Philip Shade > Recent Status Updates

Half cyberpunk anthology, half critical and philosophical discussion, all interesting.

Reading literary criticism from the early 90s about an 80's sci-fi movement may sound like omphaloskepsis, but as we (culturally) have moved into a thoroughly cyberpunk future it's an extremely useful lens through which to view concepts that have gone from high fiction to everyday interactions.

A mix of historical research and historical fiction. An engaging read as Narkham-Cantor alternates between research into her own genealogy, and historical documentation of the Salem Witch Trials, and fictional recounting of the events.

A fascinating read about building communities that support independent art and thought, as opposed to the "everyone for themself" form of independence, often pushed by corporations, that harms and suppresses creativity and freedom.

I always find Sanderson's writing a little stilted and awkward but the world building is interesting, and the action quick paced enough that I'm happy to overlook whatever foibles (by definition minor complaints) I have.

TBH I'd lost track of this series. I really enjoyed "The Ninth Metal" and it's comic book inspirations. This book brings the COVID pandemic into the mix making the sci-fi nature feel a little more real than is, sometimes, comfortable.

Went into this book blind, I mean who doesn't love H Mart? Why is someone crying there? I have to know!

Oh, it's a book about dealing with intense grief and loss?
I'm still in, but I'll need to take a few breaks.

"Artists are artists because they have an extra sensitivity--a skin less, perhaps, than other people and the great one's have an uncomfortable habit of being right about many things, long before their time."
— Benjamin Britten, composer.

I don't have much a of classical music backing but am finding this history fascinating, educating, engaging, and — in light of current world politics — an important warning.

It's entirely possible I won't finish this in 2023 but I'm workin' on it.

A quick paced followup to the first book with interesting new characters, foes, and problems following The Collapse.
Being a little vague as events in the story are starting to get juicy and I don't want to accidentally give out spoilers.

A lot of us have camp tastes when we're children. Some of us grow out of them, others grow up to be homosexual.
—Amelia Abraham's Susan Sontag essay from The Queer Bible.

"How come people aren't worshiping at the alter Tim Curry more often?"

We're called Goths, Mae Martin, services are held every club night. 😄

Ostensibly essay about queer icons it's the stories of the writers that is really interesting to me. For example Freddy McConnell writes about David Bowie as both a queer and straight icon and how that dichotomy bth illuminated and bridged gaps between him (a trans man) and his father.

(Mykki Blanco's piece on Vagina Davis is painfully nostalgic to me.)

Mostly a background filler book. If you're really interested in Jyn Erso then it's for you. If you're not you can safely skip.

A deeply researched but also entertaining look at the history of the Ottoman empire that dispels many preconceived, Euro-centric, views of the empire and posits it, in many ways, should be considered as part of the European Renaissance, and age of exploration, as opposed to existing in opposition.

“The present age is emphatically the age of fun. Everybody deals in jokes and all wisdom is inculcated in a paraphrase of humor.”
—Lewis Gaylord Clark (October 5, 1808 – November 3, 1873)

An enlightening, and conversational, read about the classical Greek & Roman education (schools, tutors, and books) that underpinned the philosophy of Founding Fathers.

I like that Ricks emphasizes how these concepts and philosophies were considered at the time, which were generally popular or almost unknown, & their relations to how we view them today.

"Stop calling my me lord, we will be worm and wife."
- Frank Herbert, God Emperor of Dune

Despite feeling light in nature the Monk & Robot books touch on deep philosophical concepts. I could easily read one in a day but, for me, taking a break halfway through gives the ideas a chance to percolate and expand outside the very cozy narratives.
The books remind me of how the TV show The Good Place taught moral philosophy under the guise of a goofy comedy.