Pagenerd

The Dispossessed, by Ursula K. Leguin (Part 1 of 2)

The Pagenerds finally tackle Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Dispossessed, which is a lot in the best way possible. Naturally, we had to split this one into two parts. This book absolutely rocks. Le Guin drops us onto two sister planets locked in ideological opposition, then uses one physicist’s journey to unpack capitalism, anarchism (the good kind?), power, sex stuff, academia, love, and what it actually means to try and build a better world.  A breezy read if you’re a sociology PhD, pretty heady for the rest of us. This book could not have been an email. Part one is all about the setup, the ideology, and the growing suspicion that Ursula K. Le Guin may have simply understood humanity way, way too well.  We loved this book deeply, and we’re so grateful you’re spending your finite life minutes with us talking about it. If you like your sci-fi thoughtful, political, and devastatingly smart, pick up this book (from a library or indie bookstore) right now. Purchase on Bookshop.org (Support Pagenerd) [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-dispossessed-50th-anniversary-edition-a-novel-ursula-k-le-guin/28facf9fd19f4a16?aid=123465&ean=9780063382930&listref=pagenerd-season-1&next=t] Pagenerd is Sarah Stockdale, Tommy Guy, Richard Vieweg and Andrew Corway. Jay Cockburn is the producer. New episodes launch every two weeks.  If you want to read along with future episodes then you'll find a full list of what we're reading next at pagenerd.com. You can reach the nerds at Pagenerdhq@gmail.com — tell us about your local library or favourite indie book store!

The Forever War, by Joe Haldeman

The Forever War is a book that asks "Who hurt author Joe Haldeman?” and the answer is: The United States Military. This book is about a futuristic war fought by soldiers in power armour, but really it's about every war and every soldier. It was written in 1974, yet it feels disturbingly current. Haldeman wrote this book after his experience as a combat engineer in the Vietnam War. So it reads as a scathing critique of American imperialism, the futility of war, and what it does to the people sent to fight it— and the ones left behind.   It’s the kind of book we need in April of 2026. Tommy recorded this episode from the bathroom of a truly gross San Francisco hotel, which feels spiritually aligned with the time we’re living in. Haldeman’s writing is sharp, disorienting, and surprisingly human. If you like your sci-fi with a true disdain for war, queer-stuff before its time, and a side of existential whiplash, this one delivers. Purchase on Bookshop.org (Support Pagenerd) [https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-forever-war-joe-haldeman/64b6d3036a8a6e0d?aid=123465&ean=9780312536633&listref=pagenerd-season-1&next=t] Pagenerd is Sarah Stockdale, Tommy Guy, Richard Vieweg and Andrew Corway. Jay Cockburn is the producer. New episodes launch every two weeks.  If you want to read along with future episodes then you'll find a full list of what we're reading next at pagenerd.com. You can reach the nerds at Pagenerdhq@gmail.com — tell us about your local library or favourite indie book store!

Intercepts, by T.J. Payne

The Intercepts is an excellent beach read if you’re deeply unwell. It’s also the Pagenerds very first horror sci-fi, so thanks T.J. Payne.  The novel drops us into a secret government facility where people are kept underground and understimulated for some… experimentation. We uncover what in the MKUltra is going on through the eyes of a program manager and his teenage daughter. There’s a beige, middle-management, banality-of-evil vibe— and then it gets properly haunted-house scary. Huge shoutout to Jay, our producer, who is famously squeamish and still edited this episode. If you like your sci-fi with some gore, this book is for you. If you don’t, let us spoil it for you. We love you, ‘nerds. Thanks so much for listening! Purchase on Bookshop.org (Support Pagenerd) [https://bookshop.org/p/books/intercepts-a-horror-novel-t-j-payne/ffd717f3c7b838a3?aid=123465&ean=9798217090662&listref=pagenerd-season-1&next=t] Pagenerd is Sarah Stockdale, Tommy Guy, Richard Vieweg and Andrew Corway. Jay Cockburn is the producer. New episodes launch every two weeks.  If you want to read along with future episodes then you'll find a full list of what we're reading next at pagenerd.com. You can reach the nerds at Pagenerdhq@gmail.com — tell us about your local library or favourite indie book store!

Wild Dark Shore, by Charlotte McConaghy

Wild Dark Shore is the kind of book that makes you openly weep on the subway. Charlotte McConaghy drops us onto a remote, storm-battered island filled with seals, secrets, and a family holding on a little too tightly to both. In this episode the Pagenerds attempt to unpack it and emotionally survive it, as the story unfolds into something about grief, survival, and what we owe each other at the end of the world. Sarah sobbed into the book. Full, page-wrecking sobs. She also sobbed in the episode, and at one point almost fought Rick, which feels on theme. It’s haunting, tense, and deeply tender. You might finish it and call someone you love. Or start a fight. Honestly, both feel right. Purchase on Bookshop.org (Support Pagenerd) [https://bookshop.org/p/books/wild-dark-shore-reese-s-book-club-pick-a-novel-charlotte-mcconaghy/45160eba5b1e0f1f?aid=123465&ean=9781250827951&listref=pagenerd-season-1&next=t]   Pagenerd is Sarah Stockdale, Tommy Guy, Richard Vieweg and Andrew Corway. Jay Cockburn is the producer. New episodes launch every two weeks.  If you want to read along with future episodes then you'll find a full list of what we're reading next at pagenerd.com. You can reach the nerds at Pagenerdhq@gmail.com — tell us about your local library or favourite indie book store!

All Systems Red (Murderbot), by Martha Wells

Murderbot is the patron saint of “please stop talking to me”, and we love that for it. The pagenerds dive into All Systems Red by Martha Wells and the deeply relatable life of Murderbot— an anxious, rogue security android that saves humans mostly so it can get back to watching its shows. They talk about corporate dystopias, introversion, androgynous (hot) Alexander Skarsgard, and why this novella punches way above its weight.  Tommy, Rick, and Andrew are holding down the fort this week while Sarah is in France, likely overconsuming funky cheese. She’ll be back in two weeks, as will the rest of us. We love you, nerds, thank you so much for listening! Purchase on Bookshop.org (Support Pagenerd) [https://bookshop.org/p/books/all-systems-red-the-murderbot-diaries-martha-wells/19bdc995eb35feb9?aid=123465&ean=9780765397539&listref=pagenerd-season-1&next=t] Pagenerd is Sarah Stockdale, Tommy Guy, Richard Vieweg and Andrew Corway. Jay Cockburn is the producer. New episodes launch every two weeks.  If you want to read along with future episodes then you'll find a full list of what we're reading next at pagenerd.com. You can reach the nerds at Pagenerdhq@gmail.com — tell us about your local library or favourite indie book store!