So It's Tuesday... Umm, The Day After Monday... Yeah, That's It. Oh, And The Science Fiction Novel

What have I done today? Not too much so far. I did catch up on some reading this morning for a couple of hours, accompanied by spurts of dozing off. Watched Perry Mason and Matlock. I'm watching The Waltons with Clyde at this very moment. Desperate times!

At the moment I'm enjoying the books I've got on the go.What books you ask? Oh well, let me tell you.

a. Satan's Lambs by Lyn S. Hightower (Lena Padget #1).
b. Open Secret by Deryn Collier (Bern Fortin #2).
c. The Anodyne Necklace by Martha Grimes (Inspector Jury #3).
d. Women's Barracks by Tereska Torres.
e. The Sculptress by Minette Walters.

So before I continue with my normal thread, the look at the Sci-Fi novel, I'm going to rant a bit. And it's nothing over which I have any control, but it'll make me feel good.

a. The Republican-led Supreme Court and Herr Trump refuse to let the Wisconsin primary be delayed or done strictly by ballot. Instead they are forcing thousands of Wisconsin citizens stand in lines all day to vote. Trump wants his Republican judge to be voted in. I've read that 1,000s of Republican Wisconsin folks are staying home rather than risk it. As Trump would say... What do you have to lose?

b. Bone Spurs Trump and his Acting Secretary of the Navy fired the Capt(N) in command of the USS Teddy Roosevelt because he dared to defend his sailors, trying to get help for them from the Coronavirus. Trump said he doesn't like weak military (He'd rather pardon war criminals) and the Acting Secretary called the Captain naive or maybe weak. Of course he's sucked back those comments.

c. Mr. Integrity Trump is pissed off that his Inspector General of Health and Human Services released a report highlighting weaknesses in the Government's response and problems at hospitals. She got this information from reports from 300+ hospitals. He's accusing her of being an Obama appointment, even though she has worked for the government since 1999.

d. Birther Trump has moved his Press Secretary Stephanie Grisham (who never had one press conference in 10 months) back to work for #BeBest Melania and replaced her with birther Kayleigh McEnany, who most recently predicted that the virus wouldn't reach US shores.

Any good news. Well, hopefully.

Jacinda Ardern, PM New Zealand

a. My favorite Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is gaining lots more respect for her handling of the Coronavirus pandemic. See this Washington Post article.

b. Canada to be producing N95 masks locally. I hope this is true. Also it seems that 3-M, which the Trump administration had restricted from shipping masks to Canada and Latin American, will now be able to do so. Nice when we can rely on our allies.

Anyway, enough of that. Now to the Science Fiction novel.

The Science Fiction Novel - Hugh Howey

Hugh Howey

Hugh Howey is an American author of Science Fiction, born in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1975. He has written a number of series but is maybe best known for his Silo series. I discovered it one day when I was checking out the Sci-Fi shelves at the Laughing Oyster book store downtown. Wool, the first book in the series, was excellent, a unique look at a dystopic future. I've since read the 2nd book in the series and have the third on my bookshelf.

a. Wool (Silo #1 / 2012).











"Wow! What a great story, courage, bad guys, good guys, interesting concept and characters that you can enjoy. The story of the people of Silo 18 (you'll have to read it to find out what it is) whose daily lives move along, a relationship from floor to floor, all contributing in their own way; Mechanical, Medical, IT, Farming, Law, but at the same time there are secrets and plots.

The story starts off with Sheriff Holston who is dealing with the death of his wife three years before, who chose to go on a 'cleaning' (more for you to read about) and decides to join her. The Mayor and deputy go down to Mechanical in search of the new Sheriff (Juliette.. a lovely, brave, wonderful character), much to the dissatisfaction of Bernard, Head of IT, who has ideas of his own for running Silo. The implications of this conflict form the basis of the story, which, in this Omnibus edition, run for 5 Chapters (Books).

Silo will be turned upside down, new heros discovered; Juliette will go on her own journey and there will be discoveries that will shock many of the residents of Silo. I can't say enough about this story. I want to get the next books, but am also kind of hesitant as Hugh Howey indicates in a Q&A at the end of the book, "There is always a story to tell, just maybe not the one that the readers expect." Great story, hard to put down and enjoyed every minute of it, even if some were with trepidation. (5 stars)"

b. Shift (2013 / Silo #2).

"Shift by American author, Hugh Howey is the 2nd volume in the Silo trilogy. It contains 3 parts; Part 1 - First Shift / Legacy, Part 2 - Second Shift / Order and Part 3 - Third Shift / Pact.

Like the first book in the series, Wool, Shift is a deeply intricate, involved story. We learn many things in this volume, the origins of the Silos and we move, in the deep dark future, between Silo 1 and Silo 18 and also 17. It's a bit confusing at first but as you get into the flow of the stories and the time and location shifts, you find yourself drawn into the world Howey has created.

The stories can be quite depressing. We get more inklings about what might have happened to the world and who might have caused the 'disaster' that caused the creation of the Silos in Georgia. At the same time, there still remain many questions about what actually happened and what the plan is for the future of those inhabiting the 40 silos. My impression is that it doesn't bode well for many of those living in the majority of the Silos.

We have nano-technology which seems to have been used to preserve the lives of those creators who live in Silo 1; long periods of hibernation, with periods of activity (Shifts). They monitor and direct the other silos, passing on the Legacies, controlling the Mayors and who else run those silos and also seemingly shutting down those silos where problems occur (riots, war, etc). Maybe they are looking for the best run and organized silos? Hopefully, the final book in the series, Dust will provide those final answers (Yes, there is still one more book!!)

Besides Donald and those main characters in Silo 1, we also meet Mission in Silo 18, a porter caught up in a revolt and Jimmy (Solo) in Silo 17, struggling to live as the Silo degenerates into chaos. And who is the Cleaner???? (Is she the Juliette???) Questions, questions!!!

Not a happy view of the future but a fascinating story once again. Hoping I don't wait quite so long to read the 3rd book (4 stars)"

c. Dust (Silo #3 / 2013).











"In a time when secrets and lies were the foundations of life, someone has discovered the truth. And they are going to tell.

Jules knows what her predecessors created. She knows they are the reason life has to be lived in this way.

And she won't stand for it.

But Jules no longer has supporters. And there is far more to fear than the toxic world beyond her walls.

A poison is growing from within Silo 18.

One that cannot be stopped.

Unless Silo 1 step in."

The complete list of Howey's works can be found at this link. 

A mid-week medley tomorrow.. 🙉