S&L Podcast - #91 - Rule 34 Wrap-up

We talk about the importance of scientists and writers partnering up as well as debate the distinction between science fiction and science fantasy.  And we wrap up Rule 34 by Charles Stross.  Did our opinons turn?  Listen and find out.

WHAT ARE WE DRINKING?

Veronica: 2007 d'Arenberg d'Arrys Original Shiraz Grenache 

Tom: 2005 Cosentino Winery Cabernet Sauvignon 

QUICK BURNS

The science fiction effect 

SF flash fiction from Gaiman, Moorcock, Westerfeld, Ann Vandermeer, Gene Wolfe and others

WORLD OF ICE AND FIRE news plus some new GoT pics 

What Frank Herbert’s Dune Can Teach Us About the Power of Positive Thinking 

CALENDAR 

BARE YOUR SWORD

Your One and Only

Science Fantasy vs Science Fiction 

TV, MOVIES AND VIDEO GAMES

It’s Honest Abe versus bloodsuckers in the first Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter trailer

HBO on the Battle of the Blackwater (and Dunk 'n' Egg) 

George R.R. Martin reads nursery rhymes. 

BOOK WRAP-UP

Rule 34 by Charles Stross

Charles Stross' about page -- Thanks to Nick on Goodreads for pointing it out

EMAIL

"Love the podcasts,

So the idea started with one of the guys calling the other ""girly-man"". So to keep a fight from starting I gave a quick class on how all males are 50% female do to the X chromosome. I have seen shows where a person goes through hormone replacement therapy as part of their gender change and are shocked by the changes in their personalty. Has there ever been a book where someone ""grew"" a man with two ""Y"" chromosomes? A ""fe"" free male so to say. If not, I am sure it would be a great idea for some book. Part of it sounds like something China or North Korea would to make a super soldier.  

If nothing else maybe they could just be put in charge of the House of Representative. (inside joke for Tom and another show)


Signing off from Afgahnistan,
SSG Michael Mugler"

---

"Hi Tom & Veronica,     I heard you talking about the Baen free library on the last episode and wanted to mention that for years Baen included CD's with some of their hardback books that included ebooks versions not only of that book but other Baen books.

I always thought it was a great way to encourage fans to try other authors as well as additional books in the series and Baen encouraged people to share the CD's with friends.
A fan has put together an archive of all the CD's online at http://baencd.thefifthimperium.com for those of us who own the Baen hardbacks its an easy way to get all of the CD's content in one place. Since the CD's were distributed freely it appears to be a completely legal way to get a number of free books from Bean that are not available for free in their store. 


Not sure if this is show worthy material since I have not heard if Baen has commented on the website either way though it has been mentioned on Penny-Arcade before.  Regardless I highly recommend Baen as they are a company who seems to understand the benefits of digital distribution and go treat their customers much better than most publishers with reasonably priced ebooks combo packs and free books.
Brandon


P.S. Keep up the great work on the show!!" NEW MEMBER HELLOS Scott, Manuel, Brad, Aubrey, Erik, Jeane (pronounced Genie), Ryan, Chris, Bob, Shane, Nick, Stan, Susan, Barry, Jess, Paul, Thomas, Ted, Robbin, Terje (pronounced TARE-yuh), Mira, Mason, Stuart 

ADDENDUMS 

This podcast is brought to you by Audible.com the internet’s leading provider of audiobooks with more than 100,000 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.

S&L Podcast - #91 - Rule 34 Wrap-up

S&L Podcast - #89 - What Kind of Fantasy Again?

We do it all in this episode, from congratulating grand masters, to debating the powers of the mind, to talking about sexy fantasy.  Hopefully that last is not too shocking.
WHAT ARE WE DRINKING?

QUICK BURNS
BARE YOUR SWORD
TV, MOVIES AND VIDEO GAMES
Game of Thrones will return for its second season in the USA on 1 April 2012. This has now been backed up by Sky Atlantic saying the season will start airing in the UK on Monday, 2 April 2012, less than 24 hours after US transmission. "Blackwater" episode May 27th, written by GRRM
BOOK CHECK-IN
EMAIL
Hi Tom & Veronica,
I've enjoyed listening since I picked up on it last fall. Keep up the good work.
On your last podcast, an email mentioned On Basilisk Station, the first book of the Honor Harrington series. You may be interested that infomyth.com has the first ten books of the Honor Harrington series in ebook form available for free download. They are presented in only lit and rtf formats, but since there is no DRM, I converted them to epub using calibre.
Naoki
-----
Not really feedback, but I love both authors and found the interview really interesting.
Linda
NEW MEMBER HELLOS
 
Emily, Dennis, Corey, Richard, Bobby, Gareth, Michael, Justin ,Shayne, Joel, Andrea, Eleanor, Lindsay, Benel, Katherine, Amanda, Mike, Larissa, Micheal, David,Rich
ADDENDUMS

This podcast is brought to you by Audible.com the internet’s leading provider of audiobooks with more than 100,000 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

 

S&L Podcast - #89 - What Kind of Fantasy Again?

S&L Podcast - #88 - Titillate the Audience

The wine sort of gets to Veronica and she says some outrageous things, but not nearly as outrageous as what's going on in Rule 34.  What up with that? Ah well. If it's not Scottish it's crap.

WHAT ARE WE DRINKING?

V: 2005 Toasted Head Cabernet Sauvignon 

T: 2009 Les Portes de Bordeaux

QUICK BURNS

Distrust That Particular Flavor: William Gibson's long-overdue essay collection

Photos from the first science fiction convention, 1937 

Science Fiction’s predictions for the year 2012 

Beyond the Wall exploring George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire

CALENDAR 

BARE YOUR SWORD

Sexist Fantasy Book Covers 

Who would you pick to make first contact? 

TV, MOVIES AND VIDEO GAMES

WB Sets Up ‘Ready Player One’ Rewrite From Eric Eason - Thanks Kev!

Masterpiece Mystery! - new Sherlock Holmes 

BOOK CHECK-IN

First Impressions of Rule 34

Scottish accent 

EMAIL

I may be old fashioned, but I have a pretty hard distinction between reading and listening.  I have listened to quite a few books but I always stumble over saying that I ""read"" the book.  I always say I ""listened to"".  
Yet, when I listen to S&L, it seems like you interchange these terms.  Tom has mentioned that he is ""x"" hours in to a book, does that mean that he is not reading it but listening to it?  Is there / should there be a distinction between these two mediums?  If I listen to a podcast, can I say I read it?  What if it had a transcript but I listened to the podcast?  Would it count then?

I recently finished reading The Hunger Games, which I did on the Kindle Fire.  I don't have an issue with digital books; actually I found out that I prefer it.  I recently heard 2 Jim Butcher books, which I also enjoyed.  However I would not say that I read the Butcher books or state that I listened to The Hunger Games.  
Am I goofy on this or do others have the same reaction?

Thank you,
Steven K

---

Hey guys, 
Just started listening to you guys recently and I like what I hear. I am impressed by how many books you guys can read so quickly. 

I do have a question for you. Most of my ""reading"" is done through audible.com and just made a startling discovery!!! My audible library is made up of ALL male authors. Each one is great and I am not lacking in Genre diversity, only in gender diversity. Being Female myself, it would be nice if my library would reflect that. So, with the exception of Anne McCaffrey ( i have plenty of her paperbacks), what female authors would you recommend? Spy thrillers is my favorite genre, but, I will take anything in the science fiction or fantasy novels. Classics are welcome too!! Please help before someone accuses me of being a sexist!! 

MR

Veronica's Answer: Laurie R. King, Gail Carriger, Robin Hobb, Jacqueline Carey, Octavia Butler, N.K. Jemisin

Tom Adds: Andre Norton, Ursula K. LeGuin

---

Hey Tomronica and Veronitom! Just thought I'd ramble at you for a bit. Where to start? I've been listening to your podcast for a couple of weeks now and I love it! I remember someone making the comment about the magic systems of Brandon Sanderson being similar in his books. There's a good reason for it. All his books are in the same universe and each is a ""shard"" as he puts it.

I have a couple of book suggestions. On Basilisk Station by David Weber. It's the first book in the Honor Harrington series. Also Live Free or Die by John Ringo. It's the first book in the Troy Rising trilogy and they are all hilarious! You can get this book and all the others from the publisher Baen for free. I have no idea how that is pronounced.

I have a leftover gift membership to Audible and I have no one to give it to. I thought you guys could use it for a contest. The offer expires February 28th. All I need is the email address of the winner. Have doing everything you are doing!

Michael

 

NEW MEMBER HELLOS

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ADDENDUMS 

This podcast is brought to you by Audible.com the internet’s leading provider of audiobooks with more than 100,000 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.  

 

S&L Podcast - #88 - Titillate the Audience

S&L Podcast - #87 - Kick-off Rule 34 by Charles Stross

It's a quick episode to kick off our new book selection, Rule 34 by Charlie Stross.  We find we have a lot in common with Mr. Stross. And yes Rule 34 is the meme you're thinking it might be.

 

QUICK BURNS

2012 Hugo Award and John W. Campbell Award Nominating Ballot

CALENDAR

BOOK KICK-OFF

Rule 34 by Charles Stross

Charles Stross

We'll wrap it up on Feb. 13th.

NEW MEMBER HELLOS

Ian, Robert, Eric, Liam, Walker, Michelle, Tanvir, Brad, Javier, Martin, Michael, David, Adrienne, Noomniman, Joe

New email address! feedback@swordandlaser.com

 

S&L Podcast - #87 - Kick-off Rule 34 by Charles Stross