A Meal of Thorns
@mealofthorns.bsky.social
A speculative book club, where critics, writers, and scholars join us to talk about thorny, interesting titles. A podcast from the Ancillary Review of Books.
https://ancillaryreviewofbooks.org/amealofthorns/
https://ancillaryreviewofbooks.org/amealofthorns/
Tomorrow!
Coming Monday, a double-hitter:
(1) My 10k word essay reflecting on Elizabeth Kostova's THE HISTORIAN (2005).
(2) An episode of @mealofthorns.bsky.social that I guested on to talk about Kostova's really rather mediocre novel. Sorry to have made @casella.bsky.social read this 700-page monstrosity.
(1) My 10k word essay reflecting on Elizabeth Kostova's THE HISTORIAN (2005).
(2) An episode of @mealofthorns.bsky.social that I guested on to talk about Kostova's really rather mediocre novel. Sorry to have made @casella.bsky.social read this 700-page monstrosity.
November 16, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Tomorrow!
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
Podcast recording today! I'm looking forward to hearing what @nonsuchbook.bsky.social and @ds228.bsky.social make of I WHO HAVE NEVER KNOWN MEN for @onebrightbook.bsky.social.
November 16, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Podcast recording today! I'm looking forward to hearing what @nonsuchbook.bsky.social and @ds228.bsky.social make of I WHO HAVE NEVER KNOWN MEN for @onebrightbook.bsky.social.
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
Finished my re-read of Egan's Diaspora ahead of recording a @mealofthorns.bsky.social episode on it. What a fucking book. Hard sci-fi's version of The Centauri Device. A PhD in experimental mathematics hiding a bildungsroman. Existential hope and dread woven into a Feynman lecture. Crazy good.
November 15, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Finished my re-read of Egan's Diaspora ahead of recording a @mealofthorns.bsky.social episode on it. What a fucking book. Hard sci-fi's version of The Centauri Device. A PhD in experimental mathematics hiding a bildungsroman. Existential hope and dread woven into a Feynman lecture. Crazy good.
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
Just found out abt A MEAL OF THORNS hosted by @casella.bsky.social & holy shit is it superb. Talking abt all the books I love/want to read. Give it a listen.
A Meal of Thorns
Books Podcast · Updated Biweekly · A critical book club from the Ancillary Review of Books. Host Jake Casella Brookins invites writers, scholars, and critics to discuss thorny works of science fiction...
podcasts.apple.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Just found out abt A MEAL OF THORNS hosted by @casella.bsky.social & holy shit is it superb. Talking abt all the books I love/want to read. Give it a listen.
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
Melmoth THEE Wanderer
November 12, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Melmoth THEE Wanderer
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finally listened to the A Meal of Thorns episode about Lud-in-the-Mist. great episode, incredible book. i feel so fired up about reading and writing fantasy now
ancillaryreviewofbooks.org/2025/04/07/a...
ancillaryreviewofbooks.org/2025/04/07/a...
A Meal of Thorns 21 – LUD-IN-THE-MIST with Marita Arvaniti
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Marita ArvanitiTitle: Lud-in-the-Mist by Hope MirrleesHost: …
ancillaryreviewofbooks.org
June 6, 2025 at 3:29 PM
finally listened to the A Meal of Thorns episode about Lud-in-the-Mist. great episode, incredible book. i feel so fired up about reading and writing fantasy now
ancillaryreviewofbooks.org/2025/04/07/a...
ancillaryreviewofbooks.org/2025/04/07/a...
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Happening now! The brilliant Justin Mann speak in about securitization and speculative fiction!
November 10, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Happening now! The brilliant Justin Mann speak in about securitization and speculative fiction!
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Let's make it official:
SHELVED BY GENRE's next unit, spanning ALL of 2026, will be a delve into the depths of modern genre with J.R.R. Tolkien's THE HOBBIT, THE LORD OF THE RINGS, and THE SILMARILLION.
If you don't have those, you can grab them through our Bookshop:
bookshop.org/lists/shelve...
SHELVED BY GENRE's next unit, spanning ALL of 2026, will be a delve into the depths of modern genre with J.R.R. Tolkien's THE HOBBIT, THE LORD OF THE RINGS, and THE SILMARILLION.
If you don't have those, you can grab them through our Bookshop:
bookshop.org/lists/shelve...
Shelved By Genre
These are books discussed on the podcast Shelved by Genre!
bookshop.org
November 7, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Let's make it official:
SHELVED BY GENRE's next unit, spanning ALL of 2026, will be a delve into the depths of modern genre with J.R.R. Tolkien's THE HOBBIT, THE LORD OF THE RINGS, and THE SILMARILLION.
If you don't have those, you can grab them through our Bookshop:
bookshop.org/lists/shelve...
SHELVED BY GENRE's next unit, spanning ALL of 2026, will be a delve into the depths of modern genre with J.R.R. Tolkien's THE HOBBIT, THE LORD OF THE RINGS, and THE SILMARILLION.
If you don't have those, you can grab them through our Bookshop:
bookshop.org/lists/shelve...
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
I'm speaking about Latinx fantasy literature at a free online conference Friday, 11/7, at 11am EST. Come join in the fun and get some great book recommendations: latinxarchive.com/latinx-visio...
The Latinx Archive - Latinx Visions 2.0
latinxarchive.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:28 AM
I'm speaking about Latinx fantasy literature at a free online conference Friday, 11/7, at 11am EST. Come join in the fun and get some great book recommendations: latinxarchive.com/latinx-visio...
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I really enjoyed the latest U&DF, not least because it came out right after Paul, Jacqui and I had recorded the latest Critical Friends - and trod some similar ground in attaching some of the most deterministic dystopias with horror. Something about the affects in these texts are aiming similarly.
November 4, 2025 at 1:25 PM
I really enjoyed the latest U&DF, not least because it came out right after Paul, Jacqui and I had recorded the latest Critical Friends - and trod some similar ground in attaching some of the most deterministic dystopias with horror. Something about the affects in these texts are aiming similarly.
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
Great discussion that reminds me how fascinating I found this novel about a world where the fall is all that's left. And timely to remind UK readers that we can think about it for awards, because for us it's a 2025 book.
New episode of A Meal of Thorns! Scholar, writer, and CRSF organizer E.F. McAdam is on the podcast to discuss Hiromi Kawakami's UNDER THE EYE OF THE BIG BIRD (tr. Asa Yoneda, @grantabooks.bsky.social/ @catapultbooks.bsky.social)
A Meal of Thorns 36 – UNDER THE EYE OF THE BIG BIRD with Eleanor McAdam
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Guest: Eleanor McAdamTitle: Under The Eye Of The Big Bird by Hiromi Kawakam…
ancillaryreviewofbooks.org
November 3, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Great discussion that reminds me how fascinating I found this novel about a world where the fall is all that's left. And timely to remind UK readers that we can think about it for awards, because for us it's a 2025 book.
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
🎧New Critical Friends! It was a real pleasure to convene this talk with Paul March-Russell of @sffoundation.bsky.social and Jacqueline Nyathi of @hararereview.bsky.social.
On the hopeful imagination: “We should have a much bigger perspective when we’re thinking about how to get to the future.” (JN)
On the hopeful imagination: “We should have a much bigger perspective when we’re thinking about how to get to the future.” (JN)
Critical Friends Episode 17: On Imagining Hopefully
Dan Hartland is joined by Paul March-Russell and Jacqueline Nyathi to discuss speculative fiction’s approach to hope and optimism. Where has it gone? How do writers express it? And what are its pit…
strangehorizons.com
November 3, 2025 at 6:47 PM
🎧New Critical Friends! It was a real pleasure to convene this talk with Paul March-Russell of @sffoundation.bsky.social and Jacqueline Nyathi of @hararereview.bsky.social.
On the hopeful imagination: “We should have a much bigger perspective when we’re thinking about how to get to the future.” (JN)
On the hopeful imagination: “We should have a much bigger perspective when we’re thinking about how to get to the future.” (JN)
Human evolution & extinction, unusual AI, and humor & style at the end of the world: E.F. McAdam of the CRSF joins to discuss Hiromi Kawakami's UNDER THE EYE OF THE BIG BIRD, translated by Asa Yoneda. Fun book, fun conversation:
A Meal of Thorns 36 – UNDER THE EYE OF THE BIG BIRD with Eleanor McAdam
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Guest: Eleanor McAdamTitle: Under The Eye Of The Big Bird by Hiromi Kawakam…
ancillaryreviewofbooks.org
November 3, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Human evolution & extinction, unusual AI, and humor & style at the end of the world: E.F. McAdam of the CRSF joins to discuss Hiromi Kawakami's UNDER THE EYE OF THE BIG BIRD, translated by Asa Yoneda. Fun book, fun conversation:
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
So you're a Hugo reader. You've listened to all my episodes and @hugogirlpodcast.bsky.social. You've kept up with @hugonauts.bsky.social and now you're out of podcasts.
Well, you're in luck! @klaxoncomms.com is bringing you Hugo History, a new monthly podcast! And it's terrific, so check it out!
Well, you're in luck! @klaxoncomms.com is bringing you Hugo History, a new monthly podcast! And it's terrific, so check it out!
November 3, 2025 at 12:03 AM
So you're a Hugo reader. You've listened to all my episodes and @hugogirlpodcast.bsky.social. You've kept up with @hugonauts.bsky.social and now you're out of podcasts.
Well, you're in luck! @klaxoncomms.com is bringing you Hugo History, a new monthly podcast! And it's terrific, so check it out!
Well, you're in luck! @klaxoncomms.com is bringing you Hugo History, a new monthly podcast! And it's terrific, so check it out!
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
Quick heads up that the newest episode will drop tomorrow!
talking about Beren and Lúthien next time on @bythebywater.bsky.social (and since it’s October I drew their scary forms)
November 2, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Quick heads up that the newest episode will drop tomorrow!
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NBCC member Jake Casella Brookins talked to author and historian Arkady Martine about C.J. Cherryh's novel "40,000 in Gehenna" for the podcast A Meal of Thorns:
A Meal of Thorns 27 – 40,000 IN GEHENNA with Arkady Martine (and a 4th Street Fantasy Report)
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Arkady MartineTitle: 40,000 in Gehenna by C.J. CherryhHost: …
buff.ly
July 11, 2025 at 4:05 PM
NBCC member Jake Casella Brookins talked to author and historian Arkady Martine about C.J. Cherryh's novel "40,000 in Gehenna" for the podcast A Meal of Thorns:
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
Does anyone know if the Galactic Suburbia SFF podcast (2015 Hugo Best Fancast winner, multiple nominee for other years) is still available anywhere online? @serenajenk.bsky.social has been trying to find it and it seems like it is no longer easily available?
@quartzen.bsky.social do you know of anyone who's downloaded the episodes (all 209!) of the podcast Galactic Suburbia? I can't seem to find the podcast available online anywhere.
October 30, 2025 at 2:55 PM
Does anyone know if the Galactic Suburbia SFF podcast (2015 Hugo Best Fancast winner, multiple nominee for other years) is still available anywhere online? @serenajenk.bsky.social has been trying to find it and it seems like it is no longer easily available?
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
Critical Friends fans will be like me addicts of our theme tune, “Dial-Up” by Lost Cosmonauts. Those musicians release under a number of monikers, and one of their incarnations - Aki No Koe - release a lovely piece on the frustrations of creativity today.
Take a listen, start a podcast!
Take a listen, start a podcast!
Prussian Portraiture, by Aki No Koe
track by Aki No Koe
akinokoe.bandcamp.com
October 29, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Critical Friends fans will be like me addicts of our theme tune, “Dial-Up” by Lost Cosmonauts. Those musicians release under a number of monikers, and one of their incarnations - Aki No Koe - release a lovely piece on the frustrations of creativity today.
Take a listen, start a podcast!
Take a listen, start a podcast!
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
We cannot deny it.
I believe people who misuse Tolkien to advance fascism should have a brief but life-changing encounter with World War II–era Christopher Lee
October 29, 2025 at 3:11 PM
We cannot deny it.
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Langdon and Eden kick things off by talking about the curational uses of literary awards.
Then, John M. Ford's alternate version of cyberpunk with Web of Angels, his debut novel. Galactic phone lines and weird space opera, in a rough book that brims with passion!
soundcloud.com/death-senten...
Then, John M. Ford's alternate version of cyberpunk with Web of Angels, his debut novel. Galactic phone lines and weird space opera, in a rough book that brims with passion!
soundcloud.com/death-senten...
Web of Angles and Another Cyberpunk
Langdon and Eden kick things off by talking about the uses of awards - how to follow them, what they're good for, and why!
Then, they dive into John M. Ford's parallel reality version of cyberpunk wi
soundcloud.com
October 27, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Langdon and Eden kick things off by talking about the curational uses of literary awards.
Then, John M. Ford's alternate version of cyberpunk with Web of Angels, his debut novel. Galactic phone lines and weird space opera, in a rough book that brims with passion!
soundcloud.com/death-senten...
Then, John M. Ford's alternate version of cyberpunk with Web of Angels, his debut novel. Galactic phone lines and weird space opera, in a rough book that brims with passion!
soundcloud.com/death-senten...
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
I hate Brace Belden (complimentary)
For our new issue, Brace Belden writes on podcasts, the sickos who make them, and the sickos who listen.
The Hatred of Podcasting | Brace Belden
In 2015, if you said, “I heard it on a podcast,” you were trying to sound smart. In 2025, it’s better to lie.
thebaffler.com
October 28, 2025 at 5:39 PM
I hate Brace Belden (complimentary)
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Barthelme rips
Thinking of Barthelme as speculative, or floating within the larger pool of irrealism, is syncing up nicely with some thoughts I’ve been working on with weird genre/canon formation, especially pulling on this excellent thought by Timothy Jarvis and Helen Marshall
October 28, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Barthelme rips
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Long overdue, "Criticism LTD" has a stand-alone webpage with working links to every episode bibliography, etc.
Criticism LTD (2023-2024)
Apple Podcasts Season Link Criticism LTD. Trailer (July 26, 2023) A first look at the eighth season of The American Vandal Podcast, an assessment of the contemporary state of literary criticism and…
mattseybold.com
October 27, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Long overdue, "Criticism LTD" has a stand-alone webpage with working links to every episode bibliography, etc.
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
Folks you'll never believe what happened with the second episode
4+ hour episode on the first half of FROM HELL
October 27, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Folks you'll never believe what happened with the second episode
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I drag Chase kicking and screaming over the two hour mark on this podcast and we talk about many things. Magic: The Gathering and how it is kind of a bummer right now; making your bed; my new book on Assassin's Creed; Michigan Dogman; and how I'm now the Joe Rogan of the Left.
PODCAST: @ckunzelman.bsky.social joined us to discuss Magic: The Gathering, reality television, and his new book - Everything is Permitted: On Assassin's Creed!
Stare The Devil in the Face and Walk Forward - ft. Cameron Kunzelman
Number one: make your bed. Number two: change your homepage.
www.rascal.news
October 25, 2025 at 3:25 AM
I drag Chase kicking and screaming over the two hour mark on this podcast and we talk about many things. Magic: The Gathering and how it is kind of a bummer right now; making your bed; my new book on Assassin's Creed; Michigan Dogman; and how I'm now the Joe Rogan of the Left.