The Binge Reading Bookclub

In this month’s episode of Speed Binges, Hugo and Nicholas delve into the SCP Foundation, the internet-born horror universe built around a secret organisation tasked with securing, containing and protecting humanity from things that shouldn’t exist. They explore some of their favourite stories, including SCP-173, the terrifying Sculpture that moves whenever nobody is watching, and SCP-2718, a deeply disturbing tale that asks what happens after we die. 

In a podcast first, the boys say they will do something and actually follow through with it. This month we welcome speculative fiction author Eliza Chan (
HARBOUR OF HUNGRY GHOSTS, The Drowned World Duology). Eliza shares with us one of her favourite recent novels, The Last Contract of Isako by Fonda Lee that explores a cyberpunk future set on a far of planet that has lost contact with earth 2 centuries ago. 

Eliza breaks down how Lee does characterization so well - through intimate understanding of what makes each character unique - from their personal beliefs to their individual ticks. Eliza also helps Hugo flesh out the Lithe Waiter character in what we are certain will eventually be the greatest novel ever written. 

We also chat Nicholas' big Netflix announcement, Eliza's festival tour schedule, and answer the age old question, would we really want a lawnmower to make sassy remarks as we work? 

All this and more!

Join us again on October 15th for Speed Binges where we will be discussing the SCP Foundation, and then on the 29th October for the next mainline episode where we chat (without guest) about 'The Wizard of the Kremlin' by Giuliano da Empoli

LINKS:

STET Podcast Network

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In this months episode of Speed Binges, Hugo and Nicholas discuss Mouthwashing, the unsettling indie horror game that uses non-linear storytelling, shifting perspectives, and player complicity to explore guilt, trauma, and responsibility. They examine why its story could only work as a video game—and why its disturbing world stays with you long after playing. Now don't write off Moutwashing as just some some spookfest horror nonsense - this game is truly a masterpiece and takes story telling a completely new level. 

Nicholas also continues in his drive to get more sponsorships for the show with a service he has used for a long time - the worlds first proctodontist.

LINKS:

STET Podcast Network

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After a summer hiatus that felt like an age, Hugo and Nicholas Binge are back with aplomb covering the blockbuster Gamelit/RPGlit hit Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman. In a shocking break from tradition we also take a meta view of authorship and examine how Dinniman managed to capture a multitude of cultural zeitgeists to produce the perfect literary embodiment of an RPG video game.

We discuss which genre one should write if all they wanted to do was make money (turns out its erotica - who would have thought it?!), why Gen Z and Gen Alpha are so nostalgic for the 90s, and why Nicholas was forced to take a break in July (turns out he was fighting intergalactic angels)

Join us again on September 10th for Speed Binges where Nicholas will be playing the game Mouthwashing (currently 40% off on steam), and again on the 27th September where we will be joined by extra special guest Eliza Chan. Eliza has selected The Last Contract of Isako - Fonda Lee as her assigned reading. 

LINKS:

STET Podcast Network

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And we are back! After a forced hiatus in the month of July (which Nicholas formerly appologises for and explains in this episode) we return with a banger of a book in this episode of Speed Binges. Friend of the Pod Sunyi Dean blessed us with presser copies of her latest novel The Girl with a Thousand Faces. 

We explore how an ancient germanic tribe got wrapped up in literature (gothic that is), we chat time skips and story telling and whether it would be the same novel were it told in any other temporal order, and Nicholas publicly endorses our first official sponsors!

LINKS:

STET Podcast Network

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This month we take a deep dive into the epic speculative sci-fi novel I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman. Released in 1995, this novel follows the story of 'The Child' who has only ever known life locked un in a cage underground with 40 other women. Upon their escape, they discover a desolate landscape and slowly realize they may be the only survivors of an apocalyptic event. 

We have Sunday Times Bestselling author Richard Swan (Empire of the Wolf and Great Silence trilogies) to break down what makes this novel special. Our writing craft focus this month is 'Liminality' - that hard to discern quality of being in between spaces. The empty corridor of a large hotel, a multistory carpark late at night, and most often depicted as semi nightmarish places in popculture like Backrooms and severance. 

So how do you convey this feeling in a less visually aesthetic medium like writing? Well Nicholas and Richard break it down for us, and give us tips on how to include it in our own works. 

LINKS:

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Once again we branch out into hitherto un-explored realms of media as we discuss the 2011 YouTube viral sensation Don't Hug Me, I'm Scared.

We chat about the marvels of early 2010s internet humor (Burn't Face Man, The Mighty Boosh, Salad Fingers to name but a few), why absurdist and comedic novels are hard to write and sell, and we take Nicholas on a therapeutic journey into his creative raison d'etre. 

We also take a deep dive into this industry of publishing and discuss the differences of art made for art's sake vs performative art that is designed to sell. Nicholas grapples with is own internal daemons when it comes to kowtowing to demand or following creative passion. 

If you haven't watched DHMIM, check the link below to the first episode. 

LINKS:

YouTube DHMIS

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In our most heated episode yet, that many are calling 'truly a podcast that has appeared online', best selling author Nicholas Binge (Extremity, Ascension, Professor Everywhere) and Hugo Powell (Lord of the Rings, Lord of the Flies, Lord of War) invite the best selling crime author Tariq Ashkanani to tell them about one of his favourite novels Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica.

Tender is the Flesh follows the story of Marcos, a disgruntled slaughter house manager as he grapples with the loss of his child, the break down of his marriage, and his fathers slow descent into dementia. Oh, did I mention the slaughter house is for humans as in this world animal meat has become toxic to humans so instead of going vegan every just starts eating humans? I didn't mention that? Oh well there you go.

While the brutality of this novel may be a deterrent to many, Tariq and Nicholas breakdown the depth that can actually be found behind the incessant violence of this terrifying world. They talk about this novel being a reflection of mankind's ability to cause great harm to one another once a population is dehumanized, the mental gymnastics required to consume meat and not face the realities of the meat industry, and how 'internal world building' can such a vital tool in the arsenal of any author.

Join us again on the 11 June for our mini episodes known as Speed Binges, where we will be watching the entirety of Don't Hug me I am Scared 

And you will find the next mainline show on the 25 June, where we will be reading I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman and joined by guest author Richard Swan. 

LINKS:

STET Podcast Network

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In todays edifying episode of Speed Binges, the D-sides of the Binge Reading Bookclub, best selling author Nicholas Binge and Hugo Powell chat about the fantastic album Palm Mall Mars by 猫 シ Corp. (Cat System Corp) - a flourish of 90s vaporwave nostalgia that plunges the listener into the dreamy world of the first shopping mall built on mars. 

Vaporwave is a genre born online in the early 2010s, it marries chopped and screwed sampling techniques with 80s and 90s aesthetics to create hauntingly beautiful soundscapes that feel nostalgic, but for a time we never knew and never experienced. This concept is captured in the idea of Hauntology, a philosophy and sound championed by experimental duo Boards of Canada. 

Nicholas takes us through what hooked him on this album, and what we are writers can learn about atmosphere and 'being deliberate' when constructing our stories. 

Join us for our next mainline episode of the Binge Reading Bookclub Podcast where we are reading Tender is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterica on the 28th May!

LINKS:

Palm Mall Mars by 猫 シ Corp.

STET Podcast Network

Based on a Book Podcast

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Best selling author Nicholas Binge and literary newbie Hugo Powell are joined today by the marvelous author Shauna Lawless!

Shauna mixes historical fiction with classic fantasy in her novels by placing (or replacing as she argues), the magic that was lost from traditional Irish texts due to modern readings and interpretations of 11th century Irish literature. She helps understand why studying historical fiction can also inform your writing despite not being in the same genre or style. Understand the world your characters inhabit, and you will better understand the characters themselves.

Star of the Sea by Joseph O'Connor takes place on the titular boat, on its umpteenth voyage from Ireland to New York. Through diary entries, historical vignettes, and first hand accounts, we learn about stories and histories of the various colourful characters on the boat, including that of serial murder Pius Mulvey, aristocrat Lord Meridith, and American journalist Dixon. All this to the backdrop of the Irish Famine and the atrocities that transpired in this time. 

Join us again on the 14 May for our quick episodes known as Speed Binges, where we will be listening to the masterpiece Palm Mall Mars by 猫 シ Corp. 

And you will find the next mainline show on the 28 May, where we will be reading Tender if the Flesh by Agustina Baztericca and joined by special author guest Tariq Ashkanani. 

LINKS:

STET Podcast Network

Official Site

follow us on Bluesky

email us: [email protected]