Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein

In this episode we discuss our current book club selection - Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein. The book was first published in 1961 and we discuss our impressions of the book and also include comments and feedback from listeners. We also talk about the author and his background, the era in which the book was written and its importance at that time.

This episode we also announce the next book club selection which is Eastern Standard Tribe by Cory Doctorow. We will be discussing this book around the middle of September and will post a more specific date closer to the time, so you have about six to eight weeks to read it. This book is available to download for free in a variety of formats. It is also available to download as a free audio book from iTunes, or you can buy a hard copy from various online retailers.

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The City and The City by China Mieville

In this episode we speak to China Mieville about our current book club selection, The City and The City. Amongst other things we discuss his influences, the genesis of the book, and the awards he recently received for this novel, including the Arthur C. Clarke award. We also speak briefly about his latest book Kraken which he is currently promoting around the UK at various events.

After the interview the hosts, Scott and Steve, discuss their impression of the book, sharing their thoughts and feelings, as well as comments and feedback sent in by listeners. We also announce our next book club selection which is the classic Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein. The deadline for this book club selection is the week commencing 26th July which gives you plenty of time to read the book and send us your thoughts and feedback for the discussion.

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The Caves of Steel by Isaac Asimov

This episode Scott and Steve discuss The Caves of Steel by Isaac Asimov, with comments and feedback from listeners. The book is only about 200 pages long and yet it generated a lot of discussion on the forum. As well as talking about the murder mystery aspect of the story, we look at the themes and many ideas, technological, social and behavioural, introduced by Asimov.

We also announce our next book club selection which has recently been nominated for an Arthur C. Clarke award and it won best novel from the British Science Fiction Association which was announced last weekend in London at the Eastercon convention. The novel is The City and the City by China Mieville which was first published in 2009.

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Empire in Black and Gold by Adrian Tchaikovsky

This episode is the book club we discuss the recent selection, Empire in Black and Gold by Adrian Tchaikovsky and announce our next selection. Before that Scott and Steve get into some News and Reviews, talking about the ending of some TV shows, the return of some old favourites and the arrival of a couple of new ones.

After that we get into a discussion about the fantasy genre and the changes it has gone through in the last few decades. We also talk about how it is perceived by those less familiar with the genre and how diverse and popular it has become. Scott and Steve talk briefly about Empire and offer their opinions before our interview with Adrian Tchaikovsky.

We discuss his background as a writer and reader of fantasy, his influences and we pose your questions to Adrian about the book, and also talk about the future of the series and his forthcoming appearances. Adrian will be appearing next weekend at the SFX Weekender, a whole weekend of genre talks, guest signings and workshops, as well as at other venues in the UK in conjunction with the launch of the 4th book in the Shadows of the Apt series, Salute the Dark which is out next week.

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The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

After some news and reviews we get into our discussion of the current book club selection, The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. This seems to be a book that has divided opinions, and a few listeners found it difficult to get into, but there are a lot of interesting themes to discuss which we dive into. With feedback and comments from listeners we get into the meat of what the book is about and then announce our next book club selection.

For those who have not read The Handmaid's Tale, but do not want it spoiled for them and want to take part in the next round of our book club, jump to time stamp 1h-18m-51s where we announce the new selection which is Empire in Black and Gold by Adrian Tchaikovsky. So towards the end of January, which gives people about seven weeks, we will be talking about the new book and Adrian has very kindly agreed to come on the show for an interview and to answer questions from our listeners. So, pick up a copy, send us your comments, questions for Adrian and join the book club.

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Slaughterhouse 5 by Kurt Vonnegut

Welcome to our post British International Comics Show (BICS) episode where we start off with a review of the show, what we enjoyed and some of the familiar and new faces we met. We then get into some news and reviews about the latest comics, movie news, new TV projects from JJ Abrams and the future of Dollhouse.

After that we discuss our book club selection and the current work of fiction is Slaughterhouse 5 by Kurt Vonnegut. We discuss what we thought of the book and we also have comments from listeners who sent us their feedback on the book. We announce the next book club selection which we will discussing in a couple of months time.

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American Gods by Neil Gaiman

Steve is keeping England safe whilst Scott is touring planet Caprica, but they triumph over the timezone differences to re-unite for this episode. After some news and reviews the rest of the episode focuses on the CBO book club where we talk about 'American Gods' by Neil Gaiman. Part philosophy, part supernatural thriller and part love-letter to smalltown America. At the end of the episode we reveal our new book club title, a classic from the 1960s.

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