iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Listened to The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern this week and was a little baffled by it. Wonderful prose but the story was a mess and the characters felt rather unchanging throughout. Not sure if The Night Circus is better but also not sure I want to risk it.

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

I appreciate the 1 hour episodes that @dodoborne.com does. I get it that I can break up longer episodes into chunks, but I like the psychological feeling of a complete episode being wrapped up in an hour or less.

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Final book (on audiobook) of July is To Your Scattered Bodies Go by Philip Jose Farmer. Very little good to say about this one. To think it won a Hugo over a book like The Lathe of Heaven is wild. I can't imagine circling back to more of his books unless they are a radical departure from this one.

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

From Farmer's 'To Your Scattered Bodies Go': "I wonder where those who are killed in the afterlife go? If we live long enough we might find out." How does that make any sense at all?

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Wrapped up Lois McMaster Bujold's Paladin of Souls last night on audiobook. She is so great. Even though fantasy is not my preference, the characters in the story were different enough from the usual tales that I quite enjoyed it. Even her fantasy characters seem totally real to me. Well done.

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Time of the Great Freeze by Robert Silverberg. A YA post ice-age book with a bunch of interchangeable dudes who are forced out of their underground New York city and decide to sled across the ocean to London. The plot is as weak as it sounds and the characters are entirely forgettable.

The front cover of Time of the Great Freeze by Robert Silverberg. It features a retrofuturistic looking sled with some supposedly modern men in and around it, with some less modern humans surrounding it.

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

A little mini book haul today to beef up my Post-apocalyptic and disaster collection. A Strugatsky chaser as well.

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Wrapped up Speaker for the Dead on audiobook. Kind of an odd narration with a mix of speakers and weird music that cuts in at times. The book itself was enjoyable enough. Perhaps a little blunt in its messaging but I appreciated what was being told.

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Another Lois McMaster Bujold completed. Falling Free is set before the usual books in the Vorkosigan series but is still a fun romp with some crunchy engineering bits for those who like it. Little guys take on the big guys type story. Enjoyed it.

The front cover of Falling Free by Lois McMaster Bujold. Features a woman in a space suit, smiling, with a futuristic space station looming in the background.

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

As per my kids' request, finally wrapped up the Harry Potter series. Not bad, not great. Won't be watching the movies. Onto Speaker for the Dead on audiobook next, and Falling Free by Bujold in print.

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

Wrapped up M John Harrison's 'The End of Everything'. Very readable, even with its surreal nature. It reminded me a little bit of Delaney's Dhalgren, but a vastly easier and more enjoyable book to read. I do enjoy his writing, even if its not the straightforward type narrative book that I choose.

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

Book blurbs are weird. On the back of M John Harrison's 'The End of Everything' New Statesman says 'M John Harrison is the closest thing we have to a present-day Wyndham or Ballard.' Ballard maybe but the comparison to Wyndham is bizarre to me.

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

Fun night of some Blood on the Clocktower. Gotta say, it's enjoyable but makes me feel a little bit old and slow!

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

Reading M John Harrison's 'The End of Everything' and so far quite enjoying it. However, I have a really important question. Why are there like a dozen blank pages at the back of the book? Is this some new publishing thing I am unaware of?

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

I managed to wrap up Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer today as well. I gave it as a gift to a graduating family member and wanted to read through a good chunk before doing so since I like to know what I am gifting. Beautiful, intelligent, challenging, wonderful book. Highly recommended.

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Book club is tackling The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy this month. As I have read it multiple times, I am listening to the BBC radio show version this go round. First time and love it!

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 21/06/2026

I have been on the hunt for a reasonably priced hardcopy first printing of The Dog Stars and it seems they do not exist. I don't imagine the movie is going to help this situation.

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 19/06/2026

I must admit I really enjoy Lois McMaster Bujold's books so far. Barrayar is the second I have read and it was even better than Shards of Honor. Fairly straightforward but with characters to root for and enough drama and excitement to keep things moving nicely.

The front cover of Barrayar by Lois McMaster Bujold features a woman holding a pointed weapon in an aggressive stance standing on some steps in front of a piece of futuristic machinery.

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Just completed Angela Carter's Heroes and Villains. While more interested in the post-apocalyptic angle, the back of the book suggested it was a romance. Uh, what? It seemed like it totally tore down the idea of romantic relationships entirely. An interesting book, and well written, but also odd.

The front cover of Angela Carter's Heroes and Villains. It features a naked man and woman holding a red piece of fruit together in one hand each.

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

First audiobook of the month completed. Blake Crouch's Recursion, while containing some plot holes you can construct a building inside, and with a love story that was a bit too contrived for my tastes, was engaging, left me with some fun questions for our upcoming book club, and was a fun read.

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

Really struggled to wrap my head around Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury. Seems like one I would get a lot more out of if I read it for academic purposes rather than to enjoy as a reading experience. Time for something a little lighter now!

The front cover of William Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury which features a sky full of black and red clouds.

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

The mommas may want to tear off your face but the babies sure are cute!

A huddle of yellow baby geese with momma goose in the background keeping watch.

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Lunch time walk at the Riverlot.

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

Very interested in seeing the Clarke shortlist tomorrow I've only read 10 of the winners, but I typically get on quite well with what is chosen (the only exception being Perdido Street which was an audiobook thing and needs another try).

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Reposted by Joel Stainer

Laurent Formery @laurentformery.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

Satisfying or disturbing to watch? 🤓

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

Kicking the month off with The Sound and the Fury in the mornings and Blake Crouch's Recursion through the day on audiobook.

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Reposted by Joel Stainer

Mythic Roads Press 🇨🇦 @mythicroads.bsky.social · 02/06/2026

Pre-orders are now open through mythicroadspress.com for all three upcoming titles! Check them out and reserve your copies here: www.mythicroadspress.com/bookshop/pre... ✨🥳🤩

mythicroadspress.com

Mythic Roads Press

Mythic Roads Press is a fantasy, science fiction, and romance book publisher based in Edmonton, Alberta.

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

The final read for May is 'All the Fiends of Hell' by Adam Nevill and it was a ride. Consumed it in about 2 sittings and thought it was great. Never read any of his horror before but this one appealed to my post-apocalyptic tastes.

Front cover of All the Fiends of Hell by Adam Nevill. Features a creepy red-faced alien with an open toothy mouth.

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

Wrapped up Venemous Lumpsucker by @nedbeauman.bsky.social on audiobook today while doing yard work. Another Clarke award winner that I quite enjoyed. Both hilarious and dark and glad I spent time with it!

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

My monthly online book club veered WAY off the usual path by selecting 'How to Find a Nameless Fae' by AJ Lancaster, which will be my morning coffee read for the next little while. I typically do not enjoy "cozy" books (unless they are the cozy catastrophe style which is different).

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 24/05/2026

Today's run will be accompanied by The Half Blood Prince. My (now adult) kids have wanted me to read/listen to the series for many years. I am certainly a bit burned out on it at this point, and the experience is impacted by the author in real life(as can often be the case). Will be glad to be done.

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

After Atlas by @emmanewman.bsky.social was fantastic. my first of her books and it was an entertaining and thoughtful read from start to finish. I was missing out. Likely would not have given it a shot without coming across the Starship Alexandria podcast which is also excellent. Go read it!

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 19/05/2026

The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet is now complete. Cozy is not my thing and I was left feeling deeply uncomfortable with some of the decisions that were sort of hand waved away as fine at the end of the book that made the story feel a bit icky. Should be an interesting book club chat tonight.

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

Not Till We Are Lost by Dennis E Taylor (the fifth book in the Bobiverse series) on audiobook. Completed. Much of the same as the rest of the series. It doesnt ask much of the reader but is simple and enjoyable. A good 'in between' type book for when I want something to just have on while I am busy.

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 18/05/2026

Thrift store find for $3.00. Oltre Mare. This game was a Mashup of Sushi Go, Settlers of Catan, and Bohnanza and was a lot of fun! More strategic than all 3 of them for sure. Will definitely play it again.

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 12/05/2026

Wrapped up Greg Egan's short story collection 'Axiomatic' this morning. Superb. Hard pressed to think of a story collection I've enjoyed more. It was my first of his books and the experience of reading it felt like some of my first read throughs of Stephen King's short works. So glad I read it.

The front cover of Greg Egan's 'Axiomatic' Features a pattern of criss-crossing colored star-like shapes.

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

Just wrapped up Orbital by Samantha Harvey. Was unsure headed into it if it would be something I would enjoy but I really liked it overall. Contemplative and a celebration of people and the world. Not much of a plot but I didn't care.

Front cover of Orbital by Samantha Harvey. A splash of colours and planets.

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

Just completed The Works of Vermin. Bizarre and not enjoyable for me at all. One of those "I really dont get it it" books for me.

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

Tore through Red Mars on the last few days of vacation. It started slow but really enjoyed the ride by the end. Looking forward to the next two books at some point.

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

Vacation read #2 is A Clockwork Orange. Having some idea of the content (never seen the movie either) I had put this off for a long time but finally gave it a go. While it lived up to its reputation, I found it very readable and thoughtful in ways that surprised me. Glad I read it.

The front cover of A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess. It features a smiling skeleton leaning lazily in front of us, while holding a bottle of milk and wearing a bowler hat.

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 21/04/2026

Today's beach read was another of Time's top 100, this time Falconer by John Cheever and oh boy was it a ride. Quite an interesting read but still unsure how to process it.

The front cover of Falconer by John Cheever. A purple cover with stylized writing and little else.

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

Week long vacation begun. 6 books packed. Can't wait!

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

Finally got around to reading Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe. An absolute classic and for good reason. My 29th read of Time's top 100 novels.

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

Wrapped up Ann Leckie's Ancillary Justice and really enjoyed it. I wasn't sure what to expect going in. Knew nothing about it really but more recent SF is hit or miss for me. Very worthy of the awards it won in my opinion.

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 16/04/2026

The latest episode of Starship Alexandria is such a great example of why I love the podcast. Great episode looking at the Dungeons and Dragons film. Check it out!

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

Been busy but still fitting in reading. Recently completed The Doloriad by Missouri Williams. Post-apocalyptic fever dream of a book that was tough to read both for its prose and its subject matter. Didn't hate it and its stuck with me a while. Lots to unpack even if I am not smart enough to do so.

The front cover of The Doloriad by Missouri Williams featuring evergreen trees and simple green writing.

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

This chonky boy has had my attention since the start of the year but finally finished it in February. Back to more SF. Amazing book of course.

The front cover of War and Peace, translated by Constance Garnett.

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 13/02/2026

Had a day off and decided to sit down and read 'Nuclear War A Scenario' by Annie Jacobsen. I am making more of an effort to read more non-fiction this year but this was quite a "fictiony" non-fiction book. From the moment a quote from Louis XIV was attributed to Napoleon I struggled with it.

The front cover of Nuclear War A Scenario by Annie Jacobsen Features a mushroom cloud on the front cover with little else.

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 12/02/2026

A little swerve in my usual reading as book club decided to take on The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware. A pretty standard fare mystery book that left me mostly unsatisfied by the end. I like mysteries where the twist can be deduced ahead of time by a careful reader but this felt too random at the end.

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Joel Stainer @joelstainer.bsky.social · 08/02/2026

Just wrapped up Notes from a Regicide by @isaac-fellman.bsky.social and it was wonderful. While I suppose it is SF, that particular aspect of the book felt somewhat incidental. Had it been lifted out and placed in another genre, place, or time, the reading experience would have been as great.

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