#20: South by Babak Lakghomi

A journalist in an unnamed, totalitarian state heads to an offshore oil rig to write about dissent there, only to be thwarted by his submergence into a different world, in Babak Lakghomi's South.

This is a spare, lyrical novel infused with longing, as our protagonist, known only as B, meditates on his lost father, his failing marriage, his floundering career.

Really worthwhile for fans of world literature.  I checked this out from the New Castle-Henry County Public Library in New Castle, Indiana and read it quickly.

#19: Counterweight by Djuna

Mystery and espionage surround the building of a space elevator in Djuna's trippy sci-fi novel Counterweight.

Djuna is the pen name of a novelist who has been incredibly popular in Korea, despite remaining completely anonymous; this is their first novel translated into English.  

The mysterious author riffs on everything from old-school private eye novels to cyberpunk to 60s psychedelic sci-fi in what turns out to be quite a romp through genres.

My daughter gave me this novel as a present, and I read it quickly (and have since gifted another copy to a friend).  Recommended for science fiction fans.

#18: Titanium Noir by Nick Harkaway

In a near-future world "Titans" are very affluent people who have undergone gene therapy to lengthen their lives. becoming literal titans in the process.  When one of them is mysteriously killed, it's up to a P.I. to dig around their rarefied world in Nick Harkaway's Titanium Noir.

He has an inside track as an ex-girlfriend is a Titan, and is in the lineage of the most influential Titan family, which hinders as much as helps him at times.

Agreeable detective novel with science fiction overtones and a 70s P.I. vibe.  Good for genre fans.

I checked this out from the New Castle-Henry County Public Library in New Castle, Indiana.