Is the classic adventure story dead, or has it simply gotten a serious makeover?
From treasure hunts and lost worlds to quests, monsters and impossible missions, adventure has always been one of the biggest reading pleasures around. But what happens when the genre collides with modern sci fi, fantasy and the wildest corners of contemporary storytelling?
Host Joe Skelley is joined by author John Scalzi to dig into why adventure books still have such a grip on readers, how the genre has transformed over time and why stories built around discovery, danger and a good old fashioned “let’s see what happens” continue to thrive.
We’re talking classic adventure, modern adventure books, science fiction, fantasy, quests, escapism and the enduring appeal of getting swept up in a story that refuses to sit still.
So grab your metaphorical map, pack some snacks and join us in the Book Lounge. Adventure isn’t dead. It just got weird.
Looking for the video version of our show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel!
Titles mentioned in this episode:
Starman Jones – Robert A. Heinlein
Hatchet – Gary Paulsen
Project Hail Mary – Andy Weir
Dungeon Crawler Carl – Matt Dinniman
A Winkle in Time – Madeleine L’Engle
The Dark is Rising – Susan Cooper
The Hunger Games – Suzanne Collins
Uglies – Scott Westerfeld
Old Man’s War – John Scalzi
Monsters of Ohio – John Scalzi
Agent to the Stars – John Scalzi
When the Moon Hits Your Eye – John Scalzi
Redshirts – John Scalzi
All Quiet on the Western Front – Erich Maria Remarque
Who’s in this episode:
Joe – Instagram
John Scalzi – Website, Instagram
Time stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:20 Welcome and intro 00:01:30 The Adventure Stories that shaped us 00:07:42 How adventure evolved 00:19:06 The power of personal recommendations 00:33:55 Why adventure stories offer escape 00: 44:55 Why adventure isn’t dead 00:55:19 Comment question and outro
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Happy Reading!
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