July 6, 2017
More and more people are discovering books that aren’t with large or small publishers. Rather, they’re print on demand, or POD. These work much differently from the rest of the books you see in the bookstore and, thanks to technology, are becoming more commonplace than ever. There are so many different POD outlets that virtually anyone can publish a book.…
June 27, 2017
We Are Legion (We Are Bob) (2016) Written by: Dennis E. Taylor Narrated by: Ray Porter Genre: Science Fiction Length: 9h 31m (Audiobook) Series: Bobiverse Book One Publisher: Audible Studios Why I Chose It: A YouTube channel my husband watches (Corridor Digital) suggested this title. I don’t really watch their content except when Josh has it on nearby, but I perked…
June 23, 2017
This year the Hugos are including a new experimental category for Best Series in order to recognize the awesomeness that can’t be contained in one or even two books. I’m thrilled that one of my absolute favorites is on the ballot. The Vorkosigan Saga by Lois McMaster Bujold is aptly named, with over fifteen novels and several short stories and…
June 13, 2017
This Month On Changing the Map This month we return to Justine Larbalestier’s excellent collection of feminist science fiction stories and essays, Daughters of Earth: Feminist Science Fiction in the Twentieth Century. Three stories in her anthology perfectly illustrate one of the most compelling themes in fantastic feminist fiction of the 1970’s and 1980’s: sex, and how it affected women then,…
May 23, 2017
Welcome back to Sound Off!, a semi-regular column where members of Speculative Chic gather together to chat about the latest BIG THING in entertainment. This time, check yourself for alien parasites (especially in the chest area) and discuss Alien: Covenant, which premiered in the United States on Friday, May 19, 2017. Sound Off! is meant to be a reaction, but not…
May 23, 2017
Anyone ever read Don Quixote? I promise it isn’t all about tilting at windmills and going on impractical adventures. In fact, in the second half of the story Don Quixote reads the same story we just read. This is metafiction — when an author makes literary characters aware that they’re in a book and they are characters, not people; sometimes…
May 17, 2017
A Taste of Honey (2016) Written by: Kai Ashante Wilson Genre: Fantasy Pages: 100 (Nook) Publisher: Tor/Forge Why I Chose It: Many reasons. That gorgeous cover, for one. The story is about two men of color, and that’s what’s on the cover. (Because publishers whitewashing book covers is a thing.) Also because I haven’t read much fantasy lately. And lastly…
May 9, 2017
This Month On Changing the Map Last October, I woke to the news that much-loved feminist spec fic author Sheri S. Tepper had died. It hit me hard, not because her death was untimely (87? Hardly.), but because at one time she’d been my favorite author but I didn’t even know she was still alive. How could I lose track…
May 3, 2017
Runtime (2016) Written by: S.B. Divya Genre: Science Fiction Pages: 120 (Kindle edition) Publisher: Tor.com Why I Chose It: Literally, we’re reviewing the Nebulas and no one had claimed it yet. That’s it, that’s the reason. The premise: The Minerva Sierra Challenge is a grueling spectacle, the cyborg’s Tour de France. Rich thrill-seekers with corporate sponsorships, extensive support teams, and…
April 12, 2017
Graft (2016) Written by: Matt Hill Genre: Science Fiction Pages: 448 pages (Kindle) Publisher: Angry Robot Why I Chose It: At Speculative Chic, we decided to review all of the Philip K. Dick Award nominees, and as Editor-in-Chic, it was my responsibility to coordinate that. One by one, books were selected, until one was left, alone, without a home: Graft.…