For the first episode of our new season, we try out our new format. We're talking fiction! We read and loved Fonda Lee's masterpiece, hyped up some characters, and bitched about others! We also talk broader themes and what makes the book work so perfectly. 

Hey Munchies, prepare for a double munch today! We compare and contrast two short stories with similar themes. 

Sometimes we even say smart things. Enjoy!

With the release of "Fugitive Telemetry" just around the corner, we release part 2 of our interview with Martha Wells! 

Get excited! Enjoy :) 

From his Anthology "Fame", Kehlmann's story is weird, wonderful, and insightful. 

Prepare for the written version of an amazing acid trip (Eli specifically told V not to put that sentence in there, but hah!) 

(V has never even done acid before so she doesn't know what she's talking about)

CW: assisted suicide, suicidal ideation. 

Ah, to be young, in love, and undergoing a heart procedure to scientifically quantify said love. 

In collaboration with the super amazing cast of the Library Coven Podcast (go listen now! right now! wherever you listen to podcasts!) we discuss "Weight" by Dhonielle Clayton from "A Universe of Wishes: A We Need Diverse Books Anthology"

Martha Wells (winner of the Nebula, Hugo, and Locus awards, and writer of many works including "The Murderbot Diaries" and "Books of the Raksura") discusses her process, work, and short story. You can (and totally should) read "The Salt Witch," published online in Uncanny Magazine, which we delve into in Part 1 of this interview. Part 2 drops in April and covers Murderbot, so watch out for that, too! 

Martha Wells is a seriously cool person; she just can't help it. 

Beth and V talk to Molly Tanzer, certified cool person and author of the short story "The Real You(TM)" from Lightspeed Magazine. The conversation covers the writing process in general, well-being during the pandemic, as well as the specific story (which V is totally obsessed with). 

Beth and V don't entirely agree on what kinds of fiction they find enjoyable, and what kinds of stories are worth reading. Listen to both sides of the argument here and let us know what you think.

V's literary hero wrote a story that she is very unhappy about. Listen to V and Beth unhappily discuss their many complaints. (should I say unhappy a third time?)

TW: sexual assault 

We were total fans of this very charming short story. Listen to us talk about funny moments, themes, and the fantasy genre. (Beth is very excited about this one).