Reading SF in August 2026

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Thanks, I’ll look into those. Haven’t even heard of most of them!

Here's one more

The Killing Star by Charles Pellegrino and George Zebrowski

 

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Finished up my first JG Ballard read last night. This was pretty good, and I had to keep reminding myself that it would have been even more impressive reading it when it was originally published as it predates SO much post-apocalyptic narratives that it definitely gave life to. (Mad Max comes immediately to mind).

I thought it was interesting how he kept the narrative tight and focused while providing just enough of the details to give the wider perspective of what was going on in the world but without the story ballooning into something more bloated.

Good stuff and I think Ballard will become a writer I enjoy quite a bit.

Now I’m on to a more recent and trendy book: There is No Anti-Mimetics Division by qntm.

Ive read The Drowned World I liked it .

 

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I finished The Infinite State by Richard Swan - it's told from three different POV's living in a totalitarian empire, and when Katherine's husband passes she inherits a fortune, and she then seeks to buy a planet to develop a democratic society.

The way the oppressive, restrictive living under a totalitarian government is set out is very effective - at times though I thought it was almost too extreme to be believable. It also made me think of 1984 at times, down to "The Ministry of" naming conventions.

Then the book shifts to the new planet and the struggles Katherine has in setting it up and keeping the peace. I think I liked this section better - the previous too bleak at times, which is probably the point.

I thought it was good overall but not great - there was something formulaic and predictable about it that didn't elevate it enough for me. Though I will check out book 2.

Concept wise It sounds like a Dystopian nightmare state on steroids.

 

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I finished a reread of Rendezvous with Rama and still loved it, probably even more now than when I last did many years ago.

It's just has such a great sense of mystery, plus futuristic tech (much of which still holds up over 50 years later), and economic writing that's full of vivid imagery. I also read the Folio version which was even more enjoyable, and it's one of their best covers I think. It's also inspired me to add a few more classic unread SF books up the list!

A great read and an enigmatic one , which is be expected from an Arthur C Clarke novel. What amazes me about Clarke is how far ahead of the curve his books and stories truly were compared to may of contemporaries . If remember correctly at one point , this was to be adapted as a feature from with Morgan Freeman but never came to pass.

 

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Very Nice! I haven’t seen that cover for the book before. This is the livery I have:

Still need to read the book though!

Oh yeah that isa really cool cover which, underlies one the biggest issues with new books cover. They just don't do cool covers like this anymore . This one has real artistry.