May 30th, 2009
BTW, I love my Kindle so much. It was way too easy to access and read books while traveling. Kindle = pure joy.
Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang
Good God. These stories are brilliant. Everyone needs to read them, then there are things we’ll all need to discuss. Chiang is a complete original. Go. Read.
One For Sorrow by Christopher Barzak
This is a beautiful, original ghost story. Barzak perfectly captures what it feels like to be young and searching for meaning. The story is about the difference between being alive and being dead–how cool is that? The writing is thoughtful and the characters full of vulnerability. I love the genre; it’s literary, clearly, but still speculative. I’m anxious to read his next.
Confessions of a Crap Artist by Philip K. Dick
The intro to this book says it’s Dick’s only published non-speculative novel. It’s about a very twisted family dealing with their destructive natures. I love the characters; even though they were rather despicable, they were still sympathetic and vividly drawn. Dick employs his usual brilliant subtext and engaging storytelling. You may note I’ve added him to my list of fave novelists. I didn’t know I’d like him so much. He continues to surprise me.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime by Mark Haddon
What a beautifully touching book! And fast; I read it in an afternoon. The main character is autistic, and seeing how his mind works is fascinating. He tries to figure out who killed the neighbor’s dog and in the process, every safe thing in his life is challenged. Really, really enjoyable and uplifting read.
Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane
This is my first Lehane novel. Wow! So full of twists! It’s about a couple of U.S. Marshalls tracking down an escaped mental patient on Shutter Island, which houses only the mental hospital and a really spooky lighthouse. It’s a smart psychological thriller. Definitely going to read more Lehane now.
Peeps by Scott Westerfield
I *loved* the parasite stuff in this book! Every other chapter talks about a different parasite, and apparently they are poised to take over the universe. (Srsly, beware.) In the other chapters, parasites are merely taking over the city by turning people into vampires. Very cool premise. Fun book.
You? Whatcha readin’?
May 4th, 2009
On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan
I read this one because I enjoyed Atonement, and this one was even better. It’s about a couple’s wedding night in 1963 and the connection between sex and love. McEwan brings everything together to a shocking and poignant end. There’s even scope, with historical context and how small things can affect an entire life. Brilliant!
Call of the Wild by Jack London
Cool book. Not much to say about it. I enjoyed it. It’s about a dog.
City of God by E.L. Doctorow
Wow. I loved this book, but it wasn’t a fun or easy read. The narrative style was challenging; Doctorow jumps POVS without telling you who you’re reading about (figure it out from context, dummy!), and his characters pontificate a LOT. But the pontifications are fascinating. He uses science ideas as metaphors (So cool!) and song lyrics for symbolism. The basic story is a priest searching for a crucifix that’s been stolen from his church, but the people involved have relevant personal histories stretching back through the whole twentieth century. The story glimmers with thoughtful themes and vivid writing.
Fast Times at Fairmont High by Verner Vinge
This was a fun sci-fi story about students who discover a government secret while taking an off-campus test. The cool part is the technology; humans are plugged directly into communications networks. Vinge deals with how kids in such an environment might forget how to live outside the network.
The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell
This is a sci-fi story about humans discovering alien life and the consequences of making contact. I have some friends who really loved the novel, and I did love the ideas, but for some reason it dragged a bit for me. I think I wasn’t crazy about the narrative style. I did love the female character who became an indentured slave to gain her education.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick
This was a fabulous book! A bounty hunter sets out to terminate androids who are nearly-unrecognizable from humans. The setting is a bizarre future where animals are mostly extinct, so people spend lots of money for the opportunity to keep sheep, turtles or pigs as pets. There are even android pets, but they give less status. Dick is amazing at building intense complexity into the world and characters. There’s so much subtext and irony. I want to see Blade Runner now, though I’ve heard they aren’t really the same.
Next up, a Scott Westerfield novel a friend recommended. Then… I dunno! You tell me!