Pictured above, the January sci-fi releases I’ve got to get around to checking out…whenever the dust settles on this Stargate writers room. I’m intrigued by some, somewhat dubious about others, but am prepared to be pleasantly surprised. And, above all else, entertained. For you readers of sci-fi, have you heard anything about the above-pictured books? Or are there any January releases not pictured I should put on my to-read list?
Friday, departure day, fast approaches. We’re catching a 10 am flight out of Toronto (which means we should be at the airport for around 7 am. Brutal.) and should arrive in Los Angeles for around 12:30 p.m. local time. Sharky has proven a marvelous traveler on these 1 hour flights to and from Montreal. Let’s hope he is equally good on a five and a half hour flight.
By the time we get to our hotel, it’ll probably be 1:30 p.m. We’ll spend one night at the hotel and then move into our place the following day, which gives us the better part of three days (since Monday is a holiday) to get settled in and scope out the neighborhood.
But before then, we need to pack! How many pairs of socks and underwears? How many suits? How many dress shits and t-shirts? How much emergency chocolate?
What am I forgetting?
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TBH, I’ve been so busy with rewriting our trail guide book that I haven’t had time to read or even consider reading anything else. I’m looking forward to hearing your thoughts on these though for future reference!
I’ve become much more of a light packer in my later years – hate carrying big suitcases. I’d take two changes of everything, so three of everything (other than socks and underwear, which would be a few more) and rotate through them. I mean I can fit a ten day trip in a small day pack and a carry on! I’m assuming you mean dress SHIRTS there, LOL!
You need to take all the chocolate. You can bet I’m hitting SOMA when I’m up there four weeks from now!
I have ‘Shroud’ and ‘Vivian Dies Again’ on my shopping list, and added ‘A Hole in the Sky’ after seeing it on your list. Some of these title are 6 months away from being released here in Australia, so have to wait a while yet. Though ‘Rose/House’ was released back in 2023, still sitting on my TBR shelf… I have such a massive backlog of sci-fi reads to catch up on, a problem I love to have. But it means they are no longer new releases by the time I pick them up.
While you’re in LA, please email or DM to me a physical address (writer’s room, perhaps?). I want to have The Fudge Shoppe of NJ, my lifetime confectionery, send emergency chocolate.
Well, good luck with the dog. Five hour is something. (let’s be honest, It’s gonna be 6 hours)
Pack extra power cords. We’ve all learned that the hard way.
Very excited for all of you!
A Hole in the Sky seems to be a re-release from 2021, aimed at the Young Adult market, and not one of Hamilton’s best. Hearthspace I’m reading now, a little meh for Stephen Baxter. Reynolds and Tchaikosvky are always inventive and engaging, so Halcyon Days and Shroud should be excellent. I’d be tempted to stretch the timescale and add Claire North’s Slow Gods from late 2025, great writer.
Thanks for your input! I love Claire North’s work. The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August is one of my favorites.
Before you leave LA, be sure to go to Ikea and get several of their Knalla bags. That way, you can put smushables in it and bring back lots of Trader Joe’s goodies in protected cases. We always take one, even if we’re just doing carryon, in case we decide to bring something home. I know this is several month premature, but it never hurts to think ahead.
bon voyage!
Oooo blimey over 5 hours… how will you and Akemi cope too 😳 hope your suits are wrinkle-free…
I don’t envy your transfer over to L.A. But what fun once you are there! When you get time, you’ll have to take Sharky by to see his old rescuers. I wonder if he would remember them. And take LOTS of chocolate. 🙂