Reader/Writer

Taking Kids to Conventions

[http://static1.squarespace.com/static/509a905fe4b0c4855be47be2/t/557be430e4b04706860a5418/1434182926809/?format=1000w] Ben and Mary Ellen discuss taking kids to conventions with Scott Roche. What do conventions do well, what do they not, and what could they do better?

#WeNeedDiverseBooks

[http://static1.squarespace.com/static/509a905fe4b0c4855be47be2/t/557bdd75e4b0036752341065/1434181058398/?format=1000w] A discussion moderated by Justin Landon on the diversity in books. Panelists are Delilah S. Dawson, Myke Cole and Cinda Williams Chima. From the programme: "This group was formed to address the need for all types of diversity in children's literature. The hashtag has been used to highlight examples of diversity in books across many genres. Come discuss the ways that social media movements can be used to effect real change in literature, and hear about some recommendations for books highlighting diverse characters and settings.

Balticon Wrapup

[http://static1.squarespace.com/static/509a905fe4b0c4855be47be2/t/557b6a8be4b0e197d11947ee/1434151680845/?format=1000w] Ben and Mary Ellen discuss their trip to Balticon! Our picks this month: [http://static1.squarespace.com/static/509a905fe4b0c4855be47be2/t/557b68e5e4b097936a81ebb0/1434151142885/?format=1000w] [http://static1.squarespace.com/static/509a905fe4b0c4855be47be2/t/557b68bae4b0eee4814c2370/1434151099406/?format=1000w]

Romancing the Vulcan

[http://static1.squarespace.com/static/509a905fe4b0c4855be47be2/t/55515cece4b0604121c7136b/1431395638362/?format=1000w] Why do we enjoy characters that are emotionless interacting with "normal" emotional people? Wesley Chu moderates with panelists Whitney Ross, Amy Sundberg and Tom Doyle. From the programme: "Emotionally restrained heroes were popular in the age of reason; after Romanticism swept Europe, Jane Austen's Darcys and Knightleys were the only emotionally Vulcan-esque heroes left in media for quite some time. From Darcy/Lizzie on the page, to Spock/Uhura on the screen and Spock/Kirk in our fanfic, we love human passion rubbing up against Vulcan reason. What are other models of this dynamic? What's so appealing about loving a Vulcan...or being one?

SPOILERS: Avengers: Age of Ultron

[http://static1.squarespace.com/static/509a905fe4b0c4855be47be2/t/555595ede4b0cc5c1ed7e16d/1431672559109/?format=1000w] It's been two years since we've done a SPOILERS episode, but this couldn't be passed by! Dave Robison, Starla Huchton and Jennifer Melzer join Ben in discussing the movie. If you haven't seen it yet, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?