Lagoon

Nnedi Okorafor, 2014

(May 2014)

In many ways this is quite a traditional SF story. Which is a shame, because the traditional parts are some of the weakest; when it goes its own way it’s pretty damn good. The upshot though is that, like Who Fears Death, Lagoon is a book which is easier to admire than to enjoy.

Nudge Nudge, Wink Wink

The football World Cup is almost upon us. I care less about this as I get older, but it’s still a pleasantly diverting way of killing time over the summer months. I think not living in the UK makes it a bit easier as I don’t have to deal with all the hubristic triumphalism that invariably attends the England team’s entry to the tournament, nor the weak-assed post-imperial wailing and self-abuse which accompanies their inevitable exit on penalties in the second round.

East of West, Vol. 1 and 2

Vol. 1: The Promise, Vol. 2: We Are All One

Jonathan Hickman and Nick Dragotta, 2013-2014

(May 2014)

After dabbling with a couple of more venerable members of the comic book canon I’m taking the plunge with an ongoing series, which means I’m going to have to do some adult stuff like go slow and show some patience. Interesting times ahead, my friends.

The Brick Moon

Edward Everett Hale and Adam Roberts, 2014

(May 2014)

  

Something of a curiosity, this. Better yet, let’s call it a curio, because that’s shorter and ends with an ‘O’ so if I type it in italics it’ll look all foreign and sophisticated.

The Lesser of Two Evils

Pecan and Maple Syrup, so a vaguely North American vibe to this one. While this is not something of which I'd usually approve, my wife really liked it so might go for something other than coffee and bloody walnut next time I ask her to choose what she wants. Not massively important in the grand scheme of things, I agree, but marriages have foundered on less. It's the little things, eh?

Peacemaker

Marianne de Pierres, 2014

(May 2014)

  

This is, in places, quite hilariously awful. However, simply by virtue of the fact that you’re reading this here, you’ll be able to tell that I found something to like about it. More than that even, because there’s clearly going to be a sequel and I’m more than tempted to get it whenever it may come out.

Excession

Iain M. Banks, 1996

(May 2014)

  

After the rather underwhelming The State of the Art I figured I may as well plough straight on to the next one, ‘cos that was this and this was where it all started and when it did it was good.

They Just Make You Worse

We’re all feeling much better now, thanks for asking. Well, the eldest still has sporadic diarrhea, my wife has an eye infection, and I still can’t fucking speak properly, but in general this represents a considerable improvement on the situation two or three weeks ago. I also now know that the Japanese word for phlegm is ‘tan’, so every cloud and all that.

The State of the Art

Iain M. Banks, 1991

(April 2014)

  

This, this is the one. In many ways this book is responsible for the continued existence and most of the posts on this blog, so feel free to laud and/or blame it as you will.

A Dance with Dragons

George R.R. Martin, 2011

(April 2014)

What to add to the massive multimedia behemoth that is a Song of Ice and Fire/Game of Thrones? Not sure there’s really all that much, though the little that follows will probably have some spoilers, if you care about that sort of thing.