wednesday reading forgot to come up with a clever title

[landofnowhere]

Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir. I finished it! It might have had more emotional impact if I hadn't taken a Murderbot break, but I'm curious enough about the world that I'll probably try the sequel.

Beeline by Shalini Shankar. I placed a hold on this book over a year ago, and it finally came in (even though I don't live in the library system anymore). A sociologist studies the National Spelling Bee. This is enough to intrigue me already, but also she thinks that by studying them she can better understand Gen Z. I read the first couple chapters while waiting for Or What You Will to arrive in the mail. Somewhat interesting, but I'm not sold on the thesis that the spellers are representative on Gen Z. Also the author is Gen X, and is characterizing Gen Z in contrast to Gen X and Millennials, but as a Millennial I'm mostly interested in the latter, but don't get the sense that she really groks Millennials.

Or What You Will by Jo Walton. This is very much a Jo Walton book, and not so much like anything else. Metafictional musings on mortality, Florence, and Shakespeare fanfiction. I should get back to it to see what it adds up to (I have some theories!)

Comments

[lauradi7dw]

I read Gideon because it seemed like everyone was reading it. I finished it, but don't have any interest in reading the sequel.

[landofnowhere]

Yeah, I've seen quite a range of reactions to Gideon. I'll see how the sequel goes for me.

[lokifan]

This is very much a Jo Walton book, and not so much like anything else

LOL yep, this what I've been thinking every time I see a review.

Beeline sounds cool but also, hmm, potentially disappointing?

[landofnowhere]

On reflection, Or What You Will is also a little bit like Pamela Dean's The Secret Country.

I finished Beeline, and generally liked it. More on Wednesday!