So so good, not as depressing as it sounds by the title lol. Explores war but in a sci-fi way ig.
Alternatively,
Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer was a pretty quick read. Its the first book of a series and I think exists in a wider universe by Vandermeer. It has an unreliable narrator who observes like freaky fucked up nature
Related Recs
πΏ
My absolute fav fav fav book ever please read it itβs so good (and the rest of the trilogy too)
Also bangers:
βοΈ Chain Gang All Stars - Nana Kwame Adeji-Brenyah
β³ Exhalation - Ted Chiang
π« Her Body and Other Parties - Carmen Maria Machado
Jun 5, 2024
These books expertly combine genre vibes of mystery, science fiction, eldritch horror, espionage, and more, all wrapped in beautifully written, "literary" prose. And Vandermeer's clear affection for nature buoy's all of the above, containing some of the most lovely, evocative, and creative descriptions of plants, animals, and environments/ecosystems.
Oh and Jeff just released a new Southern Reach trilogy prequel / sequel novel, Absolution. I'll be reading this after finishing a reread of the original trilogy (currently on the second book Authority). Looking forward to giving Acceptance another shot, as it was the weakest (or least accessible to me) of the three when I first read them years ago.
Feb 7, 2025
π½
Station Eleven and Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel
Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice (an indigenous author)
literally anything by Octavia Butler (her last novel published in 2005, so it counts lol)
Chaos Walking series by Patrick Ness (YA but you won't regret it)
short stories by Ted Chiang (one of which was the basis for Arrival)
Feb 18, 2024
