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ladybusinessThere are sixty-two books that have debuted in 2016 so far that I would like to read, but unfortunately I'm not a speed-reader. Sixty-two potentially amazing books...and the best I've ever been able to do book wise in years before is put away 100-120 books in any one 365 day period. In light of that depressing fact, I thought, "Let's go think about all the books I'm looking forward to in the second half of 2016 instead!"
GREAT IDEA.
Everfair by Nisi Shawl — September 6, 2016
I've read one story by Shawl from The Other Half of the Sky. I didn't quite understand it because looking back I figure it's like a junior-level piece of SF and I was not reading on that level yet. But now she has a novel, an alternate history set in the Belgian Congo. It's classified as steampunk, but I'm not sure how much it will be so, since the blurb only discusses steam technology and then focuses on politics and human rights instead. It can be really easy to oversell the steampunk angle. WE SHALL SEE.
You Can't Touch My Hair by Phoebe Robinson — October 4, 2016
I love Robinson on 2 Dope Queens so I was SUPER excited to see she had a book coming out. She's so funny so I plan to read this sometime right before the election so I can laugh between anxiety crying/screaming in terror.
Adnan's Story: Murder, Justice, and the Case that Captivated a Nation by Rabia Chaudry — September 6, 2016
I listened to Serial (compelling but flawed) and then to Undisclosed, which I found more nuanced and robust and liked more. Even when it revealed something that made me furious. Our criminal justice system is so utterly broken. What a farce. I've followed some of Chaudry's writing since discovering Serial, so I'm curious to read her take on the case in a longer, more prepared form.
Swing Time by Zadie Smith — November 3, 2016
My first struggles with other people's racism came in university. When I took a course on the British novel (we read White Teeth) engaging with other white kids around me was like beating my head against a wall. They didn't believe racism existed. In way Zadie Smith was the author who gave me tools to grapple with the racism around me through the multi-generational story of White Teeth, even though the culture was vastly different. In fact, that's probably why it was so helpful. I was mired in Southern culture and her novel was rooted in London, so it provided the benefit of perspective. I'm excited for this novel which I've looked forward to since I found out it was about lady friendships and dancing! I'm sure it will be fun, and thinky, and teach me lots.
Bitch Planet, Vol. 2: President Bitch by Kelly Sue DeConnick & Valentine DeLandro — October 12, 2016
I loved the first volume of this comic even though it was dark and brutal. I have no clue where they're taking the story yet, but the writing is sharp and the art is gorgeous and allows all the women in the novel to exist apart from one another in sharp relief. I read the first volume in issues with letters and essays, and the trades don't have those. So even though the trade is easier/cheaper, if you have a chance to read the single issues, give them a shot because that backmatter is quality.
Certain Dark Things by Silvia Moreno-Garcia — October 25, 2016
I tried this author's previous book, Signal to Noise, probably at a bad time. This book also seems to be more my thing, as I continue to search for vampire stories that hit me in the gut like The Last Vampire series or Sunshine. Plus, I'm always going to be into narratives that suggest food becomes a friend.
Timekeeper by Tara Sim — November 1, 2016
I forget if I just found this novel or if Ana introduced it to me (because it's set in a Victorian world and Ana likes this and I'm often "EH" about them). This also has time weirdness! I'm convinced Ana led me to this novel now. Anyway, there is a queer romance! I...am a little dubious based on the blurb that it's gonna be like "this love is doomed before it can begin!" but I'm hard up for some queer romance in mainstream books so let's give it a shot.
The Wangs vs. the World by Jade Chang — October 4, 2016
This title was recced to me in a newsletter (BookRiot? Netgalley? Who knows!) and I loved the premise a whole lot (road trips!!!). This is also me braving my way into literary fiction whose plots sound fun so I can impress Jenny. XD
Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst — November 22, 2016
The other day I asked for arranged marriages but with princesses! Someone reminded me about this title, which I had somehow forgotten. It's not an exact match, but it's close enough to have me excited that it'll be good! Plus, one of the characters can use illegal magic! Fingers crossed.
Venomous: How Earth's Deadliest Creatures Mastered Biochemistry by Christie Wilcox — August 9, 2016
I have been an responsible adult and developed a good sleep hygiene routine, which includes no screens an hour before bed. I've wanted to read more nonfiction so this is perfect; I never feel a tug to keep going after finishing the two chapters I allow myself. So my quest to put lots of cool knowledge in my head continues because in this book I'll get to learn about cool but deadly animals from a lady scientist. I hope there's a lot about jellyfish. I love jellyfish.
Beast by Brie Spangler — October 11, 2016
I wanted to read this because I thought the cover was gorgeous and it featured a trans character (as I attempt to keep reading great books featuring characters I don't come across much in my SFF reading). But after reading If I Was Your Girl, which I really liked, I saw that the author of that had reviewed this book and I liked what they had to say about it. Also, Ira, I think you should read this based on Meredith Russo's review (warning: there are some slight spoilers)!
The Dream-Quest of Vellitt Boe by Kij Johnson — August 16, 2016
The blurb talks about Lovecraft to contextualize this novella, but I've never read Lovecraft or have any interest in reading Lovecraft so I mainly want to read this because it seems like there's a middle-aged woman getting to go on an important quest! I liked At the Mouth of the River of Bees: Stories a lot, specifically "The Man Who Bridged the Mist" and "The Evolution of Trickster Stories among the Dogs of North Park after the Change" (predictably the stories that fired everyone up, "Spar" and "Ponies", were super short and unappealing) so I'm excited to try this novella since it'll be longer than 10,000 words, which seems to be the minimum required word count for me re: most short fiction.
Once Broken Faith by Seanan McGuire — September 6, 2016
HAHAHAHAHA OF COURSE THIS IS HERE NOW AFTER ALL OF YOU JERKS SUCKED ME INTO THIS SERIES TO SUFFER WITH YOU!!!!
Trainwreck: The Women We Love to Hate, Mock, and Fear... and Why by Sady Doyle — September 20, 2016
I used to religiously read Doyle's writing on Tiger Beatdown, although I drifted away when the blog ended and she went on to other venues. We disagree a lot when our interests intersect (mostly along a pop culture axis), but I find her commentary on women really useful to help me contextualize a lot of my thoughts about women (well, white women) and myself in our wider culture. So I'm excited to read this book (although I am assuming the answer to "why" is "sexism" and "misogyny").
Everything Belongs to the Future by Laurie Penny — October 18, 2016
Okay, this sounds neat, but let's not let Justin Timberlake near it.
Crosstalk by Connie Willis — September 20, 2016
I've never read Connie Willis, even though people make horrified and/or gurgling sounds at me when I admit this. Ana says I should read Bellwether first, but of course my library is like "no, instead you should read this time travel book first! because we like having 847292 copies!" So I will probably end up reading Crosstalk first because availability and it seems like a cool premise.
Good Morning, Midnight by Lily Brooks-Dalton — August 9, 2016
I loved Station Eleven so much, y'all. I keep looking for books similar to it in tone, but haven't quite found anything yet that speaks to me. This tells the story of a possible apocalypse away from the frantic end by focusing on two already civilization-distant characters. Perhaps it will fill my aching need for the type of thoughtful apocalyptic fiction that Station Eleven provided?
Gemina by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff — October 18, 2016
I loved Illuminae for combining, space, documentary tropes, and zombies with a cool young woman who was great at coding. It seems like the sequel will focus on other characters in the same world, but with the same conceit. READY FOR IT.
Revenger by Alastair Reynolds — September 15, 2016
I've never read Reynolds before, but I've had him on a list of authors to read since 2013 when he was super kind to me during a very hard time even though we didn't know each other at all (thanks, sir). So, yes, I can be purchased with compassion! I mainly want to read this because it's about two sisters set in SPACE! Also, there might be robots!!!!
Skewed: A Critical Thinker's Guide to Media Bias by Larry Atkins — August 16, 2016
I don't follow tons of news media because I find it depressing. Twitter is where I hear about most events these days and I have trained myself for tomfoolery with regards to news there, so I'm curious to see if this book discusses additional critical tools I'm not aware of. The blurb highlights talk radio, an area I am SUPER ignorant about especially when it comes to news, so maybe it'll shed some light on that.
Babylon's Ashes by James S.A. Corey — December 6, 2016 (maybe? perhaps?)
I thought this book was coming out this summer, but that turned out to be a crushed dream. Then I thought it was coming out in November. Now Goodreads says December. I DON'T KNOW. MAYBE IT WILL NEVER COME OUT AND I'LL HAVE TO SUFFER FOREVER AS ORBIT TAUNTS ME WITH THIS NOVEL. This is the sixth book in The Expanse and after Nemesis Games I'm super ready for it (and also for the second season of the TV show, because BOBBIE!!!).
Orbit. ;__;
Orbit, please.
Okay, so that was a lot of books. I'm sure there are tons I'm missing that I will eventually want to read when I find them. If there's something coming out that you know of that's in my wheelhouse, share immediately, please!
GREAT IDEA.
Everfair by Nisi Shawl — September 6, 2016
I've read one story by Shawl from The Other Half of the Sky. I didn't quite understand it because looking back I figure it's like a junior-level piece of SF and I was not reading on that level yet. But now she has a novel, an alternate history set in the Belgian Congo. It's classified as steampunk, but I'm not sure how much it will be so, since the blurb only discusses steam technology and then focuses on politics and human rights instead. It can be really easy to oversell the steampunk angle. WE SHALL SEE.
You Can't Touch My Hair by Phoebe Robinson — October 4, 2016
I love Robinson on 2 Dope Queens so I was SUPER excited to see she had a book coming out. She's so funny so I plan to read this sometime right before the election so I can laugh between anxiety crying/screaming in terror.
Adnan's Story: Murder, Justice, and the Case that Captivated a Nation by Rabia Chaudry — September 6, 2016
I listened to Serial (compelling but flawed) and then to Undisclosed, which I found more nuanced and robust and liked more. Even when it revealed something that made me furious. Our criminal justice system is so utterly broken. What a farce. I've followed some of Chaudry's writing since discovering Serial, so I'm curious to read her take on the case in a longer, more prepared form.
Swing Time by Zadie Smith — November 3, 2016
My first struggles with other people's racism came in university. When I took a course on the British novel (we read White Teeth) engaging with other white kids around me was like beating my head against a wall. They didn't believe racism existed. In way Zadie Smith was the author who gave me tools to grapple with the racism around me through the multi-generational story of White Teeth, even though the culture was vastly different. In fact, that's probably why it was so helpful. I was mired in Southern culture and her novel was rooted in London, so it provided the benefit of perspective. I'm excited for this novel which I've looked forward to since I found out it was about lady friendships and dancing! I'm sure it will be fun, and thinky, and teach me lots.
Bitch Planet, Vol. 2: President Bitch by Kelly Sue DeConnick & Valentine DeLandro — October 12, 2016
I loved the first volume of this comic even though it was dark and brutal. I have no clue where they're taking the story yet, but the writing is sharp and the art is gorgeous and allows all the women in the novel to exist apart from one another in sharp relief. I read the first volume in issues with letters and essays, and the trades don't have those. So even though the trade is easier/cheaper, if you have a chance to read the single issues, give them a shot because that backmatter is quality.
Certain Dark Things by Silvia Moreno-Garcia — October 25, 2016
I tried this author's previous book, Signal to Noise, probably at a bad time. This book also seems to be more my thing, as I continue to search for vampire stories that hit me in the gut like The Last Vampire series or Sunshine. Plus, I'm always going to be into narratives that suggest food becomes a friend.
Timekeeper by Tara Sim — November 1, 2016
I forget if I just found this novel or if Ana introduced it to me (because it's set in a Victorian world and Ana likes this and I'm often "EH" about them). This also has time weirdness! I'm convinced Ana led me to this novel now. Anyway, there is a queer romance! I...am a little dubious based on the blurb that it's gonna be like "this love is doomed before it can begin!" but I'm hard up for some queer romance in mainstream books so let's give it a shot.
The Wangs vs. the World by Jade Chang — October 4, 2016
This title was recced to me in a newsletter (BookRiot? Netgalley? Who knows!) and I loved the premise a whole lot (road trips!!!). This is also me braving my way into literary fiction whose plots sound fun so I can impress Jenny. XD
Of Fire and Stars by Audrey Coulthurst — November 22, 2016
The other day I asked for arranged marriages but with princesses! Someone reminded me about this title, which I had somehow forgotten. It's not an exact match, but it's close enough to have me excited that it'll be good! Plus, one of the characters can use illegal magic! Fingers crossed.
Venomous: How Earth's Deadliest Creatures Mastered Biochemistry by Christie Wilcox — August 9, 2016
I have been an responsible adult and developed a good sleep hygiene routine, which includes no screens an hour before bed. I've wanted to read more nonfiction so this is perfect; I never feel a tug to keep going after finishing the two chapters I allow myself. So my quest to put lots of cool knowledge in my head continues because in this book I'll get to learn about cool but deadly animals from a lady scientist. I hope there's a lot about jellyfish. I love jellyfish.
Beast by Brie Spangler — October 11, 2016
I wanted to read this because I thought the cover was gorgeous and it featured a trans character (as I attempt to keep reading great books featuring characters I don't come across much in my SFF reading). But after reading If I Was Your Girl, which I really liked, I saw that the author of that had reviewed this book and I liked what they had to say about it. Also, Ira, I think you should read this based on Meredith Russo's review (warning: there are some slight spoilers)!
The Dream-Quest of Vellitt Boe by Kij Johnson — August 16, 2016
The blurb talks about Lovecraft to contextualize this novella, but I've never read Lovecraft or have any interest in reading Lovecraft so I mainly want to read this because it seems like there's a middle-aged woman getting to go on an important quest! I liked At the Mouth of the River of Bees: Stories a lot, specifically "The Man Who Bridged the Mist" and "The Evolution of Trickster Stories among the Dogs of North Park after the Change" (predictably the stories that fired everyone up, "Spar" and "Ponies", were super short and unappealing) so I'm excited to try this novella since it'll be longer than 10,000 words, which seems to be the minimum required word count for me re: most short fiction.
Once Broken Faith by Seanan McGuire — September 6, 2016
HAHAHAHAHA OF COURSE THIS IS HERE NOW AFTER ALL OF YOU JERKS SUCKED ME INTO THIS SERIES TO SUFFER WITH YOU!!!!
Trainwreck: The Women We Love to Hate, Mock, and Fear... and Why by Sady Doyle — September 20, 2016
I used to religiously read Doyle's writing on Tiger Beatdown, although I drifted away when the blog ended and she went on to other venues. We disagree a lot when our interests intersect (mostly along a pop culture axis), but I find her commentary on women really useful to help me contextualize a lot of my thoughts about women (well, white women) and myself in our wider culture. So I'm excited to read this book (although I am assuming the answer to "why" is "sexism" and "misogyny").
Everything Belongs to the Future by Laurie Penny — October 18, 2016
Okay, this sounds neat, but let's not let Justin Timberlake near it.
Crosstalk by Connie Willis — September 20, 2016
I've never read Connie Willis, even though people make horrified and/or gurgling sounds at me when I admit this. Ana says I should read Bellwether first, but of course my library is like "no, instead you should read this time travel book first! because we like having 847292 copies!" So I will probably end up reading Crosstalk first because availability and it seems like a cool premise.
Good Morning, Midnight by Lily Brooks-Dalton — August 9, 2016
I loved Station Eleven so much, y'all. I keep looking for books similar to it in tone, but haven't quite found anything yet that speaks to me. This tells the story of a possible apocalypse away from the frantic end by focusing on two already civilization-distant characters. Perhaps it will fill my aching need for the type of thoughtful apocalyptic fiction that Station Eleven provided?
Gemina by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff — October 18, 2016
I loved Illuminae for combining, space, documentary tropes, and zombies with a cool young woman who was great at coding. It seems like the sequel will focus on other characters in the same world, but with the same conceit. READY FOR IT.
Revenger by Alastair Reynolds — September 15, 2016
I've never read Reynolds before, but I've had him on a list of authors to read since 2013 when he was super kind to me during a very hard time even though we didn't know each other at all (thanks, sir). So, yes, I can be purchased with compassion! I mainly want to read this because it's about two sisters set in SPACE! Also, there might be robots!!!!
Skewed: A Critical Thinker's Guide to Media Bias by Larry Atkins — August 16, 2016
I don't follow tons of news media because I find it depressing. Twitter is where I hear about most events these days and I have trained myself for tomfoolery with regards to news there, so I'm curious to see if this book discusses additional critical tools I'm not aware of. The blurb highlights talk radio, an area I am SUPER ignorant about especially when it comes to news, so maybe it'll shed some light on that.
Babylon's Ashes by James S.A. Corey — December 6, 2016 (maybe? perhaps?)
I thought this book was coming out this summer, but that turned out to be a crushed dream. Then I thought it was coming out in November. Now Goodreads says December. I DON'T KNOW. MAYBE IT WILL NEVER COME OUT AND I'LL HAVE TO SUFFER FOREVER AS ORBIT TAUNTS ME WITH THIS NOVEL. This is the sixth book in The Expanse and after Nemesis Games I'm super ready for it (and also for the second season of the TV show, because BOBBIE!!!).
Orbit. ;__;
Orbit, please.
Okay, so that was a lot of books. I'm sure there are tons I'm missing that I will eventually want to read when I find them. If there's something coming out that you know of that's in my wheelhouse, share immediately, please!
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Date: 2016-08-16 01:42 am (UTC)(I probably already told you about it.)
no subject
Date: 2016-08-16 06:42 am (UTC)