We begin our walk through the 2024 nominees for Best Novel from the Hugo and Nebula Awards. First up: “Starter Villain” by John Scalzi, “Translation State” by Ann Leckie, and “Witch King” by Martha Wells.

2024 Awards Book Club part 1

Jason Snell with Erika Ensign, Aleen Simms, Scott McNulty and Heather Berberet

Referenced Works

Translation State [Amazon] [Apple]

Witch King [Amazon] [Apple]

Starter Villain [Amazon] [Apple]

Show Notes & Links

Our next books, as the shortlist reading rolls on!

• Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh
• The Terraformers by Annalee Newitz
• Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon by Wole Talabi

What are we reading?

• Aleen: Belladonna and Regency Faerie Tales
• Erika: Ruin and Rising and System Collapse
• Scott: Mal Goes to War
• Jason: Paladin of Souls

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Put on your mouse ears and step into the TARDIS! We’re discussing the return (rebirth? regeneration?) of “Doctor Who” in 2024, this time on Disney+ (and the BBC). It’s a new era with an old showrunner. How did the 2023 specials hit us, where should curious viewers start watching, and what are our hopes for the coming season?

"Doctor Who" anticipation

Jason Snell with Erika Ensign, Steven Schapansky, Annette Wierstra and Kelly Guimont

Referenced Works

Doctor Who [Amazon]

Show Notes & Links

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Why does discussing the overlooked 1991 classic “Dead Again” feel like we’re living a past life? Maybe it’s the shock of seeing young Sir Kenneth Branagh (attempting a weird American accent) and Dame Emma Thompson. Maybe it’s Sir Derek Jacobi making us wonder if that stutter is an “I, Claudius” reference. Maybe it’s the whole romantic fantasy thing, with a Hitchcockian past intruding on a 1990s present.

"Dead Again"

Jason Snell with Glenn Fleishman, Erika Ensign, Annette Wierstra, Dr. Drang and Shannon Sudderth

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It’s time to celebrate the music of the first decade of this century via our 2000s album draft! From opera to show tunes, we’ve got several musical styles covered—and those are just Andy’s picks! Why do James’s picks leave us cold? What is Erika’s favorite Beat Saber band? Why does Kelly use karaoke as therapy? How does Shelly tactically use remixes? And why did Brian insist on editing this episode?

2000s Album Draft

Jason Snell with Brian Hamilton, James Thomson, Shelly Brisbin, Erika Ensign, Kelly Guimont and Andy Ihnatko

Show Notes & Links

• Brian - Give Up - Postal Service (2003)
• James - The Understanding - Röyksopp (2005)
• Shelly - Verve Remixed - Various Artists (2002-2008)
• Erika - A Fever You Can’t Sweat Out - Panic! At the Disco (2005)
• Kelly - The Fame Monster - Lady Gaga (2009)
• Andy - Back to Black - Amy Winehouse (2006)
• Jason - Frou Frou - Details (2002)
• Brian - Minutes to Midnight - Linkin Park (2007)
• James - Set Yourself on Fire - Stars (2004)
• Shelly - Satellite Rides - Old ’97s (2001)
• Erika - Why Should the Fire Die - Nickel Creek (2005)
• Kelly - Bleed American - Jimmy Eat World (2001)
• Andy - The Producers (Original Broadway Cast Album) (2001)
• Jason - Mike Doughty - Haughty Melodic (2005)
• Brian - Nine Inch Nails - Year Zero (2007)
• James - They Live - Evil Nine (2009)
• Shelly - Children Running Through - Patty Griffin (2007)
• Erika - Commit This To Memory - Motion City Soundtrack (2005)
• Kelly - LCD Soundsystem - LCD Soundsystem (2005)
• Andy - La Traviata (Violetta) - Anna Netrebko, Rolando Villazón (2005)
• Jason - Glen Phillips - Abulum (2000)

“Bring Out Your Beats” round

Brian

• Enter Shikari: Common Dreads
• My Chemical Romance: The Black Parade
• The White Stripes: Icky Thump
• Fall Out Boy: Take This To Your Grave
• Death Cab for Cutie: Plans
• Gorillaz: Demon Days
• The Shins: Wincing the Night Away
• As I Lay Dying: An Ocean Between Us
• Kanye West: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
• Spring Awakening: Original Broadway Cast Recording

James

• Annie - Anniemal (2004)
• Bitter Ruin - Bitter Ruin (2007)
• Digitalism - Idealism (2007)
• DJ Format - If You Can’t Join ‘Em… Beat Em (2005)
• Lemon Jelly - ‘64-‘95 (2005)
• Metric - Old World Underground (2003)
• The Prodigy - Invaders Must Die (2009)
• The Chemical Brothers - Push the Button (2005)

Shelly

• Live from Austin, TX / Neko Case
• 1000 Kisses / Patty Griffin
• The Miracle of Five / Elena Mandell
• Fox Confessor Brings the Flood / Neko Case
• Somewhere Near Patterson / Richard Shindell
• Raising Sand / Robert Plant and Allison Krauss
• Hard-Hearted Woman: A Celebration of Wanda Jackson / Various Artists
• Bring on the Beats / The Ugly Beats
• No Previous Record / Cheryl Wheeler (Fan list bootlag double album produced by Shelly)

Erika

• Rainy Day Music (2003) - The Jayhawks
• Warm Strangers (2004) - Vienna Teng
• American Idiot (2004) - Green Day
• 40 Days (2004) and Firecracker (2006) by the Wailin Jennys
• The Invisible Band (2001) - Travis
• The Guest (2002) and Raise the Dead (2008) - Phantom Planet
• Taking the Long Way (2006) The Chicks
• Keep it Together (2003) - Guster
• Traffic and Weather (2007) - Fountains of Wayne

Kelly

• Matthew Good - Hospital Music 2007
• Jay Z the blueprint 3 - 2009 (almost black album 2003?)
• Placebo - Meds 2006
• Killers - Sam’s Town 2006
• New Order - Get ready 2001
• BYOD: White Label Extended Version
• Pet Shop Boys/Fundamental 2006

Jason

• Matt Nathanson - Some Mad Hope
• Guster - Keep It Together
• Explosions in the Sky - The Earth Is Not a Cold Dead Place
• Easy Star All Stars - Radiodread
• Neil Finn - One All
• Bob Mould - Body of Song / District Line / Life and Times
• Say Anything - In Defense of the Genre
• Paramore - Brand New Eyes
• Cartel - Chroma

Longlists

James

• The Avalanches - Since I Left You (2001)
• Calvin Harris - I Created Disco (2007)
• Cut Copy - Bright Like Neon Love (2005)
• Chromeo - Fancy Footwork (2007)
• Clor - Clor (2005)
• Daft Punk - Discovery (2001)
• The Dead 60s - The Dead 60s (2005)
• Death In Vegas - Scorpio Rising (2002)
• DJ Shadow - The Private Press (2002)
• Fatboy Slim - Halfway Between the Gutter and the Stars (2000)
• Goldfrapp - Black Cherry (2003)
• Justice - † (2007)
• Kinobe - Soundphiles (2000)
• Mylo - Destroy Rock & Roll (2006)
• Pendulum - In Silico (2008)
• The Presets - Apocalypso (2008)
• Quantic - Apricot Morning (2002)
• RJD2 - Deadringer (2002)
• Shiny Toy Guns - We Are Pilots (2005)
• Simian Mobile Disco - Attack Decay Sustain Release (2007)
• Vitalic - OK Cowboy (2005)

Shelly

• Defying Gravity / Ol 97s
• Thrill / Eleni Mandell
• (self-titled) / Buddy and Julie Miller
• Elephant / The White Stripes
• Sister Holler / Narissa and Katrina Nields

Erika

• Rainy Day Music (2003) - The Jayhawks
• Warm Strangers (2004) - Vienna Teng
• American Idiot (2004) - Green Day
• 40 Days (2004) and Firecracker (2006) by the Wailin Jennys
• The Invisible Band (2001) - Travis
• The Guest (2002) and Raise the Dead (2008) - Phantom Planet
• Taking the Long Way (2006) The Chicks
• Keep it Together (2003) - Guster
• Traffic and Weather (2007) - Fountains of Wayne
• Cynical (2005) - Sunspot

Jason

• BT - Movement in Still Life
• Coldplay - A Rush Of Blood To The Head
• Death Cab for Cutie - Narrow Stairs
• Death Cab for Cutie - Plans
• Imogen Heap - Ellipse
• Imogen Heap - Speak for Yourself
• John Mayer - Room for Squares
• Kelly Clarkson - Breakaway
• Peter Gabriel - Up
• Radiohead - In Rainbows
• Say Anything - Say Anything
• U2 - All That You Can’t Leave Behind

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Our book club reconvenes to discuss the “Shades of Magic” series by V.E. Schwab, as well as the start of a second trilogy, “The Fragile Threads of Power.” Before the spoilers begin, we’ll explain the parallel fantasy world structure and explain why it’s such a great series. Then we’ll discuss the newest book in the series.

Plus: What are we reading?

"The Fragile Threads of Power"

Jason Snell with Scott McNulty, Erika Ensign, Aleen Simms and Heather Berberet

Referenced Works

The Fragile Threads of Power [Amazon] [Apple]

Show Notes & Links

Listener’s Note: Our annual shortlist tour begins in our next episode with “Translation State” by Ann Leckie, “Witch King” by Martha Wells, and “Starter Villain” by John Scalzi.

What are we reading?

Scott:

• The Corax Trilogy
• Trust by Hernan Diaz

Aleen:

• The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh
• Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
• Heart of the Sun Warrior by Sue Lynn Tan

Heather:

• The Red Scholar’s Wake by Aliette de Bodard
• Vagina Obscura: An Anatomical Voyage by Rachel E. Gross
• How I Won a Nobel Prize by Julius Taranto

Erika:

• Bookshops and Bonedust by Travis Baldree
• Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs
• A Wizard’s Guide to Defensive Baking by T. Kingfisher

Jason:

• Titanium Noir by Nick Harkaway
• The Expert System’s Brother by Adrian Tchaikovsky

Shades of Magic series

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Just when we thought we were out, they pulled us back in! Long after we recorded our first episodes about “The Godfather,” our panelists get back together to talk about the late-sequel “The Godfather Part III,” or is it “The Godfather Coda: The Death of Michael Corleone” now? Only Francis knows for sure.

"The Godfather III/Coda"

Jason Snell with John Siracusa, John Gruber, Chip Sudderth and Moisés Chiullán

Referenced Works

The Godfather Part III (Coda)

Show Notes & Links

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Get on your sandworm and head south! It’s time to discuss “Dune Part 2,” a sequel with more sand, more Fremen, and more time spent at the super weird planet of the villainous Harkonnen family. Is Paul the hero, or… something else? Dust off the family atomics and join us, won’t you?

"Dune Part 2"

Jason Snell with Jean MacDonald, Kelly Guimont, Guy English and Brian Warren

Referenced Works

Dune Part 2

Show Notes & Links

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It’s the first-ever Reboot a Bad Movie draft! In which our stalwart panelists grab an intellectual-property loser off the shelf, dust it off, and re-envision it in a new way that could maybe, possibly be a hit with modern audiences.

Moisés Chiullán with Lisa Schmeiser, David J. Loehr, Cicero Holmes and Monty Ashley

Show Notes & Links

• Cicero: Madame Web! A New Jukebox Musical
• Monty: On Stranger Tides Minus Pirates of the Caribbean
• David: Doc Savage: Man of Bronze
• Lisa: The Eternals 11
• Moisés: Howard: The Duck: The Series
• Monty: Cutthroat Island
• David: Buck Rogers in the 25th Century
• Lisa: The New Mutants Go To Camp aka New Mutantballs aka Wet Hot Mutagenic Summer
• Cicero: Batman vs. Superman: Death of the Family
• Moisés: Masters of the Universe: Infinity Crisis Quest

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Nobody is more surprised than Antony Johnston to find he’s now a cozy crime author. Dan Moren sniffs out the secrets of his “Dog Sitter Detective” series.

Dan Moren with Antony Johnston

Referenced Works

The Dog Sitter Detective

Show Notes & Links

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We conclude our movie-by-movie review of the “Back to the Future” series with the western-themed third installment, which features less time travel shenanigans and more old-west shenanigans.

"Back to the Future Part III"

Jason Snell with Lex Friedman, John Siracusa, Brian Warren, Monty Ashley and Moisés Chiullán

Sponsors

• Porkbun: Get $1 off your next domain name with the code THEINCOMPARABLE24.

Referenced Works

Back to the Future Part III

Back to the Future (series) [Amazon]

Show Notes & Links

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It’s time again. Time! To go forward in time, then backward—or is it sideways?—in time, then further back in time, and then maybe even further back in time. It’s time for the bland future of 2015, the apocalyptic alt-present of 1985, and a familiar 1955. But most of all, it’s time for a Crisis on Infinite Biffs. It’s “Back to the Future Part II.”

"Back to the Future Part II"

Jason Snell with John Siracusa, Dan Moren, Brian Warren and Shelly Brisbin

Referenced Works

Back to the Future Part II

Back to the Future (series) [Amazon]

Show Notes & Links

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