"This is a city where numberless aspirations can be fulfilled."

This week, Aurelien discusses Ursula K. LeGuin's 1973 short story "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas" and NK Jemisin's 2018 response, "The Ones Who Stay and Fight". What kind of world do you want to live in? What are you willing to fight for? And which part of these stories is sci-fi?

• Read "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas": https://www.utilitarianism.com/nu/omelas.pdf
• Check out "All the Birds in the Sky" by Charlie Jane Anders
• And "How Long 'til Black Future Month?" by NK Jemisin

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* Theme: Magical Transition by Kevin McLeod * Additional music and sound effects from zapsplat.com

When the world you know is out of reach, nothing is more welcome than a measurable reminder that it still exists.

Explore distant planets, and moral quandaries, this week in book club for "To Be Taught, If Fortunate" by Becky Chambers. It's a futuristic space adventure, with lots of weird science, amazing planets, and a thoughtful, philosophical heart.

Episode references

• Lisa Nip's research: https://www.media.mit.edu/projects/limitations-of-and-approaches-to-augmenting-the-human-body-in-space/overview/
• The Scouring of the Shire analysis: https://www.thefandomentals.com/scouring-shire-lotr-reread/

-- * Theme: Magical Transition by Kevin McLeod * Additional music and sound effects from zapsplat.com

"I am the woman who goes back into the house because I can't stand waiting on the lawn."

Dana. Selena. Sara. Thomasin. Clarice. Join Aurelien and special guest, Brucker (from Film On the Rocks), to discuss Claire C. Holland's horror heroine inspired poetry collection "I Am Not Your Final Girl". We review a selection of poems and the horror movies that inspired them, talk about the origin of final girls, and share horror trivia.

Spoilers for I Spit On Your Grave (1978), The Descent (2005), Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974), The Witch (2015), The Craft (1996), Splice (2009), Black Christmas (1974), 28 Days Later (2002), The Silence of the Lambs (1991), and The Cabin in the Woods (2012)

Check out Film On the Rocks wherever you listen to podcasts!

-- * Theme: Magical Transition by Kevin McLeod * Additional music and sound effects from zapsplat.com

Something dark and menacing said, "Trick or treat."

Put out your nightly offering and join Aurelien in the basement for a non-spoilery review of spooky-ooky "Halloween Fiend" C.V. Hunt. It's a dark, atmospheric novella about a lost small town, held hostage by a menacing monster, and a man who tries to change things. If you're not quite ready for summer, or can't wait for October, this one is for you. (And that cover art is by Sam Heimer, an excellently spooky artist!)

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* Additional music and sound effects from zapsplat.com

Open your mind - the head games are just getting started.

Find the Anywhere key and join Aurelien and special guest Dustin (from Dustin and Katie Can Read), for book club to discuss 2008 horror fantasy graphic novel and 2020 Netflix show Locke & Key. We talk about the endlessly explorable Keyhouse, analyze our angsty characters, and compare the darkess of the show to the extreme darkness of the comics.

Spoilers for Locke & Key, Vol. 1: Welcome to Lovecraft and season one of Netflix's Locke & Key!

Listen to Dustin and Katie Can Read wherever you listen to podcasts and chat pop culture with Dustin on Twitter @dustin_holden!

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* Theme: Magical Transition by Kevin McLeod

"I'd been waiting for the vampire for years when he walked into the bar."

Murder! Intrigue! Glowing vampires! Let's meet in the back room at Fangtasia for book club to discuss supernatural cozy mystery "Dead Until Dark" by Charlaine Harris. First in the Southern Vampire series, and the inspiration for HBO's True Blood, it's dark, silly, fun.

-- * Theme: Magical Transition by Kevin McLeod * Additional music and sound effects from zapsplat.com * True Blood clips property of HBO

"There are storms more accommodating than I, wildfires less inclined towards defiance."

Light a candle and join Aurelien in the cellar for book club, if you dare, to discuss two modern gothic tales of revenge. "Lullaby for a Lost World" by Aliette de Bodard and "These Deathless Bones" by Cassandra Khaw, excellently dark short stories, more horrifying, gruesome, and oddly empowering than you expect.

• Read "Lullaby for a Lost World": https://www.tor.com/2016/06/08/lullaby-for-a-lost-world/

• Read "These Deathless Bones": https://www.tor.com/2017/07/26/these-deathless-bones/

-- * Theme: Magical Transition by Kevin McLeod * Additional sound effects from zapsplat.com * Classic Maleficent laugh property of Disney

"On Friday night, I was reading my new book, but my brain got tired, so I decided to watch some television instead." ― Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower

If you're having trouble reading lately, you're not alone! Pick up the remote and join Aurelien to nerd out about the weird, escapist shows she just can't stop watching. From the high-tech, cutting-edge Devs and Westworld, to moody, creeptastic The Outsider, and comforting rewatches like The Originals and The X-Files, and more. Plus: how do you feel about watching 28 Days Later right now?

-- * Theme: Magical Transition by Kevin McLeod * Additional sound effects from zapsplat.com * Additional clips lovingly used from Devs, Westworld, The Outsider, The Originals, The X-Files, Supernatural, Clone Wars and The Simpsons

Well I'd rather get stung by WASPs than poisoned by whatever's working around here.

Put down the laundry, and meet Aurelien for lunch to discuss satirical thriller novel "The Stepford Wives" (1972) by Ira Levin. Aurelien lays out similarities with classic horror story "The Yellow Wallpaper", researches the controversial anthropology of Robert Ardrey, and talks deep, dark social fears (and those damn Victorian gender roles).

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* Theme: Magical Transition by Kevin McLeod * Additional sound effects from zapsplat.com and one very short clip from the brilliant "Psych"

Both girls saw the big black house behind the big black gates and started shouting in excitement: Fernie, because she loved the idea of living in a haunted house, and Pearlie because she loved the idea of living in any house that was black and mysterious...

Invite your shadow along to book club for gothic middle grade adventure "Gustav Gloom and the People Taker" written by Adam-Troy Castro and illustrated by Kristen Margiotta. It's the spooky, silly story of Fernie, our plucky heroine; Gustav, who might be the loneliest boy in the world; and a crazy night in a house full of shadows (and a monster or two).

Share your thoughts, suggest a read, or guest-host an episode - drop me a line at [email protected], and stay safe out there, spooky friends!

-- * Theme: Magical Transition by Kevin McLeod * Additional sound effects from zapsplat.com and music clips by Alan Silvestri and Malvina Reynolds