Wants to read Little Eve
book
Rated The Ministry of Compliance, Vol. 1 8/10
This was well drawn with a lot of slightly abstract gory violence (a *lot* of heads and limbs are severed), plus an interesting setting and complicated plot full of twists. The characters are well written and easily distinguished from one another for the most part and all their motivations mostly make sense.
Rated The Chill 8/10
Interesting with weird ghosts, I'll look for more by this author. (I read a library ebook with a cover image that looks like the paperback cover.)
Rated Son of Elsewhere: A Memoir in Pieces 10/10
This is excellent. The prose is nearly transparent and it's almost like a selection of short biographical essays about the author's life and moving to Canada as a child, lots of culture clash and immigrant parents not having the same values as their child, but it is full of heart (and grief) and moments of pop-culture (like nu metal, and wrestling fan fiction) drawn very well.
Rated Galileo's Dream 4/10
At last I've finished this book! I don't remember when I may have gotten it, but it's obvious it was once a library book, so I must've bought it from the local library system's clearance fundraising book cellar. Having read and loved thoroughly Robinson's Mars trilogy in high school, I figured it was way past time I read another of his books. The summary of the plot in the flaps sounded so interesting and completely in my wheel house. A founder of science, time travel, and the future in the balance? Yes, please.<br/><br/>And then it took me three months to struggle with finding the desire to struggle through it to the end. It turned out it did have the components covered in the book flaps. Unfortunately, that write-up was much more exciting sounding than the actual novel. The overwhelming majority of the time is spent in the 1600s and most of it Galileo moaning or complaining about something or the other. Or going on about his various relatives who were all hangers on wholly dependent on him.<br/><br/>If you're really into historical fiction of 1500s/1600s Italy, then you'll enjoy this book a lot more than I did. It's not poorly written, it just really wasn't what I was interested in. I would've loved a lot more time spent in the future and with those aliens on Jupiter and Europa etc. Instead I got a lot more about Galileo and descriptions of his hernia and the truss he used to keep his guts in place, constant drinking, and constant need of money not to mention his impoverished starving daughters he stuck in a convent. By the time the future people change the end of his life, I'd long stopped caring and just wanted to get to the end. The last 30 or so pages of the 527 were the most interesting of the lot. A novel from that final character's POV would've been way more interesting to me.
Rated Yesteryear 8/10
It seems this book touched a nerve for quite a few Goodreads reviewers! Yes, it's satire, but a lot of it is an exaggeration of the truth. Many many MANY women go through the cognitive dissonance of living squished into boxes they wouldn't otherwise live in.<br/><br/>Imagine if this woman hadn't been raised to believe she had to spend her adulthood as a breathing human incubator! If she had felt the freedom to have the one Maeve - or none at all! The merging of the 2 storylines met in the obvious and only way they could have.<br/><br/>It got a little bit dark at the end, but the way many people are socialized to live against their inherent nature often do end up in dark places. I think it also ended making a very valid point, too, which I'm not sure if I've seen mentioned enough. The people who are most hurt by this oppression of women are all the children they have. Some escape to live freer lives, but sadly many grow up to perpetuate the oppression and self-hatred.<br/><br/>Knowing that this story was somehow involved with Anne Hathaway before reading the book didn't take away from it. In fact, having watched enough of her work, I often easily pictured her as the main character. I look forward to seeing how they manage to put it together on screen.
Rated Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI 8/10
I learned about this book because of the Lily Gladstone movie from a few years ago. Usually when a movie or show is based on a book, I try to read the book first. I can imagine how this book could be made into a dramatic movie, but hopefully sticks close to the book. I was glad to zip along through it because it was written in a very approachable way, not dry at all unlike many non-fiction books written about historic events/tragedies against Brown people.<br/><br/>When the who and how came about, I didn't quite realize it, though, because it was rather abrupt without a lot of flourish. Not to mention, there were still (I forget how many but maybe) 100 pages left! I was increasingly annoyed at the penultimate chapter because it spent so much time on the FBI agent who closed the case, Tom White. It got a little excessive, in my opinion.<br/><br/>The final chapter, though, was both great and terrible. It covered a lot of details outside of the main ones White had closed. It was all so infuriating in the mindblowing racism and genocidal behavior that I was glad it was all put into one chapter at the end. If it had been added throughout the book, I would've had to keep putting it down from blinding anger. Many many MANY more people should've ended up in prison than the one who did. What an embarrassing lack of justice.<br/><br/>I look forward to one day catching the movie and comparing it to the historical facts.
Rated Battle Ground 6/10
A week ago when I finished and reviewed the previous book, "Peace Talks" (16), I noted the exceptionally unusual development(?) that for once Harry had spent the entire book actually exhausting every possible avenue of diplomacy and non-confrontation. Of course, the book left the reader on a "to be continued" note and this book immediately picks up there. Soon after I started this book, I came across an interview of Butcher in which he mentions that the two books came out back-to-back because they started out as a single book. Then as time went on and it became tome-like, he/his editor(s) decided to split it into two. And now it makes sense as to why "Peace Talks" was all diplomacy and, now that I've finished this book obviously by the title it was all battle.<br/><br/>So about that... As others have said in a few reviews I read when I was getting to the back end of the book, I really don't think it was a good move to split the story into two books. I think it was a bad decision of editing. Even if the last book had become 600pp long, 300pp of skirmish after skirmish, setting up a returning character in each one, just became repetitive and a bit tedious. I certainly skimmed a good 100 pages of the back half mainly making note of which characters showed up and what if anything unusual happened with each. Other than Harry, I'd say of allll the characters who got their spotlight, five of them I felt were of the most consequence by the end. By the time I got to the last one, with a twist, I mostly just wanted to get to the end. It's not a terrible book, but it's was definitely a misstep in what I expect from a Dresden Files book.<br/><br/>One final thought: Unsurprisingly, LOTR is one of Butcher's favorite and influencing books. Remember Archangel Uriel giving Dresden a copy of "The Two Towers" in "Small Favor" (10)? It seems that we're up to "The Two Towers" with this endless battle.<br/><br/>And now here's where I put all the spoilers, so if you've not read this book, now's the time to stop reading or to not click this <spoiler>.<br/><br/>So yeah. All things had been pointing towards Murphy's death for a couple of books now. I was really hoping she wasn't getting off'd, but figured it was happening. I was still annoyed when it happened and had to put the book down for a short while before continuing the slog of endless skirmishes. On the other hand, as I and many others expected, she'll probably become a valkyrie. It would be the way to get around the whole immortal-mortal finite relationship problem, but there's the detail Gard said that everyone would have to forget who she was before the All-Father brings her back. So, how will everyone have their memory of her erased? That's what I'm wondering. A favor from Mab, Molly, or The Leanansidhe since at least 2 of them have pulled off that trick before? However, if it turns out she's really gone for good because Butcher decided to fridge her, what a garbage way to go. I mean, it's a garbage way to go either way, but the whole "she died killing a Jotun" just isn't true! She was killed by some asshat, Rudolph, who'd been ruining her life since nearly the beginning of the series! AFTER killing the Jotun.<br/><br/>As for the other 4, I keep rooting for the ever greater Toot-Toot! Now I'm kind of meh on the whole turning of Molly into the Winter Lady. I still roll my eyes at the whole Butters as a Knight with a light saber Sword. And finally, the big reveal at the end of Marcone getting his neck snapped by Ethniu and thrown on the ground only for the the head to rotate back and the second pair of eyes appearing above Marcone's, the eyes of Denarian Thorned Namshiel. Yep, he's been hiding out in Marcone since "Small Favor" (10). Ugh! I got so excited that Marcone's neck had been snapped! Only for this to happen! I've been wanting him gone since many books back. The good news is I can't wait for Mab to find out Marcone is colluding with Namshiel. She's going to rip him to shreds for Namshiel's attack on Arctis Tor back in "Small Favor"!<br/><br/>Now about Harry. "Excommunicated" by the White Council because he's become too powerful/scary. Also, he made a deal with Listens-To-Wind about having a conversation over what the hell is going on with the whole Starborn thing. Interestingly, as is left at the end once Ethniu the Last Titan is locked up in Demonreach, Mab decides to marry him off to Lara Raith - in a year's time. Mab and the White (Grey?) Council colluding? Or are they both manuevering to control Harry using the same star chart or whatever the hell? Honestly, the whole Starborn thing has dragged on long enough. Butcher needs to drop the knowledge already! How is this going to go on for another NINE books?? / rant</spoiler>
Wants to read The Fortress of Solitude
Rated Bossypants 8/10
Such a fun book. From the reviews I've read of it and comments I've seen of some of Fey's work and quotes, some people just don't get her dry, sarcastic, caustic humor. I'm not sure what others expected from this. Some sort of tell-all? I think it was written very much in her voice and I found it very hilarious. She also has a lot to say as a liberal, feminist, middle-class woman with which I would of course agree, considering myself those things as well. I remember seeing a comment on the internet that they had expected from her more (any?) views on working as a writer and comedian. I don't know what book they read, but it wasn't this one. The book is riddled with this with stories starting around college and doing improv to the near-present where she agonized over a seond pregnancy because 200+ people depend on her working to pay the bills, a financial concern she fortunately doesn't have anymore. Perhaps because she said all of it in a humorous way? I don't know, but I think that's the best way to cover serious subjects, a spoonful of honey helps the medicine go down.
Rated El viento conoce mi nombre 8/10
I picked up this book to read as a choice for a local library book club. I'd read a few months ago another Allende novel, "Violeta," and enjoyed it very much. Since I'm fairly fluent in Spanish I chose to read the original Spanish version rather than the English translation. A couple of times I made a comparison and found the English transation pretty faithful.<br/><br/>While reading this novel, I noted a few Goodreads reviews were a little down on this book and I have suspicions as to why, but I don't agree. I enjoyed the story and appreciated the converging stories comparing two different instances of refugees from human horrors of which one is a very common go-to for the Western world, the Holocaust. I find it telling when someone refuses to make that connection, that they're one and the same, and refusing to lend the same humanity and empathy to Latin American refugees.<br/><br/>About the only thing I would say I would make a minor criticism is the length it took to converge the 2 stories. It wasn't until approximately 3/4 of the way through that how they related was explained. Maybe it might've occurred to someone else and I usually consider myself fairly quick in those types of instances, but it didn't with this story. Regardless, the story is fairly true to real life in the horrible aspects and it would serve many people to read this book and fix their hearts to make that same connection themselves.
Rated Absence 8/10
I don't remember how I learned about this book, but I thought the premise was intriguing and immediately put it on my TBR list.<br/><br/>There's sometimes/often? a split between people who like to refer to stories as scifi and those who like to call the genre speculative fiction. I think to the general public sci-fi always brings to mind flashy technology and, for lack of a better term, a lot of "pew pew!" Sometimes what the plot may be speculating about our current condition, wrapped among all the pew!pew!, can be lost because of the flash. At some point while reading this book, Rod Serling-type "The Twilight Zone" came to mind. It's definitely sci-fi, but without all the flash of, let's say, 1970s+ sci-fi.<br/><br/>If you pick up this book looking for aliens and pat answers, you're going to be disappointed. It's definitely a more philosophical look at American culture and society under alienating circumstances with the remove of some sci-fi unknown cause which creates the hypothetical circumstances through which it can be viewed. I can't say I care for the final conclusion the main character closes the novel, but that's entirely the point. I easily see how the author extrapolated recent behavior into this novel. In a way, that's both tragic and sad.<br/><br/>Read this book for the what-if of what our society is like and where it's going riding on the idea of what Life Comes Next.
Rated The High Lord 8/10
What a huge difference in writing from beginning to end of this trilogy. I started book 1 a little disappointed at the level of writing while blowing through book 3, not because the writing continued to be so YA easy, but because it had become so rich in characters. Yeah, it was still fairly predictable, but I was happy to read that the nugget dropped in book 1 was used to help save the day in book 3. I would've been pretty mad, actually, if it had been just left there. Each book was progressively longer, but not to their detriment. It gave Canavan more time for world detail and character development which was definitely a bit lacking in book 1. Thankfully, there wasn't another weird aha! twist in the middle like there were in both previous books, so that was a relief. It really had come off as amateur, to be honest. The one question I asked in my book 2 review, did anyone really believe Akkarin was evil?, really fell to the wayside starting with book 3's back cover summary. I guess Canavan decided she wasn't fooling anyone, so she just let it go from the start. The ending though, I didn't expect. It even got a "WHAT?!" out of me, so good job. I felt it was rather sad and not what I would've liked necessarily for several of the characters nor how the New World Order, if you will, turns out, but that doesn't make it a bad ending. Like I always say, not all endings have to be perfect happily ever afters nor neatly tied off in a bow. There's a sequel trilogy of which I already have book 1, but I think I'm going to rest a bit from this universe and pick it up later when I'm ready to read more of the Guild's black magicians.
Rated Fire Season 8/10
Now this is more to my liking. The characters I was interested in are back and look like there will be much more in the next book or 2 - Gabriela and Darius. I'm glad there was the wrapping up of Quetzalcōātl and the Santa Ana winds. I noted at the end of the last book that I hoped that wasn't the end of it, but just backburnered, if you will.<br/><br/>The introduction of Letitia and expansion of the "Clean Up Crew" adds another interesting character I want to see more of. A pleasant surprise to continue seeing additions of women who seem multi-dimensional and not just to serve the protagonist ends. Well. Maybe not so much with the ex, Vivian. Their coexistence-with-animosity (or is there?) is getting a bit tired. Hopefully, Vivian literally gets a life apart from Carter.<br/><br/>Finally, it added a bit of additional relevance of what I assume was the inspiration for this book, the LAST time L.A. had historic fires, to once again be going through that at this moment. The author's experience really gave the story that feel of reality, I think.<br/><br/>I look forward to more story involving Darius and hopefully more on Carter's grandfather, his lamia girlfriend, and that fort full of magical goodies.
Rated Fugitive Telemetry 6/10
As I was finishing "Network Effect" which was published right before this one, I learned that this next book was something that happened before it. I'm not sure what caused that, but it was a bit odd especially considering where that book left off. The step backwards chronologically irked me a bit. I might've read it before "Network Effect" if I'd known.<br/><br/>That aside, it was an interesting whodunit. But the main part I liked was the interaction between Murderbot and the local security and other humans from Preservation. It also continues to amuse me from its POV not only as not-human (ew! lol), but also its asides regarding Preservation's humans towards, essentially, quality of life and rights of sentients compared to what it was used to as a former property of Corporate space. Like, get ahold of these guys! They're so quaint/crazy. It says a lot about our capitalist cultures without talking about us, I think.<br/><br/>Ultimately, the solution was fairly obvious of who murdered the human who was people trafficking. The culprit was immediately suspect to me, but it was still alright to go through the motions of the red herrings and for Murderbot to essentially facepalm at not having thought of it sooner. Seriously, Murderbot. :)<br/><br/>I look forward to NOW moving forward in the next novella and see how it moves forward with its "relationship" and its adoption, of sorts!
Wants to read The Umbrella Academy, Vol. 1: Apocalypse Suite
Rated Small Acts of Resistance: How Courage, Tenacity, and Ingenuity Can Change the World 8/10
Amazing what little things others are willing to kill someone over and also amazing that people are willing to do them to show how oppressive and crazy those same other people are. A collection of short stories, I think this book is a good starting point for learning about history and horrific events in other countries. Also, some of our own. The book is an easy read, at least as far as style. Some of the events, not so much. Recommended for history and politics buffs.
Rated Dead Ever After 6/10
It was time. It was really time to put Sookie Stackhouse away. As I said in my review to the book before this one, I'd already lost a lot of interest in the series up to that point until I realized that there were only 2 books left and then the series was closed. I decided to read them for closure. Not that I thought it was bad, but it just wasn't as exciting as it had once been. As described in a list of books I saw, it was one of those series which fall under "outstayed its welcome."<br/><br/>So to this book in particular, it pretty much ended as I'd been predicting for years. The plot was fairly wacky and seemed to have little purpose. In the end, it still sort of felt that way, but its sole purpose was really just to get to The End. It conveniently tied up every loose end with little reasoning in its tying of many villains together and deposits you at the abovementioned End.<br/><br/>I suppose this might be satisfying to some, but to me it just came off as making it clear that there was going to be absolutely nothing left to give an excuse for continuation. However, since it was past its expiration date, I suppose that's a good thing.<br/><br/>Sad to see you go, Eric The Viking. It was good while it lasted...
Finished reading The Left Hand of Darkness