S&L Podcast - #307 - Annihilation is the New Arrival

Good Omens looks good, Annihilation looks great, our last thoughts on Helliconia Spring, and why we’re reading about monsters in October.

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WHAT ARE WE DRINKING?

Tom: The Dalmore

Veronica: Some kind of Rosé (She doesn't know she tossed the bottle)

QUICK BURNS

TRP: Neil Gaiman posted a picture from the TV adaptation of his and Terry Pratchett's Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch.

It features David Tennant and Michael Sheen as Crowley (the demon) and Aziraphale (the angel) respectively.
David Tennant seems to be channelling Bill Nighy(not the Science Guy)'s ageing rockstar character from the movie Still Crazy.

Silvana: just wait for the Expanse Origins Graphic Novel, published next year.
Tassie Dave: 4 of the 5 issues from the Expanse Origins graphic novel are available now. (Holden's, Naomi's, Alex's and Amos's origin stories) Only Detective Miller's story is new for the Book released in February 2018.

David: George R.R. Martin wins one of the inaugural PastWords awards from the Historical Writers of America: 
The Historical Writers of America will recognize seven artists whose work illuminates the past. The awardees include novelist Larry McMurtry; Larry’s son, songwriter James McMurtry; fantasy writer George R.R. Martin; nonfiction author Hampton Sides; and U.S. Congressman John Lewis, writer Andrew Aydin and illustrator Nate Powell, the creative team behind the three-volume graphic novel, March.

Mark: Ok Sword & Laserites, let's go out there and be nice!

Trike: Phil Lord & Chris Miller (Lego Movie, Jump St. Movies, 3/4 of the Han Solo movie) have been hired to direct the adaptation of Andy Weir's Artemis.

Brendan: Teaser trailer for #Annihilation starring Natalie Portman, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Gina Rodriguez, Tessa Thompson, Tuva Novotny, and Oscar Isaac. In theatres 2.23.18.

BARE YOUR SWORD

Hello Veronica,
Hello Tom!

I'm on holiday with my family in Canada at the moment. As I was browsing the fantasy/science fiction section of a bookstore in Prince George, BC, I noticed Tom's book on one of the shelves!
Here's a pic. Well done, Tom!

Cheers,
Fiona

Need a book club recommendation for modern, non-dystopian, upbeat Sci-Fi

BOOK OF THE MONTH DISCUSSION

October Book Pick: The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter Hardcover
by Theodora Goss

Book Briefing

WRAP UP

September Pick: Helliconia Spring by Brian W. Aldiss

ADDENDUMS

Our show is currently entirely funded by our patrons. Thank you to all the folks who back our show and if you would like to support the show that way head to patreon.com/swordandlaser

Welcome to Ingelin Naess, Theo Karner, Boyang Chen

You can also support the show by buying books through our links! Find links to the books we talk about and some of our favorites at swordandlaser.com/picks

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S&L Podcast - # 305 - Major in Martin Studies

The Martin Studies International Network will help you study Westeros better, Scott Lynch gives hope for the next Locke Lamora book and sadly, we lose a great one in Jerry Pournelle,

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QUICK BURNS
    
Silvana: The Martin Studies International Network is launched! Yes, that Martin. I might join just for the heck of it. (and comments about The Winds of Winter in three....two....one....) 
    
Terpkristin: Dragon Awards for 2017 were announced over the weekend. 
Some books that I'm sure people around here liked. 
    
Andy: Scott Lynch updates the Helsinki Times on the status of The Thorn of Emberlain (via The Wertzone) Looks like we may get The Thorn of Emberlain in 2018 and the Scott Lynch lets us know some interesting details moving forward. Emberlain will be Locke and Jean's new base for a few books and we have a clue to the story. Enjoy. Click through to the Helsinki Times, it has a new photo of Scott with his magnificent beard"
    
Clyde: Jerry Pournelle has died. He is one of my favorite writers, and he will be missed.
    
BARE YOUR SWORD
    
Coinage of the Realm - cool words from SFF stories
    
What are the darkest sci-fi/ fantasy stories not including Dystopias and post apocalyptic stories?
    
Obama and The Witcher (Veronica sez "TIL!")
    
BOOK OF THE MONTH DISCUSSION    
    
September Pick: Helliconia Spring by Brian W. Aldiss
Book briefing
    
From Dara: What about his brother, Ryan Alldat? (I hate myself)    😆
    
ADDENDUMS    
    
Our show is currently entirely funded by our patrons. Thank you to all the folks who back our show and if you would like to support the show that way head to patreon.com/swordandlaser .
    
You can also support the show by buying books through our links! Find links to the books we talk about and some of our favorites at swordandlaser.com/picks,
 

S&L Podcast - #304 - Westeros for SciFi Fans

We say goodbye to Brian W. Aldiss by reading one of his books. We respect Terry Pratchett's Steamroller wishes. And why Hey Jude is not an anachronism. 

Download directly here!
    
QUICK BURNS
    
Nick: British SF author Brian Aldiss, author of the Helliconia Trilogy and Super-Toys Last All Summer Long (which became the film AI Artificial Intelligence), has died. Three of his books appear on the Gollancz Sci-fi Masterworks list.    

Iain: BBC Obituary for Brian Aldiss  
    
Nekroskop: Terry Pratchett's unfinished works got steamrollered.    
    
Aaron: San Diego (California) has decided to start a book festival.  
    
Silvana: Kameron Hurley offered to write the now-dead reboot of Xena: Warrior Princess. While I don't see any need to reboot this classic series, I'd love to see Kameron Hurley's take on it.
    
Veronica: Super-interesting article about buying your way onto the NYT best seller list.
   
Shad: The Oathbringer prologue is up on tor.com. Wasn't expecting the prologue to be that POV. Answers a few questions and poses quite a few more.
    
Genesee: Another trilogy in the Shades of Magic world by VE Schwab.
    
BARE YOUR SWORD
    
On book reviews: Is Goodreads that bad?
    
Sword & Laser's 100 Books: The Stats
    
BOOK OF THE MONTH DISCUSSION    
    
September Pick: Helliconia Spring by Brian W. Aldiss    
Book briefing
David: Adam Whitehead (of Wertzone) just posted an article about Helliconia, comparing it a bit to Game of Thrones
    
Wrap-up    
The Gunslinger by Stephen King
    
What's the deal with "Hey Jude"?
    
ADDENDUMS    
    
Our show is currently entirely funded by our patrons. Thank you to all the folks who back our show and if you would like to support the show that way head to patreon.com/swordandlaser
    
You can also support the show by buying books through our links! Find links to the books we talk about and some of our favorites at swordandlaser.com/picks.