Hey!

Welcome to Accidentally Adrian Tchaikovsky Week! Based on the number of books with his name on them in this issue, I’d say he wins the technical challenge of “writing a lot of books". There are also some essays on reading and experiencing art, the usual lists, and a special review section for Alix E. Harrow’s latest release.

A-Side

Reactor’s Doing a Podcast! Introducing Read Receipts
It’s an exciting day when there’s a new pod to listen to! I need pods to survive Care Tasks that never end, like laundry. There’s always more laundry. Here’s a little teaser on Bluesky. I hope there’s a transcript, though! If not, Reactor, call me, my rates are reasonable and I make great transcripts. :D

What Do Booksellers Make Of “The End Of Reading”?
Back in September, Joel Pinckney wrote an essay in Defector examining the claims that reading was over. As someone who has been online awhile, I’ve seen this talking point cycle around multiple times. What’s fueling it right now is, as one bookseller points out, “systemic attacks on literary culture.” He cites book bans, genAI (boo), attacks on libraries—the list goes on. That said, most of this piece talks to booksellers who have a more positive view of literary culture than the literacy doomers. It makes me hopeful about the future for books. (Thanks to the mystery person for this gift link.)

Are We in a Reading Monoculture?
This was a fascinating piece, by Véronique Hyland, especially in the context of the above essay. This underlines the point about systemic issues in publishing and culture that are complicating reading for a lot of people. I don’t think I agree with the thesis, though? Yes, there are a lot of big, splashy titles that get a lot of buzz, but which splashy titles are relevant depends on where you’re standing and in which genre space you’re oriented. There simply can’t be a reading monoculture with recent releases, right? I’m happy to be wrong, I just don’t see how certain books being popular means we’re the last monoculture standing. It’s funny she mentioned Tribbles and then didn’t cite even one popular SFF title (Dungeon Crawler Carl was right there).

Do You Need to Be Surprised?
As per usual, Molly Templeton has excellent thoughts about reading. From one off-hand quote about being surprised by a story, Molly takes us from how we engage with media straight through into how we approach the world around us outside art. I used to not like spoilers. For some things I will avoid them, but most places I live online are filled with kind people who warn when they’re going to reveal something. Still, these days, I don’t mind so much because the experience of the thing matters. I’m always delighted to be surprised by a piece of art, but I no longer need the surprise to be the point. Potentially this says something about the way our culture tells stories now, too. But that’s a different essay.

Murderbot fic idea: Dr. Ratthi goes on a research survey with non-Preservation researchers.
Have I shared recently that I love fans? Because I love fans.

Reviews/Discussions

The Apple and the Pearl by Rym Kechacha (skygiants)
Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang (T.O. Munro @ Fantasy Reviews)
Bodies of Magic by Freya Marske (Dina @ SFF Book Reviews)
Bodies of Magic by Freya Marske (Natalie Zutter @ Reactor)
Children of Strife by Adrian Tchaikovsky (A. Bristow-Smith @ Strange Horizons)
Daggerbound by T. Kingfisher (Russ Allbery)
Engines of Reason by Adrian Tchaikovsky (Russell Letson)
The Expert System’s Champion by Adrian Tchaikovsky (Kat Hooper @ FanLit)
Find Me Where It Ends by Cassandra Khaw (Marlene Harris @ Reading Reality)
Horde of the Counterwind by Alain Damasio, trans. by Alexander Dickow (Eden Kupermintz @ Ancillary Review of Books)
The Language of Liars by S.L. Huang (Annie @ A Bookish Type)
The Language of Liars by S.L. Huang (Madeline @ The Bookish Mutant)
The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins (Tamara O. @ Grimdark Magazine)
Metal From Heaven by august clarke (Workers’ Lit Podcast)
Notes from a Regicide by Isaac Fellman (Lekden @ Reading from the Depths)
Ode to the Half-Broken by Suzanne Palmer (Narrated Podcast)
Pretenders to the Throne of God by Adrian Tchaikovsky (Camestros Felapton)
Psychopomp & Circumstance by Eden Royce (Elias @ Bar Cart Bookshelf)
Rakesfall by Vajra Chandrasekera (Alex Pierce)
Requiem by John Palisano (Womble @ Runalong the Shelves)
Revolution in the Heart edited by Jonathan Strahan (Tar Vol on)
The Salt King by Natasha Pulley (Hera @ Ancillary Review of Books)
The Sea Hides Its Dead by Megan Bontrager (Jenny Hamilton @ Reactor)
Service Model by Adrian Tchaikovsky (Lydia @ SFFWorld)
The Sixth Nik by Daniel Kraus (Bonnie @ Red Headed Femme)
Slow Burn by Amal Singh (Maria Haskins @ Locus)
The Starving Saints by Caitlin Starling (Stewart Hotston @ Nerds of a Feather)
Sublimation by Isabel J. Kim (Andrew Liptak @ Transfer Orbit)
A Trade of Blood by Robert Jackson Bennett (Liz Bourke)
The Unhaunting by Micaiah Johnson (Alex Brown @ Reactor)
The Unkindest Tide by Seanan McGuire (Galen Strickland)
Your Behavior Will Be Monitored by Justin Feinstein (Stephen Case @ Strange Horizons)

B-Side

Audition by Pip Adam won the Le Guin Prize this week. The announcement was streamed on Youtube. This is where I would put everything the SFF community had to say about the book, but the only review I’ve read is Abigail’s (aside: I love anchor links when people post multiple reviews). If you’ve read or listened to a good discussion, send it my way. I haven’t read Audition yet, and of course I was rooting for Notes from a Regicide, but the short list is forever! The Endeavour Award went to The Antidote by Karen Russell. Via this short list, I learned Nisi Shawl had a new book, Making Amends. I missed it completely. Have I mentioned lately how I yearn for author websites/blogs with RSS and robust publisher newsletters? Because I do. Rabin over at Only the Best Fantasy Novels discussed the World Fantasy finalists. We’ll know the winner this weekend and that’ll wrap up the main SFF awards for 2026. Don’t worry, the 2027 Hugo season will start in November. >D

Andrew Liptak shared the last list (so he says) of new books out this month at Transfer Orbit. Sarah Tolcser asked for story recs of space junkyards. Oprah Daily shared a list of romantasy titles, and there are some familiar names! Although...I am a little dubious about labeling some of these romantasy. Whatever sells the books, though! Lady knights seem to be newly relevant. Jirel of Joiry by C.L. Moore, which seems at least adjacent to the topic, is being re-released in late November. There’s a new issue of Journey Planet, theme: giant robots. Also, SciFi Month 2026 starts November 1! I’m taking part this year, at least enough to rec some books along the prompt list, over on my tumblr.

Alex Pierce recapped Stargate SG-1 Season 3 (the seduction stats are great) and Dean Smith-Richard at Nerds of a Feather revisited Event Horizon, which is my favorite space horror film. We’ll have to fight at dawn re: Lost in Space, though. I’m excited about all the renewed love for the film; there’s a new book about the film coming from Titan Books, dropping next year. The next Mummy movie has a title and a release: The Book of the Dead will be out next October. I’m both excited and conflicted; the first two films were very racist. Is it too much to hope this one won’t repeat those mistakes? (Probably.)

This week’s special review section is 2026 Award Darling Alix E. Harrow with her short fiction collection, The Slantwise Histories. There are five brand new stories if you have a “Works of Alix E. Harrow” bingo card.

Reviews/Discussions:
— Krystle Matar @ Grimdark Magazine
— Bill Capossere @ FanLit
— Gary K. Wolfe @ Locus
— Becky’s Book Blog
— Caitlin Lloyd @ FanFiAddict

Two weeks ago I asked folks to tell me what book they wanted to read before year’s end, and two people said A Compendium of Supernatural Entities Found in the Government Girls Higher Secondary School by Kuzhali Manickavel. When I talk about why recs are valuable to me, it’s because I, an Extremely Online person who runs a newsletter of book links, had never heard of this book or author. Then in the span of 24 hours two people recced it. After that, I started to see reviews: from Galen Strickland, Alexis Ong at Reactor and Jacqueline Nyathi at Harare Review of Books. Mention the art you’re excited about, even if you think those mentions are just fading into the void of the internet.

In short fiction, Think Weirder Volume 2 has a Table of Contents, with lots of great authors. I sure do miss themed anthologies. I continue to live in hope of a cool SFF fungi anthology. If any rich editor needs author ideas, hit me up. Over at Locus, A.C. Wise reviewed July’s Clarkesworld and recced two stories. Paula Guran reviewed Remains #5, Uncanny’s Jul/Aug issue, and July’s Nightmare and recced four stories. Alex Brown has the must read short fiction from September at Reactor. Editors Maurice Broaddus and Carrie S. Cooper are soliciting stories for After the Fire, which is an anthology to honor Ray Bradbury. RECORDED, a found footage anthology from editor Merc Wolfmoor, is up for preorder.

I once again got behind on my Tolkien Rereads. No one has stopped talking about it! I’m just slow. Nick Hubble continued their reread of the books. Their analysis really makes the world building Tolkien did shine. The Shelved by Genre guys continued their discussion of The Silmarillion (Part 2 and Part 3). I’ve finally figured out who these guys remind me of and it’s that aircraft mechanic who ties together Airplace Facts with Tolkien Facts. Abigail discussed the Uruk-Hai (I learned some things the films were never going to be able to show) and Treebeard, who was, for quite a long time, my favorite character from the films. Roseanna digs into Mount Doom and The Field of Cormallen. I often feel these days as if I have elf doom and must go to the sea. Legolas, buddy, I get you. Also, if you want to make someone who likes The Lord of the Rings look at you as if you have horns, ask them if Aragorn is Jesus.

Now, normally I put author content that corresponds with the reviews I linked to so I don’t burn myself to a crisp. However, this week I don’t have any in my archive. I’m shocked, too! Maybe authors are getting ready to hibernate (mood). The one thing I do have: if you’ll be near CalTech on November 10, maybe you want to go hear Jeff VanderMeer read and answer questions.

Still hungry? Get yourself even more links via Wombling Along.

Art recs: Southern blue devils by pikaole; an email will never find him by Ari Cecaelian; sun by Jessica Elena; Vote by JLMeyer; various crafts of an extraterrestrial nature by heron; maelle by eyes-of-nine; The Apple Of my Eye by jun-hug; Flimsy by Hannah

Outro

Fansplaining is having a subscription sale! This is a good deal for those of us suffering in this economy. :’)

Also, please wish me luck surviving the Busiest Time of Even Numbered Years: get out the vote in one of the most voter suppressed U.S. states. Although this makes me wonder: are there SFF novels about elections? Huh.

Have a great weekend! — Renay

Recent Reading

(Last) Witch Hat Atelier, Vol. 1 by Shirahama Kamome
(Now) Fossil Feud by Maggie North
(Next) The Floating Republic by Rebecca Campbell