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4.0
***A Witch’s Guide To Escape: A Practical Compendium Of Portal Fantasies by Alix E. Harrow***
A nice little story about the escapism books can provide.
The story is told from the perspective of a librarian that also happens to be a witch. She's trying to find the right book for a seemingly depressed boy.
Several popular books are mentioned and I have to confess that I've not read many of them. Otherwise I might have enjoyed this a little more.
Still, the subtle humor and clear love for books that's oozing from the page just about lifts this into four star territory.
I'm planning to read it again in a few years' time.
You can read it here.
Winner of the 2019 Hugo Award for Best Short Story
2018 Nebula Award finalist for Best Short Story
____________________________
Best Novel
• The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal
• [b: Record of a Spaceborn Few|32802595|Record of a Spaceborn Few (Wayfarers, #3)|Becky Chambers|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1516965190l/32802595._SY75_.jpg|53399142] by Becky Chambers
• [b: Revenant Gun|36373688|Revenant Gun (The Machineries of Empire, #3)|Yoon Ha Lee|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1527495995l/36373688._SY75_.jpg|58060922] by Yoon Ha Lee
• Space Opera by Catherynne M. Valente
• [b: Spinning Silver|36896898|Spinning Silver|Naomi Novik|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1513872748l/36896898._SX50_.jpg|58657620] by Naomi Novik
• [b: Trail of Lightning|36373298|Trail of Lightning (The Sixth World, #1)|Rebecca Roanhorse|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1515788168l/36373298._SY75_.jpg|52833355] by Rebecca Roanhorse
Best Novella
• Artificial Condition by Martha Wells
• [b: Beneath the Sugar Sky|27366528|Beneath the Sugar Sky (Wayward Children, #3)|Seanan McGuire|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1494436031l/27366528._SY75_.jpg|47413798] by Seanan McGuire
• [b: Binti: The Night Masquerade|34386617|The Night Masquerade (Binti, #3)|Nnedi Okorafor|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1495725402l/34386617._SY75_.jpg|55477512] by Nnedi Okorafor
• The Black God’s Drums by P. Djèlí Clark
• [b: Gods, Monsters, and the Lucky Peach|36187158|Gods, Monsters, and the Lucky Peach|Kelly Robson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1506531524l/36187158._SY75_.jpg|57810004] by Kelly Robson
• The Tea Master and the Detective by Aliette de Bodard
Best Novelette
• If at First You Don’t Succeed, Try, Try Again by Zen Cho (Barnes & Noble Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog)
• [b: The Last Banquet of Temporal Confections|40381419|The Last Banquet of Temporal Confections|Tina Connolly|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1555252289l/40381419._SY75_.jpg|62680201] by Tina Connolly (Tor.com)
• Nine Last Days on Planet Earth by Daryl Gregory (Tor.com)
• [b: The Only Harmless Great Thing|34659272|The Only Harmless Great Thing|Brooke Bolander|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1518069202l/34659272._SY75_.jpg|55823786] by Brooke Bolander (Tor.com)
• The Thing About Ghost Stories by Naomi Kritzer (Uncanny Magazine)
• When We Were Starless by Simone Heller (Clarkesworld Magazine)
Best Short Story
• The Court Magician by Sarah Pinsker (Lightspeed Magazine)
• The Rose MacGregor Drinking and Admiration Society by T. Kingfisher (Uncanny Magazine)
• The Secret Lives of the Nine Negro Teeth of George Washington by P. Djèlí Clark (Fireside Magazine)
• STET by Sarah Gailey (Fireside Magazine)
• The Tale of the Three Beautiful Raptor Sisters, and the Prince Who Was Made of Meat by Brooke Bolander (Uncanny Magazine)
• A Witch’s Guide To Escape: A Practical Compendium Of Portal Fantasies by Alix E. Harrow (Apex Magazine)
Best Series
• The Centenal Cycle by [a: Malka Older|14220734|Malka Ann Older|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1446698915p2/14220734.jpg]
• The Laundry Files by [a: Charles Stross|8794|Charles Stross|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1355510574p2/8794.jpg]
• Machineries of Empire by [a: Yoon Ha Lee|3001246|Yoon Ha Lee|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1383757366p2/3001246.jpg]
• The October Daye Series by [a: Seanan McGuire|2860219|Seanan McGuire|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1245623198p2/2860219.jpg]
• The Universe of Xuya by [a: Aliette de Bodard|2918731|Aliette de Bodard|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1261567215p2/2918731.jpg]
• Wayfarers by [a: Becky Chambers|8389735|Becky Chambers|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1562580587p2/8389735.jpg]
Best Related Work
• Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
• [b: Astounding: John W. Campbell, Isaac Asimov, Robert A. Heinlein, L. Ron Hubbard, and the Golden Age of Science Fiction|35958896|Astounding John W. Campbell, Isaac Asimov, Robert A. Heinlein, L. Ron Hubbard, and the Golden Age of Science Fiction|Alec Nevala-Lee|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1529430368l/35958896._SY75_.jpg|57516282] by Alec Nevala-Lee
• The Hobbit Duology (a documentary in three parts), written and edited by Lindsay Ellis and Angelina Meehan
• [b: An Informal History of the Hugos: A Personal Look Back at the Hugo Awards 1953-2000|35005557|An Informal History of the Hugos A Personal Look Back at the Hugo Awards, 1953-2000|Jo Walton|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1493399138l/35005557._SY75_.jpg|52384504] by Jo Walton
• The Mexicanx Initiative Experience at Worldcon 76 by Julia Rios, Libia Brenda, Pablo Defendini, and John Picacio
• [b: Ursula K. Le Guin: Conversations on Writing|36276435|Ursula K. Le Guin Conversations on Writing|Ursula K. Le Guin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1519674594l/36276435._SX50_.jpg|57934871] by Ursula K. Le Guin with David Naimon
Best Graphic Story
• [b: Abbott|38748572|Abbott|Saladin Ahmed|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1521208924l/38748572._SY75_.jpg|60338450], written by Saladin Ahmed, art by Sami Kivelä, colors by Jason Wordie, letters by Jim Campbell
• [b: Black Panther: Long Live the King|36673422|Black Panther Long Live the King|Nnedi Okorafor|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1526771280l/36673422._SY75_.jpg|58459948], written by Nnedi Okorafor and Aaron Covington, art by André Lima Araújo, Mario Del Pennino, and Tana Ford
• [b: Monstress, Volume 3: Haven|37491890|Monstress, Vol. 3 Haven|Marjorie M. Liu|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1531356957l/37491890._SY75_.jpg|59101846], written by Marjorie Liu, art by Sana Takeda
• On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden
• Paper Girls, Volume 4 [b:], written by Brian K. Vaughan, art by Cliff Chiang, colors by Matt Wilson, letters by Jared K. Fletcher
• Saga, Volume 9, written by Brian K. Vaughan, art by Fiona Staples
Best Art Book
• [b: The Book of Earthsea: The Complete Illustrated Edition|38459780|The Books of Earthsea|Ursula K. Le Guin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1526525225l/38459780._SX50_.jpg|64676657] illustrated by Charles Vess, written by Ursula K. Le Guin
• [b: Daydreamer’s Journey: The Art of Julie Dillon|43157039|Daydreamer's Journey The Art of Julie Dillon|Julie Dillon|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1544155893l/43157039._SX50_.jpg|66947647] by Julie Dillon
• [b: Dungeons & Dragons Art & Arcana: A Visual History|37837938|Dungeons and Dragons Art and Arcana A Visual History|Kyle Newman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1541762517l/37837938._SX50_.jpg|59524789] by Michael Witwer, Kyle Newman, Jon Peterson, and Sam Witwer
• [b: Spectrum 25: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art|40042809|Spectrum 25 The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art|John Fleskes|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1539953363l/40042809._SX50_.jpg|62044043], editor John Fleskes
• [b: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse – The Art of the Movie|41084955|Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse -The Art of the Movie|Ramin Zahed|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1534224155l/41084955._SX50_.jpg|64190280] by Ramin Zahed
• [b: Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth|36542884|Tolkien Maker of Middle-earth|Catherine McIlwaine|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1516237012l/36542884._SX50_.jpg|58272990], editor Catherine McIlwaine
Lodestar Award for Best Young Adult Book
• Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi (Henry Holt; Macmillan Children’s Books)
• [b: The Belles|23197837|The Belles (The Belles, #1)|Dhonielle Clayton|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1492784901l/23197837._SY75_.jpg|42742745] by Dhonielle Clayton (Freeform / Gollancz)
• [b: The Cruel Prince|26032825|The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air, #1)|Holly Black|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1493047153l/26032825._SY75_.jpg|45959123] by Holly Black (Little, Brown / Hot Key Books)
• [b: Dread Nation|30223025|Dread Nation (Dread Nation, #1)|Justina Ireland|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1497900615l/30223025._SY75_.jpg|50676909] by Justina Ireland (Balzer + Bray)
• [b: The Invasion|45700034|The Invasion (the Call, Book 2)|Peadar O'Guilin|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-a91bf249278a81aabab721ef782c4a74.png|70468305] by Peadar O’Guilin (David Fickling Books / Scholastic)
• [b: Tess of the Road|35046472|Tess of the Road (Tess of the Road, #1)|Rachel Hartman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1503599285l/35046472._SY75_.jpg|53793345] by Rachel Hartman (Random House / Penguin Teen)
_________________
Best Novel
• The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal (Tor)
• [b: The Poppy War|35068705|The Poppy War (The Poppy War, #1)|R.F. Kuang|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1515691735l/35068705._SY75_.jpg|56364137] by R.F. Kuang (Harper Voyager US; Harper Voyager UK)
• [b: Blackfish City|35068768|Blackfish City|Sam J. Miller|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1498846831l/35068768._SY75_.jpg|56364196] by Sam J. Miller (Ecco; Orbit UK)
• [b: Spinning Silver|36896898|Spinning Silver|Naomi Novik|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1513872748l/36896898._SX50_.jpg|58657620] by Naomi Novik (Del Rey; Macmillan)
• [b: Witchmark|36187110|Witchmark (The Kingston Cycle, #1)|C.L. Polk|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1505338133l/36187110._SY75_.jpg|57809962] by C.L. Polk (Tor.com Publishing)
• [b: Trail of Lightning|36373298|Trail of Lightning (The Sixth World, #1)|Rebecca Roanhorse|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1515788168l/36373298._SY75_.jpg|52833355] by Rebecca Roanhorse (Saga)
Best Novella
• [b: Fire Ant|39359011|Fire Ant (The Navy of Humanity Wasp Squadron Book 1)|Jonathan P. Brazee|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1521857259l/39359011._SY75_.jpg|61026637] by Jonathan P. Brazee (Semper Fi)
• The Black God’s Drums by P. Djèlí Clark (Tor.com Publishing)
• The Tea Master and the Detective by Aliette de Bodard (Subterranean)
• [b: Alice Payne Arrives|39332603|Alice Payne Arrives (Alice Payne, #1)|Kate Heartfield|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1528836131l/39332603._SY75_.jpg|60961729] by Kate Heartfield (Tor.com Publishing)
• [b: Gods, Monsters, and the Lucky Peach|36187158|Gods, Monsters, and the Lucky Peach|Kelly Robson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1506531524l/36187158._SY75_.jpg|57810004] by Kelly Robson (Tor.com Publishing)
• Artificial Condition by Martha Wells (Tor.com Publishing)
Best Novelette
• [b: The Only Harmless Great Thing|34659272|The Only Harmless Great Thing|Brooke Bolander|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1518069202l/34659272._SY75_.jpg|55823786] by Brooke Bolander (Tor.com Publishing)
• [b: The Last Banquet of Temporal Confections|40381419|The Last Banquet of Temporal Confections|Tina Connolly|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1555252289l/40381419._SY75_.jpg|62680201] by Tina Connolly (Tor.com 7/11/18)
• [b: An Agent of Utopia|40606635|An Agent of Utopia|Andy Duncan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1529627726l/40606635._SY75_.jpg|63072096] by Andy Duncan (An Agent of Utopia)
• The Substance of My Lives, the Accidents of Our Births by José Pablo Iriarte (Lightspeed 1/18)
• [b: The Rule of Three|43243212|Future Science Fiction Digest Issue 1|Alex Shvartsman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1544913470l/43243212._SY75_.jpg|68602299] by Lawrence M. Schoen (Future Science Fiction Digest 12/18)
• Messenger by Yudhanjaya Wijeratne and R.R. Virdi (Expanding Universe, Volume 4)
Best Short Story
• Interview for the End of the World by Rhett C. Bruno (Bridge Across the Stars)
• The Secret Lives of the Nine Negro Teeth of George Washington by Phenderson Djèlí Clark (Fireside 2/18)
• Going Dark by Richard Fox (Backblast Area Clear)
• And Yet by A.T. Greenblatt (Uncanny 3-4/18)
• A Witch’s Guide To Escape: A Practical Compendium Of Portal Fantasies by Alix E. Harrow (Apex 2/6/18)
• The Court Magician by Sarah Pinsker (Lightspeed 1/18)
Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy
• Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi (Henry Holt; Macmillan)
• [b: Aru Shah and the End of Time|36222611|Aru Shah and the End of Time (Pandava Quartet, #1)|Roshani Chokshi|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1506615949l/36222611._SX50_.jpg|56242795] by Roshani Chokshi (Rick Riordan Presents)
• [b: A Light in the Dark|40642087|A Light in the Dark (Dark Stars, #2)|A.K. DuBoff|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1529941117l/40642087._SY75_.jpg|67703731] by A.K. Du Boff (BDL)
• [b: Tess of the Road|35046472|Tess of the Road (Tess of the Road, #1)|Rachel Hartman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1503599285l/35046472._SY75_.jpg|53793345] by Rachel Hartman (Random House)
• [b: Dread Nation|30223025|Dread Nation (Dread Nation, #1)|Justina Ireland|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1497900615l/30223025._SY75_.jpg|50676909] by Justina Ireland (Balzer + Bray)
• [b: Peasprout Chen: Future Legend of Skate and Sword|35343338|Peasprout Chen, Future Legend of Skate and Sword|Henry Lien|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1519050297l/35343338._SY75_.jpg|49856893] by Henry Lien (Henry Holt)
Anyone could see that kid needed to run and keep running until he shed his own skin, until he clawed out of the choking darkness and unfurled his wings, precious and prisming in the light of some other world.
A nice little story about the escapism books can provide.
The story is told from the perspective of a librarian that also happens to be a witch. She's trying to find the right book for a seemingly depressed boy.
Several popular books are mentioned and I have to confess that I've not read many of them. Otherwise I might have enjoyed this a little more.
Still, the subtle humor and clear love for books that's oozing from the page just about lifts this into four star territory.
I'm planning to read it again in a few years' time.
You can read it here.
Winner of the 2019 Hugo Award for Best Short Story
2018 Nebula Award finalist for Best Short Story
____________________________
2019 Hugo Award Finalists
Best Novel
• The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal
• [b: Record of a Spaceborn Few|32802595|Record of a Spaceborn Few (Wayfarers, #3)|Becky Chambers|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1516965190l/32802595._SY75_.jpg|53399142] by Becky Chambers
• [b: Revenant Gun|36373688|Revenant Gun (The Machineries of Empire, #3)|Yoon Ha Lee|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1527495995l/36373688._SY75_.jpg|58060922] by Yoon Ha Lee
• Space Opera by Catherynne M. Valente
• [b: Spinning Silver|36896898|Spinning Silver|Naomi Novik|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1513872748l/36896898._SX50_.jpg|58657620] by Naomi Novik
• [b: Trail of Lightning|36373298|Trail of Lightning (The Sixth World, #1)|Rebecca Roanhorse|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1515788168l/36373298._SY75_.jpg|52833355] by Rebecca Roanhorse
Best Novella
• Artificial Condition by Martha Wells
• [b: Beneath the Sugar Sky|27366528|Beneath the Sugar Sky (Wayward Children, #3)|Seanan McGuire|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1494436031l/27366528._SY75_.jpg|47413798] by Seanan McGuire
• [b: Binti: The Night Masquerade|34386617|The Night Masquerade (Binti, #3)|Nnedi Okorafor|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1495725402l/34386617._SY75_.jpg|55477512] by Nnedi Okorafor
• The Black God’s Drums by P. Djèlí Clark
• [b: Gods, Monsters, and the Lucky Peach|36187158|Gods, Monsters, and the Lucky Peach|Kelly Robson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1506531524l/36187158._SY75_.jpg|57810004] by Kelly Robson
• The Tea Master and the Detective by Aliette de Bodard
Best Novelette
• If at First You Don’t Succeed, Try, Try Again by Zen Cho (Barnes & Noble Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog)
• [b: The Last Banquet of Temporal Confections|40381419|The Last Banquet of Temporal Confections|Tina Connolly|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1555252289l/40381419._SY75_.jpg|62680201] by Tina Connolly (Tor.com)
• Nine Last Days on Planet Earth by Daryl Gregory (Tor.com)
• [b: The Only Harmless Great Thing|34659272|The Only Harmless Great Thing|Brooke Bolander|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1518069202l/34659272._SY75_.jpg|55823786] by Brooke Bolander (Tor.com)
• The Thing About Ghost Stories by Naomi Kritzer (Uncanny Magazine)
• When We Were Starless by Simone Heller (Clarkesworld Magazine)
Best Short Story
• The Court Magician by Sarah Pinsker (Lightspeed Magazine)
• The Rose MacGregor Drinking and Admiration Society by T. Kingfisher (Uncanny Magazine)
• The Secret Lives of the Nine Negro Teeth of George Washington by P. Djèlí Clark (Fireside Magazine)
• STET by Sarah Gailey (Fireside Magazine)
• The Tale of the Three Beautiful Raptor Sisters, and the Prince Who Was Made of Meat by Brooke Bolander (Uncanny Magazine)
• A Witch’s Guide To Escape: A Practical Compendium Of Portal Fantasies by Alix E. Harrow (Apex Magazine)
Best Series
• The Centenal Cycle by [a: Malka Older|14220734|Malka Ann Older|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1446698915p2/14220734.jpg]
• The Laundry Files by [a: Charles Stross|8794|Charles Stross|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1355510574p2/8794.jpg]
• Machineries of Empire by [a: Yoon Ha Lee|3001246|Yoon Ha Lee|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1383757366p2/3001246.jpg]
• The October Daye Series by [a: Seanan McGuire|2860219|Seanan McGuire|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1245623198p2/2860219.jpg]
• The Universe of Xuya by [a: Aliette de Bodard|2918731|Aliette de Bodard|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1261567215p2/2918731.jpg]
• Wayfarers by [a: Becky Chambers|8389735|Becky Chambers|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1562580587p2/8389735.jpg]
Best Related Work
• Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
• [b: Astounding: John W. Campbell, Isaac Asimov, Robert A. Heinlein, L. Ron Hubbard, and the Golden Age of Science Fiction|35958896|Astounding John W. Campbell, Isaac Asimov, Robert A. Heinlein, L. Ron Hubbard, and the Golden Age of Science Fiction|Alec Nevala-Lee|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1529430368l/35958896._SY75_.jpg|57516282] by Alec Nevala-Lee
• The Hobbit Duology (a documentary in three parts), written and edited by Lindsay Ellis and Angelina Meehan
• [b: An Informal History of the Hugos: A Personal Look Back at the Hugo Awards 1953-2000|35005557|An Informal History of the Hugos A Personal Look Back at the Hugo Awards, 1953-2000|Jo Walton|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1493399138l/35005557._SY75_.jpg|52384504] by Jo Walton
• The Mexicanx Initiative Experience at Worldcon 76 by Julia Rios, Libia Brenda, Pablo Defendini, and John Picacio
• [b: Ursula K. Le Guin: Conversations on Writing|36276435|Ursula K. Le Guin Conversations on Writing|Ursula K. Le Guin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1519674594l/36276435._SX50_.jpg|57934871] by Ursula K. Le Guin with David Naimon
Best Graphic Story
• [b: Abbott|38748572|Abbott|Saladin Ahmed|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1521208924l/38748572._SY75_.jpg|60338450], written by Saladin Ahmed, art by Sami Kivelä, colors by Jason Wordie, letters by Jim Campbell
• [b: Black Panther: Long Live the King|36673422|Black Panther Long Live the King|Nnedi Okorafor|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1526771280l/36673422._SY75_.jpg|58459948], written by Nnedi Okorafor and Aaron Covington, art by André Lima Araújo, Mario Del Pennino, and Tana Ford
• [b: Monstress, Volume 3: Haven|37491890|Monstress, Vol. 3 Haven|Marjorie M. Liu|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1531356957l/37491890._SY75_.jpg|59101846], written by Marjorie Liu, art by Sana Takeda
• On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden
• Paper Girls, Volume 4 [b:], written by Brian K. Vaughan, art by Cliff Chiang, colors by Matt Wilson, letters by Jared K. Fletcher
• Saga, Volume 9, written by Brian K. Vaughan, art by Fiona Staples
Best Art Book
• [b: The Book of Earthsea: The Complete Illustrated Edition|38459780|The Books of Earthsea|Ursula K. Le Guin|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1526525225l/38459780._SX50_.jpg|64676657] illustrated by Charles Vess, written by Ursula K. Le Guin
• [b: Daydreamer’s Journey: The Art of Julie Dillon|43157039|Daydreamer's Journey The Art of Julie Dillon|Julie Dillon|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1544155893l/43157039._SX50_.jpg|66947647] by Julie Dillon
• [b: Dungeons & Dragons Art & Arcana: A Visual History|37837938|Dungeons and Dragons Art and Arcana A Visual History|Kyle Newman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1541762517l/37837938._SX50_.jpg|59524789] by Michael Witwer, Kyle Newman, Jon Peterson, and Sam Witwer
• [b: Spectrum 25: The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art|40042809|Spectrum 25 The Best in Contemporary Fantastic Art|John Fleskes|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1539953363l/40042809._SX50_.jpg|62044043], editor John Fleskes
• [b: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse – The Art of the Movie|41084955|Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse -The Art of the Movie|Ramin Zahed|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1534224155l/41084955._SX50_.jpg|64190280] by Ramin Zahed
• [b: Tolkien: Maker of Middle-earth|36542884|Tolkien Maker of Middle-earth|Catherine McIlwaine|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1516237012l/36542884._SX50_.jpg|58272990], editor Catherine McIlwaine
Lodestar Award for Best Young Adult Book
• Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi (Henry Holt; Macmillan Children’s Books)
• [b: The Belles|23197837|The Belles (The Belles, #1)|Dhonielle Clayton|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1492784901l/23197837._SY75_.jpg|42742745] by Dhonielle Clayton (Freeform / Gollancz)
• [b: The Cruel Prince|26032825|The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air, #1)|Holly Black|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1493047153l/26032825._SY75_.jpg|45959123] by Holly Black (Little, Brown / Hot Key Books)
• [b: Dread Nation|30223025|Dread Nation (Dread Nation, #1)|Justina Ireland|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1497900615l/30223025._SY75_.jpg|50676909] by Justina Ireland (Balzer + Bray)
• [b: The Invasion|45700034|The Invasion (the Call, Book 2)|Peadar O'Guilin|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-a91bf249278a81aabab721ef782c4a74.png|70468305] by Peadar O’Guilin (David Fickling Books / Scholastic)
• [b: Tess of the Road|35046472|Tess of the Road (Tess of the Road, #1)|Rachel Hartman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1503599285l/35046472._SY75_.jpg|53793345] by Rachel Hartman (Random House / Penguin Teen)
_________________
2018 Nebula Award Finalists
Best Novel
• The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal (Tor)
• [b: The Poppy War|35068705|The Poppy War (The Poppy War, #1)|R.F. Kuang|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1515691735l/35068705._SY75_.jpg|56364137] by R.F. Kuang (Harper Voyager US; Harper Voyager UK)
• [b: Blackfish City|35068768|Blackfish City|Sam J. Miller|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1498846831l/35068768._SY75_.jpg|56364196] by Sam J. Miller (Ecco; Orbit UK)
• [b: Spinning Silver|36896898|Spinning Silver|Naomi Novik|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1513872748l/36896898._SX50_.jpg|58657620] by Naomi Novik (Del Rey; Macmillan)
• [b: Witchmark|36187110|Witchmark (The Kingston Cycle, #1)|C.L. Polk|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1505338133l/36187110._SY75_.jpg|57809962] by C.L. Polk (Tor.com Publishing)
• [b: Trail of Lightning|36373298|Trail of Lightning (The Sixth World, #1)|Rebecca Roanhorse|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1515788168l/36373298._SY75_.jpg|52833355] by Rebecca Roanhorse (Saga)
Best Novella
• [b: Fire Ant|39359011|Fire Ant (The Navy of Humanity Wasp Squadron Book 1)|Jonathan P. Brazee|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1521857259l/39359011._SY75_.jpg|61026637] by Jonathan P. Brazee (Semper Fi)
• The Black God’s Drums by P. Djèlí Clark (Tor.com Publishing)
• The Tea Master and the Detective by Aliette de Bodard (Subterranean)
• [b: Alice Payne Arrives|39332603|Alice Payne Arrives (Alice Payne, #1)|Kate Heartfield|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1528836131l/39332603._SY75_.jpg|60961729] by Kate Heartfield (Tor.com Publishing)
• [b: Gods, Monsters, and the Lucky Peach|36187158|Gods, Monsters, and the Lucky Peach|Kelly Robson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1506531524l/36187158._SY75_.jpg|57810004] by Kelly Robson (Tor.com Publishing)
• Artificial Condition by Martha Wells (Tor.com Publishing)
Best Novelette
• [b: The Only Harmless Great Thing|34659272|The Only Harmless Great Thing|Brooke Bolander|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1518069202l/34659272._SY75_.jpg|55823786] by Brooke Bolander (Tor.com Publishing)
• [b: The Last Banquet of Temporal Confections|40381419|The Last Banquet of Temporal Confections|Tina Connolly|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1555252289l/40381419._SY75_.jpg|62680201] by Tina Connolly (Tor.com 7/11/18)
• [b: An Agent of Utopia|40606635|An Agent of Utopia|Andy Duncan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1529627726l/40606635._SY75_.jpg|63072096] by Andy Duncan (An Agent of Utopia)
• The Substance of My Lives, the Accidents of Our Births by José Pablo Iriarte (Lightspeed 1/18)
• [b: The Rule of Three|43243212|Future Science Fiction Digest Issue 1|Alex Shvartsman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1544913470l/43243212._SY75_.jpg|68602299] by Lawrence M. Schoen (Future Science Fiction Digest 12/18)
• Messenger by Yudhanjaya Wijeratne and R.R. Virdi (Expanding Universe, Volume 4)
Best Short Story
• Interview for the End of the World by Rhett C. Bruno (Bridge Across the Stars)
• The Secret Lives of the Nine Negro Teeth of George Washington by Phenderson Djèlí Clark (Fireside 2/18)
• Going Dark by Richard Fox (Backblast Area Clear)
• And Yet by A.T. Greenblatt (Uncanny 3-4/18)
• A Witch’s Guide To Escape: A Practical Compendium Of Portal Fantasies by Alix E. Harrow (Apex 2/6/18)
• The Court Magician by Sarah Pinsker (Lightspeed 1/18)
Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy
• Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi (Henry Holt; Macmillan)
• [b: Aru Shah and the End of Time|36222611|Aru Shah and the End of Time (Pandava Quartet, #1)|Roshani Chokshi|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1506615949l/36222611._SX50_.jpg|56242795] by Roshani Chokshi (Rick Riordan Presents)
• [b: A Light in the Dark|40642087|A Light in the Dark (Dark Stars, #2)|A.K. DuBoff|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1529941117l/40642087._SY75_.jpg|67703731] by A.K. Du Boff (BDL)
• [b: Tess of the Road|35046472|Tess of the Road (Tess of the Road, #1)|Rachel Hartman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1503599285l/35046472._SY75_.jpg|53793345] by Rachel Hartman (Random House)
• [b: Dread Nation|30223025|Dread Nation (Dread Nation, #1)|Justina Ireland|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1497900615l/30223025._SY75_.jpg|50676909] by Justina Ireland (Balzer + Bray)
• [b: Peasprout Chen: Future Legend of Skate and Sword|35343338|Peasprout Chen, Future Legend of Skate and Sword|Henry Lien|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1519050297l/35343338._SY75_.jpg|49856893] by Henry Lien (Henry Holt)
ophiliae's review against another edition
3.0
It is so interesting reading this and the Ten Thousand Doors is January. Very similar in terms of theme.
oleksandr's review against another edition
3.0
This is a short story, which was nominated for Nebula in 2019 and can also become a Hugo 2019 Award nominee. It was initially published in Uncanny Magazine.
The genre is maybe modern fantasy. There are two types of librarians: the prudish, bitter ones with lipstick running into the cracks around their lips who believe the books are their personal property and patrons are dangerous delinquents come to steal them; and witches. Our narrator of the second type. When a black poor boy comes to the library, she supplies his with escapist fantasy. Others try to force him into reading about ‘real issues’, self-help books, but we, the fellow readers know what is better. ;)
A nice short story, which reminded me a bit of Gaiman’s “Feral child raised by librarians” and several other stories, which praise (rightfully so!) public libraries and their workers. However, I cannot say it is exactly a novel story or approach.
The genre is maybe modern fantasy. There are two types of librarians: the prudish, bitter ones with lipstick running into the cracks around their lips who believe the books are their personal property and patrons are dangerous delinquents come to steal them; and witches. Our narrator of the second type. When a black poor boy comes to the library, she supplies his with escapist fantasy. Others try to force him into reading about ‘real issues’, self-help books, but we, the fellow readers know what is better. ;)
A nice short story, which reminded me a bit of Gaiman’s “Feral child raised by librarians” and several other stories, which praise (rightfully so!) public libraries and their workers. However, I cannot say it is exactly a novel story or approach.
drewvan's review against another edition
4.0
A short and poignant story of a boy and a book and the librarian who cared about him. Totally out of my normal reading width but it was highly recommended and with good reason.
I don’t bother with the people who have call numbers scribbled on their palms and titles rattling around in their skulls like bingo cards. They don’t need me. And you really can’t do anything for the people who only read Award-Winning Literature, who wear elbow patches and equate the popularity of Twilight with the death of the American intellect; their hearts are too closed-up for the new or secret or undiscovered.
I don’t bother with the people who have call numbers scribbled on their palms and titles rattling around in their skulls like bingo cards. They don’t need me. And you really can’t do anything for the people who only read Award-Winning Literature, who wear elbow patches and equate the popularity of Twilight with the death of the American intellect; their hearts are too closed-up for the new or secret or undiscovered.
woahno's review against another edition
5.0
So I guess this is the place to review Alix E. Harrow's short story A Witch's Guide to Escape: A Practical Compendium of Portal Fantasies.
This story was great. A librarian, who also happens to be a witch, tries to help a lonely foster kid who comes in to check out fantasy novels. At times, it is laugh out loud funny and at times it is heart wrenching. Though throughout it all it is clever and immersive. I absolutely loved it. A must read for fantasy fans.
This story was great. A librarian, who also happens to be a witch, tries to help a lonely foster kid who comes in to check out fantasy novels. At times, it is laugh out loud funny and at times it is heart wrenching. Though throughout it all it is clever and immersive. I absolutely loved it. A must read for fantasy fans.
espai's review against another edition
5.0
"Anyone could see that kid needed to run and keep running until he shed his own skin, until he clawed out of the choking darkness and unfurled his wings, precious and prisming in the light of some other world."
J'ai été salement émue, aux larmes, ce qui m'arrive très rarement (jamais) avec des nouvelles. Je m'incline.
J'ai été salement émue, aux larmes, ce qui m'arrive très rarement (jamais) avec des nouvelles. Je m'incline.
dennisthehooker's review against another edition
5.0
'He reached towards the book and the book reached back towards him, because books need to be read quite as much as we need to read them [...]'
Przesłuchałem w formie audiobooka na stronie Apex Magazine i nie żałuję. Nie spodziewałem się, że to będzie dla mnie aż tak bardzo emocjonalna podróż, gdzie po zakończeniu potrzebowałem co najmniej paru minut, aby się uspokoić. Jest to opowiadanie o miłości do książek oraz o ich potrzebie i znaczeniu. O tym jak ważne są publiczne biblioteki, które stają się schronieniem dla różnych osób, czy to pod względem fizycznym czy metaforycznym. Le Guin w którejś z przemów powiedziała, że zamykając drzwi biblioteki powstrzymujesz ludzi przed podążaniem za szczęściem. I ta myśl towarzyszyła mi podczas czytania opowiadania Harrow. Jest to też historia o podejmowaniu trudnych decyzji i pomaganiu tym, którzy tego potrzebują. Polecam mocno.
Przesłuchałem w formie audiobooka na stronie Apex Magazine i nie żałuję. Nie spodziewałem się, że to będzie dla mnie aż tak bardzo emocjonalna podróż, gdzie po zakończeniu potrzebowałem co najmniej paru minut, aby się uspokoić. Jest to opowiadanie o miłości do książek oraz o ich potrzebie i znaczeniu. O tym jak ważne są publiczne biblioteki, które stają się schronieniem dla różnych osób, czy to pod względem fizycznym czy metaforycznym. Le Guin w którejś z przemów powiedziała, że zamykając drzwi biblioteki powstrzymujesz ludzi przed podążaniem za szczęściem. I ta myśl towarzyszyła mi podczas czytania opowiadania Harrow. Jest to też historia o podejmowaniu trudnych decyzji i pomaganiu tym, którzy tego potrzebują. Polecam mocno.
nimrodra45's review against another edition
5.0
Beautiful story, by a person who loves books and reading, but not necessarily ment only to those who consider themselves avid book readers. I loved the idea of a librarian as the narrator who looks at the different visitors of the library while trying to decide what will be the best book for them.