What I've been reading this week....

This week has been a fairly productive reading week for me. I've read two short stories, finished two books, and started another. Not bad at all by my slow and easily distracted standards! This also included two items for my Hugo Awards goal - I'm up to 5 now (plus half-way through reading two other), so well on track to have read at least ten by the time of the awards in August.

I've really enjoyed everything I've read this week, which is always a wonderful feeling. Hope you have had a excellent week too :)

A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers
I always worry when reading a follow up to a book I adored that it won't live up to my expectations. Fortunately, this book didn't disappoint. I found it to be a heartwarming, enjoyable read from start to finish. The characters were vivid and warm, and the book's exploration of identity, purpose and belonging for both organic and AI characters was really compelling. I loved the way the Sidra and Pepper's stories wove together - beautiful stuff.

Home by Nnedi Okorafor
I am so glad I have discovered Nnedi Okorafor - the strength and scope of imagination in her writing is such a joy to read. I love the way this story blends the traditional, the magical and the technological in its world building. (Maths! Spaceship fish!) And Binti is such a wonderful character and her story is gripping and moving, exploring themes of trauma, personal identity, and family expectations. I can't wait for for the next instalment.

Our Talons Can Crush Galaxies by Brooke Bolander
This story is short but my god is it mighty. I am in awe of what the writer managed to do with so few words. It's beautifully raw, the imagery stunning, and the no-nonsense way it reclaims the narrative of the victim is incredibly powerful. I also loved listening to this one as read by Erika Ensign on Uncanny Magazine Podcast Episode 13A, and the interview in the same episode with Brooke Bolandar was a fascinating insight into her writing processes and inspiration.

The Evening and the Morning and the Night  (from Bloodchild and Other Stories) by Octavia Butler
This story is haunting. I found it an engaging yet chilling read, a tale of social exclusion and neglect of the sick and vulnerable. It presents a frightening yet (sadly) all too believable world. This is the second story I have read so far in this collection (the other being Bloodchild itself - what a story!). I really enjoyed reading them both, but I especially loved the afterwords by Octavia Butler, exploring the inspiration behind her ideas.

The Geek Feminist Revolution by Kameron Hurley
I haven't read much of this collection yet (just the first section - "Level Up"), but what I have read I've really liked. It's fierce, passionate and honest. I especially like the discussions of the importance of persistence and community. I'm very much looking forward to reading the rest of this book and can already tell I'll probably checking out some of Hurley's fiction in the near future too.