Category Archives: All

Hugo Ballot Novels – Top Two

Another disappointing review this is going to be, because I’ve actually reviewed both of my top two before. I know, I suck. Or… well. I suck, because I’m great, by which I mean an early adopter. I read Some Desperate … Continue reading

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Six from Six – Best Books of the First Half of the Year

We interrupt my Hugo chatter briefly, because we are now half way through the year, to which I say “fuck, what, really? Already?? Surely not???”. The linear passage of time once again confounds me. But anyway, arbitrary designations of our … Continue reading

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Translation State – Ann Leckie

We continue my Hugo novel reading reviews with something of a jump upwards – for me, there’s a pretty distinct gap between my bottom 3 slots and my top 3 (and a jump from 3 to 5 stars in my … Continue reading

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Witch King – Martha Wells

Next up for my Hugo nominee reading is Witch King, the new fantasy book from previous winner Martha Wells, creator of Murderbot. I actually liked this more than I liked Murderbot. Despite the oft-repeated adage about everyone loving it, Murderbot … Continue reading

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The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi – Shannon Chakraborty

This is the second in my reviews of the Hugo novel nominees for 2024 (following Starter Villain by John Scalzi). Full context for this one, my only previous reading experience with Shannon Chakraborty was The City of Brass which I … Continue reading

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Starter Villain – John Scalzi

This is a review of the Hugo-nominated novel Starter Villain by John Scalzi. Or… well, is it? I’m going to talk about why I don’t like the book, it’s true (because I don’t, spoiler warning there for you), but that’s … Continue reading

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What I Read on My Holiday – the reprisening

Last year, I decided to take myself off to some remote(ish) part of England with a big stack of books for a long weekend of reading, quiet and generally ignoring the world. I had a great time, cannot recommend it … Continue reading

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Signal Fire Books, or: how I tell if a reviewers tastes match mine, so their reading recommendations are of any relevance to my life and choices

I consume a lot of reviewer content. Partly because I just like reading reviews, but in no small part because I like books and want people to tell me about books, quite possibly so I can decide if I want … Continue reading

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Trans Rights Readathon – Recommendations and TBRs

Last year, in response to the growing violence and oppression being faced by trans and NB people, particularly in the US but across the world, a number of creators on tiktok organised a trans rights readathon as a weeklong event … Continue reading

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Ink, Blood, Sister, Scribe by Emma Törzs

I have been trying to be more open to consuming books as audio recently. I’ve been doing a lot of sewing and knitting, and being able to listen to a story while my hands are busy is such a great … Continue reading

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