Howard is first, even though he is not on the Hugo ballot!
And since I've spent most of the evening checking out the Hugo nominees for Best Novel, I'll start by answering Cat's question: A book or story (or graphic novel or movie or TV show) gets on the Hugo ballot by members of the World Science Fiction Conventino (either attending or supporting members) nominating it. The five works with the most votes are on the ballot for the final vote. Except that I now see the reason I've been confused is that there are six nominees for Best Novel this year. That presumably means there was a tie for fifth place.
Of the six, five are available as e-books. Fictionwise, my usual source, doesn't have any of them, but four are at Amazon and one at Barnes & Noble. I've just realized that I haven't yet got China Mieville's The City and the City, but I've bought the other four after reading the free three-chapter samples. Here are my reactions from those chapters:
Palimpsest is weired. Really wierd. But I do wierd.
Wake: I like Caitlin. She's really neat, I'd say. I get what Cat is saying about her maiking a surprisingly big deal about gaining sight, but maybe some of that is just the desire for an experience she has never had before. I suspect (hope) this may be my favoritet among Sawyer's more recent books.
Boneshaker: This looks like it's going to be a steampunk zombie alternate history. I don't usually go for zombies, but on the basis of the opening chepters it looks like it may be my #1 pick on the ballot.
Julian Comstock: A Novel of 22nd Centry America: I've liked some of Wilson's previous books, but here I find the first-person narrative surprisingly pedestrian and I'm having trouble suspending disbelief in his future history. Unless it gets better it's going to be at the bottom of my list.
And somehwere or other I've seen the first dozen or so pages of The City and the City. And intriguing concept, which I expect Mieville to flesh out well.
With that, I think I'm heading for bed. 'night, all!
Thanks for the explanation and the thoughts on the nominees, Bill. People at Library Thing were reading The City and the City last summer, but I didn't pick up that it's SF. If they have it at Audible, I'll get it.
Katelyn is an appealing character, it's true, and there are other storylines as well. I think you'll enjoy Wake. I'm waiting for Watch to come out at Audible. Last night on FaceBook Robert said that the manuscript of Wonder is already longer than the finished book of Watch, with a couple thousand words still to go. He said he's just tying up everything now. I can't help admiring him. This is, what, his nineteenth novel? Kind'a blows my mind.
On the other hand, Marooner's Haven currently stands at just over 49,000 words, on the threshold of noveldom - novelness? - I realize some people place the bottom limit at 80,000 words, but I figure anything over 50,000 is just frosting. Won't be able to work on it this weekend, got other things to do. But, I'm looking forward to getting back to it.
Darling pic, listener ~~ maybe they should call them peekers instead of peepers?
Cold today (just above 40ยบ), but bright and blowy. About right for spring as far as I'm concerned.
Just a bit past noon, looked up, and across my front porch was coming a very old friend (read duration of friendship: 40 years). We had a lovely afternoon, AND I didn't have to go to town! (Just an added benefit. . . ) He's been up at his farm in Cumberland, and decided just to drop down and visit. Wonderful!!
IIRC, the formal dividing line between novella and novel for the Hugo ballot is 45,000 words. When I was younger the standard novel of commerce was 60,000 words or a bit more.
Howard is first!
ReplyDeleteHoward is first, even though he is not on the Hugo ballot!
ReplyDeleteAnd since I've spent most of the evening checking out the Hugo nominees for Best Novel, I'll start by answering Cat's question: A book or story (or graphic novel or movie or TV show) gets on the Hugo ballot by members of the World Science Fiction Conventino (either attending or supporting members) nominating it. The five works with the most votes are on the ballot for the final vote. Except that I now see the reason I've been confused is that there are six nominees for Best Novel this year. That presumably means there was a tie for fifth place.
Of the six, five are available as e-books. Fictionwise, my usual source, doesn't have any of them, but four are at Amazon and one at Barnes & Noble. I've just realized that I haven't yet got China Mieville's The City and the City, but I've bought the other four after reading the free three-chapter samples. Here are my reactions from those chapters:
Palimpsest is weired. Really wierd. But I do wierd.
Wake: I like Caitlin. She's really neat, I'd say. I get what Cat is saying about her maiking a surprisingly big deal about gaining sight, but maybe some of that is just the desire for an experience she has never had before. I suspect (hope) this may be my favoritet among Sawyer's more recent books.
Boneshaker: This looks like it's going to be a steampunk zombie alternate history. I don't usually go for zombies, but on the basis of the opening chepters it looks like it may be my #1 pick on the ballot.
Julian Comstock: A Novel of 22nd Centry America: I've liked some of Wilson's previous books, but here I find the first-person narrative surprisingly pedestrian and I'm having trouble suspending disbelief in his future history. Unless it gets better it's going to be at the bottom of my list.
And somehwere or other I've seen the first dozen or so pages of The City and the City. And intriguing concept, which I expect Mieville to flesh out well.
With that, I think I'm heading for bed. 'night, all!
Wish I could edit to correct that "italics off" symbol. Oh, well.
ReplyDeleteLooked to see if I could edit a comment, and it doesn't look like I can.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the explanation and the thoughts on the nominees, Bill. People at Library Thing were reading The City and the City last summer, but I didn't pick up that it's SF. If they have it at Audible, I'll get it.
ReplyDeleteKatelyn is an appealing character, it's true, and there are other storylines as well. I think you'll enjoy Wake. I'm waiting for Watch to come out at Audible. Last night on FaceBook Robert said that the manuscript of Wonder is already longer than the finished book of Watch, with a couple thousand words still to go. He said he's just tying up everything now. I can't help admiring him. This is, what, his nineteenth novel? Kind'a blows my mind.
On the other hand, Marooner's Haven currently stands at just over 49,000 words, on the threshold of noveldom - novelness? - I realize some people place the bottom limit at 80,000 words, but I figure anything over 50,000 is just frosting. Won't be able to work on it this weekend, got other things to do. But, I'm looking forward to getting back to it.
Hi Renee!
ReplyDeleteDarling pic, listener ~~ maybe they should call them peekers instead of peepers?
ReplyDeleteCold today (just above 40ยบ), but bright and blowy. About right for spring as far as I'm concerned.
Just a bit past noon, looked up, and across my front porch was coming a very old friend (read duration of friendship: 40 years). We had a lovely afternoon, AND I didn't have to go to town! (Just an added benefit. . . ) He's been up at his farm in Cumberland, and decided just to drop down and visit. Wonderful!!
IIRC, the formal dividing line between novella and novel for the Hugo ballot is 45,000 words. When I was younger the standard novel of commerce was 60,000 words or a bit more.
ReplyDeleteBill, if I make a *really* big boo boo, I copy, delete, repaste in a new comment box, and fix it. Don't usually bother, though.
ReplyDelete*** N E W S F L A S H !!! ***
ReplyDeleteRep. Peter Welch D-VT has signed on as a cosponsor of H.R. 4601: The National Nurse Act of 2010~!!!
And there was much rejoicing!!!