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| Dream Team 3 |
So let's see about books. I'll start with my latest purchases.
New Books
"A young man is placed on trial accused of murdering his father. It's conclusion rests on interpretations of 'presumption of innocence'.
"When a deadly Fly Flu sweeps the globe, it leaves a shell of the world that once was. Among the survivors are eighteen-year-old Nico and her dog, on a voyage devised by Nico's father to find a mythical portal; a young artist named Kit, raised in an old abandoned cinema; and the enigmatic Deliverer, who lives Life after Life in an attempt to put the world back together. As swarms of infected Flies roam the earth, these few survivors navigate the woods of post-apocalyptic New England, meeting others along the way, each on their own quest to find life and love in a world gone dark. The Electric Kingdom is a sweeping exploration of art, storytelling, eternal life, and above all, a testament to the notion that even in an exterminated world, one person might find beauty in another."
"Meet Ada Goth. She lives in Ghastly-Gorm Hall with her father, Lord Goth, lots of servants and at least half a dozen ghosts, but she hasn't got any friends to explore her enormous, creepy house with.
Then, one night, everything changes when Ada meets a ghostly mouse called Ishmael. Together they set out to solve the mystery of the strange happenings at Ghastly-Gorm Hall, and get a lot more than they bargained for..."
"The Sand Hills of Nebraska, where Mignon G. Eberhart lived as a newlywed, inspired the setting of this 1930 chiller. Smack in the middle of the rolling desolation is Hunting’s End, a weekend lodge owned by the rich Kingery family. To that place socialite Matil Kingery invites a strange collection of guests—the same people who were at the lodge when her father died of “heart failure” exactly five years ago. She intends to find out which one of them murdered him.
Posing as another guest is the dapper young detective Lance O’Leary. At his recommendation Matil has engaged Nurse Sarah Keate to care for Aunt Lucy Kingery at Hunting’s End—not a pleasant assignment, as it turns out. Gathered at the lodge, Matil’s guests are shut off from the outside by a November snowstorm. A collie named Jericho mopes around, and a stray cat seems to herald new, clearly unnatural deaths. What a trap to spring on people used to good wine and fresh-cut flowers at dinner!"
"Born into music royalty, the daughter of folk legends Kate McGarrigle and Loudon Wainwright III and sister to the highly-acclaimed and genre-defying singer Rufus Wainwright, Martha grew up in a world filled with such incomparable folk legends as Leonard Cohen; Suzy Roche, Anna McGarrigle, Richard and Linda Thompson, Pete Townsend, Donald Fagan and Emmylou Harris. It was within this loud, boisterous, carny, musical milieu that Martha came of age, struggling to find her voice until she exploded on the scene with her 2005 debut critically acclaimed album, Martha Wainwright, containing the blistering hit, "Bloody Mother F*cking Asshole," which the Sunday Times called one of the best songs of that year. Her successful debut album and the ones that followed such as Come Home to Mama, I Know You're Married but I've Got Feelings Too, and Goodnight City came to define Martha's searing songwriting style and established her as a powerful voice to be reckoned with.
In Martha's memoir, Stories I Might Regret Telling You, Martha digs into the deep recesses of herself with the same emotional honesty that has come to define her music. She describes her tumultuous public-facing journey from awkward, earnest, and ultimately rebellious daughter, through her intense competition and ultimate alliance with her brother, Rufus, to the indescribable loss of their mother, Kate, and then, finally, discovering her voice as an artist. With candor and grace, Martha writes of becoming a mother herself and making peace with her past struggles with Kate and her former self, finally understanding and facing the challenge of being a female artist and a mother. Ultimately, Stories I Might Regret Telling You will offer readers a thoughtful and deeply personal look into the extraordinary life of one of the most talented singer-songwriters in music today."
"Ursula K. Le Guin's Always Coming Home is a major work of the imagination from one of America's most respected writers. More than five years in creation, it is a novel unlike any other.
Spiraling outward from the dramatic life story of a woman called Stone Telling, Le Guin's Always Coming Home interweaves wry wit, deep insight and extraordinary compassion into a compelling unity of vision."
"Level 7 is the diary of Officer X-127, who is assigned to stand guard at the "Push Buttons," a machine devised to activate the atomic destruction of the enemy, in the country’s deepest bomb shelter. Four thousand feet underground, Level 7 has been built to withstand the most devastating attack and to be self-sufficient for five hundred years. Selected according to a psychological profile that assures their willingness to destroy all life on Earth, those who are sent down may never return."
"Having served an eighteen-month prison sentence, Bunny returns to society with a disgraced reputation. Eager to build his good name back, the young thief responds to an advertisement requesting a male nurse to aid a sick and elderly man. Meanwhile, Bunny gets a surprise visit from an old friend. Presumed to have been killed during his travels, A.J Raffles reunites with his old accomplice, his eyes already set on valuable relics to steal. Now hardened criminals, Raffles and Bunny are no longer just suave robbers. After surveying the area, Raffles becomes determined to steal a treasured gold chalice, along with other golden trinkets, from the British Museum, aiming for a more challenging target than their usual elite victims. Though Bunny is unconvinced at first, he soon agrees to the plan. Posing as museum guests, the two men sneak into the gold room, prepared to stop anyone in their way. As the two thieves settle into their new identities as notorious criminals, they face challenges new and previously experienced, including blackmail, old flames, new recruits, heists, and the ambitious efforts of Inspector Mackenzie. First published in 1901, The Black Mask by E. W Hornung was written soon after its predecessor's release. Earning as much acclaim at the previous novel in the series, this collection of short crime fiction has inspired film and television adaptations, and continues to delight audiences with its tales of adventure, revenge, romance, and crime. This edition of author E.W Hornung's The Black Mask, features a new, eye-catching cover design and is reprinted in a modern and readable font. With these accommodations, contemporary readers are encouraged to revisit the dramatic reunion and classic adventures of the beloved partners in crime, Raffles and Bunny."
""One of the more trippy, but very interesting novels among New Wave sci-fi books." — Futurism. It's the hippies versus the creatures from outer space in this surrealistic science-fiction tale, the first installment of the Greenwich Village Trilogy. With the sudden appearance of a new drug that transforms the user's fantasies into physical reality, a crew of pot-smoking poets and musicians uncover a nefarious plot by giant lobster-shaped aliens. This comic adventure was nominated for a Hugo Award in 1968."
"A mysterious house harbors an unimaginable secret. . . .
It’s wartime, and the Carver family decides to leave the capital where they live and move to a small coastal village where they’ve recently bought a home. But from the minute they cross the threshold, strange things begin to happen. In that mysterious house there still lurks the spirit of Jacob, the previous owners’ son, who died by drowning.
With the help of their new friend Roland, Max and Alicia Carver begin to explore the suspicious circumstances of that death and discover the existence of a mysterious being called The Prince of Mist—a diabolical character who has returned from the shadows to collect on a debt from the past. Soon the three friends find themselves caught up in an adventure of sunken ships and an enchanted stone garden, which will change their lives forever."
"Her father had always taken care of her. Now Dad was running for Congress, and rich, ravishing Andrea Langdon learned it was her turn to protect him... from the ugly threats of her one-time lover Seymour Boyd. And a big contribution to Boyd's personal get rich-quick campaign seemed a small price to pay.
Political columnist Fergus MacDonald suspected something was troubling Andrea and went canvassing for answers. He found that blackmail wasn't the only crime on Boyd's platform, and Dad wasn't the only one who needed to run. Because Andrea herself was a prime candidate... for murder!"
Just Finished
(I've finished 5 books since my last update)
"In the summer of 2020, President Barack Obama and singer / songwriter Bruce Springsteen sat down and created a podcast where they discussed issues like fatherhood, democracy, growing up, etc. They then added to the podcast and came up with the book Renegades: Born in the USA which is filled with their discussions on these topics, fantastic photos of two of the coolest dudes in America and copies of song lyrics and speeches with hand written notes included.
It's interesting to see their thoughts, their interactions, their feelings about so many topics. In a time when the US is being split up and so much negativity and dissension fills the air and TV waves, it was nice to see hope about America's future. Two intelligent men who want the best for their country and for their families. So many interesting discussions under the headings - Our Unlikely Friendship, The American Story, Amazing Grace, American Skin, The Almighty Dollar, Wrestling with Ghosts, A Fearless Love and The Rising.
I enjoyed hearing about both of their childhoods, both with fathers with issues. Raised by strong women, married to strong women, helping them deal with their issues of what is masculinity, how to raise children. It was a pleasure to read this book. My one main point of disagreement is when President Obama talks about America's unique nature, a country of so many cultures... Look north, sir. What do you think Canada is? Anyway, a minor issue I guess, just a point that bothered me. All in all, a positive story that people should read. (4.5 stars)"
"The Second Man by Edward Grierson is my first exposure this excellent writer who wrote 5 crime novels between 1949 and 1967. He also wrote some other novels and two plays. The Second Man was published originally in 1956.
If you like a well-crafted, well-paced courtroom drama, you might like to check this story out. Australian John Maudsley is accused of murdering his English aunt at her estate in England. The motive? He needed money to start a business and she refused to give it to him. However he was the main beneficiary of her estate. Miss Maudsley's room was ransacked and jewelry was also stolen. One piece of jewelry was found in John Maudsley's rental room. A witness, Jane Birman, Miss Maudsley's lady companion claims to have seen John in the house around the time of the murder.
This is the gist of the case (of course fleshed out as the court case progresses). Marion Kerrison, new to the British Bar, and to Mr. Hesketh's legal practice, is assigned the case, along with fellow new barrister and author of this story, Mr. Irvine. This is quite unique, as Marion is the only female of the practice.
The story proceeds in a methodical manner, the original trial in front of the roving Assize court, sort of a unique phenomenon in the UK system. It then moves to the Court of Appeal in London and finally to an appeal before the Home Secretary.
I found the whole procedural aspect of the trial(s) so well-presented. It could have been dry and antiseptic but instead it held your attention and drew you in. The characters are all crafted in such an excellent way that you can see them quite clearly and the tension of the case itself is palpable at times. I enjoyed every aspect of this story; the case itself, the characters, especially Marion and their assisting solicitor, Mr. Giles and all of the surrounding characters. Grierson presents the whole story subtly but clearly and makes it both an interesting character study and a fascinating investigation and trial. Well worth trying. I've now ordered Reputation for a Song and will continue to explore Grierson's works. (4.0 stars)"
"BRZRKR, Volume 1 is the first 4 chapters of a new graphic novel series, the first one penned by actor Keanu Reeves. Picture this. You've got a mercenary for the US government who can't die. Murder, mayhem, bodies left, right & center, but Brzrkr doesn't remember his past.
Beautiful scientist works with B to help him remember his past. There is a reason for this. B seems to come from 1,000's of years ago and the US government wants to find out how he is still alive and exactly where he came from. Why? Do they want to create an army of invincible mad killers to do their work in keeping the world 'safe'?
Well, all that will be discovered (I guess) in future editions. Books 5 - 8 are contained in Vol 2 and there is also a Vol 3. This story left me somewhat ambivalent I must say. Like John Wick (the movie anyway, as I've never read the comics), filled with gratuitous violence. It's taking awhile to get to know what's going on but after 4 books, I've got a good idea. Good pen work and coloring and a different somewhat story. I will try to find Vol 2 and see what more I can learn about B. (3.0 stars)"
"The Corpse Exhibition and Other Stories of Iraq is a collection of short stories; some fantastical, all weird and interesting, by Iraqi author (now residing in Finland) Hassan Blasim. I saw the book in one of my local independent book stores and it intrigued me.
The stories are often gritty and describe an Iraq that has been devastated by war and internecine strife. When the collection was finally released, it was banned in Jordan. The stories are fiction and have a feel of some of the later work by J.G. Ballard; almost a surreal feel to them. Some of the stories definitely have a feel of fantasy about them; they are narrated by ghosts.
They aren't stories that you can say you like but the are stories that have an impact. Blasim's descriptions of Iraq and of the violence are sometimes oblique but they are also powerful. The last three stores are set in Finland and Holland and the narrators are Iraqi immigrants. Definitely a unique story-teller and worth trying. (3.5 stars)"
"Back in my university days I tried the books of Ayn Rand. Atlas Shrugged was an impressive work. 'Who is John Galt?' I underlined passages, thought the whole concept was kind of neat. I read some of her other works; Anthem... I believe The Virtues of Selfishness. I tried Fountainhead but by that time I was finding her writing quite ponderous and never finished. I also subscribed to a newsletter by the Ayn Rand society. At any rate, since the '70s I've stopped checking out her work. I recently found a copy of her first work, a play published in 1936, The Night of January 16th.
Basically, interesting concept, normal courtroom drama. The idea behind the play was to present a courtroom murder case to the audience. From the audience 12 members would be selected to act as the jury. Depending on how the outcome of the case was decided by the jury, Rand had two alternative endings; one for guilty, of course, or one for not guilty. See, interesting concept. I don't know how many plays at that time would have considered such an audience participation.
The murder case involves rich Swedish billionaire, Bjorn Faulkner, and his suicide or murder. On trial is secretary / 'former' lover, Karen Andre, who the DA has determined, murdered Faulkner by throwing him off the balcony of their NY penthouse suite. Faulkner had married rich Nancy Lee Whitfield, either to persuade her father to forgive a loan, or out of love. The case hinges on this loan and these relationships.
Both the Defense and DA present their cases, a court room drama that has a few twists and turns, neatly surprising. I won't describe them as it's a relatively short play and I don't want to ruin the drama itself. But it's an overall interesting case with interesting characters. Like most of Rand's later work, it can be somewhat stilted but is still an interesting play. (3.5 stars)"
Currently Reading
(I've got three books on the go, besides a few others, that I've started since my last update. Here they are)
"Most readers know Sir Arthur Conan Doyle as the creator of Sherlock Holmes, the rational detective who epitomized deductive logic. Who could have guessed that Doyle also wrote some of the most wildly imaginative tales of horror and supernatural published in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries? This new volume presents fourteen forgotten masterpieces by one of the century's most popular writers."
"Now available as a stand-alone edition, the famous humorist's debut collection--a runaway bestseller in 1926--ranges from lighthearted self-deprecation to acid-tongued satire, all the while gleefully puncturing sentimental clichés about relations between men and women.
Known as the wittiest woman in America and a founder of the fabled Algonquin Round Table, Dorothy Parker was also one of the Jazz Age's most beloved poets. Her verbal dexterity and cynical humor were on full display in the many poems she published in Vanity Fair, The New Yorker, and Life and collected in her first book in 1926. The poems in Enough Rope range from lighthearted self-deprecation to acid-tongued satire, all the while gleefully puncturing sentimental clichés about the relations between men and women.
Unfortunate Coincidence
By the time you swear you're his,
Shivering and sighing,
And he vows his passion is
Infinite, undying--
Lady, make a note of this:
One of you is lying."
"The present day: As a man-made apocalypse unfolds, three strangers navigate the chaos--an expectant mother planning for her child’s arrival even as civilization dissolves around her; an armed loner dodging the growing hordes of the infected; a teenage girl fighting for her little brother's life in a landscape of death. These three will learn that they have no been fully abandoned--and that in connection lies hope, even on the darkest of nights.
One hundred years later: Amy and her followers continue their battle to vanquish the Twelve--a dozen death-row inmates transformed by an ancient virus into terrifying monsters, bringing the human race to the brink of annihilation. But the rules of the game have changed. The enemy has evolved, establishing a dark new order with a plan far more horrifying than man's extinction. And if the Twelve are to fall, one of humanity's heroes will have to pay the ultimate price."
There you go. Now I realize that I have yet to return to an old ongoing theme, Women Writers whose works I've been enjoying. I do promise to do that. Today, unfortunately, I'm heading off to a doctor's appointment. I will return to it. Enjoy the rest of your week.
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