Gareth
@garethavonb.bsky.social
Love books, cinema & music #freePalestine #climatecrisis. #organise #solidarity 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈🇵🇸#libraries 💜
https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/gareth_beniston
https://app.thestorygraph.com/profile/gareth_beniston
Reposted by Gareth
📣 It's here: the 2026 @strangehorizons.bsky.social Criticism Special!
💡 A whole week of critical insight, with a new essay and new review every day. A podcast, a roundtable, an *editorial*.
📚 The weird! Anthropology! Non-anglophone SFF! Plus thoughts on fantasy series, adaptations, film and more.
💡 A whole week of critical insight, with a new essay and new review every day. A podcast, a roundtable, an *editorial*.
📚 The weird! Anthropology! Non-anglophone SFF! Plus thoughts on fantasy series, adaptations, film and more.
26 January 2026
Welcome to the annual Strange Horizons criticism special!
strangehorizons.com
January 26, 2026 at 1:41 PM
📣 It's here: the 2026 @strangehorizons.bsky.social Criticism Special!
💡 A whole week of critical insight, with a new essay and new review every day. A podcast, a roundtable, an *editorial*.
📚 The weird! Anthropology! Non-anglophone SFF! Plus thoughts on fantasy series, adaptations, film and more.
💡 A whole week of critical insight, with a new essay and new review every day. A podcast, a roundtable, an *editorial*.
📚 The weird! Anthropology! Non-anglophone SFF! Plus thoughts on fantasy series, adaptations, film and more.
I read glowing reviews by @mollytempleton.com and @hawkwinglb.bsky.social in '24 so I've had this on my radar for a while and yes - whoop - it's moving, exciting, thought-provoking, thrillingly weird and metaphorically rich. Loved it 💜 #booksky
🎉🎂 Happy UK Book Birthday to @kerstinhall.bsky.social 's ASUNDER!
🏆 A Finalist for the Nebula and Locus Awards,
🖤 A @reactorsff.bsky.social Reviewer's Choice of 2024
📙 A New York Public Library Best-Of Pick
SABRIEL meets WITCH KING in this deliciously dark fantasy.
Buy: https://geni.us/asunder
🏆 A Finalist for the Nebula and Locus Awards,
🖤 A @reactorsff.bsky.social Reviewer's Choice of 2024
📙 A New York Public Library Best-Of Pick
SABRIEL meets WITCH KING in this deliciously dark fantasy.
Buy: https://geni.us/asunder
January 27, 2026 at 4:13 PM
I read glowing reviews by @mollytempleton.com and @hawkwinglb.bsky.social in '24 so I've had this on my radar for a while and yes - whoop - it's moving, exciting, thought-provoking, thrillingly weird and metaphorically rich. Loved it 💜 #booksky
This is a VERY exciting list 💜🚀 #booksky
January 20, 2026 at 10:21 AM
This is a VERY exciting list 💜🚀 #booksky
Reposted by Gareth
Genuinely one of the highlights of every new year for me. Walter reckons with the best of the year that was, illuminating recurring themes and patterns, finding deeper meanings, and just reminding me of how vibrant and essential cinema is as an art form, even--especially--in times like this.
Heads up, Walter Chaw's (@mangiotto.bsky.social) "Top 50 of 2025" is now free for everyone to read. Enjoy, and apologies for the delay.
filmfreakcentral.net/2026/01/the-...
filmfreakcentral.net/2026/01/the-...
“The 50 Best Films of 2025,” by Walter Chaw - FILM FREAK CENTRAL
by Walter Chaw We will never stop gathering to hear stories, because stories are how we’ve survived as a species. Stories are where we’re the strongest, and where we’re the most vulnerable. We make cu...
filmfreakcentral.net
January 17, 2026 at 1:04 AM
Genuinely one of the highlights of every new year for me. Walter reckons with the best of the year that was, illuminating recurring themes and patterns, finding deeper meanings, and just reminding me of how vibrant and essential cinema is as an art form, even--especially--in times like this.
I am behind with podcasts! Really enjoyed this - I'm currently reading (and loving) King Sorrow. Neil's #3 & #5 are two of my favourite books of '25 but I haven't read his #1 - so I've just bought it! #booksky
Another year over, another epic set of books that got us through the suck.
If you have any patience for your be more list, here’s my top-10 horror books of 2025.
Enjoy. Tell me your thoughts.
All podcast platforms.
If you have any patience for your be more list, here’s my top-10 horror books of 2025.
Enjoy. Tell me your thoughts.
All podcast platforms.
January 17, 2026 at 11:15 AM
I am behind with podcasts! Really enjoyed this - I'm currently reading (and loving) King Sorrow. Neil's #3 & #5 are two of my favourite books of '25 but I haven't read his #1 - so I've just bought it! #booksky
Reposted by Gareth
1/ Yes the globally wealthy have outsized emissions, and yes that’s a massive problem
But it’s actually only a small part of their devastating influence on the conditions that support life
🧵
But it’s actually only a small part of their devastating influence on the conditions that support life
🧵
January 10, 2026 at 11:28 AM
1/ Yes the globally wealthy have outsized emissions, and yes that’s a massive problem
But it’s actually only a small part of their devastating influence on the conditions that support life
🧵
But it’s actually only a small part of their devastating influence on the conditions that support life
🧵
Reposted by Gareth
Part 2 of @strangehorizons.bsky.social's 2025 In Review has been published!
Every year has real breadth, but this year feels especially so. If you're into the horse race, the runners and riders are numerous; if you're after great recommendations, there are a tonne of all kinds here.
Explore it!
Every year has real breadth, but this year feels especially so. If you're into the horse race, the runners and riders are numerous; if you're after great recommendations, there are a tonne of all kinds here.
Explore it!
2025 In Review: Part Two
The second part of our reviewers' picks of 2025.
strangehorizons.com
January 7, 2026 at 1:09 PM
Part 2 of @strangehorizons.bsky.social's 2025 In Review has been published!
Every year has real breadth, but this year feels especially so. If you're into the horse race, the runners and riders are numerous; if you're after great recommendations, there are a tonne of all kinds here.
Explore it!
Every year has real breadth, but this year feels especially so. If you're into the horse race, the runners and riders are numerous; if you're after great recommendations, there are a tonne of all kinds here.
Explore it!
Reposted by Gareth
I am assiduously nerdy all year long in compiling my 'books to read' lists but I ALWAYS discover something new in the @strangehorizons.bsky.social review - a lovely, generous treat every year #booksky
It’s the first issue of the year at @strangehorizons.bsky.social, and that means one thing: the traditional Year In Review.
Across Monday, Wednesday and Friday, our reviewers weight in on what was what in 2025. Which texts will get the most citations? Which surprise entries will appear? Find out …
Across Monday, Wednesday and Friday, our reviewers weight in on what was what in 2025. Which texts will get the most citations? Which surprise entries will appear? Find out …
2025 In Review: Part One
The first part of our reviewers' picks of 2025.
strangehorizons.com
January 6, 2026 at 8:52 PM
I am assiduously nerdy all year long in compiling my 'books to read' lists but I ALWAYS discover something new in the @strangehorizons.bsky.social review - a lovely, generous treat every year #booksky
Reposted by Gareth
KSR on "futurecide" and what comes after, climate counter-aesthetics, and utopian directionality
note that Futurę Histories now has a new channel specifically for its English language episodes!
note that Futurę Histories now has a new channel specifically for its English language episodes!
A new episode of Future Histories!
This time I talk to Kim Stanley Robinson about Real Utopian Futures.
Full episode here: www.futurehistories.today/episoden-blo...
#FutureHistories #Podcast
This time I talk to Kim Stanley Robinson about Real Utopian Futures.
Full episode here: www.futurehistories.today/episoden-blo...
#FutureHistories #Podcast
January 4, 2026 at 10:24 PM
KSR on "futurecide" and what comes after, climate counter-aesthetics, and utopian directionality
note that Futurę Histories now has a new channel specifically for its English language episodes!
note that Futurę Histories now has a new channel specifically for its English language episodes!
Reposted by Gareth
One for those 'most anticipated books of next year' lists. Allan on Priest on Ballard and everything in between.
December 20, 2025 at 2:15 AM
One for those 'most anticipated books of next year' lists. Allan on Priest on Ballard and everything in between.
Reposted by Gareth
Last post of the year! We present ARB's Notable Criticism of 2025—ten articles that highlight the vitality and possibilities of speculative criticism:
ARB’s 2025 Notable Criticism
In the field of speculative criticism, many of the challenges and positive developments we noted last year are still in full effect. 2025 has brought even more precarity for culture writers and aca…
ancillaryreviewofbooks.org
December 31, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Last post of the year! We present ARB's Notable Criticism of 2025—ten articles that highlight the vitality and possibilities of speculative criticism:
Reposted by Gareth
The last review of 2025 at @strangehorizons.bsky.social is a little treat: both a call-back to our week's worth of reviews earlier in the year on small presses affected by NEA defunding *and* a rare piece on non-speculative work which should still interest our readers.
On Ada Limón. Happy holidays.
On Ada Limón. Happy holidays.
Startlement by Ada Limón
Limón sees humans as stewards and students of the natural world, not exploiters and masters.
wp.me
December 26, 2025 at 9:22 PM
The last review of 2025 at @strangehorizons.bsky.social is a little treat: both a call-back to our week's worth of reviews earlier in the year on small presses affected by NEA defunding *and* a rare piece on non-speculative work which should still interest our readers.
On Ada Limón. Happy holidays.
On Ada Limón. Happy holidays.
Reposted by Gareth
Andrea Hairston celebrates the work that gave her pleasure in 2025. "Storytellers saved my life every day this year! Imagination sustained us all as we cruised on this death-defying rollercoaster ride, hurtling into 2026."
aqueductpress.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-...
aqueductpress.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-...
The Pleasures of Reading, Viewing and Listening in 2025, pt. 20: Andrea Hairston
We have made it to December 2025! Storytellers saved my life every day this year! Writers, musicians, and filmmakers too. Imagination sust...
aqueductpress.blogspot.com
December 30, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Andrea Hairston celebrates the work that gave her pleasure in 2025. "Storytellers saved my life every day this year! Imagination sustained us all as we cruised on this death-defying rollercoaster ride, hurtling into 2026."
aqueductpress.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-...
aqueductpress.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-...
Reposted by Gareth
Had a lot of fun talking to @casella.bsky.social on @mealofthorns.bsky.social about the year - in books, in the editing mines, in genre (and para-genre).
Come for the general themes, stay for the book recs. Or, y’know, vice versa. And ask yourself, Sisyphus-like: what use is a year wrap-up anyway?
Come for the general themes, stay for the book recs. Or, y’know, vice versa. And ask yourself, Sisyphus-like: what use is a year wrap-up anyway?
A Meal of Thorns 40- 2025 Wrap-Up with Dan Hartland
We’re closing out this strange year with a “big-picture” episode: editor & critic Dan Hartland is on to talk about trends and directions—or lack thereof—in recent …
ancillaryreviewofbooks.org
December 29, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Had a lot of fun talking to @casella.bsky.social on @mealofthorns.bsky.social about the year - in books, in the editing mines, in genre (and para-genre).
Come for the general themes, stay for the book recs. Or, y’know, vice versa. And ask yourself, Sisyphus-like: what use is a year wrap-up anyway?
Come for the general themes, stay for the book recs. Or, y’know, vice versa. And ask yourself, Sisyphus-like: what use is a year wrap-up anyway?
Reposted by Gareth
Coode Street 714: The Year in Books
@JonathanStrahan & @garykwolfe are joined by James Bradley, Ian Mond, and Alex Pierce to discuss the year in books.
www.podbean.com/eas/pb-a3hnv...
@JonathanStrahan & @garykwolfe are joined by James Bradley, Ian Mond, and Alex Pierce to discuss the year in books.
www.podbean.com/eas/pb-a3hnv...
Episode 714: The Year in Books with James Bradley, Ian Mond, and Alex Pierce
For our year-end discussion of 2025 books, we’re joined by Locus reviewers Ian Mond and Alex Pierce, and distinguished critic and novelist James Bradley. As usual, we mention a lot of authors and titl...
www.podbean.com
December 28, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Coode Street 714: The Year in Books
@JonathanStrahan & @garykwolfe are joined by James Bradley, Ian Mond, and Alex Pierce to discuss the year in books.
www.podbean.com/eas/pb-a3hnv...
@JonathanStrahan & @garykwolfe are joined by James Bradley, Ian Mond, and Alex Pierce to discuss the year in books.
www.podbean.com/eas/pb-a3hnv...
Reposted by Gareth
I've been following the "annual pleasures" roundups on the Aqueduct Press blog since they started, almost twenty years ago now (!!!), so it was a treat to be asked to contribute an entry this year: aqueductpress.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-...
The Pleasures of Reading, Viewing, and Listening in 2025, pt.9: Niall Harrison
The Pleasures of Reading, Viewing and Listening in 2025 by Niall Harrison When I sat down to think about the pleasures I gained ...
aqueductpress.blogspot.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:34 PM
I've been following the "annual pleasures" roundups on the Aqueduct Press blog since they started, almost twenty years ago now (!!!), so it was a treat to be asked to contribute an entry this year: aqueductpress.blogspot.com/2025/12/the-...
Reposted by Gareth
We asked you to vote for your favorite books, movies, TV shows, short fiction, video games, and more of 2025...and now, Reactor is excited to present the results! Congratulations to all the winners!
#booksky
#booksky
Readers Pick Their Favorite SFF of 2025 - Reactor
What an excellent year for speculative fiction — in all its many forms!
reactormag.com
December 19, 2025 at 3:05 PM
We asked you to vote for your favorite books, movies, TV shows, short fiction, video games, and more of 2025...and now, Reactor is excited to present the results! Congratulations to all the winners!
#booksky
#booksky
Reposted by Gareth
Anyway, you should absolutely read Lola Olufemi's essay in this book from @plutopress.bsky.social
December 9, 2025 at 4:49 AM
Anyway, you should absolutely read Lola Olufemi's essay in this book from @plutopress.bsky.social