Novel Gaming!

Vicki's back again, and this time for a book club episode! So you know that means: we've got a complicated, slippery, and confounding scifi tale to dissect. Listen to us unravel and do our best to understand Jeff VanderMeer's 'Dead Astronauts'. Discussion begins ~30:35. And of course, before we get into all that, we check in on some things we've been playing and watching.

Playing:

• Final Fantasy VII Rebirth (PS5)
• Pokemon TCG Live (mobile)
• Pokemon Scarlet Starters Tournament (Switch)

Watching:

• 3 Body Problem (Netflix)
• Grey's Anatomy Season 19 (ABC/Hulu)
• Immaculate & The First Omen (in theaters)

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod

Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie!

Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux 

Since the dawn of home console video games (and technically even before that), there have been tie-in, licensed property, and cross-promotional video games based on your favorite movies, TV shows, comics, and more. Some are great, and some are... not. We share some of our favorites and not-so-favorites. But before that, we touch on stuff we've been reading, watching, and thinking about!

Reading:

• 'To Have and to Hold: Motherhood, Marriage, and the Modern Dilemma' by Molly Millwood
• 'Dead Astronauts' by Jeff VanderMeer
• 'The Sunbearer Trials' by Aiden Thomas
• 'Be Dazzled' by Ryan La Sala
• 'Out of the Blue' by Jason June

Watching:

• Better Call Saul, Season 6 (AMC/Netflix)
• The Bear (FX/Hulu)
• Love Lies Bleeding (in theaters)
• The Ghostbusters film series

Thinking about:

• Chappell Roan
• 'Cowboy Carter' by Beyonce
• House of Villains' second season cast reveal

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod

Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie!

Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux 

We've got another book club! This month we read 2019's 'Gods of Jade and Shadow' by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. Before all that, we catch up on some of the stuff we've been playing, watching, and thinking about. Book discussion begins around 25:15.

Playing:

• Pokémon Y (3DS)
• Final Fantasy VII (PS5)

Watching:

• Kung Fu Panda Movie Series (Dreamworks)
• Imaginary (Blumhouse Productions & Tower of Babble)
• Game Changer: Sam Says 3 (Dropout)
• Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (Netflix)

Thinking About:

• 2024 Mario Day Direct

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod

Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie!

Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux 

Wake up, Comrade! Find your pants and solve this murder case with Doug and Katie. They played Disco Elysium, the 2019 detective role playing game. Conversation starts around 15:00. Before then, there's talk about what they've been reading and watching lately.

Reading

• '60 Songs That Explain the '90s' by Rob Harvilla
• 'The Honeys' by Ryan La Sala

Watching

• Sonic the Hedgehog (2020 film)
• Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022 film)
• Drive-Away Dolls (2024 film)
• Never Have I Ever (Netflix)

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod 

Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie! 

Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

It's a book club episode, and this month we read 'Ogres' by Adrian Tchaikovsky, a book about a world where humans are oppressed by ogres and revolution may be right around the corner. But of course, before we get into all that, we catch up on some of the stuff we've been playing, watching, and thinking about. Book discussion begins at ~31:00.

Playing:

• Penny Larceny: Gig Economy Supervillain (Steam)
• Firewatch (Steam)

Watching:

• The Super Mario Bros. Movie (Netflix)
• Argylle (now playing)
• The Holdovers (Hulu)
• Mean Girls '24 (now playing)

Thinking About:

• Gaming company mass layoffs
• Lee Carvallo's Podding Challenge on Glitterjaw
• The 2024 Queerty Awards

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod

Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie!

Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

This game has EVERYTHING: skateboarding, RPG battles, cooking, dancing, romance, a bear mascot-led cult, a queer weightlifting auntie with librarian suitors, and a whole lot of family drama. We're talking about 2023's Thirsty Suitors from Outerloop Games. But before we break down all the exes, friends, and grade school boyfriends, we break down what we've been reading, watching, and thinking about. Game conversation begins around 30:00.

Reading:

• 'Harrow the Ninth' by Tamsyn Muir
• 'The Nineties' by Chuck Klosterman

Watching:

• Star Trek: Discovery (Paramount+)
• Quiz Lady (Hulu)
• American Fiction (now playing)
• Fire of Love (Hulu/Disney+)

Thinking About:

• The 96th Academy Awards

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod

Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie!

Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

Travel to Montana with Doug and Katie as they talk about the 2023 fantasy western horror book 'Lone Women' by Victor LaValle (discussion starts around 16:15). Before then, hear about the things they've been playing, watching, and thinking about.

Playing

• Portal (Steam)
• Guacamelee! (PS Vita)

Watching

• Polite Society (movie)
• We Are Lady Parts (Peacock and Channel 4)
• Skins (Hulu and E4)

Thinking About

• Fantasy High: Junior Year (Dropout)

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod

Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie!

Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

Help Wanted: Someone with a good ear for details and vast video game knowledge. Successful candidate should be able to discern clues, make informed guesses, and doesn't mind being occasionally wrong.

Interested applicants should tune in, specifically around the 30:27 mark. Before then, be prepared to hear about what Vicki, Doug, and Katie have been reading, listening, and thinking about.

Reading

• 'Good Inside: A Guide to Becoming the Parent You Want to Be' by Becky Kennedy
• 'Sellout: The Major-Label Feeding Frenzy That Swept Punk, Emo, and Hardcore (1994–2007)' by Dan Ozzi
• 'Iron Flame' by Rebecca Yarros

Watching

• Twisted Metal (Peacock)
• Pokémon Concierge (Netflix)
• Pokémon: Path to the Peak (Pokémon YouTube Channel)
• PokéNational Geographic (Elious Entertainment YouTube Channel)

Thinking About

• Pokémon Unite
• God of War Ragnarök: Valhalla DLC
• 2024 Goals

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod

Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie!

Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

It's a sequel! Remember 'Lavender House'? We're talking about the sequel, 'The Bell in the Fog', the second book in Lev A.C. Rosen's Andy Mills private eye series. Discussion begins at 25:00. And of course, we check in on some stuff we've been playing, watching, and thinking about.

Playing:

• Baldur's Gate 3 (PS5)
• Super Mario RPG Remake (Switch)
• Fortnite Festival (PC)

Watching:

• Quiz Lady (film, Hulu)
• Doctor Who Series 12 (Max)

Thinking About:

• Video game consoles year-end wrap-ups
• Game Changer Season 6 trailer

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod

Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie!

Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

Vicki's here! And the end of 2023 is just around the corner, which means it's time to highlight some of our favorite books, video games, and other media from this past year. But of course, before we do that, we check in on some things we've been playing, reading, and thinking about.

Playing

• Hades (Switch)
• Cult of the Lamb (Steam)
• Tchia (PS5)
• Venba (Steam)
• Isle of Swaps Demo (Steam)

Reading

• Tarot (the cards)
• 'Never Ever Getting Back Together' by Sophie Gonzales
• 'Woman in Me' by Britney Spears

Thinking About

• Guardians of the Galaxy, vol. 3
• Catherine the Great (Hulu)
• Pokemon TCG Illustration Contest

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod

Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie!

Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

Join Doug and Katie as they talk about the 2021 epic fantasy book 'The Jasmine Throne' by Tasha Suri (discussion starts around 17:40). Before then, there's conversation around the things they've been playing, watching, and thinking about lately.

Playing

• Batman: Arkham Asylum (Steam)
• Suika (Switch)

Watching

• DoigSwift (Twitch)
• November Nintendo Indie World Showcase (YouTube)

Thinking About

• DC Universe
• Vegan Reese’s Cups

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod

Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie!

Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

Fighting, jumping and... dating monsters?! Sign us up! Join Doug and Katie as they discuss the 2023 metroidvania and dating sim, Romancelvania. Conversation starts around 18:30. Before then they check in on what they've been reading, watching, and thinking about.

Reading

• 'Pageboy' by Elliot Page
• 'The Jasmine Throne' by Tasha Siri

Watching

• Survivor UK (BBC One)
• The Challenge (MTV)
• Dragula (Shudder)
• House of Villains (E!)
• What We Do in the Shadows (FX)

Thinking About

• The Internet/Social Media

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod 

Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie! 

Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

We dusted off our English degrees for this book club episode, because we're both reading 'The Left Hand of Darkness' by Ursula K. Le Guin for the very first time, and there is a LOT to dig into. Discussion starts around 16:50. But first, we check in on what we've been playing and watching.

Playing

• Baldur's Gate III (PS5)
• Unpacking (PS5)

Watching

• Dirty Laundry (Dropout)
• Godzilla '54 (Max)
• No One Will Save You (Hulu)

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod

Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie!

Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

We're doing a fantasy video game club episode! Doug and Katie got witchy and built their own divination decks in the 2023 game The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood. Game conversation starts around 28:45, and heavy spoilers begin around 54:00. Before we get into all of that, we check in on all of the media we've been engaging with lately.

Reading:

• 'Black Sun' & 'Fevered Star' by Rebecca Roanhorse

Playing:

• Elden Ring (PS5)

Watching:

• Adventure Time: Fionna & Cake (Max)
• Naked Attraction (Channel 4/Max)

Thinking About:

• Epic Layoffs & entertainment industry strikes

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod
Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie!
Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

Deals with the devil, magic, and queer & trans pirates! The young adult fantasy novel 'The Wicked Bargain' by Gabe Cole Novoa is filled with that and more! Join Katie and Doug as they discuss the book (starts around 21:55) and the things they've been playing and watching.

Playing

• The Teal Mask / Pokémon Scarlet & Violet DLC (Switch)
• Sea of Stars (PS5)
• Marvel's Midnight Suns (Steam)

Watching

• My Adventures with Superman (Max)
• Bottoms (2023 Film)
• September Nintendo Direct

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod

Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie!

Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

Doug and Katie do their first ever gaming draft! They create teams of video game characters who fight and teams of characters who f***. Who would would you draft? Conversation starts around 21:10. Before then, they check in on what they've been playing, watching, and thinking about lately.

Reading

• 'I'm Glad My Mom Died' by Jennette McCurd
• 'Counterfeit' by Kirstin Chen

Watching

• Over the Garden Wall
• UNHhhh

Thinking About

• Glitterjaw Queer Podcast Collective

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod

Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie!

Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

A queer, gender-bent Arthurian legend full of swords, spears, and sorcery? Sounds pretty great to us! We're talking about 'Spear' by Nicola Griffith. Conversation starts around 14:35. Before that, we chat about the things we've been playing, watching, or thinking about lately.

Playing

• Dredge (PS5)
• Pokemon Unite (Switch)
• Pokemon Scarlet (Switch)

Watching

• Dimension 20: The Unsleeping City (Dropout)
• Dimension 20: A Crown of Candy (Dropout)
• Dirty Laundry (Dropout)

Thinking About

• Dungeons & Dragons

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod

Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie!

Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

Guess who's back for a special anniversary episooode! That's right, Vicki's back with Katie & Doug to play our own version of the Newlywed Game! ...er, the Old Friends Game? In any case, we're super good at it, so enjoy! Of course, before we prove our extreme synchronicity, we catch up on some things we've been reading, watching, and thinking about.

Reading:

• 'The Severed Thread' by Leslie Vedder
• 'Happy Place' by Emily Henry
• 'Ace: What Asexuality Reveals About Desire, Society, and the Meaning of Sex' by Angela Chen

Watching:

• The Barbie Movie
• Outlander
• Call Me Mother
• Camp Wannakiki

Thinking About:

• Big Brother 25
• Non-human biologics and interdimensional beings

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod

Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie!

Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

Knock, knock. Who's there? Probably just some debris, right? Find out by listening to our conversation about 'The Scourge Between Stars' by Ness Brown. Conversation starts around 19:58. Before that, we chat about the things we've been playing, watching, or thinking about lately.

Playing

• Fairune Collection (Switch)
• Mario & Luigi: Superstar Saga (Switch)

Watching

• My Adventures With Superman (Max)
• Jenna Stoeber (YouTube & Twitch)

Thinking About

• Dragula

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod

Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie!

Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

Doug and Katie reminisce about the past ~10 years of the PS4 - the memories, the features, and the games. Conversation starts around 23:40. Before that, they talk about what they've been reading, watching, and thinking about lately.

Reading

• ‘Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide’ by Rupert Holmes
• ‘The Scourge Between Stars’ by Ness Brown

Watching

• The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023)
• RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 10

Thinking About

• June 2023 Nintendo Direct (Super Mario Wonder, Peach Game, Super Mario RPG)

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod

Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie!

Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

Wow, this podcast smells so nice and relaxing... like a freshly opened bar of lavender soap. But wait! It also smells like... MURDER? This month we read 'Lavender House' by Lev AC Rosen, a queer murder mystery that takes place in the 1950s. Full-spoiler conversation starts at 35:20. But of course, before we get into that, we check in on everything we've been playing, watching, and thinking about lately.

Playing:

• The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Switch)
• The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (Switch)
• Beyond the Frame: The Finest Scenery (PS4)
• Assassin's Creed II (PS4, The Ezio Collection)

Watching:

• The Ultimatum: Queer Love (Netflix)
• We're Here (Max)

Thinking About:

• Gag Order (album) by Kesha
• Age of Pleasure (album) by Janelle Monáe
• Pixar's Elio trailer
• Star Wars Outlaws

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod

Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie!

Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

Everyone loves a trilogy, especially when it means everything gets a little bit gayer! It's our third Q&A episode, and this time we're focusing on gayming. We prepared three questions related to playing games as a queer person and queerness in video games! If you find yourself answering them as you listen, be sure to let us know, and we'll read your answers next time! As always, before we dive in, we check in on what we're reading, watching, and thinking about.

Reading:
'The Gravity of Us' by Phil Stamper
'Raw Dog: The Naked Truth About Hot Dogs' by Jamie Loftus

Watching:
The Ultimatum: Queer Love (Netflix)

Somebody Somewhere (Max)

Thinking About:
Keep fighting the good fight against homophobia, transphobia, and conservatives' continued efforts to strip people of their rights
PlayStation Showcase - May 24, 2023

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod
Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie!
Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

Aliens and invasions and lessons, oh my! We read and discussed 'The Lesson' by Caldwell Turnbull. Conversation starts around 39:00. Before then, Dug and Katie check in on what we've been playing, watching, and thinking about lately.

Playing:

• Pokémon Violet (2022)
• Descenders: Extreme Procedural Free Riding (2018)
• Hi-Fi Rush (2023)

Watching:

• Dragon Ball (Hulu)
• Junior Bake Off (Netflix)

Thinking About:

• Survivor 44's Carolyn

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod

Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie!

Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

Join Doug and Katie in a gaming galaxy far, far away! That's right - they're talking Star Wars! Conversation about the games starts around 25:50, but the force is strong throughout this episode. Before then, they discuss what they've been reading, watching, and thinking about.

Reading:

• 'Star Wars: The Legends of Luke Skywalker - The Manga' by A. Himekawa, A. Fukaya, T. Kisaki, H. Subaru, K. Liu
• 'Star Wars Lost Stars (Manga)' by C. Gray, Y. Komiyama
• 'Machinehood' by S. B. Divya

Watching:

• Star Wars: Visions (Disney+)
• Hacks (HBO Max)

Thinking About:

• Distant Echoes: A Star Wars Podcast
• Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Once & Always (Netflix)
• 'Chattahoochee' by Alan Jackson (1992 Song)

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie! Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

What do you get when you mix deep space, the far future, stonebending (like in Avatar: The Last Airbender), alien mecha, and... a Messiah named Misery? You get our latest book club pick: the 2022 book ‘The Genesis of Misery’ by Neon Yang! But before we get into one of our deepest book discussions yet, we stop to chat about what we’ve been playing, watching, or thinking about.

Playing:
Pupperazzi (Switch)

Breath of the Wild (Switch)

Watching:
Ghosts (BBC, HBO Max)
Ghosts (CBS, Paramount+)
Restaurants at the End of the World (NatGeo, Hulu, Disney+)

Thinking About:
Aging is a blessing!
My First Dungeon: DIE, Episode 0

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod
Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie!
Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

We like books. We like video games. And sometimes there are books IN video games, and we like that too! In this episode we're talking about some of favorite books, book-related moments, and generally bookish things in video games. But of course, before we get all up in it, we check in on some of the things we've been reading, watching, and thinking about!

Reading:
'The Genesis of Misery' by Neon Yang
'Ban This Book' by Alan Gratz

Watching:
Ghosts (BBC)
Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur (Disney+)

Thinking About:
Supporting public libraries

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod
Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie!
Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

Did Katie unknowingly choose a romance book for this discussion? Maybe! The only way to find out is to listen to our discussion around 'Wintersong' by S. Jae-Jones, which starts around 27:50. Before then, we check in on what we've been playing, watching, and thinking about lately.

Playing:

• Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection (2018)
• PowerWash Simulator (2021)

Watching:

• Game Changer's "Escape the Green Room" (Dropout)
• Cook at All Costs (Netflix)

Thinking About:

• The Last of Us Season 1 (HBO Max)
• Let Trans People Live

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod

Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie!

Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

We're doing a sci-fi video game club episode! Doug and Katie rolled the dice and played the 2022 game Citizen Sleeper. That conversation starts around 15:33. Before we get into all of that, we check in on all of the media we've been engaging with lately.

Reading:

• 'Pet' by Akwaeke Emezi
• 'Bitter' by Akwaeke Emezi
• 'How Far the Light Reaches' by Sabrina Imbler

Watching:

• Alien (1979 Film)
• Aliens (1986 Film)
• A Court of Fey & Flowers (Dropout)

Thinking About:

• Pokémon Direct (February 2023)

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod
Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie!
Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

Have you heard? The edge is a shantytown filled with gold seekers...! It's a book club episode, and we’re discussing the 2022 book ‘Now Is Not the Time to Panic’ by Kevin Wilson, a novel about a viral moment that happens in a time before everyone knew what the word “meme” meant. But before we get ourselves swept up in a panic, we stop to chat about what we’ve been playing, watching, or thinking about.

Playing:
Season: A Letter to the Future (PS5)
Super Mario Land 2 (Nintendo Switch Online - Game Boy)
Potion Permit (Switch)

Watching:
Everything Everywhere All At Once
Entergalactic (Netflix)

Thinking About:
Art Museums

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod
Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie!
Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

Y'all ever seen a video game character and thought, "Dang, what if I could go on a date with them?" You're in luck—lots of games nowadays just let you do it, and for some, it's the entire point of the game. That's right, we're talking about some of our favorite and noteworthy dateable characters in video games! But before we turn down the lights and set the mood, we check in on some of the things we've been reading, watching, and thinking about!

Reading:
The Folk of the Air (series) by Holly Black
'Acts of Violet' by Margarita Montimore

Watching:
The Last of Us (HBOMax)
Bob Ross: Happy Accidents, Betrayal, Greed (Netflix)

Thinking About:
Calling your representatives
Animated movie awards + Turning Red and Wendell & Wild
The Queerties + Tenderoni for 'Drag Royalty'

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod
Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie!
Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

What year is it? How old am I? These are questions you definitely would ask yourself if you were the protagonist of our most recent book club pick - 'Oona Out of Order' by Margarita Montimore. Discussion starts around 25:05. Before then, there's the usual check in on what we've been playing and watching lately.

Playing:

• Speed Dating for Ghosts (2018)
• Danganropa: Trigger Happy Havoc Anniversary Edition (2021)
• Donut County (2018)

Watching:

• The Challenge (Paramount+)
• X (2022 Film)
• Pearl (2022 Film)
• Last of Us (HBO Max)
• Game Changers (Dropout)
• The Seven (Dropout)
• The Woman King (2022 Film)

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod

Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie!

Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

Sometimes things change. Sometimes those things are video games, characters, or franchises! Doug and Katie reflect on some of the gaming transformations that left a mark. Conversation starts around 27:00. Before then, there's conversation on what they've been reading, watching, and thinking about!

Reading:

• 'Heartstopper' by Alice Oseman 
• 'Blue Period' by Tsubasa Yamaguchi 
• 'The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek' by Kim Michele Richardson

Watching:

• Strange World (Disney+)
• The Circle (Netflix) 
• The Challenge (Paramount+)

Thinking About:

• Reading Goals

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod 

Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie! 

Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

We're rapidly approaching the end of 2022! Holy smokes! As usual, we close out the year by talking about the best stuff we played, read, watched, listened to, and followed! But as always, before we dive in, we check in on some media we've consumed lately.

Reading:
'Empire of Wild' by Cherie Dimaline
'Akata Woman' by Nnedi Okorafor

Watching:
The Big Brunch (HBO Max)
The Mole (Netflix)
Dimension 20: Fantasy High (Dropout)

Playing:
Harvestella (Switch)
Pokemon Scarlet (Switch)

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod
Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie!
Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

How would you react to losing some of society's luxuries? That's the question Vicki, Doug, and Katie have been asking themselves after reading the slow-burn thriller/horror/post-apocalyptic book 'Moon of the Crusted Snow' by Waubgeshig Rice. The conversation for this 2018 novel begins around 27:15. Before that Vicki makes an announcement and we check in on what we've been playing and watching lately.

Playing

• Death Stranding (PS5)
• Fortnite (PS4)
• Bugsnax (PS4)
• Metroid: Zero Mission (GBA)

Watching

• House of Gucci (2021 Film)
• Dracula: Titans (Shudder)

Listening To

• Maintenance Phase (Podcast)

Thinking About

• Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod

Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie!

Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

There once was a game from Nantucket...? This week we're creating limericks about some of our favorite video games and video game characters. None of us were quite sure how it'd go, but these may be some of our best writing samples yet! But of course, before we get literary, we check in on everything we've been reading, watching, and thinking about!

Reading:
'The Witch King' by H. E. Edgmon
'Breath: The New Science of A Lost Art' by James Nestor
Deadly Neighborhood Spider-Man #1 by B. EARL, Taboo, and Juan Ferreyra
'Press Reset: Ruin and Recovery in the Video Game Industry' by Jason Schrier

Watching:
Grey's Anatomy (ABC)
Dead End Paranormal Park, Season 2 (Netflix)
Easy-Bake Battle: The Home Cooking Competition (Netflix)

Thinking About:
Vote! Vote! Vote!

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod
Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie!
Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

This week on the pod, our caffeniated trio read 'Before the Coffee Gets Cold' by Toshikazu Kawaguchi, a recent Japanese translation. Although Sci-Fi light, our friends try to untangle the clear cut, yet messy, rule system in these deeply impactful stories. Before they sit in the magical seat, Doug, Vicki, and Katie chat about their recent gaming and watching escapades. 

Playing

• Super Ghouls and Ghosts (Switch)
• Cyberpunk 2077 (PS5)
• Pocky and rocky (PS4)

Watching

• Halloween Movies (Various)
• Arcane (Netflix)
• Project Runway Season 9 (Hulu)

Thinking About

• Dead End: Paranormal Park (Netflix)
• Angela Lansbury

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod

Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie!

Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

Villains, amirite? Love to hate 'em and hate to love 'em! We discuss those fiendish friends that we enjoy beating and sometimes being. Conversation starts around 30:20. Before then, we touch base about what we've been reading, playing, watching, and thinking about lately.

Reading

• 'Before the Coffee Gets Cold' by Toshikazu Kawaguchi'
• 'The Lost Apothecary' by Sarah Penner

Playing

• Spiritfarer (Switch)
• Hades (PS4)

Watching

• Grey’s Anatomy
• Better Call Saul
• Big Brother
• Survivor
• Great British Bake Off
• She-Hulk: Attorney at Law

Thinking About

• Red 4 Filth by Alaska Thunderfuck
• NASA's DART Mission
• Voting

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod

Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie!

Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

Field, field, field! Podcast, podcast, podcast! It's a book club episode, and this week we read Quan Barry's 'We Ride Upon Sticks', a book about witchcraft, field hockey, and... Emilio Estevez? It's a dense book with a huge main cast, and we had plenty to say about it all (discussion begins at ~32:45), but before we get into all the witchy goodness, we catch up on everything we've been playing, watching, and thinking about lately.

Playing:
Mass Effect: Andromeda (PS4)
God of War (2018) (PS4)
Spiritfarer (Switch)
Splatoon 3 (Switch)

Watching:
Inside the Mind of a Cat (Netflix)
Bee and PuppyCat (Netflix)
Community (Netflix)
The Patient (Hulu)

Thinking About:
Nintendo Direct & Sony State of Play
God of War: Ragnarok
GoldenEye 007 (N64) on Nintendo Switch Online
The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom
Pikmin 4
Pokemon Stadium 1 & 2 on Nintendo Switch Online

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod
Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie!
Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

What do you need? Well, if it's a book club episode about 'A Prayer for the Crown-Shy' by Becky Chambers we've got you covered! We'll start discussing this gentle second entry into the Monk & Robot duology around 27:36. Before that, we check in on what we've been playing and watching lately.

Playing:

• Stray (PS5)
• Dark Pictures Anthology (PS4)
• Final Fantasy X (Vita)

Watching:

• Ted Lasso (Apple TV+)
• Drag Race Franchise (WOW Presents Plus)
• Nope (2022 Film)

Thinking About:

• Bloodthirsty Hearts (QCODE Podcast)

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod

Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie!

Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

Have you ever seen a game and thought, "We were meant to be together," but then never took the chance to... say hello? This week we're writing Craigslist-inspired Missed Connections posts for video games and video game characters! And honestly, it might just be our toughest game yet. But before we get into guessing those games, we chat about all the stuff we've been reading, watching, and thinking about!

Reading:
'Animal Farm' by George Orwell
'The Memory Librarian: And Other Stories From Dirty Computer' by Janelle Monáe
'Weapons of Math Destruction: How Big Data Increases Inequality and Threatens Democracy' by Cathy O'Neil
'Heartstopper, vol. 1' by Alice Oseman
'DeadEndia: The Watcher's Test' and 'The Broken Halo' by Hamish Steele

Watching:
What We Do in the Shadows, S3 & S4 (FX/Hulu)
Futurama (Hulu)
Thor: Love and Thunder (film)
Make Some Noise (Dropout)
Girl with the Dogs cat grooming videos (YouTube)

Thinking About:
Lizzo's 'Special' album
Beyoncé's 'Renaissance' album

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod
Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie!
Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

Do you love British humor, 1970's sci fi, hard to pronounce names, improbable situations? Well join us this week as we discuss The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. Join us as we delve deep into the nerd classic!

Playing

• LumbearJack, Nintendo Switch
• Neon White, Nintendo Switch
• God of War (2018), Playstation 5

Watching

• Spectacular Spider-Man, Netflix
• Only Murders in the Building, Hulu

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod

Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie!

Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

Lying is especially fun when it's about video games! Join us for a game of two truths and lie and see if you can suss us out! The game starts around 38:40. Before then, we touch base about what we've been reading, watching, and thinking about lately.

Reading

• 'The Dark Forest' by Cixin Liu
• 'No Ashes in the Fire: Coming of Age Black and Free in America' by Darnell L. Moore
• 'Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law' by Mary Roach

Watching

• Gilmore Girls
• Dead End: Paranormal Park
• Ms. Marvel

Thinking About

• Supreme Court
• The Blonde & Pink Albums - Trixie Mattel
• MUNA - MUNA
• BREAK MY SOUL - Beyoncé
• Big Freedia
• Daði Freyr

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod

Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie!

Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

It's a book club episode, and the multiverse is in danger. Maybe. Honestly, that part's a bit unclear... BUT we read a very cool book called 'How Rory Thorne Destroyed the Multiverse' by K. Eason that mashes together space politics and fairy tales. Plus, the hero's pretty rad. Conversation begins around 21:03. Of course, before we get into all of that, we check in on the media we've been consuming lately.

Playing:
Life is Strange: True Colors (PS4)
God of War (2017, PS4)
Night in the Woods (Switch)
Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled (PS4)

Watching:
Owl House (Disney+)
Ink Master (Netflix, Paramount+)
Tattoo Redo (Netflix)
Uncharted (2022 film)

Thinking About:
Internet Explorer and other "dead" software

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod
Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie!
Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

This week on the pod, Doug, Vicki and Katie discuss their best picks for gateway games. Looking to add more gaming pals? Well this episode will leave you with a very long list of options to recommend something great for your own friends (or you, if you're not already playing along with us). 

Reading

Jade Legacy by Fonda Lee (Katie)

Fight Like Hell by Kim Kelly (Doug)

Abolition for the People edited by Colin Kapernick (Doug)

The Field Guide to Lies by Dan Levitan (Vicki)

Watching

Obi Wan Kenobi on Disney+ (Katie)

Grey's Anatomy on Hulu (Vicki)

The Midnight Sky on Netflix (Doug)

Thinking About

Pride!

Games we discussed:

• Nintendo Switch Sports
• Costume Quest
• Uncharted Series
• Plants vs. Zombies
• Stacklands
• VR games (Tetris Effect, Pistol Whip, Moss)
• Gone home
• I’m on observation duty
• Sims games

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod

Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie!

Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

This is Novel Gaming. Anyone out there? Over.

...phew! We're so glad you got this. During this transmission we'll be sharing our conversation about  'Good Morning, Midnight' by Lily Brooks-Dalton, a 2016 novel about two lonely people who love space. That conversation starts around 23:40. Before then, we check in on what we've been playing, watching, and thinking about.

Playing

• Spongebob Squarepants: Battle for Bikini Bottom (PS4)
• The Wild at Heart (PS4)
• Bugsnax (PS4)
• Hitman 2 (PS4)

Watching

• Welcome to Eden (Netflix)
• Heelwork to Music (YouTube)
• Grace and Frankie (Netflix)

Thinking About

• Whitney Houston's Music

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod 

Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie! 

Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

Is game club a thing? Well, it is for this episode! We decided to play Rare's 'Banjo-Kazooie', a fondly remembered game released in 1998 for the Nintendo 64. But how does it hold up over 20 years later? We had plenty to say: some praise, certainly some critique, and some stuff we just needed to unpack. But before we get into all of that, we check in on all of the media we've been consuming lately.

Reading:
'Eternal' by Lisa Scottoline
'High School' by Tegan and Sarah Quinn
'Taproot' and 'Never Heroes' by Keezy Young

Watching:
Anatomy of a Scandal (Netflix)
Is It Cake? (Netflix)
Heartstopper (Netflix)

Thinking About:
Pokémon Mega Construx & LEGO sets
'Ghost Church' (podcast) by Jamie Loftus

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod
Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie!
Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux

This week on the pod join Vicki, Katie, and Doug on an adventure to the land of Neveryon in Book Club. The trio read Tales of Neveryon by Samuel R. Delaney. Warning, it's a whole lot of book. Rooted in the sword and sorcery genre our hosts put their English major hats on and try to disect the many, varied themes packed into this book of short stories. Up for the challenge? Per usual, the NG crew will share what they're playing, watching and thinking about. 

CW: Suicide from 18:15 - 22:15 

Playing:
Far Cry New Dawn (PS4)
Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales (PS4)
Far: Lone Sails (PS4)

Watching:
Moon Knight (Disney+)
Old Enough (Netflix)
The Girl from Plainville (Hulu)

Thinking About:
'Want You in My Room' Carly Rae Jepsen
'Like a Prayer' Miley Cyrus
'Snakes' Corook
Bugsnax DLC (Switch, PS4, PS5)

'It’s Raining Them' Mila Jam

Find us on Twitter: @NovelGamingPod
Send us an e-mail: novelgamingpodcast@gmail.com

Logo by: Katie!
Theme song: "Bit Bossa" by Azureflux