What I think should become the definitive book about the inner workings of the giant. It’s a critical take and in sharp contrast to some of the more effusive pieces borne out of preferential access (I’m looking at you, Steven Levy).
This was also my first full non-fiction audiobook, and I enjoyed the medium. I think podcasts and the dense nature of academic articles have made it difficult for me to sit and read popular non-fiction. So listening to the book mimicked a podcast, and I was able to enjoy it much more.
This was a fun read with well-written characters and world-building. Very character-driven, which I wish more fantasy books would do.
I can’t stop thinking about this series. It’s called utopian sci-fi, but don’t mistake it for being uncritical, techno-positivist utopia. At the heart of it, the series interrogates questions of Home, what makes us human (especially when we meet other life forms), and alternate configurations of society. Highly recommend.
This independently published book was one of my best reads of the year. A standalone fantasy book (rare, honestly), with great writing and characters, woven into a rich, complex world, and a stunning depiction about how the roles we’re meant to inhabit and fulfil warp us. Misaki’s portrayal is something that will stay with me for a long time. I can’t recommend this enough.
Update: I re-read this in 2022. Just as good as the first time.