What are you reading in 2025?

[jian]

I really dislike the speed of the transition, and the way humans turn out to be so damn special. Being human myself, I don’t mind if we turn out to be special in some way, but outstripping well-established spacefaring races in a matter of a couple of centuries just rubs me the wrong way. Plucky old humanity, my left buttcheek.

I much prefer the Pliocene exile books, where these problems are less evident. At least until Magneto shows up, doesn’t do much, and then is conquered by the power of wuv (retch).

Yeah, that’s all fair. The idea that humans are more talented at powers is, of course, highlighted in the Pliocene saga in the first place, though that is used against them to some degree by the Tanu.

In RPG terms it’s a little refreshing that humans get +1 psychic power rather than being adaptable or flexible or something.

 

[Pale Violet Light]

In RPG terms it’s a little refreshing that humans get +1 psychic power rather than being adaptable or flexible or something

That’s true - better than some kind of space elf, I guess. But the DM seems to have houseruled that a +7 to psychic power is more appropriate for humans, and it kind of throws the game balance out of whack. The DM’s boyfriend’s character is mind-controlling chumps left and right, while my Simbiari rogue is not only barely psychic, but he’s constantly dripping slime everywhere, which makes stealth an absolute nightmare.

 

[John Lloyd1]

I really dislike the speed of the transition, and the way humans turn out to be so damn special. Being human myself, I don’t mind if we turn out to be special in some way, but outstripping well-established spacefaring races in a couple of centuries just rubs me the wrong way. Plucky old humanity, my left buttcheek.

I much prefer the Pliocene exile books, where these problems are less evident. At least until Magneto shows up, doesn’t do much, and then is conquered by the power of wuv (retch).

I got the impression that intermixing between humans and tanu was how 'modern' humans gained such powers. Very circular in a time travel sort of way that doesn't hold up to close examination.

 

[Pale Violet Light]

I got the impression that intermixing between humans and tanu was how 'modern' humans gained such powers. Very circular in a time travel sort of way that doesn't hold up to close examination.

Yes, there’s definitely some “becoming your own grandpa” going on there. The poor Australopithecus left by the sidelines again, replaced by space-elves and telephone sanitizers.

 

[Thomas Shey]

I got the impression that intermixing between humans and tanu was how 'modern' humans gained such powers. Very circular in a time travel sort of way that doesn't hold up to close examination.

Once you have time travel that isn't blocked off in some fashion, that sort of thing in kind is intrinsic to the beast.

 

[Retros_x]

I started with The Worm And Its Kings, a novella set in 1990 New York. The main character is a young trans woman whose lover has gone missing. Her efforts to find her lead her to the original history of the world and a cult interested in undoing the world as it is now. It has two sequels, also novellas. They’re quick but intense reads that introduce a lot of Piper’s recurring motifs. I think it’s a good place for others to start.

This made me curious, but its hard to get! I just ordered a used copy from a seller who seems a bit shady (world of books, I heard books often don't arrive, refunds are problematic and pricing is a bit random), hopefully it will arrive. It seems like a perfekt spooky "in-between" book.

 

[SkidAce]

This made me curious, but its hard to get! I just ordered a used copy from a seller who seems a bit shady (world of books, I heard books often don't arrive, refunds are problematic and pricing is a bit random), hopefully it will arrive. It seems like a perfekt spooky "in-between" book.

If that place doesn't work, it is available to order from B&N.

 

[Reynard]

I am almost done with The Lost City of Z and will need a new book soon. I feel like digging into the modern corporate world (nonfiction; also not celebratory). Any suggestions on a book that is a window in to how corporations took over?

 

[Autumnal]

This is really good:

The Anarchy: The Relentless Rise of the East India Company - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

So is this:

The Age of Capital: 1848–1875 - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

That’s actually the second of what became four books in a series. I recommend them all - Hobsbawm wrote in an engaging style and provided a great model on how to be careful with the evidence and scrupulously honest while also having passionate opinions. But this is the crucial volume for your question, I think.