Sign in

A Meal of Thorns

@mealofthorns.bsky.social
2.9K followers 164 following 250 posts

A speculative book club, where critics, writers, and scholars join us to talk about thorny, interesting titles. A podcast from the Ancillary Review of Books. ancillaryreviewofbooks.org/amealoft…

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
sean guynes @guynes.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
This year is the 35th anniversary of Timothy Zahn's HEIR TO THE EMPIRE, which touched off a wave of Star Wars novels that has never abated. So naturally I had to write about it.
seanguynes.com
Star Wars: Reading “Heir to the Empire” by Timothy Zahn (Thrawn 1)
On Timothy Zahn’s Heir to the Empire, the first novel in his acclaimed Thrawn trilogy, which relaunched Star Wars franchise fiction after a half-decade hiatus.
13320
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
Liz Bourke @hawkwinglb.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
I'll be at @octocon.bsky.social this weekend. Here's my schedule. prog.octocon.com/people/Z0084 Anyone who's going, please feel free to say hi.
prog.octocon.com
ConClár Program Guide
ConClár Programme Guide
1113
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
Ranged Touch @rangedtouch.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
We've got an episode on Colson Whitehead's HARLEM SHUFFLE up on the Patreon for FREE in order to improve your Tuesday! Join @ckunzelman.bsky.social and @kearse.bsky.social as they chat about the first book (and come back for the next two eps on the next two books!) www.patreon.com/rangedtouch/...
38725
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
Jake Casella Brookins @casella.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
bring back the corn lady you cowards
the really quite lovely new cover of Ursula Le Guin's "Changing Planes", a sort of clean slightly abstract thing that could be looking out of an airplane window at a mountain range, with swoopy shooting stars with trailing yellow lines across the image, lots of blues.
0151
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
Matthew Leggatt @matthewleggatt.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Had a lot of fun talking to @lucatrenta.bsky.social on NBN for the impending paperback release of Wastelands and Wonderlands. You can listen to the interview here: newbooksnetwork.com/wastelands-a...
newbooksnetwork.com
Wastelands and Wonderlands: Utopias and Dystopias in Film and Literature with Matthew Leggatt (SUNY Press, 2026) - New Books Network
054
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
David Naimon @davidnaimon.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Tin House is sending me on a mini-regional tour for the gorgeous reissue of Ursula K Le Guin: Conversations on Writing. Portland-Seattle-Bay Area friends I hope to see you. Come say hi and celebrate Ursula's legacy with me! @tinhouse.bsky.social @ursulakleguin.com @ebbooksellers.bsky.social
54911
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
Rico Charges @nochorus.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Years ago, I did a search for books signed by arch hepcat James Ellroy because I realised the inscriptions would be nuts. Here they are. (Reheating this from Twitter as it's been 18 months or so since I've really posted/scrolled on there, I'll probably delete it soon and want these to live on.)
59123
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
Workers’ Lit Podcast @workerslit.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
People ask: "Does being a writer and niche left podcaster pay well?" Yes, if you're counting the currency of impressing weird gay guys with cool tattoos.
1131
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
Roseanna Pendlebury @chloroformtea.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Listening to this interview is fascinating. Two main thoughts: 1) The blessing that is an interviewer so well informed, so thoughtful as Armfield is here. 2) Listening to M John Harrison talk about his books makes me feel very stupid and also that I do very much actually want to read them all now
londonreviewbookshop.co.uk
M. John Harrison & Julia Armfield: The End of Everything | London Review Bookshop
The great M. John Harrison – ‘The closest thing we have to a present-day Wyndham or Ballard’ according to the New Statesman – returned to the shop to present…
4339
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
Classic SF with Andy Johnson @andyjohnson.xyz · 24/09/2026
The prolific, sometimes brilliant, British SF writer John Brunner (1934 - 1995) was born on this day. I've covered his work fairly extensively, most recently his fourth and final "tract novel", The Shockwave Rider (1975). As a prediction of an online society, it is by turns prescient and naive.
andyjohnson.xyz
Computer fugitive: The Shockwave Rider (1975) by John Brunner
On the run in the networked society
284
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
AimEEK!! Ogden @aimeeogdenwrites.com · 24/09/2026
“Zee Nu” by Eva Meijer. Picked this up at the library after hearing the recommendation on @mealofthorns.bsky.social - it’s the first novel I’ve successfully finished in Dutch (that wasn’t abridged into easier language) and I’m so glad I did
Book cover: dark blue with the imprints of pale sea plants
142
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
Molly Templeton @mollytempleton.com · 23/09/2026
Absolutely love that we have the one and only @maris.bsky.social reading one of Ursula's tart and satirical and pointed publishing posts this week
12410
A Meal of Thorns @mealofthorns.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
New episode! OF ONE BLOOD is a fun, strange book, out of time but full of sympathetic resonance. @jgbridgergilmore.bsky.social returns to talk us through it:
ancillaryreviewofbooks.org
A Meal of Thorns 59- OF ONE BLOOD with Garrett Bridger Gimore
Out of print for the greater part of the 20th century, Hopkins’ Of One Blood looks a lot like Afro-futurism, using ancient Ethiopian technology and the new science of mesmerism to think about…
071
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
Ursula K. Le Guin @ursulakleguin.com · 18/09/2026
We'd like your help with something. The one hundredth anniversary of Ursula's birth will take place in 2029. This may seem a long time away, but we’re already starting to think about how to celebrate Ursula’s life and art. We’d love to add your ideas to the mix—there's a brief survey here:
form.jotform.com
Centenary event planning
Please click the link to complete this form.
7268163
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
University of Alberta Press @ualbertapress.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Premee Mohamed gave a vivacious, informative, and thought-provoking keynote at the Book Publisher Association of Alberta this morning. We are off to a great start! Her newest book is Wickhills. #authors @abbookpub.bsky.social
Young woman wearing glasses showing the cover of her new book.
214217
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
Gareth Watkins @garethwatkins.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Babe, wake up, new Volodin just dropped. (five minutes later) Babe, wake up- www.thetimes.com/culture/book...
thetimes.com
Cult writer’s 11 books in a week: ego trip or literary milestone?
The cryptic French author Antoine Volodin has convinced 11 publishers to simultaneously release what may be the culmination of his ‘post-exoticism’ project
083
A Meal of Thorns @mealofthorns.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
More Guynes/Casella commentary on the way, but in the meantime:
ancillaryreviewofbooks.org
A Meal of Thorns 37 – THE HISTORIAN with Sean Guynes
Vampire scholar, science fiction studies editor, and ARB co-founder Sean Guynes joins to discuss Kostova’s 2005 historical vampire thriller. We both have fairly negative opinions of the book, but i…
040
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
Thomas Ha @thomasha.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
One year ago(!), UNCERTAIN SONS AND OTHER STORIES was published. My thanks to the @undertow.bsky.social team for making it possible. Such a wonderful experience to have this first collection out in the world. Thanks for reading, talking about it, voting for it, and supporting the book. What a ride.
copy of Uncertain Sons next to a sleeping tortie shrimp baby
18316
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
Hugo, Girl! the podcast @hugogirlpodcast.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Here's our Worldcon Report! Including musical performances! And a review of Nando's! And a dog report that also includes us trying to pronounce things! This episode has everything - it's guaranteed to include something you don't want to hear! hugogirl.libsyn.com/worldcon-rep...
hugogirl.libsyn.com
Hugo, Girl!: Worldcon Report: LAcon V
We went to Worldcon and came home with a Hugo! Here's our (silly, rambling) report.  LINKS: Want to make your own ? Get yourself some ! (If you're in the UK, they have it at )
291
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
HELL WIZARD @pyramidmaster.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
this place is home to the work I’m proudest of. I’ve been writing art criticism for a good while now and the level of both writerly freedom as well as brilliant editing is a fucking treasure. especially since our bread and butter is lots and LOTS of pieces on contemporary work
172
A Meal of Thorns @mealofthorns.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Weekend crowd, icymi: the LA Worldcon podcast report! Featuring interviews with authors, critics, & conrunners, really good coffee, and clips from the "Many Mics" mash-up with Octothorpe, Worldbuilding for Masochosts, and Hugo, Girl!
ancillaryreviewofbooks.org
A Meal of Thorns 58- LACON V
Worldcon episode time: we’ve got interviews, we’ve got a coffee report, we’ve got an only-mildly chaotic group podcast attempt! Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at …
0106
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
Sunny Moraine @dynamicsymmetry.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Again, I feel shitty even asking given the state of the world in general, but this is going to eat about $10,000 all told, and while I think we can get some help from relatives, I’d just. Super appreciate any help anyone has to spare ko-fi.com/dynamicsymme...
ko-fi.com
Buy Sunny Moraine a Coffee
Become a supporter of Sunny Moraine today!
37198
A Meal of Thorns @mealofthorns.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Extremely excited for these three to go through the Silmarillion. I may have snuck in a re-read
1204
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
Juan Martinez @fulmerford.com · 11/09/2026
So freaking excited for this October 1 event for SOMETHING FOLLOWED US HOME. If you're in Chicago or anywhere near or if you just want to drive a million miles to come to this, please do! It's with the amazing @cynthiapelayo.bsky.social & @anandalima.bsky.social
1146
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
Molly Templeton @mollytempleton.com · 07/09/2026
did dinner take forever to make? well, yes, but that just means I got to listen to this entire delightful episode whilst being stuck in the kitchen! yes I do now want to reread Cloud Atlas AND read every book mentioned
081
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
Octothorpe @octothorpecast.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Octothorpe 168 is here! We discuss @laworldcon.bsky.social in all its finery, including the very excellent program and the very excellent Hugo Award winners. And before anyone asks: yes, Alison has a backing track for part of the episode. Listen here! octothorpe.podbean.com/e/168-it-s-a...
A photograph of John and Duncan MacGregor taken at an IHOP near the Hilton Anaheim. They are turned to look at each other in a booth. Their facial expressions are difficult to read, but hearts overlay the picture and so we surmise they are in love. Faces of bystanders are pixellated for privacy purposes. Words above the photo read “Octothorpe 168” and below read “Love is in the air at LAcon V”.
351
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
Jake Casella Brookins @casella.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
offhand comment that I've been unable to get out of my head
Black and white picture of Ursula K. Le Guin and J.R.R. Tolkien with a barbed wire fence behind them, labelled "Only Hard Gs".
1112
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
Dan Hartland @danhartland.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
I don’t say this to minimise the excellent work Casella does elsewhere in these con report episodes, but does anyone else listen to his travelogues primarily for the coffee talk? Because if you do, this one’s an all-timer. Come for the scepticism of fandom, but stay for the pink bourbon.
0104
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
Amal El-Mohtar @amalelmohtar.com · 09/09/2026
Just learned that Category Is Books, a lovely queer bookshop in Glasgow, has been targeted by transphobic violence, & is fundraising to cover the costs of a smashed window & roller shutters. I hate that they have to do this & would love to see them meet their goal.
gofundme.com
Donate to Help Category Is Books Get Shutters!, organized by Category Is Books
For the past eight years, Category Is Books has been able to comfortably oper… Category Is Books needs your support for Help Category Is Books Get Shutters!
2207244
A Meal of Thorns @mealofthorns.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
pondering some new graphics for the show: if only there were a way to present a camel as cool and stylish...wait...
090
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
Rebecca Fraimow @rebeccafraimow.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
I started a podcast 😔
4312
A Meal of Thorns @mealofthorns.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Good episode! And if your Dan Hartland/Timothy Zahn appetite has not been sated, well:
ancillaryreviewofbooks.org
A Meal of Thorns 19 – HEIR TO THE EMPIRE with Dan Hartland
Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at the Ancillary Review of Books.Please consider supporting ARB’s Patreon!Credits:Guest: Dan HartlandTitle: Heir to the Empire by Timothy ZahnHost: J…
1102
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
Chris M. Barkley (He/Him) @cmzhang42.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
file770.com/fancast-pane...
file770.com
Fancast Panel at LAcon V
By Mike Glyer: The “Many Mics, One Stage: Hugo Fancast Mashup” panel at LAcon V arrayed many of this year’s Hugo-nominated podcasters in one place. Jake Casella Brookins of A Meal of Thorns; Lori A…
031
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
Jon @thelitcritguy.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Wrote a whole book about why this is true 🙏
The front cover for "A Primer on Utopian philosophy"
3185
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
Ancillary Review of Books @ancillaryreviewofbooks.org · 07/09/2026
Worldcon report! ARB editor Jake Casella Brookins interviews authors, scholars, and organizers, participates in a live panel with other SFF podcasters, and discusses the whole trip experience! Listen to "A Meal of Thorns" wherever you get your podcasts:
ancillaryreviewofbooks.org
A Meal of Thorns 58- LACON V
Worldcon episode time: we’ve got interviews, we’ve got a coffee report, we’ve got an only-mildly chaotic group podcast attempt! Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at …
0127
A Meal of Thorns @mealofthorns.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
rare @printrunpodcast.bsky.social / @bythebywater.bsky.social sync-up
131
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
Worldbuilding for Masochists @worldbuildcast.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
We had such a special time at WorldCon this year in LA, even if we didn't win a Hugo. Dear listeners: YOU ARE THE BEST. Totally dorky: but we really adore hanging out together, and that's the real prize. That and looking fabulous. (It's hard to tell but we coordinated to look like the Bi Flag)🏳️‍🌈
The podcasters seated at the Hugo awards, bedecked in blue, pink, and purple. Natania is a white woman with brown and gray hair and red lipstick, Cass is a white woman with a pink dress and blonde hair, and Marshall is a white man with brown hair and a purple suit. They are smiling!The three cohosts, arrayed in purple, navy, and pink!
2528
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
Thomas Ha @thomasha.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Glad we got to chat! @casella.bsky.social is very polished in these interviews. Alarmingly polished. Go in prepared, guys. Got to shout out @jeffreyford8.bsky.social's Best Of and Pandemonium Waltz. Did not find a way to work Wolfe into this one but see Casella did later, so it balances out.
0124
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
Wm Henry Morris @wmhenrymorris.com · 07/09/2026
in addition to celebrating the gains of organized labor, today we also mark another dual drop day with new episodes of critical friends and a meal of thorns
292
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
Dan Hartland @danhartland.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
🎙️CRITICAL FRIENDS RETURNS🎙️ In the latest @strangehorizons.bsky.social criticism podcast, @electrapritchett.bsky.social & @ajodasso.bsky.social talk to me about popular fiction: what is it, what does it do, why - and how - should we read it? Books, films, TV, more: what makes popular lit … popular?
strangehorizons.com
Critical Friends Episode 27: Pop Fiction
In this episode of Critical Friends, the Strange Horizons SFF criticism podcast, A. J Odasso and Electra Pritchett join Dan Hartland to talk about popular fiction.
12515
A Meal of Thorns @mealofthorns.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Our episode on this year's Worldcon (@laworldcon.bsky.social) is live! Featuring interviews with @thomasha.bsky.social, @alexyquest.bsky.social, & more, and a live podcast mash-up with @hugogirlpodcast.bsky.social, @octothorpecast.bsky.social, & @worldbuildcast.bsky.social! Plus: the coffee report.
ancillaryreviewofbooks.org
A Meal of Thorns 58- LACON V
Worldcon episode time: we’ve got interviews, we’ve got a coffee report, we’ve got an only-mildly chaotic group podcast attempt! Podcasts, reviews, interviews, essays, and more at …
02412
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
bedeviled and languid @grouchiestmarxiest.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Once again tapping the sign on @garethwatkins.bsky.social excellent piece on AI. newsocialist.org.uk/transmission...
newsocialist.org.uk
AI: The New Aesthetics of Fascism
It's embarrassing, destructive, and looks like shit: AI-generated art is the perfect aesthetic form for the far right.
0136
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
Gregk Foley @gregk.co.uk · 03/09/2026
Brought A Thousand Plateaus to the bar to reread a chapter and a stranger asked what I was reading and I couldn’t be arsed so I just said ‘The Bible’ and the worst bit is it worked
3555
A Meal of Thorns @mealofthorns.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Screenshot of Casella saying in the ARB discord: Hugo for the Best Follow-up Blog Post about a Best-Related Hugo about a Previous Year's Worldcon Controversy That Itself Centered on a Novellette Set At A Worldcon
162
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
Hugo, Girl! the podcast @hugogirlpodcast.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Came back to work today to this 😭
Congratulatory signs all over Lori's office door and windowsCongratulatory signs inside Lori's office along with two bouquets of flowers
6231
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
Hugo, Girl! the podcast @hugogirlpodcast.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
WHAT!! 😭 Thank you so much!!
Amy with a Hugo!Kevin with a Hugo!Lori with a Hugo!
5255
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
your friend oriana @schwindter.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
NYC-area friends, this microcinema is a mere $4,000 away from their fundraising goal! the people behind it are swell and have poured in SO MUCH of their own money, and kicking them even like $10 helps!
kickstarter.com
Negative Space - Microcinema for Horror & Genre Movies
We're building a bar and movie theatre for horror, sci-fi, and genre films in Brooklyn. Let's create community together.
0128
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
Jake Casella Brookins @casella.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Okay, Worldcon: today at high noon pacific I'll be representing @mealofthorns.bsky.social on "Many Mics, One Stage" with folks from @octothorpecast.bsky.social, @hugogirlpodcast.bsky.social, @worldbuildcast.bsky.social! ( @coodestreet.bsky.social & @scottedelman.bsky.social with us in spirit)
guide.lacon.org
LACon V Program Guide
LACon V Programme Guide
091
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
Internet Archive @archive.org · 27/08/2026
📚 What looks like the work of a solitary author can be the product of a system. In BIG FICTION, Emory professor Dan Sinykin argues books are shaped by a larger system: agents, editors, marketers & others whose decisions shape the page. 🎧Listen: futureknowledge.transistor.fm/episodes/big... 🧵
29322
Reposted by A Meal of Thorns
Ancillary Review of Books @ancillaryreviewofbooks.org · 27/08/2026
If you're attending @laworldcon.bsky.social in person or virtually: catch ARB contributors & A Meal of Thorns guests on lots of cool program items!
ancillaryreviewofbooks.org
ARB & AMOT Worldcon Panelists
If you are attending this year’s World Science Fiction Convention, LAcon V, you can catch some contributing folks from the Ancillary Review of Books, and guests from A Meal of Thorns, on the progra…
065