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

Review: Diamond Willow by Helen Frost

Synopsis: 

There's

more to me than

most people

see.

Twelve-year-old Willow would rather blend in than stick out. But she still wants to be seen for who she is. She wants her parents to notice that she is growing up. She wants her best friend to like her better than she likes a certain boy. She wants, more than anything, to mush the dogs out to her grandparents' house, by herself, with Roxy in the lead. But sometimes when it's just you, one mistake can have frightening consequences . . . And when Willow stumbles, it takes a surprising group of friends to help her make things right again.

Using diamond-shaped poems inspired by forms found in polished diamond willow sticks, Helen Frost tells the moving story of Willow and her family. Hidden messages within each diamond carry the reader further, into feelings Willow doesn't reveal even to herself. (from the online description)

Review: After reading this author’s book Keisha’s House, I immediately picked this up when I saw it on sale. I was not disappointed. Alternating between diamond-shaped poems, from the viewpoint of Willow, and from the viewpoint of her ancestors, the story takes the reader through the wild and frozen world of Alaska. Willow has spent her short 12 years under the knowledge that something isn’t right about her and her life. But it takes a journey, a horrible accident, and a special dog for her to set things right.

The unique story-telling technique brings so much to this narrative. With just a few words, the authors draws in the reader, and creates an authentic world, full of magic, sorrow, and redemption. I particularly enjoyed the First Nations mythology that is woven into the story. It gives this book a spirit and soul.

I highly recommend this book, particularly for late elementary and middle grade readers. It is an excellent introduction to story-thru-poetry. Also, SPOILER: No animals die. 

Bookmarks:  4 of 5

Awards: 2009 Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award / 2008 Mitten Award--Michigan Library Association / The Lion and the Unicorn Award for Excellence in North American Poetry: 2009 Honor Book / 2009 Winner of Best Books of Indiana, Children and Young Adult Book / 2009 CCBC Choices List

ISBN: 978-0-374-31776-8
Year Published: 2008
Date Finished: 1-6-2019
Pages: 112

Review: Shadow Ops: Control Point by Myke Cole (Shadow Ops, Book One)

Synopsis: Across the country and in every nation, people are waking up with magical talents. Untrained and panicked, they summon storms, raise the dead, and set everything they touch ablaze.

Army officer Oscar Britton sees the worst of it. A lieutenant attached to the military's Supernatural Operations Corps, his mission is to bring order to a world gone mad. Then he abruptly manifests a rare and prohibited magical power, transforming him overnight from government agent to public enemy number one. The SOC knows how to handle this kind of situation: hunt him down--and take him out. Driven into an underground shadow world, Britton is about to learn that magic has changed all the rules he's ever known, and that his life isn't the only thing he's fighting for. (from the online description)

Review: Sent in an alternative world, where the Great Awakening has caused rare humans to manifest magic abilities, Oscar Britton is a regular solider, serving as part of a strike team charged with hunting down and subduing "Selfers", or people who manifest powers that refuse to turn themselves over to the US government. But when he manifests a forbidden magic, he turns from hunter into hunted.
This is a new genre to me - Military Fantasy. It has a def. X-Men feel to it (although the powers are so wide-spread, being that they all fall within a narrow set of schools) but with a clear Military setting. Indeed, the whole thing is set on a Military Base. The author's extensive background in the military gives this an authenticity not often found in Military Books.
My qualm with the story is that is lags a bit in the middle. Britton's flip-floppy between sides gets old after a while. But this seems realistic for someone in his place and the action is certainly there. The ending was excellent, and I will def. be reading the rest of the series.

Bookmarks: 3.5 of 5

Awards: Compton Cook Award, 2013

ISBN: 978-1-937007-24-9
Year Published: 2012
Date Finished: 1-2-2019
Pages: 398

Rambles: Goals for 2019

Presented for Your Consideration: My Reading Goals for 2019

Total: 170

Books: 120
Graphic Novels/Manga: 50

NO MORE THAN 24 Books and 30 Manga FROM THE LIBRARY!

Christian: 10+

One Devotion
One Apologetics

Non-Fiction: 10+

One on Science
Five Non-Western
Two Biography

Science Fiction / Fantasy: 20+

Two from the Vorkosigan Saga
Three Grimdark
Two Anthologies
Two Non-Western/Translated Works
One Trilogy
Ten Vintage Sci-Fi

Graphic Novel / Manga: 20+

Either the Vampire Knight or Fruit Basket Manga
Both Monstress and Magdelana

Classic / General Fiction: 10+

One Persephone
One Old Book
Five Non-Western / Translated
One Mystery or Horror

Young Adult / Children's: 20+

Ten Newbery Books
Five YA (ON SHELF)
One Pre-1950 Classic

Let the Reading Begin!

Rambles: Reading Review of 2018

My original goal was 120. Sometime around June, I got ambitious and bumped it up 200, with it being divided into 120 books and 80 graphic novels/manga. 

Due to unforeseen circumstances, I didn't make the overall goal of 200. I managed 162 total, with 93 books and 69 graphic novels/manga. 

As for my mini challenges, I managed to complete about two-thirds. 

Christian Books: FAIL

Goal: 10+
Read: 6

These are the hardest to read for me, as they require reflection and thought, more than any other book.

Non-Fiction: COMPLETE

Goals: 10+  (One Evolution, One Non-Western or Translate, One Biography)
Read: 11

I read a Dawkins for Evolution, a Memoir by a Pakistani Woman, and a Biography of Sojourner Truth. As for the rest, it ranged from books on Japanese Culture to Keto Cookbooks.

Science Fiction / Fantasy: PARTIAL 

Goals: 20+ (Two Bujolds, 3 Grimdark, 5 Vintage, 1 Anthology, 1 Trilogy)
Read: 34

I managed all the small goals except the Trilogy. I only read the first two of Lewis's Space Trilogy. Although, for the Grimdark, I read Lawrence's Broken Empire Trilogy, so that could count.

Graphic Novel / Manga: PARTIAL

Goal: 20+ (Vampire Knight or Fruit Basket Series, Sage/Monstress/Magdalena, Own Not Library)
Read: 69

I read WAY more then I planned, but I didn't read the either Manga series, and all but Saga, Volume 1, came from the library (or were new purchases)

Classic / General Fiction: FAIL

Goal: 10+ (1 Persephone, 1 African-American Lit, 3 Non-Western/Translated)
Read: 9

I didn't read a Persephone or a African-American Lit, but I did read two translated or Non-Western works - more if you included Children's novels, which I didn't.

Young Adult / Children's: PARTIAL

Goal: 10+ (Last Two Ember Trilogy, 5 Newbery, 1 Pre-1950 Classic)
Read: 32

I didn't read the Pre-1950s book, or the Ember Trilogy, but I read 7 Newbery books, and 13 YA novels, many new authors to me.


All told, I'm mostly satisfied with my accomplishments. I wish I'd been more focused but given how rocky this year has been, it's a wonder I got anything read at all!