mathgirl40's 2015 Category Challenge -- Part 2

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mathgirl40's 2015 Category Challenge -- Part 2

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1mathgirl40
juny 14, 2015, 8:58 am

This is Part 2 of my challenge. You can find Part 1 here:
http://www.librarything.com/topic/182086

Here are my categories for 2015:

1. Canadian Awards
2. International Awards
3. SF Awards
4. Classics and 1001 books
5. Dust Collectors
6. Plays
7. Short Stories
8. Non-fiction
9. Historical fiction
10. Nordic mysteries
11. Other mysteries
12. Fantasy doorstoppers
13. Space Opera
14. Classic SF
15. Horror

In 2014, I finished with days to spare, so I'm going to make it easier for myself in 2015 by requiring a minimum of 5 in each category.




I'll be tracking again the books off my shelves:


2mathgirl40
Editat: oct. 25, 2015, 10:31 pm

Category 1: Canadian Awards



This category will include nominees for and winners of various Canadian literary awards, including the Ontario Library Association's Evergreen list, the Giller Prize and Canada Reads.

1. Ru by Kim Thúy (Feb. 10)
2. Lullabies for Little Criminals by Heather O'Neill (Feb. 12)
3. The Lobster Kings by Alex Zentner (Mar. 13)
4. Medicine Walk by Richard Wagamese (June 10)
5. The Girl Who Was Saturday Night (July 1)
6. Who by Fire by Fred Stenson (Sept. 14)
7. Little Bastards in Springtime by Katya Rudolph (Oct. 8)

Category 2: International Awards



This category will include nominees for and winners of international literary awards, including the Tournament of Books and the Man Booker Prize.

1. Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel (Jan. 17)
2. Silence Once Begun by Jesse Ball (Jan. 19)
3. Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer (Jan. 25)
4. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (Jan. 28)
5. The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell (Mar. 7)
6. Department of Speculation by Jenny Offill (Mar. 10)
7. Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood (Mar. 29)
8. Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng (Apr. 3)
9. What's Bred in the Bone by Robertson Davies (June 6)
10. The Fishermen by Chigozie Obioma (Aug. 25)

3mathgirl40
Editat: oct. 25, 2015, 10:31 pm

Category 3: Science Fiction and Fantasy Awards



This category will include nominees for and winners of SFF awards such as the Hugo and Nebula awards.

1. All Clear by Connie Willis (Jan. 11)
2. The Martian by Andy Weir (Feb. 5)
3. Ancillary Sword by Ann Leckie (Apr. 25)
4. Ms. Marvel, Vol. 1: No Normal by G. Willow Wilson and Adrian Alphona (May 22)
5. Mindscan by Robert Sawyer (June 3)
6. The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu (June 16)
7. City of Stairs by Robert Jackson Bennett (June 23)
8. The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addision (July 9)
9. Lock In by John Scalzi (August 19)
10. My Real Children by Jo Walton (Sept. 3)
11. Blindsight by Peter Watts (Sept. 16)
12. The Peripheral by William Gibson (Oct. 4)
13. Little Brother by Cory Doctorow (Oct. 12)
14. Echopraxia by Peter Watts

4mathgirl40
Editat: des. 17, 2015, 10:25 pm

Category 4: Classics and books from the 1001 list



1. The Children's Book by A. S. Byatt (Jan. 31)
2. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston (Feb. 27)
3. At the Mountains of Madness by H. P. Lovecraft (Feb. 22)
4. Cat's Cradle by Kurt Vonnegut (May 25)
5. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen (June 14)
6. Solaris by Stanislaw Lem (Aug. 6)
7. The Shining by Stephen King (Aug. 8)
8. Emma by Jane Austen (Aug. 27)
9. Cheese by Willem Elsschot (Nov. 2)
10. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (Nov. 13)
11. Persuasion by Jane Austen (Dec. 16)

5mathgirl40
Editat: des. 17, 2015, 10:25 pm

Category 5: Dust Collectors



1. The Chez Piggy Cookbook by Rose Richardson (Mar. 11)
2. Lovesick by Alex Wellen (Mar. 25)
3. Call Me Hope by Gretchen Olsen (Apr. 7)
4. The Once and Future King by T. H. White (May 3)
5. Henry: Virtuous Prince by David Starkey (June 18)
6. The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury (August 29)
7. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes (Sept. 20)
8. Paris 1919 by Margaret MacMillan (Dec. 14)

6mathgirl40
Editat: des. 29, 2015, 6:45 pm

Category 6: Plays



1. The Three Theban Plays by Sophocles (Jan. 26)
2. Hamlet by William Shakespeare (July 3)
3. Three Restoration Comedies edited by Gamini Salgado (Aug. 2)
4. A Man for All Seasons by Robert Bolt (Dec. 3)
5. Three Plays: Juno and the Paycock, the Shadow of a Gunman, the Plough and the Stars by Sean O'Casey (Dec. 25)

7mathgirl40
Editat: oct. 25, 2015, 10:34 pm

Category 7: Short Stories


Artwork by Tom Gauld for The Guardian

1. Winner Take Nothing by Ernest Hemingway (Jan. 15)
2. Great Classic Hauntings (Mar. 3)
3. Pump Six and Other Stories by Paolo Bacigalupi (Mar. 31)
4. Campus Chills (Apr. 10)
5. Tesseracts 17 (July 22)
6. N'evermore! (Sept. 7)
7. Juliet was a Surprise (Sept. 22)
8. Dreams Underfoot by Charles de Lint (Oct. 22)
9. The Apex Book of World SF 4 (Oct. 23)

8mathgirl40
Editat: des. 10, 2015, 9:01 pm

Category 8: Non-fiction



1. I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai (Jan. 6)
2. The Urban Picnic by John Burns and Elisabeth Caton (Feb. 3)
3. Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman (Mar. 27)
4. Forgiveness by Mark Sakamoto (Apr. 16)
5. Between Gods: A Memoir by Alison Pick (May 13)
6. Collapse: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed by Jared Diamond (May 31)
7. The Emperor of All Maladies by Siddhartha Mukherjee (August 11)
8. This Changes Everything by Naomi Klein (Sept. 12)
9. The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs (Nov. 24)

9mathgirl40
Editat: nov. 28, 2015, 9:39 pm

Category 9: Historical Fiction



1. Child Royal by D. K. Broster (Feb. 8)
2. Somewhere in France by Jennifer Robson (Mar. 9)
3. The Yellow Poppy by D. K. Broster (Apr. 13)
4. The Tale of Murasaki by Liza Dalby (Apr. 29)
5. "Mr. Rowl" by D. K. Broster (July 5)
6. River of Smoke by Amitav Ghosh (Sept. 28)
7. The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton (Nov. 20)

10mathgirl40
Editat: des. 29, 2015, 6:49 pm

Category 10: Nordic Mysteries



1. Before the Frost by Henning Mankell (Apr. 23)
2. The Locked Room by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö (May 21)
3. The Troubled Man by Henning Mankell (June 25)
4. The Devil's Star by Jo Nesbo (Nov. 1)
5. The Man from Beijing by Henning Mankell (Nov. 11)
6. The Redeemer by Jo Nesbo (Dec. 18)

11mathgirl40
Editat: des. 29, 2015, 6:47 pm

Category 11: Other Mysteries



1. The Killings at Badger's Drift by Caroline Graham (Mar. 18)
2. The Nursing Home Murder by Ngaio Marsh (May 15)
3. The Shape of Water by Andrea Camilleri (June 20)
4. Peril at End House by Agatha Christie (August 12)
5. The Terra-Cotta Dog by Andrea Camilleri (August 23)
6. Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith (Sept. 15)
7. Strip Jack by Ian Rankin (Sept. 27)
8. The Nature of the Beast by Louise Penny (Oct. 14)
9. No Safe House by Linwood Barclay (Dec. 4)
10. An English Murder by Cyril Hare (Dec. 23)

12mathgirl40
Editat: des. 29, 2015, 6:47 pm

Category 12: Fantasy Doorstoppers



1. The Wise Man's Fears by Patrick Rothfuss (Apr. 11)
2. The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson (July 19)
3. A Dance with Dragons by George R. R. Martin (Oct. 16)
4. The Great Hunt by Robert Jordan (Nov. 17)
5. Anathem by Neal Stephenson (Dec. 22)

13mathgirl40
Editat: des. 13, 2015, 6:40 pm

Category 13: Space Opera



1. Saga, Volume 3 by Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples (May 28)
2. Mirror Dance by Lois McMaster Bujold (June 4)
3. Conflict of Honors by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (August 15)
4. Carpe Diem by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (Nov. 6)
5. Memory by Lois McMaster Bujold (Dec. 10)

14mathgirl40
Editat: gen. 1, 2016, 4:24 pm

Category 14: Classic Science Fiction



1. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick (Feb. 9)
2. The Caves of Steel by Isaac Asimov (Feb. 18)
3. More than Human by Theodore Sturgeon (Mar. 23)
4. Double Star by Robert A. Heinlein (August 17)
5. The Forever War by Joe Haldeman (August 31)
6. I Robot by Isaac Asimov (Dec. 29)

15mathgirl40
Editat: oct. 9, 2015, 5:43 pm

Category 15: Horror



1. Symbiont by Mira Grant (Feb. 11)
2. Horns by Joe Hill (Feb. 17)
3. Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix (Mar. 16)
4. Morning Glories, Volume 1 by Nick Spencer and Joe Eisma (Apr. 4)
5. Omens by Kelley Armstrong (May 4)
6. Four and Twenty Blackbirds by Cherie Priest (Oct. 2)
7. I am Legend by Richard Matheson (Oct. 4)

16mathgirl40
Editat: gen. 1, 2016, 4:25 pm

Other books that don't fit in the 15 categories:

1. Soulless by Gail Carriger (Jan. 21)
2. The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey (Jan. 29)
3. Storm Front by Jim Butcher (Apr. 19)
4. Susannah of the Yukon by Muriel Denison (May 7)
5. Shadow Scale by Rachel Hartman (May 11)
6. Mirror Empire by Kameron Hurley (May 26)
7. Sailing to Sarantium by Guy Gavriel Kay (June 29)
8. Carousel Sun by Sharon Lee (July 13)
9. We Are All Made of Molecules by Susin Nielsen (July 15)
10. The Absolutely True Story of a Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie (July 24)
11. The Lives of Tao by Wesley Chu (July 25)
12. The Affinities by Robert Charles Wilson (July 28)
13. 1632 by Eric Flint (August 5)
14. Infernal Devices by K. W. Jeter (August 9)
15. The Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin (Sept. 9)
16. Touch by Claire North (Sept. 18)
17. Bryony and Roses by T. Kingfisher (Sept. 29)
18. 1633 by Eric Flint and David Weber (Oct. 15)
19. An Equal Music by Vikram Seth (Oct. 24)
20. Fool Moon by Jim Butcher (Oct. 27)
21. Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire (Oct. 30)
22. The Calculus Affair by Hergé (Nov. 7)
23. The Warlord of the Air by Michael Moorcock (Nov. 26)
24. Uprooted by Naomi Novik (Nov. 29)
25. One Day by David Nicholls (Dec. 7)
26. Norwegian Wood by Harumi Murakami (Dec. 27)
27. Visions by Kelley Armstrong (Dec. 31)

17mathgirl40
juny 14, 2015, 9:06 am

I'll start the new thread with a book from one of my favourite authors.



61. Mirror Dance by Lois McMaster Bujold (5 stars)
Category: Space Opera

I could not give this less than 5 stars because I could not find a single fault with the book, except possibly the lack of extensive world-building that's a big part of many other Vorkosigan books, such as Cetaganda. (I hesitate to call that a fault, as the book relies on the world-building that took place in previous novels. Note that this is not a good Vorkosigan book to read as a standalone.) Everything else that is part of good space opera is present. There is excellent exploration of characters, especially the complicated relationship between Miles and Mark, as well as themes such as cloning and other bioethic issues. It was interesting to read this book immediately after Robert Sawyer's Mindscan, which tackles similar topics. This novel also has plenty of the adventure and humour I've come to expect from this series.

18rabbitprincess
juny 14, 2015, 12:03 pm

Happy new thread! I'm reading The Nursing Home Murder right now. :)

19-Eva-
juny 14, 2015, 7:42 pm

Thanks for that heads-up - I just noticed that my library has both volumes 1 and 2 of Ms. Marvel and the third one on order. I love my library!

20lkernagh
Editat: juny 14, 2015, 9:45 pm

Stopping by with hellos and happy new thread!

Getting caught up with all I have been missing over the past number of weeks. A nice onslaught of book reviews on your previous thread. You have caught my eye with The Locked Room - I love locked-room mysteries!

21DeltaQueen50
juny 15, 2015, 1:13 pm

I have fallen behind with my Vorkosigan reading but have at least one planned for the August SFFFCat. It's good to know the series continues to be first rate!

22mamzel
juny 16, 2015, 2:33 pm

Happy new thread! One of these days I must immerse myself in those Vorkosigan books. I'm afraid that I may get addicted to them (like book crack) to the exclusion of everything else!

23thornton37814
juny 18, 2015, 8:49 pm

Happy New Thread!

24mathgirl40
juny 18, 2015, 10:18 pm

>18 rabbitprincess: I'll be interested in hearing what you think of The Nursing Home Murder. Even though I didn't care for it so much, a friend who's a fellow Ngaio Marsh fan borrowed my copy right after I finished with it and loved it.

>19 -Eva-: I love my library too! :)

>20 lkernagh: If you like locked room mysteries, I think you'll enjoy this one. The authors seemed to be having fun with this idea.

>21 DeltaQueen50: The series gets better and better. I'm looking forward to reading Memory next.

>22 mamzel: It's strange to say it, but I don't find the Vorkosigan books addictive, and I mean that in a good way. Most of the books work really well as standalone stories (with the exception of this last one, as I mentioned above). The endings are very satisfying so I don't feel an immediate need to grab the next one. Instead, I am happy to take my time with each book and not rush through the series.

>23 thornton37814: Thank you, Lori!

25mathgirl40
juny 18, 2015, 10:23 pm



62. What's Bred in the Bone by Robertson Davies (5 stars)
Category: International Literary Awards

This Booker-nominated book is the second in Davies's Cornish trilogy but it's essentially a standalone story. Characters from the first book make appearances, but in very minor roles. It follows the life of art connoisseur Francis Cornish and the narrative is cleverly framed by commentary from the Recording Angel and a daimon who oversees his life. If you are interested in fine art or the history and culture of early 20th century Canada, you will find lots to love in this book. It is entertaining, moving, witty and full of fascinating art-related details. Davies is one of my favourite authors. I find his stories so edifying and fun to read at the same time.

26mathgirl40
juny 18, 2015, 10:40 pm

It's extremely unusual for me to have three 5-star reviews in a row. It's been a very good reading month so far!



63. Medicine Walk by Richard Wagamese (5 stars)
Category: Canadian Literary Awards

This is one of the books from the Ontario Library Association's Evergreen list, and I think it is a strong contender to win, though it faces tough competition from Station Eleven. I feel Richard Wagamese is an extremely underrated writer, though he is now getting much more attention after Indian Horse had been selected for Canada Reads in 2013. I thought Indian Horse was magnificent, but I believe Medicine Walk is even better.

Medicine Walk is the story of Franklin Starlight, a young man who makes a journey into the BC back-country with his estranged and dying alcoholic father. The story is powerful and moving and Wagamese's descriptions of interior British Columbia make me want to go there and see it for myself. Wagamese manages to convey in his novels the huge challenges faced by First Nations people without being preachy, and he also succeeds in showing what's most beautiful about their culture and history. I am particularly impressed by the dialogue in his novels; the characters convey so very much in simple straightforward language.

27AHS-Wolfy
juny 19, 2015, 6:02 am

Congratulations! Three 5 star reviews in a row for your new thread. Quite an achievement.

28RidgewayGirl
juny 19, 2015, 8:43 am

I'll keep my eye out for Richard Wagamese's books.

29mathgirl40
juny 19, 2015, 9:35 am

>27 AHS-Wolfy: Thanks! This month looks to be filled with really good stuff, perhaps not all 5-star reads but very good books all the same.

>28 RidgewayGirl: I'd love to hear what you think of them. I've been impressed by everything I've read by Wagamese.

I celebrated my 6th Thingaversary a couple of days ago. While the idea of buying 6 or 7 books to commemorate this event was really tempting, it felt foolhardy to do so, given my increasingly large TBR piles (both print and digital).

Instead, I treated myself to a single book, a digital copy of Robert Charles Wilson's new novel, The Affinities. I'll have to wait until I get through my Hugo Voter Packet reading before I start this one, but I'm looking forward to it, as I really like Wilson's writing.

30lkernagh
juny 19, 2015, 9:37 am

Nice review of Medicine Walk. I haven't read any of Waganese's books yet, although I do own a copy of Indian Horse.

31mathgirl40
juny 25, 2015, 10:39 pm

>30 lkernagh: Thanks, Lori. I'd be interested to hear what you think of Indian Horse when you get to it. I thought it was great, but the subject material is quite disturbing. I found Medicine Walk an easier read.

32mathgirl40
juny 25, 2015, 10:56 pm



64. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen (4.5 stars)
Group read: Jane Austen

I'd read Sense and Sensibility years ago and had watched Ang Lee's film adaptation several times. I'd forgotten how humorous Austen's books can be. She really is a master of irony and sarcasm. There are many similarities to Pride and Prejudice. This novel is not as good as P&P and the humour is less subtle, but it's a wonderful work all the same. My one complaint about both works is that siblings, as well as parents and children, are often so different from one another that it seems implausible. Austen clearly did not subscribe to either the "nature" or the "nurture" theory!

I really like the film adaptation, though Hugh Grant doesn't match my own picture of Edward Ferrars. However, I thought Alan Rickman was absolutely perfect as Colonel Brandon.

33christina_reads
juny 27, 2015, 5:35 pm

>32 mathgirl40: I've been thinking about the sibling issue as well! As you say, neither "nature" nor "nurture" seems to be at play when it comes to Austen's characters. Those Bennet sisters, for example -- how did that happen?! Although I guess in their case, it makes a little more sense…Elizabeth clearly takes after her father, while Lydia is 100% her mother's daughter.

34-Eva-
juny 28, 2015, 6:37 pm

>25 mathgirl40:
It's on my Mt. TBR and the plan was to read it this year, but we'll have to see.

35mathgirl40
jul. 7, 2015, 9:40 pm

>33 christina_reads: You'd think that Lydia would have acquired even a little bit of sense from her father, but that would have made the story a lot less interesting. :)

>34 -Eva-: Maybe next year, then? I wonder if there would be any interest in a Robertson Davies group read. I'd love to reread the Salterton trilogy next year.

36mathgirl40
jul. 7, 2015, 9:54 pm



65. The Three Body Problem by Cixin Liu (4 stars)

I had high expectations of this Hugo nominee, a hard science-fiction novel written by a Chinese author and translated by Ken Liu, a very good writer himself. The novel didn't quite live up to its hype, but I enjoyed it very much all the same. The ideas are bold and original, if somewhat far-fetched. There is little depth in the characters and I found some of the language awkward, but that's probably due to the difficulties inherent in translation. Overall, I found this novel an interesting read, if only because it was my first foray into science fiction from China.

37mathgirl40
jul. 7, 2015, 10:15 pm

I'm continuing to work through my Hugo Voter Packet and have sampled (very briefly) a few works from the Sad/Rabid Puppies slates. Some are OK, but many are terrible; a few are downright offensive. I won't bother going into detail, but I'm disappointed that this year's attempted take-over of the Hugo awards has given us such mixed quality in the Hugo packet. I don't really feel motivated to read much of the short fiction at all.

On a brighter note, I made a wonderful discovery today. I found out that the Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Association, which gives out the Aurora Awards, also offers a similar Voter Packet to members, and membership is a ridiculously low $10. (Unfortunately, this is available to Canadian citizens only.)

I couldn't resist joining, so now my TBR list has grown tremendously. It was a good year for Canadian SFF (see the nominees here). The shortlist for the novel category includes new works by William Gibson, Jo Walton, Peter Watts, Tanya Huff and Julie E. Czerneda. The YA category includes works by Charles de Lint and Kelley Armstrong, and the graphic novel category features Jeff Lemire. I'm not familiar with the short-fiction nominees, but I'm hoping they'll be an improvement over the Puppy-dominated Hugo choices.

38rabbitprincess
jul. 7, 2015, 10:22 pm

>35 mathgirl40: I'd be interested in a Robertson Davies group read next year. This year was supposed to be when I finally read my copy of the Cornish trilogy, and that didn't end up happening.

39mathgirl40
jul. 7, 2015, 10:40 pm

>38 rabbitprincess: Nice to know there's some interest! I'll propose this when we get around to organizing for next year.

40RidgewayGirl
jul. 8, 2015, 4:44 am

>35 mathgirl40: Maybe a Robertson Davies month or quarter? But I'm in for the group read - I always love his books when I read them, but never pick them up unless I'm prodded.

41mathgirl40
jul. 9, 2015, 10:23 pm

>40 RidgewayGirl: My first thought was a Robertson Davies month. However, a quarter might be convenient for anyone wanting to read an entire trilogy, with one book per month.

42mathgirl40
Editat: jul. 9, 2015, 10:32 pm



66. Henry: Virtuous Prince by David Starkey (4 stars)
Category: Dust Collector
Challenges: HistoryCAT

This biography of Henry VIII covers the early part of his life. It's quite easy to read but still provides a reasonable level of detail. This book gives a solid foundation on which to understand Henry VIII's later life. However, one can't get around the fact that the big events of Henry's life, or at least the ones that have fascinated us so much, happened outside of the time frame covered in this book. Starkey's writing is straightforward and not particularly exciting or entertaining. At the same time, it's nice to read an account of Henry's life that's likely to be accurate and not highly embellished.

43mathgirl40
Editat: jul. 9, 2015, 10:32 pm



67. The Shape of Water by Andrea Camilleri (3.5 stars)
Category: Other Mysteries
Challenges: RandomCAT

This was a nice quick-to-read mystery set in an interesting locale, the island of Sicily. It is the first book in the Inspector Montalbano series. Though there is a fair amount of grittiness to the story, it felt like a fun and light read. Many aspects of this novel reminded me of Maj and Sjöwall's Martin Beck series, but with a main character that, to me, is rather more accessible and likeable. The story, though decent enough for a police procedural, was not particularly memorable but it was good enough entertainment that I will be happy to read more books in the series.

44AHS-Wolfy
jul. 10, 2015, 6:22 am

>43 mathgirl40:

Many aspects of this novel reminded me of Maj and Sjöwall's Martin Beck series

I guess that seals it. Definitely going to have to get to this series at some point soon.

45DeltaQueen50
jul. 10, 2015, 3:24 pm

>43 mathgirl40: I, too, just finished The Shape of Water and have been hooked by this series!

46-Eva-
jul. 13, 2015, 10:32 pm

>35 mathgirl40:
I'd be in for a group read. A quarter read would be great though since I want to get through a whole trilogy (or maybe two...). :)

>43 mathgirl40:
Yep, BB taken here too!

47mathgirl40
jul. 14, 2015, 10:12 pm

>44 AHS-Wolfy: >45 DeltaQueen50: I'd read that Camilleri had said in an interview that he was influenced by Maj and Sjöwall, so I guess it's not surprising to see the similarities.

>46 -Eva-: I might have to go for two trilogies two, as I'll have a hard time deciding between Deptford and Salterton. That's assuming I finish the third book in the Cornish trilogy this year ... and I just remembered I have Murther and Walking Spirits on my bookshelf.

48mathgirl40
jul. 14, 2015, 10:23 pm



68. City of Stairs by Robert Bennett Jackson (4.5 stars)
Category: SFF Awards

The Best Novel shortlist for the 2015 World Fantasy Awards was announced recently and I was not surprised to see this book on the list. This novel, about a young woman investigating the murder of her former mentor, is very ambitious. Apart from the fantasy and mystery elements, there are also complex political and religious themes. The setting, which involves two antagonistic societies living in a perpetually shifting city, reminded me somewhat of China Mieville's The City and the City. I couldn't help comparing this book to The Mirror Empire, another recently published fantasy novel with ambitious themes. While both novels feature complex and interesting worlds, I found that City of Stairs was so much more readable, with characters that had depth.

49AHS-Wolfy
jul. 15, 2015, 5:56 am

>48 mathgirl40: Second good review that I've seen recently for City of Stairs (Pete's was the other). Almost picked it up yesterday and now wishing that I did. Then I'd just have the problem of actually getting around to reading it.

50mathgirl40
jul. 15, 2015, 10:36 pm

>49 AHS-Wolfy: I agree with much of what Pete said about City of Stairs, and yes, I too suffer from the problem of trying to get around to reading all those books I own. :)

51mathgirl40
jul. 15, 2015, 10:45 pm



69. The Troubled Man by Henning Mankell (4 stars)
Category: Nordic Mysteries
Challenges: RandomCAT

The final book in the Wallander series, this novel is both a complex story of espionage as well as a retrospective of Wallander's career and personal life. Large portions of the novel are devoted to Wallader's relationships to the significant people in his life. I hesitate to recommend this book to readers not familiar with the series, as they might find the non-mystery aspects of the novel tedious. However, fans of the series will probably enjoy this book very much, as I did.

52mathgirl40
Editat: jul. 16, 2015, 9:41 pm



70. Sailing to Sarantium by Guy Gavriel Kay (4 stars)
Category: Miscellaneous
Challenges: SFFCAT

For June's SFFCAT, I finished this alternate history novel inspired by 6th century Byzantium, according to Kay. In this story, a mosaicist travels to the big city of Sarantium at the request of his emperor and finds himself caught in a web of politics and intrigue. I did not like this book as much as some of Kay's other work, but I'm finding it difficult to assess it, as it's the first half of a duology and stops somewhat abruptly. I may look on the book differently after I finish The Lord of Emperors. Having said that, an "average" Kay book is still very, very good, much better than most in the fantasy genre.

53mathgirl40
jul. 19, 2015, 6:51 pm



71. The Girl Who Was Saturday Night by Heather O'Neill (4 stars)
Category: Canadian Awards

This book by the author of Lullabies for Little Criminals was shortlisted for the Canadian Giller Prize. Like the earlier novel, this one is set in a working-class neighbourhood of Montreal and exhibits the same combination of grittiness and humour. Nouschka, the narrator, is a young woman trying to make a future for herself, while hampered by difficult and complicated relationships with her famous musician father, her twin brother and her husband. All this happens while Quebec itself is struggling with its own identity issues and quest for independence. O'Neill has a truly unique voice and I look forward to her future work.

54mathgirl40
jul. 22, 2015, 9:32 pm



72. Hamlet by William Shakespeare (4.5 stars)
Category: Plays
Challenges: HistoryCAT

What can I say about this play that hasn't already been said? In rereading it, I was struck by the huge influence it has had on the English language. So many phrases from the play have embedded themselves into our everyday speech. Hamlet is a fascinating study of character and really ought to be read and seen on the stage by all Shakespeare enthusiasts. However, I can't quite give it 5 stars because there are long and challenging passages and frankly, it's not among my favourite Shakespearean plays.

I had reread this shortly before seeing it at the (Canadian) Stratford Festival. I went with several friends and we had two teenagers with us, my own 16-year-old daughter and a 17-year-old. After I bought the tickets, I developed some doubts about inviting the girls when I realized that Hamlet is the longest of Shakespeare's plays and this particular production is one set in a more modern time, which doesn't always go over well with spectators. Although the two girls were familiar with Shakespeare, I wondered if I should have chosen a more kid-friendly play. Well, I needn't have worried. Both girls loved everything about the show -- the story, the acting and the staging. They were more enthusiastic about it than the adults! I had once thought that Shakespeare is better appreciated by older readers, and that one shouldn't insist on having it taught in high school. Now, I believe that it's good to experience Shakespeare in one's youth, and then re-experience it again (and again) as one grows older.

55mathgirl40
Editat: jul. 22, 2015, 10:00 pm

I'm way behind on my reviews. We're mostly through July and I'm just doing my June summary. How embarrassing!

Books read: 12 (out of 72 in all)
Books from my shelf: 6 (out of 26 in all)
Challenges: SFFCAT, HistoryCAT, RandomCAT

Favourite books: Medicine Walk by Richard Wagamese and Mirror Dance by Lois McMaster Bujold

This was a month of exceptionally good books! I had several 5-star reads and even the lowest rated book was still very enjoyable. I also did very well with reading my older books off my shelf.

Actually, I did read, or at least sample briefly, a few awful works (mainly the ones from the controversial Rabid Puppies slate) from my Hugo Voter Packet, but decided they didn't deserve a full review. The short story Totaled by Kary English wasn't bad, but the other short fiction didn't look all that appealing. I read excerpts from a couple of John Wright's works. His writing is not terrible, but I disagree with half of what he says and can't figure out where he's going with the other half. The absolute worst was Wisdom From My Internet by Michael Z. Williamson. Much of the content was offensive, and not even related to science fiction. Why it was nominated for a science-fiction award for Best Related Work is beyond me.

There were some gems in the packet, though, including some I've already reviewed and others I'll be reviewing shortly, including The Goblin Emperor which I thought was terrific.

56mathgirl40
ag. 1, 2015, 4:46 pm



73. "Mr. Rowl" by Dorothy Broster (4 stars)
Category: Historical Fiction

This is a historical adventure/romance (with much more emphasis on the adventure part), about a French officer, Raoul des Sablieres, captured by the English and on parole in an small town. "Mr. Rowl", as he is called by his English acquaintances, ends up in prison due to the malice of a jealous rival and that's just the beginning of his exciting journey, which includes a number of humorous moments. I've become a fan of Broster's novels. They are very entertaining reads.

57mathgirl40
ag. 1, 2015, 4:50 pm



74. The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison (5 stars)
Category: SFF Awards
Challenges: SFFCAT

This coming-of-age novel in a fantasy setting is my favourite book from the Hugo Best Novel nominees. When the emperor of the elves and his eldest sons die as a result of sabotage, his youngest son, who is half goblin, returns from exile and must learn to rule his empire from a court whose customs are foreign to him. This novel has so much going for it: wonderfully complex characters, excellent world-building, a page-turning story, and lovely flowing prose. Compared to the other Hugo nominees, it's not a particularly innovative or thought-provoking book, but reading it was such an enjoyable experience!

I discovered that Katherine Addison is a pseudonym of Sarah Monette. I will have to seek out more of her books.

58mathgirl40
ag. 1, 2015, 4:56 pm



75. Carousel Sun by Sharon Lee (3.5 stars)
Category: Miscellaneous
Challenges: RandomCAT

I'm somewhat surprised by how much I enjoyed this book and its predecessor, Carousel Tides. The writing is not remarkable, but there's a certain charm to this urban fantasy series, which features a number of interesting and quirky characters. The setting, a small-town fair on the coast of Maine, has a lot to do with the appeal and makes this novel a really good summer-vacation read.

59rabbitprincess
ag. 1, 2015, 6:18 pm

>56 mathgirl40: Hee hee, I like how the quotation marks are part of the title :)

60mathgirl40
ag. 2, 2015, 5:39 pm

>59 rabbitprincess: Agreed, but unfortunately, they don't show up in the LT entry.

61mathgirl40
Editat: ag. 4, 2015, 10:39 pm



76. We Are All Made of Molecules by Susin Nielsen (4.5 stars)
Category: Miscellaneous

Nielsen is one of my favourite YA authors. She has memorable, quirky characters and her books deal with difficult middle-school and high-school issues with humour and sensitivity. This book has dual narrators, a girl and a boy brought reluctantly into a blended family when their divorced mother and widowed father decide to move in together. Bullying, homosexuality, grief and nerdiness are all examined, sometimes in really hilarious situations. Best of all, there is a cameo featuring characters from Word Nerd, my favourite Nielsen book.

62mathgirl40
ag. 4, 2015, 10:32 pm



77. The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson (4.5 stars)
Category: Fantasy Doorstoppers

The Way of Kings is a truly epic fantasy novel. This first book of Sanderson's planned 10-book series is incredibly long, with over 1000 pages. However, unlike other fantasy doorstoppers I've read recently, this one had the complexity in the plotlines and characters to keep my interest all the way through. Well, there was one tediously long battle scene, but otherwise, the novel lives up to its reputation. I hope to read the next book in the series before the third one is published (supposedly late next year). Sanderson seems to be a much faster writer than some fantasy novelists like G. R. R. Martin, so I don't doubt that the book will appear as scheduled.

I started reading this book in print but then discovered my library had the audiobook, which was perfect for several long car trips I had to undertake in the past few weeks. The narration was very good, but I have one major complaint. The audiobook alternated between a male and female narrator, and they used different pronunciations of a major character's name, which I found very annoying. It's bad enough when this occurs with different books in a series, but this is the first time I've encountered the problem within one book.

63mathgirl40
ag. 8, 2015, 6:57 pm



78. Tesseracts Seventeen: Speculating Canada from Coast to Coast (3 stars)
Category: Short Stories

This anthology is a mixed bag of speculative fiction, encompassing horror, fantasy and science fiction. I often enjoy SFF anthologies even if the quality of offerings are varied, but this one seemed particularly unfocussed. The common theme is "Canada Coast to Coast" and that would have been OK, but many of the stories did not seem particularly Canadian in flavour, apart from the fact that their authors are Canadian. There were a few I particularly enjoyed, including ones written by Edward Willetts, Mark Leslie and Lisa Poh.

64mathgirl40
ag. 8, 2015, 7:05 pm



79. The Absolutely True Story of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (5 stars)
Category: Miscellaneous

This is an exceptional book and I wish every teenager could read it. I really enjoyed the reading experience and given that it is semi-autobiographical, I thought it was very inspirational. An awful lot has been said about this book and there are some excellent reviews on LT, so I don't think I can add anything more. It's too bad that it's still considered controversial and not accepted in some North American high schools.

65mamzel
ag. 17, 2015, 6:07 pm

I always present this book to my students. The part where he finds his mother's name in his math book just broke my heart. I present it with the nonfiction book Counting Coup: a True Story of Basketball and Honor on the Little Big Horn.

66mathgirl40
ag. 17, 2015, 9:31 pm

>65 mamzel: Thanks for the pointer to Counting Coup. This looks like a good companion to Alexie's book.

67mathgirl40
ag. 17, 2015, 9:33 pm



80. The Lives of Tao by Wesley Chu (3.5 stars)
Category: SFF Awards
Challenges: SFFCAT

Wesley Chu was nominated for the Campbell award for new SFF writers last year and again this year. This novel, the first in a trilogy, was part of last year's Hugo Voter Packet. The writing is straightforward and not particularly sophisticated but definitely shows promise. Chu is a good storyteller, and this novel, a coming-of-age story about how an overweight underachiever turns into an alien-fighting ninja spy, is very entertaining and funny. It's wonderful escapist reading and fortunately, its sequel is part of this year's Hugo Voter Packet so I already have it on my (electronic) bookshelf.

68mathgirl40
ag. 17, 2015, 9:38 pm



81. The Affinities by Robert Charles Wilson (4 stars)
Category: Miscellaneous

This novel has received mixed reviews from readers, and one reason is that it is arguably not science fiction, the genre that one normally associates with Robert Charles Wilson. Wilson describes a near-future world in which certain people are invited to join "affinities", social groups whose members share common personality traits. Some of these groups exert a great deal of power, leading to interesting, even frightening, social dynamics.

Some reviewers have described The Affinities as "Divergent for adults", and I think that's a fair statement. The terrain it covers overlaps with that of Roth's YA novel but it explores the ideas with much more depth. This novel doesn't have the brilliance of Spin. However, as one would expect from Wilson, it does feature quality writing, thought-provoking ideas, and rich character development and exploration.

69mathgirl40
ag. 17, 2015, 9:43 pm



82. Three Restoration Comedies (3 stars)
Category: Plays
Challenges: HistoryCAT

For July's HistoryCAT, I finished Three Restoration Comedies, which includes plays by Etherege, Wycherley and Congreve. The plays all contain convoluted plots involving romantic schemes and mistaken identities. Though some of the satirical elements were quite funny, I didn't care for the plays all that much. I found the editor's introduction, which gives an overview of the period and provides context, much more interesting. He defends the plays against another critic's comment about Restoration comedy: "How could an audience both be clever enough to understand the story and stupid enough to be interested by it when they did?" I tended to agree with the critic.

70mathgirl40
ag. 17, 2015, 9:45 pm



83. 1632 by Eric Flint (3.5 stars)
Category: Miscellaneous

This alternate history book, about a modern American town suddenly transported to Germany at the time of the 30-years war, is not at all believable, but it is huge fun. Flint plays with history, but there is still enough of a factual nature that readers get a history lesson of sorts. In the afterword, Flint calls 1632 a "sunny book". This is very true, despite the high body count. I only gave this 3.5 stars because there are some clear flaws in the book and many eye-rolling moments, but I am hooked enough that I will certainly read more in the Ring of Fire series.

71mathgirl40
ag. 19, 2015, 10:33 pm

Finally, here is my July summary! As usual, I'm way behind on my reviews.

Books read: 11 (out of 83 in all)
Books from my shelf: 5 (out of 31 in all)
Challenges: SFFCAT, HistoryCAT, RandomCAT

Favourite books: The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison and The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-time Indian by Sherman Alexie

July was dominated by science fiction and fantasy and August has been more of the same so far. I'm going to need a break from SFF soon! I'm going to try to get to a few novels from the new Booker longlist.

72RidgewayGirl
ag. 21, 2015, 8:23 am

>64 mathgirl40: I hope that its controversial status causes some kids to pick it up for that very reason. It really is an excellent book.

73mathgirl40
ag. 27, 2015, 10:11 pm

>72 RidgewayGirl: I agree. I think that when schools refuse to put certain books on their curricula, it just makes the inquisitive kids even more curious about them.

74mathgirl40
Editat: ag. 27, 2015, 10:12 pm



84. Solaris by Stanislaw Lem (4 stars)
Category: 1001/Classic books
Challenges: SFFCAT

Solaris is a science fiction novel written by Polish author Stanislaw Lem in 1961, about an astronaut stranded with two others on a space station near a planet that shows signs of sentience. Though this is an SF book, it feels like a psychological horror book, similar to Jeff Vandermeer's Annihilation. The book is thought-provoking but also a challenge to read. If you're looking for a fast-paced space adventure, this is not one to choose. However, if you want fascinating ideas and reflections on humanity and consciousness, then you will probably like Solaris.

75mathgirl40
ag. 27, 2015, 10:13 pm



85. The Shining by Stephen King (4.5 stars)
Category: Horror
Challenges: HorrorKIT

This is my third Stephen King novel (the others being Pet Semetary and The Green Mile) and this one especially shows his skill at getting into the heads of his character. The voices of both Jack and Danny are very convincing, and the supporting characters are just as compelling. This aspect is what makes the story particularly frightening. This is a great example of the haunted house story, and there are a number of scenes, like the one with the wasps' nest, that will stay with me for quite some time. I've never seen the movie version of The Shining. I've always avoided it, thinking it would be too scary, but now that I've read the book, I might give it a try.

76mathgirl40
ag. 27, 2015, 10:21 pm



86. Infernal Devices by K. W. Jeter (3 stars)
Category: Miscellaneous

K. W. Jeter introduced the term "steampunk" to the world, and this novel has many of the elements that we associate with that genre, such as a Victorian setting and prose style, curious mechanical devices and human-like automata. However, I found most of the characters bland and unlikable and the plot unbelievable. It was a decent adventure story but certainly not among the best of the steampunk genre, even if it had been influential.

77lkernagh
ag. 27, 2015, 11:38 pm

>76 mathgirl40: - Oooohhhh, I lover that cover! I am pretty sure that one is already on my future reading list but a second entry cannot hurt. ;-)

78AHS-Wolfy
ag. 28, 2015, 6:59 am

>76 mathgirl40: I had a similar reaction to another early steampunk novel in Homunculus. Looks like character development or plot were never a prerequisite when this genre was being developed. At least you liked Solaris better than I did.

79mathgirl40
ag. 30, 2015, 3:24 pm

>77 lkernagh: The cover is indeed nice, though I did not get to appreciate it fully as I'd read an electronic copy. It appears to be out of print.

>78 AHS-Wolfy: Yes, I agree. Some of the early steampunk novels are all about the world-building, at the expense of plot and characters. I still find it interesting to read them to see how they had influenced the genre.

80mathgirl40
ag. 30, 2015, 3:40 pm



87. The Emperor of All Maladies (5 stars)
Category: Nonfiction
Challenges: HistoryCAT

This book is a very well-written and fascinating story of cancer, covering the history of the disease and treatments, the politics surrounding it and some personal stories from the author's own career as an oncologist. I've had friends and extended family members affected by cancer (really, who hasn't?), and I was somewhat reluctant to read it at first, thinking it might be a very depressing book with gut-wrenching tales. It isn't. Certainly there are tragic stories, but the book provides a lot of insight, especially into what doctors and researchers are doing in the fight against cancer. A lot of technical information is conveyed in a fairly accessible way and the future looks promising.

I also watched the 6-hour Ken Burns documentary based on this book. There is a good deal of overlap, but the film is quite different in how it conveys the information. The science is not presented in such detail; on the other hand, the visual material makes some of it much easier to understand. There is more time devoted to the stories of specific cancer patients and many clips of the author himself speaking. I recommend both the book and the film highly!

81mathgirl40
ag. 30, 2015, 3:44 pm



88. Peril at End House by Agatha Christie (4 stars)
Category: Mysteries
Group Read: Agatha Christie

This is a clever, intricate story about Hercule Poirot's attempts to protect a young woman, owner of "End House", after several attempts on her life had been made. The story is a variation on the tradition English country-house murder. I had read this novel many years ago and recall being surprised by the ending. Two-thirds of the way in, I remembered how it ended. Despite this self-inflicted spoiler, I still enjoyed seeing how Poirot, with the help of Hastings and Japp, works out the solution.

82mathgirl40
ag. 31, 2015, 10:39 pm



89. Conflict of Honors by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (4 stars)
Category: Space Opera
Challenges: SFFCAT
Group Reads: Liaden Universe

This novel is a prequel to Agent of Change, the first published book in the Liaden Universe series. On the surface, it's a romance between Priscilla and Shan, the two main characters, but there is so much more -- plenty of action and adventure, humour, great supporting characters and interesting alien worlds. This is the fourth book I've read from this series and I've enjoyed all of them immensely.

83mamzel
set. 1, 2015, 2:25 pm

>85 mathgirl40: I read this book one night when I had returned to college a day earlier than anyone else and I was the only person in the dorm. How stupid could I be! That was the scariest I had ever been reading a book. "Close the book." "I can't stop reading it!" "Close the book and stop scaring yourself, dummie!" "I can't!!!!"

84mathgirl40
set. 2, 2015, 6:52 pm

>83 mamzel: Well, you are braver than I am! I usually read books that scary only when there's someone else in the house, and never before bedtime. :)

85mathgirl40
set. 2, 2015, 7:02 pm



90. Double Star by Robert A. Heinlein (4 stars)
Category: Classic SFF
Challenges: SFFCAT

This novel, about an actor who reluctantly poses as a famous political figure, has some weaknesses. There is not much science fiction in it; it's more of a political thriller set on Mars. Also, there is only one female character, and she's a pretty bland one to boot. Still, this remains one of my favourite Heinlein stories because of the wonderful main character, Lorenzo Smythe, pompous and conceited on the surface, but revealing hidden talents and qualities that are endearing.

86mathgirl40
set. 2, 2015, 9:01 pm



91. Lock In by John Scalzi (4.5 stars)
Category: SFFAwards

This is my favourite of the John Scalzi novels I've read so far. Being a fan of both mystery and sci-fi genres, I really enjoyed this police procedural set in a future where a virulent disease has left many people paralyzed. This group continues to function in society by "inhabiting" robots, other people's bodies or a shared virtual space. It was light, fast-paced and humorous, as many of Scalzi's novels are, but at the same time, there was a deeper exploration of futuristic technologies and issues faced by people with physical challenges.

87mathgirl40
set. 2, 2015, 9:45 pm



92. The Terra-Cotta Dog by Andrea Camilleri (4 stars)
Category: Other Mysteries
Challenges: RandomCAT

This is the second in the Inspector Montalbano mystery series set in Sicily. I enjoyed this much more than the first. Montalbano's personality really takes the spotlight here, and the mystery was an interesting one, though there seemed to me too many disparate elements only loosely connected to one another. I was really impressed by Grover Gardner's narration. I've heard him narrate Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan series, and here, he conveys completely different voices with the same superb quality. I also love the food descriptions in the novel!

88lkernagh
set. 3, 2015, 9:36 am

Having enjoyed Redshirts as much as I did, I am intrigued that Lock In is your favorite John Scalzi novel of what you have read so far. Mystery and sci-fi can work for me so Lock In will probably make it to my future reading list.

The Montalbano stories are great and they just get better as the characters really start to come into their own personalities.

89mathgirl40
set. 3, 2015, 8:24 pm

>88 lkernagh: I enjoyed Redshirts, and I am a big Star Trek fan. However, it was pretty light entertainment, albeit very cleverly done. Lock In has a lot of humour too, but it's somewhat darker and it made me think about the deeper themes of consciousness, artificial intelligence and choices for people with physical challenges. If you liked other Scalzi books, then I think you will enjoy Lock In as well.

90mathgirl40
set. 3, 2015, 8:25 pm



93. The Fishermen by Chigozie Obioma (4 stars)
Category: International Literary Awards

This is my first novel from the new Booker longlist. Set in Nigeria, it is narrated by a young boy who describes how, over a number of years, the prophecy of an apparent madman deeply affects every member of his family and ultimately brings tragedy to it. This is a coming-of-age novel of sorts, and it is set against the backdrop of Nigerian politics in the 90's. African folklore is woven throughout the story and the style makes me think of Chinua Achebe's Things Fall Apart. I'm not sure if this book will make it onto the Booker shortlist but I definitely recommend it.

91mathgirl40
set. 3, 2015, 8:33 pm



94. Emma by Jane Austen (4.5 stars)
Category: 1001/Classics
Group read: Jane Austen

I'm impressed by Austen's skill in manipulating my feelings about Emma. She starts off as a rather unlikable character. She's snobbish, manipulative, insensitive and proud at the start, and indeed, she still has all of these characteristics, to some extent, by the end of the novel. Yet, I couldn't help liking Emma more and more as the novel progressed. To me, Emma is one of the most realistic characters from Austen's works, having a combination of flaws and good qualities. She occasionally shows conflicting and even hypocritical behaviour, like most of us in real life.

Emma is not the only great character in this novel. Mr. Knightley and Mr. Woodhouse are also extremely likable, and the Eltons are wonderfully unpleasant. My only criticism, and this is motivated from a 21st-century view of such things, is that everyone ends up paired up with the "correct" person, not just the one they love but the one from the right social class. Jane Fairfax and Frank Churchill is the most uneven pairing that one would dare to allow.

92mathgirl40
set. 3, 2015, 10:07 pm



95. The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury (4.5 stars)
Category: Dust Collectors

This book definitely belongs in my "Dust Collectors" category. My brother bought and read it 30 years ago and then gave it to me. It has sat on my shelves until now. Not only had I not read this classic, but I'd not read any Bradbury until now. Truly shameful! In any case, I thought that this collection of related vignettes about the first human settlers on Mars was beautifully written, with some truly moving passages. Though some aspects of the stories feel a little dated, many of the themes, especially that of humans' impact on their environment, are still very relevant today.

93mathgirl40
set. 3, 2015, 10:10 pm



96. The Forever War by Joe Haldeman (4 stars)

Military fiction is not my thing at all, and my eyes glazed over the passages describing artillery and battle tactics, even if the futuristic technology provided a little more interest than usual. However, I can see why this book is considered a classic. It is a war story that conveys the heartbreaking aspects of any war that has occurred on Earth, even if it is set in the distant future. I found the middle part of the book, when the protagonist returns to an Earth far ahead in time (because of the time distortions of space travel), the most interesting. In between the battle scenes, plenty of thought-provoking sci-fi ideas are presented.

94mathgirl40
set. 3, 2015, 10:18 pm

Here is my August summary:

Books read: 13 (96 in all)
Books off my shelves: 3 (34 in all)
Favourite book: The Emperor of All Maladies
Least favourite book: Infernal Devices
Challenges: HistoryCAT, RandomCAT, SFFCAT
Group reads: Liaden Universe, Jane Austen

This month featured plenty of science fiction, including a number of classics. There were several rereads (Emma, Double Star and Peril at End House, and it was nice knowing that these were just as enjoyable second time around. Frequently, books that I'd remembered fondly from decades past fall short of current standards and lead to great disappointment, but these ones didn't.

95mamzel
set. 4, 2015, 1:27 pm

I am reading TEoAM now and really enjoying it!

96mathgirl40
set. 16, 2015, 7:23 pm

>95 mamzel: Glad to hear you're liking it too. I found it such an interesting read.

97mathgirl40
set. 16, 2015, 7:26 pm



97. My Real Children by Jo Walton (4.5 stars)
Category: SFF Awards

This is an alternate history story that has a common beginning and a common ending, but in between, the narrative splits into two. The stories of "Trish" and "Pat" are told in an alternating fashion, and take us from 1949 to the present. Trish and Pat lead very different lives, meet and get involved with different people, even have different children. Yet, they are essentially the same woman. Each story stands very well on its own, and Walton very cleverly weaves them together, with major characters in one appearing as minor characters in the other. The evolution of women's and gay rights is an important theme in both stories.

When I started this novel, I feared it would be another version of Kate Atkinson's Life After Life but it turned out to be a very different novel, though there are similarities in the authors' styles. I do believe that readers who enjoyed Atkinson's book will like Walton's novel as well. Cory Doctorow said in his review, "Jo Walton's My Real Children literally kept me up all night, weeping uncontrollably with the most astounding mixture of joy and sorrow I have ever felt, but not able to stop until I'd finished it." It didn't have as strong an effect on me, but I did find both Trish's and Pat's stories very moving.

My Real Children has been nominated for the Aurora (Canadian SFF) award, and it was included in my Voter Packet. This book alone made the $10 packet well worth the money!

98mathgirl40
Editat: set. 17, 2015, 6:52 am



98. N'Evermore! edited by Nancy Kilpatrick and Caro Soles
Category: Short stories

This book is a collection of creepy, atmospheric stories done in the style of Edgar Allan Poe or inspired by his stories. Most anthologies of this sort are hit-or-miss, with the quality varying greatly among the stories. I was pleasantly surprised to find most of the stories well written, and some were exceptionally good.

My favourite stories were "Street of the Dead House" by Robert Lopresti, which is told from the point-of-view of orangutan in captivity, and "Orange Cat" by Kelley Armstrong. Armstrong's story is set in the world of her Cainsville series and reminiscent of that wonderful song, "The Cat Came Back". (By the way, has anyone ever seen the National Film Board of Canada's animated film of this song? It's a classic!)

It was also fun to read Margaret Atwood's story, which she had written at the age of 16, even if it's not quite as sophisticated as her well-known works.

99mathgirl40
set. 17, 2015, 10:14 pm



99. The Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula Leguin (4 stars)
Category: Classic SFF

This novel, considered by many a classic in SFF literature, is a coming-of-age story about a boy learning the ways of wizardry and exploring his own abilities and limits. It's a somewhat serious and austere book for a YA novel, with little humour to relieve the darker moments. Le Guin's writing is spare but beautiful, and the world she creates seems, to me, aptly described by those same words. With all the super-long fantasy novels I've been reading lately, it's refreshing to read a solid well-written work that's compact and a satisfying stand-alone story.

100mathgirl40
Editat: set. 17, 2015, 10:32 pm



100. This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. the Climate by Naomi Klein (4 stars)
Category: Nonfiction
Challenges: RandomCAT

This is a well-researched and very thought-provoking novel about climate change. Despite the fact that there was plenty of interesting material and I generally agree with Klein's ideas, I found this book to be overly long and repetitive. I can't help contrasting it with Jared Diamond's excellent Collapse, about the demise of civilizations as a result of their responses to environmental crises. Others might find Diamond's less emotional language drier and more tedious to read, but I found it much more convincing. If you already agree with Klein's views, you'll probably enjoy this book and find much to confirm your views, though it does challenge some existing ideas about what tactics and solutions work best in the battle against climate change. If you are skeptical about the effects of climate change, reading this book is unlikely to alter your opinion.

I had originally rated this book lower because of its weaknesses, but I ended up thinking about Klein's message for many days after finishing it, and I can see how it might influence future decisions I make. To me, that's the best kind of non-fiction book: one that keeps me thinking long after I've read it.

101mathgirl40
set. 17, 2015, 10:27 pm



101. Who by Fire by Fred Stenson (3.5 stars)
Category: Canadian Awards

It was interesting to read this book right after Naomi Klein's This Changes Everything. Set in southern Alberta (the province known for its controversial tar sands), this novel also carries a strong environmental message, as it follows a family's struggles with the problems created by the oil industry moving next to their farm. I wanted to like this book, as I'd heard good things about it and the message it carries is worthwhile. However, it is so relentlessly bleak and none of the characters are particularly appealing, even if it is easy to sympathize with their plights. The redeeming part is that it is a worthwhile piece of historical fiction, depicting the interaction between residents and the oil industry in Western Canada over the past 50 years.

102mathgirl40
set. 25, 2015, 7:15 pm



102. Tears of the Giraffe by Alexander McCall Smith (3.5 stars)
Category: Other Mysteries

The second in the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, this was another enjoyable installment, showing more insight into the various main characters. I particularly liked the greater emphasis on Mr. J. L. B. Matakoni's story. The mystery element was quite weak. From this and the first book, I gather that the cases taken on by Mma Ramotswe's detective agency are secondary to the stories of the principal characters and the exploration of life in Botswana. This novel, as was the first in the series, was fun to read and, though it does show some of the social, political and economic troubles of Botswana, it conveys a rather charming view of the country and its people. I've also enjoyed Michael Stanley's Detective Kubu series, which shows a somewhat different perspective of Botswana.

103mathgirl40
set. 25, 2015, 7:25 pm



103. Blindsight by Peter Watts (4 stars)
Category: SFF Awards

Blindsight describes an endeavour to make first contact with an alien species. The group sent into outer space on this mission includes a collection of not-quite-human characters. This novel is challenging and ambitious; it's definitely not for someone looking for an easy read. There's plenty going on in this book, as Watts integrates mind-stretching ideas from biology, psychology, physics, game theory and more. The book includes an appendix explaining various themes, with a very lengthy list of references. This novel reminded me of Stanislaw Lem's Solaris, but I found it more engaging and fast-paced.

104hailelib
set. 26, 2015, 10:22 am

I found Blindsight hard to put down even though I read it in an awkward format.

105-Eva-
Editat: set. 27, 2015, 6:15 pm

>102 mathgirl40:
I didn't care very much for this series when I tried it out, but the locale is obviously interesting, so thanks for the Detective Kubu recommendation - I'll look into that one instead.

106mathgirl40
oct. 1, 2015, 9:52 pm

>104 hailelib: I too found Blindsight hard to put down, though it made my head ache sometimes. :)

>105 -Eva-: The Detective Kubu series is definitely darker with more complex mysteries. I hope you'll enjoy the books.

107mathgirl40
oct. 1, 2015, 9:57 pm



104. Touch by Claire North (4.5 stars)
Category: Miscellaneous

Touch is about an entity "Kepler" who resides in human hosts and who can jump from one host to another merely by touching that person. When one of Kepler's former hosts is murdered, it seeks out the person or entity responsible for the killing. I really liked the premise of this novel, which is actually quite similar to that of another recently read book, The Lives of Tao by Wesley Chu. This one is darker and has a more interesting plotline, with many shifts in time to match the numerous shifts in body. I also appreciated the quality of North's writing.

108AHS-Wolfy
oct. 2, 2015, 12:17 pm

>104 hailelib: I have The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August by the same author sat on my tbr shelves so it's good to see a positive review of her work. The beginning of which was included in another book I'd read and I quite liked how it started. Seems like she may be an author to keep an eye on.

109mathgirl40
oct. 2, 2015, 8:41 pm

>108 AHS-Wolfy: I've not read The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August yet but it's definitely on the wishlist.

110mathgirl40
oct. 2, 2015, 8:50 pm



105. Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes (5 stars)
Category: Dust Collector

This book, about a man who undergoes experiments to increase his intelligence, had been sitting in my house for decades and I finally picked it up and read it. What a moving and thought-provoking story! I also had a very difficult time putting it down, as the narrative was so compelling. The story touched me deeply, as I know a young man who is very much like Charlie was at the beginning of the novel. It made me think of the qualities we fail to appreciate in other people when we dwell too much on what we believe they lack.

111mathgirl40
oct. 2, 2015, 8:59 pm



106. Juliet was a Surprise by Bill Gaston (4 stars)
Category: Short Stories

This is my 9th read from the Ontario Library Association's 2015 Evergreen list. I'd never read anything by Bill Gaston and was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed these stories.

The first story, "House Clowns", about a man suffering paranoid delusions while sharing a vacation home with a young couple, was simply brilliant. I also enjoyed greatly "Geriatric Arena Grope," about a woman who attends a Leonard Cohen concert, as it brought back my own memories of seeing Cohen on stage.

112mathgirl40
oct. 2, 2015, 9:20 pm



107. Strip Jack by Ian Rankin (3.5 stars)
Category: Other Mysteries

In this 4th installment of the Inspector Rebus mysteries, Rebus investigates a death connected to a local MP, who is caught in a raided brothel days earlier. It had been a while since I'd read a Rebus mystery and I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed Rankin's writing. This isn't my favourite of the ones I've read so far but it was a good solid mystery.

113AHS-Wolfy
oct. 3, 2015, 8:24 am

>110 mathgirl40: I thought Flowers for Algernon was a terrific read. Glad it hit home for you as well.

114mathgirl40
oct. 3, 2015, 3:53 pm

>113 AHS-Wolfy: It seems to be a favourite of many people. My kids had read it in school as well.

115mathgirl40
oct. 3, 2015, 4:24 pm



108. River of Smoke by Amitav Ghosh (5 stars)
Category: Historical Fiction
Challenge: HistoryCAT

Amitav's second book in his Ibis trilogy is every bit as good as the first, Sea of Poppies, which had been longlisted for the Booker prize. Set mostly in Canton, this work of historical fiction describes events leading up to the first Opium War from the points of view of several characters.

I greatly enjoyed the many interesting and diverse characters, from varying ethnic groups and classes of society. Ghosh is a superb storyteller and the dialogue is wonderful. However, it did take me a bit of time to get accustomed to the Pidgin English used by several of the characters.

The best part of the book, for me, were the many lavish descriptions of the food, from Macanese, Cantonese, Bengali, Parsi and other cuisines. A few items (like the fried caterpillers) were somewhat revolting but most were utterly mouth-watering. This is a typical example:

For breakfast Mesto had made some of his favourite Parsi dishes: a meltingly soft akoori of eggs: crisp bhakra; stuffed dar-ni-pori pastries, with a filling of sweetened lentils; hard-boiled eggs; a fillet of fried pomfret; khaman-na-larva dumplings, bursting with sweetened coconut; and sweet ravo - semolina cooked in milk and ghee.

I am looking forward to reading the final book in this series, Flood of Fire.

116DeltaQueen50
oct. 3, 2015, 5:28 pm

I loved the first two books of Amitav Ghosh's trilogy and I am also looking forward to the final volume. I introduced my Mom to these books and she is anticipating the third book as well.

117mathgirl40
oct. 4, 2015, 10:16 pm

>116 DeltaQueen50: Glad to hear you loved the books too! I'd also enjoyed The Glass Palace by the same author, when I'd read it a few years ago.

118mathgirl40
oct. 4, 2015, 10:16 pm



109. Bryony and Roses by T. Kingfisher (4 stars)
Category: Miscellaneous

This novel is a very nice retelling of the Beauty and the Beast fable by T. Kingfisher, an alias of Ursula Vernon. Beauty is recast as Bryony, a plain-looking young woman whose passion is gardening. I enjoyed the twists on the original story and found Bryony to be a likeable main character, admirable for her resourcefulness and sassy remarks. If you're a gardener, you'll get even more enjoyment from the book. How can you not like a story where even the lowly rutabaga has a role to play?

119mathgirl40
oct. 4, 2015, 10:40 pm



110. Four and Twenty Blackbirds by Cherie Priest (3.5 stars)
Category: Horror
Challenges: HorrorKIT

I'd read this book for the HorrorKIT's Southern Gothic theme, and it certainly had the right atmosphere. The novel started off strongly, with a creepy feel, intriguing characters and hints at an interesting back story. However, the second half fizzled out for me. Still, the story and characters were appealing enough that I will read the sequels. This was Priest's first novel, and I expect that the remaining books in this series will be stronger. I'd read Boneshaker and Dreadnought by the same author and had liked those very much.

120mathgirl40
oct. 5, 2015, 10:09 pm

Here's a quick summary of my September reading:

Books read: 14 (110 for the year)
Books off my shelf: 4 (38 for the year)
Favourite books: Flowers for Algernon and River of Smoke

I read a lot of Canadian authors in September, as I'm trying to work through the shortlists for the Ontario Library Association award and the Aurora (science fiction and fantasy) award. I want to participate in the voting, which takes place in mid-October for both awards. Those votes will be followed by the BIG vote for Canadians on Oct. 19: the federal election!

121mathgirl40
oct. 16, 2015, 10:06 pm



111. I am Legend by Richard Matheson (4 stars)
Category: Horror

This is a post-apocalyptic horror story about a man trying to survive after a plague that has killed off most of humanity, leaving only bloodthirsty zombie-like vampires. It seems that this 1954 novel has been very influential within the zombie genre. This is a very dark book, as it explores the new world through the eyes of Robert Neville, who, believing that he is possibly the only unaffected human left on Earth, tries to find the will and courage to keep surviving.

I'm curious about the various movie versions, none of which I've not seen.

122mathgirl40
oct. 16, 2015, 10:22 pm



112. The Peripheral by William Gibson (5 stars)
Category: SFF Awards

I'd read two Gibson books previously (The Difference Engine and Neuromancer). I didn't enjoy them all that much though I admired the creative world and ideas that Gibson presented. The Peripheral, on the other hand, absorbed me completely. I found the characters more appealing and the tone somewhat more hopeful, though Gibson's future is still a very dark and disturbing one. This novel started in a very confusing way, with the parallel storylines and crazy ideas thrown at the reader without much explanation, but all became clearer as the story developed and after the first 100 pages, I found it very hard to put down. This is definitely a book I'll want to reread one day.

123VivienneR
oct. 17, 2015, 2:36 am

>110 mathgirl40: My copy of Flowers for Algernon sat on the shelf for a long time too. It was one of those titles I was familiar with, and yet knew nothing about it. What a compelling story! It was one of my favourite books this year.

>115 mathgirl40: Great review of River of Smoke. I've added it to my wishlist.

124mathgirl40
oct. 24, 2015, 5:50 pm

>123 VivienneR: Same here. It was completely different from what I'd expected. Because my daughters had studied it in middle school, I was expecting a children's or early YA book and was surprised by the complex and mature themes.

125mathgirl40
oct. 26, 2015, 9:48 pm



113. Little Bastards in Springtime by Katya Rudolph (3 stars)
Category: Canadian Awards

The first half of this novel describes the horrors of the siege of Sarajevo, as seen by a young boy Jevrem, while the second half deals with his life in Canada, and the post-traumatic stress he suffers. While it's hard not to feel for survivors of war, I tired of Jevrem's self-pitying narrative. I found myself looking forward to details of his mother's and sister's lives, which to me were far more interesting and inspirational. Of course, the narrator's grim story, of a teenaged boy lashing out at the world with violence, is probably more realistic than the sugar-coated ones with happy endings, but it made, for me at least, a reading experience that was mostly unpleasant. Parts of the story were compelling, but I found that, as a whole, the quality of the novel was uneven.

This was my final book from the 2015 Ontario Library Association's Evergreen List. My favourite was Station Eleven, followed by Medicine Walk and Forgiveness: a Gift from my Grandparents. Juliet was a Surprise also turned out to be a nice surprise. :)

126mathgirl40
oct. 26, 2015, 10:06 pm



114. Little Brother by Cory Doctorow (4 stars)
Category: SFF Awards

In Little Brother, a teenage computer whiz is in the wrong place at the wrong time when a terrorist attack occurs in San Francisco. Though Marcus has no involvement with the attack, he is detained by Homeland Security and denied his rights. When he is finally released, he is determined to fight back and rescue his friend who is still behind bars.

This novel is a fast paced adventure broken up by a large number of infodumps. It's a very thought-provoking book and is a terrific book for both teens and adults to read, as it questions one's assumptions about authority and security. This was our parent-child book club's latest selection and we had a very good discussion. I'd read this book for the first time several years ago and on rereading, was struck that so many of the technological issues are still relevant right now.

Doctorow, who has very strong views about computer security, privacy, copyright and related issues, gave a talk here last week. I'd heard him speak before and would have liked to attend but wasn't able to. Ironically, his talk was at University of Waterloo, just down the street from Laurier University which was completely shut down that day because of threats that the FBI had discovered on an Internet site (the same one that hosted threats preceding the tragedy in Oregon). Fortunately, nothing terrible happened and the person who posted the threats was arrested, but it caused chaos in our city for a good part of the day. I would have been interested in hearing Doctorow's views about the incident, especially the effectiveness (or ineffectiveness) of having the FBI monitor the Internet for such threats. A few days later, more threats against Laurier were posted on a different site, but they didn't close down the school a second time.

127mathgirl40
oct. 26, 2015, 10:33 pm



115. The Nature of the Beast by Louise Penny (4.5 stars)
Category: Other Mysteries

I always look forward to a new Louise Penny novel, especially one set in the village of Three Pines. It's like visiting old friends, but ones with really interesting secrets from their past. This latest installment in the Inspector Gamache series involves several murders, a "weapon of mass destruction", a newly discovered play by a serial killer, and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS). I really enjoyed the story and the further development of Penny's wonderful characters, but throughout, I kept thinking that the plot was totally unbelievable. Well, I was certainly surprised when Penny's afterword explained that the mystery was based on a true story!

I listened to the audiobook, this time narrated by Robert Bathurst (Sir Anthony Strallan in Downton Abbey). Ralph Cosham had narrated the previous books but had sadly passed away last year. I didn't enjoy Strallan's narration as much, but perhaps I just need to get used to his style. The characters didn't seem to have the distinctive voices that Cosham had given them. I do have a big complaint about both Cosham's and Strallan's narration, however. I really wish the producers would find a Canadian narrator, given that Louise Penny is one of Canada's most popular authors. It drove me crazy to hear CSIS read as "C-S-I-S" and not as "cee-sis"; that would be like someone spelling out the letters for NASA or UNICEF. I loved Cosham's narration of the earlier books, but he mangled French Canadian names. The worst was hearing hockey legend Rocket Richard's surname pronounced in the English rather than French way. Don't try saying that in a Quebec bar! :)

128lkernagh
oct. 27, 2015, 12:08 am

>125 mathgirl40: - The first half of this novel describes the horrors of the siege of Sarajevo, as seen by a young boy Jevrem, while the second half deals with his life in Canada, and the post-traumatic stress he suffers.

... and yet, not something I would expect to read based on the cover art which had me ever hopeful for some offshoot historical western type read. Go figure.

129RidgewayGirl
oct. 27, 2015, 3:46 am

I'll look for Little Bastards in Springtime. I just don't understand angry young men, so any book that looks at that would be useful.

130LittleTaiko
oct. 27, 2015, 4:23 pm

>127 mathgirl40: - I also thought the plot was just too incredible and was very surprised to see that part of it was based on a true story. Crazy!

131rabbitprincess
oct. 27, 2015, 5:38 pm

>126 mathgirl40: Yikes! I don't remember hearing about the incident at Laurier! Glad to hear things are OK now, but that must have been unnerving to have to go through.

>127 mathgirl40: Cringing at those pronunciation errors, but intrigued by the premise of the book. I'm still not back on the Gamache bandwagon yet after falling off with The Beautiful Mystery, but perhaps I will get back to the series eventually.

132AHS-Wolfy
oct. 27, 2015, 6:46 pm

>126 mathgirl40: Still a very relevant book especially when bills like CISA can pass through the US Senate. Glad you enjoyed your re-read and the following discussion of it.

133mathgirl40
oct. 29, 2015, 9:26 pm

>128 lkernagh: I thought the same thing when I saw the cover!

>129 RidgewayGirl: The novel does indeed give insight into angry young men, if that's what you're looking for!

>130 LittleTaiko: Yes, real life is stranger than fiction, as they say!

>131 rabbitprincess: Thanks. It was very unnerving, especially since, earlier this month, a resident was killed by an arrow in a quiet residential area. The police caught the murderer but several schools were locked down, and there was a lot of fear in the city. This probably led to the extreme reaction over the Laurier threat. It all seemed surreal because this sort of thing really does not happen around here! I've never been scared to walk around my city and I hope it never gets that way. Anyhow, things are much calmer now and pretty much back to normal.

How the Light Gets In, which follows The Beautiful Mystery, is possibly my favourite of the series, so I do hope you eventually get back on the bandwagon. I'd be interested in hearing what you think of it.

>132 AHS-Wolfy: Indeed. The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is also a very sensitive subject here in Canada, and Doctorow has expressed his strong concerns about it.

134mathgirl40
oct. 29, 2015, 9:41 pm



116. 1633 by Eric Flint and David Weber (3.5 stars)
Category: Miscellaneous

The first 300 pages of this book were basically a huge infodump, re-introducing the many characters from the first Ring of Fire book, 1632, and describing historical situations from their various points of view. There was no character development and little plot development. The second half of the book picked up, and all of a sudden, there was plenty going on. If you're a history buff, you'll probably like this book, though I would suggest reading 1632 first; otherwise, the story would be quite confusing. I actually enjoyed the history lessons, but I thought the pacing of the novel could be improved. The two books I've read from the 1632 series have their weaknesses, but at this point, I think I'm immersed enough into this alternate world that I'm compelled to continue.

135mathgirl40
oct. 31, 2015, 9:27 pm



117. A Dance with Dragons by George R. R. Martin (3.5 stars)
Category: Fantasy Doorstoppers

This fifth book in Martin's epic saga did not hold my attention the way the previous ones did. First, there were so many characters and so many points-of-views, and very few of them were likable. Even ones that I had liked very much in the earlier novels seemed to show little of the characteristics that I had found appealing in them. Also, by the end of the book, it seemed that the various storylines had not progressed all that much. It's still good writing, however, much better than many other fantasy series of this kind, and like everyone else, I'm eagerly awaiting the next book.

136mathgirl40
oct. 31, 2015, 9:42 pm



118. Echopraxia by Peter Watts (4 stars)
Category: SFF Awards

I enjoyed very much this follow-up to Blindsight. Like its predecessor, Echopraxia is filled with weird characters and wild but not totally implausible ideas. There is plenty of action; some parts were quite page-turning. Yet, if I were asked to give a brief summary of the plot, I'd have a hard time doing it. While I was reading, there were plenty of "Huh, what just happened?" moments, not unlike the experience I had with reading Blindsight. I sympathized with the main character, Brüks, who, surrounded by beings with much superior intelligence, struggles to keep up and figure out the right connections. It's hard keeping up with Watts but the attempt is worthwhile and enjoyable!

137mathgirl40
oct. 31, 2015, 10:06 pm



119. Dreams Underfoot by Charles de Lint (5 stars)
Category: Short Stories
Challenges: SFFCAT

I'd read only one Charles de Lint book (The Mystery of Grace) previously, and though I enjoyed it, I didn't really understand why his fans were so passionate about his work. Now I know why. Most short story collections are a mixed bag in terms of quality, but I can't think of a single story in this book that I didn't like, and there were several that I absolutely loved, including "Timeskip", "Ghosts of Wind and Shadow" and "Our Lady of the Harbor". To me, these stories, all set in the fictional city of Newford, epitomize "urban fantasy", with the emphasis on "urban". They showcase what is best about city living -- the diversity of the population, the vibrant arts and music scene, the personalities of neighbourhoods and the support that people give one another, even to strangers. I will most certainly be reading more of de Lint's books, maybe even devoting a category to them in my 2016 challenge.

138lkernagh
nov. 1, 2015, 2:37 pm

Kudos for having read all five of the Game of Thrones books! I stalled after the first book but I do want to get back to the series at some point. At least with four more books already published in the series, I won't have the impatiently wait for the next book to come out.

Great review of the de Lint short stories! He is another author that is patiently waiting on my "new to me" authors list. Sounds like his short stories are the way for me to start my de Lint reading.

Happy Sunday!

139mathgirl40
nov. 1, 2015, 5:21 pm

>138 lkernagh: Yes, that's the worst part of finishing the 5th book -- the long wait until the next one. Of course, I do have enough on my TBR pile to keep me busy until then, but I still can't help being impatient.

I think the stories in Dreams Underfoot are a great way to introduce yourself to de Lint. There are recurring characters and one ("Paperjack") is a sequel to another ("Timeskip") but otherwise, each story works really well on its own. So you can try one or two stories and see if his style is appealing to you.

140mathgirl40
nov. 1, 2015, 5:39 pm



120. The Apex Book of World SF 4 (3.5 stars)
Category: Short Stories

This is a very diverse collection of speculative fiction from authors all around the world. There are many stories that I would classify in the genre of magical realism and many based in folklore from different cultures, but few that I would call science fiction. I was slightly disappointed as I had been hoping to read more science fiction (which I'd expected given the spaceship on the cover and the acronym SF, which I normally associate with "science fiction" rather than "speculative fiction") from non-native English writers. Still, there were many stories I enjoyed, especially those of Sabrina Huang and Thomas Olde Heuvelt.

141rabbitprincess
nov. 1, 2015, 7:21 pm

>140 mathgirl40: I love that cover! But yes, I agree that it looks more sci-fi than spec fic.

142mathgirl40
nov. 4, 2015, 7:33 pm

>141 rabbitprincess: I like the covers for the earlier volumes too, especially this one:

143mathgirl40
nov. 4, 2015, 7:43 pm



121. An Equal Music by Vikram Seth (4.5 stars)
Category: Miscellaneous
Challenges: RandomCAT

In this story about a violinist who reunites with his former lover, Seth explores the world of the classical musician. There is an abundance of detail about Michael's training and practice, the complicated relationships with his fellow quartet members, and, most of all, the music he plays. Indeed, all this information might become tedious to some readers, despite the fact that there's a compelling story underlying all this. I personally found it fascinating, as my daughter is an amateur violinist and I have many friends who are musicians. I really enjoyed getting more insight into their world.

144mathgirl40
nov. 5, 2015, 9:44 pm



122. Fool Moon by Jim Butcher (3.5 stars)
Category: Miscellaneous
Challenges: SFFCAT

This second book in the Dresden Files series pits Harry against werewolves. This novel doesn't stand out from other werewolf stories I've read but it was an entertaining story all the same. I'm beginning to grow quite fond of Harry as a character, mainly because of James Marsters's excellent audiobook narration.

145mathgirl40
nov. 5, 2015, 9:57 pm



123. Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire (3.5 stars)
Categories: Miscellaneous
Challenges: SFFCAT

This book is the first of the October Daye urban fantasy series by McGuire, a.k.a. Mira Grant. Toby is a half-fae private investigator compelled to find the murderer of her friend. It was interesting to read this right after Fool Moon, as McGuire's book has a similar feel to the Dresden File series, but with a female protagonist. There were references to an interesting backstory, which I expect will be revealed as the series progresses. I wouldn't mind reading more in this series, but to be honest, I like the author's work as Mira Grant much better.

146mathgirl40
Editat: nov. 5, 2015, 10:12 pm



124. The Devil's Star by Jo Nesbo (4 stars)
Category: Nordic Mysteries
Challenges: HorrorKIT

This was a really good installment in the Harry Hole series, in which Harry races to track down a serial killer before he strikes again. In the meantime, he must deal with his own demons. I found it very hard to put this page-turner down, but it was not always easy to read, as Harry Hole's world is very dark indeed.

147mathgirl40
nov. 5, 2015, 10:27 pm



125. Cheese by Willem Elsschot (3.5 stars)
Category: Classic and 1001 Books

This rather short novel from the 1001 Books to Read Before You Die list is about a Belgium clerk who embarks on a new business venture as a cheese distributor. Dissatisfied with his current work and social status, he dreams of a new life as an entrepreneur. This novel isn't as substantial as I'd expect a book from the 1001 list to be, but I did find it lighthearted, funny and charming, with some keen observations.

148cammykitty
nov. 5, 2015, 10:45 pm

Too bad Cheese wasn't quite up to the 1001 standards. Most of the 1001 I've read have been deserving of the list. And then they get dropped of a future version. ;) 1001 really isn't a lot of books, considering how many books there have been in the world!

& I keep meaning to read Nesbo. They sound fun.

149mathgirl40
nov. 6, 2015, 10:16 pm

>148 cammykitty: Cheese wasn't quite what I expected from a 1001 book, but on further reflection, it's not such a bad choice. There have certainly been other books from the list that I've enjoyed less!

150mathgirl40
nov. 6, 2015, 10:19 pm

October summary:

Books read: 15 (out of 125 in all)
Books off my shelf: 4 (out of 42 in all)
Favourite books: The Peripheral by William Gibson and Dreams Underfoot by Charles de Lint

I went through a lot of sci-fi and fantasy in October, especially urban fantasy for the SFFCAT. I need to get back to the "real world" this month. :)

151christina_reads
nov. 15, 2015, 4:30 pm

>145 mathgirl40: I'm a big Toby Daye fan, so I'd encourage you to continue with the series. Book 2, A Local Habitation, is a bit of a weak link (in my opinion), but things get really good after that!

152mathgirl40
nov. 28, 2015, 8:35 pm

>151 christina_reads: That's good to know. I'm planning to read McGuires's (Grant's) third book in the Parasite series next, and then I might get back to Toby Daye.

153mathgirl40
Editat: nov. 28, 2015, 9:47 pm



126. Carpe Diem by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (3.5 stars)
Category: Space Opera

This is an enjoyable story in the Liaden Universe story, but it is not as exciting and fast-paced as the others I've read and not as polished as later books in the series. It was nice to see the characters and threads in Agent of Change and Conflict of Honors tied together. Even though I didn't find it an outstanding book, it was still a great way to pass a few reading hours.

154mathgirl40
Editat: nov. 28, 2015, 9:47 pm



127. The Calculus Affair by Hergé (4 stars)
Category: Miscellaneous

I recently reread this installment of the Tintin series. Some of the gags were undoubtedly funnier to me when I'd read the book as a child, but otherwise, it was a very enjoyable Cold War spy/adventure story. I love Hergé's colourful and detailed artwork.

155mathgirl40
Editat: nov. 28, 2015, 10:04 pm



128. The Man from Beijing by Henning Mankell (3 stars)
Category: Nordic Mysteries
Challenges: RandomCAT

First of all, if you're looking for a mystery that's similar to Mankell's Wallander mysteries, this is not a good choice. The novel is a rather messy mix of thriller, historical fiction and political/social commentary, set in China, the US and Sweden. The plot was not especially believable, the main character had little appeal, and there were long passages laying out Mankell's thoughts on the politics of China. On the other hand, the parts of the story set in late 19th century were quite gripping.

156-Eva-
nov. 28, 2015, 10:42 pm

>154 mathgirl40:
I do love me some Tintin! I have a box of them under my bed, so when I don't have the strength to read anything "real" I read one or two of those.

157mathgirl40
nov. 30, 2015, 10:21 pm

>156 -Eva-: I have a bunch of Tintin comics in the house too (even a couple in the original French), that I had acquired for my kids when they were younger. I'd read them all as a child, but I had to borrow them from the library, so I didn't have my own copies to pass on.

158mathgirl40
nov. 30, 2015, 10:31 pm



129. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (5 stars)
Category: 1001/Classics

Until now, I was the only person I knew who hadn't read this classic. Even my kids had read it and urged me to read it. We've had a copy in the house for years. So why didn't I get around to it sooner? I suppose it was because, given all the hype, I felt sure I'd be disappointed. Well, I'm happy to say I wasn't. I loved the story, the characters and the themes. The courtroom scene is one of the most tense and gripping scenes I've ever read. This book really is as good as everyone else says it is.

159mathgirl40
nov. 30, 2015, 10:45 pm



130. The Great Hunt by Robert Jordan
Category: Fantasy Doorstoppers
Challenges: SFFCAT

This is the second book of the Wheel of Time series. It was enjoyable but felt very long. I'm not sure if I liked this installment as much as the first, which was a great coming-of-age story. I found Rand's quest growing tiresome after a while, and found the parallel story of Nynaeve, Egwene and the other women much more interesting. I'm not sure I'll have the patience and will to get through all 14 books of this series, but I'll probably read the next couple at least.

As I'd mentioned on the SFFCAT thread, it amazes me how many ideas and character types Robert Jordan recycles from earlier authors of epic fantasy. At the same time, it amazes me how much newer authors seem to "steal" from him! There is a very similar character with the same name in one of Patrick Rothfuss's books. I wonder if it's tribute or coincidence.

160jessibud2
des. 1, 2015, 7:51 am

>158 mathgirl40: - I just got home from a weekend away, visiting friends. We had actually been talking about TKAM. My friend told me she thought SHE was the only one who has not yet read it. I read it in school, many, many moons ago but I want to reread it before reading the new release, Go Set a Watchman. Maybe I will make it my last read of this year. And you know what? The movie made from this book, with Gregory Peck, is really good, too. It isn't often, in my opinion, that the film version of a book lives up to it but I think this one does.

161mamzel
des. 1, 2015, 11:46 am

>158 mathgirl40: This past weekend I watched the movie version which is also outstanding. Try to see it without commercial interruptions.

162mathgirl40
des. 3, 2015, 8:35 pm

>160 jessibud2: >161 mamzel: Now that I've read the book, I'm definitely planning to watch the movie sometime. I'm happy to hear that it's not a disappointment. (I have a T-shirt from ThinkGeek that says, "The book was better," because that's usually the way I feel.) I'm looking forward to seeing Gregory Peck in it. He starred in one of my favourite movies, Alfred Hitchcock's Spellbound, with the incomparable Ingrid Bergman.

163mathgirl40
des. 3, 2015, 8:45 pm



131. The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton (4 stars)
Category: Historical Fiction
Challenges: HistoryCAT

This historical fiction novel, set in Australia and England, was a very engrossing and enjoyable read. I liked the complexity of the plot, which involved three different narratives from three periods of time. My only complaints were that some aspects seemed rather implausible and there was a high degree of melodrama. Otherwise, the characters were engaging and the ending was satisfying.

164mathgirl40
des. 3, 2015, 9:05 pm



132. The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs (4.5 stars)
Category: Non-fiction
Challenges: RandomCAT

This influential book by Jane Jacobs attacks the urban planning strategies that were widely accepted at the time of the book's publication in 1961. While reading this, I found it very hard to remember that the book was written over half a century ago. So much of what Jacobs says still seems relevant, and so much of it seems reasonable, sensible, even "obvious", that it's hard to believe that it had been so very controversial in the 60's.

Jacobs basically talks about the components needed to generate and maintain city vitality. This is a subject that is actually quite important for me at the moment, as the city I live in is undergoing major infrastructure changes, including the construction of a light-rail line, addition of many more bike lanes and trails, attempts to increase the population of the downtown core and restrictions on sprawl into the surrounding farmland. Much of what's happening matches the recommendations given by Jacobs, but because of the costs and disruption to residents, there is also much opposition to these changes (not from me, though).

A warning: the reading can be a bit of a slog in places. Chapters on how to design sidewalks aren't everyone's cup of tea. I'm glad I worked through this book, though, as it really made me think about my environment, what I like about it, and what I would like to change.

165mathgirl40
des. 6, 2015, 6:01 pm



133. The Warlord of the Air by Michael Moorcock (3 stars)
Category: Miscellaneous

This alternate-history steampunk story, the first in a trilogy, started off with a great premise: an earthquake sends the hero 70 years ahead in time. However, I just didn't find Oswald Bastable's adventures all that interesting after that. There is a lot of political commentary, but not much character development. I don't think I'll continue with the series unless someone convinces me that it's worthwhile to do so.

166mathgirl40
des. 6, 2015, 6:22 pm



134. Uprooted by Naomi Novik (5 stars)
Category: Miscellaneous

This is the first work I've read by Naomi Novik, even though a good friend has been recommending her Temeraire series for a long time. I'll definitely be reading more! Uprooted was wonderful, with terrific characters, unexpected twists in the story, excellent pacing and interesting magic. Not normally a fan of romance, I even enjoyed that aspect of the novel, as I got a distinct "Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet" vibe from it. I'm sure Uprooted will be on many of the fantasy and sci-fi awards shortlists next year.

167mathgirl40
des. 6, 2015, 6:35 pm



135. A Man for All Seasons by Robert Bolt (4.5 stars)
Category: Plays

This was my first time reading Robert Bolt's play, though I'd seen the famous movie version and have fond memories of seeing the late William Hutt playing Thomas More on the Canadian Stratford Festival stage in 1986.

While reading a play's text lacks the richness of seeing it performed, there were a few things that I was able to better appreciate, especially after reading Bolt's introduction. These included the role of the Common Man as framing device, the water and seafaring imagery and the extensive stage directions. Now I am eager to see another live production of this excellent play!

168mathgirl40
des. 6, 2015, 6:49 pm

November summary:

Books read: 10 (out of 135 in all)
Books off my shelf: 5 (out of 47 in all)
Favourite books: Uprooted by Naomi Novik and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

I normally turn to recently published books or older classics, but in November, I was happy to discover (or rediscover) some of the modern classics from the 50's and 60's. These included To Kill a Mockingbird, A Man for All Seasons, The Death and Life of Great American Cities, and even a Tintin graphic novel, The Calculus Affair ... all great reads!

169jessibud2
des. 6, 2015, 7:04 pm

>168 mathgirl40: - I just started my rereading of To Kill a Mockingbird! It's been many, MANY moons since I originally read it and I love that the copy I still have is old and yellowed... ;-)

170mamzel
des. 7, 2015, 11:41 am

>168 mathgirl40: You were lucky with your reads last month. I agree with both of your favorites.

>169 jessibud2: Sometimes it's nice to have a brand new book and enjoy the bright new pages and clean smell and sometimes it's equally as nice to enjoy a well loved book and think of all the joy it has brought through the years.

171apoorvajoshiuk
des. 8, 2015, 4:31 am

S'ha suprimit aquest usuari en ser considerat brossa.

172mathgirl40
des. 13, 2015, 6:38 pm

>169 jessibud2: >170 mamzel: I have a few well-loved, old and yellowed favourites myself. Our copies of the Harry Potter series will probably fill that role for my kids; they are already well worn, even though they are not that old.

173mathgirl40
des. 13, 2015, 6:38 pm



136. No Safe House by Linwood Barclay (4 stars)
Category: Other Mystery
Challenges: RandomCAT

This novel continues the stories of the characters we first met in No Time for Goodbye. I don't think this story is as strong as that one, but I really enjoyed finding out how their lives evolved. There are definitely weaknesses in Barclay's novels, but I still find them fast moving, page turning, and at times, funny and heartwarming. My main complaint about his novels is that they seem formulaic, but I found this one less so. I was amused to find myself warming up to a character that is rather despicable. I definitely recommend this book to Linwood Barclay fans who have already read No Time for Goodbye. I'm not sure others would enjoy it as much.

174mathgirl40
des. 15, 2015, 10:00 pm



137. One Day by Dave Nicholls (4 stars)
Category: Miscellaneous

This book, which follows the convoluted romance and friendship between main characters Emma and Dexter, is more in the realm of "chick lit" than I normally enjoy. At times, I tired of all the details of the relationship's ups and downs and wished they would just figure things out. Yet, there was still much that I really liked about the book. The structuring of the story as one-day-a-year snapshots was very effective, and many scenes and lines were downright hilarious. The last chapters of the book surprised me a great deal, but upon reflection, I'm happy with the way the story played out.

175mathgirl40
des. 15, 2015, 10:10 pm



138. Memory by Lois McMaster Bujold (5 stars)
Category: Space Opera
Challenges: SFFCAT

Another 5-star read from the Vorkosigan series! There's so much here that it's hard to capture properly. The novel describes an important passage in Miles's life. It gives insight into his relationship with Simon Illyan and other characters. It's also a terrific page-turning mystery, as Miles seeks to discover the person responsible for sabatoging Illyan's bio-chip. In the listing of Vorkosigan novels, Bujold describes it as, "Miles hits thirty. Thirty hits back." Memory seems very much like a coming-of-age novel, even if it concerns a much later age than that covered by most novels of this kind.

Memory is definitely a contender for my favourite Vorkosigan novel. I still have 3 more to go and I may have to reread some of the others before I can make up my mind about this. One other reason I love this novel so much is the continuing development of all the characters, not just Miles. There are no stock characters in the Vorkosigan series; even the most minor ones seem to have depth in their personalities and interesting back-stories.

The audiobook narration was superb, as I've come to expect from Grover Gardner.

176rabbitprincess
des. 16, 2015, 9:55 pm

>174 mathgirl40: I liked the setup of that book too and really identified with how they struggled to figure out what to do with themselves after university. I've been out of university for several years now and still feel like I'm not quite a grownup yet.

177mathgirl40
des. 18, 2015, 10:36 pm

>176 rabbitprincess: I've been out of university for several decades and sometimes I too feel like I'm not quite a grownup. :)

178mathgirl40
des. 18, 2015, 10:53 pm



139. Paris 1919: Six Months That Changed the World by Margaret MacMillan (5 stars)
Category: Dust Collector
Challenge: HistoryCAT

Margaret Macmillan's award-winning book about the Paris Peace Conference and the drafting of the Treating of Versailles appears to be well-researched, thorough and fair. I use the word "appears" because, not being terribly knowledgeable about this period of history, I don't think I can be a competent judge of the account. On the other hand, I can say without reservation that the book is thought-provoking and very readable, despite the immense amount of detail provided.

MacMillan's book is focussed on the three leaders who most influenced the outcome: France's Clemenceau, England's Lloyd-George and the U.S.'s Wilson. The author does a great job of showing their distinctive personalities and how these affected the decision-making process. I should warn potential readers that this book is a challenge to get through, because of the multitude of people and places discussed and the mind-boggling complexity of European politics at that time (not to mention the Middle-Eastern and Asian situations, which are also covered). The time invested is worthwhile, though. This book made me realize how much the decisions of 1919 helped create or perpetuate many of the political problems that plague the world today.

179lkernagh
des. 22, 2015, 12:32 pm

>154 mathgirl40: - Tintin stories are great! I also enjoy the Asterix books.

>158 mathgirl40: - Glad to see To Kill a Mockingbird as lived up to its hype. :-)

You have been doing some really great reading since I last stopped by your thread!

180mathgirl40
des. 23, 2015, 4:31 pm

>179 lkernagh: Thanks for stopping by, Lori!

181mathgirl40
Editat: des. 23, 2015, 4:46 pm



140. Persuasion by Jane Austen (4 stars)
Category: Classics and 1001 books

This seems a more serious and mature novel than Austin's earlier ones, as reflected in the older age of the main character, Anne, and possibly because of the stage of Austen's life in which she wrote the novel. This seems less light-hearted and satirical, while more thoughtful and melancholy at times. I took to Anne but found Wentworth as a character rather disappointing. We get few opportunities to learn about his motives, feelings and reactions, until close to the end of the story. To me, he pales in comparison to the more complex Austen characters like Mr. Darcy and Colonel Brandon. Even so, this novel is well worth reading, even if it is not at the top of my Austen list.

182rabbitprincess
des. 23, 2015, 5:55 pm

>181 mathgirl40: Wentworth is best when portrayed by Rupert Penry-Jones ;)

Haven't read this one myself -- will have to steal it from my parents while I'm home for Christmas (because I won't be getting any books of my own as gifts...).

183luvamystery65
des. 24, 2015, 4:27 pm



Merry Christmas

184lkernagh
des. 24, 2015, 4:48 pm

Stopping by to wish you the very best this holiday season, Paulina!

185rabbitprincess
des. 24, 2015, 5:39 pm

Wishing you a merry Christmas and a happy new year! Hope we can meet up somehow in 2016 :)

186-Eva-
Editat: des. 27, 2015, 6:11 pm

>181 mathgirl40:
I saw a movie version right before I read the book and the actress looked so much like my sister-in-law that it made my impression of it a little odd. It's on the to-reread list for sure!

187christina_reads
des. 28, 2015, 6:52 pm

>166 mathgirl40: Yay, another Uprooted fan! It's my favorite book of the year and definitely the one I have been most aggressive in recommending to others. :)

188mathgirl40
des. 30, 2015, 11:44 am

>183 luvamystery65: >184 lkernagh: >185 rabbitprincess: Thank you for the good wishes! Sorry I am replying somewhat late, but I've had a busy holiday week, visiting my parents and in-laws. I hope all of my LT friends had equally nice holiday celebrations and/or some restful time off.

>186 -Eva-: Yes, I can see how that might make the experience somewhat odd! :)

>187 christina_reads: I'll be participating in Hugo nominations this year and Uprooted will definitely be on my ballot.

189mathgirl40
des. 30, 2015, 11:56 am



141. The Redeemer by Jo Nesbo (4 stars)
Category: Nordic Mysteries
Challenges: Christmas Mystery Group Read

This was another very good installment in the Harry Hole series. In this one, Hole hunts for an assassin and finds himself caught up in the affairs and politics of the Salvation Army. Set in the days leading up to Christmas, The Redeemer is quite a dark and grim story, contrasting with the usual cozy Christmas mystery novel. Recommended, especially to Harry Hole fans.

190mathgirl40
des. 30, 2015, 4:32 pm



142. Anathem by Neal Stephenson (4.5 stars)
Category: Fantasy/Sci-fi Doorstoppers
Challenges: SFFCAT

Anathem is not an easy book to read, but one probably expects that with Stephenson. There are a huge number of new made-up words to learn, though many have some kind of English equivalent or connection. There are also long passages where the characters debate philosophical, mathematical and scientific ideas. However, just when my brain starts hurting, Stephenson would insert some terribly exciting and tense scene and I'd want to keep reading. The investment in time is worth it, and the last quarter of the book is really terrific. I just realized that I've not said anything to convey what the book is about, but it seems impossible to summarize this complex work in a few sentences, so I won't try. I'm very eager to read Stephenson's new book, Seveneves, now.

191mathgirl40
des. 30, 2015, 4:40 pm



143. An English Murder by Cyril Hare (4 stars)
Category: Other Mysteries
Challenges: Christmas Mystery Group Read

An English Murder by Golden Age author Cyril Hare is an excellent example of the traditional country-house mystery. It's a really good one to read during the holiday season, as it involves a small group of people snowed in at a country manor, with the first being murdered on the stroke of midnight on Christmas Eve. I heartily recommend Cyril Hare to fans of Agatha Christie and her contemporaries.

192Chrischi_HH
des. 30, 2015, 5:14 pm

You've read some great books lately! I'm particularly glad you liked The Redeemer, too. :)

193mathgirl40
des. 30, 2015, 6:00 pm

>192 Chrischi_HH: Thanks! I've got an omnibus of the next three Harry Hole novels on my e-reader and hope to get through them in 2016.

194mathgirl40
des. 30, 2015, 8:49 pm



144. Three Plays: Juno and the Paycock, Shadow of a Gunman, and The Plough and the Stars by Sean O'Casey (3.5 stars)
Category: Plays

These three plays by Sean O'Casey are set in the late 1910's and early 1920's, during a turbulent time of political upheaval in Ireland's history. They are true tragicomedies, with a lot of humour, but they are terribly violent and bleak as well. O'Casey shows the suffering of all members of Irish society, regardless of religion or political affiliation.

195mathgirl40
des. 30, 2015, 8:53 pm

With just over a day to go in 2015, I have finished my challenge, which was to read 5 in each of my categories!

I still have a few more books to finish and review, for various December group reads, but I'm happy that I managed to complete the category challenge in time.

196rabbitprincess
des. 30, 2015, 9:09 pm

Woo hoo, congratulations on finishing!

197jessibud2
des. 30, 2015, 9:15 pm

>195 mathgirl40: - Wow, congrats! That is quite an accomplishment! I was just glancing through the thread and noticed you had read Flowers for Algernon for the first time. I read it many many years ago. Did you know they made a film of it? I think I saw it in high school! It was very good (I think that it was just called Charley)

BTW, we are planning a BC meetup in January some time. Just a heads up. Maybe this will be the year we meet! ;-)

198mathgirl40
des. 31, 2015, 1:50 pm

>196 rabbitprincess: Thanks!

>197 jessibud2: I've not seen the movie yet but I've heard it's very good. I do hope I'll make it to a BC meetup sometime this year. Not sure if January will work but I'll get there one day!

199mathgirl40
des. 31, 2015, 1:50 pm



145. Norwegian Wood by Harumi Murakami (4.5 stars)
Category: Miscellaneous

In Norwegian Wood, Toru Watanabe recalls his student days with melancholy and nostalgia. Through his recollections, we learn about his complex relationships with various people, some of whom he tries to help in their battles with mental illness.

I love coming-of-age stories and this one is so beautiful, even it's not considered the best of Murakami's work. I can see why so many revere Murakami in his native country and elsewhere. Unlike his other books, this one features very little magical realism and is probably the most accessible of his works.

200luvamystery65
des. 31, 2015, 1:54 pm

Congratulations on finishing your challenge. It's feels so great doesn't it?

Happy New Year!

201VivienneR
des. 31, 2015, 4:53 pm

Congratulations on finishing your challenge. You timed it very well!

202-Eva-
des. 31, 2015, 7:30 pm

Congratulations on finishing!

203lkernagh
gen. 1, 2016, 2:02 pm

Congratulations on completing your challenge!

204mathgirl40
gen. 1, 2016, 3:48 pm

>200 luvamystery65: >201 VivienneR: >202 -Eva-: >203 lkernagh: Thank you, all, for the congratulations and the good wishes.

All the best to my LT friends in 2016!

205mathgirl40
Editat: gen. 1, 2016, 4:24 pm



146. I Robot by Issac Asimov (4 stars)
Category: Classic SFF

This was a very thought-provoking collection of stories, featuring a group of recurring characters, that explore Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics. Despite some stereotypical portrayals that reflected the mindset of the 1940's, the stories felt less dated than I'd expected them to be. Many of the social and ethical issues related to use of robots and artificial intelligence are still very much discussed today. I'd read Caves of Steel earlier this year and am glad that I finished this collection giving insight into the world of robots before continuing with more books in this series.

206mathgirl40
gen. 1, 2016, 4:50 pm



147. Visions by Kelley Armstrong (3.5 stars)
Category: Miscellaneous

This is the second book in Armstrong's Cainsville series, and I would not recommend reading it as a standalone. There is a lot going on here. The book is a somewhat messy mash-up of murder mystery, urban fantasy and romance with a modern Gothic feel to it. I liked the mystery and Welsh folklore elements but found the romantic triangle (quadrilateral?) tiresome. I'll definitely read the final book in this trilogy to see how the story concludes, but I still prefer Armstrong's YA work.

207mathgirl40
Editat: gen. 1, 2016, 7:40 pm

December summary:

Books read: 12 (out of 147 in all)
Books off my shelf: 6 (out of 53 in all)
Favourite books: Memory by Lois McMaster Bujold and Paris 1919 by Margaret MacMillan

208mathgirl40
gen. 1, 2016, 8:01 pm

That's it for 2015! Here's a summary.

I participated in SFFCAT and RandomCAT almost every month, and HistoryCAT most months. I really enjoyed the Jane Austen year-long group read. I also participated a bit in the Isaac Asimov group read and the CookingKIT; wish I had time to do more!

I read a good number of books (147) but not nearly enough off my shelves (53). Fortunately, many of the books not off my shelves were library books, so I didn't accumulate too many more.

Favourite books of the year:
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
Medicine Walk by Richard Wagamese
The Children's Book by A. S. Byatt
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
The Peripheral by William Gibson
Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
Paris 1919 by Margaret MacMillan
The Emperor of All Maladies by Siddhartha Murkherjee
The Death and Life of Great American Cities by Jane Jacobs
Dreams Underfoot by Charles de Lint
River of Smoke by Amitav Ghosh
Memory by Lois McMaster Bujold
The Absolute True Story of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Uprooted by Naomi Novik

I want to say a big "Thank You!" to all the organizers of the CATs, KITs, and group reads, as well as to all my LT friends who stopped by this thread to visit. I love this LT group, for its insightful discussions and for all the excellent book recommendations I receive. I'm looking forward to following everyone's 2016 reading!

209paruline
gen. 2, 2016, 6:49 pm

Congratulations on finishing your challenge! Looks like you had a very successful reading year with 147 books :)