Episode 108: News Roundup

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This week, Josh and Dietrich kick off the episode with a pair of emails that bounce between scolding and... well, you'll just have to see. It's pretty damn remarkable. Dietrich discusses a classic spy novel from Tom Clancy, Josh revisits the brilliant David Mitchell and Terry Pratchett, and they get the chance to dig into a book by a friend of the show. From there, the pair discuss some of the remarkable news in books, revolving around the increasing amount of control that authors have nowadays in their publishing fates. They also look at some surprising news from George RR Martin, and remember some authors who have been lost. Finally, they wrap up with Josh exulting about sharing the holy trilogy with his son for the very first time. You can send questions or comments to questions@thelibrarypolice.com.

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What We've Been Reading

0:00 to 27:17

We kick off the week with a couple of great emails that spur us along - one that calls us out for some of our reactions to Discovery of Witches, and the second...well, the second may just be the greatest email we've ever gotten. And from there, it's on to our current reads:

• Karen Russell, Vampires in the Lemon Grove

• Tom Clancy, The Cardinal in the Kremlin

• Eyre Price, Rock Island Rock

• David Mitchell, The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet

• August V. Fahren, Mad Mannequins from Hell

• Terry Pratchett, Nation

News Roundup

27:17 to 1:14:07

This week, we take a look at some recent news stories that revolve around changes to the book industry. From an author who made millions by holding on to his digital rights to an author's child's battle with a digital imprint, there's a lot of news lately that speak to the ever-changing world of the book industry, and we try to sort through it all to make sense of it for you. In addition, we take a minute to debate whether George R.R. Martin should be working on a prequel series or not, and we wrap things up with a look at some major deaths that have rocked the literary world in the past week and to honor the legacy of those who we've lost.

Off The Bookshelf

1:14:07 to 1:33:44

In off the bookshelves this week, Dietrich grapples with the difference between what a movie was and what the marketing led him to expect out of it, as well as giving a follow-up on the Great SimCity Debacle of 2013. As for me, I discuss exposing my son to a life-changing series of films, try to sell people on my favorite new Twitter account, and explain my most pleasant cinematic surprise in a long time.