The Sword and Laser

Join a lively discussion about the cozy comfort of tomato soup and grilled cheese as rain sets the mood. Dive into the excitement of a local hot chocolate festival and the upcoming March tournament for book nominations. Explore the art of writing book blurbs, and share literary gift ideas that spark joy. Reflect on diverse reading experiences, including 'The Will of the Many,' while navigating the significance of supporting authors. Finally, uncover the intrigue of polymath protagonists and their impact on contemporary storytelling.

We have the best 25 books coming out in the next six months and the best 25 books of the last 25 years. Goodbye to the Science Fiction Book Club, our final thoughts on The Ministry of Time, and we kick off our read of The Will of the Many.

Tom is safe. Stephen has had three New Years, and we all love Graham Gore. But the best part of the show is Veronica's parade of diseases.

The hosts kick off the new year with reflections and a delightful rhubarb cider. They dive into gardening plans and nostalgic rhubarb recipes, setting the stage for community engagement. A discussion on copyright laws sheds light on public domain characters and cultural significance. Laughter ensues as they tackle misconceptions with a humorous twist. They explore their evolving reading habits and the complexities of book publishing. Finally, personal growth emerges from attending CES, marking a transition toward healthier resolutions.

It's end-of-year book list time! And we have a list of our favorite end-of-year lists. Plus, our initial thoughts on Akata Witch!

We celebrate our 500th episode in the best way we know how—by asking ChatGPT to get our stats wrong. PLUS, announcing the book pick for December and sharing our final thoughts on The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

Taking a refreshing break from the norm, the hosts dive into the importance of supporting BIPOC and LGBTQIA authors while sharing their favorite reads. They balance humor with serious reflections on health challenges, including personal COVID-19 experiences. A playful culinary discussion introduces recipes like broccoli Alfredo pasta and Nika coffee whiskey. They also explore the cultural impact of 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy,' reminiscing about its humor and memorable quotes, preparing listeners for a delightful journey.

We wrap up our thoughts on A Night in the Lonesome October by Roger Zelazny. Tom lays down some very obscure hints about the next pick. And why we’re glad Andy Weir got fired.

We learn a lot about nunchucks and old best SciFi lists, but we spend the majority of our time mulling over Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh. We also kick off a cozy October horrorish read.

Sad news followed by recommendations from Parade Magazine! And The Booker Short List. Plus, do you hate it when a series isn't continuing the story directly? And we check in on our September read of Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh.