March 2012 Archives

March 26, 2012

2012 Arthur C. Clarke Award Short List

The short list for this years Arthur C. Clarke Award has been announced...

  • Greg Bear, Hull Zero Three (Gollancz)
  • Drew Magary, The End Specialist (Harper Voyager)
  • China Miéville, Embassytown (Macmillan)
  • Jane Rogers, The Testament of Jessie Lamb (Sandstone Press)
  • Charles Stross, Rule 34 (Orbit)
  • Sheri S.Tepper, The Waters Rising (Gollancz)

I feel slightly surprised by the list, and yet I have no right to be as I've not read any of them. I guessed that Embassytown (on my shelf to read soon) would get on there but that was it, the rest of my guesses were wrong. Don't know much about the other books except for Rule 34 (not read it yet but I liked Halting State). Disappointed that The Islanders by Christopher Priest isn't on the list as I think it's different and quite wonderful.

By James on 7:36 PM

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March 14, 2012

Which SF/F Series Are Too Good To End?

I'm in a SF Signal Mind Meld entitled Which SF/F Series Are Too Good To End? in which some others and I talk about series, endings and a world of too many books.

There are contributions from Jeremiah Tolbert, Andrew Wheeler, Jennifer Marie Brissett, David Constantine, Andrew Liptak, Jeff Patterson and myself.

Long series of books irk me immensely. Off the top of my head I can only think of three series that I really loved

By James on 6:38 AM

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March 8, 2012

Awesome New Star Wars T-Shirts: Dark Lord and Dark Side

Sneaky Studios has a couple of brilliant new original Star Wars T-shirts: 

King of Dark Side
 
Dark Lord

By James on 9:09 PM

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March 6, 2012

I Want The Robots To Win

By James on 9:40 PM

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March 1, 2012

2012 Arthur C. Clarke Award Submission List

UPDATE Tom pointed out to me that it is of course six books on the shortlist! So I've added one more.

You know you're in the middle of awards season when the submission list for the Arthur C. Clarke Award arrives. And tadaa! Here it is. As usual it's important to understand that this is not a long list, but instead every novel that has been submitted to be considered. Some publishers don't submit their books.

As last year (two years in a row makes it a tradition) there is a competition to guess the five six books that will make the short list. Guess it right and win the books.

I haven't really kept up to date with the books or the buzz this year, so unlike last year when I got four right, this year I'll be lucky to get two right. I think The Islanders by Christopher Priest will get nominated, I also have a sneaking suspicion that he might win it, because the book is SF but quite different form your standard novel, definite Clarke material. I'm also guessing Embassy Town by China Miéville, not that I've read it yet, but it's China and sounds interesting. Apart from that I'm in even lower probability guessing mode. Maybe By Light Alone by Adam Roberts? (On the shelf to read.) Definitely not Reamde, which I loved, but I've heard other people dislike, also it's not SF enough. I don't think Rule 34 by Charles Stross will get a nomination (haven't read that either) because it's a "sequel" to Halting State. That's the sort of logic that would be inverted in a public voted a ward but no sure with a jury. Maybe The Clockwork Rocket by Greg Egan? Don't know anything about it, but it's Greg Egan. Maybe Osama by Lavie Tidhar? (On my pile to read).And finally Wake Up and Dream by Ian R. MacLeod? Because he's good and stuff? Don't know.

Is that five six yet?

  • The Islanders by Christopher Priest
  • Embassy Town by China Miéville
  • By Light Alone by Adam Roberts
  • The Clockwork Rocket by Greg Egan
  • Osama by Lavie Tidhar
  • Wake Up and Dream by Ian R. MacLeod
Yes, there you go. One a certain the others a guess.

By James on 6:55 AM

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