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The Sword and Laser

#447 - Sword and Lazy

·36 min·3 clips
Sword and Laser book club turns 15, with hosts reminiscing about its 2007 start and first book pick.
The episode opens with hosts Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt introducing the show and sharing personal anecdotes about their drinks. They announce that the Sword and Laser book club turned 15 years old on October 15, 2022, with Tassie Dave noting the anniversary and linking it to crystal gifts. The hosts transition to 'Quick Burns', covering listener-submitted news: Tomahomey updates on Mark Lawrence's 8th self-published fantasy blog-off finalists, Gristle McNerd mentions Zach Weinersmith's new children's retelling of Beowulf, and Trike shares a screenshot about an Apple TV+ adaptation of a Hugh Howey book. Jan highlights a Folio Society edition of 'The Neverending Story'. In 'Barrier Sword', listener feedback is discussed, including Warren's email advising against feeding crows in Vancouver due to local bylaws and the crow migration phenomenon. Trike starts a thread on hometown rumors, sharing a Dayton story about alien bodies at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Kelly promotes her book 'Song of the Forgotten Stars' as a sci-fi Harry Potter equivalent. Arica notes Mary Robinette Kowal's new release 'The Spare Man'. Christos initiates a discussion on wearable weapons in sci-fi/fantasy, with suggestions like the Infinity Gauntlet and whip hound. The hosts then discuss the current book pick, 'The Jasmine Throne' by Tasha Suri, focusing on its South Asian influences. Ruth points out connections to Hindu practices like immolation, and the hosts invite more feedback from South Asian listeners. Veronica mentions reading the sequel and praises the audiobook narration. The episode concludes with reminders on how to support the show and engage with the community.

As heard by us

A crow detour leads into hometown rumors that make speculative stories feel local.

This episode finds its shape by letting a book-club conversation drift until the side paths begin to reveal the subject. Veronica Belmont and Tom Merritt start with San Pellegrino, a Fernie Brewing Hazy Pale Ale Headwall, and a little liquor-store talk, then let a crow story…

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Why you'd press play

Press play if you want a book-club conversation that turns hydration, hazy pale ale, and crow etiquette into story fuel.

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