Mm. Yeah! Podcasts…time to get my computer out so I can answer without accidentally losing my post while I go back and forth in apps…

Yes, the Jeff VanderMeer one on the list. I thought Annihilation was alright and didn't end up continuing the series, although I was still able to enjoy the movie. But, Borne is usually my go to rec for the VenderMeer that feels most typically literary to me, as opposed to Weird-Fiction that Annihilation and others fit into (including Bourne#2 - what is Dead Astronauts, I could not tell you).

Well I’ve looked at my list and now I have a bunch.

Maybe I should create an “if you’re looking for” rec list for the list and pin that to the top for my top recs…thanks for inspiring my brainstorm idea.

Okay:

Bourne - a story of a plant-like alien under the care of a human. That’s the idea. But it’s all about the struggles of that relationship, especially as you can’t expect care of a wild thing, learn its needs, have morals you have to consider etc. It’s very much like Monstrilio in this way.

Ishmael - a great sit back and consider the state of the world philosophical story of humanity and where we’re at, through the story of a human and a gorilla that becomes his mentor. It’s one of those loved stories for a reason outcomes for me, as it’s a fav. I’m rereading it right now, or rather, my neighbor is reading it to me, and I’m excited to read the second book which is completely unrequited but I’m intrigued by he fact it’s stated by the author to be more important than the first even.

Exhalation - A group of stories, plenty solid. Considering the world, the future, possibilities....from time travel to digital companions, to fun little thought provoking short stories. It's another beloved for a reason and with good reason. It's still my favorite anthology of his of the two.

Project Hail Mary Easy rec to anyone. God, just a wonderful little journey. And, if you're able not to spoil anything for yourself (I'm pissed the trailers are spoilers for the first MAJOR plot (twist?) development. It's humor, it's space terror, its figuring out how to survive and how to save earth. It's emotional, and it's hilarious, and it's wonderful. Some get caught up in the science of it, but I honestly don't think it's anything hard to understand, and if anything it's an enjoyable book full of the character nerding out.

Sisters of Revolution Ann VanderMeer - I wish more would read this, it has some really cool stories in it I'll remember forever. Not sure what else to say, it's supposed to be feminist anthology, and has several body-nature connecting stories I'm thoroughly attached to.

Ender's Game - another I hope remains entirely unspoiled for those who get the chance to read it, because the story end remains with me from a childhood read and is quite powerful. I've reread and enjoyed it since then (so I could read the second book, which is very different but continues on themes for this list in ways I wanted to explore, given my love for the first book). Possibly comparable to something like the Hunger Games or Divergent or Maze Runner, but different - in that it's a book full of training for something, and living and working with others in a government controlled environment...but that makes it sound static. It's about a kid, an intelligent kid, pulled into a story of training to prepare to kill aliens. The story takes place in the training grounds/schooling where they train in the SciFi ways they do, and focuses on the relationships between the students and the teachers and the MC in various ways. It's hard to make this sound exciting....I'll have to work on that.