--- title: "Future Vibes: Sean & Andrew’s 2025 Summer Reading List" podcast: "Modem Futura" episode: "Episode 38" hosts: "Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard" date: 2025-07-01 audio: https://cdn.simplecast.com/audio/018f87c3-4d42-4bc0-9d66-53873b51ec68/episodes/123c8e87-0ffc-4318-abd2-0e92ebfd0de3/audio/c39a3778-b738-458a-bdcf-2be013673637/default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=3frRI0HN mirror: https://text.futureofbeinghuman.com/modemfutura/38-future-vibes-sean-andrews-2025-summer-reading-list.html --- # Future Vibes: Sean & Andrew’s 2025 Summer Reading List Modem Futura · Episode 38 · July 1, 2025 · 55 min · Hosts: Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard Listen: [MP3 audio](https://cdn.simplecast.com/audio/018f87c3-4d42-4bc0-9d66-53873b51ec68/episodes/123c8e87-0ffc-4318-abd2-0e92ebfd0de3/audio/c39a3778-b738-458a-bdcf-2be013673637/default_tc.mp3?aid=rss_feed&feed=3frRI0HN) · [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/future-vibes-sean-andrews-2025-summer-reading-list/id1771688480?i=1000715260190&uo=4) · [Spotify (show)](https://open.spotify.com/show/3eFl4hY4t1qTCWE2Bxotrg) · [YouTube (video)](https://www.youtube.com/@ModemFutura) --- In this laid-back “summer reading list” edition of *Modem Futura*, Sean and Andrew swap stacks and playlists to prove that great ideas don’t always hide in weighty nonfiction tomes. After comparing the pleasures (and pitfalls) of audiobooks, narrator chemistry, and the lost art of radio drama, they dive into a dozen page-turners that feed futurist imaginations. On Sean’s side you’ll find propulsive series such as Martha Wells’ *Murderbot Diaries*; Hugh Howey’s silo saga (*Wool*, *Shift*, *Dust*); the psychologically eerie *Solaris* by Stanisław Lem; Dennis E. Taylor’s clone-happy Bobiverse opener *We Are Legion (We Are Bob)*; John Scalzi’s geriatric-marine romp *Old Man’s War*; Michael Crichton’s bio-tech cautionary tale *Jurassic Park*; and the ever-quotable classics *Good Omens* (Pratchett & Gaiman) and Douglas Adams’ *The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy*. Andrew counters with literary wit—Julie Schumacher’s academic farce *Dear Committee Members*—and social sci-fi masterworks: John Wyndham’s *The Kraken Wakes*, Arthur Ransome’s adventure *Swallowdale* (a sequel to *Swallows and Amazons*), Iain M. Banks’ mind-bending *The Algebraist*, plus the idea-rich hybrid *AI 2041* by Kai-Fu Lee and Chen Qiufan. Along the way they riff on why fiction is vital counter-programming for analysts, how childhood favorites like Madeleine L’Engle’s *A Wrinkle in Time* still ignite wonder, and why storytelling is a laboratory for ethical questions about AI, personhood, and technological hubris. Expect banter about the pros and cons of adaptations—from Apple TV+’s *Silo* and Amazon’s forthcoming *Murderbot* to Hollywood’s dino-driven detours—and an open invitation for listeners to share their own must-reads. Whether you’re beach-bound, backyard-lounging, or headset-deep in spatial computing, this episode arms you with speculative adventures, clever satire, and big-picture provocations to carry through the long, sunny days ahead **Sean's Picks:** - [The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells [Amazon]](https://www.amazon.com/The-Murderbot-Diaries-7-book-series/dp/B07FK8SNWY) - [Silo (Series) Wool (book 1) by Hugh Howey [Amazon]](https://www.amazon.com/Wool-Hugh-Howey-ebook/dp/B088SY4GSD/ref=sr_1_6?crid=2TJ0R0T76CLQL&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ZLB6Y4Kf-qORP526-iML5o1NZDmdz9_A1PJ6cAlcVwqPofyjL-cA1VhIJ75DBPexMoeQbJG14VJHXX17lLsgvOAxQ0xWPDcNerS6rue8hatGFe0XE54hdsrdJ6Hg1nQM3ThzIfKlGN495K9-qzisJM1qkUJpAr4u_534G2-2X0d-6jxL_zXx0Q-UpJ1u7wvua_-zbxA54p9wNPg_YxtWTq2TuyeS5pT34U9Fhgf4DVY.lBGfNIykZ7bBs6cFMb6b4wZ0bjv4hEglaInB3fnTAo0&dib_tag=se&keywords=silo+book+series&qid=1748635591&s=digital-text&sprefix=silo%2Cdigital-text%2C212&sr=1-6) - [Jurassic Park: A Novel by Michael Crichton [Amazon]](https://www.amazon.com/Jurassic-Park-Novel-Michael-Crichton/dp/0345538986/ref=sr_1_4?crid=2CZIMSA09D3DM&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.z6xvUGCalC-SO9gvUrdYlvLMpz0YCIw4HvgMlnlL5KPoGQGvP61In6YbyLpjxUHlftYVOeyDE4F5VA-GbWk8pBaEabf4QSdXnxl0xw4ouiAj8CwgZHOf9O8Fxk1pLN8or1uQ1Y9yU42vocEgl4PrLYH7PVKEzRoVQd519W0JyZi0eSIPuLmfq6cGpK3jOJxgdyDca3wMWtq0VhXAaGDGTOag6hmsTffbcIAc59_JPF8.CUcGqlN0o21BXaoeEqeb1PGCGJNYhzkpItHyWVk34oE&dib_tag=se&keywords=jurassic+park&qid=1748635695&sprefix=jurassic+park%2Caps%2C204&sr=8-4) - [Solaris by Stanislaw Lem [Amazon]](https://www.amazon.com/Solaris-Stanislaw-Lem/dp/0156027607/ref=sr_1_1?crid=151VZW6K3QQKL&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Mxsoqu_KgAE__ytTIRnooarfIouW7ENK3qqRn8rP6E53uSTEn9r2g7u-9zVvWcvBCe_Y0N15NmQxrjwxhZok-hPZwQ_nmdftf98v1z84vZSFJvnP5wuaIEZqDTe1QqfaIRny4iyJAkrjavmrMcoaTP5xFuhWQJJFNOi_7I52IVEVOvuTj7kvL69J3tYUcqwIjtXLghsE23uBYensdWN4WYdGsXexI4JN7jBaHppEN38.cTF44oEgTKztpqsbwLVZl6bP0_7hU33JBdDHnRLNkkI&dib_tag=se&keywords=solaris+book&qid=1748635775&sprefix=solaris+bo%2Caps%2C196&sr=8-1) - [Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman [Amazon]](https://www.amazon.com/Good-Omens-Accurate-Prophecies-Nutter/dp/0060853980/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1MB4B8D8GO1ZV&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.wiJ74VfrT95PeGgDNyqaLoRpFbdxOtUJTdagzUP5vkoIOEQZlPZnk3USaCQpJ3tZ9PvvWwANMU6O4FQS9MqdP8wsxXcWLfhgYGTKH1cSO1MTnsffxWSlAV2eoCm7Gk5B4uQh9ZBICqUf86WWhnWE23XIugwIaNlQhdH32ceDKFXd7D9YXaYIZsOxD4OHMJpqjOZJ199KjcQ9iVfYNUqS3SumtW6XWtENfsFxTZEYAu4.5mPdHyPXuxEzsiPlzkHZNCQAaodsDf7p8lJnYkstbhk&dib_tag=se&keywords=good+omens+book&qid=1748635880&sprefix=good+omens%2Caps%2C230&sr=8-1) - [Bobiverse (We are Legion) series by Dennis E. Taylor [Amazon]](https://www.amazon.com/We-Are-Legion-Bob-Bobiverse/dp/1680680587/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3D6B0KSDEW4WC&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.x-St44drQamzlFw9hriXDJURk2YWdbyCqyqoHaEhYqobfptu4jrp7Toi5X0FhBjdjN3pkYGLxpM6qXDra26UZHcL7J-TlsyLCVq8MZ8zTKDTugSp5QXoddTP2LZedP_ODs1kQs7mJz9VwN8lbB-BUzJXS9NYxx2kc4RoO8fGQxiyzz6EmMfr8o204wOS1_1Y--lOQzDLPOOr5Cot9gpD0kGFYA05MN4yFy8Pz8Bv7Wc.aIzvLJ7zXlc13Nr6DdHdrrbup9q3MAFUNQfSjEfv6mQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=bobiverse&qid=1748635946&sprefix=bobivers%2Caps%2C243&sr=8-1) - [A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle [Amazon]](https://www.amazon.com/Wrinkle-Time-Quintet/dp/0312367546/ref=sr_1_1?crid=BJQ1X9GV6CEJ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ERVk0NLPEJzbO0vA6uIdeRF5avkhsNuAtvBMTF5dLJkfEabeK1iUDpv-bUZUMHjItTFnqVllIhVJkkR43CWXQ36VD74QTq88nL1pOMgrTEva85kp2PX7ybTCcfX2DSMNUtr_wk6kdVGcBpvwISikC656bosJJnb-_0nMxUCVKUViwzCqFEpnJOPvLcp6o8wJZ0-ZfrPBiQTOR1ojbxoKFz_Up14pezVydgR_lHb7AG8.IxCrujxRBGbR2JkNXUZ3RyvFuGmqpY1FQFxM6cmw6HE&dib_tag=se&keywords=a+wrinkle+in+time+book&qid=1748635997&sprefix=a+wrinkle+in+%2Caps%2C232&sr=8-1) - [Old Man's War by John Scalzi [Amazon]](https://www.amazon.com/Old-Mans-War-John-Scalzi/dp/0765348276/ref=sr_1_1?crid=22K4DT66C6IK2&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.iVa_s5DDvDC_Jsizv4boAp7kuQAPmLXQZ6B-d83g7jOfKKNh2ZORW35UI0dJipsAw07a1syN6JmLwYy8_9oTzvcYj2syUpsNB_GAjgi5OKwMmTAklJkL0p0OthtN2ZSShe5qFH6Sd6bVmWYPyH66ZFuH2NH_DDs2ycXmmQivNWL_xieAAN6eiuZVRNkmz6k3yThlqBUQMc8V-SDgs2KIzWC2KnBfxw3K9vc_HxIUzNY.L5ppL5WlQb2O-E9OIO25vxeSVgJG3ff5Q4xDoG91lHM&dib_tag=se&keywords=old+man%27s+war&qid=1748636035&sprefix=old+man+wa%2Caps%2C214&sr=8-1) - [Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams [Amazon]](https://www.amazon.com/Hitchhikers-Guide-Galaxy-Douglas-Adams/dp/0345418913/ref=sr_1_1?crid=27UYADLHU3CUG&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.T9qfV-1KgRGkm_g-HFJrh1MPL5Uq3HgneC0eqyOgQ6cX5x9jBgrIRtxy6h52aIUP2gMEi3mznCe9WHPtXUHrTxQpyWfCu70VVQ_C_ClRApvduO0xhCTCGS4wX_GGuUCNJTtm3cTfvbVZd_-ZbOPv8SGY935nVOdbt5bs0A1olJK3-7TXIN3K5wwwa_43X1Qbqnw0ahbw6cYNUdqGIQShsm_C58zHmrulcoWoeHI5A5M.Cpnq78vns5ZnIq2KkFkSqUuvMtwP79rQRrzLAXacDhY&dib_tag=se&keywords=hitchhiker%27s+guide+to+the+galaxy+book&qid=1748636092&sprefix=hitch%2Caps%2C246&sr=8-1) **Andrews Picks:** - [Dear Committee Members by Julie Schumacher [Amazon]](https://www.amazon.com/Dear-Committee-Members-Julie-Schumacher/dp/0345807332) - [The Kraken Wakes by John Wyndham [Amazon]](https://www.amazon.com/Dear-Committee-Members-Julie-Schumacher/dp/0345807332) - [Swallowdale by Arthur Ransome [Amazon second hand] (this one can be hard to find)](https://www.amazon.com/Swallowdale-Arthur-Ransome/dp/B001M1WG0S/ref=sr_1_3?crid=LPAQ6X081HE6&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.3yCw4Rh6jsUE2OwLkAFICNb8E52vaHu5DhyjMr-V5ig-Kv0MXS33MVju9pZqyVoliOpi9RMcpqOiOSVeCOlhiDWjtkHc295NKMQL9ifKnRWYkE3xpaT3qP6KCLwLHrL13p3xdLogm0u1aP77Vy-dpPjAvcLm-sbbDxRYECrDmpkC2MV8wW4cEnKwx3JS9fwpxO0G7ITiJmotZp9cSmJhOw.RT0ZUDMFhvOlewugI0flidGwuBA_yN-qdlF2foyqFyk&dib_tag=se&keywords=swallowdale+arthur+ransome&qid=1751119025&sprefix=Swallowdale%2Caps%2C125&sr=8-3) - [The Algebraist by Iain M. Banks [Amazon]](https://www.amazon.com/Algebraist-Culture-Iain-M-Banks-ebook/dp/B0BRJ5TTF5/ref=sr_1_1?crid=O12DC5FPSIJ1&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.89_1jYd1o4-aRnksKuhu3N0UepN9wPKkA-AOrdehPULGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.94O-Q3Hq2xSvZqszSa2S-sUV4Pyz6ik4gu4CRX-aMRA&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+algebraist+by+iain+m.+banks&qid=1751119186&sprefix=The+Algebraist%2C%2Caps%2C201&sr=8-1) - [AI 2041: Ten Visions for Our Future by Kai-Fu Lee and Chen Qiufan [Amazon]](https://www.amazon.com/AI-2041-Ten-Visions-Future/dp/0593238311/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1TYVX9ZWIMBI&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.4V0KGih6smCNCLqwYHHhWVYpDeSQetY1oHUs-VTmhInUpLjrEVP5ZEm1yr5tIkbcJUhpFRbZa6zcf5E1Wb7OH1L0hkxhkcORPnn3ew5vzcM635WEC9O-FnvfeWhZ8jYOXCjDkds5eZviayzV8zE5rK1Htxcn1ahIyXYdKeHxvJmoJ_QVJBJUtKv0DbqMYqq_DC-eJzt8F1AX0LBurr90_Lpol3fSrpWoPIAm2UG_gBk.a09x7oYEWh3KywNEDEVmr72fEmgUpjA0YJA_O6nBH7I&dib_tag=se&keywords=AI+2041&qid=1751119256&sprefix=ai+2041%2Caps%2C164&sr=8-1) -----Modem Futura is a production of the Future of Being Human initiative at Arizona State University. Be sure to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to your favorite shows. To learn more about the Future of Being Human initiative and all of our other projects visit - [https://futureofbeinghuman.asu.edu](https://futureofbeinghuman.asu.edu/)Subscribe to our [YouTube Channel: @ModemFutura](https://www.youtube.com/@ModemFutura)Follow us on Instagram: [@ModemFutura](https://www.instagram.com/modemfutura/)**Host Bios:****Sean M. Leahy, PhD** - [ASU Bio](https://search.asu.edu/profile/3183014)\ Sean is an internationally recognized technologist, futurist, and educator innovating humanistic approaches to emerging technology through a Futures Studies approach. He is the Executive Director for the [Future of Being Human Initiative](https://futureofbeinghuman.asu.edu/) and Research Scientist for the [School for the Future of Innovation in Society](https://sfis.asu.edu/) and Senior Global Futures Scholar with the [Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory](https://globalfutures.asu.edu/) at [Arizona State University](http://www.asu.edu/).**Andrew Maynard, PhD** - [ASU Bio](https://search.asu.edu/profile/2670673)\ Andrew is a scientist, author, thought leader, and Professor of Advanced Technology Transitions in the ASU [School for the Future of Innovation in Society](https://sfis.asu.edu/). He is the founder of the ASU [Future of Being Human initiative](https://futureofbeinghuman.asu.edu/), Director of the ASU [Risk Innovation Nexus](https://riskinnovation.org/), and was previously Associate Dean in the ASU [College of Global Futures](https://collegeofglobalfutures.asu.edu/).----- --- *These are the show notes for this episode of Modem Futura (), a podcast hosted by Sean Leahy and Andrew Maynard and part of the ASU Future of Being Human initiative (). This file is a text mirror of the episode’s show notes — not a transcript. Listen to the full episode via the links above, or watch it on YouTube ().*