Red Dust by Yoss (2020) translated by David Frye

The story has a lot of action and fun science fiction, with interesting politics from a Cuban perspective but set in a space opera. The homages are a bit shallow and trite.  It is very short, dense, and enjoyable. 4/5 Stars.

Perhaps the Stars by Ada Palmer (2021)

Scattered and unsatisfying. Ridiculous characters and terrible world building. 1/5 Stars.

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Mash Up edited by Gardner Dozois (2016)

I had read and was looking for the story in this collection by Allen Steele.  The rest of the stories were also ok; some were very good.  I enjoyed them all and I enjoyed re-reading the hilarious story "The Big Whale." 4/5 Stars.

Midnight in Moscow by John J Sullivan (2024)

The book offers a compelling and insightful recounting of the American ambassador's experiences in Russia during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the tense prelude and early stages of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. For me, it was an eye-opening narrative. I've always found it perplexing how international dynamics can unravel when leaders become so entrenched in their own perspectives that they lose sight of reality. This story highlights a recurring failure of imagination—an inability to grasp the clear, unvarnished actions and motives of their counterparts on the global stage. 4/5 Stars. 

Klara and the Sun Kazuo Ishiguro (2021)

I finally read an Ishiguro book that I enjoyed!  The author's Nobel Prize winning writing in my favorite genre of science fiction, coupled with great psychological, sociological, and metaphysical explorations is great. 4/5 Stars.

New Foundland The Long Haul (2021)

Neal Stephenson's dialog and some plotting shine in this fantasy story Radio Play. I don't like swords and sorcery fantasy but this dramatic audio presentation is fun. 4/5 Stars.

Excerpt from the Third and Last Volume of "Tribes of the Pacific Coast" by Neal Stephenson (2008)

As a Neal Stephenson fan, I am always looking for more of his earlier writing and collaborations that I may have missed.  I found this story, which appears to be an expansion of material originally removed during the editing process of  Diamond Age.  It is a fun return to the NeoVictorian world of Diamond Age nanotech with fun plot elements and asymmetric military conflict. 4/5 Stars.

On Liberty by John Stuart Mill (1859)

This gripping, long-form essay is clear, approachable, and relevant in 2025.  The concepts are timeless and universal.  Our modern politics and rhetorical discussions now among the ruling class elites would benefit enormously from the civics concepts and reasoning in this essay.  In particular the balance between the "Tyranny of the Majority" and individual rights in a society are fantastic.  Highly recommended, 5/5 Stars.

Against a Dark Background by Ian M Banks (1993)

Despite the nihilistic, dark themes and the gratuitous, purposeless violence, I enjoyed this space opera. The world building is reminiscent of the beloved Culture series. The plot is unpredictable, the writing is great, and the awe-and-wonder is dominant. 4/5 Stars.