I have #mecfs so I have a lot of time for reading, mostly #fantasy and #SciFi but I'm happy to dip into nearly anything.
Ratings: 1 star: I didn't like it 2 stars: it was okay 3 stars: I liked it 4 stars: I really liked it 5 stars: it was brilliant
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When Captain Jim Holden's ice miner stumbles across a derelict, abandoned ship, he uncovers a …
What's all the fuss? Just a space thriller with so-so characters. A gritty future where humanity has colonised the solar system, but it's as corporate, politically riven & prejudiced as today. Some intrigue and a fair bit of action, but to what end?
@Magnesium Glad I'm not the only one! Though we seem to be in the minority ...
My Family and Other Animals is an autobiographical work by naturalist Gerald Durrell, telling of …
An English family decamps to the Greek island of Corfu, and manages to make the place madder than it was already. Hilarious vignettes of the family's exploits interspersed with stunning descriptions of the author's observations of the natural world. The encounter between the gecko and the mantis is unparalleled.
All her life Kyr has trained for the day she can avenge the murder of planet Earth. Raised in the …
Wild Woila
boosted
All her life Kyr has trained for the day she can avenge the murder of …
What happens if you take the classic space opera format -- soldiers! weapons! aliens! humanity fighting for its very survival! -- and give it a queer, feminist, 21st century twist? You get Some Desperate Glory, that's what.
The book manages to walk the tightrope of combining hard sci-fi themes with social science fiction, and manages to pull it off in style.
(Minor spoilers ahead)
The primary character, Kyr, is a teenage soldier in the vein of Starship Troopers or Ender's Game, brought up from birth to be one of humanity's last living soldiers on a secret base where the few remaining humans have their resistance movement. So far, so expected.
But as the book progresses we see Kyr's black-and-white view of the world gradually peeled back and altered as she gains access to other, hidden and banned points of view.
Without going into too much spoilery detail, over the course …
What happens if you take the classic space opera format -- soldiers! weapons! aliens! humanity fighting for its very survival! -- and give it a queer, feminist, 21st century twist? You get Some Desperate Glory, that's what.
The book manages to walk the tightrope of combining hard sci-fi themes with social science fiction, and manages to pull it off in style.
(Minor spoilers ahead)
The primary character, Kyr, is a teenage soldier in the vein of Starship Troopers or Ender's Game, brought up from birth to be one of humanity's last living soldiers on a secret base where the few remaining humans have their resistance movement. So far, so expected.
But as the book progresses we see Kyr's black-and-white view of the world gradually peeled back and altered as she gains access to other, hidden and banned points of view.
Without going into too much spoilery detail, over the course of the book's 500-or-so pages we accompany Kyr on this journey of discovery and it's a fast, exciting, scary and emotional ride. The characters are well written and believable and although the plot occasionally becomes convoluted, it's well worth persevering.
Wild Woila
boosted
The Earth teems with sights and textures, sounds and vibrations, smells and tastes, electric and …
This is one of those books that will change the way you view the animals of the world. We take for granted just how amazing and mind-blowing the animal senses are and just accept them for being the way they are. Or maybe that's just me. But this has absolutely changed my view on a lot of things. I will certainly not look at an animal the same, even my dog.
There is a whole crap ton of information on here, so do not expect this to be a quick read. However, Young does a really great job of giving you the abundance of information in a way that doesn't make you feel like you're in a college class.
I did listen to the audiobook which Young reads himself. He did a really great job with his cadence and pacing so would definitely recommend the audiobook if you would be …
This is one of those books that will change the way you view the animals of the world. We take for granted just how amazing and mind-blowing the animal senses are and just accept them for being the way they are. Or maybe that's just me. But this has absolutely changed my view on a lot of things. I will certainly not look at an animal the same, even my dog.
There is a whole crap ton of information on here, so do not expect this to be a quick read. However, Young does a really great job of giving you the abundance of information in a way that doesn't make you feel like you're in a college class.
I did listen to the audiobook which Young reads himself. He did a really great job with his cadence and pacing so would definitely recommend the audiobook if you would be interested in it.
I cannot say enough about this book, read it!
Wild Woila
boosted
It’s been centuries since the robots of Panga gained self-awareness and laid down their tools; …
Even in a nice and beautiful world you still have to grapple with the fact that you live a life.
After years of seeing her sisters suffer at the hands of an abusive prince, Marra—the shy, convent-raised, third-born daughter—has finally …
A fascinating history of infectious disease, from the paleolithic to covid, and how it has evolved to suit the developing human environment. Gave me a much better understanding of the disease burden & character of hunter-gatherers and how different it is today. And made me incredibly thankful for public health & hygiene infrastructure!
"A fresh and imaginative retelling of the Rumpelstiltskin fairytale from the bestselling author of Uprooted, …
In medieval Russia, three young women, a Jew, a peasant & a noble, harden their hearts and rely on their wits to save themselves & the ones they love. Made much more difficult by the fairy king of winter and a firey demon.
(2 stars = it was okay)
A fictionalised autobiography of growing up Indigenous on the outskirts of Gundagai. A tribute to her Aunties & Nan, strong & colourful independent women, but otherwise lacks purpose. Telling family stories through dialogue gets a bit boring.
Presents Rawls' philosphical framework for a better & more robust liberal democracy, and real-world policies for bringing it to life. A valuable foundation for considered & effective progressive politics. Convincing & hopeful.
Rich and handsome, darling of the ton, the hope of ambitious mothers and despair of …
An aromantic period romance. Not a lot of plot, but a lot of sometimes impenetrable banter. Disappointingly, the strong capable female protaganist gradually becomes more & more dependent on the rich & unflappable lord.
An aviator whose plane is forced down in the Sahara Desert encounters a little prince …
I don't get it. Too obscure for a #SleepStory.
downtosleep.podbean.com/e/the-little-prince-audiobook-part-1-down-to-sleep-64/
Yaa Gyasi's stunning follow-up to her acclaimed national bestseller Homegoing is a powerful, raw, intimate, …
Can science and God be reconciled? Why are some people prone to addiction? How not to deal with trauma. Struggled to hold my attention or interest.
