Stay safe and warm Canada

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.

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."

And, finally..

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.

Ah winter is here.... that means rain and wind, of course

The car has had its winter tune up and I'm relaxing while Jo has an afternoon nap. Typical December weather at the moment, that being, mildish, windy and rainy. 

So while Jo is asleep, I'll take this time to do a quick update. Perfect time, actually because we've got a busy week of appointments ahead.

Just Completed

Two books completed since my last update. (Ed. Note. I apologize in advance if I get any characters' names incorrect.)

1. Maddie Hatter and the Timely Taffeta by Jayne Barnard (Maddie #3 / 2017). This is the last book in the trilogy.

"Maddie Hatter and the Timely Taffeta is the 3rd and final book in the entertaining steampunk adventure trilogy by Canadian author Jayne Barnard. It's light, fun and filled with action as we follow Maddie and her friend Serephine around Venice. Serephine, the daughter of a rich British manufacturing family, who wants her to marry into a titled family, is in love with a Scottish inventor and Maddie is pretending to be her chaperone. 

Scottie has invented a new thread, spun by spider bats that have certain qualities and he is working at a Venetian fashion house run by a French lady, Madame Frangetti. Venice is about to have its annual festival which will fill the canals and streets with imaginative boats and costumes. The fashion house, like many businesses are busy making outfits, costumes. Serephine is apprenticing there so she can spend time with Scottie. Maddie is helping her but also working in disguise for her newspaper boss, trying to prepare stories about the festival.

Various groups seem anxious to discover Scottie's secret fabric. Why? But there are all sorts of costumed people lurking about, disguised as Pinocchio, the Cricket, Cats and Foxes, etc. It's all very exciting. Maddie, Serephine, Maddie's friend Obie and Maddie's mechanical messenger bird, Tweedle D, along with some new friends and some old enemies are working to keep Scottie safe and discover who wants him so badly.

It's all very confusing, exciting and just an entertaining story. I think it's suitable for young adults getting into fantasy but also for those just looking for a fun, entertaining story with a neat world created and interesting characters. (3.0 stars)"

2.Out of Time's Abyss by Edgar Rice Burroughs (Caspak #3 / 1918) This completes this trilogy as well. I have one more series to finish by year's end to finish one of my 2025 Reading Challenges.

"Out of Time's Abyss is the 3rd and final book in the Caspak trilogy by American adventure / Sci Fi author Edgar Rice Burroughs. It completes the adventures of a group of British explorers ship wrecked on a forgotten land in the Pacific, a land filled with prehistoric creatures and a mix of humanoid beings.

In this final book, Bradley and a group of his men leave Fort Dinosaur to try and find Bowen Tyler and his wife who have gone missing. On the way back, Bradley is captured by a being they've not previously encountered on their adventures in Caspak. He is carried away by a winged humanoid to their island city deep inside Caspak. Now it's sort of confusing why they took him. But as I gathered somewhat, the Oo Oh (as they are called) have need of a way to birthing Oo Oh babies without having to kidnap women of one of the other races. Suffice it to say, they want to see what makes Bradley and his group tick. (As I say, it's somewhat confusing)

Bradley spends his time trying to escape the city and also meets a Galu woman (one of the races that are higher up on the evolutionary ladder in Caspak) and takes her with him as he tries to escape. The Oo Oh's use the Galu women in their procreation activities.... I believe. 😔🤨😎

At any rate, like most of Burroughs' adventures, it's filled with action, while also thoughtfully trying to explain life in Caspak. Interesting and confusing stuff. And all the while trying to escape back to his men at Fort Dinosaur and maybe finally getting off the island. (3.0 stars)"

Currently Reading

As I mentioned in my last entry, I'm only reading two books at a time. I already highlighted The Other Wind, the 6th book in the Earthsea Chronicles by Ursula K. Le Guin, a book I'm enjoying very much. The other is -

1. Love and Rockets, Volume 7 - The Death of Speedy by Jaime Hernandez (1989) (Supposedly the series is one of the first in the alternative graphic novel genre. Either way, I'm enjoying very much so far.)

"The original, seminal Love & Rockets comic book series, which ran for 50 issues from 1981 to 1996, singlehandedly defined the post-underground generation of comics that spawned Daniel Clowes, Chris Ware, and so many others. Now collected into 15 volumes, Love & Rockets is a body of work that The Nation has described as "one of the hidden treasures of our impoverished culture." Created by brothers Gilbert, Jaime, and Mario Hernandez, three Southern California Mexican-Americans armed with a passion for pop culture and punk rock, Love & Rockets gave a voice to minorities and women for the first time in the medium's then 50-year history and remains one of the greatest achievements in comic book history."

New Books

Well, how do you like that, no books arrived since my last update. I do have a few on order but I'll surprise you with those in my next update. 

Tata for now, folks. Stay warm and dry.

It's December...

 

Well, the last month of 2025 is now upon us. Time to try and finish off a couple of 2025 reading challenges and just read. I've got a couple of year end appointments, dental, eye check-up and I should get the car in for a winter tune-up. (Ya think!) And Jo is preparing for surgery at the end of the month. 😑😔

Anyway. How about books?

I've completed one so far in December. I'm not going to have more than 2 on the go at one time for the rest of the month. 

Completed Books

(I've completed 3 since my last update)

1. The West Passage by Jared Pechacek (2024 / Fantasy). Such an enjoyable read.

"I thought I'd try The West Passage by Jared Pechaček because it was nominated for the Ursula K. Le Guin award. I'm glad that I did. What a wonderful, imaginative fantasy story. Pechacek has created a fascinating world filled with interesting beings and creatures. It's got a gentleness to it, but at the same time there is a Beast coming and people you like are getting killed all over the place. The Ladies of the various towers; Black, Yellow, Blue & Red are some weird dudes.. dudettes.

The story revolves around Hawthorne (Apprentice Guardian at Gray Tower) (Gray Tower has not had a Lady for many years) and Yarrow who is newly appointed as Mother of Gray House. Both will head off on separate journeys to let the other Towers / Ladies know about the impending arrival of the Beast. That has been the function of the Gray Tower, that being to keep the Beast from breaching the West Passage and destroying all of the other houses. Hawthorne, as Guardian, is supposed to battle and defeat the Beast.

But Gray is a shadow of its former self. The Tower / House is basically empty and with Hawthorne and Yarrow leaving, will have only a basic few left to keep things going... and Winter is setting in!!!

Along their journeys, we'll meet so many interesting people, Frin the rabbit-eared Beekeeper at Black Tower who will become Hawthorne's Squire (even though neither knows what a Squire actually does) and Peregrine, the Itinerant Butler with his 'steed' (too hard to describe) Tertius, who will escort Yarrow on her journey.

Hawthorne and Yarrow are both fascinating characters (there is a fascinating change in Hawthorne when they assume the mantle of Guardian). Yarrow reminds me somewhat of the traveling monk in Becky Chambers' Monk and Robot books, that sort of gentleness she possesses... 

There is just so much going on in this story to try and decipher and explain logically. The best thing is to say it's wonderful, amazing and just so fascinating of a fantasy story. Rich, rich, rich. I hope that Jared Pechacek continues the at some time because I've got some questions!! (I have my idea of who Servant is, but .....) Check it out. Pure enjoyment (4.0 stars)"

2. Gideon's Press by J.J. Marric (Commander Gideon #19 / 1973). One of my favorite series. This also completes my 12 + 4 Dusty Book challenge. It was my 12th book.

"The Commander Gideon police procedural series has quickly become one of my favorites. Since then I've also enjoyed the standalone movie based on the series and the TV series that followed the books. It's nice to read about and see shows that reflect the police in such a positive light. Anyway, Gideon's Press (#19 in the series) written by J.J. Marric was somewhat familiar to me from the TV show but was nevertheless an excellent story.

Commander Gideon, head of London's CID is alone at home since wife Kate has gone off to visit one of his daughters. His other daughter, concert pianist, has also gone to take on job with a symphony that is touring Scotland. Penny also happens to be dating Gideon's #1, Alec Hobbs.

There are two story lines in this book; one following union strikes against London's newspapers and a threatened strike by dock workers. As well, there is a multi-service investigation taking place to catch smugglers who are illegally bringing in Pakistanis and Indians by sea. (As an aside, I found it interesting that this was a topic of interest back in the 70's but I was just a kid then)

Gideon will use the services of the press quite a bit in this story, which makes an interesting side story as we follow two reporters investigating the events taking place on the dockyard. We also have Inspector Homiwell diligently working the smuggling case, as he believes that the smugglers have deliberately sunk at least one boat filled with immigrants.

It's just a fascinating story as we move from one character to another, intricately tying them together and the main stories. Marric gets into the minds and the lives of each character and even bring back one from a previous story to see how his life has changed. The meetings with the press, the investigations by the reporters, the diligence of the police. It all makes up a great, fascinating, page turner and it all results in a satisfactory conclusion. Great series. (4.0 stars)"

3. Brave New World, A Graphic Novel by Aldous Huxley, adapted and illustrated by Fred Fordham (2022).

"Brave New World: A Graphic Novel by Fred Fordham is a graphic novelization of the original novel by Aldous Huxley (originally published in 1932). I've read the original novel a couple of times, once back in my university days as part of a Sci Fi novel course and again in 2016. When I compare it to 1984 and War of the Worlds and other Sci Fi novels, I think I preferred them.

However, Brave New World, both the novel and the graphic novel provide an interesting look at Huxley's view of a possible future for mankind, one where mankind is a caste system where people are created in test tubes, the lower classes are controlled; working 7.5 hours a day, and then spending their free time inn hedonistic activities and then falling asleep to Soma, a sleep drug. History, science, solitude are all frowned on. Old things are not good. Live for today, enjoy excess. There are alphas who create these rules but who can break them, read Shakespeare,  practice science, etc. Any others who do are sent to islands where they are isolated.

This story follows one man who feels alone, doesn't like the hedonism. He takes a vacation to the Savage Lands in New Mexico, along with his current 'girl friend.' There they meet John, a savage whose mother was once part of the new world, but abandoned by an Alpha who got her pregnant then left her there. She still remembers the old world of hedonism, drugs but is forced into this world of individuality and is basically shunned by the 'savages'. John is also caught in this duality.

They are both taken back to the 'city', somewhere in England. John's mother is a spectacle and basically lives in a Soma dream world at the hospital, waiting to die. John is shown around this new world and can't cope. 

It's an interesting concept and a fascinating story and Fordham explores it with thoughtfulness and care. I've enjoyed other adaptations by him and this one was also very interesting; well drawn and well presented...

This is the Brave New World as explained to John...

"In a properly organized society, nobody has any opportunities for being noble or heroic. There aren't any wars nowadays. The greatest care is taken to prevent you from loving anyone too much. There's no such thing as divided allegiance. No temptations to resist. And if ever, by some unlucky chance, anything unpleasant should somehow happen, why, there's always soma."

And how does John, the savage, cope with all of this??? Now you've got to read the book. (3.5 stars)"

Currently Reading

(My next 3 books will help me with my 12 + 4 Finish a Series challenge. I've got two of them on the go at the moment).

1. Maddie Hatter and the Timely Taffeta by Jayne Barnard (Maddie Hatter #3 / 2017).

"Maddie Hatter’s third Adventure finds her in Venice on an all-expenses-paid assignment: report on the season’s most extravagant Carnevale costumes. Determined to land an inside scoop, she enlists the help of her half-Venetian friend, Lady Serephene, to penetrate Madame Frangetti’s Costume Atelier in disguise.

Serephene is pursuing plots of her own: training in secret for a career that’s forbidden by her family, and flirting madly with a low-born Scottish inventor in his airship laboratory. When the inventor’s fabulous new fabric is targeted by industrial spies, Serephene risks not only her family’s displeasure but her own safety to protect him and his work.

Pursued through the floating city’s legendary canals and squares, Maddie must draw on all her hard-won survival skills to keep herself and Serephene out of the spies’ clutches. With the help of unexpected allies among Venice’s underdogs, the daring young ladies just might reach Carnevale’s grand finale alive."

2. The Other Wind by Ursula K. Le Guin (Earthsea Cycle #6 / 2001).

"The sorcerer Alder fears sleep. The dead are pulling him to them at night. Through him they may free themselves and invade Earthsea. Alder seeks advice from Ged, once Archmage. Ged tells him to go to Tenar, Tehanu, and the young king at Havnor. They are joined by amber-eyed Irian, a fierce dragon able to assume the shape of a woman. The threat can be confronted only in the Immanent Grove on Roke, the holiest place in the world, and there the king, hero, sage, wizard, and dragon make a last stand. In this final book of the Earthsea Cycle, Le Guin combines her magical fantasy with a profoundly human, earthly, humble touch."

New Books

(7 new books to talk about)

1. Tuck Everlasting, the Graphic Novel by K. Woodman - Maynard (2025). I've never read the original novel.

"What if you could live forever?

In this timeless story about immortality, friendship, and growing up, young Winnie Foster learns of a hidden spring in a nearby wood and meets the Tuck family, whose members reveal their astonishing discovery of the spring’s life-changing power. Now Winnie must decide what to do with her newfound knowledge—and the Tucks must decide what to do with her. But it’s not just the curious girl who is interested in their remarkable tale. A suspicious stranger is also searching for the Tucks, and he will stop at nothing until he finds them and uncovers their secret."

2. The Serial Garden by Joan Aiken (2008). Jo loved the book cover on this edition.

"A Junior Library Guild Selection and Smithsonian Magazine Notable Book for Children. "A literary treasure."—Philip Pullman "My happiest discovery this year."— Los Angeles Times The complete collection of twenty-four charming and magical Armitage family stories. Includes a prelude by the author and introductions from Garth Nix and Lizza Aiken."

3. Love and Rockets, Vol. 7; The Death of Speedy by Jaime Hernandez (1989).

"The original, seminal Love & Rockets comic book series, which ran for 50 issues from 1981 to 1996, singlehandedly defined the post-underground generation of comics that spawned Daniel Clowes, Chris Ware, and so many others. Now collected into 15 volumes, Love & Rockets is a body of work that The Nation has described as "one of the hidden treasures of our impoverished culture." Created by brothers Gilbert, Jaime, and Mario Hernandez, three Southern California Mexican-Americans armed with a passion for pop culture and punk rock, Love & Rockets gave a voice to minorities and women for the first time in the medium's then 50-year history and remains one of the greatest achievements in comic book history."

4. Them Bones by Howard Waldrop (1984).

"Madison Yazoo Leake, of the bombed-out, radiation-ridden 21st century, wanted to go back in time to stop World War III before it began. When he stepped through the time portal, he thought he was entering 1930s-era Louisiana. Instead, he found himself in a world where Arabs had explored America, Christianity and the Roman Empire had never existed, and Aztecs performed human sacrifices near the Mississippi as wooly mammoths roamed nearby..."

5. Dawn of the Firebird by Sara Mughal Rana (2025).

"Khamilla Zahr-zad’s life has been built on a foundation of violence and vengeance. Every home she’s known has been destroyed by war. As the daughter of an emperor’s clan, she spent her childhood training to maintain his throne. But when her clansmen are assassinated by another rival empire, plans change. With her heavenly magic of nur, Khamilla is a weapon even enemies would wield—especially those in the magical, scholarly city of Za’skar. Hiding her identity, Khamilla joins the enemy’s army school full of jinn, magic and martial arts, risking it all to topple her adversaries, avenge her clan and reclaim their throne.

To survive, she studies under cutthroat mystic monks and battles in a series of contests to outmaneuver her fellow soldiers. She must win at all costs, even if it means embracing the darkness lurking inside her. But the more she excels, the more she is faced with history that contradicts her father’s teachings. With a war brewing among the kingdoms and a new twisted magic overtaking the land, Khamilla is torn between two impossible vengeance or salvation."

6. The Sundial by Shirley Jackson (1958).

"Before there was Hill House, there was the Halloran mansion of Jackson’s stunningly creepy fourth novel, The Sundial. Aunt Fanny has always been somewhat peculiar. When the Halloran clan gathers at the family home for a funeral, no one is surprised when she wanders off into the secret garden. But then Aunt Fanny returns to report an astonishing vision of an apocalypse from which only the Hallorans and their hangers-on will be spared, and the family finds itself engulfed in growing madness, fear, and violence as they prepare for a terrible new world. For Aunt Fanny's long-dead father has given her the precise date of the final cataclysm!"

7. Bad Indians Book Club by Patty Krawec (2025).

"In this powerful reframing of the stories that make us, Anishinaabe writer Patty Krawec leads us into the borderlands of history, science, memoir, and fiction to What worlds do books written by marginalized people describe and invite us to inhabit?

When a friend asked what books could help them understand Indigenous lives, Patty Krawec, author of Becoming Kin, gave them a list. This list became a book club and then a podcast about a year of Indigenous reading, and then this book. The writers in Bad Indians Book Club refuse to let dominant stories displace their own and resist the way wemitigoozhiwag--European settlers--craft the prevailing narrative and decide who they are.

In Bad Indians Book Club, we examine works about history, science, and gender as well as fiction, all written from the perspective of "Bad Indians"--marginalized writers whose refusal to comply with dominant narratives opens up new worlds. Interlacing chapters with short stories about Deer Woman, who is on her own journey to decide who she is, Krawec leads us into a place of wisdom and medicine where the stories of marginalized writers help us imagine other ways of seeing the world. As Krawec did for her friend, she recommends a list of books to fill in the gaps on our own bookshelves and in our understanding.

Becoming Kin, which novelist Omar El Akkad called a "searing spear of light," led readers to talk back to the histories they had received. Now, in Bad Indians Book Club comes a potent challenge to all the stories settler colonialism tells--stories that erase and appropriate, deny and deflect. Following Deer Woman, who is shaped by the profuse artistry of Krawec, we enter the multiple worlds Indigenous and other subaltern stories create. Together we venture to the edges of worlds waiting to be born."

There you go. I hope there are a few reading ideas for you. Enjoy your December.