Our Book Club reconvenes to discuss the works of novelist N.K. Jemisin, specifically her most recent books, “The Fifth Season” and “The Obelisk Gate.” We also discuss the Inheritance Trilogy, which started with “The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms.” Plus, what are we reading now?

Host Jason Snell with Aleen Simms, Scott McNulty and Erika Ensign

Tape plastic wrap to your windows and wear a heavy jacket, because we’re revisiting Neil Gaiman’s 2001 novel “American Gods” (and its not-a-sequel, 2005’s “Anansi Boys”) before these books make it to TV screens. We appreciate Gaiman’s writing style and the tightrope he walks to tell the story he wants to tell, but have some questions about invisible gods, tall tales, roadside landmarks, and the rules of this world.

Host Jason Snell with Aleen Simms, Monty Ashley, Glenn Fleishman and David J. Loehr

The Incomparable’s Book Club reconvenes to discuss two books from the past about future dystopias: Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451” and George Orwell’s “Nineteen Eighty-Four.” Is Bradbury just angry about reality TV? Does Orwell just want you to read his essay about language? Can we read these famous books without bringing along our preconceived notions of what they’re supposed to mean? At what temperature do Kindles burn? Don’t worry—in the end this entire episode is going down the Memory Hole.

Host Jason Snell with John McCoy, Scott McNulty, Erika Ensign and David J. Loehr

After 20 years, we revisit Mary Doria Russell’s first-contact classic “The Sparrow.” It’s a story about aliens, spirituality, and why God allows terrible things to happen to good people. And boy, do terrible things happen to people in this book. (Content advisory: One of those things is sexual assault of humans by aliens.)

Host Jason Snell with Scott McNulty, Shannon Sudderth and Erika Ensign

“What Are We Reading” selections aren’t in the show notes right now due to Labor Day vacation prioritization. Sorry about that.

It’s time for our annual survey of some of the best science fiction and fantasy novels of the year, as we read all seven of the nominees for the Nebula Award. If you’re looking for some new books to read, check out our discussion—we tread lightly on the spoilers.

Host Jason Snell with Erika Ensign, Scott McNulty, Aleen Simms and Shaun Duke

Here’s how our panel of five ranked these books overall:

Our Book Club returns to read two recent, highly praised science fiction novels. From Kim Stanley Robinson comes “Aurora,” the story of a spaceship sent from Earth to a far-off star in a trip that will take generations. And from Ian McDonald comes “Luna: New Moon,” a sort of “Dallas” (or is it “The Godfather”?) set on and under the surface of the moon. Plus, what else are we reading?

Host Jason Snell with Scott McNulty, Aleen Simms, Erika Ensign and Glenn Fleishman

What Are We Reading?

Scott:

Glenn:

Erika:

Aleen:

Jason:

Thanks to Listener Jaymes for compiling.

We have seen tens of thousands of years into the future, and our best psychohistorians think the Galactic Empire will once again reign supreme… so long as there aren’t any surprise mutants or aliens. In this episode, we discuss Isaac Asimov’s classic “Foundation” trilogy. From the perspective of 2015, what still works, and what seems out of date? Plus: What else are we reading?

Host Jason Snell with Scott McNulty, Erika Ensign, Monty Ashley and David J. Loehr

Our Book Club reconvenes to cover two books that are both sort of about the end of the world: Paolo Bacigalupi’s “The Water Knife” and Neal Stephenson’s “Seveneves.” Regional apocalypses versus worldwide apocalypses! Plus, what else are we reading?

Host Jason Snell with Scott McNulty, Serenity Caldwell, Lisa Schmeiser and David J. Loehr

(As always, if you don’t want to be spoiled about the books, don’t listen!)

Our episode about “Ship Breaker” and “The Drowned Cities.”

It’s time for our annual dive into the Hugo Awards, focused mostly on the five nominated novels, but also touching on short fiction, comics, films, and TV episodes, as well as this year’s big Hugo controversy.

Host Jason Snell with Scott McNulty, Erika Ensign and David J. Loehr

Time for our annual review of the Nebula Award nominees for the best SF or Fantasy novel of the year, with podcasters from Skiffy and Fanty, SF Signal, and The Three Hoarsemen! We’ll cover (in a spoiler-light fashion) books about space stations, alien invasions, empires, mushrooms, and tea ceremonies. There’s even a deadly incident involving a Zeppelin!

Host Jason Snell with Fred Kiesche, Shaun Duke, Paul Weimer and Scott McNulty