Podcasts about spoonbenders

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Latest podcast episodes about spoonbenders

Town Hall Seattle Arts & Culture Series
402. Daryl Gregory with Matt Dinniman: When Simulations Search for Meaning: A Novelist Explores Human Truths Within Illusion

Town Hall Seattle Arts & Culture Series

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2025 58:02


What if none of this were real, but instead we were in a simulation? What would that mean about life, about the notion of reality, and about our own existence?  From award-winning, Seattle-based author Daryl Gregory comes a story following two friends on a cross-country bus tour through glitches as they grapple with secrets, love, and family — issues that are not uncommon, except these take place in a simulated world. When We Were Real follows longtime best friends JP and Dulin. When JP finds out his cancer has aggressively returned, Dulin decides it's the perfect time for one last adventure: a week-long bus tour of the Impossibles, the glitches and geographic miracles that started cropping right after the Announcement that revealed our world to be merely a digital simulacrum. The outing promises to be the trip of a (not completely real) lifetime. Unlike other sci-fi hits like The Matrix or Vanilla Sky, these characters know they are simulations. Through this self-awareness, they — as well as readers — explore what it means to be human, to be alive or even real. Through a cast of colorful characters (like a pregnant influencer determined to make her child too famous to be deleted) or the stops they make along the way (like a tunnel outside of time or a motivational-speaking avatar's compound) JP and Dulin have no shortage of things to talk about as they venture toward the tour's final stop, where the travelers may find out who is actually running the simulation. When We Were Real aims to uncover the things that really matter in life, even in an artificial world. Daryl Gregory is the award-winning author of numerous novels, including Revelator, Afterparty, and Spoonbenders, a Nebula, Locus, and World Fantasy Award finalist. His novella We Are All Completely Fine won the World Fantasy Award and the Shirley Jackson Award. He currently resides in Seattle, Washington. Matt Dinniman is a writer, artist, and musician (well, he's a bass player) from Gig Harbor, WA. He is the author of several books, including the bestselling Dungeon Crawler Carl series.   Buy the Book When We Were Real: A Novel Third Place Books

Strong Sense of Place
LoLT: The Witches of Scotland Tartan and Two New Books

Strong Sense of Place

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2025 12:41


In this episode, we get excited about two new books: When We Were Real by Daryl Gregory and The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones. Then Mel shares the meaningful story of the new Witches of Scotland tartan. Links When We Were Real by Daryl Gregory Daryl Gregory's website Read an excerpt from When We Were Real Podcast: Mel talks about Spoonbenders in our Chicago episode Mel's write-up of Spoonbenders Podcast: Mel talks about the P&T Knitwear bookshop The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones The Witches of Scotland website, Instagram, and TikTok The book: How to Kill a Witch: The Patriarchy's Guide to Silencing Women The podcast: Witches of Scotland Tartan Episode Smithsonian magazine on the campaign and tartan Nicola Sturgeon Issues Apology for ‘Historical Injustice' of Witch Hunts. Transcript of this episode. The Library of Lost Time is a Strong Sense of Place Production! https://strongsenseofplace.com Join our FREE Substack to get our (awesome) newsletter and join in chats with other people who love books and travel. Do you enjoy our show? Do you want to make friends with other (lovely) listeners? Please support our work on Patreon. Every little bit helps us keep the show going and makes us feel warm and fuzzy inside - https://www.patreon.com/strongsenseofplace As always, you can find us at: Our site Instagram Substack Patreon Parts of the Strong Sense of Place podcast are produced in udio! Some effects are provided by soundly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lucid Cafe
Fantasy Worlds with Author Daryl Gregory

Lucid Cafe

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 8, 2023 59:32


Sci fi and fantasy author Daryl Gregory describes his books as “psychological realism in the face of surrealism.” He tackles topics that I find fascinating like the nature of consciousness, free will, paranormal abilities, and the power of belief, specifically of the religious variety. And then when I learned that he doesn't really believe in the things that he writes about, I was intrigued and eager to have a conversation with him. Happy to report that he was up for it!Daryl Gregory's novels and short stories have been translated into a dozen languages and have won multiple awards, including the World Fantasy and Shirley Jackson awards, and have been nominated for the Hugo, Nebula, Edgar, Locus, Lambda, and Sturgeon awards. His latest books are the novel Revelator (Knopf) and the novella The Album of Dr. Moreau (tor.com). His eight other books include Spoonbenders, We Are All Completely Fine, Afterparty, the Crawford-Award-winning novel Pandemonium, and the collection Unpossible and Other Stories, a Publishers Weekly book of the year. He's an executive producer and writer for several of his novels being adapted for television. He also teaches writing and is a regular instructor at the Viable Paradise Writing Workshop.Writer guy Daryl Gregory's website“Gifts and Tools to Explore and Celebrate the Unseen Worlds” - The Lucid Path BoutiqueLucid Cafe episodes by topic Listen to Lucid Cafe on YouTube  ★ Support this podcast ★

Nice Jewish Fangirls
Don't Put Off 'Til Tomorrow Something Jew Can Do Today (Episode 55)

Nice Jewish Fangirls

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2022 71:54


The Nice Jewish Fangirls convene urgently (but not with haste) for the final installment of our Middot Mussar series! The fangirls debate the definition of “zerizut,” discuss how this trait links back to the first in the series, and explore its applications in fandom and fiction. Plus… singing? This week's obsessions include the novel Spoonbenders by Daryl Gregory, as narrated by Ari Fliakos, and rare shared preoccupation with the Netflix animated series Arcane. "Zrizus" from The Marvelous Midos Machine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ba5aj6EdvfI Middot Mussar source sheet: www.sefaria.org/sheets/211995.12?…with=all&lang2=en Get our NEW MERCH! www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/45021944 Tamar's BOOK! www.goodreads.com/book/show/492498…12nAq28iR&rank=1 Get in touch with us! Twitter: www.twitter.com/JewishFangirls Facebook: www.facebook.com/jewishfangirls/ Email us at nicejewishfangirls@gmail.com Review us on Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nice…ls/id1181390630 Edited by Jamie Blumberg. You can reach them on Twitter (twitter.com/jamie_blumberg), email them at jamietheblumberg@gmail.com, or visit their website at jamberg.me/

Currently Reading
Season 3, Episode 46: Backlist Goodness + The Low-Down on Summer Reading Guides

Currently Reading

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2021 44:43


On this week's episode of Currently Reading, Kaytee and Mindy are discussing: Bookish Moments: early morning reading and something to look forward to Current Reads: under-the-radar books and back and frontlist gems Deep Dive: a rundown of summer reading guides plus what it takes to put one together Book Presses: a book that takes you to Japan and one more Pride Month gem As per usual, time-stamped show notes are below with references to every book and resource we mentioned in this episode. If you'd like to listen first and not spoil the surprise, don't scroll down!  New: we are now including transcripts of the episode (this link only works on the main site). These are generated by AI, so they may not be perfectly accurate, but we want to increase accessibility for our fans! *Please note that all book titles linked below are Amazon affiliate links. Your cost is the same, but a small portion of your purchase will come back to us to help offset the costs of the show. Thanks for your support!*   . . . . Current Reads: 4:48 - The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein (Mindy) 5:12 - The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon 8:10 - Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano (Kaytee) 10:18 - Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead by Elle Cosimano (Pre-order link) 11:34 - Spoonbenders by Daryl Gregory (Mindy) 15:21 - The Black Count by Tom Reiss (Kaytee) 17:03 - The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas  17:53 - Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis (Mindy) 17:56 - Circe by Madeline Miller  17:58 - A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes 18:19 - Disfigured: Fairy Tales, Disability, and Making Space by Amanda Leduc 18:56 - The Lost Queen by Signe Pike 20:28 - Lovely War by Julie Berry 20:29 - Olympus, Texas by Stacey Swann 20:50 - One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston (Kaytee) 21:45 - Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuistion Deep Dive - Summer Reading Guides 24:32 - Modern Mrs. Darcy's Summer Reading Guide 25:31 - Sarah's Bookshelves Summer Reading Guide 26:07 - Sarah's Bookshelves Live podcast 26:20 - Kelly Hook's Instagram @kellyhook.readsbooks 26:54 - Janssen Bradshaw's instagram @everydayreading 27:18 - Bookend Homeschoolers Summer Reading Guide pt.1 Episode 38 27:18 - Bookend Homeschoolers Summer Reading Guide pt.2 Episode 39 31:52 - Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez 32:18 - Warrior Cats #1: Into the Wild by Erin Hunter 32:52 - Cinder by Marissa Meyer 34:53 - Shogun by James Clavell 36:08 - Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir 36:34 - Wings of Fire #1: The Dragonet Prophecy by Tui T. Sutherland Books We Want to Press Into Your Hands: 39:39 - All The Ways Home by Elsie Chapman (Mindy) 41:47 - You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson (Kaytee) Connect With Us: Meredith is @meredith.reads on Instagram Kaytee is @notesonbookmarks on Instagram Mindy is @gratefulforgrace on Instagram Mary is @maryreadsandsips on Instagram currentlyreadingpodcast.com @currentlyreadingpodcast on Instagram currentlyreadingpodcast@gmail.com Support us at patreon.com/currentlyreadingpodcast

The Coode Street Podcast
Episode 439: Ten Minutes with Daryl Gregory

The Coode Street Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2020 15:54


Ten minutes with... is a special series presented by Coode Street that sees readers and booklovers from around the world talk about what they're reading right now and what's getting them through these difficult times. World Fantasy and Shirley Jackson Award-winner Daryl Gregory comes on board for a discussion with Gary about how distracting the news can be from real work, reading manuscripts for blurbs or for friends, the new Lavie Tidhar novel, Island of Dr. Moreau movies, the virtues of Iain M. Banks, the occasional pleasures of locked-room murder mysteries, and Daryl's own forthcoming but not yet titled novel. Books mentioned include: Spoonbenders by Daryl Gregory By Force Alone by Lavie Tidhar The Island of Dr. Moreau by H.G. Wells The Culture novels by Iain M. Banks The Hollow Man by John Dickson Carr      

Ink to Film
ITF Read: Watchmen (1987 graphic novel) ft. Daryl Gregory

Ink to Film

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2019 102:57


In episode 110, SPOONBENDERS author and comic book writer Daryl Gregory joins the podcast to discuss Alan Moore and Dave Gibbon’s WATCHMEN--a graphic novel that influenced his work and is considered a masterpiece by many critics. Daryl chats with Luke & James about the comic that changed everything, and even shares the surprising inspiration for one of his characters! Topics: Daryl’s experience reading Watchmen during its original run, the power of repeated phrases and symbols, the deconstruction of comic tropes, Neil Gaiman’s story seeds, the SPOONBENDERS pilot on Showtime, Alan Moore’s biography, the work-for-hire nature of comics, the illustrator/writer relationship, the sexual & gender politics, the power of the alternate history, and the legacy of the graphic novel and its modern adaptations.    The episode ends with an exploration of each of the following characters: The Comedian, Rorschach, Silk Spectre, Nite Owl, Dr. Manhattan, and Ozymandias. This episode’s intro/outro: A.O.E. - Crystal Clocks and Music Box (Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution for reuse) Daryl Gregory Twitter: @darylwriterguy Website: https://darylgregory.com Buy Spoonbenders  Become a Patron & unlock exclusive content/rewards, including our brand new "Book Club" tier: www.patreon.com/inktofilm Ink to Film is now on YouTube! Sign up for Ink to Film’s Newsletter  Follow Ink to Film on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram Home Base: inktofilm.com Ink to Film Book Club on Goodreads

Punching Cardboard
Episode 150 -- For Example, to Exemplify

Punching Cardboard

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2019 165:01


Welcome to our 150th episode extravaganza! And by extravaganza we mean the same ol' same ol'. A few games, an album, a book, some banter, a disagreement or two. Parades and fireworks not included. MILESTONES: 00:12:44 -- Great Western Trail: Rails to the North (in-depth) 00:40:46 -- Lowenherz (session) 00:59:43 -- Mercury Rev, Bobbie Gentry's The Delta Sweete Revisited 01:14:20 -- Quartermaster General: The Cold War (in-depth session) 01:48:00 -- Spoonbenders, Daryl Gregory  02:20:25 -- The State of the Podcast 02:39:22 -- Loss

Spirits
109: Winter Solstice

Spirits

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2018 40:19


We’re all out enjoying the holidays, but we also wanted to celebrate with you! So we did a quick round up this week about a bunch of different ways the Winter Solstice is celebrated around the world. We got recipe ideas, talked about death and darkness a lot, and talked about poetry. Y’know, all the Spirits classics.   Sponsors - Audible, the best place to get audiobooks and more. Go to audible.com/spirits or text spirits to 500-500 to start your free trial and redeem your free audiobook. This week Julia recommends Spoonbenders by Daryl Gregory. - Poshmark is the easiest way to buy and sell fashion items from millions of closets across the U.S. Download their app and use promo code spirits5 for $5 off your first purchase.   Find Us Online If you like Spirits, help us grow by spreading the word! Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, & Goodreads. You can support us on Patreon to unlock bonus Your Urban Legends episodes, director’s commentaries, custom recipe cards, and so much more. Transcripts are available at spiritspodcast.com/episodes. To buy merch, hear us on other podcasts, contact us, find our mailing address, or download our press kit, head on over to SpiritsPodcast.com.   About Us Spirits was created by Julia Schifini, Amanda McLoughlin and Eric Schneider. We are founding members of Multitude, a production collective of indie audio professionals. Our music is "Danger Storm" by Kevin MacLeod (http://incompetech.com), licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0.

Three Books
Episode 13 - Audio Aubsession

Three Books

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2018 52:06


Erica Christianson, Assistant Director at Ela Area Public Library, and makes the case for listening to and enjoying audiobooks. You’re already listening to a podcast - give it a try! 01:03 Meet our guest Erica Christensen02:07 The twist in this episode03:33 Cool story about books05:43 Opinions about Jim Dale07:28 Audiobook 1- Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl09:32 Christen mentions Strange Stars13:35 Audiobook 2- Spoonbenders17:04 Erica’s other favorite books of 201820:44 Audiobook 3- Marsh King’s Daughter23:45 Erica’s favorite narrators27:24 Christen’s top 3 audiobook performances32:51 Christen’s audiobook narrator crush34:34 Becca’s 3 Audiobooks38:56 Becca’s Narrator crush39:40 Speeding up audiobooks- pro or con?47:46 Erica’s QuoteErica’s Three Books: Hunger Makes Me a Modern Girl by Carrie Brownstein (read by the author)Spoonbenders by Daryl Gregory (read by Ari Fliakos)Marsh King’s Daughter by Karen Dionne (read by Emily Rankin) Other Titles/Information Discussed: Rootabaga Stories by Carl SandburgThe Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson BurnettLittle House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls WilderLord of the Rings by J. R. R. TolkienHarry Potter (read by Jim Dale)The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern (read by Jim Dale) Mr. Men & Little Miss Books by Roger Hargreaves (read by Jim Dale) Discworld Series (and Tiffany Aching) by Terry Pratchett (read by Stephen Briggs)Strange Stars: David Bowie, Pop Music, and the Decade Sci-Fi Exploded by Jason HellerShrill by Lindy West (read by the author) GuRu by RuPaul Charles (read by the author) Bossypants by Tina Fey (read by the author)Yes, Please by Amy Poehler (read by the author) You Can’t Touch My Hair and Other Things I Still Have to Explain by Phoebe Robinson (read by the author) Everything Is Trash (But It’s Okay) by Phoebe Robinson (read by the author) All Systems Red by Martha WellsThe Animators by Kayla Rae WhitakerThe Immoralists by Chloe BenjaminSavvy by Ingrid LawNOS4A2 by Joe Hill (read by Kate Mulgrew) The Fireman by Joe Hill (read by Kate Mulgrew) Christine by Stephen King Check out Hoopla for audiobooks! Email: threebookspodcast@gmail.comTwitter - @threebookspod

Comic Lab
Live, on tape, from Huntsville, Alabama

Comic Lab

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2018 73:19


While Brad's son was at Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama, Dave called him in his hotel room to talk comics. Pantsless, Brad obliged. They discussed Dave's new Kickstarter at DriveKickstarter.com and the agony of Kickstarter panic. THEN Dave gets some intriguing advice on using one's own photo as a social-media avatar. NEXT, a patron asks about brainstorming from scratch. THEN another patron asks about the main sources of webcomics revenue and how it has changed over time — and which revenue sources should be the focus of beginner cartoonists. NEXT, Brad loses his ever-lovin' temper over NSFW creators bad-mouthing Patreon. THEN a patron asks whether we've switched comics with other creators for something fun to do. Brad's mood does not improve. BUT FIRST, what can make an anti-social grump like Brad come out of his hotel room to attend social hour? Here's a hint: It rhymes with bree fear. Show notes 00:00 — Dave's wife imagines his internal monologue as ♪♫♪ "do-dee-do-do-doooo." ♪ ♫♪ 02:13 — How Brad learned to love his hotel's social hour. 09:49 — Dave has launched a new Kickstarter for his sci-fi/humor comic, "Drive" — DriveKickstarter.com 11:34 — Kickstarter panic 14:59 — Using your actual photo as your social-media avatar 22:55 — Audio Question — Dave Slusher of "Spoonbenders" asks about brainstorming. 25:58 — Learning the difference between walking away from a project and running away from a project. 35:05 — The fatal problem of wordy comics — and why Jim Davis' 25-Word Rule isn't so dumb. 39:24 — Where are the largest sources of income for webcartoonists — and how has that changed over time? 46:09 — Patreon changed its payment processing for some creators in August to a company in the UK. It caused some declined payments — and some NSFW creators ran to social media to badmouth Patreon. Find out why this made Brad furious, what his [correct] guess was about the backstory, and why creators owe a debt to gratitude to the crowdfunding giant. (P.S. Guess who writes these synopses) 53:35 — What income sources should new cartoonists be paying attention to? (Here's a hint: It's not what you think) 01:00:00 — A patron asks us if we've ever done a comic swap with another creator 01:06:00 — At first Brad thought Dave's "Anatomy of Authors" was a terrible idea. He glady admits how wrong he was and encourages his friend to never ever take his advice. 01:08:23 — The brilliance of "Anatomy of Authors"

Writers, After Dark
Writers, After Dark #11: Daryl Gregory

Writers, After Dark

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 12, 2018 43:00


Fantasy and horror author Daryl Gregory has a story for you. Spoonbenders (just out in trade paperback) tells the story of a family of dreamers gifted with psychic abilities of varying strengths and stability, how they became famous, how they fell apart, and how they tried to bring all the pieces back together again. Source

New Books Network
Daryl Gregory, “Spoonbenders” (Knopf, 2017)

New Books Network

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2018 30:44


If Tolstoy had written Spoonbenders (Knopf, 2017), he might have started it: “All happy families are alike; each family of psychics is unhappy in its own way.” Then again, who needs Tolstoy when you have Daryl Gregory, whose masterful family drama is tied together with telekinesis, astral traveling, and genuine mindreading magic. A Nebula Award finalist and an NPR Best Book for 2017, Spoonbenders tells the story of the one-time Amazing Telemachus Family, who have struggled to make ends meet ever since they were exposed as frauds on national TV. Only they really aren’t frauds. Most of them have true psychic gifts. The problem is that psychic gifts aren’t all that they’re cracked up to be. As Gregory explains, “I was trying to figure out why if people have these powers … wouldn’t they just become rulers of the world? Why wouldn’t they become rich and famous, and I was struck by the rationale that Uri Geller always used, which is ‘there are so many things that can reach out and interfere with your powers that only a faker can make his powers work all the time.’” Frankie Telemachus, whose get-rich-quick schemes have left him in debt to the mob, can move objects with his mind, but his ability never comes when he needs it. His sister, Irene, a grocery store cashier, is a human lie detector, which makes it impossible to have intimate relationships. And their brother, Buddy, is so worried about the looming end of the world (which he replays over and over again in his clairvoyant mind) that he devotes every waking moment to fretful, obsessive planning to prevent it. The story is told from five alternating points of view, revealing a cascade of secrets that explain the siblings’ inability to lead fulfilling lives while laying a foundation for their future salvation. Among the inspirations for the Spoonbenders is the U.S. Army’s Stargate Project, launched in 1978 to study the potential military uses of psychic phenomena. “I was intrigued by the idea that the government was buying into this… Up until 1995, we were throwing millions of dollars into it,” Gregory says. The book, in fact, is set in 1995, when a CIA agent hopes to save the program by recruiting Irene’s adolescent son, Matty, who has just discovered he can astral travel. Gregory himself doesn’t believe in psychic powers. “I’m a skeptic but I do like it in science fiction.” The only magic he believes in is that which a writer produces from his imagination. “A reader with a writer is making the same kind of contract as an audience with a magician. You know that magician is trying to fool you; you want them to fool you… And that’s what I’m really interested in. You know I’m going to tell you a story… but hopefully you’re willing to go along.” Rob Wolf is the host of New Books in Science Fiction and the author of The Alternate Universe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New Books in Science Fiction
Daryl Gregory, “Spoonbenders” (Knopf, 2017)

New Books in Science Fiction

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2018 30:44


If Tolstoy had written Spoonbenders (Knopf, 2017), he might have started it: “All happy families are alike; each family of psychics is unhappy in its own way.” Then again, who needs Tolstoy when you have Daryl Gregory, whose masterful family drama is tied together with telekinesis, astral traveling, and genuine mindreading magic. A Nebula Award finalist and an NPR Best Book for 2017, Spoonbenders tells the story of the one-time Amazing Telemachus Family, who have struggled to make ends meet ever since they were exposed as frauds on national TV. Only they really aren’t frauds. Most of them have true psychic gifts. The problem is that psychic gifts aren’t all that they’re cracked up to be. As Gregory explains, “I was trying to figure out why if people have these powers … wouldn’t they just become rulers of the world? Why wouldn’t they become rich and famous, and I was struck by the rationale that Uri Geller always used, which is ‘there are so many things that can reach out and interfere with your powers that only a faker can make his powers work all the time.’” Frankie Telemachus, whose get-rich-quick schemes have left him in debt to the mob, can move objects with his mind, but his ability never comes when he needs it. His sister, Irene, a grocery store cashier, is a human lie detector, which makes it impossible to have intimate relationships. And their brother, Buddy, is so worried about the looming end of the world (which he replays over and over again in his clairvoyant mind) that he devotes every waking moment to fretful, obsessive planning to prevent it. The story is told from five alternating points of view, revealing a cascade of secrets that explain the siblings’ inability to lead fulfilling lives while laying a foundation for their future salvation. Among the inspirations for the Spoonbenders is the U.S. Army’s Stargate Project, launched in 1978 to study the potential military uses of psychic phenomena. “I was intrigued by the idea that the government was buying into this… Up until 1995, we were throwing millions of dollars into it,” Gregory says. The book, in fact, is set in 1995, when a CIA agent hopes to save the program by recruiting Irene’s adolescent son, Matty, who has just discovered he can astral travel. Gregory himself doesn’t believe in psychic powers. “I’m a skeptic but I do like it in science fiction.” The only magic he believes in is that which a writer produces from his imagination. “A reader with a writer is making the same kind of contract as an audience with a magician. You know that magician is trying to fool you; you want them to fool you… And that’s what I’m really interested in. You know I’m going to tell you a story… but hopefully you’re willing to go along.” Rob Wolf is the host of New Books in Science Fiction and the author of The Alternate Universe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New Books in Literature
Daryl Gregory, “Spoonbenders” (Knopf, 2017)

New Books in Literature

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2018 30:44


If Tolstoy had written Spoonbenders (Knopf, 2017), he might have started it: “All happy families are alike; each family of psychics is unhappy in its own way.” Then again, who needs Tolstoy when you have Daryl Gregory, whose masterful family drama is tied together with telekinesis, astral traveling, and genuine mindreading magic. A Nebula Award finalist and an NPR Best Book for 2017, Spoonbenders tells the story of the one-time Amazing Telemachus Family, who have struggled to make ends meet ever since they were exposed as frauds on national TV. Only they really aren’t frauds. Most of them have true psychic gifts. The problem is that psychic gifts aren’t all that they’re cracked up to be. As Gregory explains, “I was trying to figure out why if people have these powers … wouldn’t they just become rulers of the world? Why wouldn’t they become rich and famous, and I was struck by the rationale that Uri Geller always used, which is ‘there are so many things that can reach out and interfere with your powers that only a faker can make his powers work all the time.’” Frankie Telemachus, whose get-rich-quick schemes have left him in debt to the mob, can move objects with his mind, but his ability never comes when he needs it. His sister, Irene, a grocery store cashier, is a human lie detector, which makes it impossible to have intimate relationships. And their brother, Buddy, is so worried about the looming end of the world (which he replays over and over again in his clairvoyant mind) that he devotes every waking moment to fretful, obsessive planning to prevent it. The story is told from five alternating points of view, revealing a cascade of secrets that explain the siblings’ inability to lead fulfilling lives while laying a foundation for their future salvation. Among the inspirations for the Spoonbenders is the U.S. Army’s Stargate Project, launched in 1978 to study the potential military uses of psychic phenomena. “I was intrigued by the idea that the government was buying into this… Up until 1995, we were throwing millions of dollars into it,” Gregory says. The book, in fact, is set in 1995, when a CIA agent hopes to save the program by recruiting Irene’s adolescent son, Matty, who has just discovered he can astral travel. Gregory himself doesn’t believe in psychic powers. “I’m a skeptic but I do like it in science fiction.” The only magic he believes in is that which a writer produces from his imagination. “A reader with a writer is making the same kind of contract as an audience with a magician. You know that magician is trying to fool you; you want them to fool you… And that’s what I’m really interested in. You know I’m going to tell you a story… but hopefully you’re willing to go along.” Rob Wolf is the host of New Books in Science Fiction and the author of The Alternate Universe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reading Glasses
Ep 32 - Audiobooks, Bed Hamburgers and Wil Wheaton!

Reading Glasses

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2018 36:48


Brea and Mallory finally talk about audiobooks, and interview actor, writer and audiobook performer Wil Wheaton! Use the hashtag #ReadingGlasses to participate in online discussion. Email us at readingglassespodcast at gmail dot com!   Links -   Audible Penguin Random House Audio Overdrive Libby   Loyal Books Digital Book Open Culture Audie Awards   Wil Wheaton https://twitter.com/wilw https://wilwheaton.bandcamp.com/ https://www.amazon.com/Books-Wil-Wheaton https://www.audible.com/search?searchNarrator=Wil+Wheaton Books Mentioned - Reincarnation Blues by Michael Poore   Red Clocks by Leni Zumas   Not My Father’s Son by Alan Cumming Hunger Makes Me A Modern Girl by Carrie Brownstein Sex Object by Jessica Valenti The Regional Office Is Under Attack! by Manuel Gonzales Fire and Fury by Michael Wolff Soul of an Octopus by Sy Montgomery   Home Comforts by Cheryl Mendelson   The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas Exit West by Mohsin Hamid   Spoonbenders by Daryl Gregory   Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds   The Book of Dust by Philip Pullman Hunger by Roxane Gay   Ready Player One by Ernest Cline Night Shift by Stephen King Carter Beats The Devil by Glen Gold House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski   Hell House by Richard Matheson   Crash Override by Zoe Quinn The Brothers by Stephen Kinzer  

Alle Bücher müssen gelesen werden - Podcast über Science Fiction, Fantasy und Bücher

Thema der Woche: Löffelverbieger! Als Löffelverbieger bezeichnet man gemeinhin übersinnliche begabte Menschen die Löffel verbiegen, oder genauer: Schwindler die sich für solche ausgeben. In „Spoonbenders“ von Daryl Gregory treffen wir auf eine solche Familie von Löffelverbiegern: die Telemachus (…Telemachii?) Familie. Hier haben wir drei Generationen von Leuten die übersinnlich begabt sind. Oder Betrüger. Oder beides. […]

VerdHugos Podcast
VerdHugos S06E02 - Entrevista a Edmundo Paz Soldán y repaso a lo mejor del año

VerdHugos Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2017


Bienvenidos a un nuevo capítulo del podcast de los VerdHugos.En esa ocasión tenemos como invitado a Edmundo Paz Soldán, autor de obras tan interesantes como Iris y Las Visiones, con quien hablaremos de su obra, sus planes de futuro y el estado de la ciencia ficción en la actualidad. En la segunda parte del programa, repasaremos los libros que más nos han gustado en 2017(0h : 6m) : influencias en Iris(0h : 18m) : atisbo, en exclusiva, del nuevo proyecto de Edmundo(0h : 34m) : repaso a lo mejor del añoRecomendacionesJosep María OriolLincoln in the Bardo de George SaundersIce de Anna KavanArs Ludens : relatos para sobrevivir al enemigo de final de fase de Charles YuThe Regional Office is under Attack de Manuel GonzalesElías CombarroToo Like the Lightning y Seven Surrenders de Ada PalmerThe Moon and the Other de John KesselSpoonbenders de Daryl GregorySix Wakes de Mur LaffertyThe Legends of Luke Skywalker de Ken LiuThe Book of Swords de VV.AA.Steal the Stars (audiodrama) de Mac RogersArmando SaldañaSix Wakes de Mur LaffertyA Man of Shadows de Jeff NoonDevil's Day de Andrew Michael HurleyLeticia LaraRuin of Angels de Max Gladstone Mandelbrot the Magnificient de Liz ZiemskaAustral de Paul McAuleyAutonomous de Annalee NewitzBSOEpic Mountain Goat Related Music by Son of Robot is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 License.

Books and Authors
Daryl Gregory and the importance of John Donne's love poems

Books and Authors

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2017 27:54


Daryl Gregory discusses his latest novel Spoonbenders and a manual on being a writer

3 Book Girls
EPISODE 51 SPOONBENDERS, STRIPED PYJAMAS, AND HEART OF DARKNESS

3 Book Girls

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2017 48:16


Ok, so we veer into some inappropriate talk again, as if that's anything new to you by now. We have 3 great books on tap though, so drink up!

Fully Booked by Kirkus Reviews
Daryl Gregory and Monica Hesse

Fully Booked by Kirkus Reviews

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2017 61:00


We talk to the author of one of the most intriguing summer novels published this year, SPOONBENDERS, by Daryl Gregory, the story of a family of people gifted with psychic abilities. And Monica Hesse joins us to talk about her new nonfiction book, AMERICAN FIRE, about a series of odd arsons in Virginia. That book is turning out to be a great summer read, too. Our editors also join us to give their takes on which bestsellers are worth your time.

Rick Kleffel:Agony Column
2025:A 2017 Mini-Interview With Daryl Gregory

Rick Kleffel:Agony Column

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 10, 2017


Daryl Gregory discusses his novel about an American family of psychics, Spoonbenders.

Book Talk
Episode 42: Spoonbenders by Daryl Gregory

Book Talk

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2017 55:52


Host Cyd Oppenheimer talks with author Daryl Gregory about quarreling with his editor about structure, about the advantages of writing science fiction, and about the ways science fiction is like every other genre; guest readers Tui Sutherland and Alfie Guy join Oppenheimer to discuss fraud, fakery, fire-starters, friendship, and family.

oppenheimer daryl gregory spoonbenders tui sutherland
Warp Drives with TJ & Dave
Episode 12: The Salacious Fluffernutter

Warp Drives with TJ & Dave

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2017 45:24


We had a week full of SFF events. First, we saw Daryl Gregory reading at University Bookstore. He had a fun way of conducting his Q & A, plus he also read from his newly-released novel Spoonbenders. We also attended the Locus Awards, including the Friday evening readings from Carrie Vaughn and Connie Willis. We both read two more Hugo finalists for Best Novelette: “You’ll Surely Drown Here If You Stay,” by Alyssa Wong and “The Jewel and Her Lapidary,” by Fran Wilde. We loved the complex magical rules and intricate politics of Fran’s story and the western desert magic of Alyssa’s tale.   Dave watched The Girl With All the Gifts and compares it to the novel. (Remember, we talk details of everything, so spoilers in this and every episode!) And hey, Moana is free on Netflix. You’re welcome! (By the way, here’s a link to the video that was cracking us both up: Forever Spinning Kid On Go Cart) Warp Drives #12: The Salacious Fluffernutter

The Week in Geek Radio Show
Daryl Gregory author of Spoonbenders and Callie Bates author of The Waking Land 6/25/17

The Week in Geek Radio Show

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2017 54:25


Two great guests this week! Daryl Gregory author of Spoonbenders and Callie Bates author of The Waking Land are here to tells us all about their books for our Summer Reading Special. Top Nerd News is packed with Star Wars, Wonder Woman, John Carpenter and more.This Week in Geek History closes out the show.

Professional Book Nerds
Ep. #120 - June Books We're Excited To Read!

Professional Book Nerds

Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2017 31:59


Before Jill and Adam go on a series of travel adventures for work and play they get together to share the books coming out in June they're most excited to read. In this episode you'll hear discussions about new memoirs (HELLO EDDIE IZZARD), Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery, Young Adult and oodles more. Adam also reads a wonderful listener email and we lament how fast time is flying in 2017. Shout at us with the books your most excited for this month for a chance to be mentioned on the podcast! Cheers and Happy Reading.    Believe Me: A Memoir of Love, Death and Jazz Chickens by Eddie Izzard Now I Rise by Kiersten White The People We Hate at the Wedding by Grant Ginder If I Understood you Would I Have this Look on my Face by Alan Alda  The Waking Land by Callie Bates  Dear Cyborgs by Eugene Lim Too Fat, Too Slutty, Too Loud: The Rise and Reign of the Unruly Woman by Anne Helen Petersen Do Not Become Alarmed by Maile Meloy The City Always Wine by Omar Robert Hamilton The Space Between Stars by Anne Corlett Saints and Misfits by S. K. Ali Stay Interesting: I Don't Always Tell Stories About My life, but When I do They're True and … by Jonathan Goldsmith Indigo by Charlaine Harris  Spoonbenders by Daryl Gregory Sweet Spot: An Ice Cream Binge Across America by Amy Ettinger Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire Our Dark Duet by Victoria Schwab You Don't Have To Say You Love Me by Sherman Alexie Every Last Lie by Mary Kubica Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz Quiet until the Thaw by Alexandra Fuller Say Hello!  Find OverDrive on Facebook at OverDriveforLibraries and Twitter @ProBookNerds. Email us directly at professionalbooknerds@overdrive.com Music "Buddy" provided royalty free from www.bensound.com Podcast Overview We're not just book nerds: we're professional book nerds and the staff librarians who work at OverDrive, the leading app for eBooks and audiobooks available through public libraries and schools. Hear about the best books we've read, ger personalized recommendations, and learn about the hottest books coming out that we can't wait to dive into. 

News for the Soul Broadcasting
EFT & SPOONBENDING live.....

News for the Soul Broadcasting

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2007 60:00


Cutting edge, ground breaking and new. Spoonbenders unite and join us for an unusual live and interactive EFT session with EFT Wizard Brad Yates and spoonbendin' show host Nicole Whitney. Together we shall tap away our subconscious blocks to experiencing 'the impossible'. This is an hour you will not want to miss.