Bibliophile is back! After a humidity-induced hiatus, we’re back in full flow and coming at you across the airwaves (that’s how podcasts work, right?).

In this episode, we discuss racist horror novels, space operas set on ice planets (In space! On ice!), and New York utopian fiction covered in gorgeous gold foil! We also chat about our reaction to the Booker Longlist, and raise more questions than ever: can David get through a review without being contrarian? Can Julie avoid getting egg on her face? Is crank a sensual word??

Our book recommendations:

Ancillary Justice by Ann LeckieSong of Kali by Dan SimmonsThe Heavens by Sandra NewmanThe Hiding Game by Naomi Wood Dandelion Wine by Ray BradburyGroundings with my Brothers by Walter RodneyRebel Cities by David Harvey

Booker Longlist:

Testaments by Margaret AtwoodNight Boat to Tangier by Kevin BarryMy Sister, The Serial Killer by Oyinkan BraithwaiteDucks, Newburyport by Lucy EllmannGirl, Woman, Other by Bernardine EvaristoThe Wall by John LanchesterThe Man Who Saw Everything by Deborah LevyLost Children Archive by Valeria LuiselliAn Orchestra of Minorities by Chigozie ObiomaLanny by Max PorterQuichotte by Salman Rushdie10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World by Elif Shafak Frankissstein by Jeanette Winterson