Cracking the Spine

Our intrepid hosts delve into the world of the graphic novel, perhaps to discover that they're not as well versed on that world as they might be. There is also a discussion of the first week of Season 5 of Game of Thrones, allowing Sean to go off on what is sure to be one of many rants on the differences between the books and the show.

Books discussed:

Tomboy: A Graphic Memoir by: Liz Prince

In a Dark, Dark Wood by: Ruth Ware

Hellboy Volume 1: Seed Of Destruction by: Mike Mignola, John Byrne

Frank Miller’s Sin City Volume 1: The Hard Goodbye by: Frank Miller

Maus by: Art Spiegelman

Watchmen by: Alan Moore, Dave Gibbons

Sandman by: Neil Gaiman

Tank Girl One by: Jamie Hewlett, Alan C. MartinSuperman: Red Son by: Mark Millar, Dave Johnson

Last week we tackled movie adaptations. This week we talk about turning a book into a television show/mini-series/made-for-TV movie. There are differences in TV shows and movies, and Zane and Sean try to elucidate them all.Books discussed:

The Eternal World by: Christopher Farnsworth

The Psychopath Test by: Jon Ronson

In A Dark, Dark Wood by: Ruth Ware

Consumed by: David Cronenberg

It by: Stephen King

The Shining by: Stephen King

The Vampire Diaries: The Awakening by: L.J. Smith

Cosmos by: Carl Sagan

A Game Of Thrones by: George R. R. Martin

Roots: The Story Of An American Family by: Alex Haley

Sex And The City by: Candace Bushnell

Under The Dome by: Stephen KingDead Until Dark by: Charlaine Harris

After an off week (off because Sean lost the files of last week's show), Sean and Zane are back! In this week's show, the two talk about successful (or not so successful) movie adaptations of books. What works? What fails? What do we look for? Listen and find out!

Books discussed:

Consumed by: David CronenbergGirl On The Train by: Paula HawkinsThe Wizard Of Oz by: L. Frank BaumAmerican Psycho by: Bret Easton EllisFight Club by: Chuck PalahniukJurassic Park by: Michael CrichtonDifferent Seasons by: Stephen KingThe Hobbit by: J.R.R. TolkienThe Lord Of The Rings by: J.R.R. TolkienThe DaVinci Code by: Dan BrownCoraline by: Neil GaimanThe Mist by: Stephen KingA Scanner Darkly by: Philip K. DickHarry Potter And The Sorcerer’s Stone by: J.K. Rowling

Sean and new co-host Zane pull apart the science fiction genre to find out if writers and fans of the genre look for the best of all possible worlds, or resign ourselves to the worst. It's optimism versus pessimism! Just for you!

Music courtesy of Honeychurch. Buy their great music at Bandcamp.

Books discussed:

The Future For Curious People by: Gregory SherlA Headful of Ghosts by: Paul Tremblay2001: A Space Odyssey by: Arthur C. Clarke Childhood’s End by: Arthur C. Clarke The Martian Chronicles by: Ray Bradbury

The Martian by: Andy Weir

Seveneves by: Neal Stephenson

The Stand by: Stephen King

The Hunger Games by: Suzanne Collins

Divergent by: Veronica Roth

The Walking Dead by: Robert Kirkman

 

The world of literature, indeed, the world in general, is a bit darker this week with the passing of author Terry Pratchett. Join us in saying goodbye to an amazingly talented writer.

Music courtesy of Honeychurch. Buy their great music at Bandcamp.

Books discussed:

Good Omens by: Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman

Due to the weather, Sean (all by his lonesome) brings you a reading from author James Morrow. Pour yourself a cup of tea, and get ready for Chapter 3 of Galapagos Regained.

Music courtesy of: Honeychurch

Books discussed:

Galapagos Regained by: James MorrowSeveneves by: Neal Stephenson

Sean and Lauren sit down with author Duane Swierczynski to talk about his new novel Canary. They also discuss comics, the over-use of the word "cool", and Duane has a super-exclusive reveal about an upcoming book!Music courtesy of: Honeychurch

Books discussed: Canary, Point and Shoot, Fun and Games, Hell and Gone, Severance Package by: Duane SwierczynskiSeveneves by: Neal StephensonBad Feminist by: Roxanne GayShovel Ready by: Adam Sternbergh

Sean and Lauren blow the dust off of some of the greatest works of literature to see what is worth reading, and what is just so much yellow paper.

Music courtesy of: Honeychurch

Books discussed:

Of Things Gone Astray by: Janina MatthewsenTrigger Warning by: Neil GaimanThe Sex Lives of Siamese Twins by: Irvine WelshA Headful of Ghosts by: Paul TremblayCity of Truth by: James MorrowWuthering Heights by: Emily BrontePride & Prejudice, Emma, Northanger Abbey by: Jane AustenJane Eyre by: Charlotte BronteGreat Expectations by: Charles DickensThe Count of Monte Cristo by: Alexandre DumasThe Canterbury Tales by: Geoffrey Chaucer1984 by: George OrwellBrave New World by: Aldous HuxleyA Mote in God's Eye by: Larry Niven & Jerry PournelleFahrenheit 451 by: Ray BradburyOne Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by: Ken KeseyCatcher in the Rye by: J.D. SalingerThe Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion by: J.R.R. TolkienSilas Marner by: George EliotEthan Frome by: Edith WhartonMoby Dick, Omoo by: Herman MelvilleDon Quixote by: Miguel de CervantesThe Great Gatsby by: F. Scott FitzgeraldAnd So We Read On by: Maureen CorriganCanary by: Duane Swierczynski

The world is full of all kinds of great reads, but what is it that draws a reader to a novel over a work of nonfiction? Why do some people lean towards biographies and eschew the latest sci-fi works? Sean and Lauren attempt to get the bottom of the reasons.

Music courtesy of: Honeychurch

Books discussed:

Canary, Point and Shoot, Fun and Games, Hell and Gone, Severance Package by: Duane SwierczynskiThe Paying Guests by: Sarah WatersThe Only Thing Worse Than Witches by: Lauren MagazinerA Headful of Ghosts by: Paul TremblayJim Henson: The Biography by: Brian Jay JonesThe Georgetown Set by: Gregg HerkenQuiet by: Susan CainZen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by: Robert PersigOne Summer - America 1927, At Home by: Bill BrysonThe Omnivore's Dilemma by: Michael PollanDiet for a New America by: John RobbinsThe Sixth Extinction by: Elizabeth Kolbert

Sean and Lauren welcome author James Morrow to the show to talk about the sacred, the profane, the sublime, the esoteric, and Morrow's newly published novel, "Galapagos Regained".

Music courtesy of: Honeychurch

Books discussed:

Galapagos Regained, Towing Jehovah, The Philosopher's Apprentice, The Last Witchfinder, Only Begotten Daughter, and Bible Studies for Adults by: James Morrow