The Other Bennet Sister (by Janice Hadlow)

I was going to start on the ToB shortlist, I swear, but then this popped up in my library holds and I couldn't resist! It's a retelling and continuation of Pride & Prejudice focusing on Mary Bennet.

This is absolutely fanfiction, though of course this version of Mary is easy to root for and her London adventures and romantic plot are delightful. I liked Hadlow's take one some characters (Mr. Collins, the Gardiners) and less so others (Charlotte, Elizabeth, Caroline Bingley) but almost all of them felt out of character. Hadlow borrows plot elements and references from other Austen novels, which makes it feel even less organic.  

But that being said I enjoy fanfiction, especially in a case like this, where Hadlow really nails the narrative voice and the milieu. I would love to see her take on Sanditon (it needs a decent ending). I should probably have saved this for 2021 and counted it as "fanfic" for the Read Harder Challenge, but I've got a Villaneve fic ready to go.

If you're an Austen fan and don't mind fanficcy interpretations of all your characters, you could do worse!

Exit Strategy and Network Effect (by Martha Wells)

Murderbot is back! Exit Strategy is the fourth novella in the Murderbot Diaries series by Martha Wells and kind of wraps up the first big plot arc. (Where does Murderbot belong, and with whom.) This was a really good one, with a conclusion that is both very satisfying and leaves the door open for a lot more. I immediately moved on to Network Effect, which is the fifth book and first full-length novel in the series.

It's great to have a novel-length Murderbot story; it works just as well on a larger scale, and I loved the relationships in this one. I saw some people (on Metafilter, maybe) saying this series was their favorite read of the year. I don't think it will end up in my very top, but then again maybe! It is really really delightful, if you're a sci-fi fan.

I so far have resisted the urge to start on Read Harder 2021, specifically the novel-length, really intriguing Killing Eve fanfiction I have discovered. Move over Johnlock, it's time for Villaneve!

Today Tonight Tomorrow (by Rachel Lynn Solomon)

Yes! This was a charming and super funny contemporary YA novel. Two high school seniors who have been half-bitter, half-bantery rivals for four years participate in a treasure hunt around the city of Seattle on the last day of school. They end up teaming up and of course, romance ensues! With many feels and some nice layers of complexity. Very very good, and extremely well-written.

As a side note, the Read Harder Challenge for 2021 is out! I feel like "read a book with a cover you don't like" is a repeat challenge but that's fine. I'm already starting to choose books for the categories so if you have recommendations, leave 'em in the comments! "Read a book you’ve been intimidated to read" is an interesting category. People are choosing stuff like Ulysses or Infinite Jest (read 'em) but I don't think I am intimidated by literaryness. Instead I may choose something that intimidates me because it's emotionally difficult to engage with. Just Mercy was intimidating for sure! Something along those lines maybe.

I also look forward to see what they recommend, even though sometimes their recommendations are a bit off, which is so weird since they designed the challenges. But hooray anyway!