Nerds of the Old Republic: The Drinking Man's Book Club

Or, the other greatest animated series of all time... Join Shaun, Mike and Adam and they talk about Cartoon Network's Rick and Morty. If you've never watched -- like Shaun and Adam -- Mike has created a perfect playlist to dive into the wonderful world of sarcastic, abusive megalomaniacs with dad issues that is this show. Watch the following episodes ahead of time, or listen in, then watch and see how right  we are! S2E6: The Ricks Must Be Crazy S3E1: The Rickshank Episode S3E3: Pickle Rick S3E4: Vindicators 3: The Return of Worldender S3E7: The Ricklantis Mixup  S4E8: The Vat of Acid Episode We talk about a ton more of this series, but the above are where we focus. Thanks for listening in, and if you're sticking around for a while, why not grab a copy of Brandon Sanderson's The Emperor's Soul, as one listener recommended it for our next read. Thanks for the recommendation, Kevin! If you'd like to support the work we do, please consider giving us a rating, and a review. It's a free way to support us and helps our 'cast appear in front of new Nerds. Do you love books? Do you like listening to this show? Well, then our Bookshop.org Storefront is the perfect for you! You get books from stores local to you delivered to your door, and we get a small commission. What could be better?

Join Shaun, Mike and Adam as they go back to the 1980's classic and ever present Mad Max films. While not necessary to enjoy the film, they grab a tasty beer and discuss their history with the films, the diesel punk aesthetic, and the dystopian film genre in general.  Longtime listeners will know which one of the hosts could name every car in the film, and which one of us was distracted by Lord Humongous' clothing, or lack thereof.   If you'd like to support the 'cast, feel free to share our link with someone you think would appreciate what we do, or give us a rating and review on your pod catcher. It's a quick, and free way to support us as it increases our visibility to likeminded nerds everywhere. If you'd like to follow us more closely, and who wouldn't, then check us out at BlueSky or GoodReads. We're @NerdsofOldRepublic everywhere. Thanks for your time, and cheers Nerds!  

Hi everyone, and welcome to another Nerds book review, this time of Hummingbird Salamander by Jeff Vandermeer. In this episode, the intrepid hosts struggle to see the appeal of VanderMeer's 2017 novel, especially in light of his other, weirder books. They even challenge, erm, invite, Jeff VanderMeer to share his thoughts with them live, on a cast of his choosing.  To chase away the bad aftertaste of slow-burn clifi with a weak mystery, the hosts rely on a fan favorite, The Kraken Rum, and then compare it a upgraded pick, Diplimatico rum from Venezuela. What they all agree on: both liquors will certainly help you forget about the impending climate disaster in real life, at least for a couple of hours. If you're interested in joining our next cast, check out cult and critic favorite, Mad Max: The Road Warrior as well as Mad Max: Fury Road. There is SO much to say about the leather in these two movies, and no, they hosts are certainly not going to shame anyone for their bedroom preferences. If you'd like to support this cast, please leave up to a five star review on whatever podcatcher you use - it's a free and quick way to really help us get the word out. If you're in the market for a book, please check out our bookshop.org site. Bookshop.org uses bookshops local to you to fulfill your online orders, supporting them in the process. Nerds of the Old Republic also gets a 15% commission on any purchases through our link, so it's a win-win-win! Until next time: Cheers, Nerds!

Listen in as the hosts, Shaun, Mike and Adam talk about their experience watching the early 2000's anime Cowboy Bebop! They discuss that banger intro by The Seatbelts, noir in the space opera story, and the weird Ed while Adam's own Corgi (sadly, not named Ein, nor data-dog) occasionally interrupts the recording.  And that score! The soundtrack is discussed many times, as it deserves to be. If you've never watched Cowboy Bebop, check it out on Hulu or Crunchy Roll - we think it's worth your time to watch all 26 episodes! If you're looking for books, we're reading Jeff Vandermeer's Hummingbird Salamander next as we continue the themes of noir, cyberpunk and dystopia.  Want to support our work with nerdy fiction? Head over to our Bookshop.org bookstore to order your next read! We get 15% of the proceeds, and you support local bookstores near you, instead of the giant conglomerate.  Until next time, see you space cowboy...

Thanks for listening as the hosts try a new liquor and talk up the book 36 Streets by Australian author TR Napper. There's so much for everyone in this title: Vietnamese war history, virtual reality, the most sophisticated propaganda and mindflay ever conceived, cyberpunk weapons, old school crime families and smoking. Lots of smoking.  If that doesn't sound like a conversation worth listening in to, I do know that next, we're discussing our watch of Cowboy Bebop, the anime series. If you've never seen, it's available on Crunchy Roll or Hulu as a part of your subscriptions. It can also be purchased on Apple (though it is quite pricy there).  Lastly, if you want to support the work we're doing for nerds around the world, please consider using our Bookshop.org link. It gives us a small cut of the sale for anything you buy using our link, and supports local books stores near you!

In this episode of 'Nerds in the Old Republic,' hosts Adam, Shaun, and Mike take on the 1995 anime cult classic, Ghost in the Shell. With much anticipation and fandom excitement in the air, the trio embarks on a spirited discussion about the film's complex plot and philosophical themes, all while savoring the unique experience of sipping on Japanese sake. Is it the anime masterpiece it's often hailed to be? Or does it succumb to the pitfalls of convoluted storytelling? Join the hosts as they navigate through the intricate world of cybernetic intrigue, question what it means to be human, and assess the film's groundbreaking animation and soundtrack. With commentary filled with humor and a touch of nostalgia, this episode not only serves as a reflection on a classic film but also as an invitation for listeners to revisit the existential questions posed by the film.

Join the hosts of Nerds of the Old Republic as they delve into George R.R. Martin's fascinating world of Westeros, focusing on the enchanting tales of Dunk and Egg from The Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. Explore the rich history and complex characters that populate these novellas, as the hosts discuss Martin's unparalleled world-building and storytelling prowess. From the thrilling jousts to the intricate political machinations, discover how these stories capture the essence of chivalry and adventure within a medieval fantasy setting. Along the way, enjoy the lively banter and occasional guest appearances as the hosts pair their discussions with their favorite beverages, sharing their candid takes on everything from historical inspirations to modern adaptations. Whether you're a seasoned fan of Martin's work or new to the realm of Westeros, this episode promises to be a captivating exploration of themes, characters, and the enduring legacy of one of fantasy's most prolific authors. If you'd like to support this podcast, consider passing it on to a like-minded friend or family member. It's a great, no cost way to support creators you enjoy.  If you're in the market for a new book, consider using our affiliate link over at Bookshop.org. We get 15% of any sale through our link, and you support local bookstores, since Bookshop.org fulfills every online order through a local shop near you.

Hey everyone, and Happy New Year! We're back with the second half of our "Year-in-Review" show, and this time, we're focusing on what Shaun, Mike and Adam want to see more of in the coming year. Hint: it's not more Disney+ specials set in the Star Wars Universe. But it is: more great anime, like Cowboy Beebop Fantasy like House of the Dragon More cyberpunk like 36 Streets And more! Since it's that time of year where we reflect on all of the awesome things in our lives, we want to thank you, our listeners for hanging around with us. It's great to know that there are likeminded nerdy fiction fans out there, and that you think we're worth your time. Thanks for listening! We'd also like to thank our friends over at Za Bills Podcast for not only being a kick ass podcast, but for also giving Shaun some time over on the mic there too. If you need pizza recommendations while you're in the Buffalo Region, give them a listen ahead of time -- they know their za! If you'd like to support our cast, a simple review on wherever you listen would make a huge difference in helping other people find us. Or, if you prefer, follow us on Goodreads - we tend to know a little about books, if you're looking for recommendations! Lastly, if you're in the market for a new book, why not use our Bookshop.org shop?  Purchasing anything from Bookshop.org while using that link will send 15% our way, so it helps us pay for the monthly cost to host the show, or new equipment. Like new cables, for example.  If you're ready to continue your training, young padawan, we're going to be talking about George RR Martin's short work, A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms as well as the famous Ghost in the Shell. Make sure to watch the 1995 anime version, not the newer live action film if you want to join along in the convo.  Till then, cheers!

Hey there! And welcome to Nerds of the Old Republic - we're wrapping up the year with a tentative year-in-review in all things nerdy! On this cast, we're chatting about the following: Tolkien Star Wars George RR Martin Dungeons and Dragons And a big shout out to our friends at Za Bills - check out their great pizza reviews, and Buffalo Bills chat. Lastly, if you need a last minute holiday gift, why not support us AND a book store local to you? With our bookshop.org affiliation, you can do just that. Just use the link in our show notes and that's it! Bookshop.org will fill your order using a books store near you, we'll get 15% of your purchase, and your recipient will know you really, truly do know them because you got them the perfect gift. Thanks for your time, we know it's precious, and cheers!    

Hey there nerds! We're here reading our sub-etha meson reader, and this month it's The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Grab your a big glass of gargle blaster and follow along as we discuss whether not it's parody, and whether or not it's worth your time. But before you get into that, why not dig into our good friend's podcast, Za Bills? Shaun's been invited there a few times and we think they do great work! Lastly, if you're looking for some gifts this holiday season, why not consider our new affiliation with Bookshop.org? We've curated a list of books that we've read and anything purchased from our link will also send 15% our way, which would go a long way towards things like our monthly hosting costs.

We're going back to the well of The Weird, edited by the Vandermeers. In this cast, we're talking about Shirley Jackson, Jorge Louis Borges, and a story or two we each picked. Cuddle up with the tome, and read along -- this is a perfect fall read.   Something new from us: Check out our Bookshop.org Store! If you want to support the cast, and read along with us, we're now working with Bookshop.org to help you get your Nerdy hands on what we're reading! Any purchase made through our link provides us a small affiliate percentage of your sale for no extra cost. AND Bookshop.org is the best way to support local book stores online! Bookshop.org supports local bookstores by giving local book stores a competitive online presence - and the orders are fulfilled directly by your neighborhood sellers! It's a win-win!   

Hey there! Do you like weird fiction? Is your bookshelf filled with Kafka and Algernon Blackwood? Well, then you know more about weird fiction than I did before we read selections from Jeff and Ann Vandermeer's collection of short fiction, The Weird.  Today, we're reading "The Willows" by Algernon Blackwood and "In the Penal Colony" by Franz Kafka. After that, we're on to Shirley Jackson's "The Summer People" and "The Aleph" by Borges. Grab a copy of the book, and give 'em a read! 

Hello and welcome to Nerds of the Old Republic! We're three friends who love reading nerdy fiction. We're taking a break from the reading this week to talk about Disney's The Acolyte, and it ended up also being about all of the Disney Star Wars Franchise. Star Wars not your thing? Next month, for two episodes, we're digging into an anthology of weird fiction appropriately titled, The Weird edited by Jeff and Ann Vandermeer. We're starting with "The Willows" and "The Penal Colony", but feel free to do your own, weird thing.

Welcome back as we return to form with a book review: Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell. It's a multi-epoch book spanning the eras of Colonialism all the way through the glories of Neo So Copros with their fantastic clones serving you in the dinning hall, to the fall and eventual resurrection of human civilization in a Hawaiian colony.  It's not our normal vibe in that it's less sci-fi and fantasy and more "everything bagel" of a novel, but we think you should listen in and maybe read it too. After this, join us in two weeks for a discussion of Disney's influence on Star Wars, and our takes on properties like Acolyte and the Skywalker Saga. You might want to make sure your volume is down a bit, because we definitely take it to 11.   Cheers!

Hey there and welcome to the first episode in our fourth season! We're stretching our interests a bit with this one, but we're going to talk about The Goonies, that 1985 adventure movie with Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Jeff Cohen, Ke Huy Quan, Kerri Green, Corey Feldman and directed by Richard Donner. Why The Goonies, you ask? Firstly because Mike had vowed never to watch it, and we got him to change a key aspect of his personality for the 'cast. Secondly, the Goonies are a different kind of nerd we've not yet touched upon -- the social pariah who is so simply because they refuse to be anything other than themselves. Who can't associate with that? Join us as we enjoy some Rocky Road martinis (if you're like me, you heard that in Sloth's voice), and share our lukewarm takes, it is just a few years old, after all.

Hello, and welcome to our last episode of season four! We're reviewing an icon, our idol, and early cast book in William Gibson's Neuromancer. It's got sexy robots, international heists and apartments the size of NYC closets, what more could you need in your cyberpunk? Seriously, this novel is genre defining and explanation avoiding — which is half the fun of listening to this episode. How do Adam, Shaun and Mike try to explain what is inexplicable (and for Adam, unfinished)? If you want more nerdy goodness while we're off for the summer, why not check out our back catalogue? We've read books like Snow Crash by William Gibson and Walkaway by Cory Doctorow that are in the same dystopian-cyber-maker-fi vein. If you'd rather a more known property, we read the Star Wars villain book Thrawn. There's lots to love for every nerd.  We'll see you again in the fall, with Cloud Atlas!

Hey there fellow nerds! We're talking about the 2022 smash movie, Everything Everywhere All at Once while drinking a smoked, maple bourbon peach smash -- kinda an everything all-at-once cocktail. Listen in if you've already watched it, and if not, grab your favorite chapstick, head to Netflix, and give it a watch.   For those mixologists out there, here's my recipe and process for our beverage: 1 oz bourbon (we used Elijah Craig) 1 oz maple syrup 0.5 oz lemon juice 1/2 a peach Directions:  Slice your peach into 1/4 and place them in your smoking cloche (or other cocktail smoker) Smoke the peaches for at least 5 minutes as you mix the rest of the cocktail. We used hickory wood for this. Muddle the peaches in the bottom of your cocktail shaker, then fill it with ice. Smoke the drinking glasses, making sure to leave the smoke there for a minute. Put the liquid ingredients into a shaker filled with ice and shake until frost forms on your shaker. Remove the glass from your smoking device, or vise-versa and pour the cocktail. Rim the glass with the unsmoked peach, and leave on glass for garnish.   If you want to catch up with our next read, it's the groundbreaking Neuromancer by Neal Stephenson. Genre-defining, compound-adjective-forming, this one is sure to give us a lot to talk about. Until then, stay nerdy!  

Today we review a book that's all about our avatar's baby cousin -- the octopus. Ray Naylor's The Mountain in the Sea. What's better than octopodes with a culture and written language? How about a near future where we've created the first sentient android, and a security officer with a first name so long you'd have to scroll down to read it all? There's more to Naylor's Mountain than this, but after a few surprise beverages from Shaun in our running series of Shaun surprises Mike and Adam with a new brew, what else is there to know? Grab a copy of the book and dive on in! If first contact with new intelligences isn't your thing, what about the OG cyberpunk from William Gibson? Up next for us is his genre-defining Neuromancer. 

What do you get when you put three nerds in a room together with spicy margaritas? Our latest 'cast where we discuss the recently released Dune Part 2 based on Frank Herbert's novel, Dune.  Come for the movie review, stay for the Christopher Walken impressions! And if space operas with intense IR camera filmed scenes of Roman Gladiatorial combat isn't your kind of nerdy, then join us next episode where we discuss Ray Naylor's The Mountain in the Sea, as well as our favorite plural for octopus, what it means to be a sentient human, and bad ass security officers who choose shitty translator devices to stay socially and emotionally distant.

In a one-off, we read the ChatGPT generated audio drama we discussed in the previous episode; it's a first for us, and a first for podcasts (as far as we know). Listen in as we read the audio drama "Fear and Loathing in Dallas": three friends trying to escape their rustbelt blues on a road trip to see the Buffalo Bills play in the Super Bowl. Try not to laugh, or give in and do! Then, listen in next time as we discuss The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler. It's got AI powered slave ships, kidnapping, Matrix-esque hackers, octopods trying to communicate with humans, security officers who fight in a fishbowl of gel and the moral quandries surrounding creating the first sentient robot.    We'll see you in the next episode, stay nerdy friends. Cheers! 

Join us as we do something a little weird, even for us. As teachers, we are fighting and intrigued by what AI, specifically ChatGPT, can do. So join us for an episode where we ask Chat to do our homework for us to write a story.  Then, tune in next time as we unveil, for the first time anywhere, our radio drama written by ChatGPT, and performed by none other than us -- your friendly Nerds of the Old Republic!

Here we go with a new book: Jordan Peele's Out There Screaming, a collection of new black horror.  We at Nerds are HUGE fans of the editor's work so we wanted to see what his taste in literature would be like. And man is there a lot to talk about! 

Well, now, this is an end of an era. The last Tarantino movie to review: Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Listen in as Mike, Shaun and I give the director one last send off, and add a bit of a retrospective as well.   Then, get ready to return to form: we're heading back to books! First, we're going to read Jordan Peele's collection of new black horror in Out There Screaming, then have a little fun with AI in what I'm calling, ChatGPT Story Hour. We've got plenty more cued up after that, but I like to play it close to the chest.  If you enjoy what we're doing, the best way to support our nerdy selves is to share our podcast with a friend. Just find that "share" button on your podcast player, and think of one person whose as smart as you are. They'll appreciate it! Cheers!

We're neck deep into our retrospective here on the man himself: Quentin Tarantino. Join us for a quickie on Hateful Eight before a look on the Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. After that  we have a return to form, as we're going back to books with the collection by Nope director Jordan Peele, titled Out There Screaming. Looking forward to the Wilhelm scream references!  ‘Till then, cheers, nerds!

Hello you poor devils! Welcome to the second last Tarantino episode from us, the Nerds of the Old Republic! We're talking Django Unchained (the D is silent). If you like what you're hearing, we've got two more -  Hateful Eight, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood! What's next, after that? We'll only the AI chatbot will know. Listen in!

We know the holidays can be a a difficult time to be around the family, so why not talk about something we can all agree on: killin' Nazis with Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds!  Listen in, go back and watch if you've not yet seen this masterpiece of alternate history war fiction, and if you know the whip cream strudel scene, let me know if you too think it's a lot more sexual than it seems! If you're new, and are just tuning in, check out our other QT work. If his movies aren't your thing, we do a lot with books too; check those out! We'd like to think we've got something for everyone. On our next cast, we're moving onto QT phase three with his final three films: Django Unchained, Hateful Eight, and most recently Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

Hey there kiddo... let's finish this, shall we? Listen in as we talk about the second half of what Tarantino considers a single film; part samurai warrior, part spaghetti western. Let's talk all things The Bride. When you're done with this cast, check out our other conversations on Tarantino. Or better yet, check out his next film  we will be talking about: Inglorious Basterds. That's right, we're skipping Death Proof. Leave your hate comments on nerdsofoldrepublic@gmail.com. One of us will patiently answer them in a dead language.

There's only one thing left to do, and that's...review Quintin Tarantino's Kill Bill Vol. 1. Ok, maybe more than one thing left to do, since we're also drinking some mezcal.  Oh, and there's five other movies to talk about! If you like what you're hearing, please grab Kill Bill Vol 2 and circle on back in two weeks when we talk about that very same movie. After than we're on to Inglorious Basterds. Pull up a chair and listen on in. If there's something you'd love to hear, hit us up at nerdsofoldrepublic@gmail.com.

Well, well, well, look who we have here. It's another Tarantino film. That's who. Welcome back to the Nerds Review Tarantino series, this time looking at Jackie Brown. Grab something cold to drink, and listen on in!   Your homework for next time is to watch both Kill Bill movies -- they're like chips; once you pop, your @ss ain't gonna stop, to quote friend of the cast, Samuel J. Jackson. 

Mmmmm Mmmmmm...that's a tasty podcast! We're back with movie two of our Tarantino study: Pulp Fiction! Listen in as we do terrible impressions of the best moments, and awkwardly use the phrase gimp mask a little too often! But seriously, we talk about what aged well, what didn't age so well. If you don't remember that magical dance scene, go back and watch! Then, get ahead of our next cast by watching Kill Bill vols 1 and 2. If you haven't yet, check out some of our earlier work too. Like anime? Hate anime? Listen in to our Akira cast. Or maybe listen to our Thrawn cast to figure out who they're talking about in Ashoka!

Well, well, well. If it isn't Mr. Nerd. We're back, and we're taking a different tack with the start of this season. Since we love all things nerd-related and adjacent, we're going to be talking about Quentin Tarantino's work, chronologically. Up first is Reservoir Dogs: the film that thrust the man into our orbit. Listen in as we chat about the man himself, and if you haven't seen the film in a while, go back and give it a watch. Up next in our study is one tasty film, Pulp Fiction. 

Hey there nerds! Ready for some over-the-top anime with Akira? Supposedly groundbreaking. Supposedly life-altering. Listen in as we discuss our hottakes and sorry about the extra loud munchies -- we were still enjoying our eats from the previous cast on Cory Doctorow's Walkaway.   Lastly, we're looking at changing our scheduling of things, nerds, so stay tuned as we decide when and what's next!

Hi Nerds! Sorry this one's a little late -- there was some problems with the Walkaway net, then someone stole my B+B, it was a hole thing. We're here talking about Cory Doctorow's dystopian/maker/git/gnu/hacker and everything else Neal Stephenson said about this book on the back cover. Join us for our usual lively discussion about literature, nerds, how scientifically correctly we like to have our sex scenes written and much more. Just a quick warning though, we eat random Japanese snacks throughout the episode, so if ASMR isn't your thing, I would maybe turn the volume down on this one. Join us in two weeks for the exciting Akira! As always, if you like what you're hearing, please slide us into the eardrums of your likeminded nerd friends!  

Here there fellow nerds! We're at it again, this time looking at the golden age of nerdy television: the 1990's. Join us as we reminisce about days of old. We each bring three TV series to the cast to discuss. Did we miss one you loved? Was Stargate Atlantis an abomination or a missed opportunity for a Netflix reboot? Find us on the socials to join the conversation, we are @nerdsofoldrepublic everywhere.   And not to be outdone, we're back with a nerdy read next: Cory Doctorow's Walkaway. I'd describe it in my own words, but really, I'll let the blurb on the back speak for itself (mainly because it's Neal Stephenson and I cannot imagine anything more absurd but accurate): " “The Bhagavad Gita of hacker/maker/burner/open source/git/gnu/wiki/99%/adjunctfaculty/Anonymous/shareware/thingiverse/cypherpunk/LGTBQIA*/squatter/upcycling culture...zipped it down into a pretty damned tight techno-thriller with a lot of sex in it.”―Neal Stephenson   So there's that. Go pick yourself up a copy and get ready for all of the things! And if you don't quite have time for 430 pages of whatever Stephenson said, go check out the seminal film Akira. It's what were talking about after Walkaway.

Welcome back fellow nerds! If you joined us for the last conversation, you know we're talking about Star Trek: The Next Generation. In this installment, we're doing something new -- we're handing out the first ever Nerds of the Old Republic Awards for a TV Series. But of course, we've got a twist! Listen in to find out who wins our first ever Nerds of the Old Republic Awards! If you're down for more Nerdom, check out our back catalogue, like: Neal Stephenson's Termination Shock Cixin Liu's The Three Body Problem If you're looking to read along with us, we're reading Cory Doctorow's Walkaway and after that, discussing Akira. 

Hello fellow nerds, and thanks for listening in to our re-watch of a sci-fi classic, Star Trek: The Next Generation. We've picked some of the biggest episodes from this iconic series to talk about, so fire up Paramount Plus, and check out the following episodes:  The Best of Both Worlds, Pt 1 and 2 (s3e26, s4e1) The Measure of a Man (s2e9) Yesterday's Enterprise (s3e15) Chain of Command (s6e10,11) Inner Light (s5, e25)  Deja Q (s3e13) And if you're a fan of our cocktail conversations, we're drinking the beverage Data makes in the episode titled, “Conundrum” where he thinks he's a bartender. It's a Samarian Sunset, a la liquor.com

Hail and well met fellow Tolkienites! Tolkeinists? Either way, we're here and ready to vivisect Amazon's huge investment in the TV series: The Rings of Power. If you haven't gone back and read the (loosely related) source material, we'll save you the time. Listen in to our previous cast where we talk about The Silmarillion.    If high fantasy isn't your thing, then click through some of our sci-fi back catalogue, like The Three Body Problem or an all time favorite from our early days, Neal Stephenson's Snow Crash.   Then, come back next time when we dive into the 90's golden age of space TV with Star Trek: The Next Generation. Specifically, we're watching: The Best of Both Worlds, Pt 1 and 2 (s3e26, s4e1) The Measure of a Man (s2e9) Chain of Command (s6e10,11) Inner Light (s5, e25)  Deja Q (s3e13) Yesterday's Enterprise (s3e15)

Hi there nerds! We're getting into the high holy of nerd-dom : JRR Tolkien's fantasy world from the Lord of the Rings. Specifically, we're looking at the original world building book The Silmarillion.  To go with it, we're drinking mulled wine. If you'd rather watch your nerdy goodness, we're talking about the Amazon original The Rongs of Power

Hi there! I know it's been a while, but we're back. Back again. Nerds are back. Tell a friend. Ok, enough of that! We're watching the Netflix TV series of the fabulous Neil Gaiman's The Sandman graphic novel series. How'd they do translating this beautiful, lush work onto the screen? Which one of us will shout the f-bomb?   Listen in to find out! If you're enjoying our audio, why not check out our blog, More than Just Books. Lastly, if you're looking to get ahead of our next read so you can join in with us, check out the OG, the man with the plan, JRR Tolkien and his book, The Silmarillion and Amazon's The Rings of Power TV series after that. As always, stay nerdy!

Hey fellow Nerds! This month we're reading Chinese sensation Cixin Liu's The Three-Body Problem, the first book in a hard sci-fi trilogy. There are aliens, Chinese Communists and nanomaterials: Oh My! Listen in here before Netflix makes a terrible rendition of it by making this a thriller, somehow. If you're new to our 'cast, we have a witty conversation about a text while enjoying a beverage or two; but don't worry! If you haven't yet picked up a copy of the book, we don't include too many spoilers. Also, we're big on trying new cocktails or beers. Today's beverage happens to be Buffalo New York's Resurgence Brewing Company and their Peanut Butter Porter. The gents of the cast definitely have some tasting notes for you, and it might not be what you think.  If you enjoy what you heard here, join us over on GoodPods, a social podcast player with benefits. We'd love to follow you and keep the conversation going over there. Lastly, we're on a mission, dear Nerds. In an upcoming episode, we will be talking about JRR Tolkien's The Silmarillion, and we think friend of the 'cast Stephen Colbert would be a perfect addition to the group. We know he's an immense fan (of Tolkien) and we're immense fans of his, so it seems like a natural fit. So hit him up on the socials, and let's see if we can make that cast a party of four!

In a world where androids hunt androids...that's right, we're talking Blade Runner 2049, directed by friend of the cast, Denis Villeneuve and staring none else than Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford. Join us -- outside again, sorry about the lawnmower man (*gasp -- future cast, maybe?) as we drink the fantastic...beer as Shaun called it. No, seriously, its Labatt's Max Ice. If you can get it, you should try it at least once. It's a biere forte, which is to say cheap, and 8%. But an experience nonetheless. If you even remotely laugh at us, please consider leaving a rating on Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. And if you can't just get enough nerds, check out our blog where we talk about more than just books! Lastly, next up for us is Cixin Liu's The Three Body Problem and Neil Gaiman's Sandman series on netflix. Check them out, and leave us a message on the socials so we can work your thoughts into the 'cast.

Quick Disclaimer: This episode was recorded outside, at a friend of the cast's house, so there more background noise than usual. Is that a real sheep you have there? No? Oh well. This month we're reading Phillip K. Dick's sci-fi novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? If you haven't gotten a copy and read it yet, go back to some of our other casts while you catch up. And while you're away, go get some Johnny Walker Black, the drink of choice for this episode thanks to Deckard's enjoyment of it.  If the book isn't quite your thing, listen in to our next cast when we talk about the movie it inspired, Bladerunner. Be sure to find yourself a nice bowl of ramen when you do -- no not that $.25 stuff, but some homemade like we eat. If you don't enjoy it, you're probably an android. Lastly, if you haven't had enough nerdy goodness yet, head over to our blog, More than Just Books where Mike catches some nerd-adjacent material that may have slipped by you.

In true nerds fashion, we're looking at some Star Wars media -- Ewan McGregor's triumphant (?!) return to the old master! Since Obi-Wan is a staid, old man, we're drinking an older beverage. Nothing fancy, but it'll get ya job done: Pabst Blue Ribbon. Better known as PBR in the hipster circles. No recipe needed here. Didn't finish The Star Wars Saga, Obi-Wan Kenobi? Finish it up and listen in. Ready for more nerdy goodness? Pick up a copy of Do Androids Dream of Electric Sleep and get ready to talk about it's movie spin offs, Bladerunner and Bladerunner 2049.  And if that's not enough, check out our blog, More Than Just Books  blog where Mike talks about The Mazalan Book of the Fallen and much more.

It's been a while, but we're back and coming out swinging with Neal Stephenson's newest book Termination Shock. Will we like it as much as his other book, Snow Crash? Will Shaun continue being the cast's naysayer? Will Mike finally beat Shaun in the lightening round? All questions will be answered, if only you listen.  If you haven't yet, grab yourself some ingredients for this month's cocktail, a modified Tequila Sunrise, which I'm calling a PinA2bo Sunset (if you read the book, you know). You'll need: Tequila Cherry Grenadine Orange Juice  Orange Liquor Directions: Mix the tequila, OJ and orange liquor in a shaker. Pour into a Collins glass and then add the grenadine, but do not mix. The glass will be as pretty as a Sulphur infused sunset in the novel! And while you're listening, if you're new to our cast: thank you so much for joining us! Considering following us on our social platforms: Instagram Twitter And please, head over to our blog, More than Just Books, where Mike is tearing it up with movie reviews and previews of upcoming nerdy material!

Hey everyone! We hope this episode finds you hanging out near a pool, with a Genesee Light in your hand -- yes, that's right, it's the drink for the cast, you got something against Rochester, New York -- and having watched Ex Machina.   After enjoying the cast, please leave us a review on Apple Podcast, GoodPods, Podbean, or wherever you listen! Those little stars you leave us are huge in helping other, like-minded nerds find us. And if you missed it, we're taking a brief hiatus, but look to hear from us again on our normal release schedule of first and third Thursdays starting again in September. 

Welcome back, Nerds! We are still drinking that extra thick watermelon vodka concoction that Shaun made on his back patio. The drinks were good, the story...not so much... find out which one of us shouts "F-you Joe Hill" first.    If you like our podcast, please give it a rating and review. And share it with one or all of your friends -- it would go a long way to helping like-minded nerds. As a reminder, remember that we're taking a break for the summer, mainly so we can read and finish Termination Shock by Neal Stephenson, which is a tome! We'll see you back in September with our thoughts there!

Hey there Nerds! We're tackling one of the more prolific writers this month in a sort of two-for-one. This cast is all about an OG horror writer: Stephen King and his new collection If It Bleeds. But perhaps what we liked better than the workman like prose of King's collection is the jucy AF watermelon drink Shaun made! Ok, you'll see in the first two minutes that we really like the drink and really didn't like the book.  If you want to catch the second half of this horror double header month, pick up a copy of Joe Hill's If it Bleeds. That's right, King the younger is up right after King the Elder.

Grab yourself something to drink and plug in your headphones, we're doing a partial live watch of Nicholas Cage's Jiujitsu. Holy cow, people, this one takes me back to my b-movie days and I LOVE IT! Hope you enjoy our break from our more serious stuff -- like Moon Witch Spider King. Join us for Joe Hill's Full Throttle and Stephen King's If it Bleeds for our next casts. After that we're watching Ex Machina and geeking out; if you've got thoughts about any of these things, hit us up on the socials!

Hello there fellow nerds! We're in for a treat today as we drink Tanduay Double Rum and talk all things Marlon James, but specifically his Moon Witch Spider King.  F*&k the gods, people, grab a glass and a copy for yourself so you know what you're in for!   While you're at it, check out our friends at Back in My Day, the not-so-stereotypical millennial podcast. We recently got to hang out on their channel and talk Batman Returns, so give it a listen and a subscribe!

Spare a coin for your witcher, and watch out for that damn Sylvan! Listen in as the Nerds --Shaun, Mike and Adam -- talk about the Netflix series! We're keeping it easy drinking, this time with New Belgium Brewing's Dragon's Milk Reserve! We definitely recommend you grab a four-pack, where ever fine craft beers are sold near you! If you like what we do, we'd appreciate it if you dropped us a review and rating wherever you listen in to our show. It'll help other like-minded nerds find our book reviews, nerd related media talks and our blog. Stay Nerdy, and Cheers!

Saddle up Roach and let's get ready to fight some monsters, in The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski! If high fantasy and European fables are your thing, then The Witcher series will be too.  For tonight's cocktail, we're drinking a version of Geralt's white honey potion for removal of toxins and poisons -- which, if you've been reading, will know that for us, is absinthe. Essentially, it's a hot toddy so you'll need the following: 3 oz your favorite bourbon (we're using Black Button Straight Four Grain ) 6 oz tea 1 tbs honey 1 cinnamon stick   To make, steep the tea. Separately, simmer the honey, lemon and bourbon on the stove top for at least 20 minutes.  Combine and feel immediately better thanks to the warm glow of bourbon. Cheers, Nerds!