Don't call it a book club.

Luke and Dan join forces with Ako and Marci of the Colored Pages Book Club to talk about Auspicium Melioris Aevi and Patterns of a Murmuration, In Billions of Data Points by JY Neon Yang. This is one of the smartest discussions on this entire podcast; the squad talks about the implications of capitalism on human worth and whether or not AI can love. But don't worry, they also talk about the dating implications of a massive cloning operation and revenge by Barbie tank so it gets pretty dumb too.

Special thanks to Ako and Marci of the Colored Pages Book Club Podcast (@TheColoredPages, on Twitter and @thesecoloredpages on Insta) and VOLO for the intro and outro music.

Luke gets us warmed up with a Red Rover rant that is so on point (5:49). The boys want to see something cooler than a parrot. Luke takes an extremely bold stance and of course Dan tries to circle back to a venom stinger. An important question we need answered, are there memes in space? And YOU. GOTTA. CLEAR. THAT. HISTORY! I don't care your reasoning, this is unforgivable. Could they get through a series without Dan coming up with a ridiculous theory? Of course not.

Next week we start Circe by Madeline Miller so read the first third!

Special thanks to VOLO for the intro and outro music.

The rants are back! Listen to Luke's very hot take about recipe blogs (or skip to 10:10 for book discussion). Dan is loving this book, but we do have one issue: Darrow you don't get to be Howler 1! Congrats to Sefi for making her vow of silence count, and it's time to put away our hopes for Jackal. I'm sorry it took so long Mustang, your newest story has convinced us.

Special thanks to VOLO for the intro and outro music.

Dan reminds Darrow that his situation isn't really *that* bad. The boys have no idea where the Society's obsession with hummingbirds comes from but can't wait to see this Reaper hype video. While Luke isn't feeling great about his Jackal theory, Dan takes a much deserved victory lap. Also, the Boneriders have to know, right? They gotta know....

Special thanks to VOLO for the intro and outro music.

Dan thinks that Darrow has a great future in the WWE, and we have another what's in the box situation on our hands. Luke has an issue with Darrow's big reveal, and apparently still believes in Jackal?? And sorry robot haters, you can't keep 'em down forever.

Special thanks to VOLO for the intro and outro music.

Dan wants to know why no one in Sci-Fi seems to be concerned with deepfakes (book discussion starts at 4:50). So the box didn't contain a Bop-It, but we need some serious play-testing on this "game" before it is released. We speculate on the identity of Ares and this book is getting #emotional *NOT clickbait*. Speaking of #s, tweet at us with what you think the #AutumnTouch should entail.

Special thanks to VOLO for the intro and outro music.

Darrow and the Red Rising series are back! Read up to chapter 15 for this episode and then stop if you’re an insane person like us. We get excited to meet Julian’s mother and human cactus, Mrs. Bellona who has managed to maintain a 2 year long hunger strike. Hats off to Fitchner for his great accomplishment, pulling off that cape. And yeah, we’re still on the venom stinger thing.

Special thanks to VOLO for the intro and outro music

This week on The Institute, tales of woe and heartbreak, triumph and glory, vengeance and betrayal. Be sure to tweet #RedRisingRealityShow with your vote for who should win this season! Your humble producers, Luke and Dan, suggest a new luxury pet that is bound to be all the rage. And we ask the all important question: who wants to hire these maniacs? Stay tuned, things get absolutely wild.

Be sure to tune in next week for the first book in the Cradle series by Will Wight. That's right, the entirety of Unsouled for next week. Trust us, you won't want to put it down.

Special thanks to VOLO for the intro and outro music.

Coming out of the gates swingin on this one with a very specific rant about hummus (if you couldn't care less about hummus skip to 9:50). If you made fun of Dan for his venom stinger request last week buckle up for his victory lap. Both of us choose to be pixies instead of going to the Institute and we crown an MVP.

Special thanks to VOLO for the intro and outro music.

Daniel gets worked up about how much everyone is talking about a certain wellness brand that will not be named (take Dan's advice, lets just all agree to not talk about it and skip to 7:28 for Red Rising). Luke and Dan immediately violate their sacred code of ethics and reveal they are very into this book. Something we are not sure how to feel about: this air shower. Listener, is this a shower innovation or a futuristic nightmare? Tweet at us your thoughts (@DCitaBC). Also, this episode gets pretty real about halfway through so be prepared for that.

Special thanks to VOLO for the intro and outro music.

You arrive at the Prancing Pony in the middle of a stormy night. Do you take the comfort and security of a booth, or do you go with the flexibility and convenience of a table. Tweet at us @DCitaBC (11:35). Luke and Dan finally get to the big questions. What makes us human? Can a society truly ever evolve beyond its past? How does a space river reach dope status? Is there anyone dumber than Leigh Hunt? Ya boys score a behind the back full court called shot and you know Dan's got a theory about the A.I.s.

Next week we are reading the first third of Jade City by Fonda Lee!

Special thanks to VOLO for the intro and outro music.

The hot issue of the day: Are people that ride obnoxiously loud motorcycles in quiet neighborhoods underrepresented in fantasy literature? Of course they are (7:30). We've all got hobbies, Dan for example enjoys a nice scenic potty break. But we've figured out what the Shrike likes to do with his free time, and it's not too different from another of Dan's hobbies. Oh and if you still haven't treated yourself to some Dippin' Dots now is the time.

Special thanks to VOLO for the intro and outro music.

Listen to the soothing, dulcet tones of Luke and Dan as they offer some much needed strategic advice to the Hegemony. Breathe deep, and allow yourself to be lulled into relaxation imagining the most delicious grey soup served among the treetops. Slowly close your eyes, and drift into slee -- frozen sand pelts your face as you cry out into the howling winds. Are you seeking your lost companion among the dunes, or the sweet release of death from this descent into madness? Your mind screams the former, but your heart whispers the latter. And the Shrike hears all. See Luke, this would be the worst way to try to fall asleep. No thanks.

Special thanks to VOLO for the intro and outro music.

Dan and Luke, defenders of the meek, come to the aid of natural gas. Sort of? (5:45 to skip to the book stuff) Professor Dan's back at it again, this week we are learning about cold welding. And by learning I mean you should really look it up yourself because Dan is probably wrong. Shi is still a boss, Ye Wenjie needs to stop being so passive aggressive, and Luke and Dan stumble upon an incredible theory. Welcome all you far away listeners. We come in peace. Special thanks to VOLO for the intro and outro music.

Friendship: one of the pillars of podcasting. Listen to hear about Dan and Luke's new friends (0:00 to 4:15). Organization: another pillar, Luke and Dan give some advice on how organizational skills can help our boys in Three Body Problem. Also how big of a waste of technology is this video game? Hear our suggestions for better uses of the V-suit, and give us your ideas by tweeting with #3dot1body.

Special thanks to VOLO for the intro and outro music.

We wrap up the last episode covering Hyperion by Dan Simmons with discussions about the last two chapters and the book as a whole. Dan convinces Luke yet again to buy into one of his theories, and Luke endorses the Consul's crazy decision. Thanks to VOLO for our intro and outro music.

In our second Hyperion episode Luke unveils a new idea for a fan appreciation event (Hint: it involves LeBron), and Dan leads a surprisingly serious discussion about Dan Simmons. We also develop several theories covering topics ranging from cyborgs to hipsters. Special thanks to VOLO for the intro and outro music.

Luke gives some details about his vacation and we jump into our first episode covering Hyperion. Dan shows off his impressive knowledge of math and physics while discussing artificial gravity, then we decide that Colonel Kassad probably just wants to be playing Call of Duty and telling yo mama jokes. Special thanks to VOLO for the intro and outro music.