Medium-Term Reading Plans
Here are some recent and forthcoming books that the Spokane Public Library has either on its shelves or on order, and which I will reserve at my earliest opportunity:
Here Comes Everybody, Clay Shirky
A much-talked-about book on group dynamics with the power of the internet, and the ability of groups to transcend traditional organizational structures.
Jhegaala, Steven Brust
The new Vlad book. Fantasy assassin with biting humor. Not set at the end of the timeline so far, but bound to fill some of the holes in the Vlad narrative. And be hugely entertaining, of course.
Saturn's Children, Charles Stross
A new book in the Accelerando universe, Young Adult space opera. I have read no synopses or reviews, so I'm not sure what to expect. Except Strossy goodness.
Zoe's Tale, John Scalzi
John Scalzi's contribution to Young Adult, in the style of a Heinlein Juvenile, taking place in his Old Man's War Universe. To be released July 19.
The Graveyard Book, Neil Gaiman
A riff on The Jungle Book, except darker and spookier. Neil Gaiman says it's the book that he wanted to write for a long time, but never felt good enough. Then he decided that he'd never feel good enough, so he might as well write it. He sounds quite proud of it. Due for release September 30.
A few other books that I plan to reserve, but aren't notably new:
Stand On Zanzibar, John Brunner
I just read The Sheep Look Up, his classic book about the ecological apocalypse, and loved it. This means that I will be looking up his other well-known books and making my way through them. This is the most notable of those. (Except the Spokane library doesn't have it… Must find elsewhere.)
In Defense of Food, Michael Pollan
Pollan's book The Omnivore's Dilemma was pretty good. This focuses more on processed food and the American diet. Amazon quotes what may be a seven-word synopsis of the entire book: "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants."
War for the Oaks, Emma Bull
Emma Bull's debut urban fantasy novel. Rock music and faerie. So far I'm only familiar with Bull for collaborating with Steven Brust. Reading this should remedy that situation.