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Ender’s Game

Posted on November 11, 2013

Novel Ideas returns from a work related pseudo vacation hiatus with Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. If you use any form of media that is connected to the outside world, you’ve probably seen some trailers for the recently released movie. This book has actually been our list for a long time, but we’ve been waiting for the perfect opportunity to discuss it. Join us this week as we discuss, with the help of Special Guest Star Kevin Smith, this old favorite. In the the episode we talk about the Orson Scott Card controversy, spoilerific plot twists, master manipulators, and whether the ends justify the means. We also touch on how six year olds act most of the time, Yakety Sax, Independence Day, and creative ways of using the word “fart.”

The music bump is “Head Games” by Foreigner. I almost went with “Yakety Sax,” but decided that “Head Games” is actually hilarious if you imagine that Ender is singing it to either Colonel Graff or the Hive Queen, depending on the verse.

Ender’s Game – A Gold Plated Fart

Recommendations:

One of the best science fiction novels ever written with special sentimental value to all three of us. Definitely read it before you see the movie, which will undoubtedly not live up to this book.

Gabs: 9/10 Not quite as pants-peeingly good as reading it as a kid, but still very, very good.

Ben/Kevin: 11/10 OMFG

This entry was posted in Episodes and tagged A Trip to Epcot Center, abridged fantasy series, acceptance, basketball connections, bugger biology, bullying, censorship, child revolution, controversy, diagramming space battles, diversity, DO NOT SHIP, dystopia, economical writing, empathy, Ender's Game, ends justify the means, fart reviews, feminism, forgiveness, Hollywood, ID4 references, layers, master manipulators, movies of books, oops lol, Orson Scott Card, penis farts, plot twists, power of love, pressure, psychopathy, questions, six year olds, social conditioning, special guest, symbolism, the internet, Valentine's strength, Yakety Sax.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Posted on July 23, 2013

Novel Ideas Harry Poddercast Extravaganza continues with Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling. (Turns out all of them are by J.K. Rowling, go figure.) In this episode, we discuss the longest (thus far) book in the series, covering some topics we’ve already visited, such as wizard racism, and some topics that you would assume we’ve covered, such as feminism. Not to mention editing errors, elaborate villain schemes, the importance of world building, and whether 700 pages is too long. And that’s before we get into Draco’s secret pain, shaving mishaps, face punching, and whether Voldemort would be even creepier with a weird mustache. We hope you enjoy!

The music bump is Mike Relm’s “Harry Potter Remix of Death,” one of many Harry Potter remixes floating around the internet.

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Recommendations:

I probably don’t even have to mention that we highly recommend this book, but just in case, we highly recommend this book.

This entry was posted in Episodes and tagged bad journalism, cartoonish personalities, creepy Volemort-stache, Draco's secret pain, editing errors, elaborate villain schemes, face punching v. hexing, feminism, gender balance, Harry and Ron are 14, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, hooray for Hufflepuffs!, human-giant sex, J.K. Rowling, kid time is over, magical angles, missed calling, more Draco!, quidditch fatigue, research skills, shaving mishaps, ships ahoy, slavery?, special guest, too long?, turning point, wizard prom, wizard racsim, wizardpedia, world building.