Books to Read While the Algae Grow in Your Fur, December 2016

Attention conservation notice: I have no taste.

Laila Lalami, The Moor's Account

Historical fiction, in which the Narvaez expedition across what's now the American South and Southwest in the early 1500s is told from the view-point of the Moorish slave Estebanico. It works well as both a historical tale and a lovely piece of writing.

Palani Mohan, Hunting with Eagles: In the Realm of the Mongolian Kazakhs

Beautiful black-and-white photographs of, as it says, Mongolian Kazakhs hunting with eagles, and their landscape. Many of them are just stunningly composed.

M. J. Carter, The Strangler Vine

Mind-candy historical mystery, set among the sahibs of pre-Mutiny British India.

N. K. Jemisin, The Obelisk Gate

Sequel to The Fifth Season, continuing the story at the same high level of quality.

Books to Read While Algae Grow in Your Fur; Tales of Our Ancestors; Scientifiction; Afghanistan and Central Asia; Pleasures of Detection, Portraits of Crime