Think Outside the Books

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Don't get me wrong, I was surprised to see Autism-coded characters in a book written before Autism was mainstream, but it just feels like so much wasted potential.

And then finding out the sequels have nothing to do with this book is infuriating!

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A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle

There are many books written for children and teens I would recommend for adults: The Giver; Oh, the Places You'll Go; Hatchet; but this isn't one of them.

There is more plot contrivances than a C.S. Lewis book and the plot doesn't even get resolved!

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Remote Control by Nnedi Okorafor

A novella that is a more modern take of African folk tales. There is magic, but also electric cars and drones and robots. An interesting juxtaposition between tradition and technology.

Very similar vibes to "The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm."

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is having an okay day, and bought a Coke Zero at the gas station. Raise the roof!

Somebody save me from myself!

I found a cheap silent auction site and have been watching my tax return steadily diminish!

But...but...but...

I got T.Swift stuff for my daughter, Beauty & the Beast stuff for my wife, Beyblades for my son, and misc stuff for myself!

Its turning into an addiction!

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I would say reading this is more like watching a BBC documentary and less an embellished Hollywood biopic.

Although it did sadden me that with all the shows and movies he mentions, never once does he talk about my first animated movie of his I saw growing up, Ferngully

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I can't say if it is a cultural thing, a respect thing, or something in between. Its always "I'm sure he/she is a good person, but we just never had that kind of relationship" or "they are probably a good actor, but we didn't mesh well." He keeps the focus on him and not disparaging others.

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Curry states in the very beginning that he won't discuss his love life. Which is fair.

But he does discuss alcoholism, drug use, and his experiences working on both stage and screen.

Its also interesting in how he talks about his coworkers; even the ones he dislikes he takes about politely

Vagabond by Tim Curry

I always find memoirs of celebrities fascinating, its like a peek behind the curtain. And I think what they choose to leave out is just as interesting as what they talk about.

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There is also Worlds of Terragard that is a sort of prequel, with short stories from different points of view of the same event: Tribal, Magical, and Technological.

Dark Ages got me hooked on the series and now every time I go to comic-con I check in with the author to see if any new ones are out!

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The book almost feels like an amalgamation of Kafka, King, Poe, Shelley, and Bradbury. Each story is unique, with more sadness than fear in most of them.

Unrelated, I was surprised to find out they have made 2 movies off of the 30 page long "The Black Phone".

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20th Century Ghosts by Joe Hill

Wasn't sure what to expect with this one. There are a lot of creepy, unsettling stories, but nothing outright terrifying. I haven't read any of Hill's other works to compare.

Most of the stories involve children, and they range from strange to horrifying.

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So shall we expect "Mongolian Falconry From 1700-1799" in the next update?

@librarything.com

Something that I have always been curious about:

In the list of genres to add a book to, why does Falconry have its own section?

Anima Rising by Christopher Moore

If you liked Moore's Sacre Bleu and/or are a fan of historical, fantastical, and mythological characters all converging at one location to discuss their problems, you will probably enjoy this, too.

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One of my favorite books!

Imagine being a Civil War vet and the thing you will forever be remembered for is having diarrhea twice on Thanksgiving!

#booksky #imagesofamerica

(2of2) All I will add is that I get it. I can understand the motivation of wanting to do the things portrayed in the book, even if I don't fully agree with them.

And, unlike the movie, there is a (supposedly) accurate recipe for melting ICE, although I haven't tested it myself

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Fight Club by Chuck Palahnuik

Everything that could be said about this book has already been said in the numerous reviews, critiques, essays, and articles published since it came out.

Is it class warfare? Is it toxic masculinity? Is it a critique of capitalism?

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Whereas Legends was a cozy novel about giving up adventuring to open a fantasy coffee shop, Brigands is the opposite: giving up a shop to go on an adventure.

Definitely gives different vibes. Not necessarily bad, just different.

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Brigands & Breadknives by Travis Baldree

More of a sequel to Bookshops & Bonedust than Legends & Lattes; Brigands is a lot less cozy fantasy coffee shop and more cozy fantasy adventure. There is swordfighting, property destruction, Cthulhu worshippers, all while trying to find your purpose

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Weir really shows his work with his novels: whether that is surviving on Mars, welding in space, learning to navigate a shuttle, or studying alien microbes

I am actually excited to see the movie, although Hollywood will probably screw it up somehow.

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Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

This is a good middle ground novel for those of us who like the science of The Martian and the action of Artemis.

The protag is a science teacher that wakes up on a spaceship in another galaxy with memory loss and must find a solution to a worldwide disaster.

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I will say, having the bilingual version, I was amazed at how different the Old English was from modern English. It makes Shakespeare and Chaucer look like child's play in comparison.

For those who have read Beowulf:
Is there a translation you prefer?

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Beowulf translated by Seamus Heaney

First time reading Beowulf.

The quintessential fantasy story that inspired Tolkien, which in turn inspired DnD and the fantasy genre. And yet it is very... bland.

I understand the cultural significance, but thought the epic would have more... impact.

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The first good news I have heard all year...

The Good Place is on Disney+!

#thegoodplace #everythingisfine

Sorry about not posting any reviews this year, things have been crazy personally, locally, and (obviously) nationally that has made me need to step back and focus on my mental health.

I plan on posting reviews again when I am in a better state.

The proper way to greet ICE