Category: Reviewed

The Molecule of More — Daniel Z. Lieberman and Michael E. Long

By 5t4n5

A rather interesting book all about dopamine, and how it controls us and shapes our world.

Me thinks everyone should read all the books they can about neurotransmitters, this being a fairly good one.

The annoying thing to me is that while there’s quite a lot of discussion on how our genetics affect out dopamine levels and responses, there is a complete lack of discussion on epigenetics, as though they have no influence whatsoever.   There’s also a complete lack on how diet and lifestyle affects dopamine and other neurotransmitters.   So while this is a fairly good look at dopamine in general, i wouldn’t take it all at face value because there’s simply too much left out, IMHO.

But lots of people just want to blame the genes they were given and take the “It’s not my fault” path, so maybe this book is written for them.

Bye for now.

Daniel’s Page Michael’s Page

#5t4n5 #danielzlieberman #michaelelong

Revenger — Alastair Reynolds

By 5t4n5

Revenger -- Alastair ReynoldsNot the greatest story Alastair has ever told.   It’s all very young adult-ish stuff, and it’s really not anything like what i love about Alastair’s usual sci-fi.

But, i suppose, every writer may wish to have a try at some YA stuff occasionally.   I just really hope that Alastair doesn’t ever do it again, thank you.

I mean, let’s be serious, a child who isn’t even old enough to leave home, escapes and takes on the system’s most feared and devastating pirate?   Really?   And adults just fall over themselves to do her bidding?

But, as i’m committed to reading the whole of Alastair’s writings, i must continue with this farcical trilogy and see where it leads.

So next up it will be Shadow Captain.

Bye for now.

Alastair’s Page

#scifi #alastairreynolds

Upgrade — Blake Crouch

By 5t4n5

Wow!

Once again, Blake has written one of the best pieces of sci-fi i’ve ever read.   A literary wonder.   Totally un-put-down-able.

Not only is this a great story about the coming environmental apocalypse and the extinction event that will wipe Homo sapiens from the face of the Universe, this is also a great critique of Homo sapiens’ hubris and arrogance with regard to Nature.

Homo sapiens has got this seriously fucked up idea that it can control and rule Nature and that there’s no need to change the way we are because science will always find an answer to all our woes.

This is one of those books that i’ll be telling everyone i know to read — it’s that good — even though i know probably none of them will bother to read it because, hey, what do they need to know that they can’t watch on television or Youtube?

Anyway, i’m off back to Alastair Reynolds to finish off the last 7 of his books that i haven’t read already.

Bye for now.

Blake’s Page

#scifi #blakecrouch

Contaminant Six — Joseph R. Lallo

By 5t4n5

Contaminant Six -- Joseph R. LalloAnd we’re back with the Wind Breaker crew for another episode of fuggy shenanigans.

Captain Mack is busy beginning his retirement plans when life decides to have other plans.   So it’s off back to the fug for yet another crazy adventure with another crazy nemesis to foil their plans.   Super good writing once again from Joseph.

If you liked the TV show Firefly and you haven’t given the Free-Wrench series a try, then please do.   It’s basically a steampunk version of the show.

Next up i’m off to read Upgrade by Blake Crouch, which i’m very much looking forward to.   Another fantastic writer that everyone should give a bit of their reading time to.

Bye for now.

Joseph’s Page

#steampunk #josephrlallo

The Wrong Plane — Robin Sloan

By 5t4n5

The Wrong Plane -- Robin SloanA short little tale from Robin to keep us going while we eagerly await Robin’s next full length novel.

What happens when you find yourself on the wrong plane?   How, exactly, do you end up on the wrong plane in the first place.   And what, exactly, is this wrong plane about and where’s it going?

A fun adventure for those who worry their little butts off about flying: great airport reading while you have half an hour to kill before a flight.

Bye for now.

Robin’s Page

#robinsloan

Death’s Door — Alastair Reynolds

By 5t4n5

Death's Door -- Alastair ReynoldsAvailable in Belladonna Nights and Other Stories.

What happens when we finally become virtually immortal and we’ve done everything we wanted to do and we’ve gotten completely bored with life?   Play Russian roulette with portal doors, setting them for a 1 in 1000 random chance of them killing you when you use them.   And when you really get fed up you dial it up to a 1 in 10 chance of them killing you.

But maybe you have friends who don’t want you to die quite so soon, friends that want you to give life another chance.

Good story.

Next up from Alastair will be the Revenger Trilogy, beginning with Revenger.   But first i’m going to have to read a few other books from other writers.   Back with Alastair soon.

Bye for now.

Alastair’s Page

#scifi #alastairreynolds

Providence — Alastair Reynolds

By 5t4n5

Providence -- Alastair ReynoldsAvailable in Belladonna Nights and Other Stories.

A really good sleeper ship story.   The drive’s blown and there’s no way of slowing the ship down when it reaches its destination planet, they’re just going to sail right on past.

But then one of the crew has a great idea to find some purpose to the whole trip.   Except things just don’t turn out like they hoped they would have.

Next up from Alastair is Death’s Door.

Bye for now.

Alastair’s Page

#scifi #alastairreynolds

Different Seas — Alastair Reynolds

By 5t4n5

Different Seas -- Alastair ReynoldsAvailable in Belladonna Nights and Other Stories and The Best Science Fiction of the Year: Vol 4.

Another of Alastairs proxy body stories.   This time a caretaker is stranded on an automated sailing ship and needs help.   It comes in the form of a proxy robot, and the caretaker isn’t too taken with it’s driver’s attitude.

But, more is soon revealed as we go through the story and attitudes change.

A really good little story.   And maybe a good reminder to all of us not to judge people on their first impressions, sometimes you can be very wrong.

Next up from Alastair in Providence.

Bye for now.

Alastair’s Page

#scifi #alastairreynolds

Holdfast — Alastair Reynolds

By 5t4n5

Holdfast -- Alastair ReynoldsAvailable in Belladonna Nights and Other Stories and The Best Science Fiction of the Year: Vol 3.

Really good. If you enjoyed The Medusa Chronicles for it’s wonderful exploration of the Jovian atmosphere and it’s ecosystem, then you’ll really enjoy this as well.

It’s also got a nice hint of Enemy Mine sprinkled in with it.

Next up is Different Seas.

Bye for now.

Alastair’s Page

#scifi #alastairreynolds