Once again, reading too much at once.
I had ordered Tobias Bucknell's Sly Mongoose through ILLwhen I first read about it - shortly after it came out. Being so new, most places wouldn't lend it. So I began something else in the meantime - Lincoln's Melancholy (see mention here). I'm enjoying it. I don't read too much non-fiction that isn't anthropology, archaeology, or mandated for class. This is something very different - historical psychology of sorts. I'm only up to 1841 and one of Lincoln's great breakdowns and crazy moments. He jumped out a window.
A couple days ago Sly Mongoose came in. So I started it. The loan period on it isn't v. long, and I doubt they'll grant a renewal since it is from their new books shelf. Not sure what I think thus far. It's heavy sci-fi spec - he's making up new planets, species, words - the whole deal. Thus far a guy fell from space, a city in the sky is near poverty, and a dude is dead. Too early to tell.
It is still interesting how our societies idea of spec fic has changed. The sci-fi that caught me on to the genre was the classic Asimov-type stuff of the 1950s and 60s. Most of the scenarios were utopias, or utopias crumbling. Or they were hopeful - in the future all is equal and cars fly. I still gravitate twds that type now and then. Sometimes you need optimism and flying cars.
Already in Sly Mongoose it is aparent that the future is not happy alien friendships. There's been invasion, denial of aliens, death, and poverty. And I'm less than 50 pages in. But that's good sci-fi, too. What WILL the future be like? Why will we leave this planet for another, and who among us will leave? It's naive to think that aliens species we encounter will be friendly. It's good to really think, "What's possible?"
So I'm reading about the past and future - all while trying to forget the present.
Also, have fallen in love with the illustrations of Laurel Long. Picked up The Magic Nesting Doll because of the pretty cover. Now have another by her and one on the way. Her style is elegant with a Russian feel to it. Image search for her on google
