It’s March already. How did that happen? How’s the year going? So far, much like the last few. Busy, sometimes interesting, and busy. I don’t know that I have a favorite book or story of 2011 yet, though I did greatly enjoy an as-yet-unpublished Garth Nix space opera novel that I got a peek at (the second time I’ve been fortunate enough to read a book of his in manuscript), the opening quarter of China Mieville’s Embassytown, and the opening half of Michael Swanwick’s Dancing with Bears. I know I’m forgetting something else, but the probably says something about it.
I do seem to be flitting from thing to thing, though, seemingly unable to commit, which is frustrating. I have a stack of anthologies here, some edited by dear friends, that I’ve dipped into but haven’t read enough of yet to really comment upon. I think my album of the year so far is The Tallest Man on Earth’s The Wild Hunt (and my thanks to James to the recommendation), with the very REM-like new Decemberists album a runner-up. I’ve also watched a lot of Fringe, How I Met Your Mother, and Castle. So the year goes.
The wild Hunt is fantastic. I recommend picking up his ep Sometimes the Blues is Just a Passing Bird too, which is perhaps even better.
Possibly you’re forgetting Jo Walton’s Among Others, which you and Gary both raved about through an early-in-the-year podcast. I promised at the time to react when I’d read it. Here’s the reaction: you may have under-praised it a little.
Ben: I shall make a point of looking for the e.p.
Susan: I’m not sure whether I read Jo’s novel this year or at the very tale end of last (I could check), but you’re right. It’s a marvelous book and definitely one of the highlights of the year.