I was surprised to learn that it didn’t have a Newbery. I checked, and I loved the winner that year (The Grey King) and of the two runners up (which I’ve also read) I thought Dragonwings was very good and The Hundred Penny Box didn’t impress me at all.
Finished Transient and Strange: Notes on the Science of Life, by Nell Greenfieldboyce, which had a number of fascinating scientific anecdotes.
Now I’m reading The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho.
To be flippant (a bit) it didn’t win a Newbery because not enough animals died. Oh, the cat dies, but that’s offstage and approx eighty-seven years previous, and no one seems to much miss the cat anyway after all this time. And the horse and the toad don’t die, which is the whole point.
I’m not familiar with either the winner or the runners-up. Maybe I’ll give them a try.
Picked up Walking Across Egypt, a 1987 novel by Clyde Edgerton. A hundred years ago (well, a year or two before 1987) I read his first novel, Raney, which I remember liking very much. I never got around to reading this one; now’s the time. (Fun fact: I got this copy from a rural library in the next county over, and it still has the card with the signatures of the patrons who checked it out back when it was new, along with the due dates stamped in the lefthand column. It was checked out seven times in 1987, was given book number 20,674 by the library staff, and if it was returned late, heaven forfend, you owed the library one cent per day.)
Ditched at the halfway point. I’m bored.
I don’t know if it’s me or the books lately, I just can’t seem to plug in. Fortunately I still have plenty of stuff in the TBR pile.
I finished Alan Dean Foster’s novelization of Total Recall, which turned out to be much better than I expected, and better than the other Foster novelizations I read. He made some minor changes to the story that made it more coherent and which patched up some holes in the plot (he explained the lack of time delay in communications with Mars as being due to FTL communications). He even name-checked the original title of Philip K. Dick’s story (although he didn’t throw in any sly references to Sheckley’s Status Civilization). as any good novelization does, he provided considerably more background than we see in the film, and alludes to the fates pf people Quaid interacts with 9generally ot good for them).
Next up, Other Worlds of Clifford Simak. I’ve read a few of his other works, but I saw this for free on az giveaway table and decided I hadn’t read enough. The title is one of those confusing ones from the 1950s-60s that really only make sense if you know the history of publication. “The Other Worlds of Clifford Simak” actually sounds like a reasonably title for a collection of sf/fantasy stories. But there was originally a hardcover collection published in 1960 by Simon and Schuster entitled simply The Worlds of Clifford Simak. As often happens, when Avon published it in paperback they split it into two parts. The first was still entitled “THe Worlds of Clifford Simak”, with no suggestion that it contained only half the stories of the hardcover anthology. Those other stiories became the second paperback anthology “Ther Other Worlds of Clifford Simak”
It’s less confusing that the Isaac Asimov anthology that bothered me, Eight Stories from the Rest of the Robots. This was a paperback collections of eight short stories that had been published in the 1964 hardcover anthology The Rest of the Robots, which included two whole novels – The Caves of Steel and its sequel The Naked Sun. Avon thus got three paperbacks out of one hardcover. I think the “Rest of the Robots” title refers to Asimov’s fix-up novel I, Robot. In 1982 they published an anthology The Complete Robot, which wasn’t really complete, because it didn’t include the novels “I, Robot”, “The Caves of Steel”, and "The Naked Sun.
Confusing.
In any event, the Simak collection (remember that?) is unique in my experience, because it lists the titles of all the short stories in it on the cover. I can’t recall ever seeing that anywhere else. Collections will often list some (rarely all) of the contributing authors, but not list the titles. The only other case I know of where they did this was the paperback version of The Worlds of Clifford Simak.
I read Tuck Everlasting back in middle school in the 90s. All I remember is that I hated the ending (I wanted whatserface the main character to drink from the spring) and that’s where I learned how to tell if is storm is coming by watching the leaves on a tree.
Currently reading The Fragile Threads of Power by V.E. Schwab. It’s a follow up to her Shades of Magic series, which I loved. The first hundred pages or so are catching up on what everyone’s been doing for the last seven years, with frequent flash-backs and -forwards. Hopefully that’s ended now and the main plot will come out of the background and into the foreground.
FYI, The Grey King (by Susan Cooper) is part of a series beginning three books earlier, called The Dark Is Rising. (It starts with Over Sea, Under Stone.) That said, it was the first book I read in the series and I had no trouble following what was happening. (It’s also the best of the series, in my opinion.)
Finished The Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho, translated by Alan R. Clarke. Meh.
Also read a picture book called Tenacious: Fifteen Adventures Alongside Disabled Athletes, by Patty Cisneros Prevo, which is interesting with great illustrations by Dion MDB.
Now I’m reading Arrowsmith, by Sinclair Lewis.
Me too! My grandmother gave it to me, neither of us realized it was part of a series. In later years, I tracked down the others and didn’t think they were nearly as good.
I would agree with that opinion too. I loved this series as a teen, had to stop reading them as an adult because 50+ me having issues with … well nearly everything honestly.
Thanks for the info. I’ve heard of the series and probably could have named Cooper as the author, but I’ve never read it. It’s possible my wife read these books–she read quite a lot of YA and middle grade fiction–and mentioned them to me at some point, but I don’t really recall.
I finished Walking Across Egypt. Mattie is in her late sixties and lonely, and her kids are not showing any interest in giving her what she really wants: grandchildren. She becomes connected to a young man who has escaped from a juvenile justice facility; she keeps thinking about “the least of my people” and how the Bible calls her to help them. Let’s just say she’s a very…trusting woman.
The book is mildly funny, quite funny in places, and reasonably well written, but it’s very much a potato chip book, light on plot and not much for depth in the characters. Might’ve made a better short story. I liked Raney better, though who knows how well I’d like it if I were to read it again today.
Started this morning on Little Darlings by Melanie Golding, about a woman who believes her babies have been replaced by the fae.
Mickey 7 Edward Ashton
A sci-fi novel set on a distant, inhospitable planet with a struggling human colony. The setup is that one member of the colony is designated as an Expendable. He or she has their DNA and memory stored in a databank, and if they die, a new body is created and their identity restored, making them essentially immortal. The downside is that they have to do dangerous, often suicidal jobs.
There is a misunderstanding, and a new version of the Expendable is created even though the first is still alive, which is bad for a lot of reasons.
Entertaining book, with lots of morbid humor.
Hat tip to @Left_Hand_of_Dorkness who mentioned it in a previous thread.
Finished Fragile Threads of Power and I am working up a rant about it. The flashbacks did not end, they continued two-thirds of the way through the book where I gave up on it and started to skim. Seriously considering drop-kicking it down the stairs.
My book club is reading Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue. So far I like it, though the lack of quotation marks when people are speaking is messing with my “hearing”.
Finished Arrowsmith, by Sinclair Lewis, which I enjoyed for its satire. Babbitt (from Lewis’ Babbitt) makes an appearance and the Dodsworths from his later novel Dodsworth is mentioned in passing. I had no idea Lewis had a “Lewisverse”.
Now I’m reading Dressing the Part: Television’s Most Stylish Shows, by Hal Rubenstein.
Finished Dressing the Part: Television’s Most Stylish Shows, by Hal Rubenstein, which was okay.
Now I’m reading The Last Dance, an 87th Precinct mystery by Ed McBain.
It’s been a while so I got a lot. I’m on a nonfiction kick.
Introduction to Zen Buddhism - DT Suzuki
Damned near impenetrable. It is notable that this book, written in the 1920s, was the first English text to introduce Zen Buddhism to the West. I was unable to finish it, however, as it spends more time describing what Zen Buddhism is not than what it is.
Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind - Sunryu Suzuki
Much more accessible, this one was written in I believe the 50s as a compilation of the Zen Master’s many lectures. A fine introduction to Zen Buddhism. Lots of emphasis on proper zazen posture, however, which I don’t see happening a lot in the West.
The Essence of Chan: A guide to Life and Practice According to the Teachings of Bodhidharma - Geo Gu
I wanted this book to go more into the historical context of Boddhidharma, who is generally considered the grandfather of Zen and responsible for founding the practice in China. What it lacked in context it more than made up for in explaining Bodhidharma’s Treatise on the Two Entrances and Four Practices in very clear, easy-to-understand, relatable language. A good foundational book.
The Heart of Understanding: Commentaries on the Prajnaparamita Heart Sutra by Thich Naht Hanh
Nobody writes about Zen more accessibly or more beautifully than Thich Naht Hanh. He examines the foundational text of the Mind-Heart Sutra in extremely easy to understand language through a series of talks on emptiness. Highly recommended.
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
Absolutely fascinating anthropological look at the history of homo sapiens. I am learning so much from this book. It is highly accessible and quite humorous. A must-read for anyone interested in ancient history, evolution or anthropology.
Slow Productivity by Cal Newport
Cal Newport is my favorite productivity writer but I’m having a hard time with this one. His mantra of “Do fewer things, work slowly, obsess over quality” is a nice thought but not readily translatable for a large number of professionals, including knowledge workers. Maybe useful if you are an entrepreneur and don’t actually have a boss.
Japanese Death Poems by Yoel Hoffman
A really interesting look at the phenomenon of Japanese Death Poems throughout history (that is, the tradition of writing a final poem just before death.) It’s not just a compilation of poetry but a historical treatise on the form, often providing historical and personal context on each poet. Really cool book. I’m learning a lot. I find it oddly comforting so I read it just before I drop off to sleep. The natural imagery is lovely.
24/6 by Tiffany Shlain
In which the author proposes taking a weekly Sabbath from technology. It’s as strong a case as you’ll ever get. I have been doing the weekly Day of Rest for several weeks now and it’s great. Try it.
The Power of Fun by Catherine Price
I enjoyed reading this book, it’s humorous and original. I even kept a fun journal for a while per her recommendation. I have had a harder time implementing its specific idea of what fun is, though (which she defines as having all three elements: connection, flow and play.) I don’t know how much “fun” I really need in my life, as she says relaxing activities don’t count, but those activities are where I feel most satisfied. Maybe not the best book for introverts.
Finished The Last Dance, an 87th Precinct mystery by Ed McBain, which I enjoyed.
Now I’m reading Brushed Aside: The Untold Story of Women in Art, by Noah Charney.
I just finished Vita Nostra. It’s a Russian novel translated to English, and it’s almost like a “grown up” and more “philosophical” Harry Potter. It was really interesting and an engaging read…but one that also requires a lot of attention or else you’ll feel super lost with the “magic” system and the “twists” that come along the story. Solid 4/5 though.
Also currently listening to The Fellowship of the Ring read by Andy Serkis. I’ve never done any LOTR audiobooks so I’m having a blast. It’s taken me a long time to listen though, because after each chapter I listen to the corresponding analysis and commentary episodes put out by the Prancing Pony Podcast. I’m deeply invested in Middle-earth right now and sometimes it seems a better place than the world I’m currently living in.
I remember liking Arrowsmith – I read it back in college when I was on a Sinclair Lewis run. I always thought Lewis was underappreciated as a satirist. Of course, he wouldn’t have known subtlety if it had hit him in the face.
I gave up on two books, which turned out to be more alike than I suspected, after about 100 pages each. I kept waiting for something to happen in No One Can Know by Kate Alice Marshall. Nothing did. Oh, we kept getting told that everybody had major, Major, MAJOR secrets, just WAIT till we find out what they are!!, but boy did that get old fast. Our own @Dung_Beetle didn’t finish it either, and maybe I shouldn’t have started based on that unrecommendation; but I’d already requested it from the library based on someone else’s recommendation. Oh well, live and learn.
And I tried Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn. Which was worse. I made it to an entirely gratuitous scene where the messed-up reporter in her thirties does drugs with her equally messed-up thirteen-year-old half-sister at a typical teen drug party in her old home town. I decided I really wasn’t interested in these people and noped out of it then and there. (I’m pretty sure I figured out who was responsible for the two murders in the book, anyway, and 99% sure I know how the reporter’s other sister died.)
I usually give a book about 50 pages (I think that’s @Elendil_s_Heir’s rule of thumb too), and these went longer; but I really didn’t have any difficulty cutting the rope after 100+ in each. Disappointing, but there you are. Maybe it’s me.