I read constantly. If I go 24 hours without sitting down with a paperback, my PocketBook e-reader, or at least a magazine – real or tablet edition – I become cranky. It’s better to just leave me be and let me read, honestly.

From time to time, I like to share some things I’ve been reading. So here goes:

There are many fictional dystopias to choose from, and we all know how I feel about torment nexuses and cool futures (see this post’s header image if you’re uncertain).

Is it beholden on us to imagine better futures than these? Remember le Guin calling on writers to envision alternatives to capitalism? But then there are those who, while toiling away at building a torment nexus, also really want us to stop saying “please don’t.” Are they right? This piece attempts to examine that question.

On the subject of torment nexuses, Let’s Talk about Goodreads.

I’ve also just read a whole mess of things about the 2023 Hugo Awards fiasco, but if you’re invested in that you’ve already read it. Just … yikes.

I recently finished Alastair Reynolds’ final Prefect Dreyfus Emergency, Machine Vendetta. I’ve loved the Revelation Space universe since I first discovered it about 15 years ago, and the now completed Dreyfus trilogy are among my favorites.

I was a bit disappointed the Clockmaker didn’t get a bigger denouement, but delighted by how its leavings helped in the final confrontation with Aurora. As for Dreyfus himself, the prefect’s last bow is bittersweet. There’s hope for Valery, uncertain at best. I sat for a good minute after reading the final line, a bit misty eyed.

As for my next read … I read the first half of Stephenson’s FALL; or, Dodge in Hell last year. I’ve been wanting to finish it ever since, but it’s just so damn big and the multiple narrative streams truly challenging. I’m debating finally tackling it.

And that’s what I’ve been putting into my thought machine of late, friends and neighbors. How about you?