For our July 2026 episode of Starship Alexandria Emma puts forward the book Do you Dream of Terra-Two? by Temi Oh for Adrian's consideration.
We talk about spoilers in this, and despite my initial lukewarm thoughts about spoilers for this book, there are definitely some moments that are better raw, so do take this as a note that there's something to be gained by reading ahead of the 'cast.
Other talking points:
The Science of Spoilers
British alt space history
When you call your spaceship "Damocles"
Everyone Hates Harry
Orlando Boom (sorry)
The 2012 Olympics and national pride
The brutal logistics of being in space
Authorial treatment of the moral quandary
Super-elite child training academies
Competitive personalities, the pros and cons
YA or not YA
Balancing multiple character arcs
Mysticism and an ambivalent attitude to woo
Coral and reef building
Media Mentions:
2012 Olympics opening ceremony https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4As0e4de-rI
Planetfall, novel by Emma Newman
The Expert System's Brother by Adrian Tchaikovsky (I promise we only flag our own stuff here when it's genuinely relevant!)
Aurora, novel by Kim Stanley Robinson (not named but this is the one I mentioned)
'The Cold Equations', short story by Tom Godwin
The Martian, novel by Andy Weir
Philosophers in Space podcast https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/philosophers-in-space/4068539 (or wherever you get your podcasts from)
Star Trek various TV series
Next month we look at Soldier of the Mist by Gene Wolfe
This month's patron episode is Look to Windward by Iain M Banks
Emma's music recommendation: Taking What's Not Yours by TV Girl https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ox5ENW0CeAU&list=RDOx5ENW0CeAU&start_radio=1
Emma's latest writing is included in Creative Futures (Beyond and Within) https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/creative-futures-allen-stroud/7847161 which was recently shortlisted for a BSFA Award
Adrian's most recent book is the graphic novel Salvation's Child https://www.amazon.co.uk/Final-Architecture-Salvations-Comixology-Originals-ebook/dp/B0FH2KR8LH
If you'd like to support the show, and get an additional monthly patrons-only episode, you can become a patron at https://www.patreon.com/c/starshipalexandria/home
You can buy our official t-shirts and mugs at https://starshipalexandria.teemill.com/
Follow us at:
Emma: @emmanewman@bsky.social and www.enewman.co.uk
Adrian: @aptshadow.bsky.social and www.adriantchaikovsky.com
