Hugo and Nebula Readership Podcast
28 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 1 year ago - ★★★★★ - 4 ratingsSisters Alice and Ann attempt to read their way through all of the Hugo and Nebula award-winning books.
Alice is a mother of one who is trying to get back in the habit of regular reading and who credits her sister Ann for her love of the Sci-Fi and Fantasy genres. Ann, a mother of two, has been and still is a voracious reader who hopes to improve her skill at book discussions.
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Episodes
A Time of Changes
February 22, 2023 17:00 - 36 minutes - 35.6 MBIn 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 Hi...
Riverworld
January 25, 2023 17:00 - 43 minutes - 41.4 MBIn 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. ...
Ringworld
December 03, 2022 21:22 - 44 minutes - 48.2 MBIn 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 - ca...
Left Hand of Darkness
September 21, 2022 16:00 - 45 minutes - 47.5 MBWelcome 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 ...
The 1960s in Review
June 22, 2022 19:00 - 35 minutes - 35.3 MBSisters Alice and Ann have read all of the novels that won either a Hugo award, a Nebula award, or both in the 1960s. In this episode, they look back on the experience and discuss how they think their readership is progressing. Want to skip to a specific topic? Here are some time stamps to help guide you: 01:10 Lost Episodes - Starship Troopers, Canticle for Lebowitz and Case for Conscience 04:00 We rank our favorites 10:18 Impactful vs. Enjoyable books 12:16 History Lessons ...
Rite of Passage
May 25, 2022 16:00 - 49 minutes - 48.4 MBWelcome to the Hugo and Nebula readership podcast where two sisters are reading their way through all - all, I say - the books in chronological order. This episode covers Rite of passage by Alexei Panshin which won the Hugo in 1969. This book is a great example of how two persons never read the same book. Here are some time markers to guide you through the episode 01:02 Book jacket read 02:29 History Lesson 04:39 A Heinlein moment 06:44 Open discussion: another Heinlein moment ...
Stand on Zanzibar
June 23, 2021 16:00 - 48 minutes - 45 MBWe're not quite hip enough for hip crime vocab, are you? On this episode of the Hugo and Nebula Readership podcast, the two sisters are reading the groundbreaking dystopia Stand on Zanzibar by John Brunner - it won the Hugo for 1969. Give us a listen. Want to skip a bit or jump to your favorite part? Here are the time markers for this episode: 01:51 Book’s Blurb which has no plot synopsis... 02:48 so we attempt one ourselves 05:40 History Lesson 12:26 General discussion and big...
The Einstein Intersection
April 21, 2021 16:00 - 46 minutes - 46.6 MBThis is the podcast where two sisters are reading their way through the Hugo and Nebula awarding novels in order. La, Lo or Le? In this episode, we discuss The Einstein Intersection by Samuel R. Delany. The Einstein Intersection won the Nebula for 1968. This tale of aliens and tangled human mythology was a challenging read for the two sisters who ultimately found the main character, Lobey, to be the best part. Want to skip a bit or jump to your favorite part? Here are the time mark...
Lord of Light
March 24, 2021 16:00 - 59 minutes - 57.7 MBWho is Sam? This is the podcast where two sisters are reading their way through the Hugo and Nebula awarding novels in order. In this episode, they discuss The Lord of Light by Roger Zelazny which won the Hugo award for 1968. The general theme for the discussion will be us questioning everything we think we read in the book. Want to skip a bit or jump to your favorite part? Here are the time markers for this episode: 01:44 Book’s Blurb 04:03 History Lesson 08:47 Big Quest...
Flowers for Algernon
November 18, 2020 17:00 - 45 minutes - 40.1 MBWould you choose to be supersmart? This podcast episode is all about the seminal Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes. If you are of a certain age you undoubtedly had it as required reading. The two sisters cast their minds back and struggle to remember when they actually read the book but are fairly certain they had previously read it in some form or other. The book tied with Babel-17 by Delany for the 1967 Nebula. Want to skip a bit or jump to your favorite part? Here are the time mar...
Babel-17
October 21, 2020 16:00 - 1 hour - 66.8 MBThis episode of the podcast covers Samuel R. Delany's Babel-17. A new author for both sisters, Delany’s 1967 Nebula winner was a record-breaker in many ways, have a listen to learn more. Want to skip a bit or jump to your favorite part? Here are the time markers for this episode: 02:04 Book’s blurb 03:13 History lesson 07:47 General discussion of themes working through the plot 31:29 More major themes discussion 38:07 Transport world and Dan 43:24 Our first female protagoni...
The Moon is a Harsh Mistress
September 23, 2020 16:00 - 59 minutes - 62.5 MBIn this episode of the podcast, the two sisters discuss the Moon is a Harsh Mistress, the final Hugo Award for Science Fiction Grand Master Robert A. Heinlein. Written in 1966, this is probably one of his more well-known novels for adults, but how did it compare in our opinion? Have a listen. Want to skip a bit or jump to your favorite part? Here are the time markers for this episode: 01:29 Book jacket read 03:16 History lesson 06:45 General discussion: big ideas, main ideas, all ...
This Immortal
July 22, 2020 16:00 - 48 minutes - 63.8 MBThis episode finds the sisters reading ..And Call Me Conrad (also known as This Immortal) by Roger Zelazny. It tied with Dune for the 1966 Hugo. A SF/Mystery/Spy/Classical Mythology story packed with (un)forgettable characters that we have a great time discussing. But did we like the book? Have a listen and find out. Want to skip a bit or jump to your favorite part? Here are the time markers for this episode: 01:50 Book’s Blurb - Actually the inside of the front cover, if you’d like to...
Dune
June 24, 2020 16:00 - 45 minutes - 55.9 MBIn this episode, the two sisters discuss the iconic Dune by Frank Herbert. It won both the Hugo and the Nebula in 1966. Yes, it is the First Nebula award ever given out and both of us agree with the awards committees on this one; Dune is a damn fine book. Want to skip a bit or jump to your favorite part? Here are the time markers for this episode: 01:53 Book Blurb, but not really from the book 03:03 History Lesson 05:43 General Discussion: We start with the big themes 11:27 Wo...
The Wanderer
May 27, 2020 16:00 - 27 minutes - 40.5 MBIn this rather short episode, the two sisters discuss The Wanderer by Fritz Leiber. Not only did technical problems bring us to an early finish, neither of us could honestly say we liked the book very much. Take a listen to find out why. Want to skip a bit or jump to your favorite part? Here are the time markers for this episode: 01:12 Book Jacket 03:06 History Lesson 05:36 General Discussion: How many story lines can you handle? 10:48 Ann attempts to explain the chara...
Way Station
April 22, 2020 16:00 - 55 minutes - 58.6 MBThis episode the two sisters, Alice and Ann, read Waystation AKA Here Gather the Stars by Clifford D. Simak. The book won the Hugo in 1964 and even though Simak was a new author to both sisters he was a hit. Listen to here about why both sisters enjoyed the read. Want to skip a bit or jump to your favorite part? Here are the time markers for this episode: 01:49 We tweak the podcast format and read the book’s blurb 04:00 The History Lesson 09:27 General Discussion 15:07...
The Man in the High Castle
March 25, 2020 16:00 - 55 minutes - 57.5 MBThis time the sisters, Ann and Alice, podcast about the Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick now a TV series of the same name on Amazon Prime. Are they the same? Give us a listen and find out. Want to skip a bit or jump to your favorite part? Here are the time markers for this episode: 01:11 History Lesson 08:35 Book’s Blurb 10:09 General Discussion: and we start off with the lessons learned and big ideas 13:21 Alice attempts a better plot summary 18:32 We tack...
Stranger in a Strange Land
February 26, 2020 20:00 - 48 minutes - 44.4 MBIn this podcast, the sisters tackle the iconic Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein. Much discussed by sister Alice in other book groups it is not a fan favorite of either sister but in the end, it has much to offer the serious SF reader. Want to skip a bit or jump to your favorite part? Here are the time markers for this episode: 01:12 History Lesson 09:19 Book’s Blurb 10:08 General Discussion 17:41 A little bit of family history 20:04 Heinlein as a writer 22:...
The 1950s in Review
January 22, 2020 20:00 - 42 minutes - 44.7 MBThe Baker sisters have made it through all the books that have won retro hugos or regular hugos through 1959. They take a break from regular episodes to reflect on their experience of the books of that decade and to check on how they are doing with their goals both on a project and personal level. Time codes: 03:12 Ann provide a synopsis of the failed The Big Time recording 07:27 Order of favorite books 08:27 Top four books discussed 17:12 Manifesto review 21:21 Personal go...
Double Star
December 18, 2019 20:00 - 45 minutes - 50.5 MBThis is the 8th podcast for the two Baker sisters as they read through the Hugo award winning novels. This time they are reading Heinlein's first official win (not a retro win) Double Star which was first published in 1956. Both sisters enjoyed the novel and did a double take on Heinlein. Ha! You see what I did there? Want to skip a bit or jump to your favorite part? Here are the time markers for this episode: 01:22 History Lesson 03:50 General Discussion 07:20 Alice R...
They's Rather Be Right
November 20, 2019 20:00 - 45 minutes - 50.1 MBIn this episode, the Baker sisters covers the Hugo award winner They’d Rather Be Right by Mark Clifton and Frank Riley. It was serialized in the magazine Astounding and then won the Hugo, yes - we’ve returned to the regular Hugos again, for best novel in 1955. It was a low point for the sisters who struggled with the whole thing in general, but they did laugh a lot. Want to skip a bit or jump to your favorite part? Here are the time markers for this episode: 01:15 History Les...
Fahrenheit 451
October 23, 2019 19:00 - 59 minutes - 78.9 MBIn the 6th podcast, the Baker sisters tackle the Hugo award winner Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. A science-fiction futuristic dystopia that was published in 1953 and won a retro Hugo in 2004. This is a timeless classic which many of a certain generation had to read in high school, including the younger of the two sisters. It held up well, is still a striking ‘any-day-now’ read. Want to skip a bit or jump to your favorite part? Here are the time markers for this episode: 01:05 H...
The Demolished Man
September 25, 2019 19:00 - 38 minutes - 45.5 MBIn this episode the Baker sister, they discuss the 1st Hugo awarded ever. It was given to the book The Demolished Man by Alfred Bester published in 1952 and won the Hugo in 1953. This rather amazing book was enjoyed by both ladies and but the brevity of the book and oddly enough, the likeability of it, made for a shorter podcast. Want to skip a bit or jump to your favorite part? Here are the time markers for this episode: 01:50 History Lesson 05:00 We jump right in 06:44 ...
Farmer in the Sky
August 21, 2019 19:00 - 55 minutes - 132 MBThis is the 4th podcast for the Baker sisters Hugh Project and this is another retro Hugo; Farmer in the Sky by Robert Heinlein. This young adult science fiction novel was first published in 1950, it won the retro Hugo in 2001 and could be considered a great novel for a boy scout enthusiast. Sadly neither sister are themselves scouting enthusiasts. Want to skip a bit or jump to your favorite part? Here are the time markers for this episode: 00:58 History Lesson 05:34 We finally ge...
The Mule
July 24, 2019 19:00 - 55 minutes - 59.5 MBIn the third podcast from the Baker Sisters they discuss another retro Hugo for the novella, or borderline short story The Mule by Isaac Asimov. It was first published in the magazine Astounding in 1942 and then republished in book form as part of the title Foundation and Empire. It won the a retro Hugo in 1996. Yes, still on retro Hugos. The sisters both decidedly liked the character Ebling Mis but the rest of the book…. Well it wasn’t quite all happy, happy, joy, joy. Want to skip a bit...
Slan
June 19, 2019 19:00 - 55 minutes - 79.3 MBIn this, the second podcast, the Baker sister discuss Slan by A.E. Van Vogt, first published in 1940 and never been out of print since. It won a retro Hugo in 2016. This madly paced science fiction dystopia won admiration and but did we truly love it? Listen and find out. Want to skip a bit or jump to your favorite part? Here are the time markers for this episode: 00:51 History Lesson 03:40 Astounding Magazine 06:19 Open discussion 12:28 We go over the the characters ...
001 The Sword in The Stone by T.H. White
May 22, 2019 19:00 - 44 minutes - 53.6 MBIn their first episode the Baker sisters discuss The Sword in the Stone written by T.H. White which won a Retro Hugo in 2013 for the year 1939. This Arthurian Fantasy novel involving a very young Arthur and a Merlin who is living backwards in time was a hit with both of them and even though it the first go round for the elder of the two sisters a good time was had by both. Want to skip a bit or jump ahead? Here are the approximate time markers for this episode: 01:06 History Lesso...
An Introduction to the Hugo and Nebula Readership Podcast
April 17, 2019 19:00 - 17 minutes - 21.3 MBSisters Alice and Ann introduce themselves and their plans for the podcast. They discuss their hopes and dreams for their journey reading the Hugo and Nebula award winning books and declare their manifesto. Alice is a mother of one who is trying to redevelop a reading habit and credits her sister Ann with her love of the genre. Ann is a mother of two has been a various reader for as long as she can remember who is working on improving her book discussion skills.