I bought this book by mistake. I really wanted the next one on the search results, but once I realized my mistake, I figured I may as well give it a chance.
Reviews and Comments
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Mark Crocker started reading Do You Dream of Terra-Two? by Temi Oh
Most imaginative over the top, and wildly fun
5 stars
This is one or the most imaginative stories I've ever read in a genre known for imagination. It's also over the top and a wild ride. There's nothing formulaic here and it will keep you guessing.
As a big fan of hard science fiction, this doesn't explain any of the time travel, or technology, which is somewhat disappointing.
On the other hand it has a very different style and a frantic energy. I'm not a fan of romance, but it has a sincerity that makes me really root for them.
Mark Crocker finished reading This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar
Mark Crocker reviewed Tear Tracks by Malka Older
A different take on first contact
4 stars
A nice, short, first contact story with interesting characters who are different because it's the future, discovering just how different aliens can be.
Mark Crocker reviewed Unexploded Remnants by Elaine Gallagher
A little fun, short read, kind of naive
2 stars
A little different than my typical read. Not hard since fiction. I'm not sure if it's a little naive, or thinking outside the box, but serious suspension of disbelief is required.
Mark Crocker rated Unexploded Remnants: 2 stars

Unexploded Remnants by Elaine Gallagher
Alice is the last human. Street-smart and bad-ass. After discovering what appears to be an A.I. personality in an antique …
Mark Crocker rated Chokepoint Capitalism: 3 stars
Mark Crocker finished reading Chokepoint Capitalism by Cory Doctorow
Mark Crocker reviewed Eastern standard tribe by Cory Doctorow
Eastern standard tribe, interesting concept, convoluted plot
2 stars
It's an interesting concept, but as a speculative story on the side effects of social media, it was a miss.
The implementation of the concept was also not one of Corry Doctorow's better efforts. The plot was overly convoluted, and it was really difficult to relate to the protagonist.
Down and out in the Magic Kingdom books.mxhdr.net/book/10582/s/down-and-out-in-the-magic-kingdom may also have missed it's target, but it a much better effort of prognostification on the consequences of social media.
Mark Crocker finished reading Eastern standard tribe by Cory Doctorow
Mark Crocker commented on Picks and Shovels by Cory Doctorow
I've highlighted several things in @pluralistic@mamot.fr 's Picks and Shovels, but one short sentence fragment I especially like is:
using a ream of his virginal fanfold printer paper
which alludes to the protagonist's earlier dumpster diving activity to find discarded tractor feed paper that had only been used on one side.
Although I never actually dived a dumpster for half used printer paper, I do remember scavenging long sections of such paper from computer room garbage cans, back in the day.
Mark Crocker reviewed Starter Villain by John Scalzi
Fun wild ride
5 stars
Starter villain is one of those books where I had to tell every body around me the latest funny or outrageous quote as I encountered it. I read it in record time, have over 27 passages quoted in my reader, and saved it to my favorites list.
The story premise seems preposterous, but John Scalzi managed to produce a story that makes sense... an outrageous, funny, twisted sort of sense. It's also surprisingly insightful and pragmatic, and turns the tropes on end, points out the ridiculousness of comic book villains, but also comes up with a reasonable business plan for a Billionaire Super Villain. I'm not going to say it's entirely plausible, but it is a fun, wild ride that's worth the effort. It definitely put a smile on my face!
Mark Crocker started reading Tear Tracks by Malka Older
A short story by @older.bsky.social@bsky.brid.gy
I'm only half way through, and I think I've figured out the hook, but we'll see.
Mark Crocker reviewed Picks and Shovels by Cory Doctorow
Backed Picks & Shovels by Cory Doctory on Kickstarter
This is the third of the Martin Hench Novels.
The campaign is on www.kickstarter.com/projects/doctorow/picks-and-shovels-marty-hench-at-the-dawn-of-enshittification