Another Fine Myth by Robert Asprin

51/2024 – ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Myth series has been on my radar for years, so when I saw the first five books at the local library sale a couple months ago, I snapped them up. This first one is…ehh. It’s okay. It’s not bad, but neither did it wow me. Maybe it’s because it’s the first in the series, maybe because it was written in ’78 and I’m reading it in ’24, maybe because I’m more of an SF reader, maybe it’s because I’ve fairly recently read the first few Discworld books and enjoyed them more than I did this, and maybe it’s some combination of all of those factors, but I was somewhat underwhelmed. As long as I have the next four, I’ll keep reading and see if they improve, though. (Also, why is Aahz about two feet taller than he should be on the cover art?)

Me holding Another Fine Myth

Memory by Lois McMaster Bujold

48/2024 – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Recovering from the rather calamitous events of the last book, Miles has to solve an unusual murder mystery while trying to figure out how to deal with his two alternate lives. This one is less action and more introspection, mystery solving, and Barrayaran politics, always with Bujold’s signature wit and incredibly well-rounded, imperfect, and very real characters.

Me holding Memory

My Monster Girlfriend edited by Andrea Purcell and Amanda Lafrenais

46/2024 – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The latest in Iron Circus’s series of adult comic anthologies, and a sequel of-sorts to an earlier entry, My Monster Boyfriend. Befitting the theme, some are more horror based, while others are sweet and silly, but all are most definitely NSFW. Quite a few good offerings here, but I think Anderjak’s “Trash Mob Romance” was my favorite (sweet, funny, and what I read as nice ace representation while still fitting the theme of the anthology).

Me holding My Monster Girlfriend

The Captain’s Oath by Christopher L. Bennett

45/2024 – ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Set over the course of a few years, just before and after Kirk takes command of the Enterprise. An interesting take on Kirk, not quite the captain he will become, still somewhat finding his footing. Plus some good pointed commentary on refugees and the assumptions that get made when they arrive in a new place.

Me holding The Captain's Oath

Blue Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson

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.

Me holding Blue Mars