BEACH READING: So on my trip last week I read several excellent books. First, by John Barnes, Losers In Space, a modern version of a Heinlein junior novel — call it a cross between Podkayne of Mars and Tunnel In The Sky.

Also John Scalzi’s Redshirts, about life as an expendable minor character — and what happens when the expendable minor characters decide not to be expended.

And the new Barnes book sent me back to re-read Mother of Storms, which held up quite well. All highly recommended.