My Hopes and Anticipations for Science Fiction and Fantasy in 2014
2014 is almost upon us, and I’m already thinking about what is to come. What will 2014 be like? Will it be awesome? Will someone release a stunning science fiction novel or an exciting YA fantasy or an *epic* epic fantasy? The only way to find out is to live long enough to see it, I suppose (that’s my early New Year’s resolution). But I do have my hopes for next year. Big, juicy hopes. And they are as follows: A World SF Sorta Year If you don’t already know, my SF/F podcast, The Skiffy and Fanty Show, is hosting a massive World SF Tour throughout 2014. We’ve already lined up a lot of great folks from all over the world, and that’s just for the first couple months. This thing has barely begun. Since the World SF blog has ended, I’m hoping this special season of the show will help fill the gap a bit. More importantly, I really hope we’ll open further dialogue between (and within) the western SF/F spheres and the equally valuable spheres from elsewhere. We should be talking to each other, and this whole Internet thing is a great way to make that possible. So I really hope we’ll spark a bit of a discussion in the community. That would be a great thing indeed. No Kerfluffles I know this dream will never come true, but I’m putting it here anyway. I would really like to see a year in the SF/F world that doesn’t include fiascos and people saying racist, sexist, or downright douchey things. Just for one year. Please. Please? The Author List Here are all the authors whose work I’m looking forward to in 2014 (assuming they’re releasing anything) Myke Cole (Breach Zone comes out in a month, and I get to interview him with my bestie. So, basically, my life is awesome right now.) Stina Leicht (I don’t think she’ll have anything out next year, but I hear she’s working on something that’s super cool beans — I may have the inside scoop.) China Mieville (It better be clever. Oh, hell, who am I kidding? Of course it will be clever!) Lauren Beukes (Will she ever stop writing awesome books? No. Never. EVER!) Ann Leckie (I quite liked Ancillary Justice and am eagerly anticipating the sequel. I’m told it’ll be an even stronger book.) Nick Mamatas writing noir crime fiction (because that should be very interesting indeed) Nalo Hopkinson (Sister Mine was fantastic, so if she releases anything next year, I’ll be happy) Tobias S. Buckell (more Xenowealth stuff, please!) Yoon Ha Lee (I have dreams that she’ll release a novel and that it will be the most amazing thing since the invention of air.) Christopher Barzak (two things: 1) I demand more writing in any form imaginable, and 2) I cannot wait to see the film adaptation of One For Sorrow) Karen Lord (she could release a story on a restaurant napkin and I’d probably still read it enthusiastically) Brian Francis Slattery (Lost Everything was genius, so another novel would be amazing) That’s not an exhaustive list, obviously. They’re names that came up when I started thinking about this whole thing. I’d also love to see something new from Alden Bell, Jane Rogers, and even some translated works from China and the surrounding nations (Vietnam, Thailand, South Korea, etc.). I’d also love to see some groundbreaking SF/F next year. I haven’t the foggiest what that would look like, but I do think we’re overdue for a year that really throws us SF/F folks for a loop. Dialogue Reboot This is somewhat related to the kerfluffle thing above. Basically, I think it would be lovely if we could actually have a dialogue about things like sexual harassment at cons, sexism in SF/F, racism in SF/F, and so on. A discussion. A talk. Not two groups screaming at each other or self-segregating out of convenience. I realize this is a tall order, in part because disparate groups simply don’t agree about things, but I think we could get a lot more done if these issues were discussed more openly without the need to simply reject every claim. This is also a completely absurd request. Movies I anticipate that the following will be true in 2014: Marvel will continue to dominate in film. With X-Men: Days of Future Past, Captain America: the Winter Soldier, and Guardians of the Galaxy coming our way, it’s hard to imagine Marvel won’t be king for another year. Science fiction will dominate. With Edge of Tomorrow, Interstellar, the Marvel films, Hunger Games 3, The Giver, and Jupiter Ascending expected to hit theaters next year, I strongly suspect SF will be all the rage (as it was this year, really). Robocop will probably be a lot of fun, but I expect it to bomb. I couldn’t care less about Transformers 1132424 or The Maze Runner (it will bomb). But I expect those other films to do quite well. Science fiction will not receive any major award nominations in categories people remember (namely, best director, actor/actress (lead or supporting), or best picture), and at least one of the films released this year will have deserved to have been on those lists. Hunger Games 3 will be the knockout of the year. If Hunger Games 2 is any indicator of this franchise’s success, you can expect the (supposedly two part) finale to rock the box office. Fantasy will mostly suck in 2014. There are a couple of decent movies coming, and I have no doubt the genre will make a pretty penny, but I really don’t think there will be anything of serious note from the fantasy genre next year. The Hugos (and Other Awards) When the awards season rolls around, I suspect a lot of people will be annoyed and pissed off again. I look forward to a thoughtful discussion about the merits of these awards that leads to something worthwhile (like changes or new, viable awards). Or we’ll just have another pissing match. I’m getting quite
10 Books I’m Looking Forward to in 2013
Now that I’ve covered movies and television, I think it’s time I hit the big stuff — books. Here’s the ten books I’m looking forward to this year (feel free to leave your suggestions in the comments): The Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing Lauren Beukes last year for her novel Zoo City. And guess what? I get to do it again for The Shining Girls! Beukes is one of my favorite authors of the new millenium, and definitely one of my favorites of all time. Her work is entertaining, complex, and downright beautiful. The Shining Girls will certainly be a new milestone for South Africa’s greatest genre writer! Bonus Point: Rumor has it that she got a six figure deal for this book. That’s freaking awesome! The Best of All Possible Worlds by Karen Lord Karen Lord has been on my radar since the release of Redemption in Indigo. Maybe it’s because I’m slightly obsessed with Caribbean literature (it’s what I study, after all), or because she looks badass in her red jacket (we met briefly at ICFA). It might also have something to do with the fact that Karen brought a whole bunch of Edna Brodber books from the Caribbean and had them sent to me through Mari Ness. I’m biased like that… But more likely it’s because she’s a damn good writer (who, like Beukes, will be on my little show too). The Best of All Possible Worlds should be a standout this year. Bonus Points: Karen Lord was apparently a part-time soldier once. That makes her slightly more badass than fellow Caribbean writer Tobias S. Buckell, who spends his days in a leather coat and man shades. Ghost Spin by Chris Moriarty Ever since Spin State, I’ve been waiting for Chris Moriarty to release another book for adults. And it’s finally coming! If I’m not mistaken, Ghost Spin is set in the same world as Spin State and Spin Control, though it’s been so long since I last read Spin State that I can’t honestly remember where it ended. That’s a good thing because it gives me an excuse to re-read! Ghost Spin should be one of those insane science fiction novels packed full of sensawunda and sociopolitical critique. I can’t wait. (If I’m lucky, she’ll agree to be on m my podcast!) Bonus Point: It’s post-cyberpunk! That means it’s cyberpunk, but sexier. Sister Mine by Nalo Hopkinson I wrote half of my MA Thesis on Nalo Hopkinson, so it goes without saying that I perpetually look forward to everything she writes. It’s hard to imagine not feeling this way when I learn that Hopkinson has a new book coming. Let’s face it — she’s a fantastic writer and a wonderful person (I’ve met her — and I embarrassed myself something fierce). I expect nothing but genius from her new novel (as always). Bonsu Point: The plot involves a magic system which can be severed in one half of a set of conjoined twins through surgery (or so the book description indicates). Sounds fascinating! On the Razor’s Edge by Michael Flynn Despite some reservations about In the Lion’s Mouth (see the review here), I cannot help but remain intrigued by Flynn’s writing style and science fiction world. This book continues the story from the previous three books (two of which I still have to read) and should include some of the incredible science fiction wonders that intrigued me about In the Lion’s Mouth, including the fascinating character of Donovan buigh, who had his brain cut up into multiple personalities at some point in the past. Plus, the continuation of the war with the Names should hit its all time height here, which means there’ll be a lot of wicked super assassin fights! Bonus Point: The covers for his books are bloody gorgeous. Vampires in the Lemon Grove by Karen Russell Most people will read this book because of Swamplandia!, which was well liked by many readers and critics. I want to read this book because of the first line of the description: “A dejected teenager discovers that the universe is communicating with him through talismanic objects left behind in a seagull’s nest.” That’s the kind of imaginative geekery I expect in my weird literature, and this one is chock full of short stories with such weird premises. It’s bound to be an exciting ride! If only there was some way to get her on my podcast… Bonus Point: The New Yorker listed her as one of the 20 best writers under 40. That’s got to count for something, right? The Childhood of Jesus by J. M. Coetzee I suspect a few of you are familiar with Coetzee’s work, as well you should be. His writing has spanned numerous subjects, from colonial empires in Waiting for the Barbarians to animal ethics in The Lives of Animals. This new one promises to offer a very different look at a Jesus-like story. Knowing Coetzee, that means it will also include some slightly fantastic elements, just as much of his other work has. This makes him one of those hidden SF/F writers that nobody in genre really thinks about. Well, they should. And that’s why I’m eagerly anticipating The Childhood of Jesus. Bonus Point: Coetzee won the Man Booker twice before winning the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2003. And he deserved every single award. Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Every since I saw the following TED talk by Adichie, I’ve been jonesing for a new novel from her. Her new novel has a flare of the romantic epic to it, and it happens to be one of the few African novels I know about that I’ll probably read despite having nothing to do with SF/F. Brilliant writing deserves to be loved. Bonus Point: Her second novel, Half of a Yellow Sun, won the Orange Prize, perhaps the most important award for literature by women. She was also listed as one of the best 20 writers under 40
Dear Christmas: My Favorite SF/F Re-Reads
There’s still time to get to the shops and buy that special gift for your estranged husband or twice-removed cousin. Okay, let’s face it. You’re not buying gifts for them. If you’ve popped onto this page, it’s for one of three reasons: You read this blog. You told me to write on this topic. You’ve got a weird scifi and fantasy geek child or friend and you have no idea what to get them. If you’re in the #3 category, then prepare yourself for this completely uneven list of books I enjoyed enough to read more than once! Here goes: Midnight Robber by Nalo Hopkinson I’m biased, because Hopkinson (and Buckell) was one of the authors I focused on in my Master’s Thesis. It’s also a novel I’ve reviewed for SF Mistressworks and one I’ve taught at the college level. It’s an enormously rich book, too. Caribbean folklore + science fiction + twin worlds = simply stunning. Crystal Rain, Ragamuffin, and Sly Mongoose by Tobias S. Buckell All three are amazing. Like Hopkinson, Buckell mixes in Caribbean references and characters, but drags them out into the wide world of Space Opera throughout the series (Crystal Rain is almost a Civil War-style steampunk novel, while Ragamuffin and Sly Mongoose are exciting Space Operas — the latter includes zombies and floating habitats in the atmosphere of a Venus-like planet). I love reading them over and over (plus, The Apocalypse Ocean, book four, is also damned good). 1984 by George Orwell This is one of the few books I will read over and over and over again. I used to read it once a year, but I haven’t done that for a while. But if you’ve ever read the book, you’ll understand why: it’s one of those books that benefits from re-reading because you’ll discover new stuff all the time. And I mean that. There are so many little details in this book. Orwell was a genius! Zoo City by Lauren Beukes Folks will notice a trend on this post. That trend goes something like this: how many books written by people from other countries (originally or currently) can I stick on a single list? Well, get over it. Most of what I read these days are books by folks from elsewhere, in part because that’s what I study. Go figure. Lauren Beukes is our resident South African writer. And she’s a good one! Zoo City remains one of my favorite books of all time. It mixes animal familiars with amateur sleuthing and social commentary, which is A+ in my book. The Palm-wine Drinkard by Amos Tutuola It’s weird to Westerners and controversial to many African scholars. No matter which side of the world you come from, though, I think this is one of those unique, fascinating pieces of literature. Every time I read it, I’m amazed by the oddness, the rapid pace, the almost spoken-word style of storytelling, and the folklore. I recommend it to anyone who loves weird stuff. City of Saints and Madmen by Jeff VanderMeer This remains, for me, one of the top three greatest New Weird books ever written (assuming, of course, that New Weird actually exists — I’m not convinced anymore, but it’s a catchy word that I find useful). There’s no way to describe this book without ruining some of its most compelling parts, so I’ll just say this: it has an appendices full of letters, documents, and other wonderful bits, all of which enhance the story. The Forever War by Joe Haldeman I suspect most of you are familiar with this one. Good. You should be. It’s one of the greatest science fiction novels ever written (top ten for me). If you haven’t read it, then all you need to know is this: a thorough examination of social change and war in a far future, military space opera setting. It’s amazing. That is all… Perdido Street Station by China Mieville Another great New Weird novel. Mieville is, I think, one of the most innovative writers in SF/F right now (alongside Jeff VanderMeer). Perdido Street Station is no exception. The way he constructs creatures, cultures, cityscapes, and so on is admirable. I suggest everyone start with PSS, but even works like Embassytown or The City & the City contain some interesting concepts and ideas. He’s one of the new greats (hopefully he’ll keep producing new and innovative work for years to come). Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut Vonnegut is another of those strange writers. I’m still unsure if Slaughterhouse-Five is actually science fiction or some kind of PTSD novel. It’s probably both at the same time. Either way, it’s an amazing book. There are compelling uses of “time travel,” social commentary, weird digs at science fiction, and much more. If you’ve never read it, you should. Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower nearly made me cry. That’s not small feat, if I’m honest. Usually, I only cry while reading books in which I already have emotional investments. Butler’s work, however, is incredible. Sower follows a young woman with a rare form of synaethesia that allows her to feel what others feel. That might be cool in times of plenty, but this novel is set in a post-apocalyptic United States where pretty much everything has gone to complete crap and humanity is clinging desperately to its little pieces of civilization. It’s a brilliant read. The House of the Stag by Kage Baker I love this book more than I love breathing. Well, sort of. I really love breathing too… The House of the Stag combines fairytales, epic fantasy, and awesome in one little package. When I first read it years ago, I fell in love with it. The way Baker plays with fairtale narratives to create something fresh and new (along with her unique way of using theater-related stuff in the narrative) is, well, fresh and new. What more do you want me to say? One For Sorrow by Christopher Barzak Barzak is a
The #ThoroughlyGoodBooksbyPoc Reading List
Update: The list is now alphabetical by author! (Note: The following books are what was listed on Twitter under the #ThoroughlyGoodBooksbyPOC hashtag at 5:45 PM EST (the 21st of August). Twitter will not allow me to view anything that might have appeared earlier than the morning of the 21st. It should also be noted that some folks have expanded the list to include books featuring POC characters, even when such books are written by white authors.) A little background: In response to the recent Weird Tales fiasco, author Jim C. Hines decided to switch things around to get people to list their favorite novels by people of color, irrespective of genre. I’ve decided to compile as many of those books as I possibly can. The following list will, I hope, be updated over the course of the week (please understand that I am in grad school, which begins anew tomorrow, and so my time may be limited to do this). (Note: Some authors will not have specific titles listed. This is either because people suggested practically everything written by those authors or specifically stated “anything by.” Please excuse any repetitions you may find.) Now for the list: A Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Throne of the Crescent Moon by Saladin Ahmed The Day Lasts More Than a Hundred Years by Chingiz Aitmatov The Hakawati by Rabih Alameddine Heaven’s Fate by Andre Alan The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie Reservation Blues by Sherman Alexie How to Traverse Terra Incognita by Dean Alfar Salamanca by Dean Francis Alfar Anything by Isabel Allende Krymsin Nocturnes by Joseph Armstead No God But God: The Origins, Evolution, and Future of Islam by Res Aslan B Daytripper by Gabriel Ba and Fabio Moon Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin The Tiger Claw by Shauna Singh Baldwin Dreampark by Steven Barnes Lion’s Blood by Steven Barnes Cosmos Latinos: An Anthology of Science Fiction from Latin America and Spain edited by Andrew L. Bell and Yolanda Molina-Gavilan Zoo City by Lauren Beukes Full Moon on the Reservation by Gloria Bird Noughts and Crosses by Mallory Blackman Servant of the Underworld by Aliette de Bodard Saga de los confines by Liliana Bodoc 2666 by Roberto Bolaño When the Rainbow Goddess Wept by Cecilia Manguerra Brainard Icon by Dwayne McDuffie and M. D. Bright King Maker by Maurice Broaddus The Knights of Breton Court by Maurice Broaddus Anything by Tobias Buckell Anything by Octavia Butler C 32 Candles by Ernessa Carter Sacred Games by Vikram Chandra Red Earth and Pouring Red by Vikram Chandra Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang Anything by Joyce Chng Radical Equations: Civil Rights from Mississippi to the Algebra Project by Bob Moses and Charles Cobb Shadow Ops: Control Point by Myke Cole The Hanging of Angelique by Afua Cooper White Talk by Chris Crutcher D Wolf at the Door by J. Damask Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga Breath, Eyes, Memory by Edwidge Danticat Mare’s War by Tanita S. Davis Anything by Samuel R. Delany Playing Indian by Philip Deloria Anything by Junot Diaz Black Candle: Poems About Women from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh by Chitra Divakaruni Acacia by David Anthony Durham Pride of Carthage by David Anthony Durham Anything by Tananarive Due E Perma Red by Debra Magpie Earling The Budayeen Series by George Alec Effinger Cold Magic by Kate Elliot Cold Fire by Kate Elliot Cold Steel by Kate Elliot The Honey Month by Amal El-Mohtar Blonde Roots by Bernardine Evaristo F Zero by Huang Fan The Wretched of the Earth by Franz Fanon Coyote Kings of the Space-Age Bachelor Pad by Minister Faust Shrinking the Heroes by Minister Faust G The Gilda Stories by Jewelle Gomez The Kappa Child by Hiromi Goto Half-world by Hiromi Goto Tall Story by Candy Gourlay H Redwood and Wildfire by Andrea Hairston Mindscape by Andrea Hairston The Ben January Series by Barbara Hambly When Dreams Travel by Githa Hariharan Girl, Overboard by Justina Chen Headley Girl Overboard by Justina Chen Headley Born Confused by Tanuja Desai Hidier Changing by Lily Hoang Cortez on Jupiter by Ernest Hogan Smoking Mirror Blues by Ernest Hogan Mean Spirit by Linda Hogan Anything by M. C. A. Hogarth Anything by Nalo Hopkinson So Long Been Dreaming: Postcolonial Science Fiction and Fantasy edited by Nalo Hopkinson and Uppinder Mehan The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini God’s War by Kameron Hurley I Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro J Anything by Brenda Jackson The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N. K. Jemisin The Killing Moon by N. K. Jemisin Mona in the Promised Land by Gish Jen Red Moonshine by Alaya Dawn Johnson Smoketown by Tenea Johnson Some Prefer Nettles by Tanizaki Junichiro The Makioka Sisters by Tanizaki Junichiro K Atlas: The Archaeology of an Imaginary City by Dung Kai-Cheung Good Luck Yukikaze by Chohei Kambayashi Yukikaze by Chouhei Kambayashi Polar City Blues by Katharine Kerr SNARE by Katharine Kerr Amulet by Kazu Kibuishi Green Grass, Running Water by Thomas King Warrior Woman by Maxine Hong Kingston Transmission by Hari Kunzru L The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri Salt Fish Girl by Larissa Lai Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai Sightseeing by Rattawut Lapcharoensap Liar by Justine Larbarlastier The Devil in Silver by Victor LaValle Lucretia and the Kroons by Victor LaValle The Earthsea Series by Ursula K. LeGuin Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin Night, Again by Dinh Linh Ash by Malinda Lo Huntress by Malinda Lo Adaptation by Malinda Lo Redemption in Indigo by Karen Lord M The Crusades Through Arab Eyes by Amin Maalouf Anything by Naguib Mahfouz The Dragon and the Stars edited by Derwin Mak and Eric Choi Fire Logic by Laurie J. Marks Anything by Gabriel Garcia Marquez Snakes and Ladders by Gita Mehta Shine, Coconut Moon by Neesha Meminger Red Spider White Web