Brian

The bright sword : a novel of King Arthur

by Lev Grossman

SCIENCE FICTION Grossman Lev
Fantasy, Historical Fiction

"Collum, a brilliantly gifted young knight from the provinces, arrives at Camelot two weeks after the Battle of Camlann, hoping to compete for a spot on the Round Table. But he finds the city empty, King Arthur dead, and the Table destroyed. The remaining six knights aren't the mighty heroes, the legends, like Lancelot and Gawain and Tristram and Galahad. These are the survivors, a grab-bag of minor oddball knights from the margins--Sir Palomides, the Saracen Knight; Sir Bedivere, Arthur's one-handed longtime companion; Sir Dagonet, Arthur's fool, knighted as a joke; Sir Dinadan, a cutting wit who's hiding a deep secret. Arthur's death has exposed the splinters of his kingdom, and a void has opened in the heart of Britain. As power-hungry lords from the north descend on Camelot to seize control of the land, Collum is thrust into the front lines. Here lies the battlefield between pagans and Christians, fantasy and empire, power and destiny. Monsters and fairies are reawakening, the moral center is gone, and the fragile alliances that held Britain together are breaking. It is up to the surviving knights, the rebellious sorceress Nimue, and young Collum to avenge Arthur's murder and save Camelot. Can they re-build the Table and bring back the glory that was Camelot? Should they even try? The first major Arthurian epic of the new millennium, full of duels and quests, battles and tournaments, magic swords and Fisher Kings, The Bright Sword is a story about power and hope, and the struggle for the soul of England between the new Christian God and the old gods of fairy. But most of all it's a story about flawed men and women full of strength and pain who are looking for a way to reforge a broken land, in spite of being broken themselves"--

I'm a huge fan of Grossman's "Magicians" trilogy, so I was very excited to dive into his new novel. It did not disappoint at all, and it's easily my favorite book of the year. It reimagines Arthurian legend and gives it great emotional heft. It follows the "leftover" knights after Arthur has fallen and fills in their backstories, while bringing a new knight, Collum, into the fold. I highly recommend to readers who enjoy Arthurian legend and those who know nothing about it all. -Brian

Godzilla minus one

by

DVD MOVIE SF/HORROR Godzillz

A disgraced kamikaze pilot returns to his obliterated house after witnessing an unbelievable attack on Odo Island. Rebuilding his home and life out of the detritus of the city, he takes in a displaced baby and the woman who found her, creating a family that gives him the courage to bring his neighbors together to fight when the monster returns to Japan while the citizens are already at their lowest point.

What works so well about Gozilla Minus One is that the creators understand that you have to care about the human characters in monster movies. They pull it off in spades too with an incredibly affecting story about grief, guilt, and found family. Also, the special effects are amazing, and they're even more impressive when you learn that the team that made it was tiny. -Brian

The republic of thieves

by Scott Lynch

SCIENCE FICTION Lynch Scott
Fantasy

With the greatest heist of their career gone spectacularly sour, con artist extraordinaire Locke Lamora and his trusted partner, Jean, have barely escaped with their lives. Or at least Jean has. Locke is slowly succumbing to a lethal poison that no alchemist can cure. With the end nearing, Locke’s only hope is to accept a mysterious Bondsmage’s offer: act as a political pawn in the Magi elections, and in exchange be healed. But the lifesaving sorcery promises to rival even the most excruciating death, and Locke refuses. Until the Bondsmage invokes the name of Sabetha, the love of Locke’s life, his equal in skill and wit . . . and now his greatest rival. From his first glimpse of Sabetha as a fellow orphan and thief-in-training, Locke was smitten. But after a tumultuous courtship, she broke away. Now they will reunite in another clash of wills. Faced with his only equal in both love and trickery, Locke must choose whether to fight Sabetha—or woo her. It is a decision on which both of their lives may depend.

Sabetha--the character teased in the first and second book--finally appears. I repeat--SABETHA!!! And she was more than worth the wait. Now I'm caught up with the series and have to wait like a chump for the next installment (if it ever comes out.) -Brian

The saint of bright doors

by Vajra Chandrasekera

SCIENCE FICTION Chandras Vajra
Fantasy

"The Saint of Bright Doors sets the high drama of divine revolutionaries and transcendent cults against the mundane struggles of modern life, resulting in a novel that is revelatory and resonant. Fetter was raised to kill, honed as a knife to cut down his sainted father. This gave him plenty to talk about in therapy. He walked among invisible powers: devils and anti-gods that mock the mortal form. He learned a lethal catechism, lost his shadow, and gained a habit for secrecy. After a blood-soaked childhood, Fetter escaped his rural hometown for the big city, and fell into a broader world where divine destinies are a dime a dozen. Everything in Luriat is more than it seems. Group therapy is recruitment for a revolutionary cadre. Junk email hints at the arrival of a god. Every door is laden with potential, and once closed may never open again. The city is scattered with Bright Doors, looming portals through which a cold wind blows. In this unknowable metropolis, Fetter will discover what kind of man he is, and his discovery will rewrite the world"--

This book is incredibly hard to describe--it's fantasy, but grounded, also, paradoxical, wildly dreamlike? It's hard to know what's "true" in the book. At first, characters seem dishonest and manipulative, but maybe there's reality in what they're telling us. It's an amazing book, and I do it disservice in trying to tell you about it. I highly recommend it. -Brian

Ultimate Spider-Man

by Jonathan Hickman

COMIC Spider-Man Ultimate 2024
Graphic Novels

"After the events of ULTIMATE INVASION, the world needs a hero. Step forward, Peter Parker! But this is an older, wiser web-slinger -- one who balances his costumed duties with his responsibilities as a husband and a father. That's right, Peter and Mary Jane are married with kids! The stakes have never been higher -- and as Spider-Man faces his first super villain, J. Jonah Jameson's quest to uncover who's really pulling the strings of this new Ultimate Universe leads to a shocking revelation! Plus, New York City welcomes its newest hero...the Green Goblin! But who's behind the mask? And what does the Goblin know of the true status of the world in which he lives?" -- Back cover of Volume 1.

I'm really enjoying this new iteration of Ultimate Spider-man. Peter as an adult, married with kids, figuring out how to be a superhero? Great stuff! Also, the Green Goblin being his pal is a fantastic twist on their dynamic. Make sure you read "Ultimate Invasion" first for all the set-up. -Brian

The boy and the heron

by

DVD MOVIE SF/HORROR Boy

A young boy named Mahito yearning for his mother ventures into a world shared by the living and the dead. There, death comes to an end, and life finds a new beginning. A semi-autobiographical fantasy about life, death, and creation, in tribute to friendship, from the mind of Hayao Miyazaki.

Another delightful and delightfully weird new classic from Miyazaki! -Brian

Kingdom of the planet of the apes

by

DVD MOVIE SF/HORROR Kingdom

Generations in the future following Caesar's reign, apes are living harmoniously as the dominant species -- and humans are living in the shadows. As a new tyrannical ape leader builds his empire, one young ape undertakes a harrowing journey that will cause him to question the past and make choices that will define a future for apes and humans alike.

I absolutely love the modern reboot trilogy of Planet of the Apes movies that began with "Rise of the Planet of the Apes." It was one of those rare trilogies where the entries kept getting better. I was intrigued when they announced another sequel. "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" takes place generations after the events of the previous three movies, and it's just as good: It features amazing special effects and a heartfelt story. I really hope they make more! -Brian

Furiosa : a Mad Max saga

by

DVD MOVIE SF/HORROR Furiosa

"As the world falls, young Furiosa is snatched from the Green Place of Many Mothers and falls into the hands of a great Biker Horde led by the Warlord Dementus. Sweeping through the Wasteland, they come across the Citadel presided over by The Immortan Joe. While the two Tyrants war for dominance, Furiosa must survive many trials as she puts together the means to find her way home."--

A prequel to possibly the best Sci-Fi Action movie of all time, "Furiosa" is a bloodthirsty masterpiece in itself, while giving its sequel, "Fury Road," greater depth in the process. -Brian

Chain-gang all-stars

by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

FICTION Adjei-Brenyah, Nana
Black Lives Matter, Dystopian

"The explosive, hotly-anticipated debut novel from the New York Times-bestselling author of Friday Black, about two top women gladiators fighting for their freedom within a depraved private prison system not so far-removed from America's own. Loretta Thurwar and Hamara "Hurricane Staxxx" Stacker are the stars of Chain-Gang All-Stars, the cornerstone of CAPE, or Criminal Action Penal Entertainment, a highly-popular, highly-controversial, profit-raising program in America's increasingly dominant private prison industry. It's the return of the gladiators and prisoners are competing for the ultimate prize: their freedom. In CAPE, prisoners travel as Links in Chain-Gangs, competing in death-matches for packed arenas with righteous protestors at the gates. Thurwar and Staxxx, both teammates and lovers, are the fan favorites. And if all goes well, Thurwar will be free in just a few matches, a fact she carries as heavily as her lethal hammer. As she prepares to leave her fellow Links, she considers how she might help preserve their humanity, in defiance of these so-called games, but CAPE's corporate owners will stop at nothing to protect their status quo and the obstacles they lay in Thurwar's path have devastating consequences. Moving from the Links in the field to the protestors to the CAPE employees and beyond, Chain-Gang All-Stars is a kaleidoscopic, excoriating look at the American prison system's unholy alliance of systemic racism, unchecked capitalism, and mass incarceration, and a clear-eyed reckoning with what freedom in this country really means from a "new and necessary American voice" (Tommy Orange, New York Times Book Review)"--

This is the best book I've read all year. It's often brutal and hard to read, but it's an important piece of fiction that's backed-up by a lot of research. -Brian

Assassin's creed. Mirage

by

VIDEO GAME PlayStation 5 Assassin's

"Become the ultimate assassin. Stealthily take down targets with visceral assassinations; uncover the secrets of ninth-century Baghdad; discover a tightly crafted coming-of-age story"--Container.

This throwback to AC games of old had me hooked again--part history lesson, part sneaking simulator, and 100% good time--I loved Mirage. -Brian

Ancillary mercy

by Ann Leckie

SCIENCE FICTION Leckie Ann
Science Fiction

For a moment, things seemed to be under control for Breq, the soldier who used to be a warship. Then a search of Athoek Station's slums turns up someone who shouldn't exist and a messenger from the mysterious Presger empire arrives, as does Breq's old enemy, the divided, heavily armed, and possibly insane Anaander Mianaai—ruler of an empire at war with itself...

This is an amazing end to the science fiction trilogy that is a new classic. I highly recommend it to all sci-fi readers! -Brian

The future : a novel

by Naomi Alderman

FICTION Alderman Naomi
Science Fiction

"The bestselling, award-winning author of The Power delivers a dazzling tour de force where a handful of friends plot a daring heist to save the world from the tech giants whose greed threatens life as we know it. When Martha Einkorn fled her father's isolated compound in Oregon, she never expected to find herself working for a powerful social media mogul hell-bent on controlling everything. Now, she's surrounded by mega-rich companies designing private weather, predictive analytics, and covert weaponry, while spouting technological prophecy. Martha may have left the cult, but if the apocalyptic warnings in her father's fox and rabbit sermon--once a parable to her--are starting to come true, how much future is actually left? Across the world, in a mall in Singapore, Lai Zhen, an internet-famous survivalist, flees from an assassin. She's cornered, desperate and--worst of all--might die without ever knowing what's going on. Suddenly, a remarkable piece of software appears on her phone telling her exactly how to escape. Who made it? What is it really for? And if those behind it can save her from danger, what do they want from her, and what else do they know about the future? Martha and Zhen's worlds are about to collide. An explosive chain of events is set in motion. While a few billionaires assured of their own safety lead the world to destruction, Martha's relentless drive and Zhen's insatiable curiosity could lead to something beautiful or the cataclysmic end of civilization. By turns thrilling, hilarious, tender, and always piercingly brilliant, The Future unfolds at a breakneck speed, highlighting how power corrupts the few who have it and what it means to stand up to them. The future is coming. The Future is here."--provided by publisher.

What would you do if you knew the world was ending? That question is answered from multiple viewpoints in Alderman's fantastic near-future novel. It's a surprisingly hopeful novel, and one that I recommend to just about everyone. -Brian

Red seas under red skies

by Scott Lynch

SCIENCE FICTION Lynch, Scott
Fantasy

After a brutal battle with the underworld that nearly destroyed him, Locke Lamora and his trusted sidekick, Jean, fled the island city of their birth and landed on the exotic shores of Tal Verrar to nurse their wounds. But even at this westernmost edge of civilization, they can't rest for long---and they are soon back doing what they do best: stealing from the undeserving rich and pocketing the proceeds for themselves.

So, I've seen numerous people online say that this book is superior to "The Lies of Locke Lamora" in every way. I don't think I agree, but this is an extremely satisfying sequel. The midway switch up was fantastic as well--another con-caper? How about full-blown pirate adventure! A very fun and clever book. -Brian

Cibola burn

by James S. A Corey

SCIENCE FICTION Corey James
Science Fiction

"The gates have opened the way to thousands of habitable planets, and the land rush has begun. Settlers stream out from humanity's home planets in a vast, poorly controlled flood, landing on a new world. Among them, the Rocinante, haunted by the vast, posthuman network of the protomolecule as they investigate what destroyed the great intergalactic society that built the gates and the protomolecule. But Holden and his crew must also contend with the growing tensions between the settlers and the company which owns the official claim to the planet. Both sides will stop at nothing to defend what's theirs, but soon a terrible disease strikes and only Holden - with help from the ghostly Detective Miller - can find the cure"--

I'm officially at the halfway point of this fan favorite series. It still entertains, and I'm always impressed by the scope of the story. If I had to criticize one thing--it's odd how one dude, James Holden, is at the center of so many important things to happen to humanity. Maybe it gets addressed later in the series? Also, the authors love the phrases "a darker darkness" and "companionable silence." -Brian

Batman/Superman, world's finest

by Mark Waid

COMIC Batman Superman 2022
Graphic Novels

"In the not-too-distant past, Superman's powers are super-charged from a devastating chemical attack by the villain Metallo...and the only ally that the ultra-powerful Man of Tomorrow can turn to in this turbulent hour is Gotham's own dark vengeance: dynamic duo: Batman and Robin! A nearly fatal burst of power drives Bruce Wayne to his own extreme measures to help his friend...enlisting none other than the Doom Patrol for aid."-- Back cover of Volume 1.

After Ultimate Invasion got me excited about comics again, I picked up Volume One of "Batman/Superman, World's Finest." Mark Waid is one of my favorite comic book writers, and, in this title, he creates a Silver-Age world with a modern sensibility. It's just fun. Dan Mora does an amazing job with the art. This is a title that I can easily recommend to any comic book fan. -Brian

Ultimate invasion

by Jonathan Hickman

COMIC Ultimate 2023
Graphic Novels

The Illuminati must gather once again to stop the Maker! One of the last survivors of the original Ultimate Universe, the Maker plans to ensure that Earth's Mightiest Heroes never become heroes at all - and then he can reshape a defenseless universe into exactly what he wants it to be! Timelines and dimensions collide - and at the end of it all, the world outside your window will be forever changed! But how does Miles Morales factor into the Maker's plans?

Before reading this, I'd been on a break from reading comic books for roughly a year and a half. It was for no real reason other than there not being anything that caught my interest. Ultimate Invasion definitely caught my interest. Short version--an alternative version of Reed Richards--Mister Fantastic--calling himself "The Maker" escapes from the regular Marvel Universe into a different one and stops a wide variety of superheroes from gaining their powers. He then controls that world--with the help of other super powered folk--until the past and future catch up with him. This volume is wild--incredible world building and art--and it got me very excited for this new Ultimate Universe. -Brian

Chess from beginner to winner! : master the game from the opening move to checkmate

by Kévin Bordi

794.12 /Bordi
Nonfiction

Chess streaming sensation Kevin Bordi and FIDE master Samy Robin introduce you to a world of fun and excitement. Drawing on their experiences and unique playing style, they demystify the rules of the games, arm you with winning tactics and propel you towards success.

I really enjoy playing chess with my son, but, honestly, I only know the basics. I picked up this book to help me improve and expand my understanding of the game. The book has a nice, attractive design and everything is laid out and easy to understand. -Brian

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Mutant mayhem

by

BLU-RAY Teenage

After years of being sheltered from the human world, the Turtle brothers work to earn the love of New York City while facing down an army of mutants.

So, after watching this movie for the third time the other night, I decided that I should do a "Staff Picks" entry for it. Is it the best TMNT movie ever? Easily, and I grew up absolutely loving the 90s live-action versions. This movie has humor and heart in spades. The animation style is rough, chaotic, and perfect for the material. For me, this ranks up with the best of animated movies. -Brian

Every heart a doorway

by Seanan McGuire

SCIENCE FICTION Mcguire Seanan
Fantasy

Eleanor West's Home for Wayward Children No Solicitations No Visitors No Quests Children have always disappeared under the right conditions; slipping through the shadows under a bed or at the back of a wardrobe, tumbling down rabbit holes and into old wells, and emerging somewhere... else. But magical lands have little need for used-up miracle children. Nancy tumbled once, but now she's back. The things she's experienced... they change a person. The children under Miss West's care understand all too well. And each of them is seeking a way back to their own fantasy world. But Nancy's arrival marks a change at the Home. There's a darkness just around each corner, and when tragedy strikes, it's up to Nancy and her new-found schoolmates to get to the heart of things. No matter the cost.

Join us for ICPL's Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book Club! We will meet via Zoom to discuss "Every Heart a Doorway" by Seanan McGuire. Feel free to join us, whether or not you've finished the book! Register here to reserve your spot for the discussion. Our video chat will take place via Zoom, and you’ll receive an email with login details before the meeting: https://www.icpl.org/events/53543/sci-fifantasy-book-club-every-heart-doorway-seanan-mcguire -Brian

The lies of Locke Lamora

by Scott Lynch

SCIENCE FICTION Lynch, Scott
Fantasy

An orphan’s life is harsh—and often short—in the mysterious island city of Camorr. But young Locke Lamora dodges relentless danger, becoming a thief under the tutelage of a gifted con artist. As leader of the band of light-fingered brothers known as the Gentlemen Bastards, Locke is soon infamous, fooling even the underworld’s most feared ruler. But in the shadows lurks someone still more ambitious and deadly. Faced with a bloody coup that threatens to destroy everyone and everything that holds meaning in his mercenary life, Locke vows to beat the enemy at his own brutal game—or die trying.

Here's another book that has been on my TBR pile for literal years, and there's a good reason for that: It's amazing, but it's also a part of painful trinity of fantasy authors who haven't (and may never) deliver the rest of their series (the other members of this group are Patrick Rothfuss and George R. R. Martin.) Scott Lynch's "The Lies of Locke Lamora" begins his Gentleman Bastard series. Think of it as Ocean's 11 set in a fantasy world. If that sounds interesting, then you'll love this. Just know what you're getting yourself into--a story that may never have an ending! -Brian

System collapse

by Martha Wells

SCIENCE FICTION Wells Martha
Science Fiction

"Everyone's favorite lethal SecUnit is back in the next installment in Martha Wells's New York Times bestselling Murderbot Diaries series. Am I making it worse? I think I'm making it worse. Following the events in Network Effect, the Barish-Estranza corporation has sent rescue ships to a newly-colonized planet in peril, as well as additional SecUnits. But if there's an ethical corporation out there, Murderbot has yet to find it, and if Barish-Estranza can't have the planet, they're sure as hell not leaving without something. If that something just happens to be an entire colony of humans, well, a free workforce is a decent runner-up prize. But there's something wrong with Murderbot; it isn't running within normal operational parameters. ART's crew and the humans from Preservation are doing everything they can to protect the colonists, but with Barish-Estranza's SecUnit-heavy persuasion teams, they're going to have to hope Murderbot figures out what's wrong with itself, and fast! Yeah, this plan is... not going to work. The Murderbot Diaries All Systems Red Artificial Condition Rogue Protocol Exit Strategy Network Effect Fugitive Telemetry System Collapse"--

Murderbot is back and it feels so good! Wells never disappoints, and any time with my favorite, anti-social Security Unit is happy time for me. -Brian

Abaddon's Gate

by James S. A Corey

SCIENCE FICTION Corey James
Science Fiction

For generations, the solar system -- Mars, the Moon, the Asteroid Belt -- was humanity's great frontier. Until now. The alien artifact working through its program under the clouds of Venus has appeared in Uranus's orbit, where it has built a massive gate that leads to a starless dark. Jim Holden and the crew of the Rocinante are part of a vast flotilla of scientific and military ships going out to examine the artifact. But behind the scenes, a complex plot is unfolding, with the destruction of Holden at its core. As the emissaries of the human race try to find whether the gate is an opportunity or a threat, the greatest danger is the one they brought with them.

I'm continually impressed by the authors' ability to draw me in with new characters to this sprawling tale. It makes sense that this is a standout, fan favorite series! -Brian

The creator

by

BLU-RAY Creator

Amidst a future war between the human race and the forces of artificial intelligence, Joshua, a hardened ex-special forces agent grieving the disappearance of his wife, is recruited to hunt down and kill the Creator, the elusive architect of advanced AI who has developed a mysterious weapon with the power to end the war and mankind itself. Joshua and his team of elite operatives journey across enemy lines, into the dark heart of AI-occupied territory only to discover the world-ending weapon he's been instructed to destroy is an AI in the form of a young child.

I was very excited when I saw the first trailer for this, but the fair to middling reviews tempered my enthusiasm. I think I went in with just the right expectations, because I thoroughly enjoyed "The Creator." It is gorgeously designed and executed Sci-Fi film with fantastic performances throughout. I definitely recommend it if Sci-Fi is your jam. -Brian

Prey

by

BLU-RAY Prey

The epic Predator legacy continues with this action-thriller set in the Comanche Nation. When Naru, a fierce and highly skilled young warrior, sets out to protect her people, the prey she stalks turns out to be a highly evolved alien predator leading to a vicious and terrifying showdown.

I am a sucker for Sci-Fi action movies of the 80s including Predator. Prey is the perfect example of how to do a prequel--it's an awesome movie with inventive action and visuals that stands on its own, but also has cool callbacks and references to the original films. -Brian

The mountain in the sea

by Ray Nayler

SCIENCE FICTION Nayler Ray
Science Fiction

"Following a mysterious murder on an island off the coast of Vietnam, a research team convenes to study an octopus community that seems to be developing its own language and culture. Humans, AIs, and animals are swept up in the machinations of governments and corporations in this near-future thriller about the nature of intelligence"--

This is an incredibly intelligent slow burn, Sci-Fi thriller with interesting and complicated characters. It's going to stick with me for a long time, and I'm definitely going to read everything that Nayler writes in the future. -Brian

Ancillary sword

by Ann Leckie

SCIENCE FICTION Leckie Ann
Science Fiction

"What if you once had thousands of bodies and near god-like technology at your disposal? And what if all of it were ripped away? The Lord of the Radch has given Breq command of the ship Mercy of Kalr and sent her to the only place she would have agreed to go -- to Athoek Station, where Lieutenant Awn's sister works in Horticulture. Athoek was annexed some six hundred years ago, and by now everyone is fully civilized -- or should be. But everything is not as tranquil as it appears. Old divisions are still troublesome, Athoek Station's AI is unhappy with the situation, and it looks like the alien Presger might have taken an interest in what's going on. With no guarantees that interest is benevolent"--

Breq's story continues as she tries to make up for her sins the only way she knows how. The book also explores the destruction and assimilation of cultures during the creation of empires, and the personhood of AI. I'll say this again--I can't believe that I slept on these books for so long. If you are a Sci-Fi fan, this is a must read. -Brian

The scourge between stars

by Ness Brown

SCIENCE FICTION Brown Ness
Science Fiction

"A tense, claustrophobic sci-fi/horror blend set aboard a doomed generation ship harboring something terrible within its walls. As acting captain of the starship Calypso, Jacklyn Albright is responsible for keeping the last of humanity alive as they limp back to Earth from their forebears' failed colony on a distant planet. Faced with constant threats of starvation and destruction in the treacherous minefield of interstellar space, Jacklyn's crew has reached their breaking point. As unrest begins to spread throughout the ship's Wards, a new threat emerges, picking off crew members in grim, bloody fashion. Jacklyn and her team must hunt down the ship's unknown intruder if they have any hope of making it back to their solar system alive"--

Join is for our Sci-Fi/Fantasy Book Club discussion of this book on Thursday, September 14: https://www.icpl.org/events/49631/sci-fifantasy-book-club-scourge-between-stars-ness-brown -Brian

Lesser evil

by Timothy Zahn

SCIENCE FICTION Star Wars Thrawn
Science Fiction

"The fate of the Chiss Ascendancy hangs in the balance in the epic finale of the Star Wars: Thrawn Ascendancy trilogy from bestselling author Timothy Zahn. For thousands of years The Chiss Ascendancy has been an island of calm, a center of power, and a beacon of integrity. Led by the Nine Ruling Families, their leadership stands as a bulwark of stability against the Chaos of the Unknown Regions. But that stability has been eroded by a cunning foe that winnows away trust and loyalty in equal measure. Bonds of fidelity have given way to lines of division among the families. Despite the efforts of the Expansionary Defense Fleet, the Ascendancy slips closer and closer toward civil war. The Chiss are no strangers to war. Their mythic status in the Chaos was earned through conflict and terrible deeds, some long buried. Until now. To ensure the Ascendancy's future, Thrawn will delve deep into its past, uncovering the dark secrets surrounding the ascension of the First Ruling Family. But the truth of a family's legacy is only as strong as the legend that supports it. Even if that legend turns out to be a lie. To secure the salvation of the Ascendancy, is Thrawn willing to sacrifice everything? Including the only home he has ever known?"--

Goodness, do I love Thrawn! Just give me more Thrawn books, okay? I swear, if they mess him up in his live action debut in Ahsoka, I am going to be one sad panda! -Brian

Slow AF run club : the ultimate guide for anyone who wants to run

by Martinus Evans

796.42 /Evans
Nonfiction, Health

"Ten years ago, Martinus Evans got some stern advice from his doctor: "Lose weight or die." First defensive, but then defiant, Evans vowed that day to run a marathon, though his doctor thought he was crazy. Since then, Evans has run eight marathons and hundreds of other distances in his 300-something body, created his own devoted running community, and has been featured on the cover of Runner's World. This book is a blueprint for those who may not fit the image of a "traditional" runner-that is, someone who is larger in size, less athletic, out of shape, or dealing with any kind of health issue that slows them down-to feel empowered to lace up their shoes and embrace the body they have right now. As Evans says, the incredible benefits of running-better sleep, strong muscles and bones, better cardiovascular and mental health, and a sense of community-can and should be available to all of us. This practical handbook contains specialized advice to make getting started less intimidating, covering everything from gear and nutrition to training schedules, recovery tips, races (it's okay to come in DFL! [i.e., dead f*cking last]), and finding a running group. Full of essential advice and humor from a former newbie who fell off a treadmill on his first run (literally), The Slow AF Run Club is for anyone who wants to pick up running for the sheer joy of it"--

I'm a big guy. I've always been a big guy. I've also always enjoyed running--cycling is my exercise of choice, but running comes in close--but I'm not knowledgeable about HOW to run. I've just been freestyling this whole time. Evans is a kindred spirit--big dude who loves to run. He has great tips and attitude to spare. I recommend this to any non-traditional runners! -Brian

Witch king

by Martha Wells

SCIENCE FICTION Wells Martha
Fantasy

"After being murdered, his consciousness dormant and unaware of the passing of time while confined in an elaborate water trap, Kai wakes to find a lesser mage attempting to harness Kai's magic to his own advantage. That was never going to go well. But why was Kai imprisoned in the first place? What has changed in the world since his assassination? And why does the Rising World Coalition appear to be growing in influence? Kai will need to pull his allies close and draw on all his pain magic if he is to answer even the least of these questions. He's not going to like the answers"--

I picked this up because I'm a huge fan of Well's Murderbot Diaries. This is another display of her talent for world building and characters. There is a lot to keep track of, and, if you listen to the audiobook, try not to be overwhelmed by the cast of characters listed off at the beginning. -Brian

John Wick. Chapter 4

by

DVD MOVIE ACTION John

John Wick uncovers a path to defeating The High Table. But before he can earn his freedom, Wick must face off against a new enemy with powerful associations across the globe and forces that turn old friends into foes.

If you love Keanu Reeves shooting people, then this is the movie for you. Seriously, though, how do these keep getting better? Also, there's a sequence that would make Michelangelo proud. The ninja turtle, not the Italian sculptor. -Brian

How high we go in the dark : a novel

by Sequoia Nagamatsu

SCIENCE FICTION Nagamatsu, Sequoia
Science Fiction, Short Story

"For fans of Cloud Atlas and Station Eleven, a spellbinding and profoundly prescient debut that follows a cast of intricately linked characters over hundreds of years as humanity struggles to rebuild itself in the aftermath of a climate plague-a daring and deeply heartfelt work of mind-bending imagination from a singular new voice. Beginning in 2030, a grieving archeologist arrives in the Arctic Circle to continue the work of his recently deceased daughter at the Batagaika crater, where researchers are studying long-buried secrets now revealed in melting permafrost, including the perfectly preserved remains of a girl who appears to have died of an ancient virus. Once unleashed, the Arctic Plague will reshape life on earth for generations to come, quickly traversing the globe, forcing humanity to devise a myriad of moving and inventive ways to embrace possibility in the face of tragedy. In a theme park designed for terminally ill children, a cynical employee falls in love with a mother desperate to hold on to her infected son. A heartbroken scientist searching for a cure finds a second chance at fatherhood when one of his test subjects-a pig-develops the capacity for human speech. A widowed painter and her teenaged granddaughter embark on a cosmic quest to locate a new home planet. From funerary skyscrapers to hotels for the dead to interstellar starships, Sequoia Nagamatsu takes readers on a wildly original and compassionate journey, spanning continents, centuries, and even celestial bodies to tell a story about the resiliency of the human spirit, our infinite capacity to dream, and the connective threads that tie us all together in the universe"--

This is an amazing and devastating novel. I had to psych myself up each time to read it, because I would always end up sobbing. I'm glad I read it though. It's beautiful and cathartic. -Brian

Dungeons & dragons. Honor among thieves

by

DVD MOVIE SF/HORROR Dungeons

A charming thief and a band of unlikely adventurers undertake an epic heist to retrieve a lost relic, but things go dangerously awry when they run afoul of the wrong people in this hilarious and action-packed adventure.

Honor Among Thieves is funny, has a ton of heart, and it perfectly captures the thrill of a great D&D campaign. This was a surprising treat after the Dungeons and Dragons movie from the year 2000 was a dreary mess. -Brian

Caliban's war

by James S. A Corey

SCIENCE FICTION Corey James
Science Fiction

We are not alone. On Ganymede, breadbasket of the outer planets, a Martian marine watches as her platoon is slaughtered by a monstrous supersoldier. On Earth, a high-level politician struggles to prevent interplanetary war from reigniting. And on Venus, an alien protomolecule has overrun the planet, wreaking massive, mysterious changes and threatening to spread out into the solar system. In the vast wilderness of space, James Holden and the crew of the Rocinante have been keeping the peace for the Outer Planets Alliance. When they agree to help a scientist search war-torn Ganymede for a missing child, the future of humanity rests on whether a single ship can prevent an alien invasion that may have already begun . . .

I'm late to the party on continuing this series, but I highly recommend it to Sci-Fi fans. I absolutely love the characters, and I'm pleasantly surprised by the scope of the story. -Brian

The adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi : a novel

by S. A. Chakraborty

SCIENCE FICTION Chakraborty, Shannon
Adventure, Fantasy

"The first book of "a new trilogy of magic and mayhem on the high seas in this tale of pirates and sorcerers, forbidden artifacts and ancient mysteries, in one woman's determined quest to seize a final chance at glory--and write her own legend ... Amina al-Sirafi should be content. After a storied and scandalous career as one of the Indian Ocean's most notorious pirates, she's survived backstabbing rogues, vengeful merchant princes, several husbands, and one actual demon to retire peacefully with her family to a life of piety, motherhood, and absolutely nothing that hints of the supernatural. But when she's tracked down by the obscenely wealthy mother of a former crewman, she's offered a job no bandit could refuse: retrieve her comrade's kidnapped daughter for a kingly sum. The chance to have one last adventure with her crew, do right by an old friend, and win a fortune that will secure her family's future forever? It seems like such an obvious choice that it must be God's will. Yet the deeper Amina dives, the more it becomes alarmingly clear there's more to this job, and the girl's disappearance, than she was led to believe. For there's always risk in wanting to become a legend, to seize one last chance at glory, to savor just a bit more power ... and the price might be your very soul"--

This book was exactly what I wanted it to be: a swashbuckling adventure that had just enough fantasy in it to keep it from being historical fiction. I absolutely love the characters, and I'm excited to spend more time with them. I recommend this to anyone who needs more piracy on the high seas in their life! -Brian

God Emperor of Dune

by Frank Herbert

SCIENCE FICTION Herbert, Frank
Science Fiction

Warner Bros released the trailer for Dune Part II, and it got me interested in continuing my re-read of the series. God Emperor of Dune has always been my favorite--and revisiting it has not disappointed. -Brian