Read on to discover our picks and tell us in the comments below if you’re looking forward to any of these!

Realm Breaker by Victoria Aveyard
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Irresistibly action-packed and full of lethal surprises, this stunning new fantasy series from Victoria Aveyard, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Red Queen series, begins where hope is lost and asks: When the heroes have fallen, who will take up the sword?

The Next Wife by Kaira Rouda
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

There is no limit to the lies, suspicion, and secrets that can poison the perfect marriage in this twisting novel of suspense by USA Today bestselling author Kaira Rouda.

The Guncle by Steven Rowley
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the bestselling author of Lily and the Octopus and The Editor comes a warm and deeply funny novel about a once-famous gay sitcom star whose unexpected family tragedy leaves him with his niece and nephew for the summer.

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A lone astronaut must save the earth from disaster in this incredible new science-based thriller from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Martian.

In the Ravenous Dark by A.M. Strickland
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A pansexual bloodmage reluctantly teams up with an undead spirit to start a rebellion among the living and the dead, in this dark YA fantasy by A.M. Strickland, author of Beyond the Black Door, whom Richard Kadrey calls “a storyteller of both grace and power.”

Son of the Storm by Suyi Davies Okungbowa
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From one of the most exciting new storytellers in epic fantasy, the first book in the Nameless Republic trilogy is a sweeping tale of violent conquest and forbidden magic set in a world inspired by the pre-colonial empires of West Africa.

A Special Place for Women by Laura Hankin
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

It’s a club like no other. Only the most important women receive an invitation. But one daring young reporter is about to infiltrate this female-run secret society, whose beguiling members are caught up in a dark and treacherous business.

The Ones We’re Meant to Find by Joan He
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

One of the most twisty, surprising, engaging page-turner YAs you’ll read this year—We Were Liars with sci-fi scope, Lost with a satisfying resolution.

Ariadne by Jennifer Saint
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Hypnotic, propulsive, and utterly transporting, Jennifer Saint’s Ariadne forges a new epic, one that puts the forgotten women of Greek mythology back at the heart of the story, as they strive for a better world.

Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In this smart and chilling thriller, master of suspense and New York Times bestselling author Mary Kubica takes domestic secrets to a whole new level, showing that some people will stop at nothing to keep the truth buried.

The Soulmate Equation by Christina Lauren
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Funny, warm, and full of heart, The Soulmate Equation proves that the delicate balance between fate and choice can never be calculated.

Things We Lost to the Water by Eric Nguyen
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A stunning debut novel about an immigrant Vietnamese family who settles in New Orleans and struggles to remain connected to one another as their lives are inextricably reshaped.

What May releases are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post May 2021 Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

With the new year, booklovers around the world are looking forward to seeing what the year will bring with new books and authors to discover! So, we’ve rounded up 10 books that are currently the most anticipated science fiction and fantasy releases (excluding new instalments in a series) of 2021 according to Goodreads members!

Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro (March 2nd 2021)
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Klara and the Sun is a magnificent new novel from the Nobel laureate Kazuo Ishiguro–author of Never Let Me Go and the Booker Prize-winning The Remains of the Day.

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (May 4th 2021)
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A lone astronaut must save the earth from disaster in this incredible new science-based thriller from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Martian.

Hummingbird Salamander by Jeff VanderMeer (April 6th 2021)
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Hummingbird Salamander is Jeff VanderMeer at his brilliant, cinematic best, wrapping profound questions about climate change, identity, and the world we live in into a tightly plotted thriller full of unexpected twists and elaborate conspiracy.

The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo (June 1st 2021)
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Nghi Vo’s debut novel reinvents this classic of the American canon as a coming-of-age story full of magic, mystery, and glittering excess, and introduces a major new literary voice.

For the Wolf by Hannah F. Whitten (June 5th 2021)
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

For fans of Uprooted and The Bear and the Nightingale comes a dark, sweeping debut fantasy novel about a young woman who must be sacrificed to the legendary Wolf of the Wood to save her kingdom. But not all legends are true, and the Wolf isn’t the only danger lurking in the Wilderwood.

Under the Whispering Door by T.J. Klune (March 2nd 2021) 
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Under the Whispering Door is a contemporary fantasy with TJ Klune’s signature “quirk and charm” (PW) about a ghost who refuses to cross over and the ferryman he falls in love with

She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan (July 20th 2021)
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Mulan meets The Song of Achilles in Shelley Parker-Chan’s She Who Became the Sun, a bold, queer, and lyrical reimagining of the rise of the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty from an amazing new voice in literary fantasy.

Empire of the Vampire by Jay Kristoff (September 7th 2021)
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the New York Times bestselling author of the Nevernight Chronicle, Jay Kristoff, comes the first illustrated volume of an astonishing new dark fantasy saga.

The Last Watch by J.S. Dewes (April 20th 2021) 
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The Expanse meets Game of Thrones in J. S. Dewes’ fast-paced, sf adventure The Last Watch, where a handful of soldiers stand between humanity and annihilation.

The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey (February 16th 2021)
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The Echo Wife is a non-stop thrill ride, perfect for readers of Big Little Lies and enthusiasts of “Killing Eve” and “Westworld­”

What SFF books are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Most Anticipated SFF Books of 2021; According to Goodreads Members appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

After whatever that last year was, we’re certainly hoping that 2021 will be a significant improvement! Just like every single industry, the publishing industry faced its own challenges with many 2020 releases delayed by months or even years in some cases and it caused much concern for authors with either recent or upcoming releases.

But with every year, there’s also the improvement when it comes to diversity and whilst it still unfortunately takes devastating events to invoke some kind of change or even discussion, there’s great change heading our way with 2021 releases (and even 2022 and 2023 based on book announcements made thus far).

The year promises for more #ownvoices authors to be heard with stories of fierce Black characters taking the lead role (and also killing it on their covers), queer characters and their journeys offering hope, characters embracing their bodies and their culture, and so much more. Then there’s the continuing shift in perception on genres, including romance and YA, with some incredibly great stories and offering a new take on the genres altogether.

To be honest, it’s quite exciting and refreshing, and we at The Nerd Daily can’t wait to see what comes next and cover 2021 releases!

Read on to discover just a few of our favourite January to June 2021 releases and tell us in the comments if you’re looking forward to any of them! 

Want more 2021 releases? Check out our lists for  2021 Queer Book Releases, 2021 Fantasy & Sci-Fi Book Releases, 2021 Romance Book Releases, 2021 YA Book Releases, and 2021 Queer SFF Book Releases.

JANUARY

Remote Control by Nnedi Okorafor
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

An alien artifact turns a young girl into Death’s adopted daughter in Remote Control, a thrilling sci-fi tale of community and female empowerment from Nebula and Hugo Award-winner Nnedi Okorafor

Be Dazzled by Ryan La Sala
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Project Runway goes to Comic Con in an epic queer love story about creativity, passion, and finding the courage to be your most authentic self.

Lore by Alexandra Bracken
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the #1 New York Times best-selling author of The Darkest Minds comes a sweepingly ambitious, high-octane tale of power, destiny, love and redemption.

The Push by Ashley Audrain
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A tense, page-turning psychological drama about the making and breaking of a family–and a woman whose experience of motherhood is nothing at all what she hoped for–and everything she feared.

Persephone Station by Stina Leicht
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Hugo award-nominated author Stina Leicht has created a take on space opera for fans of The Mandalorian and Cowboy Bebop in this high-stakes adventure.

The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A delicious twist on a Gothic classic, Rachel Hawkins’s The Wife Upstairs pairs Southern charm with atmospheric domestic suspense, perfect for fans of B.A. Paris and Megan Miranda.

The Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Public radio co-hosts navigate mixed signals in Rachel Lynn Solomon’s sparkling romantic comedy debut.

A Splendid Ruin by Megan Chance
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A spellbinding novel of dark family secrets and a young woman’s rise and revenge set against the backdrop of the devastating 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

FEBRUARY

Fat Chance, Charlie Vega by Crystal Maldonado
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A sensitive, funny, and painful coming-of-age story with a wry voice and tons of chisme, Fat Chance, Charlie Vega tackles our relationships to our parents, our bodies, our cultures, and ourselves.

A Lady’s Formula for Love by Elizabeth Everett
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

What is a Victorian lady’s formula for love? Mix one brilliant noblewoman and her enigmatic protection officer. Add in a measure of danger and attraction. Heat over the warmth of humour and friendship, and the result is more than simple chemistry—it’s elemental.

The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Nightingale and The Great Alone comes an epic novel of love and heroism and hope, set against the backdrop of one of America’s most defining eras—the Great Depression.

The Project by Courtney Summers
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From Courtney Summers, the New York Times bestselling author of the 2019 Edgar Award Winner and breakout hit, Sadie, comes a sensational follow-up―another pulls-no-punches thriller about an aspiring young journalist determined to save her sister from a cult.

The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The Echo Wife is a non-stop thrill ride, perfect for readers of Big Little Lies and enthusiasts of Killing Eve and Westworld­.

The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In this world, girls are outcasts by blood and warriors by choice. Get ready for battle. The start of a bold and immersive fantasy series for fans of Children of Blood and Bone and Black Panther.

A ​Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Sarah J. Maas’s sexy, richly imagined series continues with the journey of Feyre’s fiery sister, Nesta.

Do No Harm by Christina McDonald
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the USA TODAY bestselling author of Behind Every Lie and The Night Olivia Fell comes an unforgettable and heart-wrenching novel about the lengths one woman will go to save her son.

MARCH

Can’t Take That Away by Steven Salvatore
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Steven Salvatore’s debut Can’t Take That Away is about Carey Parker, a genderqueer teen who dreams of being a diva like their hero Mariah Carey. When they are cast as the female lead in the school musical, they must fight against discrimination and injustice from their closed-minded school administration. 

Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In Act Your Age, Eve Brown the flightiest Brown sister crashes into the life of an uptight B&B owner and has him falling hard—literally.

The Unbroken by C.L. Clark
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In an epic political fantasy unlike any other, two women clash in a world full of rebellion, espionage, and military might on the far outreaches of a crumbling desert empire.

The Cost of Knowing by Brittney Morris
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Dear Martin meets They Both Die at the End in this gripping, evocative novel about a Black teen who has the power to see into the future, whose life turns upside down when he foresees his younger brother’s imminent death, from the acclaimed author of SLAY.

The Rose Code by Kate Quinn
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Huntress and The Alice Network returns with another heart-stopping World War II story of three female code breakers at Bletchley Park and the spy they must root out after the war is over.

Chain of Iron by Cassandra Clare
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The Shadowhunters must catch a killer in Edwardian London in this dangerous and romantic sequel to the #1 New York Times bestselling novel Chain of Gold, from New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Cassandra Clare. Chain of Iron is a Shadowhunters novel.

The Bone Maker by Sarah Beth Durst
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From award-winning author Sarah Beth Durst, a standalone epic fantasy set in a brand-new world of towering mountains and sparkling cities, in which a band of ageing warriors have a second chance to defeat dark magic and avenge a haunting loss.

Who is Maud Dixon? by Alexandra Andrews
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

For readers of The Silent Patient – a taut, twisty, character-driven suspense novel about a famous novelist and a small-town striver locked in a struggle for fortune and fame

APRIL

First, Become Ashes by K.M. Szpara
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

K. M. Szpara follows Docile, one of the most anticipated science fiction novels of 2020, with First, Become Ashes, a fantastic standalone adventure that blends pain and pleasure and will make readers question what is real, and what is magical.

Second First Impressions by Sally Thorne
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the USA Today  bestselling author of The Hating Game and 99 Percent Mine comes the clever, funny, and unforgettable story of a muscular, tattooed man hired as an assistant to two old women—under the watchful eye of a beautiful retirement home manager.

Kate in Waiting by Becky Albertalli
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From #1 New York Times bestselling author and rom-com queen Becky Albertalli comes a buoyant new novel about daring to step out of the shadows and into the spotlight in love, life, and, yes, theater.

The Intimacy Experiment by Rosie Danan
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Naomi and Ethan will test the boundaries of love in this provocative romance from the author of the ground-breaking debut, The Roommate.

House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A dark, twisty modern fairytale where three sisters discover they are not exactly all that they seem and evil things really do go bump in the night.

Pride and Premeditation by Tirzah Price
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Perfect for fans of the Lady Janies and Stalking Jack the Ripper, the first book in the Jane Austen Murder Mysteries series is a clever retelling of Pride and Prejudice that reimagines the iconic settings, characters, and romances in a thrilling and high-stakes whodunit.

Witches Steeped in Gold by Ciannon Smart
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Deadly, fierce, magnetically addictive: this Jamaican-inspired fantasy debut is a thrilling journey where dangerous magic reigns supreme and betrayal lurks beneath every word. 

Mother May I by Joshilyn Jackson
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The New York Times bestselling author of the critically acclaimed Never Have I Ever builds on her success with this addictive novel of domestic suspense in which a mother must decide how far she is willing to go to protect her child and the life she loves—a chilling and thoughtful tale of power, privilege, lies, revenge, and the choices we make, ones that transform our lives in unforeseen ways.

MAY

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From the New York Times bestselling author of Daisy Jones & The Six . . . Four famous siblings throw an epic party to celebrate the end of the summer. But over the course of twenty-four hours, their lives will change forever.

Hurricane Summer by Asha Bromfield
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

In this sweeping debut, actress Asha Bromfield takes readers to the heart of Jamaica, and into the soul of a girl coming to terms with her family, and herself, set against the backdrop of a hurricane.

A Special Place for Women by Laura Hankin
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

It’s a club like no other. Only the most important women receive an invitation. But one daring young reporter is about to infiltrate this female-run secret society, whose beguiling members are caught up in a dark and treacherous business.

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A lone astronaut must save the earth from disaster in this incredible new science-based thriller from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Martian.

Son of the Storm by Suyi Davies Okungbowa
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

From one of the most exciting new storytellers in epic fantasy, the first book in the Nameless Republic trilogy is a sweeping tale of violent conquest and forbidden magic set in a world inspired by the pre-colonial empires of West Africa.

In the Ravenous Dark by A.M. Strickland
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A pansexual bloodmage reluctantly teams up with an undead spirit to start a rebellion among the living and the dead, in this dark YA fantasy by A.M. Strickland, author of Beyond the Black Door, whom Richard Kadrey calls “a storyteller of both grace and power.”

The Hunting Wives by May Cobb
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The Hunting Wives share more than target practice, martinis, and bad behaviour in this novel of obsession, seduction, and murder.

Realm Breaker by Victoria Aveyard
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Irresistibly action-packed and full of lethal surprises, this stunning new fantasy series from Victoria Aveyard, #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Red Queen series, begins where hope is lost and asks: When the heroes have fallen, who will take up the sword?

JUNE

One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Casey McQuiston’s One Last Stop is a magical, sexy, big-hearted romance where the impossible becomes possible as August does everything in her power to save the girl lost in time.

The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Nghi Vo’s debut novel The Chosen and the Beautiful reinvents this classic of the American canon as a coming-of-age story full of magic, mystery, and glittering excess, and introduces a major new literary voice.

Blood Like Magic by Liselle Sambury
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A rich, dark urban fantasy debut following a teen witch who is given a horrifying task: sacrificing her first love to save her family’s magic. The problem is, she’s never been in love—she’ll have to find the perfect guy before she can kill him.

Dead Dead Girls by Nekesa Afia
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The start of an exciting new historical mystery series set in 1920s Harlem featuring Louise Lloyd, a young black woman caught up in a series of murders way too close to home…

The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Tasha Suri’s The Jasmine Throne begins the powerful Burning Kingdoms trilogy, in which two women–a long-imprisoned princess and a maidservant in possession of forbidden magic–come together to rewrite the fate of an empire.

The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

Get Out meets The Devil Wears Prada in this electric debut about the tension that unfurls when two young Black women meet against the starkly white backdrop of New York City book publishing.

The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

A prim and proper lady thief must save her aunt from a crazed pirate and his dangerously charming henchman in this fantastical historical romance.

Our Woman in Moscow by Beatriz Williams
Goodreads | Amazon | Book Depository

The New York Times bestselling author of Her Last Flight returns with a gripping and profoundly human story of Cold War espionage and family devotion.

What 2021 book releases are you excited for? Tell us in the comments below!

The post The Most Anticipated 2021 Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Andy Weir, author of The Martian, Artemis, and The Egg, is back with a graphic novel like no other. What happens to Alice when she comes back from Wonderland? Wendy from Neverland? Dorothy from Oz? This graphic novel is an interesting cross over of three completely different characters from three completely different worlds. A unique story of what becomes of these characters when the worlds we know and have read have come to an end.

I thought this was such a very clever storyline and I liked how this brought three completely different tales and worlds together in a real world setting. It was interesting to see how the characters were initially perceived as mentally ill when disclosing their supernatural and otherworldly experiences. This landed them committed to wards until one day, they all meet at the Cheshire Crossing – a boarding school that acknowledges their experiences as truth and nurtures them to cope with their past experience and harness their magical world-crossing abilities.

This isn’t like anything you would have read before, the underlying storyline for each character is present and acts as a foundation but the characters are very different to what we know in their original stories, making it a humorous and insightful twist. From their attitudes, to their illustrated appearance, to their mannerism, they are all very different to what we remember. In this story, the characters: Alice, Wendy Darling and Dorothy are now teenagers and are not content to sit still in a classroom. Soon they are dashing from one universe to the next – landing in each other’s supernatural worlds and, inadvertently, bringing the Wicked Witch and Hook together in a deadly supervillain love match. This is when it the three need to draw on their abilities to stop destruction from across each universe.

The plot is fast paced and the story flowed quickly, it was easy to follow the dialogue in each box. The illustrations didn’t look extravagant but were simplistic and elegant. The artwork is suitable for a younger audience, however, the dialogue does include course language so please exercise discretion if you choose to read this graphic novel. If you’re a fan of graphic novels that features retellings of the classics then definitely give this one a go!

Cheshire Crossing is available from Amazon, Book Depository, and other good book retailers.

Will you be checking out Cheshire Crossing? Tell us in the comments below!

What happens to Alice when she comes back from Wonderland? Wendy from Neverland? Dorothy from Oz?

The three meet here, at Cheshire Crossing–a boarding school where girls like them learn how to cope with their supernatural experiences and harness their magical world-crossing powers.

But the trio–now teenagers, who’ve had their fill of meddling authority figures–aren’t content to sit still in a classroom. Soon they’re dashing from one universe to the next, leaving havoc in their wake–and, inadvertently, bringing the Wicked Witch and Hook together in a deadly supervillain love match.

To stop them, the girls will have to draw on all of their powers . . . and marshal a team of unlikely allies from across the magical multiverse.

The post Review: Cheshire Crossing by Andy Weir appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Andy Weir is one of the Big Thinkers in the second season of National Geographic’s series “Mars”. We ask what the author of “The Martian” thinks about colonisation of the Red Planet and how would he do it?

Why should we go to Mars?

The canonical answer to that is: if all of humanity is on Earth, it’s possible – unlikely, but possible – that a single catastrophe can wipe us out. We could be rendered extinct by either a large meteor strike or a plague or a war; there are variety of things that can wipe out humanity right now, because we are all on one planet. If we’re on two planets the odds of us being wiped out by a single calamity are basically zero; if there is a plague on Earth, well maybe it won’t get to Mars. That’s the normal answer.

But I would say actually: until there is an economic incentive to go to Mars, it’s questionable whether we should send people. We are getting better and better at making robots and artificial intelligence. So whatever information we want to learn about Mars, we can do it remote.

Honestly I think the main benefit from sending astronauts to Mars, for exploration purposes, not colonisation, is that the human brain is the best computer we have right now. AI is not nearly as good. One geologist on the surface of Mars can do more in one day than all the probes that we have sent so far.

But there is also PR. “A man on Mars” sounds better than “a robot on Mars”.

What I personally believe is that if you’re really interested in the science of learning about Mars, the very best thing you should do is to make a bunch of remote-controlled rovers and then put a human on the orbit of Mars. Then you have basically zero latency connection. Because Mars is too far away to directly control things; Mars is between 5 and 20 light minutes away, so you can’t just remotely control a rover. The rover has to be intelligent. But if you have a human on the orbit of Mars you can do that.

And it’s safer and cheaper.

It’s safer, it’s cheaper and it’s a lot easier to get humans on the orbit around Mars and then back home, then it is to get them to the surface of Mars and back home. So having humans on orbit, controlling robots on the ground, you have functionally the same as having a human on the ground. It’s like a VR presence. Though it’s not as exciting.

Yeah, “the first person almost on Mars” hasn’t has a ring to it.

We’ve sent people on the orbit of the Moon before we’ve send people on the surface. Apollo 8 put people into orbit.

Wasn’t it because then we didn’t have the technology to put people on the surface?

It was a part of the process. Just saying: okay, if we are going to put people on the Moon, let’s first confirm that we can send people there and back. Apollo 8 went to the Moon, orbited it I think 10 times and then went back. So they proved that they can get something into stable lunar orbit, stay there, and then come back. Knowing that we can do that, we can talk about having that happen, and then having something leave that ship and go to the surface.

It’s just my opinion, that we should have people on the orbit of Mars. And it’s not like it’s something that anybody hasn’t thought off. It all depends on your objective. If your objective is to learn more about the science of Mars, then the way to do that is humans on orbit controlling robots on the ground. But if your long-term goal is to colonise Mars and have humans permanently living there, well then obviously you need to figure out how to get humans down there.

The second season of the TV series “Mars” really strongly asks the question should we go to the Red Planet. Because we are really awful on Earth.

I don’t buy into pessimism about human nature. I think humans are pretty good. I think it’s very easy to feel bleak about humanity. But remember it makes news when a person is bad to other people, but it doesn’t make news when a person is good. Because that’s presumed. The default human behavior is that we are helpful and very cooperative. So it’s newsworthy when we’re not and it’s normal when we are. So when you watch the news you get this very pessimistic view.

I also think that we continuously get better and better as time goes forward. Earth is a better place to be as times go forward. Would you rather live today or a hundred years ago? And if I would say that you have to choose a date at least a hundred years ago, would you rather live at 1918 or at 1818? You would always choose the most forward ahead date, because humanity just keeps getting better. And there’s no reason for that to stop. So I think the future will be better than now. An when people will be asked if they want to live in 2018 or 2118, they will choose the latter.

Does Mars have a potential to be like Earth? Or will people there have to always live in those domes?

It’s certainly possible to terraform Mars. It’s well beyond our technology level right now. Though technically it could be possible with our current technology, but among other things it would take centuries.

The thing is all you have to do to terraform Mars is to heat it up a little. There’s a lot of carbon dioxide ice at the poles. If you heat that up, you add more carbon dioxide to the atmosphere and you start a runaway greenhouse effect. So the thing that is causing problems for us here on Earth is the exact thing you would need on Mars. If you melt enough of the carbon dioxide and it gets into the atmosphere, that will trap sunlight, which will increase the temperature, which will help releas more carbon dioxide, and you end up with a nice thick atmosphere. It should trap the heat inside and would make the water run liquid again. And you would be set.

That part we could probably almost do with our modern technology. The hard part would be maintaining the oxygen percentage. That is something that happens on Earth because we have a very well buffered biosphere here, mainly by oceanic algae. The percentage of Earth’s atmosphere that is oxygen is at 21%. And if it goes just a little bit lower than that, then more plants grow and it goes back to it. And if it goes just a bit higher, than a bunch of plants die and it’s back to normal. Humans are very, very sensitive to the amount of oxygen. If you would bring it down to 19% you’d start to suffer from suffocation. If you will bring it to 23% you would be burning out your lungs with oxygen narcosis.

But it’s not something that we control.

Because we don’t have to, the planet does it by itself.

So how to do it on Mars if we’re not doing it on Earth?

Good question. That’s the technology that’s way beyond us right now. You would have to engineer life-forms, like algae, specific to Mars, that would buffer the atmosphere.

But terraforming is something that is many, many centuries away. I definitely believe that people will live on Mars long before anybody will terraform it.

And as the author of “The Martian” and “Artemis” (which take place on the Moon), what is your take on the question whether we should go to the Mars, or go back to the Moon first?

That’s a big debate. I believe it depends on what you want to do. If you want to put human beings in the place that they have never been before – then Mars, obviously. Then you will know more about Mars. Because we know a lot about the Moon. In fact we know more about the surface of the Moon that we know about the surface of the oceans on Earth.

In terms of colonisation I definitely think that the Moon is first.

It would be easier, safer and cheaper to get there.

Much easier. First of, the Moon is close enough to Earth that if you have a serious problem with your society, than Earth can help you out.

“The Martian” on the Moon would be like 1/3 of the actual book.

Well, yeah. It would be like: You’re stuck on the moon? We’ll come and get you.

In “Artemis” I wrote about a permanent civilisation there and one of their main source of income is tourism. Because you can get there easily from Earth. And also Moon is rather conveniently orbiting Earth, so it’s always the same distance away. It’s very, very close. If you would imagine an American football field – if Earth is at one goal line and Mars is at the other, then the Moon would be about 4 inches in front of you. That is the difference in scale.

The Moon is so easy to get to that it is likely, that within a generation or two it will be cheap enough to go to the Moon, that middle-class people can afford to do it. Like a once-in-a-lifetime vacation.

So I could go to the Moon?

You could. It would cost you like a $100,000, so you would have to get a second mortgage on your house, but you could. And just having that market available, so having people to be able to go to the Moon, will mean that people will go to the Moon. And that would drive the creation of the city, etc.

I asked you earlier and you said you wouldn’t go to Mars. But would you go to the Moon?

[A long pause and hesitation]

You said it would be easier…

Yeah. But I don’t know. It’s a good question.

Well not now, but in about 20 years? When they will be good at it.

Let’s put it this way: in the fictional setting of “Artemis” it’s very safe to go to the Moon. It’s like air travel. So I might be willing to go. I don’t want to take part in anything that involves today’s technology. “Artemis” takes place in 2084.

Have you read anything by Andy Weir or watched National Geographic’s Mars? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Let’s Go To Mars: Andy Weir, Author of ‘The Martian’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Are you looking for new books to read in 2018? Or looking for a reading challenge? Well in case you missed it, join the The Nerd Daily’s 2018 Reading Challenge! It has 52 prompts to guide you to read one book per week, or to just read outside your comfort zone. To help you decide, we decided to put up some book recommendations for you. This recommendations consist of mixed audiences, from middle grade to adult and to different genres!

Read on to discover a few books to help you with some of our challenges!

1. Under 200 Pages: Novellas are great pick for this category or Tor short stories. I highly recommend The Night Cyclist and The Pauper Prince and the Eucalyptus Djinn!
2. New York Times Bestseller: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas has generated a lot of buzz last year and it debuted on New York Times Bestseller list! Plus it’s being adapted into a film!
3. Author Starting With T: The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R Tolkien is a classic or if you’ve read that, try the other fantastic books by Tolkien.
4. 2018 Film Adaptation: The adaptation of Simon vs The Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli is scheduled to be released in March 2018, so go read it before (or after) the movie comes out!
5. Older Than 20 Years: If you haven’t started the Harry Potter series, this year is the right time! This year will mark 20 years since the release of Chamber of Secrets, the second book in the series, and the 21st of Sorcerer’s Stone, the first book. Two birds with one stone right?

6. Villain/Anti-hero: Vicious by V.E Schwab is one of my favourite books and with the main character an anti-hero, it creates a fascinating narrative around the term heroes and villains.
7. Reread a favourite: Self-explanatory prompts here, this year I want to re-read Harry Potter so any books could fit this prompt.
8. Goodreads Choice Winner: You can look for inspiration here, but I highly recommend The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. This nonfiction chronicles the origin of HeLa cells that helps founding a lot of medicine and the aftermath. The writing is very easy to read and fits everyone, so go give this book a try!
9. Written By Two Authors: Illuminae by Jay Kristoff and Amie Kaufman is one of the most hyped up books in the YA community. This book chronicles the space survival of Kady and her planet’s people from invasion and evil AI, told through journals and other things.
10. Time Travel: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon may be intimidating due to its size, but it’s pretty easy to read and the story is a page-turner!
11. Male Author: Any of Neil Gaiman’s books because he is such a fantastic writer so if you haven’t read any of his books, he’s perfect for this category. Plus I highly recommend The Graveyard Book.

12. Young Adult Novel: Rebel Belle by Rachel Hawkins is such a fun series, filled with witty banter, cotillion, and a lot of ass-kicking.
13. A Number In The Title: Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo follows a band of anti-heroes consisting of 6 thieves and convicts trying to pull off an impossible heist.
14. Start A New Series: Any series you want to start but never do? This prompt is the perfect motivation for you! I personally want to start Poison Study series by Maria V. Snyder.
15. An Autobiography: The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher is perfect for anyone whether they love Star Wars or not.
16. Short Stories: Anthologies have been gaining traction recently with a lot of authors releasing some sort of anthologies. One of the most well-known is My True Love Gave to Me, which is a Christmas anthology, or its summer counterpart, Summer Days and Summer Nights.

17. Recommended By Family: My family is not a huge reader, so it’s hard to get a recommendation from them. But my sister highly recommended The School of Good and Evil series by Soman Chainani, which is a middle grade book sets in a school that trains its pupil to become either heroes or villains.
18. A Red Cover: Scythe by Neil Shusterman is another series I want to start this year and it has gained a lot of hype. This book tells the story of a modern-day grim reaper working for the government to keep the population under control.
19. Set In The Past: Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco follows the Jack the Ripper murder with our heroine Audrey as she breaks social constraints and try to solve the mystery of Jack the Ripper.
20. A Book You Never Finished: I picked up Heidi by Johanna Spyri, but after a few pages never continue reading it. Another self-explanatory prompt, all you need to do is try to find a book you put on hold or DNF before!
21. Sci-Fi: Sci-fi is not a genre I reach for often, but a lot of people like The Martian by Andy Weir and it also has been adapted to movie, so it seems like an appropriate read.

22. Three Word Title: Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng is unusual and captivating, and the title definitely makes sense after you finish the book and find yourself blown away by it!
23. Recommended By Us: Take a look at literature of the world articles, including Jamaica which highlights authors and characters from Jamaica.
24. About Family: Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan is filled with crazy antics of the Singapore richest, but at the heart of the book, it’s about family relationships between Rachel and her mother, as well as the Young clan.
25. Female Author: The Secret History by Donna Tartt has been praised at how atmospheric and fascinating the characters are.
26. Bought During A Holiday: I don’t know about you, but I always bought a lot of books during the holiday season due to the abundance of book sales happening. One of the books I bought was A Crown of Wishes by Roshani Chokshi.

Any recommendations you like the sound of? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Recommendations For Your 2018 Reading Challenge appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

From another fantasy masterpiece by the popular Brandon Sanderson to a new novel by Andy Weir, the very author who wrote the best-selling novel turned film, The Martian. Also coming out this November is the sequel in Joe Zieja’s brilliant sci-fi spoof series, a collection of stories with a twist on classics such as The Wizard of Oz, and a magical tale where a djinn warrior is accidentally summoned.

Check out our picks and tell us in the comments below if you will be adding one of these reads to your booklist or if you have enjoyed reading one of them!

Into The Rolling Deep by Mira Grant | Goodreads

Seven years ago, the Atargatis set off on a voyage to the Mariana Trench to film a “mockumentary” bringing to life ancient sea creatures of legend. It was lost at sea with all hands. Some have called it a hoax; others have called it a maritime tragedy. Now, a new crew has been assembled. But this time they’re not out to entertain. Some seek to validate their life’s work. Some seek the greatest hunt of all. Some seek the truth. But for the ambitious young scientist Victoria Stewart this is a voyage to uncover the fate of the sister she lost.

Communication Failure by Joe Zieja | Goodreads

In this sequel to Mechanical Failure, Captain Rogers, despite his best attempts to do otherwise, has become the acting admiral of the 331st Meridan fleet. His first task: worrying. A lot. The rival Thelicosan fleet, under the influence of bad intelligence, a forbidden romance, and a communication officer with an eardrum injury, is about to break a two-hundred-year-old nonaggression pact. They have offered a vague, easily misinterpreted message: “We’re invading.” Rogers isn’t sure, but he thinks that’s probably bad.

Jade City by Fonda Lee | Goodreads

Magical jade is the lifeblood of the island of Kekon with the Green Bone warriors, including the Kaul family, using it to enhance their abilities and defend the island from foreign invasion. A new generation of Kauls vies for control of Kekon’s bustling capital city and they care about nothing but protecting their own. When a powerful new drug emerges that lets anyone—even foreigners—wield jade, causing the Kauls and the rival Ayt family to erupt into violence. The outcome will determine the fate of all Green Bones and of Kekon itself.

Oathbringer by Brandon Sanderson | Goodreads

In the third novel in the Stormlight Archive series, Dalinar Kholin’s Alethi armies won a fleeting victory at a terrible cost: The enemy Parshendi summoned the violent Everstorm, which now sweeps the world and awakens the subservient parshmen to the horror of their millennia-long enslavement by humans. Kaladin Stormblessed must come to grips with the fact that the newly kindled anger of the parshmen may be wholly justified. Dalinar realizes that if all the nations of Roshar can put aside Dalinar’s blood-soaked past and stand together―and unless Dalinar himself can confront that past―even the restoration of the Knights Radiant will not prevent the end of civilization.

Steal The Stars by Mac Rogers and Nat Cassidy | Goodreads

Dakota “Dak” Prentiss guards the biggest secret in the world—they call it “Moss.” It’s your standard grey alien from innumerable abduction stories and its spaceship crash-landed eleven years ago with a secret military base built around it for study. The day Matt Salem joins her security team, it’s love at first sight—which is a problem, since they both signed ironclad contracts vowing not to fraternize with other military personnel. Dak and Matt have only way to be together: do the impossible. Steal Moss and sell the secret of its existence.

The Two of Swords: Volume Two by K.J. Parker | Goodreads

A soldier with a gift for archery. A woman who kills without care. Two brothers, both unbeatable generals, now fighting for opposing armies. No-one in the vast and once glorious United Empire remains untouched by the rift between East and West, and the war has been fought for as long as anyone can remember. Some still survive who know how it was started, but no-one knows how it will end.

Artemis by Andy Weir | Goodreads

Jazz Bashara is a criminal. Well, sort of. Life on Artemis, the first and only city on the moon, is tough if you’re not a rich tourist or an eccentric billionaire. Smuggling helps when you’ve got debts to pay and your job as a porter barely covers the rent. Everything changes when Jazz sees the chance to commit the perfect crime, with a reward too lucrative to turn down. But it’s just the start of her problems, as she learns that she’s stepped square into a conspiracy for control of Artemis itself—now, her only chance at survival lies in a gambit riskier than the first.

Future Home of the Living God by Louise Erdrich | Goodreads

The world as we know it is ending. Evolution has reversed itself, affecting every living creature on earth with woman after woman giving birth to infants that appear to be primitive species of humans. Thirty-two-year-old Cedar Hawk Songmaker is as disturbed and uncertain as the rest of America around her, especially since she is four months pregnant. Compelled to find her birth mother, Mary Potts, an Ojibwe living on the reservation, to understand both her and her baby’s origins. As Cedar goes back to her own biological beginnings, society around her begins to disintegrate, fuelled by a swelling panic about the end of humanity.

The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty | Goodreads

Nahri has never believed in magic. Certainly, she has power; on the streets of 18th century Cairo, she’s a con woman of unsurpassed talent. But when Nahri accidentally summons an equally sly, darkly mysterious djinn warrior to her side, she’s forced to accept that the magical world is real. For the warrior tells her a new tale: across hot, windswept sands teeming with creatures of fire, and rivers where the mythical marid sleep lies Daevabad, the legendary city of brass–a city to which Nahri is irrevocably bound. When Nahri decides to enter this world, she learns that true power is fierce and brutal. That magic cannot shield her from the dangerous web of court politics. That even the cleverest of schemes can have deadly consequences.

Valiant Dust by Richard Baker | Goodreads

Horatio Hornblower and Honor Harrington fans will find a new hero in Sikander North. He’s always had it easy until he joined the crew of the Aquilan Commonwealth starship CSS Hector. As the ship’s new gunnery officer and only Kashmiri, he must constantly prove himself better than his Aquilan crewmates, even if he has to use his fists. When the Hector is called to help with a planetary uprising, he’ll have to earn his unit’s respect, find who’s arming the rebels, and deal with the headstrong daughter of the colonial ruler all while dodging bullets.

The Emerald Circus by Jane Yolen | Goodreads

It’s time to go back to—and beyond—the treasured tales you thought you knew: The Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan and many more. A girl blown away from Kansas returns as a sophisticate with unusual gymnastic abilities. A talented apprentice, forging her first sword, is suddenly left to the mercies of Merlin. Alice’s infamous nemesis has jaws and claws, but also lacks the essential: a sense of humour.

The Wrong Stars by Tim Pratt | Goodreads

The shady crew of the White Raven run freight and salvage at the fringes of our solar system. They discover the wreck of a centuries-old exploration vessel floating light years away from its intended destination and revive its sole occupant, who wakes with news of First Alien Contact. When the crew break it to her that humanity has alien allies already, she reveals that these are very different extra-terrestrials… and the gifts they bestowed on her could kill all humanity, or take it out to the most distant stars.

The post November Book Releases: Fantasy & Sci-Fi appeared first on The Nerd Daily.

Read on to discover our picks and tell us in the comments below if you have or will be reading one!

Artemis by Andy Weir | Goodreads

Jazz Bashara is a criminal. Well, sort of. Life on Artemis, the first and only city on the moon, is tough if you’re not a rich tourist or an eccentric billionaire. Smuggling helps when you’ve got debts to pay and your job as a porter barely covers the rent. Everything changes when Jazz sees the chance to commit the perfect crime, with a reward too lucrative to turn down. But it’s just the start of her problems, as she learns that she’s stepped square into a conspiracy for control of Artemis itself—now, her only chance at survival lies in a gambit riskier than the first.

Bonfire by Krysten Ritter | Goodreads

Ten years ago Abby Williams left her small town and now works as an environmental lawyer in Chicago, but a new case takes her back home. Tasked with investigating Optimal Plastics, the town’s most high-profile company and economic heart, she discovers connections to Barrens’ biggest scandal from more than a decade ago involving the popular Kaycee Mitchell and her closest friends—just before Kaycee disappeared for good. As Abby tries to find out what really happened, she unearths a ritual called “The Game,” which will threaten the reputations, and lives, of the community and risk exposing a darkness that may consume her.

The Night Language by David Rocklin | Goodreads

Prince Alamayou of Abyssinia is taken from his home to the court of Queen Victoria, a world he knows nothing about. With him is Philip Layard, a young apprentice to one of the doctors on the battlefield, who becomes Alamayou’s guardian, only friend, and eventually, the love of his life. When Parliament accuses Alamayou of murder, he is sentenced to return to Abyssinia, where he will be executed. His only hope comes from the very thing that cannot be uttered: the unexpected and forbidden love between Alamayou and Philip.

Jade City by Fonda Lee | Goodreads

Magical jade is the lifeblood of the island of Kekon with the Green Bone warriors, including the Kaul family, using it to enhance their abilities and defend the island from foreign invasion. A new generation of Kauls vies for control of Kekon’s bustling capital city and they care about nothing but protecting their own. When a powerful new drug emerges that lets anyone—even foreigners—wield jade, causing the Kauls and the rival Ayt family to erupt into violence. The outcome will determine the fate of all Green Bones and of Kekon itself.

American Drifter by Heather Graham and Chad Michael Murray | Goodreads

River Roulet, a young US Army veteran struggles to shake the horrors of his past, as the memories remain. In Rio de Janeiro, it seems he is pulling his life together at last when he meets the enchanting Natal, an impassioned journalist who lives with the gangster that rules Rio. They two flee together into the interior of Brazil, where they are pursued by the drug lord, Tio Amato, and his men. River is forced to kill one of those men, the chase becomes even deadlier and the Brazilian government jumps on their trail as well.

Renegades by Marissa Meyer | Goodreads

The Renegades are a syndicate of prodigies—humans with extraordinary abilities—who emerged from the ruins of a crumbled society and established peace and order where chaos reigned. As champions of justice, they are a symbol of hope and courage…except to the villains they once overthrew. Nova has a reason to hate the Renegades, and she is on a mission for vengeance. Closing in on her target, she meets Adrian, a Renegade boy who believes in justice—and in Nova. But Nova’s allegiance is to a villain who has the power to end them both.

Murder In The Lincoln White House by C.M. Gleason | Goodreads

At the inaugural ball, Lincoln’s entourage is on their guard, but trouble comes nonetheless when a man is found stabbed to death. Lincoln dispatches Quinn, his assistant and jack-of-all-trades, instead of Allan Pinkerton, the head of security, to discreetly investigate. New to Washington, he must navigate through high society, political personages, and a city preparing for war in order to solve the crime. He finds unexpected allies in Sophie Gates, a female journalist and Dr. Hilton, a free man of color. With their help, he must make haste to solve the murder if he is to protect the president he’s pledged to serve.

This Mortal Coil by Emily Suvada | Goodreads

Catarina Agatta is a hacker. In her world, people are implanted with technology to recode their DNA, allowing them to change their bodies in any way they want. Her father is a legendary geneticist who may be the last hope for defeating a plague but he was kidnapped by a shadowy organisation called Cartaxus, leaving Cat to survive the last two years on her own. When Cole, a Cartaxus soldier arrives with news he has been killed with a message he managed to create a vaccine, and Cole needs Cat’s help to release it.

The Overneath by Peter S. Beagle | Goodreads

An odd couple patrols a county full of mythological beasts and ornery locals. A familiar youngster from the world of The Last Unicorn is gifted in magic but terrible at spell-casting. A seemingly incorruptible judge meets his match in a mysterious thief who steals his heart. Two old friends discover that the Overneath goes anywhere, including locations better left unvisited.

The Magic Misfits by Neil Patrick Harris | Goodreads

When street magician Carter runs away, he never expects to find friends and magic in a sleepy New England town. But like any good trick, things change instantly as greedy B.B. Bosso and his crew of crooked carnies arrive to steal anything and everything they can get their sticky fingers on. After a fateful encounter with the local purveyor of illusion, Dante Vernon, Carter teams up with five other like-minded kids. Together, using both teamwork and magic, they’ll set out to save the town of Mineral Wells from Bosso’s villainous clutches.

A Tangled Mercy by Joy Jordan-Lake | Goodreads

After the sudden death of her troubled mother, struggling Harvard grad student Kate Drayton flees to Charleston, South Carolina, the place where her parents met. Convinced it holds the key to understanding her family, she’s determined to unearth information on a failed 1822 slave revolt—the subject of her mother’s own research. Nearly two centuries earlier, Tom Russell grappled with a terrible choice: arm the uprising or keep his own neck out of the noose and protect the woman he loves. Kate’s attempts to discover what drove her mother’s obsession with Charleston’s history are derailed by a horrific massacre in the very same landmark church.

The Story of Arthur Truluv by Elizabeth Berg | Goodreads

Arthur, a widow, meets Maddy, a troubled teenage girl who is avoiding school by hiding out at the cemetery, where Arthur goes every day for lunch to have imaginary conversations with his late wife, and think about the lives of others. The two strike up a friendship that draws them out of isolation. Maddy gives Arthur the name Truluv, for his loving and positive responses to every outrageous thing she says or does. With Arthur’s nosy neighbor Lucille, they create a loving and unconventional family, proving that life’s most precious moments are sweeter when shared.

Find more November releases here!

The post November Book Releases appeared first on The Nerd Daily.