It's December
2025 recap post
December: the time of year when we sit and reflect upon the bullshit (and joys!) of the past 12 months, and while I’d like to think I’m way too cool for recap posts, I’m actually not. However, I am too cool for a Spotify account1, so I have no “wrapped” things to post, I have to do it all myself. So, before I begin, I’d just like to say thank you to everyone who reads this, many of you joined this year and so it still feels very fresh and new to be addressing so many people. And if you haven’t subscribed to Mechanical Pulp yet, you can go ahead and do that, I wouldn't even mind:
[Note, I’m getting the “post too long for email” warning so if the email is truncated please hit that “View entire message” button to see the whole thing.]
Books I’ve Read:
At the start of the year I was still struggling through a major reading slump. I set my Goodreads goal to a mere 24 books, not sure if I’d even hit that many. Some years I read a book a week, for reference. Yes, 24 is still a lot of books compared to Average People, but, are we striving for Average? Anyway, I’m happy to say I hit 30 the other day, and I’ll probably hit 31 or 32 by the years’ end. So, although the first half of the year was a struggle, I do seem to have overcome it (up until some life stresses slowed me down again… but I’m not getting into that right now.)
Some highlights:
At the start of the year, I read Riddle Master of Hed by Patricia A McKillip, which was, as usual with McKillip, very dreamlike and fairy-tale. I enjoyed it, but due to the slump I was in, I still haven't read the sequels. Read if you like shapeshifting harpists and poetic prose.
Strangers on a Train, which was very good, by another Patricia (Highsmith) though I think I liked The Talented Mr. Ripley better. Still, I don’t think anyone writes charming neurotic obsessive stalker psychos quite like Highsmith.
Reading some old-school bodice rippers helped the slump a bit, you can read the post about them here:
Thomas Covenant—and yes, I read ALL TEN—was excellent all the way through. Though, if you have a lot of nostalgia for the original 3 to 6, you may not like the last 4. And if you don’t like Linden Avery, don’t read the last 4. However, as I didn’t have that nostalgia connection, and I didn’t mind her character, I had no issue with the ending. I think I might have even cried. Read my post about the first trilogy here:
My first CJ Cherryh: the Morgaine Cycle—Gate of Ivrel, Well of Shiuan, Fires of Azeroth, Exile’s Gate—awesome. Just awesome. Covers by Michael Whelan, also awesome. I would happily reread all 4 of these books again. I really enjoyed how we view Morgaine’s quest through Vanye’s eyes, and their slow-burn relationship is just excellently written. The sci-fantasy-ness of the settings, the mysterious tech. Really fun. Narrative voice is captivating and Cherryh doesn’t spoonfeed—in a way it reminded me of the way Book of the New Sun feels like fantasy until you get hit with an “oh shit, it’s the future” moment. Vanye and Morgaine are somewhere near the top of my favourite fantasy/SF characters now. Highly recommend this series… another one time seems to have forgot.
Thorns by Robert Silverberg. Very odd, quick, new wave SF. Emotional vampire bad guy, brutal alien body mods, proto-reality TV relationship drama… Very good. Not for everyone, but very good.
The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester. Read this because of Frank Kidd and Brady Putzke. Thanks guys! Count of Monte Christo but SF… but that description doesn't do it justice, you really have to experience the prose. Really cool. A very influential SF novel. They did a podcast episode about it so listen to it!
Another shout-out to Mr. Kidd, Medicine Woman is a wild ride. And another shout-out to my good friend Ian Barr who read like 30+ indie novels this year!! Including Medicine Woman—it was his review that inspired me to pick it up! So go to his substack and check out his reviews! Very good western with a touch of romance (but totally for dudes, don’t worry). Villain you love to hate. Great stuff! Get a copy and tell Kidd I sent you!
Comfort Reads… at one point this year I was so stuck and at a loss for what to read I read my own book for fun (The Highwayman Kennedy Thornwick) which, I must say, is a lot different than reading it with editing in mind haha. Well, does it count as cheating for the Goodreads goal? Who cares. Not me. Technically it’s also another indie read, too, but like, it’s my own book, so, I won't count it this time. If I do say so myself, it’s very good and you should read it.
Currently reading Lord Valentine's Castle, another Silverberg, very comfy. It’s about a guy who might be the ruler of the planet Majipoor but he lost his memory so now it’s alien planet travelogue time. If you hate juggling you might want to skip it, but despite feeling like Silverberg might have phoned it in a bit, who cares, it’s an easygoing time and I’m enjoying it.
I’m also currently rereading Jack Vance’s Planet of Adventure/Tschai books (see my podcast appearance about it below!)—City of the Chasch, Servants of the Wankh, The Dirdir, The Pnume—and it is so much fun and so comfy, and also a kind of alien travelogue which makes me think Silverberg might have bit from Vance a touch, but that's totally OK. There’s some parts that are even funnier on my 2nd read. I love Vance, very few complaints (actually none. It’s great. Especially when our hero schemes money by cheating in casino games, or haggles with his landlord for half a book lmao). Do I like these better than the Demon Princes series? Not sure… I’ll have to reread those again to see. Of course, nothing tops Lyonesse, which I might reread again soon too.
Podcast Appearances
This year I found myself talking into a microphone quite a bit, having fun conversations with fun people. I enjoy talking to folks, although I always get nervous before recording, I think I’m getting used to it. The nerves will likely never fully go away, but once I get going it’s hard to get me to shut up. If you like hearing me talk, you can listen to any of these, give them likes and shares and do all that fun stuff. And, if you want me on more in 2026, tell them so. I’ll do my best!
Black Ibis Social Club
Alucard's Fantasy Podcast
The Frank and Brady Show
The Xanadu Review
My Substack Stuff
I didn’t post much this year, and more non-fic than fic which is a big pivot from my first couple years here. Averaged about one post a month, I find reading and writing slumps tend to go together, however, what I DID post seems to have resonated with a couple people!
Some highlights:
My only short story post this year (that wasn't autofiction or a poem!) And I think it’s a lot of fun, so do give it a read:
Here’s my number one post of not only the year, but of my entire substack post history!
And let’s not forget I released a freakin NOVEL!
Alright! That's about that. If you like what I do here, please consider supporting me by purchasing a book or three, leaving reviews, and telling other people to buy my books!
Pallas - SF/Horror - [Amazon] [Kobo]
The Highwayman Kennedy Thornwick - Literary Fantasy - [Amazon] [Kobo]
The Ghosts of Tieros Kol - Adventure SF - [Amazon] [Kobo]
Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Happy New Year, and all the rest.
Get Tidal you fools
Heckin' good post. Looking forward to 2026 shenanigans.
I’m on the didir! The ship in being built!