Books

Congrats to this year’s World Fantasy Award winners!

The winners of the 2013 World Fantasy Awards were announced at the World Fantasy Convention in Brighton, England. A round of applause to all of the nominees and winners. This year, Holly Black, Tom Clegg, Marc Laidlaw, Stephen Laws, and Stephanie Smith served as judges for the awards. See all the nominees below, with the…

Books & Comics Lauren Davis

A Mountain Range of Shelves Turns This Kids’ Library Into a Playground

Learning to read is a massive adventure in itself, but discovering the library—a magical place where the stories are plentiful and the books are free—is downright mind-blowing. In an effort to match the fun between the pages, the Mexican branding studio Anagrama transformed the interior of a local heritage site into Niños Conarte, a geometric…

Tech News Jordan Kushins

The Complete Guide to November’s Must-See Science Fiction and Fantasy!

November is exploding with science fiction and fantasy goodness. There are new books by Gene Wolfe and Cherie Priest. The TV debuts of Steven Universe and Almost Human. J.J. Abrams is doing a book event. Plus the Hunger Games! Here’s everything you need to know about this month. Top image: Starhawk by Jack McDevitt. As…

Movies Charlie Jane Anders

Creature Feature: The Original Frankenstein Text Is Now Readable Online

In the pantheon of classic horror, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein ranks as one of the first, and most memorable, monster tales ever told. And while it’s easy enough to pick up a new copy of the spine-tingling 1818 narrative from pretty much any bookstore, it’s now possible to pore over the original, hand-penned manuscript online. The…

Books & Comics Jordan Kushins

Gavin Hood breaks down the Mind Games from Ender’s Game

Yes the Mind Games are in the movie! We spoke with Ender’s Game director Gavin Hood on creating the wild Mind Game challenges that hero Ender Wiggin has to pass and what was the most conceptually difficult idea from the book that he was tasked with creating. Hint: it wasn’t the Battle Room. Let’s talk…

Movies Meredith Woerner

Cramming For Anatomy Is Easier When Your Book Turns Into a Skeleton

Because unfortunately movie versions of medical textbooks are all too rare, if you’re cramming for an upcoming exam on the human skeletal system and the last thing you want to do is spend the night reading, this wonderful $32 tome can be turned into an almost six-foot tall paper skeleton. Nothing beats hands-on experience as…

Books & Comics Andrew Liszewski

Which story would be over in five minutes if people just talked?

Some of the most intense, action-packed stories in science fiction and fantasy depend on some huge misunderstandings. People don’t actually listen to each other, and never take the time to share info. Which scary or thrilling story would be over in five minutes if people would only have a simple conversation? Please include a picture…

Movies Charlie Jane Anders

Catch up on Ender’s Game before the film with this FREE audioplay

Still haven’t read the classic novel that gave many of us our first taste of science fiction? You’re in luck. We have the entire digital audiobook, which features over 40 actors reading more than 100 roles, right here. Created by Audible Studios, Ender’s Game Alive was re-written by author Orson Scott Card to transform the…

Movies Meredith Woerner

That One Time Frankenstein’s Monster’s Kid Road-Tripped Across America

Jon Skovron’s newest YA novel, Man Made Boy, follows his protagonist on a journey of self-discovery across America. He has some adventures, falls in love, gets a job and learns a thing or two about family and responsibility—but it’s complicated by the fact that he’s also the son of Frankenstein’s Monster and his Bride. Boy—yes…

Books & Comics Michael Ann Dobbs

Check out the gorgeous collectors edition covers for Discworld

Terry Pratchett’s incredible series Discworld is getting a new set of incredible covers for 12 hardback collectors editions in the UK. Here are some of the most striking ones. Pratchett said: The truth is that even big collections of ordinary books can distort space, as can readily be proved by anyone who has been around…

Books & Comics Annalee Newitz

NYC Subway Shuts Down for Lord of the Rings Ent Maintenece

One does not simply walk into Mordor — one takes the J.R.R. line. Alas, Post-Isengard replanting of the Fangorn forest has caused some delays on the subway. Check out these adorable signs that were posted all over the NYC’s subway system. These were created by the folks over at Puck Works, and as a subway…

Movies Meredith Woerner

The io9 Book Club is in session! Let’s talk about Oryx and Crake

Welcome to the monthly meeting of the io9 Book Club. In September, we read Margaret Atwood’s Oryx and Crake. Jump into comments to get started talking about it! For those unfamiliar with the io9 book club, here’s how it works: You read the book. We create a special book club post on io9 when the…

Books & Comics Annalee Newitz

This manual of psychological disorders is actually a dystopian novel

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) is the premiere reference book for psychiatrists and mental health workers. But critics have often called it monstrous, wrong-headed and unscientific. Now, at last, one writer has discovered that it’s actually a dystopian scifi novel. https://gizmodo.com/the-future-of-nymphomania-5468365 https://gizmodo.com/traditional-psychological-diagnoses-are-going-out-of-st-493966169 The latest edition of the manual, DSM-V, was published…

Books & Comics Annalee Newitz

Frank Frazetta Like You’ve Never Seen Him Before!

Most of us are pretty familiar with the art of Frank Frazetta: his amazing Edgar Rice Burroughs illustrations. His original creation, the Death Dealer. And so much else. But you haven’t really learned the story of Frank Frazetta, unless you’ve read a brand new book, Frank Frazetta: Art and Remembrances. Warning: A couple images below…

Books & Comics Charlie Jane Anders

Which hero and villain do you wish would just get a room already?

The best hero-villain dynamics are the ones where sparks fly… and sometimes the tension is so thick you could cut it with a butter knife. But what if that tension were… something else? Which villain and hero do you wish would just get a room? Please include a picture or clip of this duo. And…

Movies Charlie Jane Anders

Gail Carriger’s new music video will have you dancing in your airship

Here’s an exclusive first look at a new music video promoting Gail Carriger’s book Curtsies & Conspiracies. It’s the cutest thing we’ve seen in days — but be warned: Major earworm. You will be singing this one in the shower on Monday. Gotta love any song that rhymes “irritable” and “dirigible.” And the animation, mixing…

Books & Comics Charlie Jane Anders

Kim Stanley Robinson brings the Neolithic to life in Shaman

Kim Stanley Robinson is known for his meticulous worldbuilding. So when Robinson heads to neolithic Europe for his newest novel Shaman, Robinson creates a world that has familiar outlines — but resists both clichés and lazy assumptions about prehistoric life. Spoilers ahead… First, it must be pointed out, Shaman is not a science fiction book.…

Books & Comics Michael Ann Dobbs

What’s the best (or worst) fake-out a story has ever pulled off?

Sometimes you think you know what’s going on in a story… and then the rug is pulled out from under you. You think you know that the Mandarin is the big bad, or that Ned Stark is the big hero, of the story. And then — everything changes. What’s the best, or worst, fake-out a…

Movies Charlie Jane Anders

Watch the surviving clips of the BBC’s Caves of Steel

Long before Almost Human, Isaac Asimov wrote the classic tale of a human detective paired with a robot partner, The Caves of Steel. And this novel was adapted by the BBC as a TV special, part of its Story Parade anthology series. And then wiped. Of course. Because the BBC wiped so much of its…

Television Charlie Jane Anders

All the Signs that Divergent Might Be Your Next Dystopian Joyride

We were invited to the set of Divergent, the next dystopian future movie for teens. We saw the dark future Chicago, and learned how director Neil Burger would bring this beloved book to life. Here’s everything we saw on the Divergent set. For the non-Divergent fans, this world (created by novelist Veronica Roth) is kind…

Movies Meredith Woerner

Congrats to this year’s World Fantasy Award winners!

A Mountain Range of Shelves Turns This Kids’ Library Into a Playground

The Complete Guide to November’s Must-See Science Fiction and Fantasy!

Creature Feature: The Original Frankenstein Text Is Now Readable Online

Gavin Hood breaks down the Mind Games from Ender’s Game

Cramming For Anatomy Is Easier When Your Book Turns Into a Skeleton

Which story would be over in five minutes if people just talked?

Catch up on Ender’s Game before the film with this FREE audioplay

That One Time Frankenstein’s Monster’s Kid Road-Tripped Across America

Check out the gorgeous collectors edition covers for Discworld

NYC Subway Shuts Down for Lord of the Rings Ent Maintenece

The io9 Book Club is in session! Let’s talk about Oryx and Crake

This manual of psychological disorders is actually a dystopian novel

Frank Frazetta Like You’ve Never Seen Him Before!

Which hero and villain do you wish would just get a room already?

Gail Carriger’s new music video will have you dancing in your airship

Kim Stanley Robinson brings the Neolithic to life in Shaman

What’s the best (or worst) fake-out a story has ever pulled off?

Watch the surviving clips of the BBC’s Caves of Steel

All the Signs that Divergent Might Be Your Next Dystopian Joyride

Even the ‘Avatar’ Fighting Game Is Disrespecting ‘Legend of Korra’

Bluesky Has a New App, and It’s All About AI

Dammit, Jim, He’s a Doctor And an Action Figure!

Whatever Just Happened with ‘Fruit Love Island,’ Nobody Won

AMC Puts a Stake in ‘Talamasca’ After One Season

Aqara Smart Lock U400 Review: Hands-free Unlocking at Its Best

2027 Is Shaping Up to Be a Great Year for Big Sci-Fi RPGs

MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+ Review: A Solid 2-in-1 Laptop With Some Glaring Flaws

Sonos Play Review: Call It a Comeback

Sonos Era 100 SL Review: The Cheapest Way Into Wired Sonos Sound

Asus ROG’s Massive Swift OLED Gaming Monitor Epitomizes Excess in the Best Way

The Ikea Varmblixt Smart Lamp Fills a Donut Hole in My Life

Nothing Headphone A vs. Headphone 1: Which Pair of ANC Wireless Headphones Wins?

Asus ROG’s Cetra Open Wireless Gaming Earbuds Might Be Better Than Wearing a Headset

Nintendo’s Talking Flower Is Annoying as Hell. I Love It

Level Lock Pro Review: As Good as a Secret Smart Lock Gets

Let us help find what you are looking for...

Books

Congrats to this year’s World Fantasy Award winners!

A Mountain Range of Shelves Turns This Kids’ Library Into a Playground

The Complete Guide to November’s Must-See Science Fiction and Fantasy!

Creature Feature: The Original Frankenstein Text Is Now Readable Online

Gavin Hood breaks down the Mind Games from Ender’s Game

Cramming For Anatomy Is Easier When Your Book Turns Into a Skeleton

Which story would be over in five minutes if people just talked?

Catch up on Ender’s Game before the film with this FREE audioplay

That One Time Frankenstein’s Monster’s Kid Road-Tripped Across America

Check out the gorgeous collectors edition covers for Discworld

NYC Subway Shuts Down for Lord of the Rings Ent Maintenece

The io9 Book Club is in session! Let’s talk about Oryx and Crake

This manual of psychological disorders is actually a dystopian novel

Frank Frazetta Like You’ve Never Seen Him Before!

Which hero and villain do you wish would just get a room already?

Gail Carriger’s new music video will have you dancing in your airship

Kim Stanley Robinson brings the Neolithic to life in Shaman

What’s the best (or worst) fake-out a story has ever pulled off?

Watch the surviving clips of the BBC’s Caves of Steel

All the Signs that Divergent Might Be Your Next Dystopian Joyride

Even the ‘Avatar’ Fighting Game Is Disrespecting ‘Legend of Korra’

Bluesky Has a New App, and It’s All About AI

Dammit, Jim, He’s a Doctor *And* an Action Figure!

Whatever Just Happened with ‘Fruit Love Island,’ Nobody Won

AMC Puts a Stake in ‘Talamasca’ After One Season

Aqara Smart Lock U400 Review: Hands-free Unlocking at Its Best

2027 Is Shaping Up to Be a Great Year for Big Sci-Fi RPGs

MSI Prestige 14 Flip AI+ Review: A Solid 2-in-1 Laptop With Some Glaring Flaws

Sonos Play Review: Call It a Comeback

Sonos Era 100 SL Review: The Cheapest Way Into Wired Sonos Sound

Asus ROG’s Massive Swift OLED Gaming Monitor Epitomizes Excess in the Best Way

The Ikea Varmblixt Smart Lamp Fills a Donut Hole in My Life

Nothing Headphone A vs. Headphone 1: Which Pair of ANC Wireless Headphones Wins?

Asus ROG’s Cetra Open Wireless Gaming Earbuds Might Be Better Than Wearing a Headset

Nintendo’s Talking Flower Is Annoying as Hell. I Love It

Level Lock Pro Review: As Good as a Secret Smart Lock Gets

Let us help find what you are looking for...

Dammit, Jim, He’s a Doctor And an Action Figure!