Why I can't read non-fiction these days

Also: updates and book recommendations

Deal friends,

I am currently working on my new book on anthropomorphism, which is going well. But, it has made it impossible for me to pick up a non-fiction book for recreational reading. I feel like I have to have a my computer nearby so I can take notes, which means no reading non-fiction in bed (my favorite place to read). Every single non-fiction book is now a potential source of insight and anecdotes, and must be carefully studied. So my apologies to all you amazing non-fiction writers, but your books have become homework for me.

I’ve turned instead to fiction for recreational reading as of late. I’ll name a few books I recommend at the end of this newsletter. But first, some author news.

The paperback version of If Nietzsche Were a Narwhal came out last week in the UK from Hodder. It has a VERY GREEN cover, so you absolutely won’t miss it on the shelves.

Also, I found the Italian version in Italy (which is logical, I suppose). Here’s me shortly after the discovery:

So here are a few books I’ve read in the past weeks:

Prophet Song by Paul Lynch. A Booker Prize winner. Deeply unsettling, but such a compelling read.

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang. Some great detail in here about book publishing and the trauma of social media for authors (and everyone else). Also some rather cunning insight on diversity and racism in the publishing industry. Kuang is one smart cookie, a helluva writer, and only 27.

Starfish and Blindsight, both by Hugo award winner Peter Watts. I might get the chance to chat with Peter about his writing on a podcast in the near future. He’s a PhD-holding marine mammal nerd turned sci-fi writer, which is a career trajectory I totally understand/envy. Both of these books are seriously good sci-fi, with a clear Neuromancer vibe. As far as first contact books go, Blindsight is one of the best.

That’s it for now. If anyone has recommendations for good fiction, please let me know. But, don’t send me any homework (i.e., non-fiction recommendations). Please and thank you!