Galaxies and Goddesses: A Sci-Fi & Fantasy Bookcast

Andrea and Elizabeth
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Books
  • Updated Biweekly

Join Andrea and Elizabeth, two book-loving besties, as they dive into the boundless worlds of science fiction and fantasy! From epic space operas to enchanted realms, they break down the books they've read, spilling their thoughts on plot twists, worldbuilding, and the characters they love (or love to hate). Expect lively discussions, unfiltered opinions, occasional book-related tangents, and plenty of nerdy joy as they explore the most spellbinding and mind-bending stories across the genres. So grab your favorite cozy drink, settle in, and get ready to turn the page on a new adventure with Galaxies and Goddesses! New episodes are released bi-weekly on Thursdays! Follow & subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Instagram: www.instagram.com/galaxiesandgoddesses Patreon: patreon.com/GalaxiesandGoddesses Email: galaxiesandgoddesses@gmail

  1. 6d ago

    Assassin’s Apprentice: Our First Robin Hobb Deep Dive

    In this episode of Galaxies and Goddesses, Andrea and Elizabeth dive into Robin Hobb’s Assassin’s Apprentice. As the first book in the Farseer Trilogy, the story follows Fitz, a young royal bastard who is drawn into the dangerous world of court politics and magic. They talk about why this classic fantasy felt surprisingly familiar, yet how Hobb’s detailed writing and worldbuilding pulls in the reader. They also discuss favorite characters, the mysterious magic systems of the Skill and the Wit, and why they’re excited to read more. 01:41 Plot Recap and First Impressions02:43 Writing Style and Structure05:31 Names, Magic, and Influences10:34 Favorite Characters and Worldbuilding12:53 Words That Stuck with Us18:29 Word Choice and “Throve”20:50 YA Vibes and a Library Hunt24:05 Ratings 25:56 Bingo Squares and Final Wrap Additional References: The NPR Top 100 Science Fiction & Fantasy Books https://www.npr.org/2011/08/11/139085843/your-picks-top-100-science-fiction-fantasy-books

  2. Jul 30

    A Day, A Week, Forever, or Never: Dream Sci-Fi & Fantasy Vacations

    In this episode of Galaxies and Goddesses, Andrea and Elizabeth explore the science fiction and fantasy worlds they'd most like to visit, from cozy escapes in the Shire and Panga to magical cities like Velaris, and dragon filled adventures at Basgiath.. Along the way, they debate what makes a fictional destination truly vacation worthy, whether they'd stay for a day, a week, or forever, and which famous worlds they'd rather avoid. Their conversation wanders through magical libraries, dragon safaris, space travel, and the surprisingly practical details of visiting imaginary worlds. 00:44 Dragons, Wildlife, and Fantasy Safaris 02:53 Choosing the Perfect Fantasy Vacation 06:44 Cozy Escapes or Epic Adventures? 10:07 Would Sci-Fi Worlds Actually Be Fun? 11:38 The Reality of Space Travel 14:31 Unexpected Tangents 18:06 Forever is a Very Long Time 19:57 Books Inspiring Real Life Travel 26:11 Library Must See Travel Plans 28:50 Worlds to Avoid 30:28 Does Travel Change Your Reading? 34:09 Outro Books & Series Mentioned: The Lord of the Rings — J.R.R. TolkienA Court of Thorns and Roses — Sarah J. MaasA Psalm for the Wild-Built — Becky ChambersFourth Wing — Rebecca YarrosProject Hail Mary — Andy WeirFoundation series — Isaac AsimovThe Maid and the Crocodile — Jordan IfuekoA Discovery of Witches — Deborah HarknessBrimstone — Callie HartGame of Thrones  — George R. R. MartinDune — Frank HerbertSnow Flower and the Secret Fan — Lisa SeeMemoirs of a Geisha — Arthur Golden Other references: Artemis II astronauts have toilet trouble on their way towards the Moonhttps://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c87wy05wr4no

  3. Jul 16

    Second Foundation: Asimov’s Trilogy Comes Full Circle

    In this episode of Galaxies and Goddesses, Andrea and Elizabeth dive into Isaac Asimov's Second Foundation, the conclusion of the original Foundation trilogy. They discuss how the novel brings the series full circle while exploring its biggest ideas, including psychohistory, the rise and fall of civilizations, free will versus manipulation, and whether history can truly be predicted. Along the way, they examine the contrast between the First Foundation's physical sciences and the Second Foundation's mental sciences, debate the ethics of influencing society "for the greater good," and share why this classic science fiction trilogy continues to feel relevant more than 70 years after it was written. ⚠️ Spoiler warning: This episode contains discussion of major plot points from Second Foundation and the original Foundation trilogy. We avoid revealing the novel's biggest final twist. 03:28 Big Ideas That Stuck With Us 11:02 The Mystery of Second Foundation 14:03 Power, Control, and the Seldon Plan 22:59 Who Would You Recommend This Book 27:29 Final Thoughts and Ratings Additional References: The NPR Top 100 Science Fiction & Fantasy Books https://www.npr.org/2011/08/11/139085843/your-picks-top-100-science-fiction-fantasy-books Let’s Connect Podcast Instagram: @galaxiesandgoddesses If you loved the episode, be sure to subscribe and give a review!

  4. Jul 2

    Reading Goals Revisited: Our Mid-Year 2026 Book Check-In

    In this episode of Galaxies and Goddesses, Andrea and Elizabeth revisit reading goals and New Year's resolutions set back in January. They check in on their 26 in 2026 reading lists, compare mid-year reading stats, and share the books that have stood out most so far this year. They also talk about the challenge of choosing what to read next, the freedom to put down books that aren't working, and how their Summer Book Bingo is going. Whether you're crushing your reading goals or completely off track, join the bookish banter and perhaps discover your next great read. 00:50 Revisiting Our Reading Resolutions07:55 Mid Year Reading Stats10:15 Progress on Our 26 in 2026 Lists11:41 Our Favorite Books of the Year So Far16:24 Deciding What to Read Next21:41 Book Bingo Updates23:31 Books We Couldn't Finish24:36 How to Join Our Summer Book Bingo25:30 Reading Goals for the Rest of 202627:52 Closing Thoughts & Next Episode Books Discussed in This Episode : The Lord of the Rings — J. R. R. Tolkien The Hobbit — J. R. R. Tolkien Her Body and Other Parties — Carmen Maria Machado Katabasis — R. F. Kuang Klara and the Sun — Kazuo IshiguroThe Traveling Cat Chronicles — Hiro Arikawa Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil — V. E. SchwabAtmosphere — Taylor Jenkins ReidThere There  — Tommy OrangeThe Serviceberry — Robin Wall KimmererGood People — Patmeena Sabit Project Hail Mary — Andy WeirThe Mythmakers — John HendrixThe Housemaid — Freida McFaddenI'm Glad My Mom Died — Jennette McCurdy Let’s Connect Podcast Instagram: @galaxiesandgoddesses If you loved the episode, be sure to subscribe and give a review!

  5. Jun 18

    Foundation and Empire by Isaac Asimov: The Power of a Single Word or Character

    In this episode of Galaxies and Goddesses, Andrea and Elizabeth discuss Foundation and Empire, the second book in Isaac Asimov's Foundation trilogy. They explore the novel's central question: can one person change the course of history? Along the way, they examine psychohistory, Bayta's role as a standout female character, Asimov's concise writing style, and why Foundation and Empire felt like a stronger, more cohesive read than the first book. 05:39 The Group versus the Individual 08:27 Bayta as a Standout Character 12:25 Concise Words for Big Concepts 17:25 Unprintable Words 21:34 Needing a Break 25:14 Does History Repeat Itself? 30:18 Ratings & Final Thoughts Additional References: Bechdel Test https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bechdel_test Why is Genre Fiction Obsessed with Belisarius? https://reactormag.com/why-is-genre-fiction-obsessed-with-belisarius/

  6. Jun 4

    Put a Bird on It: Judging Books by Their Covers & Summer Book Bingo

    In this episode of Galaxies and Goddesses, Andrea and Elizabeth discuss the complicated world of book covers and how first impressions shape our reading expectations. From romantasy trends and movie tie-in editions to mass market paperbacks, special editions, and social media influence, they explore whether anyone can truly avoid judging a book by its cover. Along the way, they share stories about their current reads, misleading covers, and the books they almost didn’t want to be seen reading in public. Plus, they officially kick off the Galaxies and Goddesses Summer Book Bingo. 00:48 Currently Reading 04:01 Book Covers as Marketing 05:19 Blind Date with a Book 07:50 Special Editions and Movie Poster Covers 13:57 Social Media Influence 18:39 Misleading Covers 22:10 Embarrassing Covers 24:27 E-readers vs Physical Books 26:30 Summer Book Bingo Kickoff Books mentioned in the episode: Foundation and Empire by Isaac Asimov The Antidote by Karen Russell Dream Count by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie The Crazies: The Cattleman, the Wind Prospector, and the War Out West by Amy Gamerman Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid The Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan The Moonday Letters by Emmi Itäranta The Strawberry Thief by Joanne Harris Chocolat by Joanne Harris The Memory of Forgotten Things by Kat Zhang Come As You Are by Emily Nagoski Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon Portlandia – “Put a Bird on It” sketch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNpIOlDhigw

  7. May 21

    Reading Foundation in 2026: What Holds Up and What Feels Dated

    In this episode of Galaxies and Goddesses, Andrea and Elizabeth dive into Foundation by Isaac Asimov, one of the most influential works in classic science fiction. Together they explore the concept of psychohistory, and how the novel’s ideas about power, technology, religion, and knowledge preservation still resonate today. They also discuss what feels dated in a mid-century sci-fi classic, from communication technology to the near absence of women in positions of power, and reflect on how modern readers engage with older speculative fiction. Along the way, the conversation branches into AI, technological dependence, and why some books remain classics even when they challenge or frustrate us as readers.  01:01 Expectations for a Classic 03:04 Serialized Structure and Star Wars Vibes 05:48 Psychohistory and Power Politics 09:41 What Aged Poorly and Who Gets Included 14:13 Who Decides What is a Classic 17:43 Why is it a Classic 18:54 Tech Dependence And AI 29:30 Ratings And Wrap Up Freakonomics Radio episode “New Technologies Always Scare Us. Is AI Any Different?” https://freakonomics.com/podcast/new-technologies-always-scare-us-is-a-i-any-different The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist. 2026. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt39150120/

  8. May 7

    Independent Bookstore Day Adventures in Montana

    On this week’s episode of Galaxies and Goddesses, join Andrea and Elizabeth as they share their Independent Bookstore Day adventures on a bookish road trip through cozy indie bookshops in Bozeman and Livingston to an unexpected stop in West Yellowstone. They talk about the bookstores they visited, books they picked up, and the unique experiences that made each shop special, from discounts and staff picks to author events and community art. Along the way, they reflect on the role independent bookstores play in supporting local communities and connecting readers. If you love bookstore crawls and hauls this episode is for you.  00:59 What is Independent Bookstore Day 02:17 Bozeman Bookstores & Bargains 15:32 Livingston Bookstores & Community Vibes 23:17 West Yellowstone 27:57 Take a Book Leave a Book Finds 28:17 Overall Vibes 29:46 Thoughts for Next Year Books mentioned in this episode: Vesper Flights by Helen Macdonald Silver Sparrow by Tayari Jones Exhalation by Ted Chiang A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro Shōgun by James Clavell The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan A Marriage at Sea by Sophie Elmhirst The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer My Heart Is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

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Join Andrea and Elizabeth, two book-loving besties, as they dive into the boundless worlds of science fiction and fantasy! From epic space operas to enchanted realms, they break down the books they've read, spilling their thoughts on plot twists, worldbuilding, and the characters they love (or love to hate). Expect lively discussions, unfiltered opinions, occasional book-related tangents, and plenty of nerdy joy as they explore the most spellbinding and mind-bending stories across the genres. So grab your favorite cozy drink, settle in, and get ready to turn the page on a new adventure with Galaxies and Goddesses! New episodes are released bi-weekly on Thursdays! Follow & subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Instagram: www.instagram.com/galaxiesandgoddesses Patreon: patreon.com/GalaxiesandGoddesses Email: galaxiesandgoddesses@gmail

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