SF Bookclub

 Jo Walton and Ada Palmer are experts in the field of science fiction and fantasy. Both have been nominated for multiple awards and both lean into the academic side of writing as well as the practice. Trace Elements explains history of SF, the role of publishers, and why so many SF novels were capped at around 80,000 words. This book is fascinating for anyone who likes to read SF as well as anyone who is interested in popular fiction or genre fiction as some of the same forces shaped those books as well. At 368 pages, this is not an exhaustive history of all things sf, but it provides enough context to enhance any fan's enjoyment of works published as SF.  What we think of as Science Fiction began to be published in the United States in the 1920s in pulp magazines, and books soon followed. Walton and Palmer call this "Imprint Science Fiction" to distinguish it from other genres, including dystopia written by authors of other genres (such as Atwood's Handmaid's Ta...

 Green City Wars is the story of Scotch, a genetically engineered racoon who has left the corporation that made him so he can go freelance as an investigator,. The story has a noir feel, but Scotch is more Jim Rockford than Sam Spade. The twists, turns, shifting alliances and double crosses are on par with _The Sting_. Along the way, we meet a saint, a technology adept turtle, a vengeful possum, and a pigeon who craves stories, Green City Wars doesn't take itself too seriously; it is a lot of fun to read. I loved this book and would read a sequel if Tchaikovsky wrote one.