Hugo, Girl!

This episode we discussed The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal (Lori's new bff). We had no complaints, and we digressed often. This one was great fun!

CW: sexism, racism, anxiety, brief reference to suicide attempt

TW/CW: racial violence, police violence

A few days ago we learned about the Podcast Blackout, started by Cult 45 Podcast. In solidarity, we are not releasing our planned episode today. Instead, we are sharing some thoughts on how to be a better white ally, and speaking the names of 100 black victims of police violence. Black lives matter.

Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack by Peggy McIntosh

Rachel Cargle on Instagram

Rachel Cargle's The Great Unlearn on Instagram

Fair Fight

On day 5,000 of shelter-in-place, we discussed The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi, which won both the Hugo and Nebula Awards for best novel in 2010. We would have voted differently.

CW: rape, rape, and more rape, sexual slavery, colonialism

Music by Eon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVbvE0PJyss

This month your podcasters discuss Bloodchild by Octavia Butler, winner of the 1985 Hugo Award for best novelette, and a boatload of other awards. We also make a special announcement at the top of the episode.

CW: forced pregnancy/birth, colonialism, giant insects

Music by Eon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVbvE0PJyss

We got together (remotely!) to responsibly record a pandemic special for these weird times. We discuss Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel (2015 winner of the Arthur C. Clarke Award and the Toronto Book Award), elephants, and why you should stay inside!

CW: mention of rape/sexual assault

Music by Eon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVbvE0PJyss

In this month's episode, we revisit Ender Wiggin, perennial Mary Sue, 20-ish (but also 3,000-ish) years after the events of Ender's Game. Ender is thirty(-five), flirty, and thriving in his career as an intergalactic funeral director. But drama abounds when Ender gets caught in a love rhombus with an adolescent AI, a troubled teen on a faraway planet, and his own sister. Will Starfleet blow up an innocent planet? Has Haley learned how to say Valentine? Listen to find out!

February's selection is Philip K. Dick's Man in the High Castle. You've probably seen the Amazon TV series, which is based loosely on this novel.

Ever wonder what would have happened if Germany and Japan had won World War II? You can kind of find out in this novel, in between lengthy discussions about the state of American antiques, Colorado shopping trips, and awkward dinner parties.

Happy 2020! This episode, your three favorite space witches tackled Frank Herbert's magnum opus — Dune! This book has everything: jedi ladies, poop suits, misogyny, and a main character from the year 10,191 named JESSICA.

Show notes:

Frank Herbert interviewed by W. McNelly in 1969

This one was a classic, y'all! December's selection was Arthur C. Clarke's Rendezvous With Rama — a meditation on the power of awe, ancient alien life, gravity-defying space boobs, genetically engineered monkeys masquerading as house elves, and more.

Presenting our very first minisode! We had forgotten a few things and had some extra news to share, so voila! Salient points include:

-follow-up snake research

-our Robert J. Sawyer mail correspondence

-a shout-out to Hugos There, our counterpart podcast

Enjoy!