These all look terrific. When it comes to fantasy or sci fi, I tend to look backward: His Dark Materials Trilogy, Herbert's Dune books, everything by Robert Heinlein. I am beginning to read more of Ursula LeGuin and want to read Octavia Butler.
I also liked Memory Called Empire, and for a readalike highly recommend Winter's Orbit by Everina Maxwell (even better imo). I'm also a big fan of Yoon Ha Lee, Becky Chambers, and Charlie Jane Anders. For fantasy, my classics are the Kushiel's Dart series from Jacqueline Carey, The Sun Sword and Chronicle of Elantra series from Michelle Sagara (she also writes under Michelle Sagara West and Michelle West), and I absolutely adore Kate Elliot's work. I started with her Crown of Stars series.
If the idea of space diplomacy(plus a murder mystery) is interesting, I highly recommend A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine. Reading it now, and it's fantastic.
I tend to spend more time in fantasy than sci-fi, but I'll offer two suggestions: First, the Garth Nix Old Kingdom series, which hits all the notes you'd expect about magic and battles against ancient evils and Death, with the added bonus of excellently drawn protagonists (I'm particularly fond of the second installment's Lirael, a librarian forced to save the world with the help of a [Disreputable] Dog she accidentally summoned) and humorous depictions of academia. My second rec is for The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, by Patricia C. Wrede, a quartet of YA fantasies about Princess Cimorene, who decided that her role at court is too confining, so she runs away and offers herself up as a dragon's captive princess - a position that allows for much more adventure, especially when the dragon she works for is elected King of the Dragons. Also features an enchanted prince (duh), amusingly complex dragon politics, a witch and her house full of cats (but no brooms), and some of my favorite world-building ever (magic as threads woven through the air of the forest)!
Love the bingo game idea but since it’s not fully accessible I’ll be passing on participating…I know nothing was meant by it but as a disabled person that can’t be out in the heat of where I live for a number of reasons related to my health it’s disheartening to see the “read outside” square nonetheless.
I probably wouldn’t even say anything but this was a big issue with a large readathon last summer so it’s kind of exhausting that the community never really learns.
Anyways, please know I’m pointing this out with only good intentions. Society is inherently ableist so it is what it is. I truly love your newsletter, thank you for putting it together each week!💖
These all look terrific. When it comes to fantasy or sci fi, I tend to look backward: His Dark Materials Trilogy, Herbert's Dune books, everything by Robert Heinlein. I am beginning to read more of Ursula LeGuin and want to read Octavia Butler.
Wow, I'm adding all three of these books to my wish list!
I also liked Memory Called Empire, and for a readalike highly recommend Winter's Orbit by Everina Maxwell (even better imo). I'm also a big fan of Yoon Ha Lee, Becky Chambers, and Charlie Jane Anders. For fantasy, my classics are the Kushiel's Dart series from Jacqueline Carey, The Sun Sword and Chronicle of Elantra series from Michelle Sagara (she also writes under Michelle Sagara West and Michelle West), and I absolutely adore Kate Elliot's work. I started with her Crown of Stars series.
If the idea of space diplomacy(plus a murder mystery) is interesting, I highly recommend A Memory Called Empire by Arkady Martine. Reading it now, and it's fantastic.
There’s a chapter on Juneteenth in Clint Smith’s wonderful How the Word is Passed. It’s a phenomenal read.
I tend to spend more time in fantasy than sci-fi, but I'll offer two suggestions: First, the Garth Nix Old Kingdom series, which hits all the notes you'd expect about magic and battles against ancient evils and Death, with the added bonus of excellently drawn protagonists (I'm particularly fond of the second installment's Lirael, a librarian forced to save the world with the help of a [Disreputable] Dog she accidentally summoned) and humorous depictions of academia. My second rec is for The Enchanted Forest Chronicles, by Patricia C. Wrede, a quartet of YA fantasies about Princess Cimorene, who decided that her role at court is too confining, so she runs away and offers herself up as a dragon's captive princess - a position that allows for much more adventure, especially when the dragon she works for is elected King of the Dragons. Also features an enchanted prince (duh), amusingly complex dragon politics, a witch and her house full of cats (but no brooms), and some of my favorite world-building ever (magic as threads woven through the air of the forest)!
Love the bingo game idea but since it’s not fully accessible I’ll be passing on participating…I know nothing was meant by it but as a disabled person that can’t be out in the heat of where I live for a number of reasons related to my health it’s disheartening to see the “read outside” square nonetheless.
I probably wouldn’t even say anything but this was a big issue with a large readathon last summer so it’s kind of exhausting that the community never really learns.
Anyways, please know I’m pointing this out with only good intentions. Society is inherently ableist so it is what it is. I truly love your newsletter, thank you for putting it together each week!💖