Category Archives: A Reader's History of Science Fiction

S2E9: Catch-Up Episode #4: Horror

Posted on October 3, 2022 by Alex R. Howe

In the first of three horror-themed episodes for October, I discuss one class work that I passed over before and one new work. Recommendation: The Midwich Cuckoos by John Wyndham Other work discussed: Jordan Peele’s Nope Check out this episode!

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S2E8: Techno-Thrillers

Posted on September 19, 2022 by Alex R. Howe

Techno-thrillers are a surprisingly fuzzy category that sits at the border of sci-fi and suspense. In this episode, I give an overview of the subgenre and the different ways it can be classified. Book recommendation: Delta-v by Daniel Suarez Sam … Continue reading →

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S2E7: Catch-Up Episode #3: Marvel Movies

Posted on September 5, 2022 by Alex R. Howe

As part of my catch-up series, I review the Marvel movies that have come out since the start of the pandemic. Movie recommendation: The New Mutants.(I really think it’s underrated.) Check out this episode!

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S2E6: Anime Science Fiction

Posted on August 22, 2022 by Alex R. Howe

Experimenting with a new format, my friend Greg and I have a conversation about anime and its place in the science fiction genre. TV recommendation: Cowboy BebopMovie recommendation: Castle in the Sky: Laputa Check out this episode!

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S2E5: Paul Frommer Interview

Posted on August 8, 2022 by Alex R. Howe

I interview Dr. Paul Frommer, the creator of the Na’vi language from Avatar as well as Barsoomian from Disney’s John Carter. Prospective movie recommendation: Avatar: The Way of Water Dr. Frommer’s blog. Check out this episode!

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S2E4: Catch-Up Episode #2: Monster Movies

Posted on July 25, 2022 by Alex R. Howe

In this second catch-up episode, I talk about the most recent monster movies (and one novel) to come out and their place in science fiction as a whole. Movie recommendation: Love and Monsters My YouTube video on the physics of giant … Continue reading →

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Follow-Up: Languages Mentioned in S2E3

Posted on July 15, 2022 by Alex R. Howe

In this week’s episode of A Reader’s History of Science Fiction, I talked about constructed languages, or conlangs. I listed the major ones I discussed in the description, but there were many more that I mentioned in passing, which I … Continue reading →

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S2E3: Constructed Languages in Science Fiction

Posted on July 11, 2022 by Alex R. Howe

Science fiction frequently plays with language in different ways to explore the concepts of philosophy, culture, and cognition; and constructed languages (or conlangs) are a big part of that. In this episode, I highlight how conlangs have contributed to the … Continue reading →

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S2E2: Catch-Up Episode #1

Posted on June 27, 2022 by Alex R. Howe

My first episode catching up both on classic works of sci-fi that I passed over before, and new works from the past 2 years. These are “short” episodes that will continue intermittently with longer ones. Book recommendation: To Sleep in a … Continue reading →

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S2E1: Farah Mendlesohn Interview

Posted on June 13, 2022 by Alex R. Howe

I interview Farah Mendlesohn, a scholar of children’s sci-fi and fantasy literature and author of The Intergalactic Playground. Farah’s website. Farah’s book recommendations: The Mortal Engines Quartet by Philip Reeve The Year’s Best African Speculative Fiction (free online) Check out this episode!

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