Another Week is Gone

It's hard to believe that in one week it'll be December 1st! I've rarely felt less like getting ready for Xmas. Oh well. So, let's see... Since my update last Saturday, we've discovered that Clyde also has diabetes, maybe not as severe as Bonnie, but he is now also on insulin. He's also got a bladder infection so is taking meds for that. Bonnie has had the glucose monitor put on her again and we're monitoring the readings. Clyde has had blood work done to check his glucose levels. They both just had their insulin levels adjusted to try and lower them, as they're both in the 20's and should, of course, be lower. I now have two charts on the go, so I know what to give them both at any moment. LOL! Maybe I should have gone into nursing.

The weather has been beautiful this past week, mostly bright and sunny and with temps around 10℃. No rain over the weekend so I plan to get those gutters cleaned out finally. I had to pat myself on the back the other day. My laziness in not taking down last year's outdoor Xmas lights worked just fine as when I tried them this week, they were all still working! Genius if I do say so myself.

So let's get onto book stuff so then I can start getting supper ready before Jo comes home from the Thrift store. Tuna melts is the plan tonight. So, since my last update I've finished 3 books and started one more. I'll update those as well as provide the synopses of any new books that arrived this past week. And maybe I'll continue with my ongoing look at women authors.

Just Finished

1. Philip K. Dick; the Last Interview and Other Conversations by Philip Dick and edited by David Streitfeld. (2015). I think this is the 3rd of this series I've read.

"I've read a couple of books in this series, the interviews with Ursula K Le Guin and those with Hannah Arendt. I was looking forward to trying Philip K. Dick: The Last Interview and Other Conversations, edited by David Streitfeld as Dick has written some of my favorite Sci Fi novels; The Man in the High Castle, Dr. Bloodmoney, etc.

The book contains 7 interviews, the first when he was initially published in 1955 and one that ended the day before Dick's death in 1982. The next day he had a stroke and never spoke again, dying a week or so later. The interviews were conducted by the Oakland Tribune (Jan 1955), Arthur Byron Cover (Feb 1974), Paul Williams (Nov 1974), D. Scott Apel & Kevin C. Briggs (Jun 1977), Charles Platt (May 1979), James van Hise (Aug 1981), and Gregg Rickman (Apr 1981 - Feb 1982).

They all provide a picture of Dick, his paranoia, his drug use, the themes of his books, thoughts on turning Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep into Blade Runner (He passed away before it was finished and never saw its release). Dick is definitely an interesting interview and I especially liked his references to those books I was most familiar with. In one interview he discusses the impact and his use of the I Ching, a theme throughout the first book I'd read, The Man in the High Castle. I remember getting a book on the I Ching to do some research, but I think I was a bit to lazy to try it.. LOL.

Anyway, I enjoyed this collection of interviews. I have a few others to try as well, Lou Reed, Kurt Vonnegut, Jacinda Ardern. It's an interesting collection to check out. (3.5 stars)"

2. Lore Olympus, Volume 4 by Rachel Smythe (2023).

"I read and enjoyed the first collection of the Lore Olympus stories back in Nov 2022 and I've enjoyed each one since. Lore Olympus: Volume Four by Rachel  Smythe contains episodes 76 - 102 of the series and continues the 'romance' between Hades and Persephone.. well, the efforts at romance and the efforts to fight their feelings.

It's become my favorite soap opera, made more interesting because it focuses on the lives of the Greek gods. The main thread, as always is the developing relationship between Persephone, Goddess of Spring (something that she is just coming into) and Hades, God of the Underworld. But there are many side avenues explored as well; problems between Zeus and Hera and some of their back stories; issues between Aries and Persephone when she still lived with her mother Demeter; issues between Apollo and Persephone - he wants, she doesn't, etc. There are 'themes of physical and mental abuse, sexual trauma, and toxic relationships' (warning provided by Rachel Smythe at the beginning of each collection). I personally didn't find these themes pervasive but they are there.

The stories as always are beautifully laid out and drawn with bright, rich colors. I do find it confusing at times as the emotions are portrayed by both the dialogue and the drawings of the characters. They sometimes change from frame to frame depending on the situation but that makes it even more interesting. I still think my favorite character is Hecate even though her role was fairly small in this collection. 

But the questions remain. Will Persephone and Hades eventually get together? I mean, I know the myth so I have an idea but who will Rachel Smythe portray it! And what about the others? The soap opera continues in Volume 5 (and it's on order!) Check it out. (3.5 stars)"

3. Look to Windward by Iain M. Banks (Culture #7 / 2000).

"The Culture Sci Fi series by Iain M. Banks has been a favorite of mine since I discovered it in the early 2000's. Banks died in 2013 but managed to produce 10 books in this series, plus other standalone Sci Fi and Mystery books. Including Look to Windward (Culture #7) I've read and enjoyed six of this series. (They can pretty well be read as standalones, although the Culture is featured in every story. I've also enjoyed a few of his other books as well.

In the Culture, Banks has created a rich textured universe of humans, intelligent robots and ships and Minds, plus the usual assortment of varied other alien races. The Culture has evolved greatly and enjoy lives of relative peace. (Not to say there aren't wars or intrigues because without them, there wouldn't be these excellent stories.)

This story wanders from the past to the present, from a war between the various castes of the Chelgrian Quen to the preparations on the Culture Orbital, Masaq' for a great concert by exiled Chelgrian composer Ziller. A Chelgrian ambassador of sorts, Major Quilian, is coming to Masaq' to try and persuade Ziller to come home. This is the simple story but that's just a thread which ties all the others together. We have Quilian's past involvement in the Caste Wars and his dealing with the death of his wife, fellow soldier Worosei. We have the interactions on Masaq' between Ziller and various Culture, the drone E.H. Tersono and the Orbital Hub itself, as well as Homomdan Ambassador Kabe Ischolear. These fine gentlemen, or thinking machines try to persuade Ziller to meet this representative of the Chelgrian nation... a constant struggle.

Of course that makes it seem like a relatively simple, straight - forward story. Hah! You find yourself trying to wrap yourself around this great creation of Banks, the peoples, the lives, the technology, the other wonderful races, the intrigues (because not all is what it seems of course). It takes time to get into the flow of the story and there is technology, even though you don't have to get to wrapped around it. And there is the history, the cultures, the great writing and story telling. Y9u don't have to like Sci Fi to enjoy the story; it helps maybe to get a picture of the worlds, but Banks is great at painting pictures to help you enjoy the scenery, the story. 

I won't delve into the story too deeply. Suffice it to say, it's fascinating and gets better as it moves along. Check Banks out. (4.0 stars)"

Currently Reading

1. Mother Finds a Body by Gypsy Rose Lee (1942). This is the 2nd novel where Gypsy plays amateur detective. I enjoyed the first one quite a bit.

"In this steamy sequel to The G-String Murders, Gypsy Rose Lee's noir thriller reads as if it's ripped from her own diary pages. When her mother finds a dead body in Gypsy's trailer during her honeymoon, Gypsy realizes that no one is who they seem to be, and everyone is worthy of suspicion."

New Books

Two new books arrived this past week. (Who knows. There might be one in the mail today.)

1. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros (The Empyrean #1 / 2023). A new series and I liked this special edition cover. Plus the story sounded interesting.

"Twenty-year-old Violet Sorrengail was supposed to enter the Scribe Quadrant, living a quiet life among books and history. Now, the commanding general―also known as her tough-as-talons mother―has ordered Violet to join the hundreds of candidates striving to become the elite of Navarre: dragon riders.

But when you’re smaller than everyone else and your body is brittle, death is only a heartbeat away…because dragons don’t bond to “fragile” humans. They incinerate them.

With fewer dragons willing to bond than cadets, most would kill Violet to better their own chances of success. The rest would kill her just for being her mother’s daughter―like Xaden Riorson, the most powerful and ruthless wingleader in the Riders Quadrant.

She’ll need every edge her wits can give her just to see the next sunrise.

Yet, with every day that passes, the war outside grows more deadly, the kingdom’s protective wards are failing, and the death toll continues to rise. Even worse, Violet begins to suspect leadership is hiding a terrible secret.

Friends, enemies, lovers. Everyone at Basgiath War College has an agenda―because once you enter, there are only two ways out: graduate or die.."

2. Minky Woodcock: The Girl who Electrified Tesla by Cynthia von Buhler (Minky Woodcock #2). The first graphic in this series (only two books as far as I can tell) was different.

"A brand new graphic novel by acclaimed artist, author, director and playwright, Cynthia Von Buhler!

Back in the detective saddle, the fabulous, rabbit-loving Minky Woodcock straps on her gumshoes and uncovers a disturbing case involving the mysterious inventor, Nikola Tesla.

Hired by business tycoon J.P. Morgan Jr, Minky sets out to investigate the validity of the claims that eccentric inventor Tesla has created a Death Ray Machine. But things take a turn when Minky befriends the gentle recluse and uncovers a plot involving Nazis who are also interested in the fabled weapon!

With twists and turns abound, the sassy and sexy detective is once again on the hunt for the truth against the backdrop of a tense and exciting 40s America."

Women Authors Work I'm Enjoying - Dana Stabenow

Dana Stabenow

Mystery writer Dana Stabenow was born in Alaska in 1952 and is best known for her mystery series featuring Aleut PI Kate Shugak. Since 1992, she has written 23 books in the series. She has also written various other series and standalones but I've so far focused on Kate Shugak. So far I've managed to finish the first two books in the series, both entertaining. I have 5 others sitting on my bookshelf so let's take a look at them to give you a feel for her stories.

1. Blood Will Tell (#6 / 1996).

"Dana Stabenow once again returns to Alaska, America's last frontier, where her unforgettable Aleut investigator, Kate Shugak, faces one of the most painful cases of her reluctant career. Kate was formerly the star investigator of the Anchorage D.A.'s office; now all she wants to do is enjoy the first weeks of autumn on her isolated homestead. Alone. But duty calls, in the form of Ekaterina Shugak, Kate's grandmother, the imposing matriarch of her extended family. It's the week of the Alaska Federation of Natives Convention, and everyone who's anyone - as well as a few nobodies - has gathered in Anchorage for a week of shopping, gossiping, bragging, and more than a little wheeling and dealing. But there's more happening this year than what's on the official agenda. A vote is coming up on the future of tribal lands, and the arguments are heated. Heated enough to raise suspicions about the recent death of a Native Association board member. Kate has always refused to get involved with tribal politics. But the dead woman was a relative, and the one true weakness Kate Shugak has is for her family. Reluctantly agreeing to investigate, she is drawn into a whirlpool of deceit, lies, and secrets; she is torn not only between the modern world and the traditional, but also between opposing factions within each group. And the more Kate investigates, the more she discovers how deeply she is tied to the land, and to what lengths she will go in order to protect it..."

2. Breakup (#7 / 1997).

"During spring thaw in Alaska, what the locals call "breakup," a dead body is uncovered near Kate's home, and when a deadly bear attack raises suspicions against her, she finds herself drawn into the path of a murderer."

3. Dead in the Water (#3 / 1993).

"Once, Kate Shugak was the star investigator of the Anchorage D.A.'s office. Now she's gone back to her Aleut roots in the far Alaska north- where her talent for detection makes her the toughest crime-tracker in that stark and mysterious land.

Two crewmen of the crab vessel Avilda are missing—presumed dead—under very suspicious circumstances. The Bering Sea offers ample means and opportunity, but without bodies, a motive, or evidence of foul play, the DA doesn’t have a case. And so, freelancing again for her former employer, Kate Shugak finds herself working undercover in one of Alaska’s most dangerous professions: crab fisherman. It’s an assignment that will take her from the debauchery of Dutch Harbor to the most isolated of the Aleutians, and if the job itself doesn’t kill her, her unsavory crewmates just might."

4. Midnight Come Again (#10 / 2000).

"Kate, a former investigator for the Anchorage D.A. and now a P.I. for hire, is missing after a winter spent in mourning. Alaska State Trooper Jim Chopin, Kate's best friend, needs her to help him work a new case. He discovers her hiding out in Bering, a small fishing village on Alaska's western coast, living and working under an assumed name-- working hard, as eighteen-hour workdays seem to be her only justification for getting up in the morning. But before they can even discuss Kate's last several months, or what Jim is doing looking for her in Bering, they're up to their eyes in Jim's case, which is suddenly more complicated-- and more dangerous-- than they suspected."

5. A Cold - Blooded Business (#4 / 1994).

"Once, Kate Shugak was the star investigator of the Anchorage D.A.'s office. Now she's gone back to her Aleut roots in the far Alaska north - where her talent for detection makes her the toughest crime-tracker in that stark and mysterious land...

Work hard, play hard. That's the credo on the oilfields of Alaska's North Slope, where harsh conditions and long, isolated shifts make for some of the best-paid jobs in the state. Management typically turns a blind eye to off-hours drinking and gambling, but a spate of drug-related deaths means it's time for Royal Petroleum to get its house in order. Working on behalf of the Anchorage DA, Kate Shugak is brought in undercover to identify the dealer and shut down the flow of cocaine. Of course, the dealer might have some very different ideas."

Attracted your interest? The complete listing of Dana Stabenow's books can be found at this link. Have a great weekend.