Negative Reviews That Don’t Turn Me Off a Book
Thoughts on Fantasy
by Nicola @ Thoughts on Fantasy
4y ago
More often than not, it’s the gushing, positive things in reviews that help convince me to read a book, and the negative ones that make me steer clear. However, very occasionally, as I’m sure is the case for many other readers, criticisms in a negative review won’t turn me off a book… in fact, on occasion they’ll make me think it might actually be up my alley. This is of course mostly due to personal taste, for example if the reviewer mentions something they dislike that I don’t, and more rarely, due to things that make me suspicious as to the reviewer’s motives. So I thought it might be inte ..read more
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Idols, Friends and Mentors: Alexander von Humboldt’s Influence on Writing and Science
Thoughts on Fantasy
by Nicola @ Thoughts on Fantasy
4y ago
I actually wrote this post several weeks ago, before the corona virus crisis hit on a world scale… but given it’s about the importance of scientists and human beings connecting with and inspiring each other, be it in person or from afar, it actually feels somehow appropriate. So in case anyone’s looking for a positive break from reading about pandemics, here it is: ___________________ I don’t normally read a lot of non-fiction, but I recently picked up The Invention of Nature by Andrea Wulf. Aside from informing me about a brilliant scientist and author called Alexander von Humboldt – who I ..read more
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My Hugo 2019 Favourites
Thoughts on Fantasy
by Nicola @ Thoughts on Fantasy
4y ago
Back in June I set myself the goal of reading as many of the finalists for this year’s Hugo Awards as possible, and in the end I was pretty happy with what I managed. So on the awards night at Worldcon I bustled into the auditorium, ready to cheer for my favourites… and not a single of my top picks won! I wasn’t too crestfallen, since I also liked the ones that did win, but it goes to show you how varied tastes are when it comes to awards. Apparently some of the categories were decided by a slim margin of votes, so there was stiff competition. In light of this, and since everyone always talk ..read more
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Attending Worldcon Dublin 2019
Thoughts on Fantasy
by Nicola @ Thoughts on Fantasy
4y ago
Between trying to read as many books before the Hugo voting deadline as possible,  finalising a draft of a novel, going to Worldcon, going on holiday, and getting all my wisdom teeth out (a nice treat I saved for my return home), it’s taken a while to find the time to blog again… but I’ve finally managed it, so I thought I’d share a few pics and experiences I took away from my first World Science Fiction Convention. For anyone who’s not familiar with Worldcon: it’s a convention that focuses on fantasy, science fiction and horror that’s been held since 1939. It happens once a year in whichev ..read more
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Casting a Vote in the 2019 Hugo Awards
Thoughts on Fantasy
by Nicola @ Thoughts on Fantasy
5y ago
I often like to look at which books get nominated for fantasy and science fiction awards. A nomination doesn’t always mean I’ll like a book, because I’ve come across winners I’ve loved and others I’ve hated, but I enjoy finding out whether I agree with the choices. I rarely actually vote in any awards, either because I can’t, or because I don’t have time to read the shortlisted entrants before the deadline, and I don’t like to choose without having considered them all. This year, however, I’m going to WorldCon, so for the first time ever I’m able to vote in one of the biggest SF&F awards ..read more
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