So it turns out that 2020 was a pretty amazing reading year? I hadn’t really noticed because there were so many other things to occupy my brain, such as the quarantine and the election and the crumbling of American democracy, but in looking back at my reading spreadsheet I discovered that I had read a shocking number of books that needed a place on my Best Of list. There are, in fact, so many that it has necessitated me breaking this post down into two parts. This one covers my reading through like mid-June or something, and represents the number…
Leave a CommentTag: NK Jemisin
Whew, it is really summer, isn’t it? And I’m welcoming guest second chair Claire Rousseau to share our Summer 2020 book previews, natter on about our quarantine media, and review NK Jemisin’s latest novel The City We Became. (Spoilers, I loved it, with one reservation that was emotionally big but tiny in the scope of the book.) Claire is a longtime friend, a recent Hugo finalist, and enthusiastic reader of SF, so I feel very lucky to have her on. Unless something goes awry, Whiskey Jenny should be back next time, which will also be lovely! You can listen to…
Leave a CommentWell, friends, I have been listening to Phantom of the Opera and reading Harrow the Ninth, so that’s how I’m doing. Like, in case you were curious. I love these two things so much it hurts me, but especially I love Harrow the Ninth. If you haven’t read Gideon the Ninth yet, can I highly recommend that you hop to it before Harrow comes out this summer? You will not be sorry. You will rejoice in having done so. Be blessed. I miss Grantland all the time, but I’m so glad The Ringer exists. Here’s a terrific piece on how…
Leave a CommentHello, it is Friday, and I am pleased to report that I have (mostly) emerged from the weeds of a time so busy that I thought I was going to have to rip my hair out. I did not rip my hair out! Hurrah! As the prospect of a slightly quieter time loomed before me, I very cleverly took on a large new project. Ha ha I don’t know why I’m like this. Please send help, I can’t disentangle my feelings of self-worth from productivity. ANYWAY HERE ARE SOME LINKS, and I’m sorry we all have to live in late-stage…
Leave a CommentSome very smart SF people talking about A People’s Future of the United States. The time Virgina Woolf wore blackface. Kat Eschner wonders if it’s time to put aside the Little House books. (It’s a strong yes from me, but I was also never that into them. So.) What does the nostalgia for old-school publishing actually want to return to? (Hint: white dudes.) What does it mean when studios embargo reviews on a movie? Emily Asher-Perrin rocks, and this take on gender fluidity and Steven Universe and She-Ra is very very good. Why do so many books include the tagline…
Leave a CommentDespite what I may say about the Millions Book Preview (and I do love the Millions Book Preview), the NPR Book Concierge is the true most happiest time of my bookish year. They’ve produced another good one this year, with more books by native authors than maybe I’ve ever seen before. Good job, NPR! Disney princesses reimagined as cement mixers. Here’s what’s going on at Tumblr. Period-tracking apps benefit men, and marketers, and medical companies–not women. What it’s like hearing Anne Carson lecture. This journalist went to a Scholastic book fair and didn’t find it as magical as she remembered…
Leave a CommentHappy Friday, friends! When my alarm went off this morning I lay in bed for two (2) minutes wishing not to get up, and I only successfully did get up by reminding myself that I can sleep late tomorrow. I AM SO TIRED. But here are some good links for you to enjoy. Emily Asher Perrin’s Tor.com piece on identifying with uncool characters spoke to my nerdy, rule-abiding heart. Akwaeke Emezi talks about finding a path to a truer identity, through Nigerian spiritual beliefs and Western surgeries. This interview with Jia Tolentino reminds me of so many reasons why I…
Leave a CommentManuel Gonzales NK Jemisin Nicole Chung Mira Jacob Masha Gessen Vann R. Newkirk II Rebecca Traister Rembert Browne Nikole Hannah-Jones Wesley Morris and Jenna Wortham A whole bunch of writers of many genres Stay safe, guys.
11 CommentsSince the theme of today is Not Being a Dick, this is your annual reminder that there are very few April Fool’s Day jokes that are actually funny (though Social Sister is in the midst of perpetrating one now), so you should probably just not do them at all. How to not be a dick to women who write comics criticism. (Good news: It ain’t even that hard.) Yes, Lovecraft was a product of his times. That doesn’t mean we have to be okay with his racism. A thoughtful response to the recent “I don’t want to be Black Spiderman”…
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