I recently read a fascinating little book called Simulacron-3. It's a sci-fi from the sixties, and it's kind of the first major work of fiction to explore the idea of simulated worlds. Downstream from it are all of our more modern things like Tron, The Matrix, Ready Player One, Snow Crash, and so on. And... Continue Reading →
If you like realistic hard sci-fi, (and can put up with a lot of cursing,) then you should definitely check out Andy Weir's novel The Martian. (Yes, I totally planned this to coincide with the Project Hail Mary movie. Totally...) Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on... Continue Reading →
I listened to Frankenstein on audiobook recently, as part of my dive into transhumanism for Simulacrum research, and it hit me suddenly one afternoon at work. Frankenstein is really kind of the first dystopian sci fi novel. It's the first story in which misguided science/technology produces something evil that must be defeated. Later, more obvious... Continue Reading →
I usually try to keep it positive on here - being a thermostat and not a thermometer, recommending good stuff instead of ripping into bad stuff. (Or at least recommending more than I rip. I'll admit I have fun ripping.) But, I often find myself in the position of standing in a bookshop, trying to... Continue Reading →
DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVE NOT FINISHED THE LATEST STORMLIGHT ARCHIVE BOOK!!!! THERE WILL BE SPOILERS!!! I've noticed something curious about two of Brandon Sanderson's series. Both Mistborn and The Stormlight Archives (SPOILER ALERT) end with characters ascending to godhood. In Mistborn, it's Vin and Sazed. In The Stormlight Archives, it's Dalinar and Taravangian.... Continue Reading →
I read Ivanhoe two summers ago as part of a binge through British literature – that is, literature written by actual Brits, and literature about the Brits written by others. My literature course for the school year took a plunge into the Kings of Britain and the legends of Arthur, so I thought it... Continue Reading →
Good afternoon, everyone, just dropping in with another quick article to share. I tell you, the Gospel Coalition has had some good stuff on entertainment recently, and if anything, this post is a reminder as to why it's so important to research books, especially before spending money on them. You can't just pick up anything... Continue Reading →
The perfect man is blond, immature, and likes sparkly unicorns. The perfect man is dark, broody, and has skeletons in his closet. The perfect man defies authority, drives a fast car, and is loose with the ladies. Any of these messages sound familiar? They're inserted into a lot of popular fiction these days. It's pretty... Continue Reading →
I've heard the opinion in the Christian world that reading speculative fiction (eg fantasy, sci-fi, steampunk) is a waste of time. It's been called 'escapist.' I've already gone over the topic of escapism before, but I'd like to reiterate that something is only an escape when someone makes it into that. Fantasy isn't inherently escapist... Continue Reading →
I know many of my current subscribers are teens or young adults. You probably love writing, or at least reading, given that you put up with the highly-specific material I publish. Maybe you too grew up reading ravenously and can point to the books that marked your childhood -- the Chronicles of Narnia, 100 Cupboards,... Continue Reading →
