Solarpunk discussion

Hi there Solarpunk! For September, we've decided not to set a book, but instead to invite everyone along to discuss whatever you happen to be reading from September 10 to October 10. Fiction, non-fiction, previous group reads you want to complete or revisit - even just interesting articles, bring them along and join the discussion.

Please feel free to plan reads in here, too - you may find someone who's been wanting to read that same book too :)

Becky Chambers' A Psalm for the Wild-Built looks interesting.

Adam wrote: "Becky Chambers' A Psalm for the Wild-Built looks interesting."

Yes, it does. I’m reading The Weight of Light now, which was a book of the month here a while back.

I'm reading Prime Directive, far future SF (intriguingly, positive Climate change has been effected in Florida, and Hurricanes are barely still in memory); and Zenith, a feminist (to my perspective) Space Opera. [September is Space Opera September at SFF180 Group.]
I hope to finish both today, and then read Sisters of the Forsaken Stars, the Sequel to 2020's Sisters of the Vast Black (also a Feminist SF Series].

In a couple of days, the Human Library (the readers' community I'm part of: https://choveshkata.net/blog/?page_id...) will announce the next edition of our contest for positive stories (in Bulgarian)--including spec fic. And for the first time, we're looking for novels.

I'm SO looking forward to reading those manuscripts--and not just in September. :)

Kalin wrote: "In a couple of days, the Human Library (the readers' community I'm part of: https://choveshkata.net/blog/?page_id...) will announce the next edition of our contest for positive stories (in ..."

That's exciting! Congrats on your next edition, too :)

Reading Reindeer 2021 On Proxima Centauri wrote: "I'm reading Prime Directive, far future SF (intriguingly, positive Climate change has been effected in Florida, and Hurricanes are barely still in memory); and [book:Zenith|31394234..."

Some great books there - I need to catch up on that Sisters series, keep us updated on how you find the sequel :)

I’m about halfway through The Weight of Light, and I think it’s quite interesting. For example, the story “Under the Grid” is basically about local government, perhaps not what would think of as exciting thing in a sci fi story, but it works. It’s an interesting read with good characters. The story also shows this world in such a realistic way. So I’m starting to become a fan of this book series.

With our batch of new members this is great month for catch up!

One of the brilliant things about KSR’s Pacific Edge and Cory Doctorow’s Down and Out In The Magic Kingdom is they both manage to make compelling novels out of what is essentially a local government planning dispute

Sexy urban planning disputes are a solarpunk specialty, is what I’m trying to say

My favorite sexy urban planning video: https://youtu.be/Uhx-26GfCBU

Lena wrote: "My favorite sexy urban planning video: https://youtu.be/Uhx-26GfCBU"

Ooh, a good one. A good facewrap is an absolute must for winter cycling. Not sure it contributes to sexy urban planning though (disputed or not :))

Lena wrote: "My favorite sexy urban planning video: https://youtu.be/Uhx-26GfCBU"

Interesting video. Here in Iceland there is a growing number of people that cycle all year round, and Reykjavík has been working at a better infrastructure for cycling, but it’s not been that easy. Some Icelanders get very defensive whenever they feel their cars are not the center of the universe. 🙂

Adam wrote: "Sexy urban planning disputes are a solarpunk specialty, is what I’m trying to say"

I’ve clearly not read enough solarpunk yet. 🙂

I've been so slack on reading this month - a combination of doing Steptember and starting a new job have me with a lot less book time!
I have been reading The Substitutes comic, though, and it's off to a promising start - gorgeous art, and one of the settings is very Solarpunk meets Atlantis. Here, if anyone else likes a good webcomic: https://www.thesubstitutescomic.com/

Woohoo! Glad for the catch up, just finished Multispecies Cities: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I had a look at The Substitudes and I agree Fiona, the art of it is really cool.

It’s neither solar nor punk, but I finished The Hungry Ghost by HS Norup, after it was recommended by my daughter, and it was charming.

I've heard good things about that one Adam, and Hakon, so glad you liked it too! Good artwork can really carry a less-good story for me.

Just finished Multispecies Cities as well, and there were some misses - but mostly hits, it's definitely overall an anthology I'm glad we read. If any of you haven't read anything by D.K. Mok yet, do go discover her as soon as you can :)

Beige mentioned a story in The Year's Best Science Fiction Vol. 1: The Saga Anthology of Science Fiction 2020 in the Chat About Anything thread, so I've picked up that collection as I'm pretty partial to Jonathan Strahan's collections (Made to Order: Robots and Revolution is one of my favourite books of all time, let alone just collections).

How's everyone else's September going so far?

I'm catching up on April's book of the month:
Other Minds: The Octopus, the Sea, and the Deep Origins of Consciousness.
But with this book I read a little bit at a time.

Sometimes that’s the best way to read.