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Book Review

Japanese Gothic is a gorgeously grotesque ghost storyJapanese Gothic is a gorgeously grotesque ghost story
On Trails is a wandering tale that blends hiking, science, and historyOn Trails is a wandering tale that blends hiking, science, and history
The Stars My Destination is classic proto-cyberpunkThe Stars My Destination is classic proto-cyberpunk
You need to read the subversive cosmic horror novella The Ballad of Black TomYou need to read the subversive cosmic horror novella The Ballad of Black Tom
The new Metroid Prime art book offers rare insight into Nintendo’s design processThe new Metroid Prime art book offers rare insight into Nintendo’s design process
What Spotify took from us by giving us everything

Liz Pelly’s Mood Machine offers a history of the biggest player in streaming.

Elizabeth Lopatto
The Verge’s 2023 in reviewThe Verge’s 2023 in review
Dan Seifert
Braun: Designed to Keep is a book worth holding onto

A century of design — with and without Dieter Rams — giving credit where credit is due.

Thomas Ricker
Low interest rates and loneliness: the origins of the pandemic crypto boom

This Is Not Financial Advice and Easy Money attempt to explain the extremely online financial mania. Their very divergent takes show how difficult it is to fully understand.

Elizabeth Lopatto
Samsung Rising goes deep on corruption, chaebols, and corporate chaos

An interview with author Geoffrey Cain

Sam Byford
JY Yang’s Tensorate series is a sweeping, experimental blend of sci-fi and fantasyJY Yang’s Tensorate series is a sweeping, experimental blend of sci-fi and fantasy
Star Wars: Alphabet Squadron is a thrilling examination of the cost of warStar Wars: Alphabet Squadron is a thrilling examination of the cost of war
Neal Stephenson’s Fall is Paradise Lost with brain uploading and weaponized fake newsNeal Stephenson’s Fall is Paradise Lost with brain uploading and weaponized fake news
Magic for Liars blends magic school with a murder mysteryMagic for Liars blends magic school with a murder mystery
Storm of Locusts is like American Gods meets Mad Max: Fury RoadStorm of Locusts is like American Gods meets Mad Max: Fury Road
Waste Tide is a chilling sci-fi novel about class war and trash in near-future ChinaWaste Tide is a chilling sci-fi novel about class war and trash in near-future China
A Memory Called Empire is a brilliant blend of cyberpunk, space opera, and political thrillerA Memory Called Empire is a brilliant blend of cyberpunk, space opera, and political thriller
Tiamat’s Wrath raises the stakes as The Expanse nears the endTiamat’s Wrath raises the stakes as The Expanse nears the end
The Light Brigade is a worthy successor to Starship TroopersThe Light Brigade is a worthy successor to Starship Troopers
Famous Men Who Never Lived is a powerful novel about alternate worlds and the plights of refugeesFamous Men Who Never Lived is a powerful novel about alternate worlds and the plights of refugees
Golden State updates the dystopian thriller for the #FakeNews eraGolden State updates the dystopian thriller for the #FakeNews era
Foundryside is a cyberpunk adventure wrapped in an epic fantasy novelFoundryside is a cyberpunk adventure wrapped in an epic fantasy novel
The Star Wars Archives is a monster behind-the-scenes bookThe Star Wars Archives is a monster behind-the-scenes book
Big Damn Hero is a familiar trip back to Joss Whedon’s Firefly universeBig Damn Hero is a familiar trip back to Joss Whedon’s Firefly universe
I want to buy this YA trilogy about gene-hacking for every teen I knowI want to buy this YA trilogy about gene-hacking for every teen I know
Red Moon is a novel full of fascinating ideas that never come togetherRed Moon is a novel full of fascinating ideas that never come together
These two books look at a pair of sci-fi’s most influential projects and their flawed creatorsThese two books look at a pair of sci-fi’s most influential projects and their flawed creators
Martha Wells’ Murderbot series is a fantastic story about what it means to be humanMartha Wells’ Murderbot series is a fantastic story about what it means to be human
The Nier: Automata novel gives fans yet another playthroughThe Nier: Automata novel gives fans yet another playthrough
Ball Lightning is a gripping tale of obsession from the biggest name in Chinese sci-fiBall Lightning is a gripping tale of obsession from the biggest name in Chinese sci-fi
The novelization of Solo: A Star Wars Story adds new depth to the filmThe novelization of Solo: A Star Wars Story adds new depth to the film
The Lady Astronaut novels are an enthralling alternate history of the space race

The books might be set in an alternate past, but they’re cutting-edge SF novels that speak volumes about the present

Andrew Liptak
With Spinning Silver, Naomi Novik cements her status as one of the great YA fantasy authorsWith Spinning Silver, Naomi Novik cements her status as one of the great YA fantasy authors

It’s a shivery new Rumpelstiltskin story where the princess is the spinner

In The Robots of Gotham, AI has taken over the world — and become exactly like usIn The Robots of Gotham, AI has taken over the world — and become exactly like us
Paul Tremblay’s apocalyptic novel The Cabin at the End of the World is a parents’ worst nightmarePaul Tremblay’s apocalyptic novel The Cabin at the End of the World is a parents’ worst nightmare
Trail of Lightning is a breathtaking Native American urban fantasy adventureTrail of Lightning is a breathtaking Native American urban fantasy adventure
The hardest part of preparing for disasters is overcoming human natureThe hardest part of preparing for disasters is overcoming human nature
The new Star Wars novel goes deep into the past and future of Han SoloThe new Star Wars novel goes deep into the past and future of Han Solo
John Scalzi’s Head On is a murder mystery set in a robot fighting leagueJohn Scalzi’s Head On is a murder mystery set in a robot fighting league
Space Opera is the funniest science fiction novel I’ve read since Hitchhiker’s Guide to the GalaxySpace Opera is the funniest science fiction novel I’ve read since Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

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