So, the trailer for the Dune movie was released last week, and the folks who made it clearly did a great job. In honor of this, we're getting extra nerdy as we talk Dune, sci-fi, and Dave having meetings to run to. Listen in to hear:

• The difference between hard and soft sci-fi
• If Dune is a good option for jumping into the genre
• How ET ruined sci-fi for Scarlet
• If speculative fiction counts as sci-fi
• Another Lonesome Dove progress report

Be sure to check out the NYPL article mentioned in the show on the differences between hard and soft science fiction as well.

The Sci-Fi List

This week, we're forgoing our traditional "what we're reading" list in favor of a few recommendations of generally accessible science fiction reads:

The Oracle Year by Charles Soule

The Martian and Artemis by Andy Weir

The Time Machine by H. G. Wells

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (this is really more absurdist comedy with sci-fi trappings)

Journey to the Center of the Earth and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea by Jules Verne

Dune by Frank Herbert (note: this one requires some commitment)

Recursion by Blake Crouch

2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke

Ringworld by Larry Niven

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