Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century by Kim Fu.

Its a fast read, 12 short stories and I’m a bit more than half way through. I’ve been taken in by several of them.

I’m reading Network Effect by Martha Wells. It’s the fifth book in The Murderbot Diaries series. I love it so far and 30% done with the book currently.

Working my way through The Secret Commonwealth by Philip Pullman, it’s the second book in the Book of Dust trilogy.

I’m loving it. So much.

Carl’s Doomsday Scenario by Matt Dinniman

A a sequel, it’s a wild ride, like the first book in the series. Page turning is happening. Wish I read faster, is all…

The Dark Forest by Cixin Liu, about halfway through its really good. Its book 2 of The Remeberance of Earth’s Past trilogy

After two failed reads so far in the year, I’m just over 10% into Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky. It’s been good so far, but clocking in at ~600 pages means there’s parts of the world building I’d prefer were a little shorter. Overall, it’s been good so far.

I’m partway through Sipsworth. The main character is a bit sad but personable and I’m curious about the mouse. My partner says to expect things to get exciting.

I’m looking forward to the next Murderbot from Martha Wells — sarcastic cyborg who mostly hates humans but also ends up saving them.

Also looking forward to the next in the Nampeshiweisit Series by Moniquill Blackgoose which apparently is coming very soon. A boarding-school-with-dragons adventure but with lots of Native / queer folks, exploring a slightly alternate timeline of American colonization.

I read The Fifth Season and am now onto The Obelisk Gate by N.K. Jemisin.

The first book was pretty dark and covers some themes I’m not used to reading about (child death from mother’s perspective). I found that a bit shocking but very emotional.

The magic and world building is very interesting and I’m pretty hooked. I think the first book is better so far but will see how it ends in the third one!

Currently reading The Colour of Magic after starting the year with Sourcery, from the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett.

I’m almost done with Structural Sin and the Death of Institutions by Susannah Cornwall.

Build Your House Around My Body by Violet Kupersmith.

About halfway through and I still have no idea what I’m reading – all I know is I’m really enjoying it so far.

Just finished listening to “Breakneck” by Dan Wang. His take on China vs. US approach to economy, technology, and the future.

Main thesis is that China follows an “Engineering” approach to solving social problems (most of the leaders are engineers or scientists) whereas US has a “Legalistic” approach (most members of Congress are attorneys). Engineering gets things done and lets you build things fast, but without guardrails or protections. Legal slows things down and makes building more expensive, but has more guardrails against risk or harm. Not sure I bought the whole analogy. There was a gut-wrenching chapter on China’s One Child policy and how it was implemented. Made me want to find out more about it.

I’d recommend the book to anyone interested in an alternative view, from someone with a foot in both worlds.

Terry Pratchett - Thief of Time

How to do Nothing - I’m about halfway through now and liking it more, but not a lot. Still waiting for actionable items instead of the author just quoting a bunch of other writers.

A Confederacy of Dunces - I read the first chapter a while back and bounced off it, because the main guy is too insufferably realistic to how many Americans are. Started it again and I’m really enjoying it now.

I’ve been reading “Great Short Stories by Contemporary Native American Writers”, which has been pretty good.