July 2026 archive

The Odyssey: A Graphic Novel by Gareth Hinds

based on the epic tale attributed to Homer, ofc. I first read The Odyssey in a beautifully written and designed Hamlyn edition meant for young readers when I was 11. The hardcover volume was a gift from my best friend’s parents, and I devoured it repeatedly before I left for boarding school at 14. I …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2026/07/09/the-odyssey-a-graphic-novel-by-gareth-hinds/

Hugo Awards 2026: Best Novelette

Ooh, boy, is Doug gonna be surprised when he reads my voting slate for this year’s Hugo Awards nominees for Best Novelette! Presented, as usual, in descending order of preference. Top of my list this year is Catherynne M Valente’s When He Calls Your Name. Perhaps oddly, it is one of the two nominees on …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2026/07/08/hugo-awards-2026-best-novelette/

Pooch On The Loose (The After-School Kindness Crew #1) by Goldie Hawn & Lin Oliver

with the most charming illustrations by Breanna Chambers! This world does not have enough kindness and empathy, and certainly not enough readily available mental health support, so it’s wonderful that books like this exist for young readers. Tony, Mia and River are all fourth-grade classmates at Los Angeles’ Sycamore Elementary. Their teacher Mr Ortega wants …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2026/07/07/pooch-on-the-loose-the-after-school-kindness-crew-1-by-goldie-hawn-lin-oliver/

Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman

I admit, dear reader, that I was finally unable to resist the hype surrounding this series and decided to go see what all the fuss is about. And the answer is: a lot, and most of it really good! Full disclosure, the tipping point for finally getting me to pick this up was likely the …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2026/07/06/dungeon-crawler-carl-by-matt-dinniman/

Tantalizing Tales — July 2026 — Part One

Happy July, dear readers! If you’re in an area affected by high heat, I sincerely hope you have every opportunity to stay cool, especially with a good book or five to keep you company. And as always, I have suggestions, including the recently published Pasha The Storm by the fabulous Lin Codega. If you’re not …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2026/07/02/tantalizing-tales-july-2026-part-one/

Welcome To Hell: From The West Bank To Gaza by Mohammad Sabaaneh

As someone who believes in the need for a Palestine free of occupation and genocide, it feels weird to say that nothing in this graphic memoir persuaded me further along towards that cause. The Israeli occupation is horrifyingly cruel, and the abuse the Palestinians continue to endure unthinkable. If, for whatever reason, you don’t already …

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Permanent link to this article: https://www.thefrumiousconsortium.net/2026/07/01/welcome-to-hell-from-the-west-bank-to-gaza-by-mohammad-sabaaneh/