Sunday Status Update: November 1, 2020

Jana: This week I read The Penguin Book of Witches, and thought it was a really excellent resource, though I wish that Katherine Howe had been able to provide more historical context and present-minded commentary on the various “eyewitness accounts” and historical documents. I also started reading Meet Me In the Future, Kameron Hurley’s 2019 collection of short stories, and I’m re-reading Sofiya Pasternack’s Anya and the Dragon in preparation for its soon-to-be-published sequel, Anya and the Nightingale.

Kat: Three books this week: Involution Ocean is Bruce Sterling’s debut novel and it’s about to be released in audio for the first time. It’s a science fiction version of Moby Dick. I read two books by Luke Arnold, an author who’s new to me. (He’s also an actor.) The Last Smile in Sunder City and Dead Man in a Ditch are entertaining, but nothing special.

Marion: I finished up the fast-paced and fun Network Effect, the MURDERBOT novel by Martha Wells. Like most readers, I was thrilled to see SecUnit’s friend, er, “friend” ART back on the page. Flinging myself into a completely different world, I’ve cracked the cover of Rebecca Roanhorse’s latest, Black Sun, and I’m overwhelmed by the lush and vivid world building–and the suspense!

Sandy: Moi? I am currently reading the novel that was the basis for the classic Boris Karloff film The Old Dark House (1932), namely J. B. Priestley’s Benighted (1927), and am finding it perfect reading material for this stormy October day. I hope to be able to share some thoughts with you all on this one very shortly….

Terry: I’m reading Piranesi by Susanna Clarke; it’s amazing! I’ve also lost a few late night hours reading Echo Park by Michael Connelly. It’s been so long since I last read a HARRY BOSCH mystery — this is the 2006 entry into the series, and I had no idea it’s been a decade and a half since I last read one.

Tim: This week, I began working on my review of Jim Butcher‘s Battle Ground, which should be available sometime this week. I also started reading Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce, which is a bit of a blast from the past for me (I read and liked Pierce’s work as a kid, but it’s been a… while).