Neal

This work is a collection of short stories connected only by Kiernan’s impeccable ability to communicate an ominous atmosphere and a general mood of darkness and dread… in the best way possible. Sue does it all and does it beautifully; murder mystery, Lovecraftian horror, sci-fi cults on Mars, and more. This book is a spooky season essential!

For fans of Stephenson this is a must read! My boy other Neal has a penchant for trying to communicate where in IRL science and history he’s drawing concepts and also for what I lovingly call academic ADHD where you can practically feel the passion he has for any number of oddly specific subjects or ideas. I absolutely love that about him, but go in to this story with that in mind and just get lost in the musings of someone with something to say and a genuine love for scientific history, “the Great Ideas” found therein, and the sometimes bizarre conclusions that can come from dwelling on those ideas.

This book holds a special place in my queer Jewish heart. It presents primary texts coving the queer Jewish experience laid out in chronological order from Tanakh, Talmud, medieval poetry, private letters, Yiddish newspapers, and more. 10/10 would recommend for anyone interested in either Jewish or queer history