Helloooooo!

This past couple of weeks have been a bit of a drain work wise – trying to do what should have been several months work into a fortnight. A lot of this caused by people not talking right at the start but once they do things get easier and the problems get sorted. I would prefer though to use evenings for reading! Another few busy week’s beckon but next weekend roadtrip to the Cotswolds and Stratford Upon Avon (I wonder if they’ll have bookshops?)

Awards

I keep meaning to get to read more short fiction and then life happens but the Theodore Sturgeon Memorial Award looks to recognise best short story and this year’s finalists are announced here!

Reading more diversely

Sorry that some (I suspect right wing selfish old guys) think I get sanctimonious about reading diversely but a recent depressing discussion on why guys don’t read books by women led to all the same old excuses last covered here four years ago. It is important to read and encourage publishers to acquire more books that are not the same white guys. This isn’t just about women but also authors in colour and there has been some great analysis from Stewart Hotston in this area via the article Representation matters I don’t think this actually asks much of readers apart from learning to look more widely. Some may find it sanctimonious but I just think it is a way to find even more cool books. That’s what I’m always about and that ain’t changing regardless of any weird feeback.

Things I listened to

The Jeremy Brett Sherlock Holmes Podcast – something relaxing while in spreadsheets. Two fans of this TV series are going through each episode. There is a synopsis (and you get to clear clips), then some background on the story and production and finally they give their own reactions. A lot of fun if you know this incarnation of Holmes

What I’ve Been Watching

Holmesian twists continue as we are catching up on Elementary Season 1 and I like they get Holmes and Watson just going about cases. If the Tv Show Sherlock goes for Epic I think I’m much preferring the day to day feel this show has at the moment.

What Have I been reading?

 Nophek Gloss by Essa Hansen – a hugely enjoyable and very visual piece of space opera I had a lot fun with!

A Broken Darkness by Premee Mohamed – the return of a very interesting cosmic horror series that also examines friendships and their decline

Heartbreak Incorporated by Alex de Campi – another fun read with this steamy supernatural thriller that also captures that feeling of you are not doing what you thought you would do with your life really well

What am I Going to Read?

In the near future Sister, Parable, the World, Shards, Men, Burning, Aliens and an empire.

And so much more!! Good luck for the future – we will get there. See you in a week!