A Reader's History of Science Fiction

In this episode, I review the recent history and current status of science fiction on television during the streaming era. TV recommendation: The Orville

In this episode, I interview the legendary Larry Niven, author of Ringworld, The Mote in God's Eye, Lucifer's Hammer, Footfall,  and many more. Niven's book recommendations from his catalog: The Seascape Tattoo  (fantasy, with Steven Barnes) Fleet of Worlds  Series  (with Edward Lerner) The Goliath Stone  (with Matthew Harrington) Rainbow Mars  (fantasy anthology)

I interview Dr. Cameron Kunzelman of Georgia State University about science fiction in video games. Dr. Kunzelman's game recommendations: Bioshock Halo Mass Effect Recommended reference book: https://www.amazon.com/Science-Fiction-Video-Games-Tringham/dp/148220388X Link to the Jacob Geller video in which Dr. Kunzelman appears: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YPiL3-CYzWk

Robert Silverberg is the last major author whose career stretches all the way back to the Golden Age of Science Fiction. He is an extremely prolific writer and a long-time friend of Isaac Asimov. Hear his story in this interview. Silverberg's top picks from his catalog: Dying Inside Downward to the Earth The Man in the Maze First-Person Singularities (anthology) Lord of Darkness (historical) The M...

In the first episode of Season 3, I interview Jim Harris, the creator of the Classics of Science Fiction book recommendation aggregator, which I have referenced several times in the past. The database and list-builder Jim's website Scan of the original list from 1989  (page 46) Jim's book recommendations  not  from the list: Empire Star  by Samuel R. Delany The Sea and Summer  by George Turner The...

In the series finale, I interview Dr. Lisa Yaszek, a sci-fi historian from Georgia Tech, about where we can expect science fiction to go in the future. Dr. Yaszek's recommendations: Wormwood Trilogy by Tade Thompson The Matrix Sunspot Jungle , ed. Bill Campbell Other works discussed: Binti Trilogy by Nnedi Okorafor " The Sixth World " by Nanobah Becker The Stars are Legion by Kameron Hurley The Un...

Okay, not exactly all classics and not exactly lightning either, but in this episode, I discuss four books that I wanted to talk about in Season 1, but never got around to. Book recommendation:  Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes Other books discussed: Helliconia Trilogy by Brian Aldiss The Road by Cormac McCarthy Battlefield Earth by L. Ron Hubbard

In this episode, I discuss the precise nature of space opera, its origins, and its path through the history of sci-fi up to the current resurgence it's had in recent years. Book recommendation: The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers

Not quite as space-themed as I intended, but these are the latest stories about aliens and comets and such. Movie recommendation:  Dune (2021) Other works discussed: Greenland Don't Look Up Moonfall   (anti-recommended) The Tomorrow War The  Firefly tie-in novels

In this episode, I interview Donna Barba Higuera , author of the Newbery winning sci-fi novel,  The Last Cuentista (which I've previously recommended). Donna's book recommendation: Reclaim the Stars , edited by Zoraida Córdova Donna's website

In this episode, I take one more look at children's science fiction by surveying the winners of the prestigious Newbery Medal . Book recommendation:  The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera Other books discussed: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien The Giver by Lois Lowry When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo

In this episode, I explore sci-fi works that focus on the idea of the multiverse. Prospective book recommendation (I'm putting it on my own list):  The Long Earth by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter PBS Space Time on the many worlds interpretation Other works discussed: The Number of the Beast by Robert Heinlein Sliders Rick and Morty DC Comics Marvel Comics

In this episode, I give an overview of recent action movies in the sci-fi genre. Movie recommendation: Everything Everywhere All at Once Other movies discussed: Tenet Free Guy The Matrix: Resurrections

In this episode, I bring back my cohost Greg for a conversion about how science fiction has shaped video games, and vice versa. Classic game recommendation:  Chrono Trigger Ahoy finds the "first" video game.

I catch up on the sci-fi movies for kids that have come out in the pandemic era. Movie recommendation:  The Mitchells vs. the Machines Background on Lightyear here and here . Other films discussed: Sonic the Hedgehog Over the Moon Flora and Ulysses Space Jam: A New Legacy Strange World Lightyear

In this episode, I give an overview of the different ways that religion and religious themes are used in science fiction. Book recommendation:  Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny My review of  A Case of Conscience . Other works discussed: Riverworld series by Philip Jose Farmer A Case of Conscience by James Blish Terra Ignota series by Ada Palmer

I interview Dr. Margaret Weitekamp , Curator and Chair of Space History at the National Air and Space Museum about her new book, Space Craze: America's Enduring Fascination with Real and Imagined Spaceflight . Media recommendation:  Star Trek: Deep Space Nine

In this episode, I interview Gary Bengier, former CFO of eBay and author of Unfettered Journey , a novel about philosophy and artificial intelligence. Gary's book recommendation: Roadside Picnic by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky

Complementing my Marvel catch-up, I review the new DC superhero movies that have come out since the start of the pandemic. Movie recommendation:  DC League of Super-Pets Other movies discussed: Wonder Woman 1984 Black Adam Zack Snyder's Justice League The Batman

I interview Nick Nocturne, host of the YouTube channel Night Mind about the emerging genre of unfiction and its relation to science fiction. Nick's recommendations: PBhere (sci-fi) Diminish (non-sci-fi)

In the podcast's first panel interview, I speak to two Stephen King scholars, Simon Brown and Regina Hansen, about King's illustrious career and influence on science fiction. Book and movie recommendation:  The Dead Zone.

In the first of three horror-themed episodes for October, I discuss one class work that I passed over before and one new work. Recommendation:  The Midwich Cuckoos by John Wyndham Other work discussed: Jordan Peele's  Nope

Techno-thrillers are a surprisingly fuzzy category that sits at the border of sci-fi and suspense. In this episode, I give an overview of the subgenre and the different ways it can be classified. Book recommendation: Delta-v by Daniel Suarez Sam Boush on the categories of techno-thrillers. My review of  Delta-v. Other books discussed: The Andromeda Strain by Michael Crichton The Hunt for Red Octob...

As part of my catch-up series, I review the Marvel movies that have come out since the start of the pandemic. Movie recommendation:  The New Mutants . (I really think it's underrated.)

Experimenting with a new format, my friend Greg and I have a conversation about anime and its place in the science fiction genre. TV recommendation:  Cowboy Bebop Movie recommendation:  Castle in the Sky: Laputa