78 episodes

A biweekly podcast exploring the history of science fiction from the Renaissance to the present day. Astrophysicist and sci-fi enthusiast Alex Howe explores how the classic books, movies, and TV shows influenced the development of the genre and continue to do so today, with book recommendations for each episode.

A Reader's History of Science Fiction Alex Howe

    • Arts

A biweekly podcast exploring the history of science fiction from the Renaissance to the present day. Astrophysicist and sci-fi enthusiast Alex Howe explores how the classic books, movies, and TV shows influenced the development of the genre and continue to do so today, with book recommendations for each episode.

    S2E25: Lisa Yaszek Interview2

    S2E25: Lisa Yaszek Interview2

    In the series finale, I interview Dr. Lisa Yaszek, a sci-fi historian from Georgia Tech, about where we can expect science fiction to go in the future.
    Dr. Yaszek's recommendations:
    Wormwood Trilogy by Tade Thompson
    The Matrix
    Sunspot Jungle, ed. Bill Campbell
    Other works discussed:
    Binti Trilogy by Nnedi Okorafor
    "The Sixth World" by Nanobah Becker
    The Stars are Legion by Kameron Hurley
    The Universe of Xuya series by Aliette de Bodard
    Unstoppable series by Charlie Jane Anders

    • 1 hr 10 min
    Catch-Up Episode #9: Classics Lightning Round

    Catch-Up Episode #9: Classics Lightning Round

    Okay, not exactly all classics and not exactly lightning either, but in this episode, I discuss four books that I wanted to talk about in Season 1, but never got around to.
    Book recommendation: Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
    Other books discussed:
    Helliconia Trilogy by Brian Aldiss
    The Road by Cormac McCarthy
    Battlefield Earth by L. Ron Hubbard

    • 20 min
    S2E23: Space Opera

    S2E23: Space Opera

    In this episode, I discuss the precise nature of space opera, its origins, and its path through the history of sci-fi up to the current resurgence it's had in recent years.
    Book recommendation: The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers

    • 26 min
    S2E22: Catch-Up Episode #8: Space Sci-Fi

    S2E22: Catch-Up Episode #8: Space Sci-Fi

    Not quite as space-themed as I intended, but these are the latest stories about aliens and comets and such.
    Movie recommendation: Dune (2021)
    Other works discussed:
    Greenland
    Don't Look Up
    Moonfall (anti-recommended)
    The Tomorrow War
    The Firefly tie-in novels

    • 20 min
    S2E21: Donna Barba Higuera Interview

    S2E21: Donna Barba Higuera Interview

    In this episode, I interview Donna Barba Higuera, author of the Newbery winning sci-fi novel, The Last Cuentista (which I've previously recommended).
    Donna's book recommendation: Reclaim the Stars, edited by Zoraida Córdova
    Donna's website

    • 42 min
    S2E20: Newbery Medal Winners

    S2E20: Newbery Medal Winners

    In this episode, I take one more look at children's science fiction by surveying the winners of the prestigious Newbery Medal.
    Book recommendation: The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera
    Other books discussed:
    A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
    Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien
    The Giver by Lois Lowry
    When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
    Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo

    • 19 min

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