You might have heard this one before. Or at least heard of it. Live reading of my first read through. Experience it with me.

Ye olde friend J. Arthur returns to put some Medieval prose in your ear. It ain't science, but it is fiction and it's short. Frankly I don't konw why the Penguin Galaxy collection contains a fantasy novel in it. I guess Dune is half fantasy so it wasn't such a stretch to include The Once and Future King, which is what I read recently which made me think to record some of the source material. Enjoy.

I'm reviewing a NEW book on SFS this week. That's right, a book that was written in the 21st century. A first! And joining me, the friend that recommended it to me, Mark "The Bad Movie Recommender" himself. The topic of this episode is Andy Weir's latest hard science fiction novel Project Hail Mary. As per usual, we spoil everything so if you are sensitive to that kind of thing, read the book first. But you don't get to find out if I liked it until you listen to the episode...

A live reading of a short story by American Civil War veteran Ambrose Bierce. Is it science fiction? You decide.

I continue my Verne kick with a review of Jules' epic 1864 novel Journey to the Center of the Earth, otherwise know as Rampant Usage of Revealing Chapter Titles Not Included in the Original Publication.

I bought a couple Jules Verne books but haven't cracked 'em yet. So I thought it'd be fun to introduce myself to the Vernmeister by reading one of his short stories on SFS. Join me in my first Verne experience and find out what an 1880er thought the 2880's might be like.

It's time to finally get some L. Ron under our belts. Ok that didn't come out the way I wanted it to. But Mr. Hubbard is indeed the subject of this episode of SFS, or rather his short story Strain from 1942 is. Let's get weird!

No, it's not a book review of a heretofore known novel in the HP series – it's two book reviews. Except one of them isn't so much a book as it is a short story. Toni Hansen debuts on SFS to discuss J. K. Rowling's renowned novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Then we switch gears and review what might be the best 4 page PDF ever created: The Star, by Arthur C. Clarke

Self-proclaimed Enderspert Brandon Hansen joins me on the podcast to discuss the second book in the Enderverse, Speaker for the Dead, by Orson Scott Card. Listener beware: we full on spoil the entire book which, if you've read it you know, there are some worthwhile surprises that unfold. Something tells me this isn't going to Ender well.

The third and final (for me anyway) robot novel The Robots of Dawn, by Isaac Asimov is the topic of discussion in this, the latest episode of SFS. Joined by no other than Asimov super-fan Omid Mikhchi, we discuss all the main themes of this book, which are sex, masturbation, and incest, in that order. Music by League of Legends featuring Kupla.

If you've only ever seen the movie you're missing out and you likely don't understand half of what was actually going on. Luckily the book is a quick, easy, and rewarding read. Chris and I discuss it at length in this spoilerific episode on the Arthur C. Clarke classic, 2001: A Space Odyssey.

Let's solve this mystery. The second and final part of the Edgar Allan Poe whodunit, The Murders in the Rue Morgue.

A little deviation from our typical fare on SFS; join me in a live reading of Edgar Allan Poe's short story The Murders in the Rue Morgue. Guess what, it has nothing to do with a morgue. It doesn't have anything to do with science fiction either, but I reserve the right to read whatever I damn well please. It's my podcast.

The classic novel The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin is the topic of the latest SFS. If you haven't read it I think this episode with make you want to! Otherwise please enjoy the in-depth discussion my very special guest Chris Martin and I have regarding the work. No spoilers, unless you're someone like me who is ultra-sensitive and likes to go into a new books completely blind...

Back from hiatus, I bring you a new story by Mark Clifton that is sure to tie your mind in knots. Give it a listen – I think you'll enjoy it. And please, please, please, please, tell me whether you liked it and what you thought of it with a tweet @wetjosh. Or leave me a review if chirping ain't your thing.

Mike Berryhill makes a splash in his return to Science Fiction Shorts as we take turns narrating The New Accelerator, by H. G. Wells. Did they know about particle accelerators in the 1800's? Or is this a reference to the throttle of some fancy new horseless carriage? Listen in and find out!

The thrilling conclusion of our chap who has expensive taste in microscope lenses. I can honestly say I did not see this one coming. Get ready for a wild ride down Animalcule Lane.

These are going to be some pricey optics, lemme tell ya. Science fiction isn't always about outer space. In this story we explore the universe that lies at the molecular level. Honestly, it could be the atomic level — I haven't actually finished the story.

Special guest Michael Berryhill joins me on this episode of Science Fiction Shorts. In it we read the short story "We Didn't Do Anything Wrong, Hardly" by Roger KuyKendall. Anyone who remembers being mischievous and dabbling in rocket science as a child should be able to relate to this one. Enjoy!

Back for the robot novel sequel, Omid @mikhchi makes his sophomore appearance on the podcast. Spoilers abound, so if you're sensitive to that sort of thing, read the Isaac Asimov novel The Naked Sun before you listen. It is definitely a timely read and you probably have nothing better to do anyway while you're sheltering in place!