David is a former co-worker, who when I first started this year's reading challenge said 'you should read Nick Hornby...all of Nick Hornby.' He also insisted that I'd be able to read one a day. :) So here we go!
Fiction
1. High Fidelity
2. A Long Way Down
3. About a Boy
4. How To Be Good
Non-Fiction
5. Fever Pitch
6. 31 Songs
7. The Polysyllabic Spree
Thursday, June 29, 2006
49. Second Foundation
by Isaac Asimov (304 pgs)
Rating: 4
After the empire of the Mule, the people of the foundation begin to suspect that Seldon's plan has gone horribly awry and some believe that the Second Foundation (if it exists) will cruise in and save them no matter what. However, the Second Foundation are fabled to have super human mental abilities much as the Mule did and this cause a fair bit of paranoid speculation.
Picking up only a few years after the end of the previous book,Second Foundation is perhaps the best of the first three. Unlike the first two, the same plot line persists through the entire book. While the shorter plots were not bad, they were a bit jarring. Second Foundation, in contrast, had very smooth transitions and very interesting plot twists. The end was reminiscent of the movie Clue...in a good way. I really enjoyed the convoluted plot; it was complex without being difficult to follow. In some ways it was more like a psychological thriller than a science fiction novel.
While it's not a light read, I would recommend this to anyone who even had a passing interest in science fiction.
Rating: 4
After the empire of the Mule, the people of the foundation begin to suspect that Seldon's plan has gone horribly awry and some believe that the Second Foundation (if it exists) will cruise in and save them no matter what. However, the Second Foundation are fabled to have super human mental abilities much as the Mule did and this cause a fair bit of paranoid speculation.
Picking up only a few years after the end of the previous book,Second Foundation is perhaps the best of the first three. Unlike the first two, the same plot line persists through the entire book. While the shorter plots were not bad, they were a bit jarring. Second Foundation, in contrast, had very smooth transitions and very interesting plot twists. The end was reminiscent of the movie Clue...in a good way. I really enjoyed the convoluted plot; it was complex without being difficult to follow. In some ways it was more like a psychological thriller than a science fiction novel.
While it's not a light read, I would recommend this to anyone who even had a passing interest in science fiction.
48. Ender's Game
by Orson Scott Card (384 pages)
Rating: 4
Ender is an above average kid. To say he was bright would be like accusing light bulbs of being dim. So suffice it to say the kid gots the smarts and the temperament to be a genius...the only trick is manufacturing enough emotional angst to produce one. That's where the military comes in. Before we come down on the evil adults too hard let's admit that when you are fighting an intergalactic war against an alien species of intelligent insects, you gotta do what you gotta do.
Ender's Game is considered a classic of science fiction by many and justifiably so. It is a fairly accessible work that is well written, and, aside from a couple very small plot holes,is well conceived. The characters are a tad two dimensional although forgivably so and the end, while not predictable, holds no surprises for sci fi fans. One wonders about the sequels since the end fairly well wraps it all up, but I guess I will find out about those.
I recommend this to new comers to the genre and to those who wish to read the sci fi classics. I do not recommend this to nit pickers.
Rating: 4
Ender is an above average kid. To say he was bright would be like accusing light bulbs of being dim. So suffice it to say the kid gots the smarts and the temperament to be a genius...the only trick is manufacturing enough emotional angst to produce one. That's where the military comes in. Before we come down on the evil adults too hard let's admit that when you are fighting an intergalactic war against an alien species of intelligent insects, you gotta do what you gotta do.
Ender's Game is considered a classic of science fiction by many and justifiably so. It is a fairly accessible work that is well written, and, aside from a couple very small plot holes,is well conceived. The characters are a tad two dimensional although forgivably so and the end, while not predictable, holds no surprises for sci fi fans. One wonders about the sequels since the end fairly well wraps it all up, but I guess I will find out about those.
I recommend this to new comers to the genre and to those who wish to read the sci fi classics. I do not recommend this to nit pickers.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
47. Mediterranean Women Stay Slim, Too
by Melissa Kelly and Eve Adamson (336 pgs)
Rating: 3
Americans are the most diet crazed people out there. So why is it that we are also some of the heaviest out there. Partially it's reflective, we as a society obsess about food and about weight so we also obsess about weight loss. Part of it is a reflection of our work-aholic expectations...who has time to eat, let alone eat well. So the premise of this book, much like French Women Don't Get Fat, is that we wouldn't have such problems if we slowed down, listened to our bodies, and applied some common sense. Be a food snob, it says, better to put good food in the body than junk.
While not as good as French Women Don't Get Fat, Mediterranean Women Stay Slim, Too is a good read promoting common sense and rejecting extreme fad diets and unrealistic body expectations. The text isn't nearly as empowering to me but there is a lot of good information and many good looking recipes.
Recommended to all of us who struggle against dieting fads. rawr!!
Rating: 3
Americans are the most diet crazed people out there. So why is it that we are also some of the heaviest out there. Partially it's reflective, we as a society obsess about food and about weight so we also obsess about weight loss. Part of it is a reflection of our work-aholic expectations...who has time to eat, let alone eat well. So the premise of this book, much like French Women Don't Get Fat, is that we wouldn't have such problems if we slowed down, listened to our bodies, and applied some common sense. Be a food snob, it says, better to put good food in the body than junk.
While not as good as French Women Don't Get Fat, Mediterranean Women Stay Slim, Too is a good read promoting common sense and rejecting extreme fad diets and unrealistic body expectations. The text isn't nearly as empowering to me but there is a lot of good information and many good looking recipes.
Recommended to all of us who struggle against dieting fads. rawr!!
46. Spellsinger
by Alan Dean Foster (352 pgs)
Rating: 3.5
Jonathan-Thomas Meriweather, a.k.a. JonTom, is plucked from his stoned out college student existence and dumped in a world where the animals have evolved into much larger and much more talkative versions than we are accustomed to. Understandably, at first he is very disoriented but a conversation with a talking turtle (and also one of the most powerful magicians in the land) clears up a great many of his questions.
Despite its somewhat ridiculous premise, Spellsinger is actually an enjoyable, if not terribly intellectual, book. The high-points are it's characterization, handling of the setting, and use of details to create a sense of verisimilitude. Downsides... it suffers a little from deus ex machina (although I admit that's a debatable point) and it's pure unadulterated fluff. However, it was fun and it was an enjoyable way to pass a couple of hours on a plane.
Recommended for kids 8 and up (depending on reading level) and as a quick read to fantasy fans. Rule of thumb, if you like Piers Anthony or Douglas Adams you probably will have fun with this.
Rating: 3.5
Jonathan-Thomas Meriweather, a.k.a. JonTom, is plucked from his stoned out college student existence and dumped in a world where the animals have evolved into much larger and much more talkative versions than we are accustomed to. Understandably, at first he is very disoriented but a conversation with a talking turtle (and also one of the most powerful magicians in the land) clears up a great many of his questions.
Despite its somewhat ridiculous premise, Spellsinger is actually an enjoyable, if not terribly intellectual, book. The high-points are it's characterization, handling of the setting, and use of details to create a sense of verisimilitude. Downsides... it suffers a little from deus ex machina (although I admit that's a debatable point) and it's pure unadulterated fluff. However, it was fun and it was an enjoyable way to pass a couple of hours on a plane.
Recommended for kids 8 and up (depending on reading level) and as a quick read to fantasy fans. Rule of thumb, if you like Piers Anthony or Douglas Adams you probably will have fun with this.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
45. The Phantom Tollbooth
by Norton Juster (272 pages)
Rating: 5
Milo, an apathetic youth in need of a good shaking up, comes home one day to find a large package in his room. Because he didn't have anything better to do he unpacks and sets up his very own tollbooth.
Ok so why does The Phantom Tollbooth get a five? 1. It's a well written piece of fiction with good characterization and a fun sense of humor and plot. 2. It is, obliquely, about the importance of education. And 3. It is, less obliquely about the relative importance of mathematics and the literary arts (in that they are equally important.) In a society of specialists where education is left more and more to the will of the child and the involvement of the parent I think this is a stellar work that explains the importance to the child gently and without the preachy overtones of so much of the available children's lit.
It is essentially a well rounded work that is a parable demonstrating many of the values (over used concept that it is right now) that the uber conservative elements in this country really ought to be concerned with as opposed to legislating morality for ourselves and the rest of the world. If you taught children appropriately to their abilities and not to some misguided concept of fairness, then issues of morality are something they can very well take care of themselves. I shall now step down from my soap box.
*ahem*
So, read the book. Whether you are adult or child I'm sure you will find amusement in it.
Rating: 5
Milo, an apathetic youth in need of a good shaking up, comes home one day to find a large package in his room. Because he didn't have anything better to do he unpacks and sets up his very own tollbooth.
Ok so why does The Phantom Tollbooth get a five? 1. It's a well written piece of fiction with good characterization and a fun sense of humor and plot. 2. It is, obliquely, about the importance of education. And 3. It is, less obliquely about the relative importance of mathematics and the literary arts (in that they are equally important.) In a society of specialists where education is left more and more to the will of the child and the involvement of the parent I think this is a stellar work that explains the importance to the child gently and without the preachy overtones of so much of the available children's lit.
It is essentially a well rounded work that is a parable demonstrating many of the values (over used concept that it is right now) that the uber conservative elements in this country really ought to be concerned with as opposed to legislating morality for ourselves and the rest of the world. If you taught children appropriately to their abilities and not to some misguided concept of fairness, then issues of morality are something they can very well take care of themselves. I shall now step down from my soap box.
*ahem*
So, read the book. Whether you are adult or child I'm sure you will find amusement in it.
Monday, June 12, 2006
44. The Forever War
by Joe Haldeman (288 pgs)
Rating: 5
War in space involves logistics that we never think of or worry about here. For example, if there were war in space at all, it would mean that we had vehicles capable of much faster travel than we do now. When approaching light speed, there are issues of time dilation where in the people on the vehicle are still 20 some odd years old and the planet they left behind is suddenly hundreds of years ago.
Classic science fiction of the best sort. Written in the early 70's, The Forever War is as much about the political and social climate of the time in which it was written as it is about space ships and mysterious alien foes. The themes explore why we go to war and some of the conclusions that Haldeman came to were not flattering to our species. At odd moments Haldeman takes digs at the sexual revolution, issues of homosexuality, and communism. I think I would like to read a book that overviews the political and social scene of the late 60's and the 70's. I think if I could find such a book and read it side by side with The Forever War, I would find Haldeman's book to be an interesting critique on the times.
Recommended for everyone who is interested in why we humans make the same mistakes over and over, the liberal dissatisfied, the complacent conservative, and my own people: the cynics.
Rating: 5
War in space involves logistics that we never think of or worry about here. For example, if there were war in space at all, it would mean that we had vehicles capable of much faster travel than we do now. When approaching light speed, there are issues of time dilation where in the people on the vehicle are still 20 some odd years old and the planet they left behind is suddenly hundreds of years ago.
Classic science fiction of the best sort. Written in the early 70's, The Forever War is as much about the political and social climate of the time in which it was written as it is about space ships and mysterious alien foes. The themes explore why we go to war and some of the conclusions that Haldeman came to were not flattering to our species. At odd moments Haldeman takes digs at the sexual revolution, issues of homosexuality, and communism. I think I would like to read a book that overviews the political and social scene of the late 60's and the 70's. I think if I could find such a book and read it side by side with The Forever War, I would find Haldeman's book to be an interesting critique on the times.
Recommended for everyone who is interested in why we humans make the same mistakes over and over, the liberal dissatisfied, the complacent conservative, and my own people: the cynics.
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
43. The High King
by Lloyd Alexander (304 pgs)
Rating: 5
Immediately after returning from his quest of the previous book, Taran is drawn into a new set of disastrous events. A quest for a missing sword quickly escalates into a last ditch showdown with the major power of evil in Prydain. Everything comes to a head at once and the once Assistant Pig Keeper must now also be War Leader.
The High King is a remarkable book. As the climax to the Prydain Chronicles series, it is, what I'm tempted to call, a masterpiece of youth fiction. By the end of the book I found myself forgetting that these were simply characters in a work of fiction. In fact, I don't want to say too much about it, lest I give something away.
Recommended to everyone. It may be possible to read this as a stand alone but I think it would have less impact.
Rating: 5
Immediately after returning from his quest of the previous book, Taran is drawn into a new set of disastrous events. A quest for a missing sword quickly escalates into a last ditch showdown with the major power of evil in Prydain. Everything comes to a head at once and the once Assistant Pig Keeper must now also be War Leader.
The High King is a remarkable book. As the climax to the Prydain Chronicles series, it is, what I'm tempted to call, a masterpiece of youth fiction. By the end of the book I found myself forgetting that these were simply characters in a work of fiction. In fact, I don't want to say too much about it, lest I give something away.
Recommended to everyone. It may be possible to read this as a stand alone but I think it would have less impact.
42. Syrup
by Maxx Barry (304 pgs)
Rating: 4
Scat is a young marketing graduate who comes up with one really great idea. One idea that will set him up for life. One idea that will make him famous in the marketing world. One fabulous fantastic idea that will change the entire soda industry. Unfortunately, Scat's really bad at managing. Soon he is in way over his head and scrambling around set-backs and disappointments to reach his marketing nirvana with an ever present optimism.
Syrup is, I feel, a good example of modern satirical writing. The voice is witty and engaging, self-deprecating without being whiney, and amusing without being obnoxious. Barry makes sobering and hilarious point about the culture that, I at least, grew up in. A society where television and marketers have told us what to wear, what our bodies should look like, and what tastes good. While appropriately cynical, Barry's book is not self-indulgent and a good read for just about anyone who's ever said, 'wait a minute, that's total crap,' when watching a commercial.
Rating: 4
Scat is a young marketing graduate who comes up with one really great idea. One idea that will set him up for life. One idea that will make him famous in the marketing world. One fabulous fantastic idea that will change the entire soda industry. Unfortunately, Scat's really bad at managing. Soon he is in way over his head and scrambling around set-backs and disappointments to reach his marketing nirvana with an ever present optimism.
Syrup is, I feel, a good example of modern satirical writing. The voice is witty and engaging, self-deprecating without being whiney, and amusing without being obnoxious. Barry makes sobering and hilarious point about the culture that, I at least, grew up in. A society where television and marketers have told us what to wear, what our bodies should look like, and what tastes good. While appropriately cynical, Barry's book is not self-indulgent and a good read for just about anyone who's ever said, 'wait a minute, that's total crap,' when watching a commercial.
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
41. Taran Wanderer
by Lloyd Alexander (272 pgs)
Rating: 4
Taran's love for the princes Eilonwy drives him to a quest to find his parents, desperately hoping that he discovers he is of noble birth. He and Gurgi set out first to the three weird sisters in the swamp and then off to the Free Commots. Along the way he learns a number of trades and discovers a number of things about himself. Loose ends are tied up and new avenues of plot open up.
Taran Wanderer is a true coming of age book. It is pure transition of Taran the boy to Taran the man. For all that, it is not guilty of the faults that most transition books have. It's not boring or disjointed and, despite the feelings of some, it's not the kind of book that would only appeal to young men. It is blatantly transitional, though, and really feels more like a prelude to the next book than a complete novel of it's own. Alexander took advantage of it to answer hanging questions and tie things from previous books more tightly together. On the one hand, it's obvious what he's doing, but on the other, it makes the world pop into focus as a 'real' place.
Recommended, particularly to young men, because it's interesting and compulsory if you've read the first three.
Rating: 4
Taran's love for the princes Eilonwy drives him to a quest to find his parents, desperately hoping that he discovers he is of noble birth. He and Gurgi set out first to the three weird sisters in the swamp and then off to the Free Commots. Along the way he learns a number of trades and discovers a number of things about himself. Loose ends are tied up and new avenues of plot open up.
Taran Wanderer is a true coming of age book. It is pure transition of Taran the boy to Taran the man. For all that, it is not guilty of the faults that most transition books have. It's not boring or disjointed and, despite the feelings of some, it's not the kind of book that would only appeal to young men. It is blatantly transitional, though, and really feels more like a prelude to the next book than a complete novel of it's own. Alexander took advantage of it to answer hanging questions and tie things from previous books more tightly together. On the one hand, it's obvious what he's doing, but on the other, it makes the world pop into focus as a 'real' place.
Recommended, particularly to young men, because it's interesting and compulsory if you've read the first three.
Sunday, May 28, 2006
40. The Castle of Llyr
by Lloyd Alexander (206 pgs)
Rating: 4
Eilonwy and Taran are growing up. Unfortunately, for Eilonwy, that means it's time to start learning how to be what she is: a princess. To that end, their guardian, Dallben, packs her off to the Island of Mona to be educated and Taran and Gurgi accompany her to get her settled in. When they get there, however, things are not as they seem (are they ever?) and things very quickly spin out of control.
The Castle of Llyr is the shortest of the five novels but by no means the least of them. In its compact space Alexander crams in an incredible amount of character development. Although Eilonwy is absent for the majority of the book, she has a profound impact on the outcome. Alexander does cause his characters to exhibit growth as from adolescent to young adult. I feel that despite her absence for much of the book, Eilonwy finally comes into her own.
Recommend as it continues the series and on it's own if it were possible but I'm afraid it is necessary to read all of the previous books in the series.
Rating: 4
Eilonwy and Taran are growing up. Unfortunately, for Eilonwy, that means it's time to start learning how to be what she is: a princess. To that end, their guardian, Dallben, packs her off to the Island of Mona to be educated and Taran and Gurgi accompany her to get her settled in. When they get there, however, things are not as they seem (are they ever?) and things very quickly spin out of control.
The Castle of Llyr is the shortest of the five novels but by no means the least of them. In its compact space Alexander crams in an incredible amount of character development. Although Eilonwy is absent for the majority of the book, she has a profound impact on the outcome. Alexander does cause his characters to exhibit growth as from adolescent to young adult. I feel that despite her absence for much of the book, Eilonwy finally comes into her own.
Recommend as it continues the series and on it's own if it were possible but I'm afraid it is necessary to read all of the previous books in the series.
Friday, May 26, 2006
39. The Black Cauldron
by Lloyd Alexander (229 pgs)
Rating: 4
Taran and his compatriots are again called on for serious undertakings. This time it is to track down the fearsome Black Cauldron, source of Arawn's unkillable Cauldron Born. When the initial plan fails, Taran and his group undertake to find the Cauldron themselves. When all seems bleakest an enemy redeems themself.
The Black Cauldron is the second book in the Prydian Chronicles. Since I've already ranted about the Disney movie I'll forego a repeat. The writing in this volume is superior to the first. The characters fill out and become interesting in their own rights. Eilonwy becomes a strong female figure instead of a whiney back drop. The implacable bard shows some depth and even Gurgi gets some real pathos. Doli the dwarf is somewhat enigmatic. He is not distinct as an individual yet but he is improving. In fact, the only real criticism I have is in regards to the stock phrases a couple of the characters have. For example, Eilonwy is addicted to similies. I begin to find it somewhat tedious but it's a minor thing really. The plot and characters more than make up for it.
Recommended. Just recommended.
Rating: 4
Taran and his compatriots are again called on for serious undertakings. This time it is to track down the fearsome Black Cauldron, source of Arawn's unkillable Cauldron Born. When the initial plan fails, Taran and his group undertake to find the Cauldron themselves. When all seems bleakest an enemy redeems themself.
The Black Cauldron is the second book in the Prydian Chronicles. Since I've already ranted about the Disney movie I'll forego a repeat. The writing in this volume is superior to the first. The characters fill out and become interesting in their own rights. Eilonwy becomes a strong female figure instead of a whiney back drop. The implacable bard shows some depth and even Gurgi gets some real pathos. Doli the dwarf is somewhat enigmatic. He is not distinct as an individual yet but he is improving. In fact, the only real criticism I have is in regards to the stock phrases a couple of the characters have. For example, Eilonwy is addicted to similies. I begin to find it somewhat tedious but it's a minor thing really. The plot and characters more than make up for it.
Recommended. Just recommended.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
38. The Book of Three
by Lloyd Alexander (224 pgs)
Rating: 3
Taran, an orphan without name or clear origin lives on a farm and dreams of honor, glory, and feats of bravery. Unfortunately, as Assistant Pig Keeper, he's in charge of Hen Wen, the oracular albino pig. Oh well. One day Hen Wen, indeed all the animals on the farm, flee blindly into the woods and poor Taran plunges after Hen Wen, promptly getting himself lost. Adventure leads on from here and many unexpected revelations are in Taran's path..
The world of The Book of Three is unfortunately (as I've just learned) more well known from the Disney movie The Black Cauldron which meshes the first two books in the five book series together. Unfortunate I say because Disney really screwed it up making it watered down and bland, including the obligatory dead pet (which isn't in the book, by the way) and taking away a great deal of its inherent intelligence. This might seem harsh but if you read the books you'll understand my distaste.
Now that I'm done expressing my outrage: Alexander based his world loosely on welsh folklore and it creates a very interesting back drop. Taran is a believable young man although impulsive in a way I cannot myself relate too very well. The rest of the characters are very colorfully written although, at this stage, more caricatures than characters. One gets the sense that the over all arch of the series is a basic coming of age story. I'm looking forward to the next book.
Recommended to most adults as a fun quick read, kids for a good look at messing up and growing because of it, and anyone who's seen that abomnible movie to correct the damage.
Rating: 3
Taran, an orphan without name or clear origin lives on a farm and dreams of honor, glory, and feats of bravery. Unfortunately, as Assistant Pig Keeper, he's in charge of Hen Wen, the oracular albino pig. Oh well. One day Hen Wen, indeed all the animals on the farm, flee blindly into the woods and poor Taran plunges after Hen Wen, promptly getting himself lost. Adventure leads on from here and many unexpected revelations are in Taran's path..
The world of The Book of Three is unfortunately (as I've just learned) more well known from the Disney movie The Black Cauldron which meshes the first two books in the five book series together. Unfortunate I say because Disney really screwed it up making it watered down and bland, including the obligatory dead pet (which isn't in the book, by the way) and taking away a great deal of its inherent intelligence. This might seem harsh but if you read the books you'll understand my distaste.
Now that I'm done expressing my outrage: Alexander based his world loosely on welsh folklore and it creates a very interesting back drop. Taran is a believable young man although impulsive in a way I cannot myself relate too very well. The rest of the characters are very colorfully written although, at this stage, more caricatures than characters. One gets the sense that the over all arch of the series is a basic coming of age story. I'm looking forward to the next book.
Recommended to most adults as a fun quick read, kids for a good look at messing up and growing because of it, and anyone who's seen that abomnible movie to correct the damage.
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
37. Jurassic Park
by Michael Crichton (399 pgs)
Rating: 3
Dinosaurs are cool. All kids love dinosaurs. Parents spend thousands on taking their kids to theme parks. Ergo, a theme park with real dinosaurs is a good idea...right? No, of course not, this is a Crichton book after all. Something must go terribly wrong and it does when the dinosaurs start defying the precautions the park builders imposed on them.
So yeah. Jurassic Park is a much better book than it was a movie. The book is much darker and grim than the movie and I have to say Hammond's fate was gruesomely satisfying. Malcolm, of course, has the best lines. I really related to what he had to say about intelligence. The writing was pretty good and the main characters were well done. The cast of supporting characters tended to blend together and that was a bit irritating. Also, the chaos theory sub line was clumsily handled. I remember reading this when I was twelve and going, 'why the hell is chaos theory in here, this makes no sense.' I get it now but It's a little to obtruse.
Recommended for planes, dino nuts, and sci fi enthusiasts.
Rating: 3
Dinosaurs are cool. All kids love dinosaurs. Parents spend thousands on taking their kids to theme parks. Ergo, a theme park with real dinosaurs is a good idea...right? No, of course not, this is a Crichton book after all. Something must go terribly wrong and it does when the dinosaurs start defying the precautions the park builders imposed on them.
So yeah. Jurassic Park is a much better book than it was a movie. The book is much darker and grim than the movie and I have to say Hammond's fate was gruesomely satisfying. Malcolm, of course, has the best lines. I really related to what he had to say about intelligence. The writing was pretty good and the main characters were well done. The cast of supporting characters tended to blend together and that was a bit irritating. Also, the chaos theory sub line was clumsily handled. I remember reading this when I was twelve and going, 'why the hell is chaos theory in here, this makes no sense.' I get it now but It's a little to obtruse.
Recommended for planes, dino nuts, and sci fi enthusiasts.
Monday, May 22, 2006
List 5: Ryan L's List
Source: Ryan L. (Friend's List)
I realized a problem with my set-up. Here I am reading all these books off of booklists and telling my friends about them. Their natural reaction is to start recommending books which because of my 'process' I have a hard time getting around to reading (it has been suggested that I may be a little OCD in this regard). To get around this, I'm going to start posting my friend's lists and reading from them as well and I already have three. This first one, the longest, is from Ryan L. my long time friend.
If you are reading this and want to hand me a list just email me if you have my email addie or reply to a post and ask for it.
1. The Book of Three, Lloyd Alexander
2. The Black Cauldron, Lloyd Alexander
3. The Castle of Llyr, Lloyd Alexander
4. Taran Wanderer, Lloyd Alexander
5. The High King, Lloyd Alexander
6. Shogun, James Clavell
7. King Rat, James Clavell
8. Florida Roadkill, Tim Dorsey
9. Hammerhead Ranch Motel, Tim Dorsey
10. Tourist Season, Carl Hiaasen
11. Double Whammy, Carl Hiaasen
12. Swan Song, Robert R. McCammon
13. Stinger, Robert R. McCammon
14. The Wolf's Hour, Robert R. McCammon
15. Boy's Life, Robert R. McCammon
16. Sewer, Gas, & Electric, Matt Ruff
17. Set This House in Order, Matt Ruff
18. Cat's Cradle, Kurt Vonnegut
19. God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater, Kurt Vonnegut
20. Slaughterhouse V, Kurt Vonnegut
21. Breakfast of Champions, Kurt Vonnegut
22. Trainspotting, Irvine Welsh
23. The Tomb, F. Paul Wilson
24. Cryptonomicon, Neal Stephenson
25. The Phantom Tollbooth, Norton Juster
26. Catch-22, Joseph Heller
27. Syrup, Maxx Barry
I realized a problem with my set-up. Here I am reading all these books off of booklists and telling my friends about them. Their natural reaction is to start recommending books which because of my 'process' I have a hard time getting around to reading (it has been suggested that I may be a little OCD in this regard). To get around this, I'm going to start posting my friend's lists and reading from them as well and I already have three. This first one, the longest, is from Ryan L. my long time friend.
If you are reading this and want to hand me a list just email me if you have my email addie or reply to a post and ask for it.
1. The Book of Three, Lloyd Alexander
2. The Black Cauldron, Lloyd Alexander
3. The Castle of Llyr, Lloyd Alexander
4. Taran Wanderer, Lloyd Alexander
5. The High King, Lloyd Alexander
6. Shogun, James Clavell
7. King Rat, James Clavell
8. Florida Roadkill, Tim Dorsey
9. Hammerhead Ranch Motel, Tim Dorsey
10. Tourist Season, Carl Hiaasen
11. Double Whammy, Carl Hiaasen
12. Swan Song, Robert R. McCammon
13. Stinger, Robert R. McCammon
14. The Wolf's Hour, Robert R. McCammon
15. Boy's Life, Robert R. McCammon
16. Sewer, Gas, & Electric, Matt Ruff
17. Set This House in Order, Matt Ruff
18. Cat's Cradle, Kurt Vonnegut
19. God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater, Kurt Vonnegut
20. Slaughterhouse V, Kurt Vonnegut
21. Breakfast of Champions, Kurt Vonnegut
22. Trainspotting, Irvine Welsh
23. The Tomb, F. Paul Wilson
24. Cryptonomicon, Neal Stephenson
25. The Phantom Tollbooth, Norton Juster
26. Catch-22, Joseph Heller
27. Syrup, Maxx Barry
36. Set This House In Order
by Matt Ruff (478 pgs)
Rating: 5
Andy is 26, Andrew is about 24 years younger. Andrew is the name of one of about two dozen personalities that inhabit Andy's body. In the beginning, Andrew is a fairly stable individual, all be it suffering from Multiple Personality Disorder. However, over the course of the book, it becomes evident that many issues have been left unresolved leaving cracks in his stability.
I found Set This House In Order chilling at times, warm at times, and provocative always. I'm not sure how accurate it is when it comes to the experience of multiple personality disorder, but I did get into the idea of how having lots of people in your head would work. Ruff is insightful and tender. He turns an un-blinking eye to the types of trauma that causes MPD and realistically portrays the kinds of confusion and turmoil inherent in an MPD's life. Instead of being demeaning, he managed to empower the two main characters of the novel as they took charge of their illness and wrestled with the metaphysical/spiritual issues. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I really like this book.
Recommended to everyone, but particularly psychologist or anyone curious about issues of mental health.
Rating: 5
Andy is 26, Andrew is about 24 years younger. Andrew is the name of one of about two dozen personalities that inhabit Andy's body. In the beginning, Andrew is a fairly stable individual, all be it suffering from Multiple Personality Disorder. However, over the course of the book, it becomes evident that many issues have been left unresolved leaving cracks in his stability.
I found Set This House In Order chilling at times, warm at times, and provocative always. I'm not sure how accurate it is when it comes to the experience of multiple personality disorder, but I did get into the idea of how having lots of people in your head would work. Ruff is insightful and tender. He turns an un-blinking eye to the types of trauma that causes MPD and realistically portrays the kinds of confusion and turmoil inherent in an MPD's life. Instead of being demeaning, he managed to empower the two main characters of the novel as they took charge of their illness and wrestled with the metaphysical/spiritual issues. I guess what I'm trying to say is, I really like this book.
Recommended to everyone, but particularly psychologist or anyone curious about issues of mental health.
List 4: Mothers and Daughters
Source: Book Lust page 159
By way of a late-ish (I've been working on getting it together since before Mother's Day) Mother's Day present I'm doing a short list completely centered around mothers and their daughters. Incidentally mom, start checking for a box in about 5 days.
These are all books about relationships, both good and bad, between mothers and daughters. I know nothing about these authors and you would not believe some of the places I had to go to find them (I'm going to be sneezing for weeks.) Hopefully Mom and I will discover them together.
I love you Mom.
1. The Odd Woman by Gail Godwin
2. A Mother and Two Daughters by Gail Godwin
3. Amy and Isabelle by Elizabeth Strout
4. Anywhere But Here by Mona Simpson
5. Charms for an Easy Life by Kaye Gibbons
6. True Confessions by Mary Bringle
By way of a late-ish (I've been working on getting it together since before Mother's Day) Mother's Day present I'm doing a short list completely centered around mothers and their daughters. Incidentally mom, start checking for a box in about 5 days.
These are all books about relationships, both good and bad, between mothers and daughters. I know nothing about these authors and you would not believe some of the places I had to go to find them (I'm going to be sneezing for weeks.) Hopefully Mom and I will discover them together.
I love you Mom.
1. The Odd Woman by Gail Godwin
2. A Mother and Two Daughters by Gail Godwin
3. Amy and Isabelle by Elizabeth Strout
4. Anywhere But Here by Mona Simpson
5. Charms for an Easy Life by Kaye Gibbons
6. True Confessions by Mary Bringle
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Review of List 1: Connie Willis: Too Good To Miss
It's time, finally time, to do a list review. I bet y'all thought I'd forgotten mwahahahahahaha. *ahem* *cough* However, since this is not really a thematic list in the first place, I imagine that this review will be somewhat different from reviews I cobble together in the future.
Looking back over the list, I have to say that I enjoyed every book on there. I haven't managed to find a copy of Firewatch in any of my local libraries so I will probably break down and buy myself a copy but I feel that I can assess it as a list at this point.
I think when Pearl put this list together she just listed every novel and collection of short stories available at the time. As a living author this list is bound to grow. For a complete bibliography of Connie Willis' works click here. I think the important thing to say is that Willis is brilliant. She explores interesting concepts and it truly feels like much of her fiction spirals out of a 'what if' kind of question. The other thing to say is that, despite apparent subject matter, Willis books are not easy reads. I would not recommend reading her works rapidly and back to back the way I did. Eventually, it gets hard to continue reading even though the writing is not suffering and the plots are not less interesting.
It's hard for me to pick a favorite from this list so let me pick a couple.
Favorite:
Willis book over all: Doomsday Book - I simply couldn't put it down.
Fantasy: Water Witch
Piece of speculative fiction:Bellwether closely followed by Lincoln's Dreams
Short story: Even the Queen (Impossible Things)
Looking back over the list, I have to say that I enjoyed every book on there. I haven't managed to find a copy of Firewatch in any of my local libraries so I will probably break down and buy myself a copy but I feel that I can assess it as a list at this point.
I think when Pearl put this list together she just listed every novel and collection of short stories available at the time. As a living author this list is bound to grow. For a complete bibliography of Connie Willis' works click here. I think the important thing to say is that Willis is brilliant. She explores interesting concepts and it truly feels like much of her fiction spirals out of a 'what if' kind of question. The other thing to say is that, despite apparent subject matter, Willis books are not easy reads. I would not recommend reading her works rapidly and back to back the way I did. Eventually, it gets hard to continue reading even though the writing is not suffering and the plots are not less interesting.
It's hard for me to pick a favorite from this list so let me pick a couple.
Favorite:
Willis book over all: Doomsday Book - I simply couldn't put it down.
Fantasy: Water Witch
Piece of speculative fiction:Bellwether closely followed by Lincoln's Dreams
Short story: Even the Queen (Impossible Things)
Monday, May 15, 2006
35. To Say Nothing of the Dog
by Connie Willis (493 pgs)
Rating: 4
Ned is an overworked time traveler in need of a vacation. Too many trips in a short time have given him something like nitrogen narcosis and, in a fit of good timing, the boss needs some one to ferry a package to the Victorian era and they send Ned who can, while he's there, get some much needed rest. Unfortunately for Ned, he can't remember his instructions, what the package is, that he even has a package, or what he's supposed to do now that he's in Victorian England. This really is something of a problem and it gets worse as his presence seems to be creating more and more incongruencies in the timeline.
Set in the same world as Doomsday Book, To Say Nothing of the Dog is a much lighter story about time travel and the things that can go wrong. Instead of the Middle ages, this story is set in Victorian England. It's a far more lighthearted look at time travel than Doomsday Book but there is an underlying issue that is looked at soberly. I'm glad that I read Three Men in a Boat first, Willis references it frequently and having just read it, I did appreciate the humor.
Generally recommended but be willing to be a little patient. It's a long long book.
Rating: 4
Ned is an overworked time traveler in need of a vacation. Too many trips in a short time have given him something like nitrogen narcosis and, in a fit of good timing, the boss needs some one to ferry a package to the Victorian era and they send Ned who can, while he's there, get some much needed rest. Unfortunately for Ned, he can't remember his instructions, what the package is, that he even has a package, or what he's supposed to do now that he's in Victorian England. This really is something of a problem and it gets worse as his presence seems to be creating more and more incongruencies in the timeline.
Set in the same world as Doomsday Book, To Say Nothing of the Dog is a much lighter story about time travel and the things that can go wrong. Instead of the Middle ages, this story is set in Victorian England. It's a far more lighthearted look at time travel than Doomsday Book but there is an underlying issue that is looked at soberly. I'm glad that I read Three Men in a Boat first, Willis references it frequently and having just read it, I did appreciate the humor.
Generally recommended but be willing to be a little patient. It's a long long book.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
34. Castle Roogna
by Piers Anthony(329 pgs)
Rating: 5
Dor, son of Bink and Chameleon, is now 12 and beginning to notice certain...things...about women. He's being groomed as the next king of Xanth and feels a certain angst about his relationships with other children. He consults King Trent who sends him on a quest to get a restorative potion for Millie the once ghost's love, the zombie Jonathan. (read The Source of Magic for the full back story) Because of his new awareness of women, this whole quest is problematic for the adolescent but undertakes the quest anyway. The major problem is the potion of restoration only exists in the past causing Dor to time travel 800 years in Xanth's past to find the remedy for his adolescent crush's undead love.
Castle Roogna surprised me delightfully. I think I missed this one when I was reading the series as a kid. It is essentially a coming of age story but I found it uncharacteristically touching and involving. The story, itself, was quite strong and Dor was extremely well fleshed out. He grew noticeably as a person throughout the story and I found that many of his self doubts were familiar. His internal monologue was reminiscent of things I say or have said to myself. In addition, the character of Jumper the giant spider was very well done and intriguing and I noticed no unresolved loose ends. All in all, a superior Anthony novel and perhaps my new favorite in the series.
I recommend this to every kid (even adult-kids) who feels awkward...ever...about anything.
Rating: 5
Dor, son of Bink and Chameleon, is now 12 and beginning to notice certain...things...about women. He's being groomed as the next king of Xanth and feels a certain angst about his relationships with other children. He consults King Trent who sends him on a quest to get a restorative potion for Millie the once ghost's love, the zombie Jonathan. (read The Source of Magic for the full back story) Because of his new awareness of women, this whole quest is problematic for the adolescent but undertakes the quest anyway. The major problem is the potion of restoration only exists in the past causing Dor to time travel 800 years in Xanth's past to find the remedy for his adolescent crush's undead love.
Castle Roogna surprised me delightfully. I think I missed this one when I was reading the series as a kid. It is essentially a coming of age story but I found it uncharacteristically touching and involving. The story, itself, was quite strong and Dor was extremely well fleshed out. He grew noticeably as a person throughout the story and I found that many of his self doubts were familiar. His internal monologue was reminiscent of things I say or have said to myself. In addition, the character of Jumper the giant spider was very well done and intriguing and I noticed no unresolved loose ends. All in all, a superior Anthony novel and perhaps my new favorite in the series.
I recommend this to every kid (even adult-kids) who feels awkward...ever...about anything.
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