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It is February 2026. This means that this is the first episode of the fourth season. It also means that Rebecca has a pre-arranged prior commitment and cannot join the cast for their bonus discussion.

While the cat’s away . . .

This seemed like a perfect opportunity to bring Rodney’s friend Joe Tavano, former sci-fi podcaster and self-avowed expert on all things J. R. R. Tolkien, in for a discussion about two books that Rodney and Aaron knew that Rebecca would vehemently veto. Those books are The Hobbit and all three volumes of The Lord of the Rings (#s 538 and 714, respectively), novels that are very near and dear to the hearts of all three participants in this month’s discussion.

They discuss J. R. R. Tolkien. They discuss his rivalry with contemporary C. S. Lewis. They discuss the myriad differences between science-fiction and fantasy. They discuss their personal experiences with the discovery of this tremendous work of art. They talk shit about a very famous modern fantasy novelist. They also geek out. Big time.

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The final episode of the third season features one of the world’s most successful writers. The author of novels, short story collections, works of nonfiction, children’s books, and comics, Margaret Atwood has been topping bestseller lists and wowing prize jury judges for more than six decades. Few Canadian writers have enjoyed the success that she has made seem easy.

This discussion is an interesting one. Aaron is already a fan of Margaret Atwood. Neither Rodney or Rebecca have read her before. All three enjoyed this novel, but all of them walked away from it with differing opinions on its meaning, impact, and importance. Is this a feminist novel? Is Margaret Atwood even a feminist at all?

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If there is one thing that everyone here at Just In Case We Die can agree on, it’s this: Haruki Murakami is one of the greatest contemporary storytellers. Japan’s best-selling novelist, Haruki Murakami has made an international name for himself with thought-provoking, meaningful narratives that explore loneliness and the nature of love within the warm, surreal embrace of magical realism. He is the author of fifteen novels, five story collections, and five works of varied non-fiction– and that’s just a catalog of the work that has been translated into English!

This month, in the penultimate episode of the current season, Just In Case We Die celebrates this beloved writer’s 77th birthday with a lively discussion, paying tribute to his body of work, cultural impact, and vivid imagination.