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 Stephenson See 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. Valente See 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 Adams See 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 Various See 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 Roach See 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 Novik See 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 Sagan See 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 Due See 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 Hopkinson See 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 Pratchett See 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 Meyer See 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 Hartman See 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 Dahl See 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 Smith See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.