Reading as a Writer: Ascention

Just after finishing a very fun beta-read for Nicholas Binge I was fortunate enough to stumble across a "new sci-fi" display at my local library that featured his two latest books (as well as a whole host of other books I ought to get my hands on. Since I'd been trying very hard to limit myself to three new books per library visit, I grabbed Ascension and keep walking.

First takeaway from Ascension: very hard to spell. Finding it on Goodreads afterwards to log the read and to write this post has been very, very challenging.

Second takeaway: In reading two of Nick's books back to back, I can really see the 'voice of the author.' It comes through in the themes of the story, even as each book is very distinct. That was very heartening to see, since lately with each new writing project I reach a point where I ask myself, "is this the same story I just told in the last book?" The things that I care about, and the emotional weight that I place on certain interpersonal interactions, repeat again and again. After reading Ascension, I feel like maybe that is not such a bad thing.

This was probably the most intellectual sci-fi I've read all year, and that was also good to experience as I try to target where on the commercial-literary spectrum I'm trying to place my own work. And after many months this year of a challenged attention span, I am very grateful to this book for being gripping enough to keep me distracted through several rounds of iron transfusions at the hospital, during which I did desperately need a one-handed distraction!

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AMM Connect

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