And without further ado... I present Thursday (even if it is almost finished)

A beautiful sunny, bright day on this Thursday in the Valley. Clyde and I have had a couple of nice walks and went for a drive. Jo and I have been binge watching The Good Wife and we're now into the final season. Last night we caught up on Foundation, finishing off Season 2. Excellent, if somewhat confusing, series.

I finished one book this morning, a graphic adaptation of a novel I'd enjoyed a few years back. I'll provide the review, plus the synopsis of my next book and also the synopses of a couple of new books that just arrived.

Just Completed

1. Cormac McCarthy's The Road, A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Manu Larcenet (2024).

"I read Cormac McCarthy's The Road back in 2010 and 'enjoyed' it quite a bit. Recently I saw a graphic novel adaptation, The Road: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Manu Larcenet so thought I'd give it a try. It was excellent. It portrayed the starkness, the darkness so clearly.

The story follows a father and his son as they travel through the ruins of America trying to reach the coast. Everything is covered in ash and grime. All is in ruins and the US is devastated. They take to the roads but have to constantly try to avoid roving gangs who kill anyone they meet, even eating them. It's a terrifying world and the father continues to try and protect his young son from the evil. They have little to no food and spend their time scrounging in ruins of buildings to find any scraps of food and water and anything useful. The father keeps the boy from seeing the dead bodies as much as possible. He wants there to be some hope left.

It's getting colder as winter approaches so they head south. They do meet people along the way. At some times they must run and hide. They lose their belongings at times. They meet individuals and the boy persuades his father to help as much as they can. They find some underground hiding places; one not so good, one where they are able to rest for a few days. The father has one revolver with three bullets. If things get so bad, he plans to use them to protect the boy from being alone. The father is sick but keeps moving along.

It's a dark, depressing story, 'beautifully' recreated in this graphic novel and respectfully follows the tone of the original story. For all of the evil left in the world, there is still some hope.... If you've never read the book, read it first, then read the graphic novel. (4.0 stars)"

Currently Reading

1. Doppelganger: A Trip Into the Mirror World by Naomi Klein (2023). My daughter read some of Klein's books back in her university days if I recall. I saw this book in late 2023 and picked it up. Finally getting around to seeing how she writes.

"What if you woke up one morning and found you’d acquired another self―a double who was almost you and yet not you at all? What if that double shared many of your preoccupations but, in a twisted, upside-down way, furthered the very causes you’d devoted your life to fighting against?

Not long ago, the celebrated activist and public intellectual Naomi Klein had just such an experience―she was confronted with a doppelganger whose views she found abhorrent but whose name and public persona were sufficiently similar to her own that many people got confused about who was who. Destabilized, she lost her bearings, until she began to understand the experience as one manifestation of a strangeness many of us have come to know but struggle to define: AI-generated text is blurring the line between genuine and spurious communication; New Age wellness entrepreneurs turned anti-vaxxers are scrambling familiar political allegiances of left and right; and liberal democracies are teetering on the edge of absurdist authoritarianism, even as the oceans rise. Under such conditions, reality itself seems to have become unmoored. Is there a cure for our moment of collective vertigo?

Naomi Klein is one of our most trenchant and influential social critics, an essential analyst of what branding, austerity, and climate profiteering have done to our societies and souls. Here she turns her gaze inward to our psychic landscapes, and outward to the possibilities for building hope amid intersecting economic, medical, and political crises. With the assistance of Sigmund Freud, Jordan Peele, Alfred Hitchcock, and bell hooks, among other accomplices, Klein uses wry humor and a keen sense of the ridiculous to face the strange doubles that haunt us―and that have come to feel as intimate and proximate as a warped reflection in the mirror.

Combining comic memoir with chilling reportage and cobweb-clearing analysis, Klein seeks to smash that mirror and chart a path beyond despair. Doppelganger What do we neglect as we polish and perfect our digital reflections? Is it possible to dispose of our doubles and overcome the pathologies of a culture of multiplication? Can we create a politics of collective care and undertake a true reckoning with historical crimes? The result is a revelatory treatment of the way many of us think and feel now―and an intellectual adventure story for our times."

New Books

(Two graphic novels arrived yesterday at Books 4 Brains, both by authors I've recently enjoyed)

1. Mooncakes by Wendy Xu & Suzanne Walker (2019). (Wendy Xu wrote The Infinity Particle)

"A story of love and demons, family and witchcraft, now in a deluxe collector's edition!

Nova Huang knows more about magic than your average teen witch. She works at her grandmothers’ bookshop, where she helps them loan out spell books and investigate any supernatural occurrences in their New England town. One fateful night, she follows reports of a white wolf into the woods, and she comes across the unexpected: her childhood crush, Tam Lang, battling a horse demon in the woods.

As a genderqueer werewolf, Tam has been wandering from place to place for years, unable to call any town home. Pursued by dark forces eager to claim the magic of wolves and out of options, Tam turns to Nova for help. Their latent feelings are rekindled against the backdrop of witchcraft, untested magic, occult rituals, and family ties both new and old in this enchanting tale of self-discovery."

2. Alabaster; the Good, the Bad and the Bird by Caitlin R. Kiernan (2016). (I've been enjoying Kiernan's Tinfoil Dossier trilogy)

"A year after her death in a burning barn, Dancy's Flammarion's now finds herself in a Hell of her own creation. A new evil haunts the sun-scorched back roads and ghost towns of the American South - murderous twins who command a legion of ghouls. Once again, Dancy must face down demons, those who walk the world unchallenged and those in her own shattered mind.

Collects The Good, the Bad, and the Bird #1-5"

Women Authors Whose Work I've Been Enjoying - Alice Oseman

Alice Oseman

Alice Oseman is an English author of YA fiction. She was born in Kent in 1994. I discovered her graphic novel series Heartstopper back in 2022 and thought, this isn't what I normally read. But I ended up giving the first volume a look-see and now I've read the first 4 volumes and have #5 sitting on my book shelf.

1. Heartstopper, Volume 1 (2018).

"Preamble. I like going to a local bookstore, Books4Brains. I always seem to buy something and of late I've been trying their collections of graphic novels. Many are YA but they have a nice variety. Anyway, in talking with the owner after purchasing the 3rd Vol of Lore Olympus, she also thought I might like this series, starting with Heartstopper: Volume One by Alice Oseman. It's a series that started on something called Web Toons, then moved to graphic novels and is now a series on Netflix. (pretty successful for a series that began in 2019.

With that preamble out of the way, this is a series that isn't in my normal wheel house. It's a YA series about a young fella, Charlie, in high school, who has come out as gay and is now in a budding relationship with another fella, Nick, who is in a higher year than Charlie.

It's a well-crafted story and drawn excellently. It's about any young person falling in love, dealing with rejection, growing up. In this case the people in the relationship just happen to be boys. I don't usually read YA romances but when they are told so well, it's an enjoyable read. Will I continue with the series? Well, I don't see why not. try it yourself. (4.0 stars)"

2. Heartstopper, Volume 2 (2019).

"I found the first Volume of Heartstopper by Alice Oseman interesting, even though it isn't my normal fare; being about gay high school students. But I decided to continue with the series as I wanted to discover what would happen next in the budding relationship between Nick and Charlie. Heartstopper: Volume Two was just as good or even better as Oseman really hit her stride with this Volume.

The story starts with Nick and Charlie sharing a kiss. Nick panics and runs off, leaving Charlie confused and hurt. This is kind of resolved as Nick realizes that he might also be into boys and that he really likes Charlie. The story that continues is the further development of this relationship. At first it's a secret relationship, as Nick sorts out feelings and tries to decide if he is gay or maybe bisexual. Slowly over the course of the story, they open up more to each other, close friends and family, and Nick comes to realize that his friends might not actually be the friends he thinks they are.

The story moves along nicely, the artwork is excellent and the characters draw you in. Most enjoyable 2nd story in this volume which is now up to 4 Volumes, with 5 due shortly. It's also a popular TV series. Well worth trying, even if it's not your normal genre. (4.0 stars)"

3. Heartstopper, Volume 3 (2020).

"I think I've said this before but, if I have or haven't, Heartstopper: Volume Three by Alice Oseman isn't my normal reading fare. I'm no longer a teenager, not gay, yada yada, but I have to say that it's an easy series to delve into and get hooked on. So there you go.

The first two Volumes dealt mainly with the budding relationship between Nick and Charlie, two teenage high school students. Charlie had previously come out as gay and spent a year at his school being harassed by other students. Coming to terms with it, he then found out he had a crush on a boy, Nick, who was a year older and a year higher in the school. Nick slowly discovers that he is bi and he also falls for Charlie. The first two volumes deal with this. In Volume three, we go on an end of year school trip to Paris.

We continue to follow the growing relationship between Nick and Charlie, whether they should come out to their friends (some people, including parents and family already know). As well we learn about some of Charlie's personal / mental struggles, the stresses in his life and how he tried to deal with them; self-harming, not eating, and Nicks efforts to discuss with Charlie and help him. The story also delves into relationships of their friends, letting them grow as characters (even amongst teachers...).

It's an excellent story, a look into the lives of these students and their relationships. I can't say I can relate to it; I think my teenage life was a bit more sheltered, or just different, I guess. But Alice Oseman presents the story in an engaging fashion. We see the characters' humanity, their emotions, their day-to-day actions with their friends and classmates.  I may have to find Vol 4 at my local... (4.5 stars)"

4. Heartstopper, Volume 4 (2021).

"Heartstopper: Volume Four by Alice Oseman continues the story of the developing relationship between high school students, Nick and Charlie. Of course, there are highlights of other ongoing relationships as well. 

Charlie is trying to decide the right time to tell Nick that he loves him, especially with Nick heading off on summer vacation with his family to Minorca. Charlie is stressing out; it's affecting his eating, his emotional well-being. Nick is very worried about Charlie's eating issues but doesn't know what to do about it.

There are family stresses, especially with Charlie's parents, mother especially. Nick wants Charlie to discuss Charlie's eating issues and emotional issues. But Charlie doesn't know how to approach his parents. 

Once again it's an excellent story (and as I mention each and every volume, not one I normally read) and covers many topics while just providing an entertaining, fascinating story. As always, it's drawn very well and is very modern in its outlook and writing. It talks about empathy, love, friendships, family, mental health and draws you in. Volume 5 is supposed to come out in December. 😎 (4.0 stars)"

5. Heartstopper, Volume 5 (2022). (I need to finally read this)

"Boy meets boy. Boys become friends. Boys fall in love. The bestselling LGBTQ+ graphic novel about life, love, and everything that happens in between: this is the fifth volume of the much-loved HEARTSTOPPER series.

Nick and Charlie are very much in love. They've finally said those three little words, and Charlie has almost persuaded his mum to let him sleep over at Nick's house ... But with Nick going off to university next year, is everything about to change?"

There you go, a heart-warming series that you should check out. More can be found about Alice Oseman at her webpage or at Wikipedia, etc.

We Finally Have Some Winter.... And That's Enough!

It still feels like this!

In the relative scheme of things, it's not all that cold and we didn't get that much snow but I've had enough! And Clyde doesn't like it either. 🥶❄️☃️

Just a quick update today, my first completed book of February, a new one to start, and one new one that arrived in the mail. Woo hoo!

Completed

1. Howards End is on the Landing: A Year of Reading from Home by Susan Hill (2009). I first heard of Susan Hill when Jo and I watched the Woman in Black and I discovered it was based on one of her gothic horror novels. I bought that book and enjoyed it very much and since then have read one other of her gothics and 3 in her Simon Serrailler mystery series. I'm not sure where I first heard about Howards End on the Landing but I bought it in Jan 2024. I love the book jacket, the feel of the paper, and now that I've read it, the story itself.

"One day Susan Hill was looking for a book, Howard's End to be specific and as she looked through the varied bookshelves in her home (don't I know this feeling) she noticed how many books had not been read, how many books she had. So she came up with a plan. For one year she wouldn't buy any new books (she recognized that she would still get books to review) and she would just read books already on her bookshelves, even if she'd already read a particular book.

And as she goes through this process, we get an inkling into books she loved, authors she cherished and just about life itself. It's a fascinating book. You get a picture of people she had met as she went to college, as an interviewer and in so many other ways. And we get an idea about these people and the books they wrote and the ones that Hill has enjoyed.

She talks about various genres; poetry, travel, Pop-up books, humor and about specific authors. Along the way, she came up with another list. (A woman to my liking as lists are my thing as well). As she wandered through her home, checking out books, she wondered what books, if she could 0nly pick 40, she would read and reread for the rest of her life. The list is provided at the end of the book and it's an eclectic, interesting list. I've read only 3 or 4 myself. I've written the list down just in case I wish to try some of them (NB. I have ordered one in fact, A Time to Keep Silence by Patrick Leigh Fermor. It's made me start wondering what 40 books I'd want to keep of those I've read and enjoyed. 

All in all, it's a fascinating book, a book about books and authors by an author who clearly loves reading. Sort of a perfect book for me, even if I'm not an author myself. Oh, besides A Time to Keep Silence, I've also ordered two other books she mentioned A Writer's Diary by Virginia Woolf & A Field of Vision by Charles Causley. I enjoyed this so much. (4.5 stars)"

Currently Reading

1. The Road: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Manu Larcenet (2024). This is an adaptation of Cormac McCarthy's novel.

"The first-ever graphic novel adaptation of Cormac McCarthy’s Pulitzer Prize–winning postapocalyptic classic, The Road, approved and authorized by McCarthy and illustrated by acclaimed cartoonist Manu Larcenet "Superb. A suitably dark graphic treatment of McCarthy’s postapocalyptic masterpiece." (Kirkus) The story of a nameless father and son trying to survive with their humanity intact in a postapocalyptic wasteland where Earth’s natural resources have been diminished, and some survivors are left to raise others for meat, The Road is one of Cormac McCarthy’s bleakest and most prescient novels. Dedicated to his son, John Francis McCarthy, McCarthy’s The Road is one of his most personal novels. Ranked 17th on The Guardian’s 100 Best Novels of the 21st century, it was the recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for literature, and the James Tait Black Memorial Award, the Believer Award, and it was nominated for the National Book Critics Circle Award. This first official graphic novel adaptation of McCarthy’s work is illustrated by acclaimed French cartoonist Manu Larcenet, who ably transforms the world depicted by McCarthy’s spare and brutal prose into stark ink drawings that add an additional layer to this haunting tale of family love and human perseverance. Cormac McCarthy personally approved the making of this book before his death, and the adaptation bears the approval of the McCarthy estate."

New Books

(This one arrived yesterday. I ordered it after reading The Downloaded. (see review here)

1. The Terminal Experiment by Robert J. Sawyer (1995).

"To test his theories of immortality and life after death, Dr. Peter Hobson has created three electronic simulations of his own personality. The first has all knowledge of physical existence edited out, to simulate life after death. The second is without knowledge of aging or death, to simulate immortality. The third is unmodified, a control. Now they are free. One is a killer."

Women Authors Whose Works I've Been Enjoying - Marjorie Liu

Marjorie Liu

Marjorie Liu is an American novelist and graphic artist born in Philadelphia. I'm not sure where I first discovered her work but her graphic novel, Monstress is one of my favorites. I've been savoring it volume by volume, having completed the 1st four and having #5 on my bookshelf. Let's take a look at my reviews.

1. Monstress, Vol. 1: Awakening (2016).

"Monstress is a new fantasy novel series for me. At the moment there are 8 volumes (Vol 8 is to come out in Nov 2023) and 47 chapters. Vol 1, Monstress, Vol. 1: Awakening is the first volume of this interesting series by Marjorie M. Liu.  It consists of Chapters 1 - 6.

I readily admit that the story is very confusing. It jumps back and forth from the past to the present and it can be difficult to grasp the story. 

But this is what I was able to grasp so far. Maika Halfwolf is an Arcanic, a race that had previously lived in 'peace' with the humans. But there was a war and now they are enemies, living in an uneasy peace. Maika has been captured by the humans (or let herself be captured) and is being brought, along with other Arcanics, young children, to the town of Zamora. She and they will be handed to a witch, who it appears eats the Arcanics to gain power.

Maika is more than they can handle and she and a young 'fox' girl escape and are chased back to Arcanic lines. Along the way, a cat, another race, joins them and they must battle their way to safety. (OK, these are the 5 races on this fascinating world, Humans, Ancients, Cats, The Old Gods & Arcanic Half Breeds) Everyone seems to want Maika, as she is 'possessed' by some being... an ancient?) 

As I said earlier, it's a very confusing story, but one that you want to continue (me, anyways). It's dark, violent, gritty and filled with action and adventure. And there are many interesting characters who will prove to be brave and draw you in. What is their story? What are their secrets? I've got Vol 2, Blood on order now... Hooked! (4.0 stars)"

2. Monstress, Vol. 2: The Blood (2017).

"Monstress, Vol. 2: The Blood is the 2nd graphic novel in the Monstress series by Marjorie M. Liu. There are many things to like about this series and some that are not so good.

Maika Halfwolf continues her journey to discover the monster inside her and what it is. (It shows itself when it's hungry by coming through her left shoulder. She wants to learn how to control it or to get rid of it. On her journey are the nekomancer cat, Ren, and the little fox. The journey will take them by sea to the Isles of Bones. There are other story lines as well, plots by various Houses, the Dusk throne, the Dawn throne, the Arcanians; humans, monsters, cats, foxes, tigers... Everybody wants a piece of Maika or what she has.

Yes, it's very confusing and jumps around from the past, the present, to her mother and others. Makes for a confusing story all around which can be frustrating. But the artwork is so excellent and intense and there are some great characters, especially the Little Fox and Ren the cat. There are also neat little tidbits of information about the land and creatures at the end of each chapter, provided by the cat professor Tam Tam. These aspects of the graphics and characters counteract the frustrations about the confusing story. And really, it just makes me want to continue with the series. And I will. Haven is next. (3.5 stars)"

3. Monstress, Vol. 3: Haven (2018).

"Monstress, Vol. 3: Haven by Marjorie M. Liu is, of course, the 3rd graphic in the Monstress series. It contains issues 13 - 18 of the comic series. Like the other two, it's a confusing but fantastic, entertaining, well-drawn adventure story. We continue to follow the Half-wolf, Maika and her friends, Kippa, the fox and Renn the cat wizard. As well, Maika must learn to work with the spirit / being that inhabits her, Zenn.

The group have now arrived at the island state of Pontus where they seek refuge from those chasing them. The rulers of Pontus have a 'wall' that keeps out Arcanics and humans, but they need Maika's magic to activate it. Zenn and Maika work to do this, while Kippa tries to find relatives in the refugee city, which is filled with foxes who have fled their for safety. Renn is being blackmailed by  other cat 'gods'? who want Kippa for something.

So you've got various ongoing story lines, as well, we jump to those chasing the group, and this is where it gets confusing. There is the threat of war between Arcanics and humans. The different Queens of the wizardy worlds battle each other and also try to unite in their efforts to find Maika, her portion of the 'mask'... Pontus is at threat, the refugees are trying to escape... So much going on but it's all exciting and fast-paced. Beautiful, dramatic artwork and wonderfully drawn characters. I love Kippa and also Rinn, but there is a wonderful variety of peoples and beings.

Oh, yes. Each chapter ends with an excerpt from the lectures of Professor Tam Tam, an elderly cat who tries to explain the world of Monstress. It sometimes helps. 😁 Anyway, it's so fascinating and I can't wait to read #4, The Chosen. (It's on order) (4.0 stars)"

4. Monstress, Vol. 4: The Chosen (2019).

"I readily admit that lots of the time I don't know what is going on in the Monstress graphic novel series by Marjorie M. Liu. It's a wild ride. So many interesting characters, the story moves between them in the blink of an eye. In between chapters, the noted cat professor, Tam Tam, tries to educate us about the Known World and its history and people so that's definitely helped. Monstress, Volume 4: The Chosen continues this excellent, exciting story.

The main characters, Maika Half-Wolf, Kippa the little Fox and Ren, the wizard cat are all separated, each trying to survive the catastrophe of the 3rd book. Maika is now with her father (she doesn't want to be) and the god that is inside her, Zinn, isn't responding. Kippa is a prisoner, sort of, of a group trying to bring her to the Doctor (another name for Maika's daddy) but she escapes ... sort of.. LOL. As Kippa is growing up she seems to be developing her own powers. What are they? Darned  if I know... well, not exactly. Ren betrayed Maika and Kippa in the last book but is now trying to redeem himself. 

And of course, there are all of the other story lines. Maika's daddy has gathered the great human war lords together and plans to war against the Arcanics, the Dawn & Dusk courts. The Arcanics have joined together with the marriage of the two Queens (or maybe princesses). But even there, you find friction. So that is sort of the gist of this story. Maika trying to deal with her father and still seeing 'visions' of her mother, Moriko Half-Wolf, Kippa trying to get to Maika and what about Ren? Well, that's the wild ride you'll have to follow with this story.

Beautifully drawn and colored by Sana Takeda and wonderfully told by Marjorie Liu, it's a fascinating fantasy story. Every book (this one covers issues 19 - 24) draws you in and keeps you turning pages to see what will happen next. I loved it and can't wait for Vol. 5 - Warchild to see where their journey will take them next. (4.0 stars)"

5. Monstress, Vol. 5: Warchild (2020).

"The long-dreaded war between the Federation and Arcanics is about to explode. Maika must choose her next steps: will she help her friends, or strike out on her own?

Collects MONSTRESS issues #25-30."

So there you go, a peek at Marjorie Liu. You can find out more about her on her own page or at Wikipedia, to name a few places. Enjoy the rest of your week. Stay warm.

February is Here - A Sunday Update

Well, we had a tad of snow fall on Friday and it's still cold, but that's about it so far. Not a whole heck of a lot to report on but let's do a beginning month reading update.

Finished

1. Pearl by Sherri L. Smith and Christine Norrie (2024).

"I am constantly amazed at the variety in graphic novels and the talent of the authors and artists that make them. Pearl by Sherri L. Smith and illustrated by Christine Norrie was no exception. It's a powerful touching story set during WWII and follows Japanese - American girl Amy. Before the war, Amy and her family live in Hawaii. Amy has to go to Japan when her great grandmother, who was once a pearl diver, falls ill. Because her young brother has just been born, Amy's parents can't make the trip, so they send Amy.

While Amy is in Japan... her family lives near Hiroshima, the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor. This effectively isolates Amy in Japan for the duration of the war. Amy gets caught up in the war. As a Nisei (Japanese American) she and other Nisei in Japan are tasked by the Japanese Army to monitor American radio transmissions. While working there, Amy discovers that her family back in Hawaii has been arrested and sent to a camp. This changes Amy's attitude to America, causing much confusion within her; was she American or Japanese? 

As the war begins to turn against the Japanese, life becomes more difficult in Japan; food shortages, depression. Amy's grandmother succumbs to her illness and finally Amy is caught in the nuclear blast that destroyed Hiroshima. As the war ends, Amy has a long road to recovery and while she tries to return to the US and her family, the post war suspicion makes her efforts difficult if not impossible.

It's fascinating story, presenting a history of which I wasn't all that aware. The story is stark, becoming even starker as the war progresses and the artwork becomes more and more bleak and dark. It moves along quickly and while some aspects may be glossed over somewhat, it's still a powerful, interesting, touching story. A history that should be read. (4.0 stars)"

Currently Reading

1. Howards End is on the Landing: A Year of Reading from Home by Susan Hill (2009). I bought this book back in 2024. It's sort of a perfect book; a book about books and authors and so far it hasn't disappointed.

"This is a year of reading from home, by one of Britain's most distinguished authors. Early one autumn afternoon in pursuit of an elusive book on her shelves, Susan Hill encountered dozens of others that she had never read, or forgotten she owned, or wanted to read for a second time. The discovery inspired her to embark on a year-long voyage through her books, forsaking new purchases in order to get to know her own collection again. A book which is left on a shelf for a decade is a dead thing, but it is also a chrysalis, packed with the potential to burst into new life. Wandering through her house that day, Hill's eyes were opened to how much of that life was stored in her home, neglected for years. 'Howards End is on the Landing' charts the journey of one of the nation's most accomplished authors as she revisits the conversations, libraries and bookshelves of the past that have informed a lifetime of reading and writing."

New Books

1. Black Mail by Doris Miles Disney (1958).

"Aging, embittered Inez Blaine wages an anonymous poison pen letter assault against several prominent bank employees but reserves her special letter-writing wrath for Lucia Rutyer, whose reputation, career, and life Inez wanted destroyed."

Women Authors Whose Work I've Been Enjoying - Caitlin R. Kiernan

Caitlin R. Kiernan

Caitlin R. Kiernan is an Irish author of horror and fantasy. She was born in Dublin in 1964 and has authored 20+ novels and novellas / short stories. I tried the first book in her Tinfoil Dossier trilogy in 2022 and have since enjoyed the 2nd book in the series. I have #3 on my bookshelf and have ordered another series. Let's take a look at the Tinfoil trilogy.

1. Agents of Dreamland (2017).

"Agents of Dreamland is my first exposure to Caitlín R. Kiernan and is the first book in her Tinfoil Dossier trilogy. 

The Signalman, an agent of the government, was sent to a farmhouse in the Salton Sea to investigate what appears to be a cult. The story starts after this event with him going to Winslow, Arizona to meet Immocolata Sexton, an agent of the British (I think). She also seems able to travel between time lines, although that's not totally clear yet. The two exchange information, the Signalman, info on what he discovered at the ranch and Sexton, info from her previous investigations.

It's not totally clear what has been discovered at Salton Sea, except the bodies of cult members who were infected with some fungus? It's changed them and it's infectious and it may have come from outer space, from somewhere beyond Pluto. This has happened many times over the decades and Sexton has investigated them, as well as what happens to the world in the future?? Oh, and what has happened to cult leader Drew Standish? And what is in the Black Book???? Questions!

It's an intriguing opening to this trilogy and leaves more questions than answers. Kiernan is an intelligent writer, very descriptive and she creates a tense, eerie scenario. It's a short story, more a novella but it does draw you in quite quickly. I assume you can get the three stories in one package but now that I've got this on, next in line is Black Helicopters. (3.5)"

2. Black Helicopters (2015). 

"Black Helicopters is the second book in the weirdly wonderful Tinfoil Dossier trilogy by Caitlín R. Kiernan. How to describe it? I'm not sure I can.

Let's see. First there are the albino twins, la Bete and Ivoire. la Bete is by Deer Island with 66 and soldiers, X agents, CIA / FBI, etc. as they battle Lovecraftian creatures who have taken over the island and rise from the sea to battle these troops. Bete is hooked on drugs... Then we move to Ireland where Ivoire and is being 'protected?' by Twimsby while assassins from the various agencies try to get rid of her. There is a sort of time travel as the Egyptian, Ptolema, moves from time to time (I think) In the future it seems that Earth is kind of a Water world..... I think.. LOL.

So now that you know what's going on. Even though I'm constantly confused, I'm also constantly amazed. It's like a Philip K. Dick story when he was writing his most drugged out stories... It's dark, poetic at times, philosophical, horrific, and great Sci Fi. I'm looking forward to #3, The Tindalos Asset to see how it all wraps up. Will the Signalman from Book 1 make more of an appearance? (3.5 stars)"

3. The Tindalos Asset (2020).

"The Signalman returns in The Tindalos Asset.

A rundown apartment in Koreatown. A Los Angeles winter. A strung out, worn out, wrecked and used government agent is scraped up off the pavement, cleaned up, and reluctantly sent out into battle one last time.

Ellison Nicodemo has seen and done terrible things. She thought her only remaining quest was for oblivion. Then the Signalman comes calling. He wants to learn if she can stop the latest apocalypse. Ellison, once a unique and valuable asset, can barely remember why she ever fought the good fight.

Still, you don't say no to the Signalman, and the time has come to face her fears and the nightmare forces that almost destroyed her. Only Ellison can unleash the hound of Tindalos. . ."

It's an interesting concept and series. I've since ordered the Darcy Flammarion graphics. You can find out more about Caitlin and her work at this link. Enjoy your February. Read a good book.

An End January Reading Round - Up.... Yee Haw!

Let's round 'em up little buddy

It's almost the end of January already so let's look at what I've managed to read so far and well, yada yada, the normal stuff. Oh, it looks like we might get our first snow fall of the winter in the next few days. We'll see how that goes. 

So, January 2025. Thus far, I've completed 10 books, with the likelihood of completing one more. I've completed 4 since The Infinity Particle. As per usual, I'll provide my reviews, the synopses of the next books in line and also the synopses for any new books that might have dropped onto my doorstep. Continuing with my round up theme, move along little dogies!

Just Completed

1. Something is Killing the Children, Volume 3 by James Tynion IV (#3 / 2021).

"Something is Killing the Children, Vol. 3 by James Tynion IV is the 3rd volume of the adventures of monster hunter / killer Erica Slaughter and contains chapters 11 - 15 of the series. It also wraps up the events that take place in Archer's Peak Wisconsin.

Erica and her friends from Archer's Peak continue to try and destroy the monsters that are hunting down the children of the town. The mother has been killed in previous volumes but the children are growing and getting hungry. While the remains of the town are barricaded in the school gym, Erica and James head out to try and goad the creatures into following them so that they can be destroyed.

Meanwhile, Erica's bosses in Chicago, the Order of St George, are sending down a kill team to control the situation. But who are they there to kill? They don't want the evidence of the monsters and the events that took place in the town leaking out to the national press. They shut down the cell phone net, close of the town and move to the gym.

How it all resolves is well written and also well-drawn and colored. The splashes of black and red add to the effect of the events. It's a dark, spooky, terrifying story and holds your attention completely. I now have Volumes 4 & 5 on order and look forward to seeing what new adventures Erica will be involved with. (3.5 stars)"

2. Burn Book: A Tech Love Story by Kara Swisher (2024).

"I've always enjoyed listening to Kara Swisher when I've seen her on news programs and talk shows. Her knowledge of the tech industry & the people within it is wide and all - encompassing and she has demonstrated the ability to make the conversation both interesting and accessible. So when my wife bought me Burn Book: A Tech Love Story, her latest novel, for Xmas, I had to make it one of my first reads of 2025.

It didn't disappoint. The book follows Swisher's life as a tech journalist in all of its iterations from the beginning of her employment with the Washington Post to her further ventures. It also provides an excellent overview of the development of the tech industry, with great insights into the early players and creators and follows through until her latest ventures in the 2020's.

I've heard of most of the people with whom she has had discussions, in depth interviews but it was fascinating to find out more about them, to find out more about Kara Swisher. The thrill of the first people to get involved in this wired industry and how they have changed personally and how the industry has and will continue to change the world. There are the good guys and the bad guys. She seems to have a special fondness for Apple creator Steve Jobs, for all of his eccentricities and it was neat to find out more about him. There are many others of course.

It was interesting (and distressing?) to see how this success has changed many of them from visionaries to whiny, defensive billionaires (my words). It's a fascinating look at this world. It brought back many memories for me as I began to delve into the world, not in any technical way, but rather, starting with my first computer, then exploring this wonderful thing called the internet with all of its promise and capability. Which way will it go in the future; a place of anger and hate speech or a place that might help find cures for disease and ways to help people better their lives? Kara remains positive, but worried. Check the book out, it's fascinating. (4.0 stars)"

3. Moon of the Turning Leaves by Waubgeshig Rice (Moon #2 / 2023).

"Moon of the Turning Leaves by Waubgeshig Rice is the second and final book in the Moon series. It continues the story of Evan Whitesky and his Anishinaabe community in northern Ontario as they try to survive the permanent blackout that basically turned the world into an anarchic society (if anyone else even survived).

We find Evan and his wife Nicole and his community living in the bush in their community many years after the events that toppled the world. His daughter Nangohns is now a young woman and an accomplished tracker and hunter, expert with a bow and arrow. The community is now discovering that they have lived in this one place too long and that wild life is now becoming more cautious and scarce and they are using up the other natural resources. Evan and the other tribal leaders determine that they must send an expedition south to the shores of Lake Huron, where the tribe had its origins.

It seems that another group had headed that way a few years previously and not returned so the six that take off on this journey do so with some trepidation. What will they discover outside the environs of their relatively safe, but isolated community. The group consists of Evan, his oldest friend Tyler, Nangohns and three others. They plan to head down to the town of Gibsons and then continue on to the lake. They hope to be able to make it there and back before the onset of the next winter.

This journey is the crux of the story. We get inklings about what happened all those years ago to cause the blackout but it's not really all that important to this story other than to set a backdrop. But the people they meet on their journey will be both helpful and dangerous. It's a fascinating, tense, at times, thrilling journey. The six main characters are well defined and draw you in. Evan is a stoic hero, Nangohns a wonderful woman and the rest all add their own personalities to this fascinating story. Of course, there will be tragedy but all in all the story is an excellent end to the first story and a hopeful look at what might happen for the survivors. (4.5 stars)"

4. The Downloaded by Robert J. Sawyer (2024).

"I picked this book, The Downloaded by Robert J. Sawyer, off my shelf partly because it was short and I thought I might be able to finish it by end month, mainly to pad the number of books I'd read to start the year. Sigh... Yes, I'm sometimes that predictable. Having said that I bought it because the plot sounded neat and lo and behold, it was!

The Downloaded is my first attempt at the Sci Fi of Canadian author Sawyer. The concept was neat, the story was fascinating and I couldn't put it down. I now need to get more of his work.

So, onto the book itself. In 2059, a group of 25 astronauts have their minds uploaded to a quantum computer in Waterloo, Ontario.... Canada. Their bodies are put into cryogenic storage. The plan is that their bodies will be transported to a space ship, already orbiting Earth and they will head off to a distant planet, Proxima Centauri, and eventually, their minds will be downloaded into the bodies, they will be awakened and they will then begin to colonize said planet.

Around the same time, an experiment in prison confinement is also being tried. 60 convicts have been offered the chance to reduce their life sentences. Their minds will be uploaded into the self same quantum computer to complete their sentences while their bodies... yes, you've got it, their bodies will be cryogenically frozen until their sentences are complete.

Now there is a difference between the two and I'm not sure I totally understand it, but here it goes. The astronauts time will be slowed down so that even though their trip will last a few hundred years, for their bodies and minds it will seem like months. The prisoners will have their time speeded up so that while they will only be frozen for a couple of months, their minds will experience what feels like a life sentence... I think that's it basically. While the two groups are in this suspended animation, they will be permitted to experience people, activities, locations to keep them occupied.

it seems like something has gone drastically wrong! Captain Letitia Garvey, captain of the crew of astronauts is awakened and realizes something is wrong. She still seems to be on Earth? So, she goes about awakening the remainder of the crew... (something has happened to one of them) and at the same time discovers the facts about the prisoners... who were not awakened early as planned but kept in suspended animation. Why? Now you have to read the rest, but is it interest piquing? I hope so.

The story is fascinating and the manner of its telling is also excellent. It's told in the form of interviews with various characters. For the most part, it's told by Captain Garvey, Doctor Jurgen Haas, the ship's doctor and also Roscoe Koudoulian, a prisoner sent to prison for murder. We do get interviews with various others as well, these 3 remain the focus. The story, through these interviews, elaborates on the events that led to the programs, what might have happened in the future and how these two diverse groups try to get along and find a solution to an approaching problem. (I'm not saying). Oh and don't forget the robots and the Mennonites, yup, Mennonites. 

Now you ask... who is conducting the interviews. 😎😁 I'll never say, but it's another neat little twist. All in all, a fascinating bit of Sci Fi, an excellent way of telling a story and a satisfying ending as well. Beautiful into to Robert J. Sawyer for me. Check him out. (5.0 stars)"

Currently Reading

I highlighted some of the books that would be upcoming in my previous post. I've started two of them and will be starting this one now that I've completed The Downloaded.

1. Pearl by Sherri L. Smith & Christine Norrie (2024).

"In a beautifully crafted and captivating graphic novel from award-winning writer Sherri L. Smith and Eisner-nominated artist Christine Norrie, a Japanese-American girl must survive years of uncertainty and questions of loyalty in Hiroshima during World War II. Amy is a thirteen-year-old Japanese-American girl who lives in Hawaii. When her great-grandmother falls ill, Amy travels to visit family in Hiroshima for the first time. But this is 1941. When the Japanese navy attacks Pearl Harbor, it becomes impossible for Amy to return to Hawaii. Conscripted into translating English radio transmissions for the Japanese army, Amy struggles with questions of loyalty and fears about her family amidst rumors of internment camps in America -- even as she makes a new best friend and, over the years, Japan starts to feel something like home. Torn between two countries at war, Amy must figure out where her loyalties lie and, in the face of unthinkable tragedy, find hope in the rubble of a changed world."

New Books

1. The Complete Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi (2007). This past year I read Satrapi's Woman, Life, Freedom and wanted to continue to explore her work.

"Here, in one Marjane Satrapi's best-selling, internationally acclaimed memoir-in-comic-strips. Persepolis is the story of Satrapi's unforgettable childhood and coming of age within a large and loving family in Tehran during the Islamic Revolution; of the contradictions between private and public life in a country plagued by political upheaval; of her high school years in Vienna facing the trials of adolescence far from her family; of her homecoming--both sweet and terrible; and, finally, of her self-imposed exile from her beloved homeland. It is the chronicle of a girlhood and adolescence at once outrageous and familiar, a young life entwined with the history of her country yet filled with the universal trials and joys of growing up."

So there you go, folks. Some reading ideas for you. I'll continue with my look at Women Authors Whose Work I've been enjoying in my next post. Now it's time to see about lunch. Have a great day!

A Saturday Reading Update

Our visitors

Yesterday, Clyde and I went out for our noontime walk and as we were walking up our street two American bald eagles flew past us and lighted on one of the trees in our back yard. Needless to say, I kept Clyde close at hand as we walked up our driveway and home. Beautiful birds.

I got one new book (graphic novel) yesterday and will provide the synopses for it. I plan to read it before the end of the month as it's short and always exciting. I haven't completed anymore books since my last update but will provide synopses of 4 books that I plan to read in the near future. I'll also continue with my look at women authors whose work I've been enjoying.

New Book

1. Something is Killing the Children, Vol. Three by James Tynion IV (2021).

"As the House of Slaughter arrives to clean up the situation by any means necessary, Erica will find that the true threat to those around her isn’t who - or what - she ever expected. And the cost of saving the day may be too high for anyone to pay...

NOT ALL MONSTERS HIDE IN THE DARK.

Archer’s Peak is in lockdown, as Erica Slaughter has lost control of the situation and news of the killings has spread outside the town. But as the House of Slaughter arrives to clean up the situation by any means necessary, Erica will find that the true threat to those around her isn’t who - or what - she ever expected. And the cost of saving the day may be too high for anyone to pay..."

Upcoming Reads

1. The Snowman by Jo Nesbo (Harry Hole #7 / 2007).

"SOON THE FIRST SNOW WILL COME.

A young boy wakes to find his mother missing. Their house is empty but outside in the garden he sees his mother's favourite scarf - wrapped around the neck of a snowman.

AND THEN HE WILL APPEAR AGAIN.

As Harry Hole and his team begin their investigation they discover that an alarming number of wives and mothers have gone missing over the years.

AND WHEN THE SNOW IS GONE...

When a second woman disappears it seems that Harry's worst suspicions are confirmed: for the first time in his career Harry finds himself confronted with a serial killer operating on his home turf.

...HE WILL HAVE TAKEN SOMEONE ELSE."

2. Crime Machine by Giles Blunt (John Cardinal #5 / 2010). This is the last book in this series that I've to read.

"A year after the death of his beloved and troubled wife, Catherine, John Cardinal has moved into a new, but very humid, condo. He has fallen into an easy routine of work on cold case files and platonic movie nights with friend and colleague Lise Delorme. The quiet of a snow-covered Algonquin Bay is shattered when the decapitated bodies of two people are found in a summer home on Trout Lake. The victims, visitors from Russia, are in Algonquin Bay attending the annual fur auction. This is by no means a routine murder investigation as Cardinal soon discovers, but a horrific piece of a very twisted puzzle. Blunt has, once again, given us a page-turning plot, a remarkable cast of characters and the comfort of John Cardinal at the helm."

3. Life After Life by Kate Atkinson (Todd Family #1 / 2013).

"On a cold and snowy night in 1910, Ursula Todd is born to an English banker and his wife. She dies before she can draw her first breath. On that same cold and snowy night, Ursula Todd is born, lets out a lusty wail, and embarks upon a life that will be, to say the least, unusual. For as she grows, she also dies, repeatedly, in a variety of ways, while the young century marches on towards its second cataclysmic world war.

Does Ursula's apparently infinite number of lives give her the power to save the world from its inevitable destiny? And if she can — will she?"

And now for a new author for me....

4. The Downloaded by Robert J. Sawyer (2024).

"In 2059 two very different groups have their minds uploaded into a quantum computer in Waterloo, Ontario. One group consists of astronauts preparing for Earth's first interstellar voyage. The other? Convicted murderers, serving their sentences in a virtual-reality prison. But when disaster strikes, the astronauts and the prisoners must download back into physical reality and find a way to work together to save Earth from destruction."

Women Authors Whose Work I've Been Enjoying - Ai Jiang

Ai Jiang

Ai Jiang is a Canadian author whose work I discovered last year. She writes 'horror' or as described in Wikipedia, speculative fiction. And also poetry, although I haven't tried any of that yet. She was born China in 1997 and moved to Canada 4 years later. She attended my alma mater University of Toronto where she got her BA (so did I. 😊) She has published 3 books so far and also had a short story published in a compendium). Thus far I've enjoyed one book and the compendium and have one more on my book shelf. Let's take a look, shall we?

1. Linghun (2023).

"Linghun is a novella, along with a couple of short stories and one essay, by Canadian author, Ai Jiang. I was pleasantly surprised by it, such great writing.

In Linghun, Wenki and her mother and father move to the town of Home. Normally when a home is vacant in this town (or more just a street I guess), there is an auction so the Lingerers (more on them later, if I remember) can try to buy one. In Wenki's case, they bought the house from cousins who moved out.

So the reason people move to Home is to try to make contact with the spirits of dead family members. In Wenki's case, it is her older brother who died when Wenki was just a youngster. Wenki's mother is desperate to find Tianqi and basically ignores Wenki and her sympathetic husband. Wenki must try to live a normalish life by going to school, which basically lives in the past and the last class of the day is a round table where the children tell of the success or lack thereof in seeing their dead kin.

The story is told between three characters, Wenki of course. There is Liam, a fellow student, a Lingerer. So, Lingerers are families who move to Home but can't afford a home and basically live in the yards of those who have homes, hoping to acquire a home through the auction. (Think of The Lottery, but darker, when you think of the auction process) The third character is Mrs., an older mysterious woman who lives across the street from Wenki.

It's a strange story as these varied people try to find ways to see their dead kin, some successfully, some not. Wenki and Liam basically want to leave, try to get back to a normal existence. Will they be able to? The discussion of death, coping / or not, living for the present or the past and making it such a fascinating story, a page turner, impressed me deeply. Ai Jiang elaborates on her thoughts on this matter in a follow-on essay and then also provides two short stories; Yongshi and Teeter - Totter just for additional enjoyment. Beautiful writing, dark setting, super story / stories. (4.5 stars)"

2. Smol Tales from Between Worlds (2023).

"This edition of TFBPresents features a varied collection of short fiction from rising star, Ai Jiang.

Hopping from fantasy, to horror, to literary pieces and more, Smol Tales From Between Worlds announces a major talent that is just getting started.
"Jiang is widely considered to be one of the most exciting young voices in science fiction, fantasy, and horror."
– Dark Matter Magazine

TFBPresents focuses on the fiction of a single author per edition, complete with author notes on each story and a wide-ranging interview, it's a must-have publication for fans of genre fiction."

3. Odd Jobs: Six Files from the Department of Inhuman Resources (2024). A collection of short stories, edited by TJ Price, with one story by Ai Jiang.

"(Full Disclosure - One of the authors asked if I would be interested in reading this new book and I said yes because it sounded interesting.)

Odd Jobs: Six Files from the Department of Inhuman Resources is a collection of short stories by six horror authors. The book is edited by T.J.  Price and they purport to be a series of files that have been released by an employee of the Dept. of Inhuman Resources, a dangerous undertaking that might result in his death... or maybe firing. 

The six stories highlight odd jobs, some for the Company, presenting either a dystopic world or strange happenings.

1. Lips Sealed, Steeped in Oil, Pores Opening like Mouths by Ai Jiang

2. Rags to Riches by Ivy Grimes

3. These Little Tyrants by Erik McHatton

4. In the Lights of their Bones by Carson Winter

5. Investigation into a Disappearance by Christi Nogle

6. Future Portraits of the Unhappy Dead by Caleb Stephens

The stories themselves aren't horrifying, rather more creepy and unsettling, each author presenting their story in their own unique style. The only writer of the group who I've tried previously is Ai Jiang, the author of Linghun.

In Lips sealed, a young lady begins working for the company. She wants to be an environmentalist but decides to work for this 'oil' company first. It's a limited term and it will give her the money to switch to environmentalist issues, so she believes. But the experience will leave her incapable of living in the 'real' world. This oil world seeps into the real world, destroying forests, animals, people. But it also sinks into her very skin, her very pores, her soul. 

(Oh yes, at the beginning of each story, a personal or performance report or mental evaluation is provided on the main character. It's a neat touch)

In Rags to Riches, Penny works in the Bookstore, a strange sort of place. She is filled with ambition and wants to rise to the executive level. Each level strikes her as odd and she wants to change things. The Owner is watching her and moves her along quickly. But it's not what Penny expects. (Although quite different, it did make me think of a graphic I'd read about the Albertan oil sands, Ducks0

In These Little Tyrants, the main character is being abused by her boss Michelle, being made to perform the most mundane of tasks. She complains to Bill, a potential boyfriend, who disappears suddenly. However she finds herself being promoted, but not to where she expects. She is moved to production, cleaning pink slime from vats in the basement and sees many strange things... (I'm somewhat reminded of Soylent Green... somewhat).

In the Light of their Bones - A young man begins a new jobs, after a 'pandemic' of sorts. It's not completely explained but it seems a 'light' has done something to the insides of people. Finally allowed outdoors, he joins a clean-up crew. Released from the safe zone each day, they move to empty apartment buildings, homes, cleaning out any bodies, the furniture, sanitizing the homes. But something happens to the young fella.....

In Investigation into a Disappearance, an English professor is interrogated by a.... police officer? about the disappearance of one of her students or a girl she mentored. Only briefly mentioned, the various departments; Fine Arts, History seem to be empty, falling into disrepair. When the investigator doesn't show up one day, the Professor tries to find Debi, this budding author she tried, unsuccessfully to mentor. We now move to Debi's house... (now this had me thinking of House of Leaves, or Doctor Who).. The house is not what it seems from the outside. What had Debi done? (Oh one of the Classic Twilight Zones is about a young boy who has very strong mental powers....)

Finally, there is Future Portraits of the Unhappy Dead where we meet Ronald Hart who works for a telephone / computer repair shop in a small town in Texas. Ronald begins seeing things in the phones / laptops where people are being abused or killed and after not doing anything the first time, he decides he has to stop the perpetrators. He also loves the girl in charge of the shop, but she only has eyes for another fella. (Think the Dead Zone with this one).

Every story is interesting and different. They leave you feeling unsettled at the very least. The endings are always open to your interpretation. A neat concept and an entertaining collection. I think it's worth checking out the individual authors works. (4.0 stars)" 

You can find out more about Ai Jiang on her own web page or also check out Wikipedia.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.