Hugo and Nebula Readership Podcast

In this episode of the Hugo and Nebula Readership Podcast, sisters Ann and Alice are discussing The Gods Themselves by Isaac Asimov. Written in 1972, this book won both Hugo and Nebula, if you are keeping track. This parallel universe sandwich type story of academic scientists, aliens, more scientists
had us railing at the heavens. And laughing our asses off.
Here's a listening guide if you should care to dive in:
1:12 Book jacket read
2:46 History Lesson
7:14 We dive into the Big Topics and Themes
8:45 Part 1 – following the format of the book, we start in the logical place
23:33 Part 2 – spoiler alert, our favorite
41:26 Part 3 – not our favorite
54:14 The Four Questions

In this episode, the two sisters tackle the nebula award winner from 1972 - A Time of Changes by Robert Silverberg. Our man, a regular World con attendee, and prolific writer created a science fiction piece, and to us  - almost a fantasy, while undertaking a personal writing challenge - to create a story without using the word "I". So did this idea work?  We definitely had our own opinions.
Here are some time markers to help guide you:
01:42 Book Jacket read (We say the names)
03:57 History Lesson
08:22 Tackling the Big Themes: Struggle bus time
11:31 The concept of writing without using "I"
12:13 Segway into Mindsharing
15:46 The New Wave style of writing
17:42 World Building, but it somehow fades to the background
20:54 Discussion of Bond Brothers/Sisters
24:30 Chosen one vs. the sidekick
25:40 We Segway again - this time into sex and character development 
31:25 Earthman = Drug Dealer
33:26 Four questions

In this episode of the Hugo and Nebula Readership Podcast the two sisters are reading To Your Scattered Bodies Go or Riverworld by Philip Jose Farmer. It won the Hugo in 1972.  The reason for the double name is that the first book - To your scattered bodies go - is now rarely published by itself but can be more easily found with its series under the series name - Riverworld.  In this novel filled with historical characters, we ultimately were awash with questions.  Listen and find out why.
Here are some time markers for you:
01:24 Book jacket read
03:50 History lesson
10:39 Big Themes
13:10 Other peoples' reviews - did that help us?
18:44 Protagonist and friends
23:40 Storyline and pacing and world-building, oh my
26:15 Adaptations and games
29:00 Suicide express and characters 
31:20 Action writer, pulp writer
34:50 Women Characters - well, it's a thing
43:40 Four Questions

In this Episode of the Hugo and Nebula Readership Podcast, the two sisters tackle Ringworld by Larry Niven.  The book won the Nebula in 1970 and the Hugo in 1971.  While highly praised by the SF world it was a bit of a struggle bus for us both.  Listen in and find out why.
In a skipping mood? Here are some time markers to assist you:
01:15 Book jacket read but we have no book jacket
02:50 History Lesson
06:15 Tackling the Big themes 
10:20 Big Science or Plot driven characters - can't we have both? 
18:24 Throwback tropes 
20:24 Characters 
30:00 Why Alice launches the book across the room
35:40 Other reviews of the book
38:14 The Four Questions

Welcome to the Hugo and Nebula Readership Podcast where two sisters are reading their way through the Hugo and Nebula awarding novels in order. This episode is the highly anticipated Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula Le Guin which won both the Hugo and the Nebula in 1970.  It was a big hit with both sisters; we're singing praises in this rather short episode
 
Would you like to jump around and hit the high points? Here are the time markers to do just that:
01:32 Book Jacket Read
03:13 History Lesson
08:30 Big Themes - Love and Gender
13:14 Pronouns and Gender
17:19 Genly's perspective and Gender
22:22 Characters and storyline
34:40 Amazing world building
40:00 Four Questions