Some people read with their eyeballs, and still others talk to their books—we do both! In part two of our three-part survey of novels shortlisted for 2021’s top SF and Fantasy awards, we’re discussing the magic and romance of “The Midnight Bargain” by C.L. Polk, the spooky “Mexican Gothic” by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, and the murderbotiness of “Network Effect” by Martha Wells. Plus, what else are we reading?

The Midnight Bargain, Mexican Gothic, and Network Effect

Jason Snell with Erika Ensign, Scott McNulty and Aleen Simms

What we’re reading:

Scott: The Galaxy and the Ground Within, Oona Out of Order.

Aleen: The Hidden Palace, Kitchen Confidential

Erika: Recently Read 59-63, Fugitive Telemetry (The Murderbot Diaries Book 6), Where Oaken Hearts Do Gather, Power and Majesty.

Jason: Flowers for Algernon, Binti.

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