Paul Cole from the Beam Me Up radio show/podcast sez of his latest show (Episode 84 Beam Me Up):
“This week I am running two “Christmas stories” – dark as they might be.”
And they are indeed dark! Have a listen |MP3|.
Teddy
By Shaun Saunders; Read by Paul Cole
Fear Itself
By Lewis Shiner; Read by Paul Cole
Subscribe to the podcast via this feed:
http://beameup.podomatic.com/rss2.xml
Space Boy
By Orson Scott Card; Read by Stefan Rudnicki
2 CDs -Approx. 2 Hours [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Published: 2007
ISBN: 9781433207648
Themes: / Science Fiction / Family / Adventure / Physics / Wormhole / Aliens /
Is it space travel that children dream of, or merely visiting other worlds? Todd had always set his heart on being an astronaut, but when he meets an alien and travels to another world, he doesn’t use a spaceship; he just hangs out in his own back yard.
You can tell you’re reading an Orson Scott Card story pretty quickly. Not only are the characters and plotting top notch, there are also a number of themes that will echo. Siblings, family, doggerel. Card seems to understand children, boys especially. And his protagonist in Space Boy is very sympathetic, he’s the Space Boy of the title, he’s somehow memorized the entire history of the space program, from every satellite launch, to every shuttle mission right up to the modern era – he especially reveres the three yǔhángyuán (Chinese astronauts) who went to Mars and never returned. But instead of winning himself a used space-suit and hitching a ride aboard a passing spacecraft instead Todd manages a giant adventure that spans from his brother’s bedroom closet – to another planet – and back to his own backyard. No high tech gadgets are required, what’s needed instead is a little imagination, a garden hose and as much bravery as a 13 year old boy can manage. Todd lives with his father and little brother. We learn that his mother disappeared suddenly about four years ago under mysterious circumstances. Nobody really knows what happened, but Todd’s little brother insists that the monster in his closet ate her. The plot of the tale suddenly emerges when a hairy naked elf steps out of nothingness in Todd’s backyard one day. The elf, who really isn’t an elf at all, reveals that he’s a scientist from another planet. He travels through something he calls “worms.” Through the interrogation, while the alien is getting dressed we learn that Todd’s mother is still alive and that for her barely a week has passed. Now its up to Todd, with the help of his little brother to convince their dad that there mom is still alive – and then to come up with a plan to get mom back.
You can tell you’re listening to an Orson Scott Card story pretty quickly. Star narrator and audiobook producer Stefan Rudnicki has been associated with nearly every Card audiobook for the past ten years – including this one. His deep voice is full of pathos, wisdom and resonance. Here he’s tasked with performing a family, father, sons, a mother – and an alien too. I found myself basking in the warmth of this tight knit family. Card takes his time developing the characters, which allows Rudnicki room to bring them to life. Blackstone has outfitted the two-CD audiobook with original art and a sturdy ring-binder library case. This is another terrific addition to the Orson Scott Card audiobook-shelf. Recommended.
Posted by Jesse Willis
Yes it is the time of year when singing about aerial caribou with magically glowing proboscises is deemed highly appropriate. Ya.
If you’ve always been more of a Science Fiction fan than a Fantasy fan then maybe this song is for you…
Chiron Beta Prime
Lyrics by Jonathon Coulton; Performed by Jonathon Coulton
1 |MP3| – Approx. 3 Minutes [CHRISTMAS MUSIC]
Provider: JonathonCoulton.com
Created: 2006
A delightful song along the lines of what’s-new-with-us-this-year-type Christmas card.
And here are the lyrix so you can practice up for the mandated robot overlord caroling session…
This year has been a little crazy for the Andersons.
You may recall we had some trouble last year.
The robot council had us banished to an asteroid.
That hasn’t undermined our holiday cheer.
And we know it’s almost Christmas from the marks we make on the wall.
And that’s our favorite time of year.Merry Christmas from Chiron Beta Prime,
where we’re working in a mine for our robot overlords.
Did I say overlords? I meant protectors.
Merry Christmas from Chiron Beta Prime.On every corner there’s a giant metal Santa Claus who watches over us with glowing red eyes.
They carry weapons and they know if you’ve been bad or good.
Not everybody’s good but everyone tries.
And the rocks outside the airlock exude ammonia-scented snow.
It’s like a Winter wonderland.Merry Christmas from Chiron Beta Prime,
where we’re working in a mine for our robot overlords.
Did I say overlords? I meant protectors.
Merry Christmas from Chiron Beta Prime.That’s all the family news that we’re allowed to talk about.
We really hope you’ll come and visit us soon.
I mean we’re literally begging you to visit us.
And make it quick before they [MESSAGE REDACTED].
Now it’s time for Christmas dinner – I think the robots sent us a pie!
You know I love my soylent green.Merry Christmas from Chiron Beta Prime,
where we’re working in a mine for our robot overlords.
Did I say overlords? I meant protectors.
Merry Christmas from Chiron Beta Prime.
And here’s the LIVE version |MP3|
Posted by Jesse Willis
I love the smell of trilogy in the afternoon, it smells like…
The Phoenix Unchained – Book One of The Enduring Flame
By Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory; Read by William Dufris
11 CDs, 2 MP3-CDs – 13 Hours 30 Minutes [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Tantor Audiobooks
Published: 11/12/2007
ISBN: 9781400135745 (CDs), 9781400155743 (MP3-CDs)
In this opening volume of a new epic fantasy trilogy from bestselling authors Lackey and Mallory, Harbormaster-to-be Harrier and the young nobleman Tiercel begin a marvelous journey to uncover their destinies. Along the way, they meet a charming female centaur, several snooty Elves, and the most powerful dragon their world has ever known.
Now this novel, like others by Harrison, takes its inspiration from classic movie titles…
Every Which Way But Dead
By Kim Harrison; Read by Marguerite Gavin
2 Mp3-CDs or 13 CDs – 16 Hours [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Tantor Audiobooks
Published: December 2007
EAN: 9781400154739 (MP3-CDs), 9781400104734 (CDs)
Some days, you just can’t win. Witch and former bounty hunter Rachel Morgan has managed to escape her corrupt company, survive living with a vampire, start her own runner service, and face down a vampire master. But her vampire roommate, Ivy, is off the wagon; her human boyfriend Nick is out of town indefinitely and doesn’t sound like he’s coming back, while the far-too-seductive vampire Kisten is looking way too tempting; and there’s a turf war erupting in Cincinnati’s underworld. And there’s a greater evil still. To put the vampire master behind bars and save her family, Rachel made a desperate bargain. Now there’s hell to pay—literally. For if Rachel cannot stop him, the archdemon Algaliarept will pull her into the sorcerous ever-after to forfeit her soul as his slave. Forever.
Originally written in 1966 when its author was only 17, it was published in paperback in 1980 by Manor Books, which went bankrupt shortly afterwards. It’s been out of print for 24 years. This newly expanded/re-written edition is available now in audio too…
The Morcai Battalion
By Diana Palmer; Read by Todd McLaren
1 Mp3-CD or 8 CDs – 9 Hours 30 Minutes [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Tantor Audiobooks
Published: December 2007
EAN: 9781400155835 (MP3-CD), 9781400105830 (CDs)
Drama and excitement explode in this new, expanded version of New York Times bestselling author Diana Palmer’s legendary first book, The Morcai Battalion. A ragtag band of humans from the Terravegan colonies fights the Rojok invaders and their ship is destroyed. Rescued by the Centaurian commander of the terror-inspiring Holconcom, the humans must learn to live with their hostile alien counterparts when they are captured by the Rojoks and thrown into the galaxy’s most horrible prison camp. The female exobiologist has to save the life of the alien commander in order to save her captain, her comrades, and herself. A rocket ride full of action, humor, and sacrifice.
The children’s fantasy classic in an all new unabridged version exclusive to audible.com…
Redwall
By Brian Jacques; Read by Stuart Blinder
Audible Download – Approx. 12.5 Hours [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Penguin Young Readers / audible.com
Published: November 2007
As the inhabitants of Redwall Abbey bask in the glorious Summer of the Late Rose, all is quiet and peaceful. But things are not as they seem. Cluny the Scourge, the evil one-eyed rat warlord, is hell-bent on destroying the abbey’s tranquility as he prepares to fight a bloody battle for the ownership of Redwall.
In a clockwork world who could doubt the existence of God? None, but some still doubt the existence of angels. Another exclusive to audible title…
Mainspring
By Jay Lake; Read by William Dufris
Audible Download – Approx. 13.5 Hours [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: macmillan audio / audible.com
Published: December 2007
The mainspring of the Earth is running down, and disaster to the planet will ensue if it’s not rewound. To do the job the Archangel Gabriel approaches a young clockmaker’s apprentice and explains the problem. He can’t be that surprised, in a clockwork solar system, where the planets move in a vast system of gears around the lamp of the Sun – how could he be. This is a universe where the hand of the Creator is visible to anyone who simply looks up into the sky and sees the track of the heavens, the wheels of the Moon, and the great Equitorial gears of the Earth itself.
The latest Hugo Award winning novel, exclusive to audible.com…
Rainbows End
By Vernor Vinge; Read by Eric Conger
Audible Download – 14 Hours 45 Minutes [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: macmillan audio / audible.com
Published: December 2007
Set a few decades from now, Rainbows End is an epic adventure that encapsulates in a single extended family the challenges of the technological advances of the first quarter of the 21st century. The information revolution of the past 30 years blossoms into a web of conspiracies that could destroy Western civilization. At the center of the action is Robert Gu, a former Alzheimer’s victim who has regained his mental and physical health through radical new therapies, and his family. His son and daughter-in-law are both in the military, but not a military we would recognize, while his middle-school-age granddaughter is involved in perhaps the most dangerous game of all, with people and forces more powerful than she or her parents can imagine.
Posted by Jesse Willis
I credit the speed to which the Broken Sea folks are getting their audiobooks produced to the years of experience in recording audio drama. One among the BSAP crew is a virtual celebrity of the amateur audio drama community. Mark Kalita is a writer, producer and actor in audio drama scene. You’ll find his work, writing and voice over at both Darker Projects and Broken Sea, he’s played roles in the production of at least a good dozen productions including both Doctor Who and Star Trek as well as numerous original series.
His latest venture is the audiobook version of Robert E. Howard’s Red Nails. This is a Conan adventure also featuring a wily she-pirate named Valeria and is one of the titles from the Second Annual SFFaudio Challenge. Mark has already released 4 of the 7 chapters of this novella. Red Nails first appeared in 1936 as a three part serial in three issues of WEIRD TALES magazine. In it Conan encounters a lost city in which the degenerate inhabitants are pro-actively resigned to their own destruction. Also, of note, there’s a cool-looking animated movie version headed for a DVD-only release in 2008.
Red Nails is the last Conan story Howard wrote and the last major fantasy he completed. On the verge of abandoning fantasy for more commercial concerns, Howard devoted considerable thought and effort to his final allegorical statement. In a letter to Clark Ashton Smith, Howard had this to say about Red Nails:
“Sent a three-part serial to Wright yesterday: “Red Nails,” which I devoutly hope he’ll like. A Conan yarn, and the grimmest, bloodiest and most merciless story of the series so far. Too much raw meat, maybe, but I merely portrayed what I honestly believe would be the reactions of certain types of people in the situations on which the plot of the story hung…”
Intrigued? Have a listen, and judge for yourself…
Red Nails – A Tale Of Conan
By Robert E. Howard; Read by Mark Kalita
MP3s – [UNABRIDGED]
Publisher: Broken Sea Audio Productions / Hooligan Audiobooks
Published: December 2007 – ???
“Red Nails, a tale featuring the legendary Conan the Barbarian, was written by Robert E. Howard and began its written serialization in the July 1936 issue of Weird Tales. This thrilling audio novella begins with pirate-adventuress Valeria of the Red Brotherhood on the run after slaying a notable brigand. She is followed by Conan and the two soon fight their way to a great, walled city inhabited by two warring peoples. The adventure seekers soon find themselves embroiled in the feud and mayhem ensues as the city’s rulers make unholy plans for the mighty Cimmerian and his feisty female companion. Listen now as an ancient evil returns from oblivion and a wicked sorceress seeks to gain immortality at the cost of our Hyborian heroes!”
|Chapter 1 MP3|Chapter 2 MP3|Chapter 3 MP3|Chapter 4 MP3|
|Chapter 5 MP3|Chapter 6 MP3|Chapter 7 MP3|
Posted by Jesse Willis
Just read the confirmation we’ve been hoping for. The official Inside The CBC blog, when talking about CBC Radio One’s winter schedule, said this:
“We’ll also be taking an off-kilter look at Canada – U.S. relations with our comedy series Canadia 2056. The show follows the adventures of the crew of the spaceship Canadia, the lone Canadian ship on a mission with the U.S. Space fleet as they set out on a pre-emptive strike against the planet Ipampilash. Canadia 2056 will air Wednesday nights at 11 p.m. and Friday mornings at 11:30 a.m.”
Now all we’d need to make 2008 a banner year would be for the CBC to release The Adventures Of Apocalypse Al!
Posted by Jesse Willis