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What’s on your bookshelf?: Supermassive and Niantic narrative designer Anastasia Dukakisread-only

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Image credit:oldbookillustrations.com

Image credit:oldbookillustrations.com

A lady reads a book in Eugène Grasset’s Poster for the Librairie Romantique

Hello reader who is also a reader, and welcome back to Booked For The Week - our regular Sunday chat with a selection of cool industry folks about books! As is customary, I must jam my new cat into every article. I’ve tried to offer her several books, but she’s failed to turn even a single page so far. What a big dumbo. The best dumbo. The sweetest, smartest dumbo in the world, yes she is. Ahem. This week, it’s Supermassive, Niantic, and Sensible Object narrative designer andLimit Breakmentor, Anastasia Dukakis! Cheers Ana! Mind if we have a nose at your bookshelf?

I’ve recently started Stephen King’s Fairy Tale. It’s a bit of a slow burn, but it lends the text this almost oral quality I love – it really feels like you’re meandering through Charlie’s thoughts with him, wading from 2010s Illinois into dark fantasy.

Spoilers ahead for Never Let Me Go (Kazuo Ishiguro):

I’m also an advocate for Ted Chiang, in particular his short story collection Stories of Your Life and Others. Given his numerous Nebula awards I’m not sure he’s in desperate need of advocates, but I love the way he tethers Universe-scale concepts to human-scale stories.

Again, I’m cheating and adding two contenders:

Alternatively, a modern-day adaptation of Emma would be fun. Jane Austen’s works are constantly being adapted… And I’m here for it! I’ve seen Emma (2020), Aisha, Emma Approved, and Clueless… it’s the videogame version that’s missing!

Another great list for my retirement recommendation haul. Although, as you might image, I’m absolutely distraught that Ana couldn’t see her way towards going the extra mile at the end there, continuing to add contenders until she’d met the very secret goal of this column and named every book in existence. A predictable outcome, but not entirely unpleasant, since it does mean the recommendation pile gets yet another new list next week. Book for now!