by Ursula K. Le Guin (175 pgs)
What would you do, if the things you dreamed became real? In fact, if your dreams changed the past? This is George Orr's problem. This is science fiction as an exploration and it's wonderful. It's well written and thoughtful. I would recommend it to people as an introduction to good science fiction.
Saturday, April 23, 2005
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
35. The Sixteen Pleasures
by Robert Hellenga (369 pgs)
A 29 year old conservator finds her life aimless and dull. So when the banks of the Arno river are flooded and the countless treasures of Florence submerged, she packs up her life and heads to Florence to offer her assistance.
This is a fantastic story, although the blurb on the back of the book is pretty misleading. I have already recommended this book to a handful of friends and will probably continue to do so.
A 29 year old conservator finds her life aimless and dull. So when the banks of the Arno river are flooded and the countless treasures of Florence submerged, she packs up her life and heads to Florence to offer her assistance.
This is a fantastic story, although the blurb on the back of the book is pretty misleading. I have already recommended this book to a handful of friends and will probably continue to do so.
Saturday, April 16, 2005
34. A Maze of Death
by Philip K. Dick (192 pgs)
A group of 13 strangers are all sent to a obscure planet to run an experimental colony. But when they get there, the instructions to the experiment are lost and everything starts going horribly wrong.
Much easier to read than A Scanner Darkly. This is sort of a convoluted murder mystery/conspiracy thriller with, as always, a surprise, and somewhat disjointed, ending. All the same I liked it and would recommend it to others.
A group of 13 strangers are all sent to a obscure planet to run an experimental colony. But when they get there, the instructions to the experiment are lost and everything starts going horribly wrong.
Much easier to read than A Scanner Darkly. This is sort of a convoluted murder mystery/conspiracy thriller with, as always, a surprise, and somewhat disjointed, ending. All the same I liked it and would recommend it to others.
Wednesday, April 13, 2005
33. Evenings at Five : A Novel
by Gail Godwin (114 pgs)
A slim volume which has every indication of being a depressing book about death, loss, and love. However, it's not depressing. It's actually quite warming, somewhat melancholy, but beautiful and hopeful. I just hope that I love as well as the main character does.
A slim volume which has every indication of being a depressing book about death, loss, and love. However, it's not depressing. It's actually quite warming, somewhat melancholy, but beautiful and hopeful. I just hope that I love as well as the main character does.
32. Cooking for Mr. Latte (NF 6)
by Amanda Hesser (324 pgs)
This is a delightful mix of vinettes and cookbook at about a 1 to 1 ratio. Hesser follows the story of her early relationship and marriage to her husband who she's dubbed Mr. Latte. Of course, because she's a food critique, the story is very much told through her culinary explorations.
It's good and enjoyable. Several of the recipes look like fun.
This is a delightful mix of vinettes and cookbook at about a 1 to 1 ratio. Hesser follows the story of her early relationship and marriage to her husband who she's dubbed Mr. Latte. Of course, because she's a food critique, the story is very much told through her culinary explorations.
It's good and enjoyable. Several of the recipes look like fun.
Tuesday, April 12, 2005
31. A Scanner Darkly
By Philip K. Dick (275 pgs.)
I was informed while reading this that they are making a movie of it. If so, it's going to end up a lot like Fear and Loathing in Los Vegas. It's not that the plot is like that so much but that there is so much in the way of drugs and drug use.
The plot is a bit difficult to work out actually. Mostly, it revolves around a conspiracy which only really becomes obvious towards the end. Paranoia in a style truly worthy of PKD.
I was informed while reading this that they are making a movie of it. If so, it's going to end up a lot like Fear and Loathing in Los Vegas. It's not that the plot is like that so much but that there is so much in the way of drugs and drug use.
The plot is a bit difficult to work out actually. Mostly, it revolves around a conspiracy which only really becomes obvious towards the end. Paranoia in a style truly worthy of PKD.
Friday, April 08, 2005
30. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
By J.K. Rowling (870 pgs)
Ok, let's face it. In this book, Harry is a whiney, temper-tantrum throwing, self involved little prat. So I guess he's going through puberty. Maybe? I don't know. But he's definitely annoying for most of the book.
This isn't to say it's a bad book. Just expect to be annoyed with Harry most of the way through.
Ok, let's face it. In this book, Harry is a whiney, temper-tantrum throwing, self involved little prat. So I guess he's going through puberty. Maybe? I don't know. But he's definitely annoying for most of the book.
This isn't to say it's a bad book. Just expect to be annoyed with Harry most of the way through.
Monday, April 04, 2005
29. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
by J.K. Rowling (734 pgs)
What could be better than Quidditch? The triwizard competition, of course. Aimed to improve relations between international wizarding communities, The triwizard competition is set up between three wizarding schools and limited to players who are over 17. So how does 14 year old Harry end up getting chosen? Well that's the big question with a somewhat sinister set of implications.
Better than the third but still below the first two. Harry has some great moments but he's a bit whiney too.
What could be better than Quidditch? The triwizard competition, of course. Aimed to improve relations between international wizarding communities, The triwizard competition is set up between three wizarding schools and limited to players who are over 17. So how does 14 year old Harry end up getting chosen? Well that's the big question with a somewhat sinister set of implications.
Better than the third but still below the first two. Harry has some great moments but he's a bit whiney too.
Sunday, April 03, 2005
28. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
by J.K. Rowling (435 pgs)
This book sees the introduction of Sirius Black, Harry's godfather. But is Black a benine force or an antagonistic force. There in lies the rub. In a world were the plots of others can end in your death, can anyone be sure of the truth?
This is a good book although not, perhaps, as good as the first two. I really love professor Lupin. One of those tragic hero types.
This book sees the introduction of Sirius Black, Harry's godfather. But is Black a benine force or an antagonistic force. There in lies the rub. In a world were the plots of others can end in your death, can anyone be sure of the truth?
This is a good book although not, perhaps, as good as the first two. I really love professor Lupin. One of those tragic hero types.
Saturday, April 02, 2005
27. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
by J.K. Rowling (341 pgs)
This is the second in the series and, like the first, a re-read. Covering Harry's second year at Hogwarts, this volume starts out like the first at Privett drive with the Dursley's. Fortunately for Harry he's managed to convince the Dursley's that he can cast magic, which he isn't allowed to do over summer holidays. Unfortunately the Dursley's find out. Anyway, Harry is soon at school except that students have started turning up petrified and Harry's on the suspect list.
This is the second in the series and, like the first, a re-read. Covering Harry's second year at Hogwarts, this volume starts out like the first at Privett drive with the Dursley's. Fortunately for Harry he's managed to convince the Dursley's that he can cast magic, which he isn't allowed to do over summer holidays. Unfortunately the Dursley's find out. Anyway, Harry is soon at school except that students have started turning up petrified and Harry's on the suspect list.
Friday, April 01, 2005
26. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
by J.K. Rowling (309 pgs)
I think what appeals to me most about this book is the sense that extraordinary things can happen to anyone. I remember, as a kid, wishing with all my might that there was something fantastic and magical about me. I don't think this is such an uncommon desire and this book plays right into that.
Harry Potter discovers on his 11th birthday that he's really a wizard. This alleviates some of the dreariness of having to live with the Dursley's, who are the most awful Muggles (non-magic users)imaginable. Soon, Harry is whisked off to Hogwarts School for wizards and Witches and begins his magical education. He soon makes friends (Ron and Hermione) and enemies (Malfoy and Snape.) But all is not as simple as it seems and Harry is soon embroiled in mystery or set of mysteries. Not least of which is the mystery of his own history.
I think what appeals to me most about this book is the sense that extraordinary things can happen to anyone. I remember, as a kid, wishing with all my might that there was something fantastic and magical about me. I don't think this is such an uncommon desire and this book plays right into that.
Harry Potter discovers on his 11th birthday that he's really a wizard. This alleviates some of the dreariness of having to live with the Dursley's, who are the most awful Muggles (non-magic users)imaginable. Soon, Harry is whisked off to Hogwarts School for wizards and Witches and begins his magical education. He soon makes friends (Ron and Hermione) and enemies (Malfoy and Snape.) But all is not as simple as it seems and Harry is soon embroiled in mystery or set of mysteries. Not least of which is the mystery of his own history.
25. The Two Towers
by J.R.R. Tolkien (pp 403-725)
Again, better than I remember it being. I didn't get stuck in it nearly as badly as I did Fellowship. The bits that slowed me down were the long tedious journey of Sam and Frodo towards Mount Doom. Which if you think about it are fairly appropriate for the action. All the same, the brain starts to feel a bit dusty after a while. The march of the Ents as told by Merry and Pipin was fantastic.
Again, better than I remember it being. I didn't get stuck in it nearly as badly as I did Fellowship. The bits that slowed me down were the long tedious journey of Sam and Frodo towards Mount Doom. Which if you think about it are fairly appropriate for the action. All the same, the brain starts to feel a bit dusty after a while. The march of the Ents as told by Merry and Pipin was fantastic.
April List
So I'm now so behind that I'm officially having to read over 20 books a month, 22 exactly. To combat this and try to get back on track...I'm focusing on light reading and small books. We'll see how that goes. But here's to trying. I've also only put one non-fiction on here. We'll see how it goes and pray for my sanity.
1. Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien
2. Harry Potter and the sorcerer's Stone by Rowling
3. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by Rowling
4. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by Rowling
5. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by Rowling
6. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by Rowling
7. Return of the King By J.R.R. Tolkien
8. Four Ways to Forgiveness by Ursula K. LeGuin
9. Game-Players of Titan by Philip K. Dick
10. A Scanner Darkly by Philip K. Dick
11. A Maze of Death by Philip K. Dick
12. The Lathe of Heave by Ursula K. LeGuin
13. Amnesia Moon by Jonathan Lethem
14. Portrait of the Artist by James Joyce
15. Islam by Karen Armstrong (NF)
16. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the galaxy by Douglas Adams
17. The Restaurant at the End of the Universe by Douglas Adams
18. Life, the Universe and Everything by Douglas Adams
19. So Long, and Thanks For All the Fish by Douglas Adams
20. The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul by Douglas Adams
21. Monkey Bridge by Lan Cao
22. Possession: A Romance by A.S. Byatt
This time I am tackling these in no particular order and, while I'm obviously going to try to read more, I think I've been jinxing myself by putting extra reading up here. Weeeeeeeeeeeeee here we go.
1. Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien
2. Harry Potter and the sorcerer's Stone by Rowling
3. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by Rowling
4. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by Rowling
5. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by Rowling
6. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by Rowling
7. Return of the King By J.R.R. Tolkien
8. Four Ways to Forgiveness by Ursula K. LeGuin
9. Game-Players of Titan by Philip K. Dick
10. A Scanner Darkly by Philip K. Dick
11. A Maze of Death by Philip K. Dick
12. The Lathe of Heave by Ursula K. LeGuin
13. Amnesia Moon by Jonathan Lethem
14. Portrait of the Artist by James Joyce
15. Islam by Karen Armstrong (NF)
16. The Hitchhiker's Guide to the galaxy by Douglas Adams
17. The Restaurant at the End of the Universe by Douglas Adams
18. Life, the Universe and Everything by Douglas Adams
19. So Long, and Thanks For All the Fish by Douglas Adams
20. The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul by Douglas Adams
21. Monkey Bridge by Lan Cao
22. Possession: A Romance by A.S. Byatt
This time I am tackling these in no particular order and, while I'm obviously going to try to read more, I think I've been jinxing myself by putting extra reading up here. Weeeeeeeeeeeeee here we go.
Thursday, March 31, 2005
March Retrospective
As far as reading books goes, March was a dismal month. I got stuck in The Fellowship of the ring and then in the Two Towers. This isn't to say that they are bad, just...gooey I guess. I didn't have a taste for the Limoney Snicket books so I've given those a rest (also my library is missing the Ersatz Elevator and I hate reading series out of order.) But, I did finish up a paper that was hanging over my head. As for favorites, I don't think there is really enough for comparison so I'm going to roll them into April.
24. Changing Planes
By Ursula K. Le Guin (pp 246)
This is a re read and perhaps one of my favorite Le Guin books. It's a collection of short stories on a theme. This theme being plane travel. Planes as in different planes of reality. I always enjoy reading it in airports.
This is a re read and perhaps one of my favorite Le Guin books. It's a collection of short stories on a theme. This theme being plane travel. Planes as in different planes of reality. I always enjoy reading it in airports.
Monday, March 21, 2005
23. Sensational Trials of the 20th Century (NF 5)
by Betsy Harvey Kraft (New York: Scholastic 1998. pgs. 216)
This was lent to me by a friend. Hence being popped up the list a bit. This briefly narrates eight of the most infamous trials in the last century.
1. The Saco-Vanzetti Trial
Did two Italian immigrants commit armed robbery? Or did someone get executed wrongfully. It seems pretty safe to say that the author believes at least one of the men convicted might have been innocent. Regardless, it seems that more than being on trial for robbery, Saco and Vanzetti were on trial for being immigrants.
2. The Scopes "Monkey" Trial
This is why the book got lent to me. The trial came up in a Trivial pursuit game and I'd never heard of it before. There is an air of the grotesque in this one and I was reminded of the movie 'Chicago'
3. The Lindbergh Baby Kidnapping Trial
This is one of the ones you first hear about in 8th grade social studies. Unfortunately it didn't make much of a dent the first time around. This time it did. The whole thing seemed like something out of a soap opera. But rather I think the soap opera writers are getting their material from this sort of thing.
4. The Julius and Ethel Rosenberg Spy Trial
Another one I was first exposed to in Jr. High. I rather suspect that the school's text book wasn't as frank about it as this book was. The whole thing just proves to me that even people who are none too bright are capable of being very clever.
5. Brown V. Board of Education of Topeka
This one, of course, changed education in America. I was glad to learn something about it rather than just know it had an affect.
6. The Watergate Trials
'Changing the way news is reported' should be the name of this one. Nixon seems such a pitiable person in this...and stupid to boot. One wonders if he weren't certifiable paranoid.
7. The John Hinkley Jr. Trial
One of the one's I've heard about but didn't really know anything of. I think Hinkley must be the source of, "But he seemed like such a good boy."
8. The O.J. Simpson Trial
This is the only one of the eight that I was alive and cognizant for. At the time I was just sick to death of it. Reading about it though I realize why people got so caught up in it.
This was lent to me by a friend. Hence being popped up the list a bit. This briefly narrates eight of the most infamous trials in the last century.
1. The Saco-Vanzetti Trial
Did two Italian immigrants commit armed robbery? Or did someone get executed wrongfully. It seems pretty safe to say that the author believes at least one of the men convicted might have been innocent. Regardless, it seems that more than being on trial for robbery, Saco and Vanzetti were on trial for being immigrants.
2. The Scopes "Monkey" Trial
This is why the book got lent to me. The trial came up in a Trivial pursuit game and I'd never heard of it before. There is an air of the grotesque in this one and I was reminded of the movie 'Chicago'
3. The Lindbergh Baby Kidnapping Trial
This is one of the ones you first hear about in 8th grade social studies. Unfortunately it didn't make much of a dent the first time around. This time it did. The whole thing seemed like something out of a soap opera. But rather I think the soap opera writers are getting their material from this sort of thing.
4. The Julius and Ethel Rosenberg Spy Trial
Another one I was first exposed to in Jr. High. I rather suspect that the school's text book wasn't as frank about it as this book was. The whole thing just proves to me that even people who are none too bright are capable of being very clever.
5. Brown V. Board of Education of Topeka
This one, of course, changed education in America. I was glad to learn something about it rather than just know it had an affect.
6. The Watergate Trials
'Changing the way news is reported' should be the name of this one. Nixon seems such a pitiable person in this...and stupid to boot. One wonders if he weren't certifiable paranoid.
7. The John Hinkley Jr. Trial
One of the one's I've heard about but didn't really know anything of. I think Hinkley must be the source of, "But he seemed like such a good boy."
8. The O.J. Simpson Trial
This is the only one of the eight that I was alive and cognizant for. At the time I was just sick to death of it. Reading about it though I realize why people got so caught up in it.
22. Fellowship of the Ring
by J.R.R. Tolkien (pp 21-398)
This is a re-reading. The first time I read this I was about 12. My initial estimation that it was a great story poorly written. While I still have some of the problems with it now that I did then, my estimation is somewhat more mild. Tolkien is given to a dryness that makes his fiction more like an essay in comparitive liguistics, than a novel. This isn't to say he's bad but I'm still skeptical when someone tells me he's the greatest fantasy writer of our language.
In anycase, this covers the formation of the fellowship to the splitting. It's a good read but I still think the Hobbit is better.
This is a re-reading. The first time I read this I was about 12. My initial estimation that it was a great story poorly written. While I still have some of the problems with it now that I did then, my estimation is somewhat more mild. Tolkien is given to a dryness that makes his fiction more like an essay in comparitive liguistics, than a novel. This isn't to say he's bad but I'm still skeptical when someone tells me he's the greatest fantasy writer of our language.
In anycase, this covers the formation of the fellowship to the splitting. It's a good read but I still think the Hobbit is better.
Monday, March 14, 2005
21. One More For the Road
by Ray Bradbury (289 pgs. Copyright 2002 First Edition)
This is a collection of short stories by Ray Bradbury. Bradbury's fiction is, as always, fantastic, wonderful, stupendous, and amazing. But I gush. There are 26 stories and I couldn't tell you which was my favorite. Among the top would be 'Well, What do You have to Say for Yourself?' 'Diane de Foret,' 'Laurel and Hardy Alpha Centauri Farewell Tour,' and 'The Dragon Danced at Midnight.'
It's a beautiful and varied collection of Bradbury's work and something I would recommend to a first time Bradbury reader.
This is a collection of short stories by Ray Bradbury. Bradbury's fiction is, as always, fantastic, wonderful, stupendous, and amazing. But I gush. There are 26 stories and I couldn't tell you which was my favorite. Among the top would be 'Well, What do You have to Say for Yourself?' 'Diane de Foret,' 'Laurel and Hardy Alpha Centauri Farewell Tour,' and 'The Dragon Danced at Midnight.'
It's a beautiful and varied collection of Bradbury's work and something I would recommend to a first time Bradbury reader.
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
20. Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim (NF 4)
by David Sedaris (257 pgs first edition, Little Brown and Company 2004)
When I originally put this on the list, I rather expected that it would be fiction. It reads like fiction but what it really is, is a collection of auto-biographical essays. I really almost feel bad calling it Non-Fiction because I enjoyed it in much the same way as I would a collection of short stories. That being said, I didn't find it funny, the way most people seem to think it should be. I have a friend who assures me that some of his earlier collections are funnier.
Somehow, I see the humor, I enjoy the humor, but I don't think I will be laughing at Sedaris' humor. This is not a dig or disparaging...it just doesn't hit my giggle reflex.
When I originally put this on the list, I rather expected that it would be fiction. It reads like fiction but what it really is, is a collection of auto-biographical essays. I really almost feel bad calling it Non-Fiction because I enjoyed it in much the same way as I would a collection of short stories. That being said, I didn't find it funny, the way most people seem to think it should be. I have a friend who assures me that some of his earlier collections are funnier.
Somehow, I see the humor, I enjoy the humor, but I don't think I will be laughing at Sedaris' humor. This is not a dig or disparaging...it just doesn't hit my giggle reflex.
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
March List
Well I didn't quite meet quota last month so now the monthly total is a solid 18 books. On the other hand, I did quite a bit better than January. I've devised a new list. Whether I read them all in order or, indeed, at all is up in there air. I find there are so many books that I'd like to read that it's very difficult to stick to the list exactly.
1. Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris
2. The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R Tolkien
3. Moorish Spain by Fletcher (NF)
4. Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien
5. Hostile Hospitol by Lemony Snickett
6. One More For the Road by Bradbury
7. The Vile Village by Lemony Snickett
8. The Return of the King by J.R.R Tolkien
9. Amnesia Moon by Jonathan Lethem
10. Four Ways to Forgiveness by Ursula K. LeGuin
11. Portrait of the Artist by James Joyce
12. Islam by Karen Armstrong (NF)
13. A Maze of Death by Philip K. Dick
14. The Contest of Christian and Muslim Spain by Bernard Reilly (NF)
15. The Lathe of Heave by Ursula K. LeGuin
16. The Art of Medieval Spain by Metropolitan Museum of Art (NF)
17. Game-Players of Titan by Philip K. Dick
18. Illuminated Manuscripts of Medieval Spain by Mireille Mentre (NF)
and insanity books are
19. A Scanner Darkly by Philip K. Dick
20. Victors and the Vanquished by Brian Catlos (NF)
Obviously I've created an overly non-fiction heavy month but I'm taking advice from a friend and trying to read 10 or so books in fields I might want to get a grad degree in. So we'll see how it goes.
1. Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim by David Sedaris
2. The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R Tolkien
3. Moorish Spain by Fletcher (NF)
4. Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien
5. Hostile Hospitol by Lemony Snickett
6. One More For the Road by Bradbury
7. The Vile Village by Lemony Snickett
8. The Return of the King by J.R.R Tolkien
9. Amnesia Moon by Jonathan Lethem
10. Four Ways to Forgiveness by Ursula K. LeGuin
11. Portrait of the Artist by James Joyce
12. Islam by Karen Armstrong (NF)
13. A Maze of Death by Philip K. Dick
14. The Contest of Christian and Muslim Spain by Bernard Reilly (NF)
15. The Lathe of Heave by Ursula K. LeGuin
16. The Art of Medieval Spain by Metropolitan Museum of Art (NF)
17. Game-Players of Titan by Philip K. Dick
18. Illuminated Manuscripts of Medieval Spain by Mireille Mentre (NF)
and insanity books are
19. A Scanner Darkly by Philip K. Dick
20. Victors and the Vanquished by Brian Catlos (NF)
Obviously I've created an overly non-fiction heavy month but I'm taking advice from a friend and trying to read 10 or so books in fields I might want to get a grad degree in. So we'll see how it goes.
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