 Matt from Runalongtheshelves and C. take a look at the 2017 Hugo Awards shortlist and discuss the nominees. C. My relationship with the Hugo has always been fraught. It's nothing but a popularity contest, something which I'm not interested in for two reasons: 1) I'm happy to admit that my tastes don't always run with what's popular 2) I like an award to make me discover something which I've never heard of or barely glanced at. It's something that rarely happens in a popularity contest. And if I look at the past winners of the Hugos, there are, since its inception, only 15 novels that I agree with as Award winners (and an awful lot are McMaster Bujold's!) So when I say I looked at this year's list with a sigh, I'm being pretty literal. I'm quite resigned to the fact that the Hugo isn't the best award for my tastes. Matt So for me my general knowledge of the Hugos was an award that seemed a bit remote and far away in the US. Prestige but wasn't really aware how it worked and then the Puppies decided an SF book award is the perfect place to cheat and extol some pretty poor stories. So over the last last three years I have tried to get involved. The Hugos are not perfect they have been prone to white US male for a long time but it's changing. This year I think we have an almost puppy free list and that finally allows a debate on the quality of the books!  Best Novel
C. I went as far as page 150. It was a chore. It felt to me like a YA romance with fantasy and scifi in it. I found the concepts déjà-vu, the romance uninteresting (on the other hand, I rarely find romance interesting!) and the characters completely failed to grab me. But maybe I liked the writing? Sadly I didn't find anything in it that was enough to compensate the pile of clichés. Basically: I wasn't the right reader for it. (And that's me being restrained and polite.) Matt Usually I don't enjoy romance or stories set in schools but I found this fascinating. A mash up of SF and Fantasy that for me did something new and fitted our time. I found how the characters survived some awful schools and worked out how to grow and survive down very well. A reminder that bullying carries consequences for even the victims. For me that's a first novel that felt quite fresh
C. I haven't read it. Why? Because after having read The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet last year, I wasn't about to live that again. Most of the dialogues and characters seemed to be lifted straight off a Joss Whedon script. Don't get me wrong: I love Firefly, I know it by heart. But if I wanted to read fanfic, I'd head to a fanfic website. There wasn't enough originality (not to mention the pacing problems) in it to make me want to read the sequel. Matt I think a lot of people were surprised to read this book and realise that it wasn't a direct sequel to the tale of Orbit's crew. Instead this story features the story of an AI now limited to one human body and the clone engineer who rescues her. Two very different and often much darker stories than in Orbit are run in parallel and then reside in a conclusion both tense and making full use of the characters. It questions what makes us human and I think I was glad that this time rather than short bursts of looking at each crew member this story focuses far more on two characters and the plot and how the two intertwine is done excellently. This time firefly is dialled down!! C. If Firefly is dialled down, then I may give it a try.
C. I liked it and it had great scifi concepts. But, honestly, if the story had ended at the end of the second volume, however bleak it would have been, I would have found it more striking. I must admit that I also had issues with the main character, which didn't really helped. Matt Not yet read - enjoyed Three Body but heard a lot about book 2 that out me off. Have dusted both down for reading shortly.
C. I liked it. But military scifi isn't my thing and the usual issues I can have with the genre I had with Ninefox Gambit. So I liked it, but I won't rave about it. Matt I'm not a military SF fan but this won me over because you are given a huge learning curve to work out what is going on. The fight to prevent Calendrical Rot (still not sure!) has some lovely yet violent set pieces as a world is put to siege. But the most fascinating battle/relationship is between an insane military genius who is dead and the new upcoming officer who now now has him in her head. Unreliable narrators, politics and sheer scale made this one stand out last year!
C. Loved it. Loved it. Loved it. And I simply can't wait to read the next volume! Matt I loved Fifth Season but this is on Mount TBR - hopefully to be read soon!
C. That's one I haven't read yet. It's a four volume saga, only two have been published yet and I'm a binge reader. So I'm quite busy navigating safely the internet to avoid spoilers as much as possible and I'll start on it as soon as all volumes are published. But it definitely looks like my cup of tea and I'm looking forward to reading it! Matt I've not read it or to be honest heard of it! So for me this homework to track down and report back on! C. Jo Walton raves about it and I usually like what she recommends. So, let's face it: both of some of the most popular novels on the list aren't novels that, to me, bring something new to the genre. They are certainly crowd pleasers but I really wonder at their future legacy. Even though American Gods or Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell - both past winners - are far from being favourites of mine, I nonetheless recognise that both brought something to the genre whether with their unique style or unique take on myths. All the Birds in the Sky and A Closed and Common Orbit? I'm doubtful. (Right, now that I've bad mouthed two of the fans favourites, I'm expecting the mob with assorted torches, pitchforks and scythes any minute!) Basically, apart from Too Like the Lightining (which, from what I've heard of it, will probably win because it's outstanding), there's only The Obelisk Gate that I'd vote for (I don't) on this list. Matt Excuse me while I light my torch and sharpen my scythe! For me it's a strong list and three of them were on my ballot. I think it's a list that looks very much like where SF is going - mash ups of fantasy and SF like Birds and arguably the Fifth season book. Even Ninefox does something new for military SF looking far more at the characters than the shiny toys of destruction. I think I'd had put The Power by Naomi Alderman but not sure if that's eligible for the year but also Sudden Appearence of Hope by Claire North which I though was a fantasy thriller with a lot t day about identity bin the modern world Early winner? I'm tempted Ninefox may win being more SF and I think may work for many C. Yes, it's such a pity The Power isn't there, isn't it? I hope it'll make it to the Clarke Award shortlist to gain some visibility. I wish Rosewater by Tade Thompson had been on it too. I think it really deserves the attention.  Best Novella
C. On my to-be-read list but haven't found the time yet to read it. Matt Loved this!! A lot at one of Lovecraft's most racist stories through the eyes of a black man in 1920's America. Challenging not just that author's racism as placing black People as villains but drawing a strong parallel with the racists attitudes of the police and society back then with that of now. Some things sadly have yet to change as much as we would like. It's haunting and stays with you. C. That has now just moved up on my to-be-read list!
Matt Still to read this one but sounds very interesting C. Didn't heard of it, but go ahead and tell me about it afterwards!
C. On my to-be-read list but haven't found the time yet to read it. Matt Another great story. What happens to the kids from portal stories when they get back? Are they accepted? Do they want to be? McGuire imagines a school just for those kids who are completely changed by their experiences. It's a tale of acceptance wotha. Very diverse cast and a reminder that this genre is one where many feel comfortable being themselves.
C. I'm a huge fan of Lois McMaster Bujold. I've liked The Curse of Chalion a lot, I've raved about Paladin of Souls and the Penric novellas are charming, funny, touching and gripping... In short, they are McMaster Bujold through and through, so obviously I love them. Matt Still to read any but I do love many Bujold novels so am intrigued
C. I've read Wilson's Sorcerer of the Wildeeps a few months ago. I liked the style, I liked the story, but this one was advertised as mostly a romance, so not my cup of tea which is why I haven't read it. If it wins the Hugo, I may give it a try though. Matt Not yet read though I loved Wildeeps for that strange beautiful word it created musings SF, fantasy and our own world together
C. It took me a few days after having read it to realise how interesting this novella was and I reviewed it. Funny thing is that it was so bleak that I needed something light hearted after that so I read the Penric novellas again and caught up on the ones I hadn't! Matt Reading this very very soon - I'm way behind in Mieville so a novella may be a good way to ease back into what I recall is an author that required some thinking! C. It can be hard to keep up with him, isn't it? I have The Last Days of New Paris on my to-be-read too and the title intrigues me, but as this one was on the Clarke submission list, I went for it first. Matt Ok I have now read this and found it a very impressive bit of writing - dark and oppressive but just with a tiny glimpse of hope. C. So, basically, if I had to choose between Penric and This Census-Taker, I'd choose Penric, even though I bow down to Miéville's literary prowess. Matt Tough decision but I go with Every Heart as it's a very mature piece of writing that doesn't preach but very subtly gets its point across and the cast is fascinating.
 Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form
C. The book was better. (Actually, I didn't see it, but based on my long experience to how I react to adaptations of novels/short stories I love, I really didn't want to spend any money on it.) Matt Yet to read the book! Heretic! But this was a film I went into knowing nothing and being emotionally hit by my favourite film of the year and one of the best SF in recent years. A beautiful story about communication and choices with Amy Adams being particularly impressive .
Matt Usually you don't expect the best parody of superheroes to come from a studio producing them but this one pulls no punches and surprises me for actually being FUN!
Matt This was a joy to watch and easily beats the first film for me. Hotzmann and Patty are two great additions to SF icons.
Matt Annoyingly missed this at the cinema C. Me too. I hope I can catch up with it soon.
Matt A Star Wars prequel I can enjoy and goes into some more interesting places than I expected. Nice set pieces and performances but possibly nothing new C. I think we all needed the comfort blankets that The Force Awakens and Rogue One were after what Lucas did to us with Episodes 1, 2 and 3!
Matt I have still not got around to this!! C. I'm currently watching it: it's well done, it has a very strong feel of E.T. for adults. I saw E.T. as a kid and it gives me the same feelings. Matt So for me it has to be Arrival which I think is a classic.  Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form
C. Loved it. Did I mention I hate romance? Well even little romance hater me loved it. So there. If someone hasn't seen it, it's to be watched urgently. Matt Yet to watch any of these yet - I'm rubbish at tv catch ups. C. If you have one thing to catch up, it's this one.
Matt As a Who fan I sadly can't recommend this it just seemed very pedestrian C. I'll politely refrain from commenting on the Moffat era...
Matt Two shows and an album I've yet to watch the Album sounds intriguing!  Best Fancast (commented by Matt)
Two friends arguing over SF - often fun and interesting but could be great to move on from discussions of Heinlein!
Cor me this is a funny, insightful and smart podcast that explores the genre I recognise and has some excellent recommendations.
This bi monthly podcast is a mixture of reviews, discussions and reading suggestions. A lot of fun.
SF interviews with a difference - mild peril, singing chickens and an evil butler. It's a relaxing positive joy to listen to A hard decision it's been Fangirl and Tea for me.  Best Series
Matt Yet to read ad not widely available in the U.K. But picked up the sequence in a One volume ebook.
C. I'll stand by what I said in my review of it: it ain't much but it's fun. Not sure it deserves an award though. Matt I read the first book and it seemed fun I hear later books are better but not yet got around to them. C. Later books are definitely better. It remains a bit formulaic, but it's done with great gusto. Also, they definitely improved on the diversity in later books, so it helped me keeping on with reading it.
Matt Still to read read any.
C. I have loved the first two books. From book 3 and onwards, I've felt it didn't exactly knew where it was going. The latest volume has sat on my reading list for months now but I haven't managed to gather enough interest to pick it up. It's a pity as I love the characters. Matt I tend to agree I had a similar experience they're fun but I feel the series has threaded water a while now but the characters are a great bonus.
Matt I enjoyed the first two but found they quickly tailed off so I've not kept up.
C. LOIS MCMASTER BUJOLD FOR THE WIN! Matt Oh yes! I think a) it's got the consistency in the books b) the series developed as we explored the world and c) it feels nearer the end than most series. C. I don't know about you, but Gentleman Jole and the Red Queen really felt as a goodbye and as a book end. We started the Vorkosigan saga with Cordelia. It'd seem fitting we end it with her too. Some past winners of the Hugo Award reviewed on The Middle Shelf
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