Cosmos In The Cosmos

In the latest episode, join host Catherine and the wonderful guest Sammy as they journey into Philip K. Dick's alternate reality Hugo winner, The Man in the High Castle, which takes readers to a Japanese-ruled San Francisco, a world where the Allies lost World War II. Tune in as they unravel the intricacies of a narrative with surprisingly few fleshed-out characters, ponder the lack of a clear explanation surrounding the U.S. loss in World War II, and discuss the peculiar absence of rebellion against the oppressive regimes of Nazis and Japanese rule within the book.

In our latest episode, Catherine and special guest Aleksei embark on an exploration of Robert Heinlein's sci-fi classic, "Stranger in a Strange Land." Join us as we dissect Heinlein's narrative quirks, discussing his often-criticized portrayal of female characters and the unexpected twists that characterize "Stranger in a Strange Land." From literary analysis to cocktail-fueled banter, this episode promises a blend of insightful commentary and humorous musings on the peculiar world crafted by Heinlein.

In this bonus episode, Catherine is joined by her friend Charlie for an extended exploration of "A Canticle for Leibowitz." Return to the pages of this classic 1959 novel, as Charlie shares his thoughts on the book's right-to-life arguments and its exploration of apocalyptic Catholicism. If you loved the episode with Paul so much you wanna hear more about the world of Walter M. Miller Jr., this is for you.

In this episode, join host Catherine and special guest Paul as we delve into the Hugo Award-winning novel of 1962, "A Canticle for Leibowitz." Sipping on two distinctive cocktails - an Irish ale and a Death in the Afternoon - we explore Walter M. Miller Jr.'s darkly witty writing, the profound Catholic themes woven throughout the narrative, and the philosophical depth of the book. Tune in for a captivating discussion on Miller's exploration of humanity's ability to survive its own scientific creations, notably the looming specter of the nuclear bomb. As we navigate the open-ended questions raised by the novel, we contemplate the delicate balance between faith, knowledge, and the future of our species. Don't miss this thought-provoking journey into a sci-fi classic that continues to resonate with its profound reflections on the human condition.

In this episode, join us as we dive into the sci-fi classic that won the Hugo Award in 1961, Robert Heinlein's "Starship Troopers." Hosted by Catherine, and joined by special guest Sam, we embark on a thrilling journey comparing the experience of reading the novel with watching the iconic movie adaptation. To set the mood, we sip on two distinctive cocktails with military backgrounds – a French 75 and a Gunfire, adding a touch of elegance to our discussion. Tune in to hear our lively conversation about the themes of jingoism and the scarcity of well-developed characters in Heinlein's writing. We also dissect the over-the-top portrayal of the American military in the movie, examining the caricatures and cultural elements that make "Starship Troopers" a thought-provoking exploration of war, society, and patriotism. Don't miss this engaging analysis of a timeless classic in the world of science fiction literature and film!

Within this episode Catherine and her guest Sarah discuss They'd Rather Be Right, one of the most controversial Hugo wins of all time and the inherent sexism within early sci-fi. We also discuss how computers were viewed in the past and how sci-fi has advanced along with actual technology.

In this episode Catherine and her guest Sarah discuss Double Star, which is the first Hugo win of Robert Heinlein, who has won more Hugos than any other author to date. We talk about what makes a book enjoyable, and why early sci fi books often simply don't match up to modern standards.

Cosmos In the Cosmos is a podcast about cocktails and Hugo award winning sci-fi books. Every other week, host Catherine mixes a new book themed cocktail and reviews a sci-fi book, with a special guest. This first episode features Sarah. Tune in to learn about sci-fi from the 50's to the modern day, with a drink on the side. This is our introductory episode where we discuss what we like to read and why so listeners can get a feel for us as hosts.

Join host Catherine and her guest Cain as they discuss what a galactic war might look like, the historical surroundings of sci-fi writing during the Vietnam War, and what technological advancement really looks like.

Join host Catherine and her guest Molly as they examine the Dispossessed by Ursula K. Leguin, her second Hugo winning novel. They talk about what an anarchical society looks like in this book, and how that might relate to our current world.

Join host Catherine and her guest Aleksei as they discuss Rendezvous with Rama. They talk through the livability of Mercury, the usefulness of space bikes, and the life of having two children named Junior.

In this episode, Catherine and Paul discuss The Gods Themselves, Asimov's first Hugo win. They talk about the joys of being born during the Russian Revolution, their ideal moon culture, and why Asimov's science fiction has proved so enduring.

Host Catherine and her guest Miguel discussed the third book of the 1970s, To Your Scattered Bodies Go. They talked about placing historical figures into fiction, how fast one can learn a new language, and what it means to put a self insert character in your books.

Host Catherine and returning guest Aleksei read Ringworld and discuss why anyone would ever drink carrot juice, the clash between real science and fantasy ideas in science fiction, and what life might be like for someone incredibly lucky.

Catherine welcomes on a new guest, her cousin Luke to discuss the Left Hand of Darkness, the first win for Ursula K. Le Guin, one of the greatest sci-fi writers ever. They discuss what it would mean to live on a world without clear genders, if technology equals progress, and what it entails to truly understand someone else.

Join Catherine and Kyle as they discuss Grasshopper Jungle. They talk about the difficulties of being a teenager, the usefulness of repetition in writing, and what is the real liklihood of creating a monster from experimenting with corn.

In the third in-between episode, Cain joins Aleksei and Catherine to discuss the Restaurant at the End of the Universe just is case any listeners were feeling a bit peckish. This book follows one of the great novels of sci-fi and though it may not quite live up to it's prequel, this book is still packed full of humor. There are talks of prophets appearing at the end of time, vortexes supported by fairy cakes, and cows that wish to be eaten.

The In-betweens continue with a classic. Amazingly, the Hitchhiker's guide to the Galaxy did not win a Hugo, so Aleksei selected it. Catherine and Aleksei talk about the future of artificial intelligence, sci-fi where the Earth is destroyed, and of course, what question would prompt the answer 42. Few science fiction books are as beloved as Hitchhiker's Guide, and for good reason. This is your friendly reminder to never leave home without your towel.

In the first episode of the In-Betweens, Catherine and her guest Paul discuss a classic instant bestseller, Altered Carbon. They talk about the price of immortality, what it means when a book's plot is less important than the ambiance, and the origin of the Patchwork Man.

Happy Halloween everyone! Join Catherine and her guest Matthew for a special Halloween episode about Jeff VanderMeer's book Annihilation. They discuss what it means to live in a place where no one has a name, how an environment can change who you are, and of course what it means to be a dolphin with human eyes.