Category: Books

Remember books? Here I talk about print and digital — it’s about the content

Books, Film, Science Fiction, TV

Science Fiction and Other Suspect Ruminations — a recommend blog

If you want a blog with a lot of posts on science fiction (and other suspect) ruminations, focused entirely on Reviews of Vintage Science Fiction (1945-1985), can I recommend this site? I have no affiliation with the site or its creator, but do find it fascinating to dive into. I also envy the creator the time and budget to collect such an extensive range of … Continue reading Science Fiction and Other Suspect Ruminations — a recommend blog

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Review, Science Fiction, Books

The Naked Sun — some thoughts

My Isaac Asimov reread continues with the sequel to Caves of Steel — The Naked Sun. We return to the covered city of Earth long enough for our hero, Elijah Baley, to be given a new assignment — investigate a murder on a Spacer World! What’s the story of The Naked Sun? Here’s a blurb from the version I just finished: On the planet of Solaria, … Continue reading The Naked Sun — some thoughts

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Fission 3 (BSFA)
Articles, Books, Science Fiction

Fission #3 — a great collection of short stories

If you’re in the mood for some short science fiction stories, why not pick up a copy of Fission #3? It’s published by the British Science Fiction Association (BSFA). Here’s the back cover: Welcome to the BSFA’s Fission #3 — an anthology of 21 genre-bending science fiction stories that range from the quirky, to the philosophical, to the comic. Cunning AI? Giant possums? God in … Continue reading Fission #3 — a great collection of short stories

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Quests from the Infinite Staircase
Books, Games, News, Science Fiction

Quests from the Infinite Staircase explained

Wizards of the Coast has given us a detailed look at what’s coming up later this year with Quests from the Infinite Staircase. With D&D hitting50 this year, the company is ‘revisiting’ old classics and bringing them up to date for 5e / (presumably) this year’s update. I am looking to get this (digitally) as I missed all these adventures in my ‘gap years’ when … Continue reading Quests from the Infinite Staircase explained

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Pathfinder Humble Bundle March 24
Books, Games

Pathfinder Guns of Alkenstar Humble Bundle

Paizo has dropped a new Pathfinder Humble Bundle themed around Guns of Alkenstar. You can read their take on it here, or just go grab it. I’m in two minds, as I’ll explain. What’s Guns of Alkenstar? You get (depending on what you pay) a three volume PDF adventure path, and it centres on the use of guns, and steampunk in general, something I’m averse … Continue reading Pathfinder Guns of Alkenstar Humble Bundle

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The Caves of Steel
Review, Science Fiction, Books

The Caves of Steel — some thoughts

I first read Asimov’s 1954 novel The Caves of Steel in the ’70s. Published not long after Second Foundation, on the surface it’s a very different story. I may have re-read at some point, reading now I was immediately struck by how developed Asimov’s writing style had become. Yes, it’s punctuated with amusing ideas on calculating machines and references to pipe-smoking, but that aside there’s … Continue reading The Caves of Steel — some thoughts

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The Ministry of Time Kaliane Bradley
Books, News, Science Fiction, TV

The Ministry of Time coming to the BBC

The BBC has announced it is to adapt Kaliane Bradley’s debut novel The Ministry of Time. Alice Birch (Normal People, The End We Start From, Dead Ringers) is adapting the six-part series. Remarkably, this debut novel has yet to be published, but you can pre-order. Here’s the synopsis: The Ministry of Time, a newly established government department, is gathering ‘expats’ from across history in an … Continue reading The Ministry of Time coming to the BBC

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Broadcast TV 7 seasons
Books, TV

The seven season guillotine for broadcast TV shows

I found an interesting piece on Deadline discussing the reasons why so many shows on broadcast (aka linear) TV get cancelled after seven seasons. While it’s mostly the obvious rising cost vs diminishing audience economics, this article (Seven-Year Cancellation Itch: Why ‘Good Doctor’, ‘Station 19’ & Other Broadcast Series Are Ending After 7 Seasons) is worth a read. It’s a contrast to the stark world … Continue reading The seven season guillotine for broadcast TV shows

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Shōgun
Books, Drama, Historical, News, TV

Shōgun — trailer and date for new adaptation of the James Clavell novel

Disney has revealed a trailer and date for new 10 episode limited series Shōgun. Based on the bestselling James Clavell novel, it was previously adapted in 1980, starring Richard Chamberlain. The series premieres in February 2024. From the press release: The 10-episode limited series is set in Japan in the year 1600, at the dawn of a century-defining civil war. Producer Hiroyuki Sanada stars as … Continue reading Shōgun — trailer and date for new adaptation of the James Clavell novel

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Empyrean series
Books, News, Romance, Science Fiction, TV

Empyrean series being developed by Amazon MGM Studios

Deadline reports Amazon MGM Studios have taken the rights to the bestselling adult romantic fantasy series Empyrean by Rebecca Yarros. Depending on success, they may then develop the yet to be released second novel, Iron Flame. From the Rebecca Yaros website (I’ve never heard of her before today) I learn she is a best-selling author of many novels. As to Empyrean, the summary for Fourth … Continue reading Empyrean series being developed by Amazon MGM Studios

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The Day of the Triffids
Articles, Books, Science Fiction

Is The Day of the Triffids science fiction? #weisf

British science fiction of the ’50s (though he also wrote into the ’60s) was dominated by few names, including John Wyndham, Arthur C Clarke, Brian Aldiss, Fred Hoyle, John Christopher and others. It’s debatable as to who had more influence (at the time), but it’s certain Wyndham had strong brand recognition. Everyone who had access to TV had seen Quatermass, and the idea of walking … Continue reading Is The Day of the Triffids science fiction? #weisf

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