Enthusiastically Ambiverted Hopepunk
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43/2024 – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1997 Hugo Best Novel
Earth is in crisis as Mars continues to transform, terraforming spreads through the rest of the solar system, and expanded lifespans prompt questions of population, ploitics, and how the mind and memory adapts to living so long. An excellent end to the series.
42/2024 – ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Favorites this month were “Artistic Encounters of a Monumental Nature” by S.B. Divya, “Himalia” by Carrie Vaughn, and “Off Track” by Luc Diamant.
41/2024 – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Backman is incredibly good at being simultaneously heartfelt and serious and hilariously silly. This story of several people caught in a hostage situation after a bank robbery goes awry is really touching and often had me laughing out loud (something that has been common with all of Backman’s books that I’ve read). Definitely recommended. (And see? I do occasionally read something that isn’t sci-fi!)
40/2024 – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A fun standalone-but-sequel-of-sorts to Ward’s earlier From History’s Shadow, with time travel, Gary Seven and Roberta Lincoln, and lots of fun nods to Trek timeline shenanigans, both canon and literary, including Greg Cox’s Rise and Fall of Khan Noonian Singh books. Kirk just can’t keep away from the 20th century….
39/2024 – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1996 Hugo Best Novel
As good as every other time I’ve read it, and I think it’s still my favorite of Stephenson’s novels. “Modern Victorians with ubiquitous nanotechnology create a fancy children’s book” might not sound like that fascinating of a concept, but it definitely is. In addition to the oft-mentioned things about Stephenson’s writing that always work for me but don’t work at all for others — the snark, digressions, and sidetracks — it’s his ability to convey highly technical concepts in understandable form, which is highlighted here in some of the stories that the Primer tells, that has always been a big part of the appeal of this book for me.
38/2024 – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
While following up on a relatively newly encountered alien race, the Enterprise finds itself dealing with a much larger issue than expected. A somewhat predictable primary antagonist, but balanced with a very interesting major threat to all parties.
37/2024 – ⭐️⭐️⭐️
A very amusing travel guide for those exploring the English countryside. Of particular interest if you’re a fan of cozy mysteries, either the literary type with punny titles, or the BBC Midsommer Murders type.
36/2024 – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1995 Hugo Best Novel
Complex in both story and character, this becomes an excellent exploration of the differing personalities of the Vorkosigan brothers in the midst of military adventure and political maneuvering. As with the rest of the series, it’s Bujold’s ability to craft realistically flawed characters, some in very serious ways, while still making them relatable, believable, and often quite funny, that really makes these stand out. Though most of the books in the series are written to be readable on their own, this is one where I’d definitely recommend reading earlier books first.
35/2024 – ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Favorites this month were “Happily Ever After Comes Round” by Sarah Rees Brennan, “Loneliness Universe” by Eugenia Triantafyllou, “Markets of the Otherworld” by Rati Mehrotra, and “Hands Like Gold and Starlight” by K.S. Walker.
34/2024 – ⭐️⭐️
A kid’s adaptation of the fourth movie, illustrated with stills from the film. Serviceable, exactly as expected, no surprises.
