Review: The Convenient Marriage by Georgette Heyer

Synopsis: Horatia Winwood is simply helping her family

When the Earl of Rule proposes marriage to her sister Lizzie, Horatia offers herself instead. Her sister is already in love with someone else, and Horatia is willing to sacrifice herself for her family's happiness. Everyone knows she's no beauty, but she'll do her best to keep out of the Earl's way and make him a good wife. And then the Earl's archenemy, Sir Robert, sets out to ruin her reputation...

 The Earl of Rule has found just the wife he wants

Unbeknownst to Horatia, the Earl is enchanted by her. There's simply no way he's going to let her get into trouble. Overcoming some misguided help from Horatia's harebrained brother and a hired highwayman, the Earl routs his old enemy, and wins over his young wife, gifting her with a love that she never thought she could expect.

Review: I'm not sure if I just read this, I would have enjoyed it as much. But Richard Armitage brings these characters to life in a way that made me absolutely adore this story. For each character, he created a distinct voice that conveyed everything about the character you could hope for.

Aside from his reading, I enjoyed this story for its twist on the romantic novel. The heroine isn’t some chaste meek’n’mild wallflower. She’s an extravagant flirt who learns a few lessons about love and propriety. I enjoyed this. She wasn’t perfect, but had distinct flaws that needed correction, that got her in trouble, that she had to confront.

Heyer, known for her historic accuracy, did not disappoint. Her grasp of late 1700s style and manners gave the story a lovely authenticity. But there is no danger of boredom, as the story practically dances with Heyer light and sparkling prose. And excellent summer read, perfect for poolside!

Note: My review pertains to the AudioBook, read by Richard Armitage.

Bookmarks: 3.5 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 978-0-09-947442-5
Year Published: 1934
Date Finished: 4-18-2019
Pages: 272

Review: Major Operation by James White (Sector General, Book 3)

Synopsis: The five short stories in the book are related to a new world called Meatball. In the first story, Invader, a series of strange accidents at the hospital lead Conway to suspect an alien presence. In the second story, Monitor Corps discovers an alien spinning ship near Meatball and brings it to the hospital in order to rescue the pilot. And finally, Conway joins a Monitor mission to Meatball for a major operation.

Review: Another of White’s fun collections following Dr. Conway on Sector General – and off! This book reads like a 5-Part TV series with each series containing a small part of the larger story as well as a smaller story that resolves during the episode. Originally published as a serial story in a magazine, this book combines all of them into one cohesive unit. And it’s a fun read! A little darker then White’s normal story (more direct talk of death) but worth reading. Strange and deadly creatures, a sick planet, and a mystery that might kill everyone before it gets solved!

As always, White is perfect for anyone tired of the traditional science fiction. There a few solid medical science fiction novels around and this is a perfect edition to the collection. Worth reading!

Bookmarks: 4 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 0-345-29381-9
Year Published: 1966-1970 (Copyright 1971)
Date Finished: 4-15-2019
Pages: 183

Review: The Good Vices by Dr. Harry Ofgang and Eric Ofgang (E)

Synopsis: Much of the health advice we receive today tells us that in order to be healthy, we must consume a Spartan diet, exercise with the intensity of an Olympic athlete, and take a drug for every ailment. We constantly worry about the foods we should or shouldn't be eating and the medical tests we have neglected to take. And all that worry costs us dearly--financially, emotionally, and physically.  In The Good Vices, prominent naturopathic physician Dr. Harry Ofgang and health journalist Erik Ofgang tear down decades of myth and prejudice to reveal how some of our guilty pleasures are not only okay but actually good for our health. For example:

  *  Like wine, moderate beer and spirit consumption raises our bodies' level of good cholesterol, which protects against heart disease.

  *  Egg yolks are an excellent source of important fat-soluble vitamins.

  *  Research suggests that moderate exercisers can be at least as healthy as, and sometimes even healthier than, those who exercise intensively.

Forget what you thought you knew about what's healthy, and enjoy some good vices instead. (from the online description)

Review: With a light hand and quick wit, the authors take the reader through several of the traditional “vices” and illustrated why they might actually be good for you!

This was a fun and education read. Nothing ground-breaking, mind you, just light science combined with a few remarks on social and cultural traditions that could use a bit of revamping in our minds. Reading this confirmed what I knew – beer, sex, wine, chocolate, and sleeping in are all healthy (in moderation) for us as humans. The authors are quick to point out moderation as an important part of these ideas, but also point out that depravation of anything is not good for us.

The prose lacks the heavy technical jargon and would be easy to read for the general population, but it has enough science to satisfy any academic. Worth reading, for anyone 12+, and would be suitable as a non-fiction selection for a book club, particular one that serves wine and chocolate!

Note: I received this book free through LibraryThing's Early Review Program in exchange for my fair and honest opinion 

Bookmarks: 3.5 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 978-0-143-13196-0
Year Published: June 2019
Date Finished: 4-13-2019
Pages: 193

Review: Six-Gun Snow White by Catherynne M. Valente (L)

Synopsis: Forget the dark, enchanted forest. Picture instead a masterfully evoked Old West where you are more likely to find coyotes as the seven dwarves. Insert into this scene a plain-spoken, appealing narrator who relates the history of our heroine’s parents—a Nevada silver baron who forced the Crow people to give up one of their most beautiful daughters, Gun That Sings, in marriage to him. Although her mother’s life ended as hers began, so begins a remarkable tale: equal parts heartbreak and strength. This girl has been born into a world with no place for a half-native, half-white child. After being hidden for years, a very wicked stepmother finally gifts her with the name Snow White, referring to the pale skin she will never have. Filled with fascinating glimpses through the fabled looking glass and a close-up look at hard living in the gritty gun-slinging West, this is an utterly enchanting story…at once familiar and entirely new. (from the online description)

Review: A truly twisted take on a classic fairy tale, Valente takes the reader through a dark and gritty Western rendition of the tale of Snow White. This story is a mash up of Classics European Fairy Tale, Western Folktale, and First Nations mythology. It starts brilliantly, but doesn’t pan out in the end, sadly. The world-building and characters are enchanting, grim, scary, and bloody. But the end becomes so confusing and vague, with no clear resolution (either good or bad), and with too much left untied, that it’s disappointing.

Worth reading, even with the ending, if for no other reason than the imagination, but be prepared to end the book on a WTF note.

Bookmarks: 3.5 of 5

Awards: Winner of the 2014 Locus Award for Best Novella, and Nominated for the 2013 Nebula Award for Best Novella, the 2014 Hugo Award for Best Novella, and the 2014 World Fantasy Award—Long Fiction.

ISBN: 978-1-59606-552-9
Year Published: 2013
Date Finished: 4-12-19
Pages: 167

Review: Daniel Boone by James Daugherty

Synopsis: A biography, with pictures, of the life of Daniel Boone

Review: This is a mixed review:
Pros: As far as a Biography suitable to Young Readers, this is excellent. The story is told with simple but solid prose, nice pacing, with lots of facts about the culture and times, including details about Boone that aren’t often included in stories about him. The art is dynamic, engaging, and vivid. It's a fine addition to the story.
Cons: Written in the 1940, this makes the First Nations people (Indians in the book) out as villainous, blood-thirsty savages, instead of people defending their land about a conquering nation bent on destroying them at any cost. Boone is not a hero. He stole land from other people, then killed those people when they resisted. A product of its time, it makes sense. But it is not a true account of the beginning of the USA and should be read, if at all, with that in mind.  “Braving the wilds of an uncharted land” is a false way of saying “Help eradicate an entire people-group so he could have their land”. Boone, to be fair, didn’t view it that way, and like this book, was a product of his time, in which First Nations were considered little more than vermin to be exterminated. Be warned – this is not the book to use when teaching children about the opening of the west to the Europeans.

Bookmarks: 3 of 5

Awards: Newbery Medal, 1941

ISBN: 9781887840125
Year Published: 1939
Date Finished: 4-11-19
Pages: 95

Review: Star Surgeon by James White (Sector General, Book 2)

Synopsis: An interlinked collection of short stories following Dr. Conway, a Senior Physician on the famous Sector General Hospital.

Review: Once again, this is a fantastic collection. From an unconscious demigod to a planet of plagues to an all-out war, White takes the reader on a whirl-wind journey as we follow Dr. Conway on a never-dull day through Sector General. I particularly liked this set of stories, as we get to see more of the outside world, more of the Monitor Corps, and we see this worlds’ version of War. As always, I highly recommend this collection to anyone who is looking for solid medical science fiction.

Bookmarks: 4 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 0-345-29169-7
Year Published: 1963
Date Finished: 4-14-2019
Pages: 159

Review: Shidima (Collected Volume 1) by Adrian Tsang et al (G)

Synopsis: On a distant continent beyond the God's Maw, there is a place where magic and swordmanship are practiced as one. Here, the most fearsome fighters in the realm compete for land, title, and honor, fighting for control of the imperial throne. This is the story of the only outsider ever to learn the secrets of Shidima's fighting arts, and the empire that would rise and crumble around him.

Review: Told with dynamic art and bold, dark tones, we slip between the events of the past and present, as the hero fights to redeem a terrible wrong he committed. Along the way, he’ll challenge a mighty army and learn the cost of his pride. Although the plot gets a little muddled, it remains engaging and somber, with complex characters, fast-paced action, and several solid plot-twists. If you enjoy well-done sword-fantasy anti-hero graphic novels, you will most likely enjoy this one. 

Bookmarks: 3.5 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 9780973083712
Year Published: 2002
Date Finished: 4-09-2019
Pages: 85

Review: A Visit to William Blake's Inn: Poems for Innocent and Experienced Travelers by Nancy Willard

Synopsis: Inspired by William Blake’s Songs of Innocence and Songs of Experience, this delightful collection of poetry for children brings to life Blake’s imaginary inn and its unusual guests. (from the online description)

Review: Whimsical, to the point of confusion, without true style or mastery. Although, considering Blake’s style (which I recognize as genius, even if I do not like it), it fits.

That being said, if you like Blake, you will like this. If you do not like Blake (which I do not) then you won’t. 

Bookmarks: 3 of 5

Awards: Newbery Medal, 1981. Caldecott Award, 1981 (First Book to Win Both)

ISBN: 978-0152938239
Year Published: 1980
Date Finished: 4-9-2019
Pages: 44

Review: Hospital Station by James White (Sector General, Book 1)

Synopsis: Set in the center of the known Universe, Sector General gathers the best medical minds and technology from dozens of worlds, all with the goal of healing any creature with any ailment - but the Staff of Sector General might not be prepared for the many amazing and extraordinary creatures that require their help.

Review: James White was rumored to hate violence - and his books reflect that. Set in a hospital, these characters strive to preserve life, and look on violence towards any creature as abhorrent. In this atmosphere, we meet Conway and O'Mara, two characters who work to heal others in their own unique ways. Conway, a young and new doctor at the hospital, is at first, a quite unlikable character. Arrogant, bigoted, and self-righteous, and most of the book follows his journey from asshole to good person (and Doctor). O'Mara is a hilarious character, and the banter between him and Conway is well-done. But most of what I like about this book is the treatment of non-Earth-humans. Each is given its own culture, prejudice, food, atmosphere, ideas of beauty and justice, and in short - not Earth-human or even similar to them. Much of the drama in the story comes from the clash and the drive to understand each other, and in particular, to heal those who are different from you. White's creates a well-done world with many excellent characters. A fun, refreshing science fiction story, in particular, suited towards those who want something other then the laser-space-battles and pulpy hero stories.

  

Note: White has often been accused of misogynist writings. While that might be true of some of his works, it is relativity absent from this particular story. True, women are nurses, and it is their physical attributes that are commented on more than their mental or professional achievements, but considering the time the book was written (1962), it isn't as bad as it could be.

Bookmarks: 4 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 0-345-29613-3
Year Published: 1962
Date Finished: 4-4-2019
Pages: 191

Review: Over the Wall by Peter Wartman (G)(L)

Synopsis: A great wall separates a magnificent metropolis from the surrounding countryside. All humans are banned from ever entering the city. A young girl is determined to enter the forbidden city in search of her lost brother. When she crosses over, fantastic adventures ensue in narrow medieval streets, ancient temples, and abandoned bazzars of the haunted city. To save her missing brother, she must grapple with mythical creatures, explore the mystery of the missing inhabitants, and cure the amnesia of an entire civilization. (from the online description)

Review: With single color, dark tones, and blurred lines, Wartman takes the reader into a world of demons and humans. A young girl, certain that she remembers a brother others say never existed, goes into the land of the demons in search of him.

The story, although simple, has good character and depth and a nice balance between action and dialogue.

Solid story, good art – worth reading. 

Bookmarks: 3.5 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 9780984681433
Year Published: 2013
Date Finished: 4-2-2019
Pages: 35

Review: In the Name of Jesus by Henri J. M. Nouwen

Synopsis: Henri Nouwen was a spiritual thinker with an unusual capacity to write about the life of Jesus and the love of God in ways that have inspired countless people to trust life more fully. Most widely read among the over 40 books Father Nouwen wrote is In the Name of Jesus. For a society that measures successful leadership in terms of the effectiveness of the individual, Father Nouwen offers a counter definition that is witnessed by a "communal and mutual experience." For Nouwen, leadership cannot function apart from the community. His wisdom is grounded in the foundation that we are a people "called." This beautiful guide to Christian Leadership is the rich fruit of Henri Nouwen's own journey as one of the most influential spirtiual leaders of the 20th century. (from the online description)

Review: With his customary simple and passionate prose, Nouwen writes here about Christian Leadership. Nouwen takes the leadership attributes encouraged by the World and uproots them, turning them around, and showing how the Servant-Leadership of Christ Jesus is different.  He illustrates this by examples from his own failures and struggles as a leader – going from the hallowed halls of Harvard to a community for mentally and physical disabled people where all his leadership skills suddenly became pointless and useless. It is from that place of humility he speaks to the Christian Leader, encourage and admonishing.

Although this book is simple and short, it is powerful. I would strongly encourage any Christian to read it – but in particular Christians who find themselves in a position of leaders, church or secular. Although written over 20 years ago, the message is still true and still needing to be heard. If leaders wish to be strong in the Kingdom of God they cannot lead the way the World does. They must lead the way Christ did. Nouwen’s book encourages this and is vital for any Christian. 

Bookmarks: 4 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 0-8245-1259-6
Year Published: 1989
Date Finished: 3-31-2019
Pages: 81

Review: Blue Willow by Doris Gates

Synopsis: To Janey Larkin, the blue willow plate was the most beautiful thing in her life, a symbol of the home she could only dimly remember. Now that her father was an itinerant worker, Janey didn't have a home she could call her own or any real friends, as her family had to keep moving, following the crops from farm to farm. Someday, Janey promised the willow plate, with its picture of a real house, her family would once again be able to set down roots in a community. (from the online description)

Review: Janey Larkin lives a nomadic life, under the care of her father and stepmother. Her greatest and only treasure is a blue willow ceramic plate that once belonged to a mother she can no longer remember. As her family sets-down near her father’s current job of picking cotton, Janey begins long for a change to “stay as long as they want” but achieving that dream might cost her greatest treasure.

Janey’s journey is brilliantly displayed. She matures through her friendship with Lupe, and through her education, gaining an understanding of courage and what’s important. Watching her struggle with the difficult things around her is part of the “realistic” nature of the story. While the ending is a bit – Shiny – where everything works out perfectly, the journey of how she gets there has danger and difficulty, and her start in life is not rosy-pink and happy.

It should be noted that Lupe, Janey’s friend, is clearly of Mexican origin. Surprising for the era, Lupe and her family are written with respect and accuracy to their culture but without any of the stereotypes so prevalent during the era (or even today). Lupe is a well-rounded side-character, an excellent part of the story and a refreshing take on non-European cultures that make up America.

The prose is simple, with easy-to-read words and both writing and subject are suitable for children ages 6+.

Note: Doris Gates received both praise and criticism for this book. One of the first “realistic” children’s books, Blue Willow entered the scene during a debate between teachers, librarians, and authors regarding realism vs. imaginative in Children’s Literature. In dealing with poverty, intenerate workers, illness, and even death, Blue Willow helped pave the way for books for children that accurately reflected the world they already knew. Gates is considered a major influence and pioneer in this area.

Bookmarks: 4 of 5

Awards: Newbery Honor, 1940 / Lewis Carroll Shelf Award, 1961 / Best Books of the Year by Horn Book Magazine / Commonwealth Club of California Book Award

ISBN: 0-590-41268-X
Year Published: 1940
Date Finished: 3-30-2019
Pages: 154

Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story from China by Ed Young

Synopsis: When their Mother goes to visit their Grandmother, sisters Shang, Tao, and Paotze are left to defend themselves when the Big Wolf comes knocking.

Review:  Young's translation of this folktale gives the story of Red-Riding Hood a lovely twist. No longer does the woodcutter (who isn't even in the story) save Red (or, in this case, three young sisters). No, it is their own cleverness and cooperation that saves the day. Young's translation is simple enough for young readers, but engaging enough for adults. There is no sense that the story is dumbed-down for kids.

But it is the illustrations that set this book apart. Young's style is similar to the soft watercolors of the Impressionist, and gives the story a dynamic and other-worldly tone, just perfect for a fairy tale. Soft, somber tones, watery brush-strokes, and swirling atmosphere set this book apart.

Recommend for young readers, particularly young girls.

Bookmarks: 4 of 5

Awards: The Caldecott Medal, 1990

ISBN: 0-399-21619-7
Year Published: 1989
Date Finished: 3-30-2019
Pages: 32

Review: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens (L)

Synopsis: For years, rumors of the "Marsh Girl" have haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet town on the North Carolina coast. So in late 1969, when handsome Chase Andrews is found dead, the locals immediately suspect Kya Clark, the so-called Marsh Girl. But Kya is not what they say. Sensitive and intelligent, she has survived for years alone in the marsh that she calls home, finding friends in the gulls and lessons in the sand. Then the time comes when she yearns to be touched and loved. When two young men from town become intrigued by her wild beauty, Kya opens herself to a new life--until the unthinkable happens. (from the online description)

Review: Pros: Lyrical writing style – almost poetic at times. Ability to dig into the emotions of the main character, creating a complete person. Excellent nature writing (not surprising consider the author is an award-winning non-fiction nature writer). Intriguing story that kept me guessing until the end.

Cons: The courtroom scene (the whole investigation) was completely inaccurate and manipulated to fit the narrative. Side-characters felt flat, like cardboard cutout stereotypes, in particular the POC in the story.

Note: I do not normally read chick-lit, general fiction, or modern who-dun-its. Basically, this is not the sort of book I would pick to read – but I did because my Book Club requested it. The reasons I don’t normally read it stand – inaccuracies to fit the narrative and flat side-characters. I say this because it was unlikely I would have enjoyed this book and I do not wish to deter other from reading it simply because I didn’t enjoy it. 

Bookmarks: 3.5 of 4

Awards: None (Yet)

ISBN: 978-0-7352-1909-0
Year Published: 2018
Date Finished: 3-28-2019
Pages: 370

Review: The 21: A Journey into the Land of Coptic Martyrs by Martin Mosebach

Synopsis: Behind a gruesome ISIS beheading video lies the untold story of the men in orange and the faith community that formed these unlikely modern-day saints and heroes.

 In a carefully choreographed propaganda video released in February 2015, ISIS militants behead twenty-one orange-clad Christian men on a Libyan beach.

 In the West, daily reports of new atrocities may have displaced the memory of this particularly vile event. But not in the world from which the murdered came. All but one were young Coptic Christian migrant workers from Egypt. Acclaimed literary writer Martin Mosebach traveled to the Egyptian village of El-Aour to meet their families and better understand the faith and culture that shaped such conviction.

 He finds himself welcomed into simple concrete homes through which swallows dart. Portraits of Jesus and Mary hang on the walls along with roughhewn shrines to now-famous loved ones. Mosebach is amazed time and again as, surrounded by children and goats, the bereaved replay the cruel propaganda video on an iPad. There is never any talk of revenge, but only the pride of having a martyr in the family, a saint in heaven. “The 21” appear on icons crowned like kings, celebrated even as their community grieves. A skeptical Westerner, Mosebach finds himself a stranger in this world in which everything is the reflection or fulfillment of biblical events, and facing persecution with courage is part of daily life.

 In twenty-one symbolic chapters, each preceded by a picture, Mosebach offers a travelogue of his encounter with a foreign culture and a church that has preserved the faith and liturgy of early Christianity – the “Church of the Martyrs.” As a religious minority in Muslim Egypt, the Copts find themselves caught in a clash of civilizations. This book, then, is also an account of the spiritual life of an Arab country stretched between extremism and pluralism, between a rich biblical past and the shopping centers of New Cairo. (from the online description)

Review: This book chronicles Mosebach quest to understand the life and beliefs of the 21 men shown beheaded in an ISIS propaganda video. In doing so, Mosebach explores the place of the Coptic Church in Egyptian and Christian history, and the place of these men in the modern events of the Coptic Christians.

Sadly, while Mosebach sincerity was evident, the book itself was a little disappointing. As he journeyed, he discovered there was almost no information about these men. Poor and inconsequential until that video, there was almost no record of their life, save for a few passport photos and the tales of Family who now venerated them as Martyrs in the Coptic Church.

Mosebach narrative makes it seem that these men were extraordinary humans, destined from birth to be martyrs. I cannot tell whether Mosebach is simply honoring the beliefs of the Coptic Church or if he actually believes this. The things spoken of these men cannot possibly be all true, and yet to say that, is to belittle the beliefs of an entire religious group – one known for its strength of faith under hundreds of years of persecution.

A point in Mosebach’s favor is the excellent discourse on the history of the Coptic Church in Egypt. Those portions of the book were intriguing and well-done.

Overall, the book did not reach the depths I was hoping – but whether this was Mosebach fault or simply the lack of information regarding these men, I cannot tell.

Note: I received this book free via LibraryThing's Early Review Program, in exchange for my fair and honest opinion.

Bookmarks: 3 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 978-0874868395
Year Published: 2019
Date Finished: 3-23-2019
Pages: 238

Review: Absolute Surrender by Andrew Murray (A)

Synopsis: Andrew Murray (1928-1917) is consider by many to be one of the greats of Christian Teaching. The author of more than 50 books and numerous other works, Murray wrote with a plain and passionate urgency to Christians, encouraging and exhorting them to serve God to the Abandonment of all else. This particular work discusses that in his classic prose - simple and profound.

Review:  As with Murray's other works, this is superb. Murray has the rare talent of speaking with both grace and firmness. He does not mince words, or pander to the ego but speaks plainly of what is expected of a Christian. And yet, there is no judgement in his words, but a deep compassion for his reader.

As for this particular work, he calls the Christian to seriously examine their life and root out any areas that do not completely conform to the life Christ has called Christians to live. With practical advice and loving encouragement, Murray inspires the reader to dig deep into their Life with Christ and surrender all things.

A must-read for the serious disciple of Christ, and worth the time.

Note: ChristianAudio offered this book as their Free Download in March 2019. The Audio version was well-done, with clear narration and diction. Although it may no longer be free, I would recommend the audio version offered by ChristianAudio as an excellent way of hearing the teachings of Murray.

Bookmarks: 4 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: N/A
Year Published: 1897 (?)
Date Finished: 3-18-2019
Pages: N/A (AudioBook)

Review: Keto Diet: Your 30-Day Plan to Lose Weight, Balance Hormones, Boost Brain Health, and Reverse Disease by Josh Axe (L)

Synopsis: Today, the ketogenic diet is the world's fastest growing diet, and with good reason. When practiced correctly, it has been proven to burn fat, reduce inflammation, fight cancer, balance hormones and gut bacteria, improve neurological diseases, and even increase lifespan. Unfortunately, many people remain unaware of several key factors that are crucial to the diet's success, setting them up for frustration, failure, and relapse.

In Keto Diet, bestselling author Dr. Josh Axe sets the record straight, offering thorough, step-by-step guidance to achieving lifelong health. Unlike other books on the subject, Keto Diet identifies and details five different ketogenic protocols and explains why picking the right one for your body and lifestyle is fundamental to your success.

Inside, you'll find all the tools they need to say goodbye to stubborn fat and chronic disease once and for all, including:

-shopping lists

-delicious recipes

-exercise routines

-accessible explanations of the science behind keto's powerful effects

-five different keto plans and a guide to choosing the one that fits you best!

(from the online description)

Review: While a basic explanation of the basics of keto, this book is too shallow and too narrow to be of any real use.

Dr. Axe does not support his nutritional or health assertions well. While he uses science-sounding words, he doesn’t give a list of the studies he quotes or the sources for his assertions – other than his own anecdotal evidence. He may know a lot about herbs and supplements, but when you are talking about the chemical processes in the body, it proves to have solid evidence backed by rigorous scientist studies. The Good Results the Random Lady in your Clinic do not count.

As for the rest, there is nothing here that isn’t also available in a from a good keto website. The recipes are standard version of keto recipes, the health and how-to information not anything different from the 100 keto gurus and websites out there.

In the end, this is a simple and easy explanation of the Keto diet, but all the information can be found for free on the internet and/or there is some question about the scientific validated of his assertions. You’d be much better buying Why We Get Fat or Good Calories, Bad Calories by Gary Taubes, if you are looking for information not available for free, about the low-carb, high-fat diets. 

Bookmarks: 3 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 978-0-316-52958-7
Year Published: 2019
Date Finished: 3-10-2019
Pages: 324

Prince of Persian: The Graphic Novel by Jordan Mechner, A.B. Sina, LeUyen Pham, Alex Puvilland

Synopsis: Long ago in Persia, there lived a Prince -- a man of honor, of valor, and full of strength -- a man for his people, who lived with them and took on their trials and hardships. And he was loved. His name is no longer remembered. When people speak of him, they call him merely, 'The Prince of Persia,' as if there have been no others, and his descendants are enjoined to live like him, to be like him, to the ends of their days. Long ago in Persia, there were many princes, one following another, sometimes quick, sometimes slow, sometimes fat, clever, joyous, and all more or less honorable. And in some of those princes there shone the spirit of The Prince of Persia, for in Persia time spins like a wheel, and what is to come has already happened, and then happens again, year in and year out.
This is the story of two of those princes, and of the destiny that threads their lives together. (from the online description)

Review: A bit confusing at first, as it jumps between the stories - but once you get used to the shift in color pallettes, it makes more sense. The story itself it a tightly woven one of love and danger, death and greed, redemption and suffering. The art gives much to the story, using bold lines and stylized drawings to bring to life a fantastic world. Def. Worth reading, for it's own sake, even if you know nothing about the game (which I do not.)

Bookmarks: 3.5 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 978-1-59643-207-9
Year Published: 2008
Date Finished: 3-6-2019
Pages: 201

Review: Tellos: Reluctant Heros and Tellos: Kindred Spirits by Todd Dezango and Mike Wieringo

Synopsis: A magic orb finds the Chosen One, a boy, who can use it, and adventure and danger ensue.

Review: Predictable, with nothing really bad or good about it. The art is bold and dynamic, the story enjoyable, if somewhat trite. The ending is a bit of twist, but well worth reading. Not amaze-balls but a pleasant story to read.

Bookmarks: 3 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 1-58240-186-1 and 1-58240-231-0
Year Published: 2001 and 2001
Date Finished: 3-2-2019
Pages: 110 and 104

Review: Becoming by Michelle Obama

Synopsis: The Memoir of Michele Obama, First Lady of the United States and all-around bad-ass.

Review: Here is how I break-down this book:

20% Me thinking, "Damn, she is a SUCH an Amazing Person. Squee!"
40% Advert for How Amaze-balls she thinks Her Husband is
20% Let me explain shit I did that ya'll criticized.
20% Politics sucks donkey butt.

Read it. Even if you didn't like her or her husband, read it, so you better understand how shit works in US politics.

Bookmarks: 3.5  of 5

Awards: None (Yet)

ISBN: 978-1-5247-66313-8
Year Published: 2018
Date Finished: 2-28-19
Pages: 426

Review: The Disciplines of the Christian Life by Eric Liddell

Synopsis: Eric Henry Liddell was a Scottish athlete, rugby union international player, and missionary. He is perhaps most well known as the subject of the Oscar-winning 1981 film Chariots of Fire, which depicted his experiences training and racing in the Olympics and the religious convictions that influenced him. In his book about spiritual disciplines, he outlines his own pattern for living which has as its foundation a daily Bible reading plan. (from the online description)

Review: If you are at all interesting in growing you life with Christ, you can do no better then to read and listen to Eric Liddell's advice on how to achieve that. He lived the principles he asserts in this book and it showed in the deeply loving and sacrificial life he lived, all for the love and glory of Christ Jesus. Although simple in prose and ideas, the meat of this work will require deep thought and study. With both compassion and honest, Liddell calls the Christian to a live worth the Blood of Jesus, and encourages all Christian to go deeper. Highly recommend this work as a repeat read for any Christian.

Bookmarks: 4.5 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 978-0281061730
Year Published: Written between 1925-1945
Date Finished: 2-28-19
Pages: N/A (Audiobook)

Review: The Ink Dark Moon: Love Poems by Ono no Komachi and Izumu Shikibu, Women of the Ancient Japanese Court, trans by Jane Hirshfield and Mariko Aratani

Synopsis: These translated poems were written by 2 ladies of the Heian court of Japan between the ninth and eleventh centuries A.D. The poems speak intimately of their authors' sexual longing, fulfillment and disillusionment. (from the online description)

Review: Japanese poetry is a favorite of mine, and so it is no surprised that I adored this collection. The introduction gives a short biography of the two women – short because little is known about either. From there, the introduction moves into the culture and tradition of poetry writing in the era when these women lived (800 AD – 1100?AD). In the court of Japan, writing poetry was considered an essential skill, on that could bring fame or censure. To write poetry well was considered the height of good breeding and intelligence. These two women, Ono no Komachi and Izumi Shikibu are considered two of the best female poets to ever live, both in Japan and in the world, and are part of the Thirty-Six Female Immortals of Poetry. After reading this collection, it is obvious why they are considered the greats. With economy of words, with striking imagery and subtly, both women express emotions from deep within the human experience. While it would be impossible to include all the ones that I loved, I have offered a small sample below.

I thought to pick
the flower of forgetting
for myself,
but I found it
already growing in his heart

My longing for you –

Too strong to keep within bounds.

At least no one can blame me

When I go to you at night

Along the Road of Dreams

The Hunting Lanterns

On Mount Ogura have gone,

The deer are calling for their mates….

How easily I might sleep,

If only I didn’t share their fears.

In this world

Love has no color –

Yet how deeply

My body

Is stained by yours.

When the water-freezing

Winter arrives

The floating reds look rooted,

As if stillness

Were their own desire.

As for the collection, this is perfect. Editor Jane Hirschfield and translator Mariko Aratani bring to life these women, and let their words and hearts and experiences live again. At the end of the collection is a find explanation of how the word were translated, part of what makes this collection so worthwhile. Perfect for the lover of poetry, or the student of Japan. 

Bookmarks: 4.5 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 0-679-72958-5
Year Published: 1988 (This Edition, 1990) (The Poems written between 834-1034)
Date Finished: 2-27-19
Pages: 212

Review: Seamless: Understanding the Bible as One Complete Story by Angie Smith.

Synopsis: In seven sessions, Seamless covers the people, places, and promises of the Bible, tying them together into the greater story of Scripture. Participants in this study will gain an overarching understanding of the fundamental layout and meaning of the Bible. (from the online description)

Review: Fine for a new Christian or someone who has not be offered the chance to study the Bible a lot. The long-time Christian will find it good but not as in depth as possible desired. Highly Recommend for New Christians.

Bookmarks: N/A

Awards: None

ISBN: 978-1430032304

Year Published: 2015
Date Finished: Feb. 2019 (Bible Study)
Pages: 176

Review: The Best from Orbit (Volumes 1-10) ed. by Damon Knight

Synopsis: Orbit was the brain-child of  Damon Knight (husband of Kate Wilhelm) and was intended to offer more literary examples of fantasy and science fiction. Up until then, most science-fiction was of the decided pulp variety, or maybe the Space Opera, with a few notable exceptions tossed in. Knight wanted to show the science fiction was a legitimate form of literature, one the could be as serious and complex as your average classic novel. This is the "best of" from the first 10 volumes of Orbit - published as anthologies, not magazines - and includes letter between him and the authors (if available) to illustrated how the stories came to be.

Review: As a rule, I do not enjoy more literary science fiction works. I have attempted them over my reading life and at best, find them adequate, and at worst find them confusion or pretentious. However, as another rule, I will not judge a story as “good” or “bad” – being that, as with most arts, “good” and “bad” are in the eye of the beholder – or in this case, the mind of the reader. A story can be objectively judged for its technical merit, it’s grammar and spelling, it’s adherence to a particular form – but as long as it meets the basics of these, to state it is “good” or “bad” is to make an objective call about a subjective opinion.

Therefore, I simply state that there was about 3-4 stories I liked, and few I thought were boring or pointless, and a few that seemed to barely qualify as science fiction. And a few that I just plan didn’t understand at all. I have highlighted a few below. But in the end, I can’t say whether you will enjoy this or not. If you are looking for more literary science fiction – this is the book for you. If you enjoy the more Space Opera or Pulp style, skip it.

Mother to the World by Richard Wilson: WTF – I mean, the ending of this was revolting. I didn’t like it but I had to give credit for an excellent story. It elicited a visceral reaction from me.

The End by Ursula K. Le Guinn: A gently chilling story, so like Le Guinn, where the horror only comes upon you slowly and you are left with the deep question of how the character faired once the story ended.

Rite of Spring by Avram Davidson: Just long enough to make me want to know about this world. Needed to be a few pages longer to really “get” the point. But overall, creepy AF.

Passengers by Robert Silverberg: Almost horror in its topic, one of possession and futility. Would make an excellent Twilight Zone episode.

Look, You Think You've Got Troubles by Carol Carr: Cute and funny, with a topic we are all familiar with but with an ending and setting that make it new and fresh.

The Big Flash by Norman Spinrad: I have no idea what really happened but def. creepy.

Horse of Air by Gardner R. Dozois: Confused me, and yet, I was scared at the end. Good story.

The rest were either disappointingly confusing (The Planners by Kate Wilhelm, which I specifically bought this collection to read) to the odd and off-putting. Read at your own risk.

Bookmarks: 3 of 5 (stories)  / 4 of 5 (Collection)

Awards: Several Won Nebula etc. Awards

ISBN: 425-03161-6
Year Published: Stories (1966-1975), Collection (1976)
Date Finished: 2-22-2019
Pages: 404

Review: The Penguin Book of Japanese Verse trans. by Geoffrey Bownas and Anthony Twaite (L)

Synopsis: A Survey of Japanese poetry, starting from the earliest manuscripts and ending around the time the book was published in 1963

Review: If you are interested in Japanese poetry, this is a MUST own book. The introduction runs the reader through the history of Japanese poetry, including its place in the history and culture of Japan. There are also extensive notes on the types and styles, the meanings and themes, traditions and impact - as well as the grammar and translations. As for the poems themselves, one can never really definitively judge a poem for its emotional impact. Poems can be judged on adherence to form, word choice, imagery, and other technical aspects - but "good" or "bad" is in the hands of the reader, and changes from person to person, and era to era. That being said, this is a fine collection, meant to introduce the Western Reader to the fine, delicate, and extensive art of poetry in Japan, of which the Japanese have shown themselves to be Masters.

Bookmarks: 4 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: N/A
Year Published: 1963
Date Finished: 2-21-2019
Pages: 243

Review: The Eating Instinct: Food Culture, Body Image, and Guilt in America by Virginia Sole-Smith

Synopsis: Food is supposed to sustain and nourish us. Eating well, any doctor will tell you, is the best way to take care of yourself. Feeding well, any human will tell you, is the most important job a mother has. But for too many of us, food now feels dangerous. We parse every bite we eat as good or bad, and judge our own worth accordingly. When her newborn daughter stopped eating after a medical crisis, Virginia Sole-Smith spent two years teaching her how to feel safe around food again ― and in the process, realized just how many of us are struggling to do the same thing.

The Eating Instinct visits kitchen tables around America to tell Sole-Smith’s own story, as well as the stories of women recovering from weight loss surgery, of people who eat only nine foods, of families with unlimited grocery budgets and those on food stamps. Every struggle is unique. But Sole-Smith shows how they’re also all products of our modern food culture. And they’re all asking the same questions: How did we learn to eat this way? Why is it so hard to feel good about food? And how can we make it better? (from the online description)

Review: Sole-Smith’s question is simple – how do women relate to food – but the answer is complex and as far reaching as one can imagine. Through interviews with women across the socio-economic and health lines she explores this question. Interwoven is the narrative of where this question came from – her own experience with her daughter’s inability to eat.

Sole-Smith is a writer by trade, not a scientist, so that must be first understood when reading this book. While she includes some science, it is important to note that this is not a book about the science of eating – but about the social and cultural challenges and connections.

Pros: Sole-Smith included women from a wide range of backgrounds and made a particular point of including low-income women, whose challenges with food are unique and not often understood by the intended audience of her work. Her writing is technical enough to be fulfilling but not so dense that is reads like a textbook. By including stories and first-hand experience, she created a personal narrative that drew the reader in.

Cons: Not enough science to prove her points, and she didn’t include the issue of where the diet advice women get from doctors and foundation is even correct. This seems particularly important for this subject, to me, and I found the lack of it a bit conspicuous.

This book, although not perfect, was informative and sparked a few good discussions when I brought it up to friends. I would recommend this as an excellent non-fiction selection for Women’s Book Clubs – it’s a topic we all deal with and might open up good avenues of discussion and support. 

Note: I received this book free through LibraryThing's Early Review Program in exchange for my fair and honest opinion

Bookmarks: 3.5 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 978-1-250-295378
Year Published: Nov. 2018
Date Finished: 2-12-2019
Pages: 274

Review: Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse (The Sixth World, Book 1)

Synopsis: Maggie Hoskie is a Dinétah monster hunter, a supernaturally gifted killer. When a small town needs help finding a missing girl, Maggie is their last best hope. But what Maggie uncovers about the monster is much more terrifying than anything she could imagine. 

Maggie reluctantly enlists the aid of Kai Arviso, an unconventional medicine man, and together they travel the rez, unraveling clues from ancient legends, trading favors with tricksters, and battling dark witchcraft in a patchwork world of deteriorating technology. 

As Maggie discovers the truth behind the killings, she will have to confront her past if she wants to survive.

Welcome to the Sixth World.

Review: As others have remarked, there is no shortage of Urban Fantasies featuring Native American heroines – but this is the first I know of actually written by a First Nations author.  And it shows. While the other authors treat the subject with respect, Roanhorse creates a tone and world unlike anything I’ve read before.

The main character, Maggie, is a brilliant mix of strength and vulnerability, with a sense of completeness and depth that isn’t normal in UF books. And the secondary characters add more than just pillion for her to interact with, but come complete with their own richness and complexity.

Add in the post-apocalyptic nature and the First Nation mythology, and you have one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. I’ve already read it twice (a big deal for me) and it was perfect the second time too.

If you read no other book this year, read this one!

Bookmarks: 4.5 of 5

Awards: TBD

ISBN: 978-1-5344-1350-4
Year Published: 2018
Date Finished: 2-11-19
Pages: 287

Review: Eight Times Up by John Corr

Synopsis: Ever since his mom left, Riley has been a mess. He feels nervous all the time. His heart pounds, his neck is tight, and he can't seem to turn off his brain. His dad signs him up for aikido, hoping it will help. In the dojo, Riley meets boys who are much rougher than he is and a girl who is tougher than all the rest of them put together. For Wafaa, aikido is not her first choice. She was disqualified from competing in judo for wearing a hijab. From the first time she steps on the mat, it's clear she is far more skilled than anyone expected. Through the teachings of their sensei, Riley and his classmates come to understand that aikido is not about winning or losing or about being perfect. Sensei shows them how to tap into their inner strength and find their place in the universe. (from the online description)

Review: Centered on Riley, a young man who is struggling with the loss of his Mom and the stabling presence she brought to his life, this story follows him as he finds his footing after such a devastating loss.

Corr’s handling of the subject of the loss of a parent, anxiety in the young, discrimination, and challenge is excellent. None of these issues are “in your face” which prevents the book from becoming preachy. But they are present and part of the story. The language is simple, but not dumbed down, and would be suitable for kids from ages 8+.

I particularly liked the story of those around Riley. The other kids aren’t just cardboard cutouts in his journey, but actual people that he learns from. Each has their own story, their own struggles, and the collisions and joining of those struggling are important to Riley’s journey. Corr also manages to create a diverse cast without it being the focus of the story. The kids being from different races, cultures, and families is simple part of who they are and adds depth to the story, without it ever feeling contrived.

As a practitioner (albeit eons ago) of Aikido, I was pleased with the accuracy of how Corr described the art and practice of the sport. This is naturally expected, given his own experience with the sport. It was also pleasant the sport was part of the story, but not the focus. Corr’s seamlessly woven together a lot of different aspects of the human experience, perfectly balancing each to create a story worth reading. Even though the main character is a child, as an adult, I found this an inspiration read.

Over all, this is an excellent first book. I would recommend it to any parent of middle grade kids, and I will certainly keep an eye out for Corr’s future work. 

Note: I received this book free from LibraryThing as part of their Early Review Program, in exchange for my fair and honest opinion

Bookmarks: 4 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 9781459818613
Year Published: 2019
Date Finished: 2-5-2019
Pages: 216

Review: Serafina and the Splintered Heart by Robert Beatty (Serafina, Book Three)

Synopsis: The end of the trilogy about Serafina and her adventures at Protector of Biltmore Estate.

Review: As with the others, this is a pleasing mix of adventure, heart, dark-danger, and triumph. Billed as the last in the adventures of Serafina, we see her confront the last of the darkness that haunts Biltmore, and come into her own as the Protector of Biltmore. We also see her confront the internal struggles she has, as she tries to reconcile her place in the world. Slightly darker then the previous two, this is a fine middle grade book, with enough danger, humor, and action to keep both boys and girls interested.

Bookmarks: 3.5 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 978-1-4847-7504-2
Year Published: 2017
Date Finished: 2-2-19
Pages: 355

Review: Way Station by Clifford D. Simak (A)

Synopsis: An ageless hermit runs a secret way station for alien visitors in the Wisconsin woods in this Hugo Award-winning science fiction classic Enoch Wallace is not like other humans. Living a secluded life in the backwoods of Wisconsin, he carries a nineteenth-century rifle and never seems to age-a fact that has recently caught the attention of prying government eyes. The truth is, Enoch is the last surviving veteran of the American Civil War and, for close to a century, he has operated a secret way station for aliens passing through on journeys to other stars. But the gifts of knowledge and immortality that his intergalactic guests have bestowed upon him are proving to be a nightmarish burden, for they have opened Enoch's eyes to humanity's impending destruction. Still, one final hope remains for the human race . . . though the cure could ultimately prove more terrible than the disease. (from the online description)

Review:  This is not a space opera. There are no space ships or laser guns or daring space flights. This is a simple, quiet sci-fi novel, with a deep well of thought and meaning. The end question is - do humans deserve the chance to find our own way or are we too dangerous to be left to our own ways? Enoch, with his gentle manner and striking intelligence, seeks to find a way to convince his employers (not humans) that Earth deserves the change to live.

Woven into this is Enoch’s own journey – to let go of the past, to embrace the future, and to accept what may come. In the end, it is the way being a Station Master has changed his own perceptions that allow him to find the answer.  There is a deep philosophical bent to this story.

That isn’t to say there isn’t action. The plot is brisk, with constant changes. Simak prose is heavy with imagery, the kind that makes the story alive in your mind.

It is easy to see why this book won the Hugo. A well-deserved award for a fantastic science fiction story.

Bookmarks: 4.5 of 5

Awards: Hugo Award for Best Novel (1964)

ISBN: 978-1504013215
Year Published: 1963
Date Finished: 1-31-2019
Pages: N/A (Audiobook, eBook)

Review: The Stone Heart by Faith Erin Hicks (The Nameless City, Book 2)

Synopsis: Kaidu and Rat have only just recovered from the assassination attempt on the General of All Blades when more chaos breaks loose in the Nameless City: deep conflicts within the Dao nation are making it impossible to find a political solution for the disputed territory of the City itself. To complicate things further, Kaidu is fairly certain he's stumbled on a formula for the lost weapon of the mysterious founders of the City. . . . But sharing it with the Dao military would be a complete betrayal of his friendship with Rat. Can Kai find the right solution before the Dao find themselves at war? (from the online description)

Review: This book was recommended by an acquaintance on #bookstagram and I found the first and second volumes at my local library.

With bold color and dynamic art, this book creates a fascinating world, quickly drawing the reader into the drama and intrigue of a city, contrastingly changed by the endless war and following conquest by the neighboring nations.

In this chaos, we find two characters, different from each other as possible, yet facing the same thing – being out of place in a city where no one has a place.

The characters are rich and complex, the action brisk and well-defined, and the plot twists and turns. Excellent story, with a dynamic look at how people live in a conquered land, and what it means to Rule. Worth reading – I highly recommend!

Bookmarks: 4 of 5

Awards: TBD

ISBN: 978-1-62672-159-3
Year Published: 2017
Date Finished: 1-30-2019
Pages: 243

Review: The Nameless City by Faith Erin Hicks (The Nameless City, Book 1)

Synopsis: Every nation that invades the City gives it a new name. But before long, new invaders arrive and the City changes hands once again. The natives don't let themselves get caught up in the unending wars. To them, their home is the Nameless City, and those who try to name it are forever outsiders.
Kaidu is one such outsider. He's a Dao born and bred--a member of the latest occupying nation. Rat is a native of the Nameless City. At first, she hates Kai for everything he stands for, but his love of his new home may be the one thing that can bring these two unlikely friends together. Let's hope so, because the fate of the Nameless City rests in their hands. (from the online description)

Review: This book was recommended by an acquaintance on #bookstagram and I found the first and second volumes at my local library.

With bold color and dynamic art, this book creates a fascinating world, quickly drawing the reader into the drama and intrigue of a city, contrastingly changed by the endless war and following conquest by the neighboring nations.

In this chaos, we find two characters, different from each other as possible, yet facing the same thing – being out of place in a city where no one has a place.

The characters are rich and complex, the action brisk and well-defined, and the plot twists and turns. Excellent story, with a dynamic look at how people live in a conquered land, and what it means to Rule. Worth reading – I highly recommend!

Bookmarks: 4 of 5

Awards: TBD

ISBN:978-1-62672-157-9
Year Published: 2016
Date Finished: 1-30-2019
Pages: 232

Review: The Starmen of Llydris by Leigh Brackett

Synopsis: Outcast in space. Michael Trehearne had always been an outcast among his people on Earth. He knew he was different. He did not know how or why. Then one day, on the wind-swept coast of Brittany, a bewitchingly beautiful girl appeared & told him he had the look of the Vardda--those elite star travelers who alone could withstand the rigors of intergalactic flight.

Michael had to join them, had to find his place in the universe at last. But it would not be easy. For even when they allowed him to risk his life aboard their ship, to seal his fate upon their planet, even then, they viewed him as an outcast, a dangerous changeling who suddenly threatened them. He was a man who sooner or later would have to be destroyed! (from the back of the book)

Review: Classic Pulp Science Fiction. Laser guns, space-travel, new worlds, plots of murder, and galaxy-changing events!

Leigh Brackett writes excellent action-adventure stories. My only qualm with her writing is the women – that tend towards the stereotypical sex-bomb or damsel-in-distress, and seem to be there only to further the plot for the hero. But, she was writing to a particular audience and that is what they wanted!

As for this particular story, it was more well-written then others by her. I say that because I had strong opinions about the choices the characters made and could only have that if I cared about the outcome. To point, I agreed with the “villains” of the story and not the hero. The hero’s fight, I thought, seemed idealistic and based on naive and short-sighted assumptions about a world he had just entered. The villains seems to understand the long-reaching consequences of the hero’s action (that being war, suffering, and death for millions of people) but because the hero’s action lead to the “Free Choice” of others, we’re supposed to agree with it. Maybe if you are an emotion-driven person, yea, but not for a logical person.

But then, it’s that the mark of a good book? It stirs the mind and engages the heart?

Bookmarks: 3.5 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 345-24668-3-150
Year Published: 1952
Date Finished: 1-29-2019
Pages: 164

Review: Know Why You Believe by Paul E. Little

Synopsis: Basic Christian Apologetics.

Review: Solid, if somewhat shallow, explanation of Christianity. Worth reading if you are new to apologetics, or just want an overview. Excellent jumping-off point for deeper study.

Note: This review refers to the Audibook.

Bookmarks: 3 of 5

Awards: None

ISBN: 978-0830834228
Year Published: 2008
Date Finished: 1-29-2019
Pages: N/A

Review: Juniper Time by Kate Wilhelm

Synopsis: Published in 1979, this novel is set in a drought-ridden America, in a world of social and economic collapse.

This tale switches between the perspectives of a scientist named Cluny, and a naturalist and photographer named Jean. They are reunited when they become part of a study to learn more about extraterrestrial contact.

Review: Set in the years following a drought so horrible is collapses the world economy, Kate Wilhelm explores the idea of hope and time as it relates to both the individual and the community. The main characters are tossed through a series of events that eventually lead them to a place where they can alter the course of human destiny – either to hope or to destruction.

As with her previous work, it is the rich and complete characters that Wilhelm writes that make the story. Her focus on the people, even side characters draw the reader in and sink them into the story, even when the plot is tends toward trite or confusing.

In this story, it is Jean’s strength in the face of immense pain and trauma that create a story worth reading. Yes, there are some odd points, and I would not say this was Wilhelm’s best, but it is a solid science fiction story about hope and humanity.

Bookmarks: 3.5 of 5

Awards: Nebula Award Nominee (1979), Prix Apollo (1981)

ISBN: N/A
Year Published: 1979
Date Finished: 1-28-19
Pages: 250

Review: Collected Poems by Chinua Achebe

Synopsis:  A short collection of his poems, covering subjects from family to war to love to culture.

Review: I enjoyed this collection immensely. But then, I enjoy stacado poems, where each word is a measured punch to the gut. Worth reading, if for no other reason that the author is non-western (although western-trained) and helps us see another part of the world.

Bookmarks: 4 of 5

Awards: None (For the Book. The Author has Won Multiple Awards)

ISBN: 1-4000-7658-7
Year Published: 1971-1974
Date Finished: 1-26-2019
Pages: 84

Review: Where Late The Sweet Birds Sang by Kate Wilhelm

Synopsis: The spellbinding story of an isolated post-holocaust community determined to preserve itself, through a perilous experiment in cloning (from the online description)

Review:  Where to start about this book? First, its prediction of the “end of the world” is so close to our current issue with Global Warming and Climate Change, it is almost terrifying.

But the real cleverness in this book is the characters and the idea these grapple with – how much would one sacrifice to see the human race survive? And what is the balance between self and community?

The book is divided into three parts. The first concerns the beginning, when the last humans created the clones. The middle tells what happens when the clones inadvertently trigger the individuality that had been buried in them. And the last section, what happens when a true individual gets tossed into a community of clones.

It’s hard to explain why this book is so good. But the characters are what compel the story forward. It is the characters, rich and complex, that snares the reader and drags them into the story, only to let one surface at the end.

For anyone who wants a truly great science fiction read, this is it!

Bookmarks: 4.5 of 5

Awards: The Hugo Award for Best Novel in 1977 /  The Locus Award and Poll for best novel in 1977 / The Jupiter Award in 1977 / The John W. Campbell Memorial Award in 1977, Third Place / Nominated for the Nebula Award in 1977

ISBN: 0-671-80912-1
Year Published: 1974 / 1976
Date Finished: 01-21-2019
Pages: 207