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My first alternative history, and I wasn't disappointed. I loved the empowering, believable, strong female lead. Her struggles were portrayed accurately for the time period, and she powered through and fought for equality in a way that had me rooting for her the entire time. This book won multiple sci-fi awards, including thr Nebula, and it is well-deserved. I can't wait to dive into the sequel.

The meteorite hitting and the resulting confusion started this book off with a “bang”, so to speak! It caught my attention right away, and I was hooked. It definitely slowed down in the middle, but there was plenty of sexism and racism going on (it was the 50s!) to keep things “interesting”. Overall, I enjoyed it, and I will be continuing the series.

Best book of the year, for me. What a great read.

What a wonderful novel! Elma became a dear friend of mine. I laughed with her, feared with her and was happy, whenever she reached something she was fighting for. Even though it's an Alternative History story, there's a very true base about this book: Racism and sexism...

Maybe I‘ll get some reading done before I fall asleep?? Here‘s hoping! #longday #evenlongerweek #currentlyreading

Time to put more books on hold 😁😂 #librarybookhaul #weekendreading

EIGHT (days to go!) - @deargeekplace and I are giving away two of these amazing books to celebrate the start of #SciFiMonth - sign up and join in the first week to enter the draw! (see link for more details)

https://deargeekplace.com/scifi-month-update-free-stuff/

3.5⭐️ I really liked what this set up and look forward to the next one, but this took a while to get to the pay off.

It‘s finally below 90 here today and we‘re also getting much needed rain. Settling in with this month‘s sci-fi and fantasy book club pick.

I finished this over a week ago & LOVED it...now my husband is reading it & is SO frustrated with it that my enthusiasm has waned a bit.😂 I loved the combination of alternate history, female empowerment in the face of rampant sexism, and its examination of stigma toward mental health treatment/anxiety...all with a Hidden Figures vibe. I HATED the poorly-written sex scenes—if I have to read one more rocket-launch double entendre, I will scream.⤵️

I‘m bringing in 3-4 books for my book club to choose from. We haven‘t done any fantasy or sci-fi yet and I‘d like to introduce this genre. I don‘t want them to have to continue on a series so I‘m wondering if these books wrap up nicely or leave you with a cliff hanger. Any thoughts?

Bedtime reading and finishing a book before falling asleep are the best feelings. I really enjoyed this alt. history/sci-fi read about Lady Astronauts. Sexism and racism are SO FRUSTRATING though, but it did seem accurate so that is to be expected.

Day 1: #7Days7Covers #CoverCrush

Thanks for the tag @erinreads! Have you been tagged yet @annamatopoetry?

The 50's style lingo felt a bit forced. I also did not enjoy what felt like a flow between the story telling, a diary entry and a loosing of the 4th wall. The writing style was a total miss for me while the story was almost too close to reality and the characters were interesting and diverse. So in all the book was a mixed bag for me.

Saturday reading! I am SO enjoying this book. I started it on Thursday and have already devoured 2/3 of it. One of my fellow book clubbers said he read it in two days and immediately went out and bought the sequel. I can see why! Although I have to ask—anyone else reading this find the “romantic” husband/wife scenes a little cringey? I‘ve read about five too many “rocket launch” double entendres. 😬

"Without a plane, what was I supposed to do? Math the problem to death"

I went in for the tagged book and came out with more. What should I start?

I was not disappointed. Excellent book. The alternate history timeline was well done and and the characters outstanding, especially the lead character. It deserved the best novel Hugo award it received. Looking forward to the next book.

This wasn‘t quite what I was expecting but I really enjoyed it! It‘s a slow burn and much more character driven than plot driven. The science & mathematics of how we get into space is explained well & embedded naturally into the story. The gender divisions & racial disparities are deftly handled as are the characters flaws & relationships. It was a fast, enjoyable read, with disaster, heart break and ambition as well as a good sprinkle of humour.

Perfect beach day today - finished the tagged book and listened to my Bookclub pick on Audio.

Snack of the day - mango and chocolate gelato! #bfcr3

Weekly check in #bfcr3
A good week:-
✔️walked 44.5 miles
✔️swam x4
✔️Started another audiobook
✔️Had one mega treaty snack every day

@Blaire @nelehelen @Siani123 @callielafleur @Chrissyreadit @sudi @MicrobeMom @crazeedi @Books.Bottles.and.Babies

Nestled in the dunes for an afternoon with a book and impromptu picnic. 👍🏼

Really enjoying this - perfect summer backyard read. I equally love opening books on my shelf and seeing postit not messages from Litsy Swap partners 😘. Thanks for this @BookNAround it‘s really good 😘

The new Hugo Awards have been announced! Article: www.theverge.com/platform/amp/2019/8/19/20812571/hugo-award-2019-winners-worldcon-mary-robinette-kowal-best-novel-into-the-spider-verse See any favorites or any books you‘re adding to your TBR?

Time to get Calculating Stars down from the shelf I think! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

https://io9.gizmodo.com/here-are-your-hugo-2019-award-winners-1837368271

In 1952 a meteor hits DC and starts an extinction event reaction. This accelerates our space exploration program as we need to find a new planet to inhabit within 50 years. I was introduced to the author through her Glamourist Histories series (think Austen w/the addition of magic) & she's brilliant at alternative history because she doesn't change everything but merely alters enough so that everything changes. I highly recommend this & her too.

Just finished my first book on my new Kobo. Alternate history, starting after WWII. A meteorite hits earth and results in long term weather changes that force humanity to explore colonizing space. The book focuses on a former WASP pilot and “computer”. This book deals with sexism & racism of the 1950s...which is rampant even in this alternate reality. If you liked “Hidden Figures” you might enjoy this one too.

Next up for my Summer of Cli-Fi. Very good, yet infuriating so far. 1950s meteor strike of, well, basically my house, as DC and the Eastern seaboard burn. Kind of relieved that I wouldn't have to live through the devastating aftermath.

Also: the ebook's on sale in US stores today.
#kindledeal

Another bail. This one started out really strong, and then I lost interest. May return to it one day (may not) but for now I‘m putting it to the side!

Really enjoyed this alternate history of the beginnings of the space program, in this telling expedited because of a meteorite strike in the DC area that is an extinction event. Deals with discrimination (gender and racial) in the space program and the role of female “computer” mathematicians in making spaceflight possible. #hugo2019

My cup is full and runneth over.

I saw a review that said this book shamelessly panders to a certain type of reader. I am happy to be that sort of reader. All my joy in space exploration, with diversity and burn the patriarchy. Also, Dr Nathaniel York is my favourite fictional since Jacob Camherst. Delightful.

I love borrowing books my literary friends have just finished - I get great jems I wouldn't have chosen for myself. This alternate history of the space program is eerily topical though it's set in the 50s. Through the fictional plot Kowal explores discrimination against women & black americans, and the climate crisis. It's also well written and a fun read. I'm interested in seeing where the sequel goes.

*Finally* reading this -- yes, after I was in a total hurry to get it when it first came out. That happens all too often -- so many books, so little time. I'm enjoying it a lot so far, though I don't think it's going to beat Revenant Gun for my Hugo vote!

Thank you @slightlyfoxed for this (literal)goody bag & all it contains!
#summersantagoespostal #summersolsticebookexchange @BookishMarginalia

A slow speed apocalypse caused by a meteoroid impact and subsequent global warming leads some people to desperately try to set up colonies in space, while others discount the possibility of climate change, cause its not hot right this second. It‘s set in the 1950s so the sexism, racism, and antisemetism are more overt. Otherwise, it could take place today.

Reading this and really enjoying it. Science fiction that is alternate history starting in 1952. I haven‘t read much alternate history and it‘s fascinating seeing people and events worked into a new version of the past. Also love the strong female character who is quite relatable because Guess What! She‘s not perfect! Looking forward to the second in this series who many say is even better!
Oh, and Izzy says good morning!!❤️

How good is this book? I started it late at night, having finished Cracked, and got very little sleep.

I've started setting a ten book TBR each month -- I can read anything else, but Horta got in the ten. I think this duopoly is topping my list for next month, plus the next Kate Daniels and Toby Daye books in those respective series. Then... Hmm, probably high time for more Daisy Dalrymple.

My daughter and I discovered a great walking path this week. It is a protected space. We also plan to take her kids and spook them a little. We saw 2 🐍 and the area is a little dark and mysterious! I have been mostly able to keep up with my goals. It has been fun trying. @wanderinglynn #bookfitnesschallenge

Hooray! This great book, the first in the Lady Astronaut series, won the Nebula Award for Best Novel!

I'm not saying I matched my mug to my book on purpose this morning but... 💙

I'm loving this book not only in terms of the story, but the tactile experience of reading it. Maybe it's cause I've read a string of ebooks and old paperbacks recently, but this book is gorgeous and easy to read. The font, spacing, binding... loving it. Three cheers to some designers somewhere!

Loved it

Whoa, I'm posting to Litsy from my computer! Fun to test out the web interface - very nice so far!

Completely unrelated pic is some pretty flowers from a recent trip to the butterfly conservatory. Testing out adding images from my computer rather than my phone.

Tagged book is my current read, which I just accidentally (minorly) spoiled for myself by listening to Writing Excuses podcast. Oops - oh well, it was a good discussion.

I generally don‘t do sci-fi but this one came highly recommended. I really enjoyed it and when one of my book clubs agreed to read it, they asked me to facilitate the meeting, which meant I had to write book club questions for it. A friend who works for the publisher passed them onto the editor and they might use my questions in an official capacity. Full review at https://booknaround.blogspot.com/2019/03/review-and-book-club-questions.html

A cozy sci fi. Alternative history. And a lady astronaut.

April 2019 recap: 15 books read.
Favourite: The Calculating Stars (with No Hard Feelings, by Liz Fosslien and Mollie West Duffy, a close second)
Least fave: Across the Plains, by Robert Louis Stevenson

Solid ⭐⭐⭐⭐. This was a second go for the book - first time I bailed cause I didn't feel for it, but now I couldn't put it down and am looking forward to the second novel. The story is great, covering apocalyptic event, its consequences(with a great deal of plausible science), political and personal aspects of dealing with the grim future. Setting and main characters strongly reminded me of Hidden Figures which I love dearly. #scifi #womengotospace

#2019HugoFinalists: Only the 1st book was nominated, but I had to go right into the 2nd one; now I‘m looking forward to books #3 (coming in 2020) and #4 (2022).
These books mix a post apocalyptic world (meteorite) with an alternate history timeline (opens in the 1950s with President Dewey) and how that era‘s racial issues would have translated into a world where the space program was “international” but people were still terrible.
🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀/5

I LOVED this book! It felt plausible as an alternate history and has a Hidden Figures vibe that I enjoyed. Also loved that Elma was a pilot, because that meant some great flying scenes 😄 I have already requested the next book in the series.

Amazing! Can't wait to read the second book!