Writer, Dabbler In Things
I heard about Matthew Dicks and this latest book of his when he was interviewed on a podcast series I listen to, and some of his ideas intrigued me. In brief, Dicks has asked himself — and asks the reader — to think long ahead to being very old and lying on our deathbeds. Consider, … Read more
I came across Amie McNee’s name not long ago, via boosted social media images of her inspirational quotes talking about being brave and bold and free with your art, whatever form that may take. I more recently heard that she had written this book and I put it on hold at the library ASAP. Shortly … Read more
It’s not often I read a book that makes me drastically rethink things. This was one of them. If you’d rather skip a summary of the book, just jump down to the TL;DR bit at the bottom of this post. If you’d like some insight into the sometimes deep dive biological science it covers, read … Read more
A needed background primer on me and clutter: I’ve long had a mixed relationship with housecleaning, in that I a) don’t do it remotely often or thoroughly enough, yet b) really appreciate when it’s done well. I find, and I know others do as well, that a cleaning so deep as to not merely dust … Read more
I believe this is the first time I’ve doubled down on the work of one particular writer in my Read this book recommendations–I lauded her first book back in January–but man, is it deserved. A Closed and Common Orbit doesn’t follow the story established in the first book of the Wayfarer series in terms of … Read more
I heard Simon Rich interviewed on a podcast recently and they discussed this book, Rich’s most recent. It sounded right up my alley, so I immediately put it on hold at the library and finally got my hands on it. I don’t know that I’ve ever laughed so hard from reading. New Teeth is a … Read more
Good lord, can Becky Chambers write. I mentioned late last year that Martha Wells wholly renewed my sometimes waning interest in science fiction books, and writing like Chambers accomplishes is going to keep it awake and attentive indefinitely. The story is about a mixed bag of interstellar races who work aboard a “tunnelling” space craft … Read more
The Murderbot Diaries came up in a few lists I recently read of recommended books. My curiosity finally piqued enough to put myself in queue to wait for it at the library. And I’m sorry I didn’t do it sooner. It should be said that I’ve never been a huge fan of science fiction books. … Read more
As I’ve told people before, I’m not a big believer in capital-s Signs, but there have been times in my life when chalking weirdly timely events up to pure coincidence simply doesn’t cut it. My reading We Learn Nothing is one of those times. Kreider’s book is a collection of essays of his personal accounts … Read more
Open Borders is a bold case for opening all borders to immigration, told in a graphic novel-style format. Written by economist Bryan Caplan, it builds upon fact after fact to promote the benefits of, and counters all common arguments against, letting more people from more countries live and work wherever they want to. Everything from … Read more