Four

I was meant to read more in 2012 but I didn’t really manage it. What have I been doing? Mostly playing on my phone. The first nail in my coffin was Cut The Rope; I can’t remember who suggested it but I devoured it and it was my gateway drug. Then obviously I had to look at Angry Birds since I’m not a fan but I still plodded through every level (just outside the top million of a ridiculous 26 million) and returned to the franchise for the promise of new physics with Angry Birds Space. After that I found true love with Where’s My Water?, a pretty much flawless game. I have an insatiable appetite for it, even going so far as to buy obvious rip-off tie-in Where’s My Perry?

Various other games also captured my attention for substantial periods. A friend recommended Robot Unicorn Attack but, whilst there is something hypnotic about it, I soon moved onto Tiny Wings, surely the greatest of the endless scrollers. I am now on Whale Trail having just run Jetpack Joyride into the ground as well as the lesser known Captain Antarctica (more levels soon please). I have even dabbled with tower defence in the epic fantasy form of Kingdom Rush. Oh, and let’s not mention the temporary Draw Something addiction. Oh God, or the teddy bear nightmare of Triple Town.

Anyway, I think I’m getting clean. There is more space in my life for books now and the towers of new acquisitions are starting to sink. If you want a reading recommendation then check out Dark Matter by Julie Zeh, it is simply the best thing I’ve read this year.

1) What’s The Opposite Of Bellum Omnium Contra Omnes? – in which I take issue with the Nebulas.
2) Everything That Is Wrong With Commercial Fantasy In A Single Quote – in which I identify everything wrong with commercial fantasy using a single quote.
3) ‘The Star’ by Arthur C. Clarke – in which I dislike a story.
4) On Being Libelled By Liviu Suciu – in which I make extensive use of my right to reply.
5) ‘Nine Lives’ by Ursula K. LeGuin – in which I discuss a story which is clearly on a reading list somewhere in 185 words.
6) How Come China Miéville Never Blogs About His Award Eligibility? – in which I confront self-interest masquerading as public service.
7) Back To The Mud: The Heroes by Joe Abercrombie (Gollancz, 2011) – in which I review a bloody good fantasy novel.
8) ‘Covehithe’ by China Miéville – in which I discuss a story that lost the 2011 BSFA Award.
9) ‘The Copenhagen Interpretation’ by Paul Cornell – in which I discuss a story that won the 2011 BSFA Award.
10) ‘Desertion’ by Clifford D. Simak – in which I discuss a story which is clearly on a reading list somewhere in 24 words.

Which means, for the second year in a row, mormon whale rape tops the charts (depsite a stupid title – in your face, SEO). ‘The Star’ continues to receive loads of hits as do other stories from The Ascent Of Wonder. So if you want long-tail hit-bait, short fiction is where it is at.

Goal for next year: something in the top ten that is unrelated to bloody science fiction.