2 To Ramble

Dive into a thrilling exploration of Viking-inspired fantasy with an emphasis on action and character depth. Discover the unique perspectives of Orca, Varg, and Elvar as they navigate tragedy, loyalty, and betrayal while searching for identity. The hosts dissect John Gwynne's vivid writing style and discuss emotional moments that resonate, especially the theme of family versus revenge. Engage with intriguing world-building elements and the mystery of kidnapped children used to resurrect gods. Expect fun ratings and entertaining insights!

The hosts dive into the intriguing debate over whether science fiction needs to be accurate. They explore how proximity to today's technology impacts plausibility, defining hard sci-fi versus sci-fantasy, and examining the societal implications of tech in stories. Citing influential authors, they discuss subgenres and how certain works have predicted real-world advancements. The balance of realism and imagination takes center stage as they analyze audience expectations and the reflective nature of sci-fi compared to the immersive qualities of fantasy.

Rich’s dad joins the conversation, sharing his unique insights and personal experiences while diving into Andy Weir's "Artemis." The duo discusses the book's emotional highs, analyzing standout scenes that resonate deeply. They debate the complexities of the protagonist Jazz, weighing her flaws against the notion of potential and choice. Plus, they explore the innovative themes of cooperation in space and what makes Weir's science engaging. Their lively discussion also touches on worldbuilding and the quirky economics of moon life.

The hosts dive into why true crime fascinates women, exploring gender dynamics and listener demographics. They discuss the predictability of animals versus men and how emotional perceptions contrast with homicide statistics. With insights on why people consume true crime, they highlight empathy and the appeal of solving puzzles. Internet sleuthing and its consequences are also examined, along with the notion of media-induced fear. Finally, they reflect on personal motivations for being drawn to these dark narratives.

In this lively recap, the hosts dive into their December reads, highlighting standout books and discussing Richard's insights on 'Haunt for Jackals.' They share thoughts on mainstream adaptations affecting hobbies and critique the latest season of 'Stranger Things.' Looking ahead, they set ambitious reading goals for 2026, promising to tackle series like 'Malazan' and 'First Law.' Austin shares travel tales from his honeymoon and they reveal surprises from their PO Box, keeping engagement fun and interactive!

Dive into the fascinating world of Carl Sagan's "Contact," exploring the collision of faith and science. Discover the intricate backstory of the novel's first-contact premise and Sagan's groundbreaking career. Ellie's journey through sexism in science leading to a gripping discovery keeps listeners on the edge. The emotional climax unfolds as she confronts skepticism after an extraordinary experience. The hosts debate big themes like the coexistence of empirical evidence and immaterial belief, making for a thought-provoking discussion filled with cosmic wonder.

Discover the top reads of 2025 with engaging insights! The hosts dive into stories from epic fantasy like 'Deadhouse Gates' to clever satires like 'Orconomics.' Experience intimate battle scenes in 'The Winter King' and unravel the mysteries of 'The Shadow of the Torturer.' Explore moral dilemmas in 'By Blood, By Salt,' while they reminisce about 'A Game of Thrones.' With science fiction gems like 'Project Hail Mary' and philosophical depth in 'Disquiet Gods,' this discussion promises to spark your reading list. Don't miss their reflections on the perfect series finale!

Thank you INTO THE AM for sponsoring this episode! For 10% off visit https://intotheam.com/Ramble & use our code at checkout "RAMBLE"Check out "The Grey Bastards" here: https://amzn.to/4oYkyY9SPFBO Contest of Champions: https://mark---lawrence.blogspot.com/2025/05/after-10-years-we-have-10-champions.html⭐️ Exclusive Book Club! Join/Support on Patreon 👉 http://patreon.com/2toramble👕 Our Merch 👉https://2toramble.com=============================Connect/Contact Us!=============================📱 All social media 👉https://linktr.ee/2ToRamble✉️ Email 👉2toramble@gmail.com📦 PO Box address 👉200 Lawyers Rd #6 Vienna, VA, 22183=============================How does the Rambler Rating System work?=============================Detailed explanation 👉 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Wu-pyZ_WDhXIWRptCR8QqcdwGcN7R-SWrGxkOJlaFdo/edit?usp=sharing=============================All Products and Gear to make this video=============================Camera [Sony ZV-1] 👉 https://amzn.to/4k7iTxkMics [Shure SM70] 👉 https://amzn.to/4312undHeadphones [Audio-Technica ATH-M20x] 👉https://amzn.to/4kbiytOAudio Interface [Rodecaster] 👉https://amzn.to/4knkGynExternal Recorder [Atomos Ninja V] 👉https://amzn.to/4m5ZWNmSamsung SSD for Recorder 👉 https://amzn.to/3SwN19fSamsung SSD for Editing 👉 https://amzn.to/3SpT8fTLights 👉https://amzn.to/4mae8oQChairs 👉https://amzn.to/4jCGTbUStreamYard for Interviews/Collabs 👉 https://streamyard.com/pal/c/5975479615094784Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/2toramble/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Join Jared Henderson, a philosophy-minded BookTube creator, and Jed Herne, an insightful author-interviewer, along with John from Talking Story, as they dive deep into the Sun Eater series. The trio explores the emotionally impactful deaths, big narrative moments that hook readers, and the series' unique chiastic structure. They debate Hadrian's moral complexity, identity questions, and how personal memories ground the epic tale. Their passionate discussions highlight the craftsmanship that makes this series a noteworthy addition to science fiction.

Check out "The Lost War" here: https://amzn.to/4qhwKo3SPFBO Contest of Champions: https://mark---lawrence.blogspot.com/2025/05/after-10-years-we-have-10-champions.html⭐️ Exclusive Book Club! Join/Support on Patreon 👉 http://patreon.com/2toramble👕 Our Merch 👉https://2toramble.com=============================Connect/Contact Us!=============================📱 All social media 👉https://linktr.ee/2ToRamble✉️ Email 👉2toramble@gmail.com📦 PO Box address 👉200 Lawyers Rd #6 Vienna, VA, 22183=============================How does the Rambler Rating System work?=============================Detailed explanation 👉 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Wu-pyZ_WDhXIWRptCR8QqcdwGcN7R-SWrGxkOJlaFdo/edit?usp=sharing=============================All Products and Gear to make this video=============================Camera [Sony ZV-1] 👉 https://amzn.to/4k7iTxkMics [Shure SM70] 👉 https://amzn.to/4312undHeadphones [Audio-Technica ATH-M20x] 👉https://amzn.to/4kbiytOAudio Interface [Rodecaster] 👉https://amzn.to/4knkGynExternal Recorder [Atomos Ninja V] 👉https://amzn.to/4m5ZWNmSamsung SSD for Recorder 👉 https://amzn.to/3SwN19fSamsung SSD for Editing 👉 https://amzn.to/3SpT8fTLights 👉https://amzn.to/4mae8oQChairs 👉https://amzn.to/4jCGTbUStreamYard for Interviews/Collabs 👉 https://streamyard.com/pal/c/5975479615094784Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/2toramble/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy