involving, and his plotting is stunningly intricate. I got to the end and was shocked looking at how well he had planned the whole thing, and how tiny things that have been present from the start become of amazing significance in unexpected ways.
Since you've already had Mr. Sanderson on for an interview, I thought you might be receptive to this suggestion. I hope you pick this one soon, and if not . . . well, I'll probably still keep listening anyway.
Shawn Smith a.k.a. Zaklog the Great
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About a month ago I found http://www.fictfact.com/ , see print screen below. It tracks the series you are reading. Once you mark the books in the series you have read or are following it sets up a list for the next book in the series. If will show a list of the books that will be released soon. They will email you if a book is added to a series you are following. You can sort your Next Books in any order you prefer. One other interesting thing, you can view your friends books if they use fictfact as well. They just need to have a public profile.
I like it and I think you will too.
Thanks,
Craig, a S&L fan
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Just listened to Episode #46 where it was asked at what point is there good books to start off to get into Discworld. I too have been wondering how to get into reading Terry Prachett's books, so I did a little search and found this post from the Guys and Gals at BoingBoing. http://boingboing.net/2007/09/30/pratchetts-discworld.html#. Thought you might like it if someone has not already suggested it.
Thanks for all the hours of shows! Love everything you both do.
Chris
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Just listened to episode 46 and heard you pondering about where to start in the Discworld series. Well as someone who has absorbed the entire works of Terry Pratchett (TP) I would advise you not to worry about it and just jump into the series where ever you feel like.
The Discworld novels do not occur in chronological order with one underlining storyline. Each book is its own individual story which just occurs within the Discworld universe. Characters constantly re-appear throughout the series however each book focus on one main character, therefore never encountering any of the characters before will not hinder your enjoyment.
However the Tiffany Aching books are aimed at younger audience than the rest of the discworld series, which results in the books having a different feel. Therefore I would recommend you to check out some of TP’s other works such as Guards, Guards, Interesting Times, Witches Abroad or Going postal to get a true feeling for the series.
YoYo
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Terry Pratchetts Author's Note in ""Lords and Ladies"":
By and large, most Discworld books have stood by themselves, as complete books. It helps to have read them in some kind of order, but it's not essential. This one is different. I can't ignore the history of what has gone before. [...]
So Pratchett has always tried to write the books Discworld books is such a manner that you can pick it up wherever you'd like. You might enjoy a couple of references and inside jokes if yu've read the whole series, but you shouldn't let it stop you if you're new to Pratchett. Especially not when it comes to the Tiffany Aching series.
In all fairness it is possible to group together ""series"" within the Discworld series that you might like to read in order. So that the handful of books starring Captain Vimes of the City guard would be more rewarding to read in their proper order, but it's entirely unimportant whether you read these before or after the books about the Lancre Witches. The Tiffany Aching books constitutes such a saga.
Martin
Thanks also to Gavin, Curt and Rob who wrote in about Pratchett orders as well! Kate also posted this helpful chart in the forums.
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This week we make our confessions about SteamPunk, ask a question about Terry Pratchett, and further explore The Once and Future King. Who does T. H. White hate more? Women or the Irish?
What are some of the main differences we've noticed between Mists of Avalon and The Once and Future King?
Does TH White hate women? What about the Irish? And Irish women?
EMAILS:
Tom& Veronica,
Just started listening & rather enjoying the show. Still catching up on a few back episodes to get the feel of things and somewhat shockingly found you scoring easy laughs at the expense of my nation's heritage ... yes, I'm Australian.
GREAT WORK!! Love a little mongrel on my podcasters.
Great content on the sci-fi and fantasy genre(s), too.
Partner Sticker Fu. Use the code Sword1 and get 10% off the stickers at stickerfu.com
This podcast is brought to you by Audible.com the internet’s leading provider of audiobooks with more than 75,000 downloadable titles across all types of literature and featuring audio versions of many New York Times Best Sellers. For listeners of this podcast, Audible is offering a free audiobook, to give you a chance to try out their service. For a free audiobook of your choice go to audiblepodcast.com/sword.
We've got some scoops on how we feel halfway into The Once and Future King. Some thoughts on the Princess Bride as the book relates to the movie, and a few hints on how to tell if you're living in a science fiction book or not.
I don't know if you have read it or not, Tom, but one of the best (and most plausible) series on your Arthurian theme is The Camulod Chronicles by Jack Whyte, starting with The Skystone and continuing for 8 more books. It starts with Arthur's and Merlin's grandfathers who are Roman soldiers that decide to stay behind as the Roman armies withdraw back to Italy. I think you must have read them after listening to episode 44, as you partially describe the premise. I just thought that this series deserved a mention as one of the best re-tellings of the legend.
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This podcast is brought to you by Audible.com the internet’s leading provider of audiobooks with more than 75,000 downloadable titles across all types of literature and featuring audio versions of many New York Times Best Sellers. For listeners of this podcast, Audible is offering a free audiobook, to give you a chance to try out their service. For a free audiobook of your choice go to audiblepodcast.com/sword.
We check in on our progress in The Once and Future King and The Princess Bride as well as deliver some exciting news on new releases and books being made into movies. (psst. One is a P. K. Dick book, so Tom's excited).
Appols if you habe rec'd it a hundred times. If it doesn't come out in the US I will DVD it for you.
Chris
---------------- Where can I get a t-shirt featuring your AWESOME logo?
Thanks in advance for your reply!
Peace, John
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It's hot in the Bay Area so we have to keep this episode short before Veronica melts. And a good thing too or she might have kept adding books! We not only kick off T.H. White's The Once and Future King but Veronica adds a second book as well.
Love the podcast and the book discussions! After hearing one of you mention it on one of Leo Laporte's shows I have gotten back into reading and really enjoy the new kindle also. I've read a few of the previous books, World War Z and Bitter seeds, and they were really good. I'll suggest Boneshaker by Cherie Preist. The story is quite good. I don't have a suggestion for a more "sword" focused book so I await the options as there will likely be a few good suggestions. Keep up the great work!
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Well folks it's wrap-up time for The Moon is Harsh Mistress and... sadly... Veronica hasn't finished. But we wrap up anyway and Tom makes a shocking revelation that lets Veronica off the hook. And he finished Moon, so it's not that.
Gibson dropped some hints about a little stealth tie-in to Zero History that's going to happen on Twitter soon. Let's just say that you should keep an eye on the Twitter accounts @gaydolphin1 and @gaydolphin2 - those of you who've read the novel know what those accounts are related to.
Veronica still has not finished, she's prepared for her flogging. Tom's thoughts?
NEW BOOK
We're taking suggestions from Classic Fantasy on Goodreads then we'll put it up to a vote.
EMAILS
Hi Veronica, Tom I will try and keep it pithy but I get "wordy" sometimes. :) I asked the question at dragon con if future podcasts could contain a 5 minute segment looking back at classic epic fantasy of the 70s and 80s when readers were starving for good reads. I was thinking of producing my own podcast on this subject but you guys have built a nice listener base so you can do more with this than I.
In October, Stephen R. Donaldson will be releasing his newest novel, "Against All Things Ending", the third book in a four book series that completes the tale of Thomas Covenant he began in 1977 with the book "Lord Foul's Bane". In the 70s & 80s Donaldson sold over 40 million copies and was second only to Tollkien at one time. These books are GOLD.
Another retro author with an impending release is Katherine Kurtz, who will soon release the third book of her "Chylde Morgan" trilogy. This is also a tale that began back in the 70s.
These two great authors have been overshadowed by Jordan and Martin but are easily their equals or better. Please put these on your reading list and introduce this generation's readers to some classic epic fantasy.
If I can be of any assistance in the production of this segment please don't hesitate to let me know.
Regards, Roman Thompson
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Veronica and Tom, A late addition, but just finished reading Accelerando by Charles Stross. The Earth and the inner planets are completely deconstructed and rebuilt into data storage and processing power for the digital needs of the human race. So, voluntary, resource savvy, non-Armageddon style Earth recycling.
Regards, Peter Hourigan
The following is an excerpt from the Wikipedia page. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accelerando_(novel)
Plot concepts In Accelerando, the planets of the solar system are dismantled to form a Matrioshka brain, a vast computational device inhabited by minds inconceivably more complex than naturally evolved intelligences such as human beings. This proves to be a normal stage in the life cycle of an inhabited solar system; the galaxies are filled with Matrioshka brains, communicating via wormhole networks. Lesser intelligences may live unmolested around brown dwarf stars.
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I just listened to #40. I highly recommend Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell in the audio version. I got this at my library and it was very good. Don't give up on the somewhat boring beginning, it's a superb story.
Thanks for the great podcasts!
Peggy Poellot
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We suggested:
The City and The City, by China Mieville, read by John Lee
Zero History, by William Gibson Narrated by Robertson Dean
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Another year, another Dragon*Con come and gone! Thanks to everyone who came out to the live show at the Hilton in Atlanta, we had a total blast. A very special "thank you" goes out to our wonderful guest, author David Gerrold (who famously wrote The Trouble with Tribbles for the original Trek). So please enjoy this extra long episode, and stay tuned for the video version coming soon!
INTERVIEW Bio: David Gerrold - a winner of the Hugo Award and the Nebula Award - is the author of dozens of novels, including Jumping Off the Planet, Bouncing Off the Moon, The Man Who Folded Himself, When Harlie was One, and the The War Against the Chtorr series.
A prolific screenwriter as well as a novelist - he wrote the hugely popular The Trouble with Tribbles episode for the original Star Trek television series. Reccomendations:
So we announce the details on our LIVE Sword and Laser recording (yes live recording, I know) on Sunday September 5 at 4 PM, as well as our Sword and Laser meetup! (details below). We also bring news of time travel, murderous novel characters, and HUGE novels worth the tackling.
This podcast is brought to you by Audible.com the internet’s leading provider of audiobooks with more than 75,000 downloadable titles across all types of literature and featuring audio versions of many New York Times Best Sellers. For listeners of this podcast, Audible is offering a free audiobook, to give you a chance to try out their service. For a free audiobook of your choice go to audiblepodcast.com/sword. Tom recommends The Dark Tower by Stephen King
Imagine my surprise during the most recent episode's discussion of great television and literary crossovers when you failed to mention what has to be the single greatest crossover event in literary history:
Planet X by Michael Jan Friedman, featuring the crew of Jean-Luc Picard's USS Enterprise and Professor Xavier's mighty mutants, the X-Men.
A case of fan fiction gone legit?
Thanks for the show. I enjoy it a great deal.
Cheers, Beth
DRAGON*CON!
Sword and Laser will record in front of a live studio audience at 4 PM Sunday, September 5 at the International North – Hyatt. Joining us will be special guest David Gerrold. The entire Dragon*Con podcasting track can be found here.
We'll also be tagging along for the TWiT meetup at 6 PM at the Sun Dial Restaurant and Bar Saturday September 4. T-shirts and pens galore!
We're halfway through The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, but we have some non-spoilery insights to share from ourselves and the book club discussions on Goodreads. We also talk about some of our favorite SciFi crossovers and this whole crazy new world of eBooks, audio books and 'enhanced' eBooks.
This podcast is brought to you by Audible.com the internet’s leading provider of audiobooks with more than 75,000 downloadable titles across all types of literature, including fiction, non-fiction and periodicals. For a free audiobook of your choice, go to audiblepodcast.com/sword.
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Just an overview of some news and few discussions from the Goodreads forums this week, including the H.G. Wells story competition that banned science fiction and required everything to be handwritten. HUH?!
This podcast is brought to you by Audible.com the internet’s leading provider of audiobooks with more than 75,000 downloadable titles across all types of literature, including fiction, non-fiction and periodicals. For a free audiobook of your choice, go to audiblepodcast.com/sword.
Veronica's reading "Time Traveller's Wife By Audrey Niffenegger Narrated by William Hope and Laurel Lefkow"
Hello Veronica and Tom, A pleasure to listen to you! I follow both of you on your respective sites(a Twit fanatic and a Patrick Norton wannabe Winking smile emoticon), and just recently found Sword and Laser due to an off the cuff remark from Tom on TNT. I was an avid reader of books long before there were computers, so imagine my excitement when I heard you discussing old friends! I have never sent a fan mail/response to anyone before so forgive me if I ramble a bit.
Thanks for all the suggestions Glenn!
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It's a catch-up episode with some cool news from the world of the past predicting the world of the future, as well as some data on why eBooks might take you longer to read. And we kick off the new book club pick, The Moon is Harsh Mistress by Robert Heinlein.
The Unit by Tery DeHart - July 14 Scott Pilgrim's Finest Hour - B.L. O'Malley July 20 Star Wars: The Old Republic Fatal Alliance - Sean Williams - July 20 The Reluctant Mage - Karen Miller - July 28
I just wanted to add yet another to the growing group of people that Veronica has introduced to the Temeraire series. I just finished the first one and absolutely loved it. Can't wait to read the next one! As a note of interest, I downloaded the Kindle app for my iPhone just so that I could download His Majesty's Dragon from the Kindle store. I don't have an eReader (yet), and am not completely sold on the Kindle, but I really enjoyed reading this book on my phone.
Thanks so much for the great podcast!
Jennifer
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This week we round up a lot of news and discussions ranging from the release of the Kraken book, to what Jane Goodall reads at the beach. Plus we begin the quest to pick our next book.
Book Kickoff soon. Look for the poll on the website. We'll be making the poll soon, so give us your ideas before we make up our minds and get set in our ways! Even if it's just an author or a type of novel.
Emails:
Hey Veronica and Tom,
First, let me say I'm liking the greater frequency of S&L. Hope to see more.
Add me to the tally of people Veronica has introduced to Temeraire. I recently finished Victory of Eagles; it's an amazing series and I look forward to more.
Game of Thrones on HBO. Here's the thing about the Ice and Fire books. They are incredible books, however I had to stop reading after the 3rd one because it literally depressed me. If the HBO series is near as good, I doubt I'll be able to watch it, which is too bad.
Also, I vote for a video version of S&L on TWiT.tv
Anyway, cheers and thanks for the great book-lovers podcast.
Simon
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A brief episode this week just to gush about the new Game of Thrones trailer on HBO and get us all squared away on reading World War Z, plus a few alternates if you just don't think you like zombies. But come on, all we are saying is give zombies a chance.
I have just started listening to S&L (had to get a Tom fix after he left BOL). I am a bit late on this discussion but, on the topic of books where Earth is destroyed, in the Death Gate Cycle novels the Earth is ""sundered"" and used to make four new worlds (plus a small gateway world and a living prison world) each based on one of the four elements. That's about as destroyed as you can get.
I was also wondering whether either of you have read Neal Stephenson's first novel ""The Big U"" which has fantastical elements (although it would be more accurately described as satire than fantasy or scifi). This is actually my favorite of his novels because it does not take itself at all seriously. I do love your show.
-Leif from Oakland
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In this episode we learn that some people hate Zombies, some are well prepared for them, and some people get very distrubed if they read zombe stories before bedtime. Of course it's not all zombies. Sometimes it's para-narratives. And occasionally the Roman Empire. But isn't it always?
Emails: You asked about stories where the Earth was destroyed… Beastmaster by Andre Norton Not actually destroyed in the book but dealing with the aftermath. That’s close isn’t it? She was awesome!
Ross
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Somebody has probably mentioned this but in 'When Worlds Collide', by George Pal, the Earth is destroyed due to an impact with another planet. Happily, there is another planet that arrives at the same time, and some people move there. kent
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This podcast is brought to you by Audible.com, the internet’s leading provider of audiobooks with more than 75,000 downloadable titles across all types of literature and featuring audio versions of many New York Times Best Sellers. For listeners of this podcast, Audible is offering a free audiobook, to give you a chance to try out their service. For a free audiobook of your choice go to audiblepodcast.com/sword.
New partner Sticker Fu. Use the code Sword1 and get 10% off the stickers at www.stickerfu.com
This podcast is brought to you by Audible.com the internet’s leading provider of audiobooks with more than 75,000 downloadable titles across all types of literature and featuring audio versions of many New York Times Best Sellers. For listeners of this podcast, Audible is offering a free audiobook, to give you a chance to try out their service. For a free audiobook of your choice go to audiblepodcast.com/sword.
This week we're very pleased to have a chance to talk to author Laurie R. King. Ms. King is the author of the Mary Russell series of historical mysteries, featuring Sherlock Holmes as her partner, and a series featuring police officer Kate Martinelli, as well as several standalone novels. King's first book, A Grave Talent (1993), received the 1994 Edgar Award for Best First Novel. Her latest book is The God of the Hive.
This podcast is brought to you by Audible.com the internet’s leading provider of audiobooks. For a free audiobook of your choice go to audiblepodcast.com/sword.
We've finally finished the Windup girl and we'r ready to wrap it up, but we also have news, some sad (RIP Frank Frazetta) and some glad (Game of Thrones!) Plus we have some excellent thought-provoking commentary from the Goodreads group. And best of all, we announce we'll have another episode next week! Find out who our special guest interview is. (raised eyebrow)
Stephen Baxter has a tendency to destroy the Earth in a number of his books. Notably:
Moonseed - Earth wiped out completely starting in the opening scene. Evolution - Human evolution from triumph of mammals to the end of humanity (Earth survives, people don't) Flood - All land gone. Some humans survive.
He's one of my favourite "Laser" authors and well worth reading. Regards,
Simon Williams UK
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This is a little old but in catching up on my rss feed of i09.com I came across this. Ridley Scott!
Thanks for the great group & podcast.
Peter Hansen
*****
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This episode is mostly about catching up on the news. But we slipped into something that's becoming a regular segment, the Game of Thrones check-in. And during this check-in, we created the future battle between the Na'vi and the Dothraki role-players. That's right. We're calling for a LARP-off. This is happening.
We also do a check-in on Paolo Bacigalupi's Wind-up Girl, which we'll wrap-up next episode.
