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*It’s the second longest novel I’ll read this year. The longest was Miss Macintosh, My Darling which is close to 700,000 words and took me six months to read. I don’t have the luxury of six months with Tom’s Crossing.

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Ian Mond @mondyboy74.bsky.social · 8d

Mark Z. Danielewski’s Tom’s Crossing is 1234 pages long and clocks in at just over 550,000 words. I am reviewing it for Locus. (I said I would). I’m sure it will be a breeze.*

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Ian Mond @mondyboy74.bsky.social · 8d

I LOVED this book.

Locus Magazine @locusmag.bsky.social · 8d

“DWELLING may not be the antidote to all the horror and violence we’re witnessing daily, but it made me happy and that’s not nothing.” @mondyboy74.bsky.social reviews new work from Emily Hunt Kivel

Dwelling by Emily Hunt Kivel: Review by Ian Mond

I can pinpoint the exact moment I fell in love with Emily Kivel Hunt’s debut novel, Dwelling. It was the scene with the boot. I was already falling hard for the book, but the boot? That was the cli…

locusmag.com

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Ian Mond @mondyboy74.bsky.social · 10d

I didn’t love this collection, but it hasn’t deterred me from reading Park’s novels (which I have on the shelves).

Books Read: An Oral History of Atlantis by Ed Park

Another book where I was more enthused with the cover than the contents.

open.substack.com

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Ian Mond @mondyboy74.bsky.social · 13d

@file770.bsky.social—Audition is speculative.

Booker Prize 2025 Shortlist

The six novels on the Booker Prize 2025 shortlist were revealed September 23. It appears from the descriptions that none of this year’s selections are of genre interest. The Booker Prize cel…

file770.com

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Ian Mond @mondyboy74.bsky.social · 13d

Agree. The xenomorph was satisfyingly old school.

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Ian Mond @mondyboy74.bsky.social · 13d

Fungus and body horror: a delectably nauseating mixture. If you like that sort of thing (which I do).

Locus Magazine @locusmag.bsky.social · 13d

“Strip away the gore, and THE GIRL IN THE CREEK is this nuanced… story about how little society cares about the environment or other people, particularly if their skin is a different colour.” @mondyboy74.bsky.social reviews @wnwagner.bsky.social

Girl in the Creek by Wendy N. Wagner: Review by Ian Mond

Girl in the Creek, Wendy N. Wagner (Tor Nightfire 978-1-25090-864-3, $27.99, 272pp, hc) July 2025. With her third novel, Girl in the Creek, Wendy N. Wagner wastes no time invoking the title. On the…

locusmag.com

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Reposted by Ian Mond

Locus Magazine @locusmag.bsky.social · 13d

“Strip away the gore, and THE GIRL IN THE CREEK is this nuanced… story about how little society cares about the environment or other people, particularly if their skin is a different colour.” @mondyboy74.bsky.social reviews @wnwagner.bsky.social

Girl in the Creek by Wendy N. Wagner: Review by Ian Mond

Girl in the Creek, Wendy N. Wagner (Tor Nightfire 978-1-25090-864-3, $27.99, 272pp, hc) July 2025. With her third novel, Girl in the Creek, Wendy N. Wagner wastes no time invoking the title. On the…

locusmag.com

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Ian Mond @mondyboy74.bsky.social · 13d

I concur. Has flaws, but is doing some interesting stuff. People have gotten upset that Hawley has defanged the xenomorph in favour of other aliens. I would tend to agree. But I found that was mitigates by the other more interesting stuff happening around the alien.

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Ian Mond @mondyboy74.bsky.social · 14d

One of the best examples of the TV or film being far better than the source material.

Books Read: London Rules by Mick Herron

Just in time for the series premiere!

open.substack.com

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Ian Mond @mondyboy74.bsky.social · 17d

You can’t like ‘em all (even if the cover is awesome).

Books Read: Pan by Michael Clune

Didn’t think much of the novel, but that’s one of the best covers of the year.

open.substack.com

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Ian Mond @mondyboy74.bsky.social · 22d

Yes. I mean (spoilers) it does deal with the end of the world. But if that’s how we’re gonna go—then I’m fine with that!

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Ian Mond @mondyboy74.bsky.social · 22d

Reading Carrington is my new happy place.

Books Read: The Hearing Trumpet by Leonora Carrington

There’s surreal and then there’s this masterpiece.

open.substack.com

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Ian Mond @mondyboy74.bsky.social · 23d

Story! Not sorry.

Ian Mond @mondyboy74.bsky.social · 24d

This is a very sexy book. Also a heap of fun. Especially the sorry about the bear.

Locus Magazine @locusmag.bsky.social · 24d

See @mondyboy74.bsky.social reviews ENJOY YOUR STAY AT THE SHAMROCK MOTEL by Andrew Kaufman:“A collection like this, filled with lots and lots of strange, unconventional sex, but also infused with laughter, magic and joy, deserves your immediate attention"

Enjoy Your Stay at the Shamrock Motel by Andrew Kaufman: Review by Ian Mond

I have this tendency – one I’m sure I share with many of you – where I’ll hear great things about a novel or collection, purchase it, and promptly forget said book exists. Years later, I’ll happen …

wp.me

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Ian Mond @mondyboy74.bsky.social · 27d

So, does this mean you’re gonna spend the next several months chatting about the novel!? That would be true defiance!

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Ian Mond @mondyboy74.bsky.social · 28d

Fair enough. I stand corrected!

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Ian Mond @mondyboy74.bsky.social · 29d

HA! Top Tier Guilt reads. Magnificent.

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