ICYMI – Mike and I had a little bit of a long break around the holidays due to many different things happening but one thing that we don’t intend to do is lose the urge to want to sit down and talk about the books we’ve read. If you haven’t yet subscribed to our podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, or your favorite podcast catcher – and didn’t see our two new January episodes, here are links to stream them from our Shelf Life website. We are looking to do a classic novel for our next episode – something that harkens back to our old High School years and have more lined up in the following months. It’s our intention to get back to releasing a new one at least once per month going forward but if you subscribe to our podcast you’ll be sure not to miss it.
We are not experts — we just discuss books that we like, love, or didn’t. We hope that you’ll find value in that and hang out with us as we discuss them.
If you like movies, I was also a guest on SlasherCast – SideEffect in January. Dave and I sat down and discussed The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies:
A Kaiju. Like ‘Godzilla’. Like the villains in Pacific Rim (which I LOVE).
So I wanted to post up and say that I’m totally banana-bonkers excited that Jeremy Robinson has published a new book in his “Project” series that blends his heroes from ‘Project Nemesis’, ‘Island 731’, and ‘Project Maigo’ (you need to read them in THAT order so that they all fall into place, if you’re new to the series and want to catch up on them). From Jeremy’s blog it looks like he has plans to do a major book cross-over in 2016 that will further this “Project” series, so it’s not over with this book either. Look at that amazing cover art! That’s not even the end of it. There are actual fan drawings INSIDE too!
I was never an original ‘Godzilla’ fan way back in the day. The Matthew Broderick one didn’t strike me as a great addition to the genre either, though I don’t rank on it as much as some others might. I don’t think it was trying to be serious. I loved ‘Jurassic Park‘ and Peter Jackson’s ‘King Kong‘- which may have sparked my love for giant monsters – but when ‘Pacific Rim‘ came out- I lost my mind with how much I loved it. It was just…so. Much. Fun. I saw it in theaters 3 times easily in the first 3 weeks.
We know that some of the sequels to these movies will be coming to theaters in the next year or two but until then, where can we get the fresh experience of those giant monsters again?
I think you know what I’ll say to that.
You need to check these books out. Give the first one a try and see if it grabs your attention. If it doesn’t, maybe film is your Huckleberry and not text versions. No worries in that case. But if you’re looking for that thrill of an action adventure story with 300ft Kaiju, you’ve gotta read the guy that has basically started his own sub-genre category title with this series. If you’re on the move and can’t read them – the audiobooks are awesome (if you’ve been listening to The Shelf Life, then you know I love audiobooks). I’ve been a fan of R.C Bray (who narrates ‘Island 731’) for many books (check him out!) and he’s an excellent ‘Hawkins’ and Jeffrey Kafer (narrates the ‘Project’ series) is an awesome voice for the hero, Hudson.
If you’re reading this and feel excited to try the book/s out – I recommend reading them in chronological/publication order starting with (there is a specific reason that I recommend them this way, but you can read them in almost any order you want to, as long as ‘Project Nemesis’ comes first and ‘Project 731‘ comes last):
And I’d like to add a further recommendation. When you’re done with those ones – give Jeremy’s other series (under his other name) a try. Jane Harper is a first class horror heroine and I’m waiting for book 3. Maybe I’ll get lucky and some day there will be a huge cross over with Jane involved. Oh, I hope so! She may be tough, rough, and brash, but she has my attention and I want to see what she’ll do next. See what you think and pass it on if you like these books 🙂
If you haven’t heard or seen Lindsey Stirling, you’re really missing out.
She is a performance artist using her body through dance and violin as her instrument to create visual and musical spectacles. In 2010 she was on America’s Got Talent (but didn’t win) and became really popular on YouTube posting videos of her own original music with stellar musical videos but also offering violin performances to cover artist songs like “Radioactive”, “Starships”, “Game of Thrones”, “Legend of Zelda”, and more.
Below I’ve linked some really great videos to check out to see what I mean about her talent and the skill of those around her (if you’re not aware). I can already tell you that I’ve fallen down the rabbit hole of YouTube and Stirling videos so….there will be a lot of video links. But they’re all soooo good! That “Shatter Me” song with Lzzy Hale (of the band “Halestorm”) is REALLY rocking! I’d love to hear that on the radio.
Lindsey is amazing and honestly she’s the only violinist that I can actually say that I know the name of and I’m an actual fan of (no offense other violinists, I’m sure you’re awesome, I just don’t know who you are). I like her stuff and I like her style.
Her albums are pretty much anywhere you can buy music from – check her out and then go buy a couple tracks. This kind of talent needs the backing 🙂 Believe me, I’ve done it.
Then, feel free to let me know what you ended picking up (song or album) and if you have a favorite tune that maybe I didn’t hear yet!
Early last year Mike Sabourin and I were in the pre-recording stages of discussing a new (at the time) movie that had come out for Slashercast Side Effect. Chatting away, waiting for everything to fall in line before the episode got underway, he and I swung around to the topic of Outlander. This was just prior to the knowledge that it was going to become a show that Starz (or Ronald Moore) was interested in producing for their network. We were talking about the series up to that point and our anticipation for Written in My Own Hearts Blood (book 8). We sat there for a good fifteen minutes chatting away. “Wouldn’t it be nice if we started up a side cast to talk about the books we love?” was the resulting question that was raised just before we all settled in to discuss the movie we were all really there to discuss. But a Diana Gabaldon kinship started right there, that day. It was like suddenly bumping into a person you know at a gathering (whoops, did I get any of my diet Coke on you?) and realizing that you have more in common than the one thing you knew about them to start with. We both loved reading and Outlander was what sparked the idea that maybe we could get together once every month or so and chew the fat about what we’ve been reading lately.
We didn’t start our podcast adventure with it because- well, it’s a pretty big concept type book to cover for a first episode (we warmed up with a Stephen King book instead) and we also knew by episode one recording that it would be becoming a TV show this year so we might as well wait and see how the pilot went. Why not?
Time went by and as news began to surface about the casting of the show I tweeted and FB’d to people with whom I knew had read the book(s) and had a general excitement for what was being revealed. Mike and my podcast friend Iris can attest to my fan-girl-esque squeeing over the trickling news, because I think I beat them over the head with everything I saw (sometimes excitement just takes you away like a leaf on the wind).
Well, finally, it’s here. Mike and I sat down and recorded an episode about my favorite book series. I think I managed to dial back my gushy fat love and juicy joy for the series and look and the first book on its own merits, but I did pay homage and gave recognition that my love of all things Outlander really is because of the entire series as a whole and not based on just one piece of the Gabaldon pie – and I hope I’ve done that.
Books, like movies or any other type of entertainment – aren’t for everyone and there are certainly people who don’t like what they read and I felt like it was a good idea to make sure I tried to represent more than just the fans who love the books. I think it’s easy to gloss over a first time read of a story and forget that maybe you ever had a problem with it because you love the entire franchise. My co-host and friend Mike had many wonderful counter points to some of the topics I brought up, which makes for a fabulous dialogue that I hope you’ll enjoy listening to!
I know that Mike and I would have liked to have really delved into the TV show with a lot more depth, but the recording was getting pretty long and he, unlike me, had not yet seen episode 2 yet- so I felt like knowing what I knew of the episode might take away his discovery of what that new episode might feel like for him. Especially if you have heard his reveal about the Jamie Fraser/Sam Heughan character. So maybe we’ll save a much deeper look into the show to book for a later time, (or maybe I’ll blog how I feel about the episodes as the show goes along) but it is talked about – there’s no way we could sign off the recording without having done so. The show is absolutely huge, which makes my fan girl heart sing with sweet happiness (as I’m sure it does for many people).
** There IS one thing that I forgot to mention on the show that I meant to! **
Did you know that Stephen King’s new book, Revival, which is out in November, has a ‘Jamie and Claire’ duo in it? Luckily their last name isn’t Fraser- it’s Morton, and they are brother and sister in his story, but when I saw that my mind went “noooooooooooo”. As if any author hasn’t used that name combo before in their works in the last 23 years, right? I know. Couldn’t help it though.
You can listen to the show, and this episode, via streaming online at the link below – or you can find us by searching for Shelf Life Podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, or another podcast catcher application that you might use for your Smartphone (there are many out there. Downcast, Podcast Addict, etc).
You can expect a non-spoiler section and there WILL be a SPOILER section clearly designated in each episode. In the end we just decided that for the people who had read the books, it’d be a nice place to chat about it all. Let it all hang out. And if you didn’t read them, that you had a place you could stop the show to check the book out and come back to us afterwards. We give you a Recommends segment at the end of most of our episodes as well as a ‘what have we been reading’ discussion at the start of each episode. Maybe it’ll help build your TBR (to be read) lists.
That’s where I’ll leave this blog post for now.
Be good to each other!
-DAC
Our Twitter :
Me = @DA_Chaney
Mike = @TheFlickist
The show = @TheShelfLifePod
If you want to hear more Outlander goodness from episode to episode with fans of the TV show – you should look up the following podcasts:
The Outlander Podcast – on iTunes, Audioboo, and Podcast Addict
The Scot and the Sassanach – on iTunes and Stitcher
The Outlander Cast with Mary and Blake – on iTunes and Stitcher
While you’re waiting for May 16th (USA) for the new Godzilla movie to hit theaters, I thought that I would let you in on a series of books by one of my favorite horror action authors who has been writing about his own Kaiju threat to the world.
I’ve been reading Jeremy Robinson‘s novels for a few years and I’m always amazed, happy, and excited when he has a new series that I can get into. I go the horror action thriller route primarily, though I tend to deviate from time to time when it comes to Jeremy Robinson’s work. Call me a fan girl, because I totally am. And it’s not just because the man writes a great string of action sequences that make you want to spin kick off the chair that you’re sitting on and hit someone in the face with your foot.
You’d be getting close, but that’s not quite it.
The man writes like a fiend. 14 books written or co-written by him last year! 9 or more planned for this year. The man is prolific as well as extremely entertaining. Any author’s dream come true, in one man (OK, he could have a secret baby Kaiju slave writing army by now for all I know, but he started out the way all new authors do- from the bottom- and it’s pretty damn impressive in my opinion). Anyway, that’s why *I* like the guy, although I’ve never met him. He entertains my mind and I’m inspired (or rabid envious) by his dedication.
He and I recently had a friendly chat, which consisted of me basically fan girl-ing over his book Island 731, that I happen to like quite a lot. It edges out SecondWorld, which is pretty great as well, but I731 is at the top of my list. I’ve recommended this book on The Shelf Life podcast and I’ve listened to the audiobook a handful of times – the story is fun and the narrator (R.C. Bray) is a favorite of mine. After a short discussion, it became known to me that I was missing out on a new series of books that he was writing about Kaiju. Now, I am a HUGE Pacific Rim fan. I can’t say that I got too well into the Godzilla phase, I never really saw the appeal in the older movies and while the Matthew Broderick one was…shot probably as it was intended to be, I just didn’t get into it the way I did say…a Jurassic Park or Pacific Rim.
(Photo: an Internet image representing concept art from Pacific Rim. Not my own. I did not create it)
I have high hopes for this new version in May, but getting back on track here — I found this series of novels by Robinson and I dove in. Of course, before I knew it, I was hooked.
If you like big monster movies like Pacific Rim or anime animation like Evangelion — you really should check these novels out. If you find you don’t have a lot of time to sit and read, pick up the audiobooks from Audible and pop them on during your ride to work, shopping, exercising, walking the dog, waiting in line at the DMV….and you might just find excuses why you need to be a little more active (because you want to hear more!)
I do recommend checking out Island 731 first and then diving into the Kaiju stories. There are elements that you will find helpful by doing that, though it’s not strictly necessary. I suppose I could entice you by saying that Jeremy’s website indicates that he’s writing a “Project 731” this year, which will be the third book in the Kaiju series…but that would just be repeating what I already, eh hem, said (whisper : check out I731 first *grin*).
If you’ve read these books by Jeremy and have enjoyed them — I just wanted to mention that this week (today actually) Jeremy is releasing a brand new novel called “Xom-B“. It is not in any way related to the novels above, but it’s relevant because it’s out this week and will be ready to grab and read at the touch of a button. You can also grab it on Audible, it’s been recorded by R.C Bray (excellent narrator)
I know that I did a fair share of gushing in this post, but I do that if I like something and I think it’s pretty obvious that I do. I’m big on creature features and great action, especially if the writing grabs me. You have a few weeks before the Godzilla movie comes out. Do yourself a favor and immerse yourself in Jon Hudson’s (character) world where Kaiju are real. You will have a really good time – and if you’re into something a little different: a little… science fiction action adventure…go pick up Xom-B.
I bet you’ll make Jeremy’s day (it’s much better than making a grown man cry, trust me.)
This past weekend I recorded a new podcast episode with Dave and Ted from SlasherCast for their Side Effect program.
We sat down and discussed the explosive sequel, “The Raid 2“. The recording will be up by mid-week on their website but you can also catch it on their feed on iTunes, Stitcher, or preferred podcast catcher application on your Smartphone by searching for SlasherCast (the Side Effect episodes are side ‘casts on that appear in the main stream of the show and will be available there and properly labeled when new ones are loaded). We grade the movie and go over the film first, without spoilers, and then in the later half, we go spoiler heavy and discuss favorite parts and our things we had trouble with. Want to know what we thought? Check it out when it hits the SC feed and get in touch and let us know what you thought. Stay tuned to the end for a special episode #hashtag to use on Twitter!
I have a list of podcasts that I listen to (I will list my favorites on a future post) and on one of my top favorite shows, The Hollywood Outsider (a TV and movie podcast) Justin Macumber published a new book, “Still Water“. He asked that people who bought his book take selfie pictures with his title. Having purchased a Kindle title, I threw my hat in the ring and did just that.
(photo: The IMAHO t-shirt is a Hollywood Outsider fan t-shirt, “I’m a Hollywood Outsider” (fan) )
I am only half way through the book but so far I am enjoying it. The book is centered around a coal mining town that stumbles on an ancient evil secret.
If you’re interested in checking it out, you can find it, Justin, and The Hollywood Outsider at the links below. Enjoy!
And if you buy a copy, be sure to tag Justin on FB with a selfie. He’ll love it.
Join Dave and I as we recap and review “The World’s End” on SlasherCast Side Effect. It’s just the two of us on this episode (and I admittedly had a little wine with dinner) – but Dave brings it all straight to you.
Enjoy the review and let us know what you thought!
My most anticipated movie of 2013, and SlasherCast Side Effect has again invited me to discuss the movie with them! I can’t be more hyped for this movie or to talk about it with the guys. I was excited to see this and am happy to share my opinion of it with you all. Please check it out and let us know what you think! Did you enjoy the movie? Planning to see it in theaters (recommended) or on DVD when it comes out?
I’m so grateful the guys asked me on this one. No doubt, my favorite movie of the year so far. If I could go back and change the score I gave it, I would.
In anticipation of the World War Z movie coming out, SlasherCast has asked me to listen to and review the tremendous audiobook by Max Brooks, as narrated by many famous modern day voice talents. It is an unabridged version, that is newer than the one previously loaded, with less content.
Please definitely check this review out- if you’re trying to decide if this is for you- this review should be able to help you! You can also check it out on iTunes under the SlasherCast stream, episode 17 of the Side Effect.
DA Chaney 
