They're here already! You're next!
I'm baaack! Just in time for a visit from my sister and brother-in-law. I'll be catching up with everyone as soon as possible. In the meantime...
* My most recent StarShipSofa "History of the Genre" segment, which is about the legacy of George Parsons Lathrop, is now available in the latest episode of the podcast. You can download it or listen to it here. If you listen, I hope you enjoy. (A full list of my past podcast segments, with links, is available here.)
* Librivox.org has added some new unabridged narrations of special interest:
in Speculative Fiction
-- Off On A Comet by Jules Verne
-- The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux
-- "Short Science Fiction Collection #40" by various authors (including Walter M. Miller, Jr. and August Derleth, among others)
in Native Literature
-- Indian Heroes and Great Chieftains by Charles A. Eastman (Ohiyesa)
-- Old Indian Legends by Zitkala-Sa
* Some terrific people were born this week! Happy birthday to ekeppich, and happy early birthday to jinxed_wood, chickenfried_jo, and llembas! May each of you enjoy many happy returns of the day.
* R.I.P. to an iconic actor, Kevin McCarthy (February 15, 1914 - September 11, 2010). He starred in one of my absolute favorite films of all time, the original Invasion of the Body Snatchers. A few years ago I had the privilege of talking with him at length about his role and the genre in general, and I found him to be a delightful and insightful storyteller, as well as a true gentleman in every way. A dedicated professional with a Golden Globe Award and an Oscar nomination among his accomplishments, he continued making films through his 95th year.
Click to view"This is the oddest thing I've ever heard of. Let's hope we don't catch it. I'd hate to wake up some morning and find out that you weren't you."
- Dr. Miles Bennell, portrayed by Kevin McCarthy, in Invasion of the Body Snatchers