Thanks for sharing some backstory! I, too, have felt like I’ve been saved by science fiction at different tumultuous points in my life.
Coincidentally, I also read and enjoyed Ancillary Justice last year— I don’t read a ton of contemporary scifi (because the back catalog is so deep and good!) but I was intrigued by a female author winning the Hugo and Nebula. IMO the sequel was highly readable but the politics felt a little grafted on. Still have to read the third book.
I’m currently reading Sirius. I got maybe 40 pages in about 10 years ago, but the premise was so heartbreaking I didn’t think I could handle it and I put it down. My dog died last year and I’m expecting the book to fully destroy me. I’m usually something of a literary masochist—I dig the kinds of books that tear you apart—but when dogs are involved I’m a big softie.
I don’t know how you follow up Ancillary Justice. That book was sumptuous. I’m a little contrary and cynical about everything having to be a series.
I found Sirius a totally engrossing study in speculative psychology and, of course, sad. One of the dudes I read Sirius with was on a little walk in a public park when he finished the audiobook and found that he had to stop and weep for a little while once the book was finished. We also lost our dog last year somehow with both a whimper and a bang. I’m not over it! My cope has been to become a cat person.
Ancillary Justice was fantastic because it demanded so much of the reader in the construction of its world and characters. I didn’t know what the fuck was going on for the first ~80 pages. The magic is in piecing it together. Book 2 suffers because the premise is already established.
Definitely not over the loss of my dog, either. His memory is like a phantom limb. We’ve started talking about puppies, but we’re not ready, yet. I don’t think you can ever “replace” a dog. Wishing you the best in healing from your loss!
Too new for my current business model. If like me you’re trying to reduce your dependence on Jeff Bezos, I’d recommend trying to pick up a used copy of ThriftBooks or eBay. (AbeBooks is owned by Amazon.)
Thank you for the post. I threw myself into science fiction while completing my history PhD as a way to keep sane due to professional stress -- I needed something else to obsess me. I needed an outlet. I need another community. And my website, and writing for it, became that place. After failing to find an academic position (I teach college-level courses at a high school), I saw SF (in particular the years 1945-1985) even more as my area of research.
3. I hate/despise/detest self indulgent Substack writers. You are not one of those. You bring the goods. This post was phenomenal, heart achy, and so so very authentic. Thank you for sharing!
Here’s to buying more of your books in 2025. Thanks for everything you do chief!
First off, happy birthday! Thanks for the origin story, all good heroes have them, and you are a hero. I had a partner with type 1 bipolar, it takes incredible strength to live with it. I look forward to reading about some great sci-fi and continued adventures
Many thanks for sharing your reading journey, William! I can relate to much of what you write. I also love science fiction and fantasy (broadly defined) and grew up reading both genre and literary fantasy (Asimov, Bradbury, Borges, etc.) and with a love of SFF in various media (2001 and Planet of the Apes in film, the Surrealists in painting). Best wishes and a belated Happy Birthday. Carl Rosenberg, Vancouver, BC, Canada
Thanks for sharing some backstory! I, too, have felt like I’ve been saved by science fiction at different tumultuous points in my life.
Coincidentally, I also read and enjoyed Ancillary Justice last year— I don’t read a ton of contemporary scifi (because the back catalog is so deep and good!) but I was intrigued by a female author winning the Hugo and Nebula. IMO the sequel was highly readable but the politics felt a little grafted on. Still have to read the third book.
I’m currently reading Sirius. I got maybe 40 pages in about 10 years ago, but the premise was so heartbreaking I didn’t think I could handle it and I put it down. My dog died last year and I’m expecting the book to fully destroy me. I’m usually something of a literary masochist—I dig the kinds of books that tear you apart—but when dogs are involved I’m a big softie.
Happy birthday!
I don’t know how you follow up Ancillary Justice. That book was sumptuous. I’m a little contrary and cynical about everything having to be a series.
I found Sirius a totally engrossing study in speculative psychology and, of course, sad. One of the dudes I read Sirius with was on a little walk in a public park when he finished the audiobook and found that he had to stop and weep for a little while once the book was finished. We also lost our dog last year somehow with both a whimper and a bang. I’m not over it! My cope has been to become a cat person.
Ancillary Justice was fantastic because it demanded so much of the reader in the construction of its world and characters. I didn’t know what the fuck was going on for the first ~80 pages. The magic is in piecing it together. Book 2 suffers because the premise is already established.
Definitely not over the loss of my dog, either. His memory is like a phantom limb. We’ve started talking about puppies, but we’re not ready, yet. I don’t think you can ever “replace” a dog. Wishing you the best in healing from your loss!
You’ve sold me. I’ll buy it for myself for Christmas.
William Emmons, do you sell Ancillary Justice?
Too new for my current business model. If like me you’re trying to reduce your dependence on Jeff Bezos, I’d recommend trying to pick up a used copy of ThriftBooks or eBay. (AbeBooks is owned by Amazon.)
Happy Birthday.
Thank you for the post. I threw myself into science fiction while completing my history PhD as a way to keep sane due to professional stress -- I needed something else to obsess me. I needed an outlet. I need another community. And my website, and writing for it, became that place. After failing to find an academic position (I teach college-level courses at a high school), I saw SF (in particular the years 1945-1985) even more as my area of research.
1. Happy Birthday.
2. Beautiful written piece!
3. I hate/despise/detest self indulgent Substack writers. You are not one of those. You bring the goods. This post was phenomenal, heart achy, and so so very authentic. Thank you for sharing!
Here’s to buying more of your books in 2025. Thanks for everything you do chief!
First off, happy birthday! Thanks for the origin story, all good heroes have them, and you are a hero. I had a partner with type 1 bipolar, it takes incredible strength to live with it. I look forward to reading about some great sci-fi and continued adventures
Many thanks for sharing your reading journey, William! I can relate to much of what you write. I also love science fiction and fantasy (broadly defined) and grew up reading both genre and literary fantasy (Asimov, Bradbury, Borges, etc.) and with a love of SFF in various media (2001 and Planet of the Apes in film, the Surrealists in painting). Best wishes and a belated Happy Birthday. Carl Rosenberg, Vancouver, BC, Canada