Not only do I have a small shelf full of science fiction that I've been slowly working through since moving into my new house (and discovering that reading in the bath is the best experience any human can have) - but I have discovered the libby app, and my passion for science fiction has been reinvigorated. 

So, for the last month, I've been <em>trying</em> to read <em>Children of Time</em> by Adrian Tchaikovsky, but I was not successful in finishing it before my loan at the library expired. I thoroughly enjoyed what I did read of it, and I can't wait for my hold to... end, so I can get my digital copy back to read the rest of the tale. 

So, in the interim, I started reading <em>The City and the City</em> by China Miéville, which I am ENJOYING A LOT. The caps there is for good reason. Not only does the setting remind me of the video game <em>Disco Elysium</em>, but the way the mystery is unfolding is gradual, suspenseful, and genuinely interesting. 

But, even with the attempts on these two books (I will finish <em>The City and the City</em> before it is due! <em>Count Zero</em> by William Gibson sits on my desk half read. 

And then, a few days ago, came the delivery from Amazon, for the books that were not a part of the public library system, and ones that I have been told (by reddit, and other people who know that I like sci-fi) that I should read. 


![20250625_215027.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/holoz0r/23wMcMAxkF3xNnruLRTLXgwnmMWgZfWUS8vo515a9BZLbpyYPfR413uVks5Xs4viAAWE7.jpg)

I am not sure what order I am going to read these in, other than the fact that I know the next book will be me finishing <em>Count Zero</em>. It has been so long since i picked up that book (in fact, I physically picked it up for this photo).. and then - well, I'm afraid of picking up Philip K Dick, because everytime I pick up <em>Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep</em>... I read it in one monolithic session. 

I feel as though the order they're presented in the photo is probably the best way to go, but what if I get access to <em>Children of Time</em> again? I really do want to finish that book, it was enthralling. 

In any case I have so much to get through. But the novels I have been reading over the last twelve months or so have been inspiring me to want to start writing creatively again, as I've mentioned to a few people in comments elsewhere here on hive. 

As a result, I need to find a balance between reading and writing - but I am feeling very inspired with my concepts and ideas, and I am sure that the more that I read, the more I am going to get closer to the part where I pick up the mental pen, and start writing and planning out some of the stories that are circling my brain like a shark ready for a meal. 

So, if you could please not suggest any new science fiction books for me to read, and I'll be back to write about these... when I'm done - and with luck, I'll be able to share progress on my anthology of short stories. 

Maybe I should start next month, and aim for one polished story a month. They won't be <em>long</em> stories, but If I can write some anthologies the same way someone like Ted Chiang does, I am sure that I will be becoming a very wise, happy, and thought provoking author-man. 

But, I need to do one book at a time, just like my grandmother used to say when I was eight years old, and she was still alive.