309 ratings | 251 reviews | avg rating:4.98

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Nicholas Whyte

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Tachyon Publications

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Jo Walton

Goodreads Author

Born

in Wales, The United Kingdom

December 01, 1964

Website

http://www.jowaltonbooks.com

Twitter

bluejowalton

Genre

Science Fiction & Fantasy, Science Fiction, Fantasy

Member Since

February 2010

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/bluejo

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Jo Walton writes science fiction and fantasy novels and reads a lot and eats great food. It worries her slightly that this is so exactly what she always wanted to do when she grew up. She comes from Wales, but lives in Montreal.

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Jo Walton’s books

Average rating: 3.8 · 79,638 ratings · 14,788 reviews · 87 distinct works • Similar authors

	Among Others 3.71 avg rating — 26,136 ratings — published 2011 — 62 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Just City (Thessaly, #1) 3.80 avg rating — 8,625 ratings — published 2015 — 15 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Tooth and Claw 3.88 avg rating — 7,183 ratings — published 2003 — 15 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	My Real Children 3.80 avg rating — 6,478 ratings — published 2014	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Farthing (Small Change, #1) 3.81 avg rating — 5,722 ratings — published 2006 — 40 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The Philosopher Kings 3.93 avg rating — 3,120 ratings — published 2015 — 11 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Ha'penny (Small Change, #2) 3.91 avg rating — 2,636 ratings — published 2007 — 29 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Lent 3.99 avg rating — 2,548 ratings — published 2019 — 9 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Half a Crown (Small Change, #3) 3.94 avg rating — 2,136 ratings — published 2008 — 21 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Necessity (Thessaly, #3) 3.94 avg rating — 1,890 ratings — published 2016	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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Jo Walton's Blog

A different way to teach science

When we moved to Montreal, my son was eleven. He happened to find an old, 1920, book in a thrift store called something like Science Today, which was an overview of the cutting edge of science as of 1920, with exciting old black and white photos of things like the first electric streetlights in Canada. It had chapters on different subjects of scientific interest. He started reading it, and asking

Series by Jo Walton

Thessaly (3 books)
by

Jo Walton (Goodreads Author)

3.86 avg rating — 13,796 ratings

Small Change (3 books)
by

Jo Walton (Goodreads Author)

3.86 avg rating — 10,494 ratings

Tir Tanagiri (3 books)
by

Jo Walton (Goodreads Author)

3.68 avg rating — 1,504 ratings

Die-hard mystery fans are always on the hunt for their next supremely satisfying whodunit. To help you stock that Want to Read shelf, we asked...

Jo is Currently Reading

Jo Walton is currently reading

Lives of the Early Medici: As Told in Their Correspondence

by Janet Duff-Gordon Ross

bookshelves: currently-reading

read in October 2016

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Jo Walton said: " Primary sources. I love them. Read a biography and it will quote letters -- the relevant bits of letters. I love the irrelevent bits, the additions, the bit where Lorenzo adds a PS asking his mother to send his dressing gown because it's freezing. Th Primary sources. I love them. Read a biography and it will quote letters -- the relevant bits of letters. I love the irrelevent bits, the additions, the bit where Lorenzo adds a PS asking his mother to send his dressing gown because it's freezing. This is a collection of a translation of the letters of Cosimo, Piero and Lorenzo de Medici and their friends and families -- letters to them and from them, from the 1420s to Lorenzo's death in 1492. Some of them I'd read before, but most I hadn't. There are wonderful letters from women, and from minor hangers on asking for things. There are a few little bits of explanatory linking text, but mostly, what you have here is just the letters, speaking for themselves. It's great. The only thing I regret about this book is that there isn't more of it.

This is an absolutely invaluable resource, and furthermore it's 1910 and therefore out of copyright. Here, an example, have the whole letter from the King of France to the Pope about the Pazzi Conspiracy:

Louis XI to Pope Sixtus IV (12th May 1478)

Most Holy Father -- We have been fully informed that wantonly by the hands of Count Girolamo, of one of your nephews recently promoted to the dignity of the Cardinalate, of the Archbishop of Pisa, and of members of the Pazzi family and their adherents, an outrage, insult and personal attack has been made on the person of our dear friend Lorenzo de' Medici and on Giuliano his brother. That the said Giuliano and others, his friends, have been killed, murdered and assassinated in a church in Florence, in which we have been. We are deeply grieved and still more astonished that such an outrage should have been committed against one of such a House as is that of the Medici, renowned in the whole world, and known as belonging to the Church and filling high offices, such as that of Cardinal and Archbishop, and in the precincts of a Church, a sacred place dedicated to God. Therefore, Holy Father. We are much displeased at so abominable a sin and outrage, which we regard as even more grave than if it had been done to our own person, of to the person of one nearly related to us, and we hold that your and our honour has been most deeply offended. On account of the special love we have always borne, and bear, to the said Lorenzo our cousin and all his House, and of the great friendship, cemented by loyalty, oaths, and alliance, which in past times existed, and exists at present, between our predecessors, ourselves, and the city of Florence, we most affectionately supplicate and pray your Holiness that for love of us as well as for love of our Holy Mother Church, in order that others should not go unpunished, amends shall be made for the crime by punishing the delinquents and all who have aided and participated, in such a way that it may be an example for all men to remember and that greater ills shall not arise. Otherwise, by virtue of the said alliance and confederation existing between us and the said Florentines, and on account of the love we bear to our said cousin, we have determined to declare against all those who are implicated and not to allow this thing to go unpunished. We pray the Blessed Son of God that Your Holiness may long be spared to rule our Holy Mother Church.

Trans Janet Ross, 1910 ...more "

Oct 16, 2016 02:13PM · see review

Jo Walton is currently reading

Raven Stratagem (The Machineries of Empire, #2)

by Yoon Ha Lee

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Jul 10, 2026 11:41AM

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The Italian Lakes Affair

by Rachel Barnett (Goodreads Author)

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Jul 06, 2026 11:38AM

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Jo Walton started reading Lives of the Early Medici: As Told in Their Correspondence by Janet Duff-Gordon Ross	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jul 10, 2026 11:43AM · 1 like · like
Jo Walton finished reading The Selected Letters of Laura Ingalls Wilder by William Anderson	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jul 10, 2026 11:43AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Selected Letters of Laura Ingalls Wilder by William Anderson. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Selected Letters of Laura Ingalls Wilder by William Anderson <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Jo Walton finished reading Sister Svangerd and the Devil You Know (The Loyal Opposition #2) by K.J. Parker	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jul 10, 2026 11:42AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Sister Svangerd and the Devil You Know by K.J. Parker. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Sister Svangerd and the Devil You Know by K.J. Parker <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
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Jul 10, 2026 11:41AM · 1 like · like
Jo Walton wants to read Magnificent Rebel: Nancy Cunard in Jazz Age Paris by Anne de Courcy	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jul 10, 2026 09:01AM · 2 likes · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Magnificent Rebel by Anne de Courcy. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Magnificent Rebel by Anne de Courcy <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Jo Walton wants to read Four Seasons in Rome: On Twins, Insomnia, and the Biggest Funeral in the History of the World by Anthony Doerr (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
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Jo Walton wants to read The Watchmaker of Filigree Street (Watchmaker of Filigree Street, #1) by Natasha Pulley	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jul 06, 2026 11:40AM · 3 likes · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Jo Walton wants to read Raven Stratagem (The Machineries of Empire, #2) by Yoon Ha Lee	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jul 06, 2026 11:40AM · like
Jo Walton wants to read Italian Rendezvous (Escapist Romance #1) by June Patrick (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jul 06, 2026 11:40AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Italian Rendezvous by June Patrick. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Italian Rendezvous by June Patrick <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Jo Walton started reading The Italian Lakes Affair by Rachel Barnett (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Jul 06, 2026 11:38AM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Italian Lakes Affair by Rachel Barnett. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Italian Lakes Affair by Rachel Barnett <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">

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Quotes by Jo Walton (?)

“It doesn't matter. I have books, new books, and I can bear anything as long as there are books.”
― Jo Walton, Among Others

tags: books

2749 likes

“There's a sunrise and a sunset every single day, and they're absolutely free. Don't miss so many of them.”
― Jo Walton

tags: appreciation, nature, sunrise, sunset

540 likes

“I'll belong to libraries wherever I go. Maybe eventually I'll belong to libraries on other planets.”
― Jo Walton, Among Others

388 likes

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Polls

March 2021

Among Others by Jo Walton

5 votes, 27.8%

China Mountain Zhang by Maureen F. McHugh

3 votes, 16.7%

We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler

3 votes, 16.7%

Too Like the Lightning by Ada Palmer

2 votes, 11.1%

The Female Man by Joanna Russ

2 votes, 11.1%

The New Moon's Arms by Nalo Hopkinson

1 vote, 5.6%

Passage by Connie Willis

1 vote, 5.6%

Hild by Nicola Griffith

1 vote, 5.6%

18 total votes

11 comments

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Topics Mentioning This Author

topics	posts	views	last activity
Beyond Reality: Miles Vorkosigan--SHARDS OF HONOR - the book in the overall series (SPOILERS)	16	80	Jul 11, 2009 03:54AM
Beyond Reality: Miles Vorkosigan--CETAGANDA - Jo Walton's take	2	42	Nov 05, 2009 10:47AM
Beyond Reality: Nominations for February!	23	76	Nov 20, 2009 07:26AM
Beyond Reality: 2009-11 BROKEDOWN PALACE Other books by Steven Brust	34	69	Dec 18, 2009 02:20PM
The Seasonal Read...: 10.8 (OH CANADA!)	36	241	Dec 21, 2009 02:06PM
Beyond Reality: What else are you reading in January 2010?	75	124	Jan 31, 2010 05:51PM
Beyond Reality: Miles Vorkosigan Series Discussion: reading order	41	1350	Mar 08, 2010 05:43PM
The Seasonal Read...: Summer Challenge 2010 Completed Tasks (do NOT delete any posts in this thread)	3022	3291	Aug 31, 2010 10:39PM
SciFi and Fantasy...: Which authors are on your "buy on sight" list	46	309	Feb 06, 2011 08:23PM

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Jo’s Quotes

“I'll belong to libraries wherever I go. Maybe eventually I'll belong to libraries on other planets.”
― Jo Walton, Among Others

388 likes

“Let’s pursue excellence together. Let’s make art. Let’s build the future. Let’s be our best selves.”
― Jo Walton, The Just City

9 likes

“There isn't an end point to excellence where you have it and you can stop. Being your best self means keeping on trying.”
― Jo Walton, The Just City

tags: philosophy

9 likes

“In reality, while we aim for excellence, we're always living on somebody's dunghill.”
― Jo Walton, The Philosopher Kings

tags: excellence

6 likes

“If you love books enough, books will love you back.”
― Jo Walton, Among Others

Jo’s Year In Books

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Jo Walton

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