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.