It’s the most speculative time of the year – SciFiMonth lifts off today for a month exploring the realms of what if. The SciFiMonth crew will be adventuring across the multiverse to read, watch, play and celebrate tales of possible futures and alternate nows, survive first contact or enjoy being part of a thriving galactic community. Expect 30 days of chat and geekery – you’re welcome to join us!
October has been hard work as I struggled to shake my lingering cough and have wrestled with ongoing ambiguity and workload challenges at work. By mid-October, there was at least the promise that things will improve eventually – and then it was time for some Spooktastic Reads, which always puts a smile on my face (although I’ve taken a back seat this year to stay focused on meatspace).
Cassie was suspended for an antisocial incident at school. Her penance is to read to the ailing proprietor of the town’s esoteric bookshop. When Mr Gussy warns her off a very particular book in his shop, she can’t resist cracking open the ‘dark tome’ – only to find herself whisked far away and long ago to where an Italian has found a staircase to hell…
Welcome back to Spooktastic Bite-size Reads, where my 2022 challenge to read (some of) the amazing anthologies on my shelves embraces the darker side of fantasy. This week I’m completing my journey around This Dreaming Isle with uncanny tales inspired by British cities and coastline.
I can’t believe it’s just nine days to our TENTH annual celebration of SciFiMonth – 30 days of wall to wall geekery exploring other worlds, parallel dimensions, alternate timelines and weird science through November. So what are we cooking up for the crew?
They have always walked among us. Some shift shape. Some drink blood. Some step freely between worlds to marvel at the kaleidoscope of lives lived differently. Now, some have chosen to show themselves to us. Others will stop at nothing to keep their secrets. But is humanity ready to live with monsters?
Welcome to Spooktastic Reads! I’m kicking off 13 days of celebrating the darker side of fantasy with a return to Bite-size Reads, my 2022 challenge to read (some of) the amazing anthologies on my shelves. Having trotted the globe with Chinese SF and African horror, for Spooktastic Reads I’m staying on home shores with some uncanny British tales.
It’s nearly that time – Spooktastic Reads starts on October 19 for thirteen days of your Wyrd and Wonder crew daring to venture into the darker side of fantasy. I’ve been revelling in tales of ghosts and curses since the summer, so what can you expect from my Spooktastic Reads?
Smuggler and linguist Sean Wren is on a mission he couldn’t refuse: to retrieve a long-lost scientific secret from an ancient ship orbiting a dying star. At least, that was the plan. Instead, enemies must ally as hunters become hunted aboard the deadly spaceship – but when the prize is immortality, treachery is the only possible outcome…
Top Ten Tuesday was created by The Broke and the Bookish, and is now hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. It’s all about books, lists and sharing our love of both with our bookish friends. This week we’re meant to be looking back at books we read on holiday, but I’m stealing a November topic (series we’d like to finish) as an excuse to check in on my Great Series Read Project.
If there’s one thing we learned from The Lord Of The Rings (other than don’t keep rings you find in rivers or caves) it’s that birthdays are for giving presents – and for our tenth birthday, Solaris Books have partnered with us to give away stacks of awesome SF titles across the month! Today I’m taking a look at the first exciting bundle – our sign-up giveaway.
Nearly 400 years ago, Roundheads fled a skirmish for the dubious sanctuary of Moresby Forest, long steeped in terrifying legend. Only two survived, spinning wild tales of the devil in the wood. Now, a well-equipped team of scientists are going to trace the squad’s footsteps in search of the truth. But what will they find?
October means autumn is well and truly upon us: perfect for curling up with a hot drink, warm socks and a good book. There’s a glut of interesting new releases coming our way this month to tempt us away from the familiarity of our TBR too – check out my picks to Make Some Room for…
All good things come to an end – or at least, every read-along must. We’ve completed our journey through Fionavar; this week, I’m discussing the emotional finale as our travellers reach the end of The Darkest Road. Just a few spoilers, then…
I’m not a big believer in the influences of the planets, but damn my September had the hallmarks of Mercury going retrograde. From national drama to big personal decisions and professional challenges, there’s been a lot going on – not all in a bad way, although I could have done without spending half the month sick. It’s going to be a busy autumn…