Obsidian Wings

OH HUGO GERNSBACK NO

by Doctor Science

The nominations for the Hugo Awards were announced last week, and the fiction slates are the oddest collection we've had in years, possibly ever.

Best Novel (1595 nominating ballots)
Ancillary Justice, Ann Leckie
Neptune's Brood, Charles Stross
Parasite, Mira Grant
Warbound, Book III of the Grimnoir Chronicles, Larry Correia
The Wheel of Time, Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson

Basically, this is three books that no-one is surprised to see on the ballot, and two ... others.

your golden week and other strange holidays Sat open thread

by liberal japonicus

Headed off for a weekend of fun and excitement. Here in Japan, it is the holiday called Golden Week. So consider this an opportunity to talk about strange holidays that you know and love.