SFF Yeah!

Sharifah and Jenn discuss their favorite books from the last few months, award season winners and nominees for Locus and the Hugos, a new AI shenanigan, and more. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! What do S.A. Cosby, Khaled Hosseini, Sarah Bakewell, and Yahdon Israel have in common? They've been guests on Book Riot's newest podcast, First Edition where BookRiot.com co-founder Jeff O'Neal explores the wide bookish world. Subscribe to hear them and stay to hear Book Riot's editors pick the "it" book of the month. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. News Locus 2023 Award Winners [Locus] Hugo 2023 Finalists [Book Riot] Alix Harrow on the Hugos [Instagram] Error-Ridden AI-Generated Star Wars Article on io9 [Variety] Sign a poem going to Europa! [Book Riot] Books Discussed The Archive Undying by Emma Mieko Candon (cw: intimate partner violence, suicidal thoughts, gore, body horror) Titanium Noir by Nick Harkaway (cw: discussion of intimate partner violence) Untethered Sky by Fonda Lee (cw: child death, graphic violence, animal abuse, animal death) Our Hideous Progeny by C.E. McGill (they/them) (cw: violence against women, animal experimentation, violence against animals) H is For Hawk by Helen MacDonald The Haunting of Alejandra by V. Castro (cw: infant death, maternal mortality, attempted suicide, child endangerment, rape, spousal abuse) Flux by Jinwoo Chong (cw: death of a parent) Chain Gang All Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Sharifah looks at some favorite books from 2013 by BIPOC authors! Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! What do S.A. Cosby, Khaled Hosseini, Sarah Bakewell, and Yahdon Israel have in common? They've been guests on Book Riot's newest podcast, First Edition where BookRiot.com co-founder Jeff O'Neal explores the wide bookish world. Subscribe to hear them and stay to hear Book Riot's editors pick the "it" book of the month. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Books Discussed The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo (warnings: drug addiction, attempted suicide, overdose, death of a parent) The Summer Prince by Alaya Dawn Johnson (warnings: racism, mention of suicide) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jenn and Sharifah are off this week, so please enjoy this First Edition episode about sci-fi and fantasy "insta-buys" and more with Jeff O'Neal, Sharifah, and Kendra Winchester. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. First Edition Kendra Winchester comes on to commemorate the 15th anniversary of two events that heralded the modern audiobook boom: Amazon buying Audible and Apple allowing third-party apps on the iPhone. Then, Sharifah Williams, Book Riot's Director of Content and co-host of our SFF Yeah! podcast, joins me to debut a new segment: The Insta-Buys. Check out First Edition on Twitter, on Substack, and on Instagram. And if you have a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, please and thank you! Discussed in this episode: Better Than Nothing? Exploring the Limitations of AI-Narrated Audiobooks from a Disabled Person’s Perspective 10 Audiobook Narrators You Need to Follow on TikTok The Untold History of the Talking Book by Matthew Rubery Check out Kendra's podcast, Read Appalachia. You can also follow her on Substack, Winchester Ave, and posting photos of her Corgis on Instagram and Twitter @kdwinchester. Sharifah Williams co-hosts our SFF Yeah! podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jenn brings you a couple more cozy SF/F options for your summer reading. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! Looking for fascinating stories, informed takes, useful advice, and more drawn from our collective experience as power readers, teachers, librarians, booksellers, and bookish professionals? Subscribe to The Deep Dive, a biweekly newsletter featuring stories to inform and inspire readers, to get exclusive content delivered to your inbox! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Books Discussed Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree Murder in G Major by Alexia Gordon (cw: discussion of suicide, use of ableist slurs) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sharifah and guest Jeff O'Neal talk about the SFF book that topped B&N's bestseller list, yet another Game of Thrones spinoff, D&D's new streaming venture, travel a decade back in time to look at the most popular SFF of 2013, and more. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! Looking for fascinating stories, informed takes, useful advice, and more drawn from our collective experience as power readers, teachers, librarians, booksellers, and bookish professionals? Subscribe to The Deep Dive, a biweekly newsletter featuring stories to inform and inspire readers, to get exclusive content delivered to your inbox! News Barnes & Noble Top 100 Bestselling Books [Barnes & Noble] GOT Universe Expands [Tor.com] D&D launching a TV channel [Gizmodo] Taika Waititi in Talks to Direct Klara and the Sun [Deadline] Books Discussed Goodreads's Most Popular Books of 2013 Note to listeners: Goodreads's list does not meet our standards for diversity. In 2013, there was less awareness about the importance of representation and BIPOC-authored books, and less marketing dollars went toward those books. Unfortunately, we continue to see a dearth of representation in many "most popular" lists. Look out for Sharifah's next backlist episode where she'll discuss some great 2013 BIPOC SFF books. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sharifah dives into two great SF/F books for beach reading, for your summer needs. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! Looking for fascinating stories, informed takes, useful advice, and more drawn from our collective experience as power readers, teachers, librarians, booksellers, and bookish professionals? Subscribe to The Deep Dive, a biweekly newsletter featuring stories to inform and inspire readers, to get exclusive content delivered to your inbox! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Books Discussed Chilling Effect by Valerie Valdes The Passage by Justin Cronin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sharifah and Jenn talk about awards finalists and winners, more good news for Amal El-Mohtar, books they wish they could send back in time to their younger selves, and more. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! BookRiot.com co-founder Jeff O'Neal explores the wide bookish world. Interviews, lists, rankings, retrospectives, recommendations, and much more, featuring people who know and love books. Subscribe to First Edition on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your podcatcher of choice. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. News Ignyte Awards Finalists [FIYAH] Future Worlds Prize Announced [File 770] British Book Award Winners [Locus] Nebula Award Winners [SFWA] Nimona Movie Coming (June 30) [The Mary Sue] Amal El-Mohtar's Four Book Deal [Tor.com] Books Discussed Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki The Vanished Birds by Simon Jimenez A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jenn discusses two of her upcoming SF/F summer reads, both of which happen to be YA! Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! BookRiot.com co-founder Jeff O'Neal explores the wide bookish world. Interviews, lists, rankings, retrospectives, recommendations, and much more, featuring people who know and love books. Subscribe to First Edition on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your podcatcher of choice. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Books Discussed The Oracle Code by Marieke Nijkamp and Manuel Preitano Year of the Reaper by Makiia Lucier In Reading Color newsletter Hey YA Podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sharifah and Jenn take a listener’s suggestion to read some Webtoons, and talk about some delightful news including that viral tweet from Bigolas, fandom efforts to support Shadow & Bone, a prize shortlist, and more. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! BookRiot.com co-founder Jeff O’Neal explores the wide bookish world. Interviews, lists, rankings, retrospectives, recommendations, and much more, featuring people who know and love books. Subscribe to First Edition on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your podcatcher of choice. News This is How You Lose the Time War blows up in the weirdest way [io9] Slate interviews Amal El-Mohtar about it [Slate] and their agent notes that it’s more effective than a Pulitzer [Twitter] Shadow & Bone fandom trying to get it renewed [Rolling Stone] WGA Writers Strike and the shows it is impacting [Gizmodo] A new butterfly species gets named for Sauron [NY Times] Future Worlds Prize Shortlist announced [Locus] Comics Discussed Aine and the Crow’s Curse by EnkyArt Seed by Said P. Sally & Bean by ari stocrate Cursed Princess Club by LambCat The Uncommons by Tony Weaver Jr, Joamette Gil, Spencer Amundson, Andy Robles-Valdez, Lia Harmon, and Hannah Lee Lore Olympus by Rachel Smythe Opposite of Always based on the novel by Justin A. Reynolds, Art by Sharpteething, written by Darius Dudley Not Another Cliche by Simkray Dana’s Recommendations: The Beginning After the End on the Tapas app Be My Villain Eleceed See You in My 19th Life Bailin and Li Yun The Remarried Empress The Horizon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Sharifah shares some of her anticipated backlist SF/F reads. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! Subscribe to our new podcast, First Edition, on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your podcatcher of choice. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Books Discussed This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone The Pendulum Sun by Jeannette Ng Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sharifah and Jenn talk that Marvels trailer, more AI shenanigans, a 40th Anniversary (!) edition of Song of the Lioness, characters they relate to, and more. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! BookRiot.com co-founder Jeff O’Neal explores the wide bookish world. Interviews, lists, rankings, retrospectives, recommendations, and much more, featuring people who know and love books. Subscribe to First Edition on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your podcatcher of choice. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. News SF/F in the real world: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch spreading critters [Science Alert] The Marvels trailer [Black Girl Nerds] Winners of the LA Times Festival of Books prize [LA Times] 40th Anniversary edition of Tamora Pierce’s Song of the Lioness series [Publishers Weekly] AI shenanigans at r/Fantasy [Reddit] Books Discussed Sophie from Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones Cleric Chih from Singing Hills Cycle by Nghi Vo Lauren from Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler Mika Moon from The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna Candace Chen from Severance by Ling Ma Circe from Circe by Madeline Miller Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Jenn recommends two speculative fiction favorites. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! Looking for fascinating stories, informed takes, useful advice, and more from experts in the world of books and reading? Subscribe to Book Riot’s newest newsletter, The Deep Dive, to get exclusive content delivered to your inbox. Subscribe and choose your membership level today at bookriot.substack.com This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Books Discussed The Old Drift by Namwali Serpell (cw: rape, racism, racial slurs) The Lonesome Bodybuilder by Yukiko Motoya, translated by Asa Yoneda Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sharifah and Jenn discuss some awards season news and Star Wars Celebration updates, honor Rachel Pollac, and recommend some more recent-ish books they’ve loved. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! Check out The Deep Dive on Substack! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. News Chosen Spirits and The City Inside by Samit Basu are the same book! Vulture did a dive into D&D adaptations New Star Wars movie following Rey (plus more Star Wars Celebration) [Variety, io9] RIP, Rachel Pollack [The Guardian] The Angry Black Girl And Her Monster trailer [The AV Club] Ursula K. LeGuin Prize open to nominations Philip K Dick Award Winner [Locus] BSFA Award Winners [Locus] Books Discussed Into the Riverlands by Nghi Vo Station Eternity by Mur Lafferty (cw: mild body horror, mention of child abuse, violent bullying) The Spite House by Johnny Compton (cw: child death, racism) Leech by Hiron Ennes (cw: sexual assault, miscarriage, body horror) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Sharifah discusses some thrilling sci-fi and fantasy. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! Check out The Deep Dive, our new exclusive newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Books Discussed The Murders of Molly Southborne by Tade Thompson Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jenn and Sharifah are off this week, so please enjoy this When In Romance episode about sci-fi, fantasy, and paranormal romances with Jenn and Trisha. When In Romance Trisha is joined by very special guest Jenn Northington to discuss Beverly Jenkins’s Vivid and to offer some SFF (and P) romance recs. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. To get even more romance recs and news, sign up for our Kissing Books newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. NEWS Listen to Jenn discuss all kinds of other bookish things on Get Booked and SFF Yeah! If you are also a “cook or bake as you read” person, here’s the recipe Jenn used for what we’re now calling Miss Abigail bread. (It calls for a cast-iron skillet but you can use any oven-safe pan or cake tin of that approximate size.) AND Jenn was kind enough to also share her (soon to be famous, probably) jam recipe with all of us: 2 cups blueberries; 1 tbs white sugar; ½ tbs lemon juice; a pinch of cinnamon (optional). Mix blueberries, sugar, lemon juice, and cinnamon in a saucepan; cook, stirring regularly, over medium heat until thickened, about 30 minutes. It will gel a little more as it cools; an easy way to know if it’s “done” is if you can draw a spoon through it along the bottom of the pan and it takes a second for the pan bottom to be covered up again. (TB note: this recipe apparently does not call for a dutch oven or a double boiler – I checked.) BOOKS DISCUSSED Vivid, Wild Rain, and Bring on the Blessings by Beverly Jenkins The Books of Ambha series by Tasha Suri In Deeper Waters by F.T. Lukens The Heroine Complex series by Sarah Kuhn Briarley by Aster Glenn Gray Touched By An Alien by Gini Koch The Off the Grid series by Alyssa Cole (First book is Radio Silence) The Heart is a Universe by Sherry Thomas Sword Stone Table: Old Legends, New Voices edited by Swapna Krishna and Jenn Northington Send us your favorite SFF(P) books AND your favorite bookish recipes! You can find Jenn on Twitter and Tumblr (@jennIRL) and on Instagram (@iamjennirl). And as always, you can find Jess and Trisha at the WIR email address ([email protected]). You can also find us on Twitter (@jessisreading and @trishahaleybrwn), or Instagram (@jess_is_reading and @trishahaleybrown). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Jenn discusses odd jobs in sci-fi and fantasy. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! Check out our new newsletter, The Deep Dive, at bookriot.substack.com. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Books Discussed Chosen Spirits by Samit Basu (cw: religious bigotry, police brutality, discussion of rape) Timekeeper by Tara Sim (cw: panic disorder) Bonus: Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sharifah and Jenn discuss the D&D movie trailer, awards season, Afrofuturist book vending machines, and their favorite books of 2023 so far. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! Check out our new newsletter, The Deep Dive. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. News It’s time to nominate for the Hugos! Nebula Award Finalists [SFWA] D&D: Honor Among Thieves Movie Trailer [Vulture] Book vending machines for Black and Indigenous authors [WBUR] Books Discussed The Mimicking of Known Successes by Malka Older (cw: mention of animal cruelty) The Daughters of Izdihar by Hadeer Elsbai (cw: violent misogyny, sexual assault, police brutality, homophobia) Bad Cree by Jessica Johns (cw: alcohol addiction, death of a sibling) Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez, translated by Megan McDowell (all the CWs) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Sharifah discusses some favorite backlist cosmic horror. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! Check out our newest newsletter, The Deep Dive. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Books Discussed: The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle (cw: racism) White is for Witching by Helen Oyeyemi (cw: disordered eating, racism) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sharifah and Jenn discuss some newly discovered Terry Pratchett stories, good news from comics, bad news from AI, Victor LaValle’s Lone Women, and more. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! Check out our new newsletter, The Deep Dive. NEWS Eve Ewing is first Black Woman to write main Black Panther comic [Vibe] Revamping LOTR???? [Variety] Newly uncovered Pratchett short stories [The Guardian] Clarkesworld overwhelmed by AI-written stories [The Guardian] This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. BOOKS DISCUSSED Lone Women by Victor LaValle The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle The Changeling by Victor LaValle Destroyer by Victor LaValle The Devil in Silver by Victor LaValle “Proving Up” from Vampires in the Lemon Grove by Karen Russell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Jenn discusses two sea-worthy SF/F books. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. BOOKS DISCUSSED In Deeper Waters by F.T. Lukens Tentacle by Rita Indiana, translated by Achy Obejas (cw: homophobia and transphobia, racism, slurs, slavery, lots of violence of various kinds including sexual) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sharifah and guest Vanessa discuss news including an Afrofuturist Netflix series, the discovery of a possibly habitable planet, The Fifth Season RPG, and talk about SFF TikTok and Reels. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! We’re hiring for a full-stack web developer! Get all the details here. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. NEWS Netflix’s new Afrofuturist series [Rolling Stone] A possibly habitable planet [IFLScience] Sphere‘s 25th anniversary and new series [Space.com] The Fifth Season RPG [Backerkit] Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur now streaming [Disney+ Informer] VIDEO RECOMMENDATIONS Tomes and Textiles, plus this vid, and this vid (mentioned) cultofbooks (mentioned) jemilabereadin (mentioned) torithatnerd (mentioned) Dreareads (mentioned) pagemelt Danzibooks latearareads theroomiesdigest bookofthegay darrelyeo madisontican Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Sharifah discusses stand-alone sci-fi and fantasy. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. BOOKS DISCUSSED In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sharifah and Jenn discuss adaptation news including a deal for Kiese Laymon’s Long Division, AI-proof fashion, and dodos, and recommend new-ish books they love. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! We’re hiring for a full-stack web developer! Get all the details here. NEWS Kindred adaptation is canceled [Tor.com] Bringing back the dodo??? [Gizmodo] Long Division adaptation in the works [Deadline] All hail Angela Bassett! [CNN] AI-confusing fashion [Peta Pixel] This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. BOOKS DISCUSSED Her Majesty’s Royal Coven by Juno Dawson (cw: animal death, transphobia, graphic violence) The Genesis of Misery by Neon Yang (cw: mention of child abuse, graphic violence) The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna (cw: partner/caregiver abuse, racism) A Prayer for the Crown Shy by Becky Chambers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Jenn steals Sharifah’s idea and discusses some backlist from her 2023 TBR pile. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. BOOKS DISCUSSED Popisho by Leone Ross The Seas by Samantha Hunt In the Quick by Kate Hope Day Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sharifah and Jenn discuss exciting adaptation news including Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and look at their recommending stats from 2022’s year in SF/F. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! NEWS Follow-Up on Wakanda Forever on Disney+, courtesy of listener Megan Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur Trailer [Gizmodo] Book Riot’s Most Anticipated of 2023 (shout-out to Our Share of Night by Mariana Enríquez, translated by Megan McDowell) More D&D shenanigans, this time with creator licensing: TechCrunch and The Mary Sue Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon TV Series in the works [Tor.com] This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. 2022 STATS Most Recommended Books: How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century by Kim Fu Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki When We Were Birds by Ayanna Lloyd Banwo Siren Queen by Nghi Vo August Kitko and the Mechas from Space by Alex White The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean Nona the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir Most Recommended Authors: Nghi Vo T. Kingfisher Silvia Moreno-Garcia NK Jemisin Top 5 Most Popular Episodes: More Favorites from Early 2022 Early 2022 Favorites Part 1 Comfort Reads in SF/F SFF Mystery Award-Winning Short Fiction Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Sharifah discusses a couple of books on her TBR for 2023. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. BOOKS DISCUSSED The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin I, Tituba Black Witch of Salem by Maryse Condé Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sharifah and Jenn discuss the Renfield trailer, a new bookstore honoring Octavia Butler, their most anticipated books for January through June of 2023, and more! Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. NEWS DISCUSSED A new bookstore in Pasadena: Octavia’s Bookshelf [LAist] Trailer for Renfield [Twitter] Most Anticipated [The Mary Sue] Wakanda Forever Streaming 2/1 [Twitter] BOOKS DISCUSSED Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi (2/14) – William Morrow Lone Women by Victor LaValle (3/21) – One World A Brief History of Living Forever by Jaroslav Kalfar (3/28) – Little Brown Untethered Sky by Fonda Lee (4/11) – Tordotcom The Haunting of Alejandra by V. Castro (Apr 18) – PRH The Mimicking of Known Successes by Malka Older (Mar 7) – Tordotcom Witch King by Martha Wells (May 30) – Tordotcom JENN’S EXTENDED LIST Daughters of Izdihar by Hadeer Elsbai (1/10) Karma of the Sun by Brandon Ying Kit Boey (1/17) Vampire Weekend by Mike Chen (1/31) Everything Good Dies Here by Djuna, translated by Adrian Thieret (3/7) The Ten Percent Thief by Lavanya Lakshminarayan (3/28) Titanium Noir by Nick Harkaway (5/16) Translation State by Ann Leckie (6/6) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Jenn discusses two 2022 releases that she didn’t get to talk about in 2022. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. BOOKS DISCUSSED The Stars Undying by Emery Robin At Midnight edited by Dahlia Adler Gita Trelease,“In the Forests of the Night” Tracy Deonn, “The Emperor and the Eversong” Darcie Little Badger, “Coyote in High-Top Sneakers” Stacey Lee, “Fire and Rhinestones” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sharifah and Jenn discuss discuss The Witches of Mayfair trailer, a D&D update, 2022’s award winners and books selected as “Best Of,” and more. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! Need a last minute gift? Tailored Book Recommendations can help. NEWS D&D officially removing the word “race” from updated edition [GameRant] Trailer for Mayfair Witches [Tor.com] A very normal interview with Emily St. John Mandel [Slate] Avatar Stamps in New Zealand [Nerdist] BEST OF DISCUSSION Jenn’s highly unscientific spreadsheet Books Recurring on Best Of Lists, In Order: Babel by RF Kuang Siren Queen by Nghi Vo The Candy House by Jennifer Egan How High We Go in the Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel Goliath by Tochi Onyebuchi House of Sky and Breath (Crescent City, #2) by Sarah J. Maas The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century by Kim Fu 2022 Award Winners Premee Mohamad: “And What Can We Offer You Tonight” (World Fantasy), and “The Annual Migration of Clouds” (Aurora) P. Djèlí Clark, A Master of Djinn (Ignyte) and Ring Shout (Nommo) See the spreadsheet for others and for source links! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Sharifah discusses some SF/F comfort reads. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. BOOKS DISCUSSED Finna by Nino Cipri (cw: misgendering) Gingerbread by Helen Oyeyemi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sharifah and Jenn discuss spending a night in Hobbiton, a Dark Tower adaptation, the Kindred trailer, weigh in on the Willow reboot, and more. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. NEWS Spend the night in Hobbiton [Book Riot] Dark Tower being adapted by Amazon [Gizmodo] The Kindred Trailer [Shadow and Act] A new Nigerian vampire comic & TV show [Tor.com] WILLOW Willow (2022) Willow Series Universe Explained [Collider] Willow: A Novel by Wayland Drew Ewoks: The Battle for Endor (Cindel!) Chronicles of the Shadow War by Chris Claremont Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Jenn discusses publishers of SF/F gift editions to consider for holiday gifting. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! And, you can also gift TBR! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. PUBLISHERS DISCUSSED Folio Society (Kindred by Octavia Butler, Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet by Ta-Nehisi Coates) Subterranean Press (The Jade Setter of Janloon by Fonda Lee) Penguin Classics Deluxe Editions (The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jenn and guest Erica Ezeifedi discuss a handful of good news stories including the winners of the Shirley Jackson Awards, and talk about fictional worlds. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! NEWS DISCUSSED Black Panther: Wakanda Forever smashes box office records [The Mary Sue] Shirley Jackson Award Winners 2021 [Locus] Moon Girl & Devil Dinosaur Teaser [Twitter] This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. BOOKS DISCUSSED Valerie Valdes’s world of the Chilling Effect series Nghi Vo’s Singing Hills Cycle world The Inheritance of Orquídea Divina by Zoraida Córdova Premee Mohamad’s The Rising world Micaiah Johnson’s The Space Between Worlds Charlie Jane Anders’ City in the Middle of the Night Murderbot Universe by Martha Wells Master of Djinn by P. Djèlí Clark Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas Flyaway by Kathleen Jennings The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden Alice by Christina Henry (many content warnings) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Sharifah discusses two of her favorite SF/F reads with wintery vibes. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. BOOKS DISCUSSED Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik (cw: antisemitism, domestic abuse, child abuse, mention of rape & sexual assault, death of a child, animal death) Radio Silence by Alyssa Cole (cw: racism, attempted rape) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sharifah and Jenn answer listener requests and give their favorites for gifting this holiday season in an extra-long episode! Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! LISTENER QUESTIONS 1. Hi there, I heard you were looking for holiday recommendation requests. I would like to ask for readalikes for books like Winter’s Orbit by Everina Maxwell or A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland. (I’ve been really enjoying the “Red White & Royal Blue but make it fantasy/scifi” trend lately.) Thank you, Morgan 2. Hi Sharifah and Jenn, I’m looking for SF/F gifting advice for my dad. He used to be a big fantasy reader when he was younger (some of his favorite authors were Ursula K. Le Guin and Terry Pratchett) but doesn’t read as much now. The last SF/F he read and loved was the Murderbot series. Do you have any SF/F recommendations that are fast-paced, on the shorter side, and possibly reminiscent of classic fantasy? I love the podcast and particularly love that you recommend excellent new and backlist titles. Thank you, Emma This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. BOOKS DISCUSSED Sorcerer to the Crown by Zen Cho (cw: racism, misogyny) The Tensorate Series by Neon Yang (cw: harm to children including medical experimentation and death) Spear by Nicola Griffith (cw: mention of rape) Light Years from Home by Mike Chen (cw: dementia, loss of a parent) The Dawnhounds by Sascha Stronach (cw: so many, espec homo/trans phobia and body horror) The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna (cw: child neglect) The Way Spring Arrives And Other Stories, edited by Yu Chen and Regina Kanyu Wang (cw: many, depending on story) The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd For a complete list of books discussed in this episode, visit our website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Jenn discusses airships in SF/F, courtesy of a listener request! Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. BOOKS DISCUSSED Ann Sei Lin’s Rebel Skies Nisi Shawl’s Everfair P. Djeli Clark’s Black God’s Drums Ken Liu’s Dandelion Dynasty series See Also: Alexis Hall’s Prosperity series Maria Dahvana Headley’s Magonia series Gail Carriger, Cherie Priest, Katherin Addison’s Goblin Emperor series Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sharifah and guest, Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, author of The Disordered Cosmos: A Journey into Dark Matter, Spacetime, and Dreams Deferred, discuss exciting news from Wakanda, the Ursula K. Le Guin Prize for Fiction winner and finalists, shout out some of their SF/F pop culture highlights of the year, so far, and more. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! Get your SF/F gifting questions in to [email protected] by November 10! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. NEWS Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Tracking for $175M Opening [Variety] The 2022 Ursula K. Le Guin Prize for Fiction Winner and Finalists Never Let Me Go Drama Series [Hollywood Reporter] MEDIA DISCUSSED The Midnight Club (based on the Christopher Pike books) [Netflix] Alien Series marathon (Prometheus) Everything Everywhere All at Once Prey and Predator series marathon The DragonCon Costume Recap [New York Times] Pantheon [AMC+] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Sharifah discusses two backlist SF/F titles that are great for gifting. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! Check out our Reading the Stars giveaway! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. BOOKS DISCUSSED The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo Spaceman of Bohemia by Jaroslav Kalfař Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sharifah and Jenn discuss some happy news (the Kindred adaptation! Interior Chinatown!), some less happy RPG news, recommend creepy SF/F for Halloween season, and more. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! Follow-Up: Black No More by George S. Schuyler Get your SF/F gifting questions in to [email protected] by November 10! Check out the Reading the Stars giveaway, in collaboration with Obvious State. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. News Butler’s Kindred Series will premiere Dec 13 [The Root] Wizards of the Coast going to court to stop racist, transphobic RPG from being sold [Them] Fiona Apple writes LOTR song [EW] Interior Chinatown going to Hulu with Taika Waititi [Variety] Harvey Awards SFF highlights [Book Riot] Books Discussed Siren Queen by Nghi Vo (cw: self-harm, domestic violence, homophobia, mention of sexual assault) Lana Harper’s Witches of Thistle Grove series We Have Always Been Here by Lena Nguyen (cw: use of ableist language around mental health) Solaris by Stanislaw Lem The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson (cw: sexual abuse, pedophilia, animal sacrifice, grooming, racism) House of Hunger by Alexis Henderson Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice (cw: racism) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Jenn discusses speculative fiction from Indigenous authors in honor of Indigenous People’s Day. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Books Discussed Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger Future Home of the Living God by Louise Erdrich Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse Never Whistle At Night, co-edited by by Shane Hawk and Theodore C. Van Alst, Jr. (Fall 2023) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sharifah and Jenn discuss Marvel’s giant slate of offerings, some weird science, a Hocus Pocus Airbnb, and their favorite recently-published reads. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. News Stay at the Hocus Pocus House [EW] Weird Science: CIA funding de-extinction of the Woolly Mammoth?? [Gizmodo] Allllllll the upcoming Marvel MCU stuff [Variety] … and some setbacks on the Blade reboot [Variety] Books Discussed The Spear Cuts Through Water by Simon Jimenez (cw: use of ableist and homophobic slurs; lots of violence; child abuse; cannibalism) Nona the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir (cw: harm to women and children) Before You Start Nona – A Reading Plan: Reread Epilogue of Gideon the Ninth Reread Chaps 32 & Epilogue of Harrow the Ninth Read “As Yet Unsent” [Tor.com] Then read Nona The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean (cw: sexual assault; child abuse; child abduction; spousal abuse) The Last White Man by Mohsin Hamid (cw: racism; racially motivated violence; blackface) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Sharifah discusses two books by Latine authors for Latine/Hispanic Heritage Month. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Books Discussed Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova Infomocracy by Malka Older Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sharifah and Jenn discuss The Little Mermaid teaser, a profile of DragonCon, con-langs, and more, and dig into Alex White’s August Kitko and the Mechas from Space. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. News 2022 Hugo Awards [Tor.com] Little Mermaid teaser trailer reactions [Harper’s Bazaar] DragonCon gets profiled in the NYT [New York Times] Learn High Valyrian on Duolingo [Duolingo] Book Club August Kitko and the Mechas from Space by Alex White (cw: suicidal ideation, PTSD, violence) Also mentioned: Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki The Ballad of Perilous Graves by Alex Jennings Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Jenn discusses two creepy reads for heading into Fall. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Books Discussed The Dawnhounds by Sascha Stronach (cw: gore, institutionalized homophobia and transphobia, drug use) The Sentence by Louise Erdrich (cw: COVID, violence against protesters) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sharifah and Jenn discuss a ton of adaptation news including a new Stephen Graham Jones story and The Rings of Power, dig into speculative flash fiction, and more. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! Don’t forget to read along with us! Our next Book Club pick is August Kitko and the Mechas from Space by Alex White (cw: struggles with suicidal ideation). This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. News My Best Friend’s Exorcism trailer [EW] A deep dive into The Rings of Power [TIME] Parasyte: The Grey series announcement [Hollywood Reporter] Stephen Graham Jones’s Earthdiver GN to be adapted [Dread Central] Discussion Writers Digest: What Is Flash Fiction? Tor.com’s general flash fiction section and FIYAH collab Flash Fiction Online Futures | Nature Lightspeed Magazine Archives and Queers Destroy PseudoPod “No one sleeps on an empty stomach” by Lucy Zhang (Flash Fiction Online) “What Is Yours Is Yours” by K-Ming Chang (Flash Fiction Online) “Please fill out this form regarding your loved ones” by Carol Scheina (Nature Futures) “Teatime” by Zin E. Rocklyn (Tor.com) “If It Bit You” by Donyae Coles (PseudoPod) “The Disappearing Dream Engineer” by Rati Mehrotra (Lightspeed Magazine) “Bucket List Found in the Locker of Maddie Price, Age 14, Written Two Weeks Before the Great Uplifting of All Mankind” by Erica L. Satifka (Lightspeed Magazine) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Sharifah discusses some completed epic series. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Books Discussed Green Bone Saga by Fonda Lee (cw: Addiction, Overdose, Self-harm (mentioned), Sexual abuse of minor, Suicide (mentioned)) Broken Earth series by N.K. Jemisin (cw: Child abuse, Sexual abuse of minor, Death (including child, graphic), Racism, Rape, Slavery) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sharifah and Jenn discuss Hunger Games and Game of Thrones adaptation news and some awards lists, talk about their most anticipated sequels and series for the second half of 2022, and more. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. News Update on Game of Thrones spin-off shows (why are there 7!!!!) [AV Club] George R.R. Martin asks people not to speculate on his death [Book Riot] Viola Davis headlining Hunger Games Prequel adaptation [Essence] More information about the prequel [Hollywood Reporter] Aurora Awards, Sir Julius Vogel Awards, and Small Press Awards Finalists [File 770] Books Discussed The World We Make by NK Jemisin (Nov 1) Into the Riverlands by Nghi Vo (Oct 25) Fault Tolerance by Valerie Valdes The Immortality Thief by Taran Hunt (Oct 11) The Atlas Paradox by Olivie Blake (10/25) The Oleander Sword by Tasha Suri Nona the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir (9/13) A Prayer for Crown Shy by Becky Chambers Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Jenn discusses some of her favorite dragons in sci-fi and fantasy. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Books Discussed Dealing with Dragons (Enchanted Forest Chronicles #1) by Patricia C. Wrede Phoenix Extravagant by Yoon-Ha Lee Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sharifah and guest host Vanessa discuss Nichelle Nichols’ legacy, the Wakanda Forever teaser, the Ursula K. Le Guin Prize shortlist, and, once again, pair musical tracks with SF/F books. Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! *This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission News Star Trek Actress and Icon Nichelle Nichols, RIP Watch the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Teaser Trailer Check Out the Shortlist for the Inaugural Ursula K. Le Guin Prize for Fiction Books Discussed When Women Were Dragons by Kelly Barnhill (CW: terminal illness, child neglect, all kinds of misogyny) Mixtape Tracks: “Freedom” by Beyoncé + Kendrick Lamar (+ “Don’t Hurt Yourself”); “King” by Florence + the Machine; “Breaking Dishes” by Rihanna; “Truth Hurts” by Lizzo; Nicki’s verse on “Monster” by Jay-Z and Kanye (Honorable Mention: “Not Ready to Make Nice” by The Chicks or “Armor” by Sara Bareilles) The Ballad of Perilous Graves by Alex Jennings Mixtape Tracks: “Rollercoasters” by Tank and the Bangas; “God Bless the Child” by Billie Holiday; “Sinnerman” by Nina Simone; “Cry” by Jon Batiste, “New Orleans Bump” by Jelly Roll Mortin The Daughter of Doctor Moreau by Silvia Moreno-Garcia (CW: physical abuse) Mixtape Tracks: “Flor De Azahar” by Trovadores Yucatecos; “Sabor a Mi” by Alvaro Carrillo (and Luis Miguel); “Rata de Dos Patas” by Paquita la del Barrio; “Hasta la Raiz” by Natalia Lafourcade; “Morena Mia” by Girl Ultra Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao (CW: mention of sexual assault (no on page depictions), suicidal ideation, physical and emotional abuse, alcohol addiction, torture) Mixtape Track: “Army of Me” by Björk; “Spring Breeze” by Hiperson; “Apocalipstick” by Cherry Glazerr; “Circular Ward” by RUBUR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, Sharifah discusses friendship in backlist sci-fi and fantasy! Follow the podcast via RSS here, Apple Podcasts here, Spotify here. The show can also be found on Stitcher here. To get even more SF/F news and recs, sign up for our Swords and Spaceships newsletter! We’re hiring! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Books & Links Discussed Wayward Children series by Seanan McGuire The Black God’s Drums by P. Djèlí Clark Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices