I've been watching the weather forecasts popping up across Canada. We are so far pretty warm respectively on our portion of Canada's West Coast so hoping it stays that way for the foreseeable future. But for those of you experiencing freezing rains, extreme cold, etc. stay safe and stay indoors if you can. Best wishes.
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| Me being calm and controlled |
It's been a busy few days since Xmas Eve. Jo had her first surgery Xmas Eve and then I was able to take her home around 2 p.m. Xmas Day. The poor woman has two sets of tubes to help get rid of any fluid build up caused by the surgery. So we've (mostly Jo) have had to drain the rubberized bubbles twice a day since. Unfortunately on the 27th, one of the tubes got clogged and Jo noticed it around 4 in the morning. She told me and being the calm, rational person that I am, I got up too fast, then basically fainted; kept trying to get up, fainted twice more. So poor Jo who is the one whose had the surgery is now trying to help me, phone for an ambulance... They arrived very quickly, hooked me up to various machinery. I tried to faint one more time. Both Jo and I taken to the hospital ER and we had a nice 10 hour stay there. But they got me sorted (some sort of panic attack that caused my heart to slow down and not send enough blood to my stupid brain) and the rebandaged Jo, cleaned out the tubes.. We've been home since and all is calmer. In fact I made a nice curry with Jo's assistance (directions) last night with cauliflower rice. It was lovely. At the moment, she's relaxing and I'm going to do a post about December book reads and my first January selections.
Since my update at the beginning of December, I've read 9 books. I'm currently trying to complete my last book of 2025. So I'll update 3 or 4 of my favorite reads and add any new books I might have purchased since that last update... Hey ho! Let's go!
Completed
1.
Love and Rockets, The Death of Speedy by
Jaime Hernandez (Vol. 7 / 1989).
"On another site, I've been doing a series of posts about graphic novels, both series and standalones, that I've been exploring and enjoying. One of the responses was a recommendation to try Love and Rockets, Vol. 7: The Death of Speedy by Jaime Hernández. So I thought... what the hey, why not. I have to say that it was quite a pleasant surprise.
How to describe?? Well, let's start by saying it was an engrossing, beautifully drawn graphic novel. It contains a 9 separate chapters, from The Return of Ray D., the Death of Speedy, Jerusalem Crickets, The Letter, etc.
Well, let's consider. It's about relationships, friendships, battles, kind of a modern, updated version of Archie, more like the Riverdale TV series, than the comic books. You've got relationship entanglements, like both Betty and Veronica after Archie... Instead here you've got Maggie, trying to decide between Hopey and Ray D. and instead of a setting in Riverdale, it's in a Hispanic community in LA.
You've got a series of stories following Hopey and her band that reminded me of Henry Rollins book about touring with his band, Black Flag... the living out of your van, trying to scrape up enough money for meals between gigs.
You've got Maggie's Tia (aunt) and her touring WWW wrestling shows. You've got the irreverent feel of the Tank Girl books, without the fantasy, because Love and Rockets feels so real. Oh you've also got a sort of gang friction that ends up being important in the The Death of Speedy.
It's just a breath of fresh air. I loved the artwork, the people varied but beautiful. The stories wander from the present to the past to give us perspective on the events and people. The focus is generally Maggie, but also her friends and acquaintances. I don't know how to describe it, except to say that it was so very, very good. I've ordered another volume in the series just to see more of their lives. So excellent. (4.5 stars)"
2.
The Other Sea by
Ursula K. Le Guin (Earthsea #6 / 2001). This is the final book in the Earthsea Cycle.
"The Other Wind by Ursula K. Le Guin is the 6th and final book in Le Guin's Earthsea cycle. Such an exceptional fantasy collection. The hero of the first book, A Wizard of Earthsea, Ged (aka Sparrowhawk, the Arch Mage of Earthsea) plays a minor role. In this book, his wife Tenar (heroine of Tombs of Atuan) and adopted daughter, Tehanu (from, of course, Tehanu) play much more prominent roles. As well, King Lebannen, the King of Earthsea and hero along with Ged of The Farthest Shore also plays an important role.
We meet new characters; the dragon, Orm Irian, who changes shape into a lady, the mysterious princess from Karg, the wizard Alder, who starts everything going. And, of course, a few others.
Alder, a minor wizard, is a widower and has begun dreaming has begun having disturbing dreams of his dead wife, calling to him from beyond a wall. Many dead take her place and clamor for release. Alder goes to Hoke, the home of the Wizard council and school for wizards for help and is sent along to Gont to seek advice from the old Archmage himself. But Ged has no more wizard powers and Ged sends Alder to Havnor to seek council from the King. It turns out that Tenar and Tehanu are already there, at the request of the King.
When Alder arrives, finally, he finds many turmoils. The world is at an imbalance. Dragons are returning from the West and destroying lands and crops and taking over. Everyone is starting to have dreams. After a council, the King determines that another voyage is required, this time back to Hoke which appears to be the focus of the problem and maybe the solution. So you've got the King, Tenar, Tehanu, the dragon lady Irian, the princess, Alder and two other wizards heading off to the Immanent Grove to seek the aid of the Wizard Council.
Like pretty well anything that Le Guin produces, it's a thoughtful, well-crafted story, peopled with such excellent characters. All are so well - developed and 3-dimensional. The story gets into your own feelings and emotions, feelings of loss, love, friendship. It took me awhile to first start the series because I thought that A Wizard of Earthsea was probably too young for me. I instead looked into Le Guin's Sci Fi (Hainish) stories. But since I've been exploring her works, it matters not which stories I've tried. They are just great stories. The Earthsea world should be explored. Great fantasy, great stories. (4.0 stars)"
3.
Bedelia by
Vera Caspary (1945). I'd previously read Laura by Caspary and have enjoyed the movie many times.
"I've previously only read one book by American crime writer and screenwriter, Vera Caspary, who lived from 1899 - 1987. That was maybe her best known book, Laura, which was also turned into a great movie which I've watched a few times. After my wife and I watched Laura one of our most recent times, I decided to see what else she'd written as I wanted to explore her work more. And here we are at Bedelia, the novel she wrote immediately after Laura. It was originally published in 1945.
Bedelia is the new wife of Connecticut businessman Charles Horst. Charles met her while he was recuperating in Colorado from his mother's death. Enamored with Bedelia, he proposed, got married and they returned to the family home in Conn. His neighbours, even though his home was quite isolated, also liked Bedelia (fondly called Biddy by Charles), even Mary, who had hoped someday that it would be her who became Charles' wife. New to the scene is artist Ben Chaney, who is renting the cottage next door and seems to have a way with women.
As happy as Charles is, things seem a bit off. Bedelia, for her lovely personality, controls Charles very much. At the Xmas dinner, she fusses over what he eats, due to his upset digestive system. At the New Year's party at Ben's place, Charles suffers a collapse, faints and appears close to death. The doctor is very concerned and orders in a personal nurse to monitor Charles very closely and he insists that all of Charles' meals will be prepared by her. She will be with him at all times.
Now, I'll stop there with the story. Suffice it to say, that it is filled with suspicion, a few neat surprises, both in story and about characters and it moves along quite briskly and ends with a neat surprise. I found it a bit overwrought at times but it did help add to the tension. Bedelia is a fascinating character, with many levels to her. Charles is a bit more straight forward. All in all it was an excellent mystery and I will continue to explore Caspary's work. (4.0 stars)"
4.
A Truce That is Not Peace by
Miriam Toews (2025).
"My previous exposure to Canadian writer Miriam Toews was her Women Talking. I have Fight Club on my book shelf but thought I might like to try her most recent book A Truce That Is Not Peace first.
Basically, the premise for the story is Miriam's exploration on why she writes. She has received an invitation to a literary event in Mexico City and all invitees are asked to submit a response to the question, 'Why do you write?" before they are accepted. Following this request is an exploration on Miriam's life, the deaths of both her father and sister by suicide, her extended family and her desire to create a 'wind' museum. The book in the form of anecdotes of a trip across Europe with her 'boyfriend' Wolfie, her life with her mother, trying to help her cope with health issues, and other random events.
At the commencement of many chapters we get the response from the Literary committee telling her that her response to their question is unsatisfactory. The book is in the from of letters to her sister from Europe, anecdotes, excerpts from various authors (Christian Wiman, Tom Whalen, etc.) and so much more. How to deal with grief, how to deal with life, why write?
It's a fascinating, touching, troubling, wandering story. Does it answer the question, why write? I honestly don't know but it's worth checking out to see what you think. And I can't wait for the wind museum to open its doors. (4.0 stars)
5.
Elder Race by
Adrian Tchaikovsky (2021).
"Elder Race by Adrian Tchaikovsky is my first exposure to Tchaikovsky's story - telling and after enjoying this I will be exploring his work more. He wrote a Children of Time series and there is supposed to be a 2nd book in the Elder Race 'series' coming out in September 2026 (I've pre-ordered)
The story is set on a distant planet that was originally populated by Earth people hundreds of years ago. Earth at some point decided to check on the various planets that they populated and a team was sent to this planet (presumably the others as well) to monitor how successful the Earth people had been in settling the planet. At some point all of the team left to return to Earth but one stayed behind, 2nd Anthropologist Nyr.
For 200+ years, Nyr has been living alone in the Tower. At one time he descended broke the rules of contact and helped destroy the demon Ulmoth. He fell in love with the Queen of the time, Astresse, but when the battle was done, he returned to his tower. A great grand daughter of Astresse, Fourth daughter Lynesse has come to the Tower asking once again for his assistance. Something weird is happening to the Forest peoples (and when you get into the story.. it's weird)
Nyr reluctantly agrees to follow Nyr and her companion, Eshe to see what's what and that is the gist of this story. Lynesse believes Nyr is a wizard and Nyr has difficulty explaining what he is and why he can't help. The story is told from both perspectives, each chapter alternating between Nyr and Lynesse.
It's a fascinating tale, relatively short but packed with great detail, emotion, and interesting action... and disturbing creatures / beings/ so hard to describe. I liked every character and I found the story interesting and was glad that it left a door open for more tales of Nyr and Lynesse. (4.5 stars)"
The remaining completed books were -
1. It Lasts Forever and Then It's Over by Anne de Marcken (2024) (3.0 stars)
2. The Tindalos Asset by Caitlin R. Kiernan (Tinfoil Dossier #3 / 2020). This completes the trilogy (3.5 stars)
3. Dante's Inferno, a Graphic Novel Adaptation by Paul Brizzi (2023) Probably the only way I'll ever read Dante. (4.0 stars)
4. Paper Girls, Volume 3 by Brian K. Vaughan (2017) (4.0 stars)
Currently Reading
(one last book for 2025 and I'm half way through it. Having said that, there are lots of notes that I might just skim)
1.
Greek Myths, A New Retelling by
Charlotte Higgins (2021). I've always enjoyed Greek myths and this is interesting.
"Charlotte Higgins reinterprets some of the most enduring stories of all time in this beautifully produced, spellbinding new collection, featuring original artworks by Chris Ofili.
Here are myths of the creation, of Heracles and Theseus and Perseus, the Trojan war and its origins and aftermaths, tales of Thebes and Argos and Athens. There are stories of love and desire, adventure and magic, destructive gods, helpless humans, fantastical creatures, resourceful witches and the origins of birds and animals. This is a world of extremes, and one that resonates deeply with our own: mysterious diseases devastate cities; environmental disasters tear lives apart; women habitually suffer violence at the hands of men.
Unlike in many previous collected myths, female characters take centre stage - Athena, Helen, Circe, Penelope and others weave these stories into elaborate imagined tapestries. In Charlotte Higgins's thrilling new interpretation, their tales combine to form a dazzling, sweeping epic of storytelling, and a magnificent work of scholarship and imagination."
Newest Purchases
(5 new books to add to the list)
1. Gideon's Ride by J.J. Marric (Commander Gideon #9 / 1962) One of my favorite crime series.
"London's transportation system is experiencing a crime wave, with a ruthless gang victimizing unsuspecting commuters. There are also all of the usual thefts and 'ordinary' crimes to deal with. With murders occurring on buses, any passenger unfortunate enough to be heading home after dark may be a target. Panic ensues and only one man, George Gideon, can remove the fear . . ."
2. Book of Lives: A Memoir of Sorts by Margaret Atwood (2025). I always enjoy Atwood's writing and am glad she's still pumping out books of any kind; poetry, Sci Fi, fiction, non-fiction. She is one of those authors on my bucket list to try and read as much as possible during my remaining years.
"How does one of the greatest storytellers of our time write her own life? The long-awaited memoir from one of our most lauded and influential cultural figures.
‘Every writer is at least two beings: the one who lives, and the one who writes. Though everything written must have passed through their minds, or mind, they are not the same.’
Raised by ruggedly independent, scientifically minded parents – entomologist father, dietician mother – Atwood spent most of each year in the wild forest of northern Quebec. This childhood was unfettered and nomadic, sometimes isolated (on her eighth birthday: 'It sounds forlorn. It was forlorn. It gets more forlorn.’), but also thrilling and beautiful.
From this unconventional start, Atwood unfolds the story of her life, linking seminal moments to the books that have shaped our literary landscape, from the cruel year that spawned Cat’s Eye to the Orwellian 1980s Berlin where she wrote The Handmaid’s Tale. In pages bursting with bohemian gatherings, her magical life with the wildly charismatic writer Graeme Gibson and major political turning points, we meet poets, bears, Hollywood actors and larger-than-life characters straight from the pages of an Atwood novel.
As we travel with her along the course of her life, more and more is revealed about her writing, the connections between real life and art – and the workings of one of our greatest imaginations."
3. Ursula K. Le Guin; Conversations on Writing by Ursula K. Le Guin (2018). Another author whose work is on my bucket list.
"When the New York Times referred to Ursula K. Le Guin as America’s greatest writer of science fiction, they just might have undersold her legacy. It’s hard to look at her vast body of work novels and stories across multiple genres, poems, translations, essays, speeches, and criticism and see anything but one of our greatest writers, period.
In a series of interviews with David Naimon (Between the Covers), Le Guin discusses craft, aesthetics, and philosophy in her fiction, poetry, and nonfiction respectively. The discussions provide ample advice and guidance for writers of every level, but also give Le Guin a chance to to sound off on some of her favorite subjects: the genre wars, the patriarchy, the natural world, and what, in her opinion, makes for great writing. With excerpts from her own books and those that she looked to for inspiration, this volume is a treat for Le Guin’s longtime readers, a perfect introduction for those first approaching her writing, and a tribute to her incredible life and work."
4. Heart on my Sleeve; Stories on a Life Well-Worn by Jeanne Beker (2024). I have a feeling that I will be reading a fair bit of non-fiction in 2026).
"Fashion and style icon Jeanne Beker delivers an uplifting and inspiring memoir that walks us through a wardrobe of memory, one article of clothing at a time. Jeanne Beker’s name is synonymous with style and grace in fashion. Recognized by many as the beloved host of Fashion Television and The New Music, Jeanne has spent an entire career interviewing celebrities and uncovering their most private selves. Now, in Heart on My Sleeve, Jeanne reveals who she is in an all-new way. This is not just a memoir but a wardrobe of memory. Jeanne walks us through her recollections of specific pieces of clothing and jewelry, precious items that have made an indelible impact on her. She invites readers to think more deeply about how what we wear—whether it’s a thrift-store find or high-end couture—acts as a touchstone to our most treasured recollections, reminding us of who we once were or of loved ones we hold dear. With Jeanne as our style guide, we get up-close and personal with a star-studded cast, including Paul McCartney, Madonna, Karl Lagerfeld, Kate Moss, Oscar de la Renta, Beyoncé, and Keith Richards. But equally important, Jeanne introduces us to the family members and loved ones who form her closest entourage—including her wise Yiddish mother and her industrious father, both Holocaust survivors; her childhood neighbor Mrs. Jaskolka, a style maven ahead of her time; her two trailblazing daughters; and her many warm and exuberant friends who have seen her through the best and worst of times. Jeanne proves that a life lived with style and substance is always in fashion. Bold, colorful, and authentic, this is Jeanne Beker at her very best and brightest."
5. Killadelphia, Volume 1; Sins of the Father by Rodney Barnes (2020). One of my friends in Goodreads recommended this series.
"Featuring the show-stopping talents of Spawn series artist JASON SHAWN ALEXANDER, and the writer behind such hit shows as Wu-Tang: An American Saga, Marvel's Runaways, and Starz's American Gods--RODNEY BARNES.
When a small town beat cop comes home to bury his murdered father-the revered Philadelphia detective James Sangster Sr.-he begins to unravel a mystery that leads him down a path of horrors and shakes his beliefs to their core.
The city that was once the symbol of liberty and freedom has fallen prey to corruption, poverty, unemployment, brutality...
...and vampires.
But the mystery goes even further when Jimmy's investigation leads him to uncover the source of the outbreak is long-thought dead President of the United States John Adams--a man secretly biding his time as he builds an undead army to start a new and bloodier American revolution.
There's a reason they coin a phrase, "you can't go home." Welcome to Killadelphia."
2026 Reading Challenges
I've planned 7 Reading Challenges, 4 - 12 + 4 Challenges and 3 - Individual Challenges
1. 12 + 4 - Dustiest Books (the 16 books that have been the longest on my bookshelf
2. 12 + 4 - Short Stories (self - explanatory)
3. 12 + 4 - Graphic Novels
4. 12 + 4 - Shiniest Newest Purchases (I may edit this slightly but basically this will be the books I received most recently up to 31 Dec
For my Individual Challenges, I've broken it down into 3 groups; my oldest purchases (disregarding those in my Dustiest Book Challenge), the middle group of books and the newest purchases. I'll pick each one either by random number generator or just randomly by what I feel like reading.
4. Individual Challenge - Dusty Books 17 - 416
5. Individual Challenge - Middle Group 417 - 832
6. Individual Challenge - Newest Books 833 - Present
These are the first 7 books I've chosen to start off the challenge.
So there you go. Time to get Jo and me some brekkie. Take care and enjoy the rest of 2025.
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