lavaturtle's 2017 reads

I'm planning on participating in these group challenges:
* RandomCAT (http://www.librarything.com/wiki/index.php/2017_RandomCAT)
* CultureCAT (http://www.librarything.com/wiki/index.php/2017CC_CultureCAT)
* SFF-KIT (http://www.librarything.com/wiki/index.php/2017_Unofficial_SF/SFFKIT)
* AlphaKIT (http://www.librarything.com/wiki/index.php/2017_Unofficial_AlphaKIT)
* BingoDOG (http://www.librarything.com/wiki/index.php/2017_BingoDOG)

Additionally, I'll be trying to read things in these categories:
* Books I own a physical copy of and haven't read yet
* 2017 Hugo nominees
* Books published in 2017
* Nonfiction books about history
* Sequels to books I loved
* Books by my favorite authors
* Books by new-to-me authors
* Comics
* Short stories

My rules: Books have to be finished in 2017 (and have the bulk of them read in 2017). A book can only be counted towards one of my personal categories, but endless overlap with the group challenges is allowed.

RandomCAT
Wiki: http://www.librarything.com/wiki/index.php/2017_RandomCAT

January (Search and Rescue): --
February (Mine, Yours and Ours): --
March (Luck o' the Irish): The Secret Place by Tana French
April (Love in the Stacks): --
May (All About Mom): Saga, Vol. 7 by Brian K Vaughan and Fiona Staples
June (Into the Unknown): The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
July (Birthdays): --
August (Animal Kingdom): Rat-Catcher by Seanan McGuire
September (Catching Up): Bookburners, Season 1 by Max Gladstone
October (Turn On the Dark): --
November (Traffic Jam): Your Pal Archie #1 by Ty Templeton
December (One Day): Sovereign: Nemesis - Book Two by April Daniels

CultureCAT
Wiki: http://www.librarything.com/wiki/index.php/2017CC_CultureCAT

January (Ethics in Science and Technology): The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
February (Medicine & Public Health): And the Band Played On: Politics, People, and the AIDS Epidemic by Randy Shilts
March (Cultural Awareness and Diversity): Children of God by Mary Doria Russell
April (Religious Diversity & Freedom): Winter Tide by Ruthanna Emrys
May (Gender Equality): --
June (Environmentalism/Conservation): All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders
July (Violence, Crime & Justice): Our Talons Can Crush Galaxies by Brooke Bolander
August (Impact of Natural disasters): --
September (Journalism & the Arts): --
October (Poverty): --
November (Conflict & War): --
December (Cultural Flow & Immigration): --

SFF/SFFF KIT
Wiki: http://www.librarything.com/wiki/index.php/2017_Unofficial_SF/SFFKIT

January (Meant to read in 2016): Radiance by Catherynne M. Valente
February (Space travel): --
March (Religious Themed SciFi/Fantasy): Children of God by Mary Doria Russell
April (Dystopian/Apocalyptic theme): --
May (Alien contact): --
June (Series): A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers
July (Award Winners/Nominees): The City Born Great by N.K. Jemisin
August (Humorous sci fi/fantasy): Innsmouth #1 by Megan James
September (Steampunk): --
October (Near Future SciFi): --
November (Historical): --
December (Magic Systems): --

AlphaKIT
Wiki: http://www.librarything.com/wiki/index.php/2017_Unofficial_AlphaKIT

Yearlong
X: --
Z: --
January
M: The last days of new Paris by China Miéville
S: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
February:
W: Behind the Throne by K.B. Wagers
H: --
March:
E: Bombshells Vol. 1: Enlisted by Marguerite Bennett and Marguerite Sauvage
K: After the Crown by K.B. Wagers
April:
I: --
D: Dreadnought: Nemesis book 1 by April Daniels
May:
C: Walkaway by Cory Doctorow
T: Winter Tide by Ruthanna Emrys
June:
N: Black Panther #2: A Nation Under Our Feet, Part 2 by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Y: --
July:
B: The City Born Great by N.K. Jemisin
G: That Game We Played During the War by Carrie Vaughn
August:
O: --
F: Forbid the Sea by Seanan McGuire
September:
U: --
P: The Ashen Princess, Chapter 1: A Special Girl by Bitmap Prager
October:
A: The Ruin of Angels by Max Gladstone
V: --
November:
L: Kim & Kim: Love is a Battlefield #1 by Magdalene Visaggio
Q: --
December:
J: --
R: --

BingoDOG
Wiki: http://www.librarything.com/wiki/index.php/2017_BingoDOG



Books read:
1. A satire: Innsmouth #1 by Megan James
2. Set in a country you've never been: The Last Days of New Paris by China Miéville
3. Color in the title: Slavery by Another Name: The Re-Enslavement of Black Americans from the Civil War to World War II by Douglas A. Blackmon
4. Set in a place you want to visit: America #2: The Girls Wanna Be Her by Gabby Rivera (the fictional Sotomayor University)
5. One-word title: Radiance by Catherynne M. Valente
6. Author uses initials: After the Crown by K.B. Wagers
7. Appeals to the senses: The Secret Place by Tana French
9. Made into a movie: And the Band Played On: Politics, People, and the AIDS Epidemic by Randy Shilts (there was a 1993 made-for-TV movie)
10. Short stories: The City Born Great by N.K. Jemisin
11. Book about books: Bookburners, Season 1 by Max Gladstone
12. Title refers to another literary work: Black Panther #1: A Nation Under Our Feet, Part 1 by Ta-Nehisi Coates (probably refers to A Nation under Our Feet by Steven Hahn)
13. Read a CAT: Children of God by Mary Doria Russell (March CultureCAT: Cultural Awareness & Diversity)
14. Author shares your first and last initials: Spliced by Jon McGoran
15. Owned more than 5 years: Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams
16. Science-related: The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
19. Author born in 1917: The Nine Billion Names of God by Arthur C. Clarke (who was born in 1917)
20. Debut work: Behind the Throne by K.B. Wagers
21. Book or title about an animal: All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders
22. Place name in title: America #1: Pa' Fuera, Pa' La Calle by Gabby Rivera
23. Set in a beach community / resort: The Jennifer Morgue by Charles Stross (Large portions of the story take place in the touristy parts of a balmy Caribbean island)
24. Set in a time before you were born: Bombshells Vol. 1: Enlisted by Marguerite Bennett and Marguerite Sauvage (set during World War II)
25. Next book in a series: Alias: Ultimate Collection, Book 2 by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Gaydos

The physical TBR shelf
Goal: 6 books
I did really poorly on this category in 2016, so I'm setting the bar low, at one book every two months.

Books read:
1. The Nine Billion Names of God by Arthur C. Clarke
2. Alias: Ultimate Collection, Book 1 by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Gaydos
3. Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams

Final count: 3 books

2017 Hugo Nominees
Goal: 15 things from the Novel, Novella, Novelette, Short Story, and Graphic Novel categories
Nominees list: http://www.thehugoawards.org/hugo-history/2017-hugo-awards/
That's substantially fewer than the total number of things in those categories, so this should be doable even if the ballot is less than awesome in 2017.

Things read:
1. All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders
2. A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers
3. The City Born Great by N.K. Jemisin
4. That Game We Played During the War by Carrie Vaughn
5. A Fist of Permutations in Lightning and Wildflowers by Alyssa Wong
6. Our Talons Can Crush Galaxies by Brooke Bolander
7. Seasons of Glass and Iron by Amal El-Mohtar
8. The Art of Space Travel by Nina Allan
9. The Jewel and Her Lapidary by Fran Wilde
10. The Tomato Thief by Ursula Vernon
11. Touring with the Alien by Carolyn Ives Gilman
12. You’ll Surely Drown Here If You Stay by Alyssa Wong
13. Midnight Riot by Ben Aaronovitch (from the Rivers of London series)
14. Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire (from the October Daye series)
15. A Local Habitation by Seanan McGuire (from the October Daye series)

Final count: 15 things

Books published in 2017
Goal: 10 books
I enjoyed reading more recently-published fiction last year. Tor.com and John Scalzi's blog have been great for recommendations.

Books read:
1. Dreadnought: Nemesis, Book One by April Daniels
2. Saga, Vol. 7 by Brian K Vaughan and Fiona Staples
3. Winter Tide by Ruthanna Emrys
4. Walkaway by Cory Doctorow
5. Alters, Volume 1 by Paul Jenkins
6. The Stone Sky by N. K. Jemisin
7. Bookburners, Season 1 by Max Gladstone
8. Kim & Kim, Volume 1: This Glamorous, High-Flying Rock Star Life by Magdalene Visaggio
9. The Legend of Korra: Turf Wars, Part One by Michael Dante DiMartino
10. All Systems Red by Martha Wells
11. Spliced by Jon McGoran

Final count: 11 books

Nonfiction books about history
Goal: 4 books
I want to learn more about various parts of history. But books on the topic tend to be giant doorstopper tomes, so I'm setting the bar low here.

Books read:
1. Slavery by Another Name: The Re-Enslavement of Black Americans from the Civil War to World War II by Douglas A. Blackmon
2. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
3. And the Band Played On: Politics, People, and the AIDS Epidemic by Randy Shilts
4. March: Book One by John Lewis
5. March: Book Two by John Lewis
6. March: Book Three by John Lewis

Final count: 6 books

Sequels to books I loved
Goal: 5 books
What ever happened to that old series, anyway? Let's find out!

Books read:
1. Alias: Ultimate Collection, Book 2 by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Gaydos
2. After the Crown by K.B. Wagers
3. The Jennifer Morgue by Charles Stross
4. The Secret Place by Tana French
5. Children of God by Mary Doria Russell
6. Sovereign: Nemesis - Book Two by April Daniels

Final count: 6 books

Books by my favorite authors
Goal: 6 books

Books read:
1. The Last Days of New Paris by China Miéville
2. The Ruin of Angels by Max Gladstone
3. Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire
4. Bookburners Season Two, Episode 1: Creepy Town by Max Gladstone

Final count: 4 books

Books by new-to-me authors
Goal: 5 books

Books read:
1. Monstress Volume 1: Awakening by Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda
2. Behind the Throne by K.B. Wagers
3. Bombshells Vol. 1: Enlisted by Marguerite Bennett and Marguerite Sauvage
4. The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
5. Electricity is Her Element by Kathleen Kralowec
6. Bookburners Season 2, Episode 2: Webs by Andrea Phillips

Final count: 6 books

Comics
Goal: 25 issues
I read a bunch of Marvel comics in the Civil War event just before the movie came out, and I realized I actually really like reading comics! So I'm going to keep doing that.

Comics read:
1. America #1: Pa' Fuera, Pa' La Calle by Gabby Rivera
2. America #2: The Girls Wanna Be Her by Gabby Rivera
3. America #3: Highway to the Danger Room by Gabby Rivera
4. Batwoman #1: The Many Arms of Death, Part 1 (Sinnerman) by Marguerite Bennett
5. Batwoman #2: The Many Arms of Death, Part 2 (Running Up That Hill) by Marguerite Bennett
6-11. DC Comics: Bombshells Vol. 2: Allies by Marguerite Bennett
12. Batwoman #3: The Many Arms of Death, Part 3 (If I Had a Heart) by Marguerite Bennett
13. Black Panther #1: A Nation Under Our Feet, Part 1 by Ta-Nehisi Coates
14. Black Panther #2: A Nation Under Our Feet, Part 2 by Ta-Nehisi Coates
14. Black Panther #3: A Nation Under Our Feet, Part 3 by Ta-Nehisi Coates
15. America #4: An Army of Me by Gabby Rivera
16. Batwoman #4: The Many Arms of Death, Finale (Blackstar) by Marguerite Bennett
17. Batwoman #5: Blinding by Marguerite Bennett
18. America #5: Best Friend, Won't You? by Gabby Rivera
19. Innsmouth #1 by Megan James
20. The Ashen Princess, Chapter 1: A Special Girl by Bitmap Prager
21. Innsmouth #2 by Megan James
22. Innsmouth #3 by Megan James
23. America #6: Your Heart is True by Gabby Rivera
24. Batwoman #6: Pax Batmana by Marguerite Bennett
25. America #7: Baby, It's You by Gabby Rivera
26. Batwoman #7: Fear and Loathing, Part 1 (Trippin' Bats) by Marguerite Bennett
27. Batwoman #8: Fear and Loathing, Part 2 (Wonderland) by Marguerite Bennett
28. MERAKI: Descent to the Underworld by M.K. Palmer
29. America #8: The Beast About to Strike by Gabby Rivera
30. Kim & Kim: Love is a Battlefield #1 by Magdalene Visaggio
31. Your Pal Archie #1 by Ty Templeton

Final count: 31 issues

Short Stories
Goal: 15 stories
There are so many great short stories that are trivially available on the Web. I want to read more of them.

Stories read:
1. Search History by KT Bryski
2. Rat-Catcher by Seanan McGuire
3. Forbid the Sea by Seanan McGuire
4. The Fixed Stars by Seanan McGuire
5. In Sea-Salt Tears by Seanan McGuire
6. Never Shines the Sun by Seanan McGuire
7. The Classifieds by Jack Bragen
8. ILU-486 by Amanda Ching

Final count: 8 stories

Looks like some great possibilities. Good luck with your reading!

Thanks!

Great setup! And good idea to include categories for shorter works (comic book issues and short stories). Hope you find some good reads this year!

Do you subscribe to tor.com's weekly newsletter? They always offer a short story that you could use for your short story category. I also enjoy this website's and follow their series reads and movie reviews. I particularly like it when they offer a collection of drawings from some of the best sf/fantasy illustrators.

Best of luck with your challenge!

Thanks, and happy new year to you both!

I visit the tor.com blog pretty regularly, and I know I've seen the short stories floating along the top. I'm also on the Daily Science Fiction email list. Thanks for the suggestion!

Wishing you a wonderful year of reading!

Thanks, you too!

Happy reading!

Thank you!

Enjoy your 2017 reading!

Thank you!

Slavery by Another Name: The Re-Enslavement of Black Americans from the Civil War to World War II by Douglas A. Blackmon
Category: Nonfiction books about history
BingoDOG: Color in the title

This took me a while to get through, but it was well worth the time. Like most white Americans, I had thought American slavery ended in 1865 with the passage of the 13th Amendment. As this book makes clear, the old system of slavery was quickly replaced with a new system of convict slavery, where black people were seized on flimsy charges, convicted without a fair trial, and forced to work under horrific conditions to repay their "debt". That system wasn't effectively dismantled until World War II, when the federal government became concerned that it made America look bad internationally.

I was surprised to learn that some modern excesses of the legal system, like exploitative plea bargains, or bogus court fees tacked onto the nominal fine for a crime, have been around since the 19th century.

Also at least that old? White folks insisting that black people are treated quite well, and getting violently angry when anyone suggests otherwise. (For example, Teddy Roosevelt talked about a "square deal" for African Americans... and across the south, people were enraged at the suggestion that the current deal was anything less than square.)

The Last Days of New Paris by China Miéville
Category: Books by my favorite authors
AlphaKIT: M
BingoDOG: Set in a country you've never been (France)

I love some of China Miéville's books, and don't really care for others. This was in the latter category.

This is a strange book. The narrative structure is haphazard and rambling. There's rarely enough of one scene for the reader to get invested in it before the story lurches to another scene, in a different time, as directionless as its protagonist. It isn't until 2/3 of the way through that it starts going anywhere at all.

Maybe if I was an expert on French Surrealist art history, I would have enjoyed this story more? It seems to be mostly references to various works of Surrealist art.

There's an Afterword that adds another layer to the weirdness... but it didn't redeem it for me.

>28 lavaturtle: That book sounds interesting. Strange that it only goes up to WWII. When was it published? There are many that believe that the system of private, for profit, prisons and the mass incarceration of men of color is a re-enslavement of Black Americans.

>29 lavaturtle: - Making note of your comments regarding the Mieville book. I haven't read The Last Days of New Paris and like you, I have enjoyed some Mieville books more than others.

>30 VioletBramble: The book was published in 2008. I'd agree that things are still pretty bad now, but I think the book is focused on a specific type of exploitation that was common in the South up until WWII.

You have lots of great potentials on your list for this year! I look forward to following along.

Radiance by Catherynne M. Valente
SFF/SFFF KIT: Meant to read in 2016
BingoDOG: One-word title

This is an interestingly constructed story. It's in the form of a jumbled series of ephemera: diary entries, bits of film scripts, spaceship manifests, etc. The upside is that the reader gets a really rich picture of the world the story takes place in. The downside is that it takes forever to get a sense of where the story's going and what it's really about. The first half or so was a bit of a slog. But in the second half, it picks up. The eventual conclusion is pretty satisfying, answering the main mysteries while giving a glimpse of something much bigger.

I really liked the characters of Erasmo St. John and Mary Pellham. Both were well-developed and had plenty of personality, dreams, and ambitions.

The motif of "X, which was not really X" was probably supposed to evoke a certain fairy-tale style? But it was really super annoying how often it was repeated, interrupting the flow of the storytelling.

>34 lavaturtle: - Great review of Radiance. The only Valente book I have read so far is Palimpsest. Quite the fantasy deep dive, that one!

>34 lavaturtle: Thanks for this review! I haven't tried anything by Valente yet, but I think I'll probably start with one of her books for younger readers, since apparently her style is quite dense. I do have The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making on my TBR...

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
Category: Nonfiction books about history
CultureCAT: Ethics in Science and Technology
AlphaKIT: S
BingoDOG: Science-related

I found this book compelling, well-written, and fair. The writer did a good job of humanizing Henrietta and her family while also tracking the scientific work involving the HeLa cell line.

The Nine Billion Names of God by Arthur C. Clarke
Category: The physical TBR shelf
BingoDOG: Author born in 1917

This is a selection of some of Clarke's short stories. Most of the stories are quite short, only a few pages. I find it difficult to read short story collections straight through, so this took me a while.

I liked some of the stories a lot (e.g. "Superiority"), while others didn't age so well (e.g. the gender stereotypes in "Reluctant Orchid"). Many end with a clever twist (also making them stand better on their own than in a collection where there's a clever twist ending every 3 pages).

Monstress Volume 1: Awakening by Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda
Category: Books by new-to-me authors

The art in this graphic novel is intricate and beautiful, even when the story is about horrible things. The fantasy world is interesting (and there's enough information by the end to understand what's going on). I like the troubled protagonist, the setting, the magical cats. I'm excited to see where this story goes next.

>39 lavaturtle: I really enjoyed Monstress when I read it last year. I look forward to volume 2. It is very dark. I loved the cats and I'm a dog person.

Alias: Ultimate Collection, Book 1 by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Gaydos
Category: The physical TBR shelf

I loved the Jessica Jones Netflix series that came out in 2015, so I was excited to read the series it's based on. And I was not disappointed. The Jessica Jones in Alias is just as surly, self-destructive, and ultimately kind-hearted as the one in the TV show. The stories are poignant and touch on the sociopolitical issues surrounding superheroes and mutants in the Marvel universe.

Luke Cage in Alias is rather different from the same character in the Jessica Jones and Luke Cage TV series -- here he's more of an unfortunate stereotype, especially in how he talks. Don't get me wrong, there are real people who talk like that, and that's fine -- but it's very different from the Luke Cage portrayal I'm used to.

The art collages interspersed with the comics are really cool.

Dropping a comment so that I get to follow your thread - happy reading! (I'm a little behind, so apologies for the generic comment - better to come, I hope.) :)

>34 lavaturtle: Sounds like I would enjoy Radiance - thanks for your review.

Behind the Throne by K.B. Wagers
Category: Books by new-to-me authors
AlphaKIT: W
BingoDOG: Debut Work

This is a great story about struggling with duty, destiny, and choosing your own future. The protagonist is an awesome badass, but she has an uphill fight to keep everything from falling apart around her. I got really attached to her and to the characters she's closest to.

I am so impressed that this book is the author's first. I hope there are many more to come!

>44 lavaturtle: Behind the Throne looks like the start of a very interesting series and I have added it to my wishlist.

Alias: Ultimate Collection, Book 2 by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Gaydos
Category: Sequels to books I loved
BingoDOG: Next book in a series

The second half of Alias is just as good as the first half. I enjoyed learning more about Jessica's backstory. The different art style for the flashback to Jessica's teenage years was a neat choice. At the end of this volume is the Purple Man story, which the first season of the Jessica Jones Netflix show was based on. It's substantially different in plot, but this version also works well. The ending of the series was a surprising twist.

>46 lavaturtle:
I have to remember to get back to this series!

>44 lavaturtle: I just finished Behind the Throne yesterday, and I agree completely. I thought it started slow, but man, that last quarter of the book I couldn't put it down.

And the Band Played On: Politics, People, and the AIDS Epidemic by Randy Shilts
Category: Nonfiction books about history
CultureCAT: Medicine & Public Health
BingoDOG: Made into a movie

This book (published in 1987) is a damning recounting of how a series of bad decisions -- some malicious, some just tragic bad judgement -- let the AIDS epidemic get out of control in the first half of the 1980s. Spoiler alert: a large portion of the blame rests with the Reagan administration and its obsession with cost-cutting. But there were other problems too, like lab directors more concerned with personal prestige than finding the cause and treatments for AIDS, or mistrust between local officials and the gay community over the intentions of public health campaigns, or miscalculations about what information to release to avoid panic or anti-gay backlash.

I learned a lot from this book about what the early days of the AIDS epidemic were like, and some measure of the horror of watching the crisis unfold as people stood by and opportunities were missed to keep it from getting worse. About a few of the heroes, too, who did what they could to help even though there was little hope to be had.

America #1: Pa' Fuera, Pa' La Calle by Gabby Rivera
Category: Comics
BingoDOG: Place name in title

So excited this finally came out! I've been waiting for it since I heard about the new series featuring a queer Latina superhero. The cast of characters seems promising, not sure where the plot is going yet. Also, Sotomayor University is an intriguing setting.

After the Crown by K.B. Wagers
Category: Sequels to books I loved
AlphaKIT: K
BingoDOG: Author uses initials

This is the sequel to Behind the Throne, and it does not disappoint. It was nice to see more of the gunrunner parts of the galaxy, since the previous book was more focused on the imperial parts. Hail continues to kick ass and take names, while still being vulnerable and interesting as a character. A bunch of the great supporting cast also make appearances. I enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the third installment in the series.

>49 lavaturtle:
That is such a horrifying and/but important book.

The Jennifer Morgue by Charles Stross
Category: Sequels to books I loved
BingoDOG: Set in a beach community or resort

This is a fun subversion of James Bond tropes, set in the Laundry Files universe. I loved Ramona's character and the complexities of her and Bob's situation. The plot twist at the end was a big surprise.

The Secret Place by Tana French
Category: Sequels to books I loved
RandomCAT: Luck o' the Irish
BingoDOG: Appeals to the senses

Another solid entry in the Dublin Murder Squad series. I liked that all the characters, including the teenage girls, were multi-dimensional people with their own distinct personalities, motivations, and growth. The alternation between present and past chapters worked well -- we learned something on one timeline just in time for it to come up or explain something on the other timeline.

Bombshells Vol. 1: Enlisted by Marguerite Bennett and Marguerite Sauvage
Category: Books by new-to-me authors
AlphaKIT: E
BingoDOG: Set in a time before you were born

I wanted to like this comic. A bunch of women superheroes, some of them queer, fighting Nazis in World War II? Should be awesome. Unfortunately, the first half or so of this volume was a bunch of disconnected vignettes that seemingly had nothing to do with each other. I'm passingly familiar with some of the characters involved, but not enough to understand who these people were or what they were doing. The plot finally started to come together at the end, as it started to feel like we were done with the prologue. I'm not sure I'll bother reading the next volume, though.

Oh, also, most of the women characters are drawn in that exaggerated style where everyone has giant boobs and wears a skimpy leotard to battle. Which is rather silly, and eye-rollingly sexist. (Amanda Waller gets to wear an actual jacket, tho, and also she's awesome.)

America #2: The Girls Wanna Be Her by Gabby Rivera and Joe Quinones
Category: Comics
BingoDOG: Set in a place you want to visit

This issue was super cool. Loved that America got to meet up with Peggy Carter and talk about punching Nazis. X'Andria and Lunella Lafayette are also awesome supporting characters. The prep school cyborgs were unexpected, and I'm curious where that story's going next. Also intrigued by the mysterious and misguided Chavez Guerillas. I like this series a lot!

Children of God by Mary Doria Russell
Category: Sequels to books I loved
CultureCAT: Cultural Awareness and Diversity
SFF/SFFF KIT: Religious Themed SciFi/Fantasy
BingoDOG: Read a CAT

I loved The Sparrow, and I'm glad I finally read this second part of the story. More than just a "what happens next" to that tragic tale, this is a story of growth, redemption, forgiveness, and change. The different cultures on Rakhat are interesting, and it's clear the author has thought through the anthropology of these peoples. The moral dilemmas are compelling and complicated where they could so easily be trite. The two books are much more as a pair than either could be individually.

Dreadnought by April Daniels
Category: Books published in 2017
AlphaKIT: D

This book is really excellent. It's great to see a trans superhero, and the protagonist here is very well written. She deals with a lot of real-life problems, not all of which have to do with her being trans. Her abusive parents, and her finding out that her BFF was a misogynistic douchebag, were also handled very well.

Danny's character arc in this book was compelling from start to finish, and I'm excited to see what she does next. I also loved the characters of Calamity and Doc Impossible, and hope to see more of them in the future.

Saga, Vol. 7 by Brian K Vaughan and Fiona Staples
Category: Books published in 2017
RandomCAT: All About Mom

With the family spending most of the book in one place, we have time to really get invested in the situation and their growing relationships. When tragedy strikes, it's brutal and heartwrenching. There's also some compelling character development. This is one of my favorite volumes yet in this series.

>59 lavaturtle: I really need to catch up with Saga...I think I've only read through Volume 4!

Winter Tide by Ruthanna Emrys
Category: Books published in 2017
CultureCAT: Religious Diversity & Freedom
AlphaKIT: T

I've been really excited about this book since I read The Litany of Earth. And it definitely lived up to my expectations. We learn more about Aphra's history and the world she lives in. There are a bunch of really excellent characters. The plot is compelling, and the resolution strikes the right balance of tying things up and leaving room for more stories in the future.

Speaking of balance, I also appreciated how the book handled historical prejudice -- It was there, and it was ugly, and it impacted the lives of the characters. But the book didn't revel in it or constantly throw racial slurs in the reader's face.

Walkaway by Cory Doctorow
Category: Books published in 2017
AlphaKIT: C

This book is really cool: part hacker/maker manifesto, part utopia, part adventure story. I identify strongly with the geeky social anarchist ethos of the walkaways in this story, so this is exactly my kind of thing. The community-building, dealing with conflict, and how the walkway and default worlds interacted were the most interesting to me. The big deal tech breakthrough that drives some of the plot was actually not as compelling IMO, and I find it kind of creepy TBH, but I think that's just me.

Also, I got to hear Doctorow read from this book, and that was really neat! He's a great reader.

>62 lavaturtle: Glad you had the chance to hear Doctorow read from his book! Always exciting to attend an author reading :)

America #3: Highway to the Danger Room by Gabby Rivera
Category: Comics

This was a solid installment in the series. The brief X-Men crossover was cool. Liked the glimpse into America's backstory, too.

March: Book One by John Lewis
Category: Nonfiction books about history

A well-told story about an important part of American history. It was interesting to learn more both about the lunch counter sit-ins, and about John Lewis as a person. The art is super evocative, too.

Batwoman #1 by Marguerite Bennett
Category: Comics

I'm really impressed with this comic. The settings feel multi-dimensional. The characters are compelling, badass and vulnerable at the same time. There's hints of something in Kate's past, and I want to know more.

Batwoman #2: The Many Arms of Death, Part 2 (Running Up That Hill) by Marguerite Bennett
Category: Comics

This issue fleshes out more of Kate's time on Coryana, and her regrets about how it ended. Also, at the end, we learn that Kali Corporation is somehow connected with the people she's fighting in the present. The storytelling here is beautiful, and so is the art.

DC Comics: Bombshells Vol. 2: Allies by Marguerite Bennett
Category: Comics

(This is a trade paperback comprising issues #7-12 of the series.) I really liked the first issue, which focused on the Batgirls. The rest of the story was OK, but I didn't find it as compelling. I wish they hadn't killed off Stargirl. Batwoman is my favorite of the major characters here.

All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders
Category: 2017 Hugo Nominees
CultureCAT: Environmentalism/Conservation
BingoDOG: Book or Title About an Animal

The construction of this story is interesting, following two people from their awkward pre-teen years to their adulthood and epic destinies. I found Patricia's story more compelling, and the way certain characters treated her was heartbreaking. Laurence's approach to relationships with women was kind of skeevy -- he seems a bit like one of those guys who think of attractive women as not exactly people. I liked the ending, and how it took a piece of technology in a direction I didn't expect.

Batwoman #3: The Many Arms of Death, Part 3 (If I Had a Heart) by Marguerite Bennett
Category: Comics

I enjoyed this installment, where Kate investigates what's going on with Coryana. Her banter with Julia Pennyworth is great. The plot is compelling.

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
Category: Books by new-to-me authors
RandomCAT: Into the Unknown

Wow, this book is amazing. I love all the characters on the Wayfarer, their individuality and relationships with each other. The different species are truly alien in physiology and culture, in ways that feel interesting and well thought-out. This is such a wonderful setting, and I'm looking forward to reading more in it.

Black Panther #1: A Nation Under Our Feet, Part 1 by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Category: Comics
BingoDOG: Title refers to another literary work

The art in this comic is beautiful. Not sure yet where the plot is going -- there were a lot of different threads introduced.

Black Panther #2: A Nation Under Our Feet, Part 2 by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Category: Comics
AlphaKIT: N

The plot's getting easier to follow, and the art is still gorgeous. This issue digs deeper into some of the tensions between law, power, and justice. I like Ayo and Aneka's story.

Black Panther #3: A Nation Under Our Feet, Part 3 by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Category: Comics

The poetry that bookends this issue is great and really sets the tone well.

A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers
Category: 2017 Hugo Nominees
SFF/SFFF KIT: Series

I liked this sequel a lot. I'd wanted to read more about the crew of the Wayfarer, but Sidra's and Pepper's story is actually really compelling. The gradual reveal of what happened to Pepper worked really well. And the ending / what Sidra decides to do was satisfying and heartwarming.

The City Born Great by N.K. Jemisin
Category: 2017 Hugo Nominees
SFF/SFFF KIT: Award Winners/Nominees
AlphaKIT: B
BingoDOG: Short Stories

This was a cool, different mythic fantasy story. As an inhabitant of the greater NYC area, I thought it captured the "New York-iness" of New York really well.

That Game We Played During the War by Carrie Vaughn
Category: 2017 Hugo Nominees
AlphaKIT: G

A sweet little vignette.

A Fist of Permutations in Lightning and Wildflowers by Alyssa Wong
Category: 2017 Hugo Nominees

Heartbreaking and haunting.

Our Talons Can Crush Galaxies by Brooke Bolander
Category: 2017 Hugo Nominees
CultureCAT: Violence, Crime & Justice

This super-short story is poetic and righteous. Impressively evocative.

Seasons of Glass and Iron by Amal El-Mohtar
Category: 2017 Hugo Nominees

This is a lovely mashup/subversion of two fairytales. It's gentle and kind in its exploration of the cruel situations the protagonists are in. I loved the ending.

I might look for the book this story was published in, The Starlit Wood

The Art of Space Travel by Nina Allan
Category: 2017 Hugo Nominees

This novelette did a nice job of worldbuilding and exploring the narrator's personal journey. The choice to put hotel staff, rather than astronauts or other famous people, at the center of the story was interesting. I would have liked to hear more about the past space missions mentioned, though.

The Jewel and Her Lapidary by Fran Wilde
Category: 2017 Hugo Nominees

I liked this story about struggle and sacrifice. I also liked the juxtaposition with the "tourist guide" excerpts, and how the story unfolded alongside them.

The Tomato Thief by Ursula Vernon
Category: 2017 Hugo Nominees

I loved the setting for this story. And the plot is sweet. The protagonist reminds me of Discworld's Granny Weatherwax.

Touring with the Alien by Carolyn Ives Gilman
Category: 2017 Hugo Nominees

An interesting take on "alien invasion" tropes.

You’ll Surely Drown Here If You Stay by Alyssa Wong
Category: 2017 Hugo Nominees

I liked the protagonist and the vividly-drawn setting.

March: Book Two by John Lewis
Category: Nonfiction books about history

This continues to be a powerful story. I learned a lot about the Freedom Rides.

America #4: An Army of Me by Gabby Rivera
Category: Comics

A good installment in the series. This comic has such a great, diverse supporting cast!

Alters, Volume 1 by Paul Jenkins
Category: Books published in 2017

This was a good story arc. I liked the depiction of the trans protagonist, and her relationship with her disabled brother. There are some emerging questions about which "team" of Alters is right, and those are intriguing.

I thought the compiled end matter had a bit too much of the "...person who JUST HAPPENS TO have some marginalized trait" phrasing going on. (That phrasing always annoys me because a) it adds unnecessary words, to b) pointedly distance the person from the trait, which c) implies there actually is something shameful about it, while d) getting "ally points" for making a big deal about how it's not a big deal to them, and e) plays into the idea that the only valid way to write a character with this trait is to have it not actually matter to their lives...)

Batwoman #4: The Many Arms of Death, Finale (Blackstar) by Marguerite Bennett
Category: Comics

This was a good conclusion to this story arc.

Batwoman #5: Blinding by Marguerite Bennett
Category: Comics

I liked this issue a lot. It revealed a lot about Kate's character and past over the course of a short time when she first arrived on Coryana. This fills in the gaps in what we knew before, and gives some depth to her relationship with Safiyah.

America #5: Best Friend, Won't You? by Gabby Rivera
Category: Comics

This was so much fun! I love the relationship between America Chavez and Kate Bishop. The exploration of America's teen years was good too. All around great story. Loved the guest art style too.

It looks like you're reading through the Hugo nominees -- do you vote on them each year?

Yes! I've been voting for the Hugos for a few years now.

Midnight Riot by Ben Aaronovitch
Category: 2017 Hugo Nominees

This was a fun story and a good setup for a series. I liked the protagonist, and I thought it was cool that the cast of characters had some racial diversity. The style and the bureaucratic part of the setting remind me a bit of the Laundry Files series (by Charles Stross).

Search History by KT Bryski
Category: Short Stories

A haunting story, told in hints and implication.

Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire
Category: 2017 Hugo Nominees

I loved the worldbuilding and sense of place. The protagonist is great.

March: Book Three by John Lewis
Category: Nonfiction books about history

A solid conclusion to this series, taking us through the passage of the Voting Rights Act. I learned a lot. I would definitely recommend March to anyone who wants to understand more about the Civil Rights Movement.

Rat-Catcher by Seanan McGuire
Category: Short stories
RandomCAT: Animal Kingdom

This is a good coming-of-age story, and adds some interesting background to the world.

(I'm pretty sure I read this years ago when it was on the Hugo ballot, but I don't seem to have any record of it... I'm glad I re-read it now that I've started reading the October Daye books, in any case.)

Forbid the Sea by Seanan McGuire
Category: Short stories
AlphaKIT: F

This story is short, sweet, and tragic.

The Fixed Stars by Seanan McGuire
Category: Short stories

Continuing with the October Daye short stories... a quick story with some ancient backstory of the Luidaeg.

In Sea-Salt Tears by Seanan McGuire
Category: Short Stories

A beautiful, heartbreaking story about two people faced with impossible choices.

I read this a few years back when it was nominated for a Hugo, but I'm glad I re-read it now that I know a bit more about the world it's set in.

Never Shines the Sun by Seanan McGuire
Category: Short Stories

This short vignette left me with so many questions... a tantalizing glimpse that October's origins might be more than they seem.

Innsmouth #1 by Megan James
Category: Comics
SFF/SFFF KIT: Humorous sci fi/fantasy
BingoDOG: A satire

This is a fun take on Lovecraftian tropes, featuring some unforgettable characters. The art complements the writing really well. And I love the collection of ephemera on the inside covers.

The Classifieds by Jack Bragen
Category: Short stories

This short piece provides a snapshot of a particular future world. I was hoping this would be more of a story told through ephemera, but the fictional classifieds don't really suggest any narrative. The worldbuilding is intriguing, though.

The Stone Sky by N.K. Jemisin
Category: Books published in 2017

The Broken Earth trilogy is amazing, and this is a great conclusion to it. I liked the window into the distant past of this world, explaining so much of how things got the way they are. I liked the nuance with which the book depicted broken and traumatized characters grappling with the realities of the world. The ending was quite satisfying. And I thought the framing device worked really well.

Bookburners, Season 1 by Max Gladstone
Category: Books published in 2017
RandomCAT: Catching up
BingoDOG: Books about books

This series is great fun. The episodic format (a "monster of the week" plot alongside longer story arcs, reminiscent of TV series plotting) works really well here, since the team always has missions to go on. I liked the main characters, all complex people with their own motivations. There were a lot of surprise twists I didn't expect. Will definitely be continuing with Season 2!

The Ashen Princess, Chapter 1: A Special Girl by Bitmap Prager
Category: Comics
AlphaKIT: P

This is a cool comic about a far-future society that's a beautiful utopia in some ways, and mirrors ugly trends from the modern world in other ways. I love the protagonist and supporting cast. Definitely adding this to the list of webcomics I follow.

Innsmouth #2 by Megan James
Category: Comics

This issue introduces the Reanimators, who are a really interesting pair of characters. Fatima got to take a more active role in things, which was also cool. The characters are drawn very expressively, and the setting is still great.

Innsmouth #3 by Megan James
Category: Comics

More wacky shoggoth hijinks! More character development! A surprise twist!

America #6: Your Heart is True by Gabby Rivera
Category: Comics

I was glad we found out what Madrimar's deal is. Kate Bishop's relationship with America Chavez is great, and I hope they do another crossover in the future.

Batwoman #6: Pax Batmana by Marguerite Bennett
Category: Comics

This issue jumps to a dystopian future Gotham. The dystopian plot is riveting, and I'm curious about Kate's ambiguous role in it. But when we just finished the flashback-heavy Coryana plot arc, it seems weird to suddenly jump to the future? I want to see more of Kate's present!

Kim & Kim, Volume 1: This Glamorous, High-Flying Rock Star Life by Magdalene Visaggio
Category: Books published in 2017

This was so much fun. Over-the-top action, snarky narrators, and compelling, well-drawn main characters.

America #7: Baby, It's You by Gabby Rivera
Category: Comics

It was great finally getting a look at America's family and origins. The different art styles were neat.

Electricity is Her Element by Kathleen Kralowec
Category: Books by new-to-me authors

This is a fun, quick story about dragons attempting to unleash chaos on the solar system... but perhaps they are not what they seem? The plot is a bit sparse, but the art is gorgeous.

Last Quarter update

We're now 3/4 of the way through the year! Let's see how I'm doing on my categories.

* The physical TBR shelf: 2/6
* 2017 Hugo nominees: 14/15
* Books published in 2017: 8/10
* Nonfiction books about history: COMPLETE! (6/4)
* Sequels to books I loved: COMPLETE! (5/5)
* Books by my favorite authors: 1/6
* Books by new-to-me authors: COMPLETE! (5/5)
* Comics: COMPLETE! (25/25)
* Short stories: 7/15

Looks like I need to find some books by my favorite authors, perhaps on my TBR shelf...?

The Ruin of Angels by Max Gladstone
Category: Books by my favorite authors
AlphaKIT: A

I love the Craft sequence. And this book features some of my favorite characters in it. The setting is compelling, the characters are well-drawn, and the resolution is satisfying.

Batwoman #7: Fear and Loathing, Part 1 (Trippin' Bats) by Marguerite Bennett
Category: Comics

This issue was... weird. A little bit of frontstory, broken up by random unrelated flashbacks, not making too much sense. Unclear whether this is related to the weird timeline of the previous issue? I wish they'd get back to telling a coherent story.

Batwoman #8: Fear and Loathing, Part 2 (Wonderland) by Marguerite Bennett
Category: Comics

This one was more coherent, and the flashbacks started to make more contextual sense. A couple of interesting new characters showed up. And Kate got to use some cool tech to escape!

MERAKI: Descent to the Underworld by M.K. Palmer
Category: Comics

This comic has an cool premise, and the protagonist is super interesting. An interesting take on ancient Greek gods.

The Legend of Korra: Turf Wars, Part One by Michael Dante DiMartino
Category: Books published in 2017

I loved the Legend of Korra TV series, so I was super excited for the comic. And it is indeed super awesome! The characters are just like they are in the show, in both art and voice. The action scenes are well-drawn and capture the movement that's going on. And there are finally queer characters! Multiple of them! :D

>116 lavaturtle: I've read the first two books in the Craft sequence and liked them. I'm glad to hear that the rest of the series is just as good.

America #8: The Beast About to Strike by Gabby Rivera
Category: Comics

I'm glad we're getting to see more of Sotomayor University and America's friends there! This issue puts America and her friends up against some difficult challenges, and it makes for a compelling story. I'm excited to see where it goes next!

All Systems Red by Martha Wells
Category: Books published in 2017

I loved this book! The protagonist/narrator ("Murderbot") has a very distinctive voice and personality. Their not-human view on things is interesting and consistently written. I also liked the worldbuilding choices around how the company is run, that give good consistent reasons for why and how things tend to fail. Will definitely be picking up the next in this series!

>123 lavaturtle: You had me at "Murderbot." :)

>123 lavaturtle: I keep meaning to get around to reading something from Martha Wells as she always reeives good reviews. Glad to see you're another one not disappointed with her work.

Kim & Kim: Love is a Battlefield #1 by Magdalene Visaggio
Category: Comics
AlphaKIT: L

This issue is sort of a "shore leave episode", in that it's mostly about the Kims kicking back and partying at the end of a job. It's great fun, and it illuminates some more of Kim D's backstory, while further developing the Kims' relationship.

Down Among the Sticks and Bones by Seanan McGuire
Category: Books by my favorite authors

This fills in the backstory for two characters from Every Heart a Doorway, but it really stands on its own. A haunting fairytale featuring two girls who are more complicated than the world wants them to be.

I working on catching up with everyone from last June. I agree with you on John Lewis's March series. I had his voice inside my head as I read them.

Spliced by Jon McGoran
Category: Books published in 2017
BingoDOG: Author shares your first and last initials

This book has a really interesting premise: How does society react when easy access to genetic engineering tools spawns a subculture of people who've spliced animal DNA into their own? And it's mostly successful at exploring that premise.

It's labelled as Young Adult, and there is some of the typical YA angst over emerging crushes and changing relationships with childhood friends. But it mostly feels authentic, and the characters' childhoods are nicely woven into the setting. Occasionally the plot feels a little simple, but never so much that it's predictable.

The protagonist experiences a lot of character growth over the course of the story!

Some of the societal stuff around chimeras feels a little like a metaphor for the LGBTQ community. I would have liked to have seen some actual LGBTQ characters in the story. (There are a pair of same-gender characters that I think might be a couple? But it's never made explicit.)

In addition to the splicing stuff, the setting is heavily affected by global warming and the choices governments make to deal with it. This part seemed thoughtful and well-developed.

Your Pal Archie #1 by Ty Templeton
Category: Comics
RandomCAT: Traffic Jam

I've never been into Archie comics, but they were handing this out for free at FlameCon, so I picked it up. Based on that and on the rainbow pants featured on the variant cover, I was expecting to find LGBTQ characters in this issue. Alas, the cover and giveaway were misleading, and everyone here is still super-straight.

The first story, about Jughead learning to drive, is pretty funny. With the second one, we get into the kind of "high school boy tries to attract the attentions of high school girl" plot that's pretty cliche at this point. In both these first two, the art and characters are fun.

The last story is apparently in a "classic" style and features two pin-up girls competing for a boy's attention. I don't see the appeal of this kind of thing at all, TBH.

ILU-486 by Amanda Ching
Category: Short stories

This is a great dystopian short story about a Virginia where abortion and birth control are illegal. It does a good job of sketching in a variety of compelling characters who deal with their challenging reality in different ways. It's a bit over the top in the same way that Handmaid's Tale is -- which is to say, it totally works.

Bookburners Season Two, Episode 1: Creepy Town by Max Gladstone
Category: Books by my favorite authors

This is a solid start to the second season. All the main characters are back, and a couple newish characters are brought to the forefront. I'm interested to see how Asanti proceeds with her new staff and other changes.

A Local Habitation by Seanan McGuire
Category: 2017 Hugo Nominees

I liked the setting, and Toby was great as always. I saw one of the major plot twists coming a mile off, but it would probably feel less telegraphed to cis people / anyone who doesn't really expect gender fluidity. I'm enjoying this series and I'm glad there's more of it.

December update

One month left! Here's where I stand.

* The physical TBR shelf: 2/6
* 2017 Hugo nominees: COMPLETE! (15/15)
* Books published in 2017: COMPLETE! (11/10)
* Nonfiction books about history: COMPLETE! (6/4)
* Sequels to books I loved: COMPLETE! (5/5)
* Books by my favorite authors: 4/6
* Books by new-to-me authors: COMPLETE! (5/5)
* Comics: COMPLETE! (31/25)
* Short stories: 8/15

>122 lavaturtle: I just finished a different book by Gabby Rivera, which I loved -- so I'm glad to see that the America series gets such excitement! I hope to pick some of those up myself going forward.

Sovereign: Nemesis - Book Two by April Daniels
Category: Sequels to books I loved
RandomCAT: One Day

I loved this book! There are bunch of great characters who get good development over the course of the story. The villain is compellingly creepy. There's a new nonbinary character! This series is great and I hope there will be more soon!

Bookburners Season 2, Episode 2: Webs by Andrea Phillips
Category: Books by new-to-me authors

This was an interesting installment, a bit different from the usual since it took place inside the Vatican. I liked the weird setting and Grace's character development.

Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams
Category: The physical TBR shelf
BingoDOG: Owned more than 5 years

Finished this around 11:45pm on New Year's Eve! It's funny, and weird, and clever. After years of hanging around geeks who constantly repeat a few lines from Hitchhiker's Guide, I'd forgotten that Douglas Adams is actually quite funny! In this book, it's primarily dry humor about British life and academia. Everything ties up very neatly by the end, which is satisfying for a light humorous book.

That's it for 2017! Here's where I ended up:

* The physical TBR shelf: 3/6
* 2017 Hugo nominees: COMPLETE! (15/15)
* Books published in 2017: COMPLETE! (11/10)
* Nonfiction books about history: COMPLETE! (6/4)
* Sequels to books I loved: COMPLETE! (6/5)
* Books by my favorite authors: 4/6
* Books by new-to-me authors: COMPLETE! (6/5)
* Comics: COMPLETE! (31/25)
* Short stories: 8/15