Discussions with the authors behind space-themed books. Discussions with the authors behind space-themed books. mat.kaplan@planetary.org (Mat Kaplan) https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/book-club-edition The Planetary Society connect@planetary.org The Planetary Society 2026 The Planetary Society Each month we delve into a new space-themed book and chat with the author. Hosted by Mat Kaplan, the creator of Planetary Radio and Senior Communications Adviser for The Planetary Society. en-us false https://planetary.s3.amazonaws.com/assets/images/society/radio/planetary-radio-book-club-edition-large-logo.jpg https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/book-club-edition The Giant Leap: Why Space is the Next Frontier in the Evolution of Life full Astrobiologist Caleb Scharf eloquently explores the future of humanity and what we will become when we live beyond Earth. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/book-club-caleb-scharf Fri, 20 Mar 2026 08:00:00 -0700 false 77:34 Planetary Society Chief Scientist Bruce Betts’ latest for kids full Bruce Betts helps us explore the latest and last in his excellent library of space books for young people. He and host Mat Kaplan take up “Are We Alone?” and “The Size of Space.” https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/book-club-bruce-betts Fri, 20 Feb 2026 08:00:00 -0800 false 56:54 The Little Book of Aliens by Adam Frank full The delightful astrophysicist and science communicator Adam Frank shares his thoughts about the search for life and intelligence across the Universe in the Planetary Society’s member book club. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/book-club-adam-frank Fri, 16 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0800 false 44:10 MOONS: The Mysteries and Marvels of our Solar System by Kate Howells full The Planetary Society’s Kate Howells has written this beautifully illustrated trek among our Solar System’s most intriguing and mysterious moons. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/book-club-kate-howells Fri, 19 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0800 false 59:26 The Martians by David Baron full Author David Baron has written the definitive, true story of a time when nearly everyone in America was utterly convinced there was a supremely intelligent civilization on the Red Planet, and they wanted to talk with us! https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/book-club-david-baron Fri, 21 Nov 2025 08:00:00 -0800 false 63:00 Space Craze by Margaret Weitekamp full Space Craze author Margaret Weitekamp of the National Air and Space Museum documents our fascination with all things space, as evidenced by the pop culture artifacts she lovingly oversees in the collection. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/book-club-margaret-weitekamp Fri, 17 Oct 2025 08:00:00 -0700 false 55:18 Cosmos Award–winning author Dava Sobel full Author and historian of science Dava Sobel talks about her many wonderful books with The Planetary Society’s Mat Kaplan. Dava recently received the Society’s Cosmos Award. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/book-club-dava-sobel Fri, 19 Sep 2025 08:00:00 -0700 false 50:29 Exploring the Overview Effect with Frank White full Frank White is the author of “The Overview Effect: Space Exploration and Human Evolution. “ Now in its fourth edition, the book has crystallized and expanded on the profound sense of wonder and oneness experienced by nearly all astronauts. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/book-club-frank-white Fri, 15 Aug 2025 08:00:00 -0700 false 63:29 Andy Weir and Project Hail Mary full Bestselling science fiction author Andy Weir joins The Planetary Society’s Mat Kaplan for a deeply fascinating and very entertaining conversation about his #1 bestselling novel, Project Hail Mary, soon to be a major motion picture. https://www.planetary.org/planetary-radio/book-club-andy-weir Fri, 18 Jul 2025 08:00:00 -0700 false 63:49