Home for the Weekend

Another week passed in Victoria and we're back home for this weekend. Two weeks left with Easter in the middle. The drive home was good, Jo was feeling the best she'd felt in a few days and we were so glad to be in familiar surroundings.

And baseball has started again and the Blue Jays have made their first two games more interesting than I wanted, but they are still 2-0. Both starting pitchers were excellent.

So, it's Saturday night and Jo has dropped off. Before I head up to bed, I thought I'd provide a quick update... hope it's quick anyway. I did drop into 3 book stores in Victoria so did buy a few books and there were some more waiting for me when I got home. I'll try to whip through this update as briefly as possible. I hope there are some books that pique your interest.

Just Completed

Since my update last weekend, I've completed 4 books.

1. Gideon Falls, The Black Barn by Jeff Lemire (#1 / 2018). A new graphic novel series.

"One of my Goodreads' friends, knowing how much I enjoy graphic novels, especially of late, thought I might like to try a new series. So I got the first volume, Gideon Falls, Vol. 1: The Black Barn by Canadian author, Jeff Lemire. And darn her socks! I liked it... As she said in her review, if I remember correctly, she has no idea what's going on yet, but she's along for the ride. That's how I feel too.

The initial chapters of Volume 1 focus mainly on a washed up priest, Wilfred, who is sent to take over a parish in Gideon Falls after the other priest, Father Tom, has died. He doesn't want to go but is pressured by the bishop anyway. From phone calls between the two during this volume, it seems as though the bishop knows something strange is happening in Gideon Falls.. I presume this will either be confirmed or not in future issues. 

The other person is Norton, a young man, who grew up homeless as a child, spent much time in an asylum and is being treated now on an out patient basis by female psychiatrist, Dr. Xu. She is worried about Norton's obsessions and is considering placing him back in the institute. Norton is searching through garbage and finding old nails, pieces of wood, etc. to prove his obsession.

Both men have seen visions of a Black Barn, Norton since childhood and Wilfred since moving to Gideon Falls. Wilfred sees Father Tom, who leads him to the body of a woman and disappears. At the same time, that's where Wilfred sees the barn... which doesn't really exist... apparently.

The story flashed between the two men and the people they come into contact with. Dr. Xu begins to see the barn as well. A local doctor, who Wilfred meets, is a member of a group, called the Ploughmen who are trying to protect Gideon Falls from whatever 'evil' the Black Barn represents...

It's a complex, fascinating story (darn!) and the artwork is excellent, muted colours, interesting panels, that turn upside down, sideways (reminds me somewhat of the various pages in House of Leaves). I enjoyed this introduction very much and now have to continue. Volume 2, Original Sins has been ordered. (3.5 stars)"

2. Lore Olympus, Volume 7 by Rachel Smythe (2024). It's been awhile since I read Volume 6. It was good to get back to this graphic novel.

"Lore Olympus: Volume Seven is of course, the seventh volume of the stories of the romance between Persephone and Hades, a modern Webtoon update by Rachel  Smythe. It's a fascinating series, at times confusing but always well drawn and interesting.

It's confusing because the stories have a tendency to jump around and the various gods appearance changes as their mood or story line changes. Be that as it may, it's always fun to work through each volume. The Volume includes episodes 153 - 179 of the series.

As always, there are various stories but the main one is the continuing growth of the relationship between Persephone and Hades. They have secrets that are coming out, especially about Hades' past relationships and how he became the Prince of Hades. Persephone still can't tell Hades about her rape by Apollo (there is a warning at the beginning of the Volume (in fact all of the volumes) 'Lore Olympus regularly deals with themes of physical and mental abuse, sexual trauma and toxic relationships'. I have to say that I think these topics are dealt with quite gently (maybe not the correct word)..

The story builds until there is ultimately a court case against Persephone and Demeter. Persephone is accused of the murder of many humans and Demeter of hiding Persephone away to avoid punishment. The case builds with witnesses like Hermes, Thanatos and others testifying. Of course, I'll have to wait until the next volume (at least) to see the result.

As well, Persephone finally goes to get mental counselling for her ordeal and reactions to it. Apollo wants Persephone as his wife and colludes to try and make it happen. Artemis wants to know what happened between Apollo and Persephone and tries to get Eros to tell her. As I said, many things going and the stories are told so well. 

It's been a fascinating, excellent collection so far and I have Vol 8 on my book shelf! (4.0 stars)"

3. Love and Rockets, New Stories #3 by Los Hermanos Hernandez (2010). I've become sort of addicted to this graphic novel series since I discovered it.

"The Love and Rockets graphic novel series by Los Hermanos Hernandez has been a breath of fresh air in my exploration of graphic novels. This isn't meant to denigrate the other graphic novels I've been reading and enjoying but this series has really grabbed me. They're about life, they are about people. Love and Rockets: New Stories #3 by Jaime Hernandez & Gilbert Hernandez is the 3rd collection I've enjoyed.

It features 5 stories; Scarlet by Starlight by Gilbert; The Love Bunglers, Part One by Jaime; Killer Sad Girl Star by Gilbert; Browntown by Jaime and The Love Bunglers, Part Two by Jaime. The two sets of stories by each brother are each quite different.

Gilbert's follow Scarlet and her attempts to get into acting, alien movies, failed television shows and also just living her life with mom and dad. Jaime's stories delve into the past life of Margaret (Perla) as a young girl and moving with her mother and the rest of the kids to Browntown to be closer to her father... who is a cheat, unfortunately. Each set of stories has their own sexual element with Jaime's particularly powerful, dealing with sexual assault... (I guess I should give a warning to anyone who is interested in the work but has issues or experiences with this)

The stories are beautifully drawn, peopled with fascinating characters. They deal with life, not always the good side of it, but covering issues of family break-up, growing up, dealing with life. I don't know how better to say it, but suffice it to say, these graphic novels, the Love and Rockets books are just excellent. (4.5 stars)"

4. Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman (Dungeon Crawler Carl #1 / 2020). I bowed to pressure and tried this book... sigh.. now I've got #2 on my shelf.

"I finally see what the fuss is all about with Dungeon Crawler Carl, the first book in the Dungeon Crawler Carl fantasy series by Matt Dinniman. It's an entertaining, escapist, well written adventure fantasy / Sci Fi novel. 

It starts off with a bang, or more accurately a collapse, and the story takes off from there. Carl is cat-sitting his 'girl friend's' cat Princess Donut, one cold winter night and discovering that his girl friend, Bea, is probably dumping him and also Donut. Donut decides to jump out the window onto an adjoining tree branch and then refuses to come back inside. Carl, wearing just a leather jacket and boxers, runs outside to get Princess Donut, when calamity happens. Every building collapses into itself, killing everybody still inside. To be clear, this is worldwide. Everybody still alive is warned they have a certain amount of time to get underground if they want to survive.

It seems that an alien syndicate has chosen Earth for its next 'games'. The surviving humans and critters will be taking part in games (read Dungeons and Dragons, sort of) and must move from level to level lower into this huge alien constructed Dungeon, if they want to survive. As they kill creatures in the dungeons and even each other, they gain points and prizes that will help them at each level. Across the whole Earth, there seem to be about 5,000,000 that have survived initially. Each level has different creatures at all levels of destructive power and the more you kill, the stronger you get.

So that's the gist. Carl and Princess Donut are a team for now and have an adviser, Mortdecai, a Crawler who survived from another world. Donut will be able to speak as she gains power and the communication between her and Carl are always interesting and fun. Oh, they also discover that there are Trillions of people across the universes watching the games and that they need to get more Likes and followers to improve their odds of surviving. Something that Princess Donut craves and Carl hates. The two also have a manager, Zev, a water creature who arranges interviews for them.

So it's a fast paced, action filled story. You have to bear with periods where Carl and Donut go through all of the items and powers they win every time they have a battler, but it becomes easy to gloss over those portions and they don't really take away from the story.

It's interesting watching Carl and Donut's friendship develop and who their characters grow as the story progresses. Their contact with other humans have mixed results... And who is Agatha, the elderly woman who wanders in and out of their lives. Carl and Donut don't know.. yet? And there are creatures who are saved by Carl and Donut. Will they show up again? At the end of this portion, there is a teaser about two goblins who were spared by the two. What role will they play in the follow-on books? And we see others from a distance, battling the creatures successfully. How will they show up in future books??

The more I got into the story, the more I got involved in the characters, their lives, their growth and I look forward to exploring the series more. I don't know if I'll be as quick as some getting through the books, but I will continue definitely. Oh... did Carl's ex, Bea die in the collapse? Questions, questions.. (4.0 stars)"

Currently Reading

1. All the Tea in China by Kyril Bonfiglioli (1978).

"Kyril Bonfiglioli, the groundbreaking satirist whose writing The New Yorker described as “an unholy collaboration between P. G. Wodehouse and Ian Fleming,” was truly a writer ahead of his time. In this hilarious novel, Bonfiglioli takes us back in time to an ironical maritime romp—Master and Commander by way of Monty Python.

Inspired by a shotgun blast in the seat of his breeches, young Karli Van Cleef quits his native Holland to seek his fortune. He arrives in early Victorian London and soon he is turning a pretty profit. But Karli sees that true opportunity flowers in India’s fields of opium poppies and the treaty ports of the China coast. So he takes a berth in an opium clipper hell-bent for the Indies.

It is a journey beset with perils. Karli is confronted by the mountainous seas, high-piled plates of curry, and the ferocious penalties of the Articles of War. He survives the malice of the Boers, the hospitality of anthropophagi, and the horrors of Lancashire cooking. En route he acquires some interesting diseases, dangerous friends and enemies, a fortune, and a wife almost as good as new."

2. Assassin's Code by Jonathan Maberry (Joe Ledger #4 / 2012). Great series.

"When Joe Ledger and Echo Team rescue a group of American college kids held hostage in Iran,the Iranian government then asks them to help find six nuclear bombs planted in the Mideast oil fields. These stolen WMDs will lead Joe and Echo Team into hidden vaults of forbidden knowledge, mass-murder, betrayal, and a brotherhood of genetically-engineered killers with a thirst for blood.

Accompanied by the beautiful assassin called Violin, Joe follows a series of clues to find the Book of Shadows, which contains a horrifying truth that threatens to shatter his entire worldview.

They say the truth will set you free…
Not this time.

The secrets of the Assassin’s Code will set the world ablaze."

3. East of West; There is No Us by Jonathan Hickman (#3 / 2014).

"It's the third volume of the Eisner-nominated East Of West. There Is No Us sees the breaking apart of the future-scape of America as the world races forward towards the apocalypse.

Collecting: East Of West 11-15"

4. Report from Planet Midnight by Nalo Hopkinson (2012).

"Infused with feminist, Afro-Caribbean views of the science fiction and fantasy genres, this collection of offbeat and highly original works takes aim at race and racism in literature. In “Report from Planet Midnight,” at the International Association of the Fantastic in the Arts, an alien addresses the crowd, evaluating Earth's "strange" customs, including the marginalization of works by nonwhite and female writers. “Message in a Bottle” shows Greg, an American Indian artist, befriending a strange four-year-old who seems wise beyond her years. While preparing an exhibition, he discovers that the young girl is a traveler from the future sent to recover art from the distant past—which apparently includes his own work. Concluding the book with series editor Terry Bisson’s Outspoken Interview, Nalo Hopkinson shares laughs, loves, and top-secret Caribbean spells."

Newest Purchases

Bear with me here...

1. The Blanket of the Dark by John Buchan (1931). I'm enjoying exploring Buchan's stories.

"Buchan skillfully weaves the story of young clerk Peter Pentecost, who has a claim to the throne, and a tale of intrigue against King Henry VIII, where 'under the blanket of the dark all men are alike and all are nameless'. Buchan's description of the ruthless king is compelling. His knowledge of the time of Henry's reign and his love of the Oxfordshire countryside are apparent."

2. The Cave Girl by Edgar Rice Burroughs (1913). I've enjoyed so many of Burroughs' adventures and fantasies. This is one of his standalones.

"Waldo Smith-Jones shipwrecked from Boston, desperately tries to survive on a lost island of primitive men and beasts. Given the name of Thandar, he strives for the hand of Princess Nadara amid misunderstandings. If a rescue ship arrives, what will they do?"

3. The Possessors by John Christopher (1964). I keep finding more books by Christopher. Great horror and Sci Fi.

"It all started when a group of British vacationers was cut off by an avalanche. The skiing chalet up in the mountains seemed a good place to hold out for a while, but then the little boy mysteriously died...or appeared to. And in the impenetrable Swiss Alps something alien stirred..."

4. Play it as it Lays by Joan Didion (1970).

"A ruthless dissection of American life in the late 1960s, Play It as It Lays captures the mood of an entire generation, the ennui of contemporary society reflected in spare prose that blisters and haunts the reader. Set in a place beyond good and evil - literally in Hollywood, Las Vegas, and the barren wastes of the Mojave Desert, but figuratively in the landscape of an arid soul - it remains more than three decades after its original publication a profoundly disturbing novel, riveting in its exploration of a woman and a society in crisis and stunning in the still-startling intensity of its prose."

5. The Bone Mother by David Demchuk (2017). I enjoyed Red X by Demchuk last year.

"For two hundred years, the Grazyn porcelain factory built its reputation on its magnificent thimbles. It is said that even the Czarina Anastasia Romanova had received one in her trousseau. The workers come from the three neighboring villages on the border of Romania and Ukraine. Nourished, dressed and educated, they are the envy of all at a time when a famine programmed by Stalin sweeps the countryside and cannibalism rages from city to town to farm. But what is the secret of this factory and why does the Grazyn family protect its employees so scrupulously?

The Bone Mother revives the great figures of Slavic mythology on the eve of the Second World War, from rusalka and Baba Yaga--The Bone Mother herself--to the golem. The existence of mortals is intimately linked to that of witches and vampires, in a universe where strigois rub shoulders with mermaids, ghosts and seers...and all are in peril from the Nichni Politsiyi, the Night Police, which wish to eradicate them."

6. When Secrets Die by Lynn Hamilton (Lena Padget #3 / 2005). Always enjoy her mystery / thrillers.

"They have kept the heart of her child... They have accused her of murder... Angels of mercy...or the devil in disguise? Who owns your body, anyway?

Lynn Hightower's novels have tackled such diverse subjects as female serial killers and lethal debt collectors. Now, in her most explosive and controversial thriller to date, she exposes the hidden secrets of hospital pathology labs, the darkest mysteries of motherhood, and the most unthinkable crime of all.

Private investigator Lena Padgett has been approached by a single mother with a stunning tale to tell. Emma Marsden, still grieving over the death of her infant son from an inexplicable illness, has been dealt another devastating blow. Her pediatrician, Theodore Tundridge, has accused Emma of poisoning her son in a psychotic bid for attention. Emma wants to counter his charges by accusing Tundridge of keeping a shocking chamber of horrors in his pathology lab -- all the more frightening because it is entirely legal. Lena agrees to take on Emma's case and uncovers other suspicious deaths under the doctor's care. But when a secretly taped video incriminates Emma in the most intimate of ways -- and Emma's teenage daughter disappears -- even Lena isn't prepared for where the truth will take her."

7. The Seafarers by Nevil Shute (2002). Shute is one of the many authors on my bucket list... whose books I want to read completely.

"The story of a dashing British naval Lieutenant and a Wren who meet right at the end of the Second World War. Their romance is blighted by differences in social background and economic constraints; in unhappiness each turns to odd jobs in boating circles."

8. Brown Girl in the Ring by Nalo Hopkinson (1998). I'm currently reading another collection of Hopkinson's work and essays.

"The rich and privileged have fled the city, barricaded it behind roadblocks, and left it to crumble. The inner city has had to rediscover old ways – farming, barter, herb lore. But now the monied need a harvest of bodies, and so they prey upon the helpless of the streets. With nowhere to turn, a young woman must open herself to ancient truths, eternal powers, and the tragic mystery surrounding her mother and grandmother.

She must bargain with gods, and give birth to new legends."

and finally....

9. Carl's Doomsday Scenario by Matt Dinniman (Dungeon Crawler Carl #2 / 2021).

""The training levels have concluded. Now the games may truly begin."

The ratings and views are off the chart. The fans just can't get enough. The dungeon gets more dangerous each day. But in a grinder designed to chew up and spit out crawlers by the millions, Carl and Princess Donut need to work harder than ever just to survive.

They call it the Over City. A sprawling, once-thriving metropolis devastated by a mysterious calamity. But these streets are far from abandoned. An undead circus trawls the ruins. Murdered prostitutes rain from the sky. An ancient spell is finally ready to reveal its dark purpose.

Carl still has no pants.

They call it Dungeon Crawler World. For Carl and Donut, it's anything but a game."

Enjoy the rest of March and maybe you'll see some April reading ideas here. Good night and happy dreams.

A Quick Update (It's Becoming a Theme)

We're back home for the weekend after a few days in Victoria for Jo's initial session of treatment. We stayed at a reasonable hotel on Gorge Road. Came back home Friday night will continue next week. Finally a drive in nice weather, but there was a car accident of some sort near Nanoose Bay. We sat for awhile around Lantzville, then followed traffic that seemed to go around the Island Highway. By the time we rejoined it, traffic seemed to be flowing again. Anyway, other than that we got home around 8 pm and have been relaxing and enjoying being home for a few days. Watching curling at the moment before it's time for supper. Filled up the car and gas prices are now around $2.02 per liter. Managed to find a gas station locally where it was only $1.89 but as I left, they were increasing it I think.

So anyway, let's do a quick reading update. I'm not able to do them on my laptop and that's all we take when we go away.

Books Completed

(7 books completed since my last update)

1. Standing in Another Man's Grave by Ian Rankin (Rebus #18 / 2012).

"Standing in Another Man's Grave is the 18th book in the Inspector Rebus mystery series, set in Edinburgh, written by Ian Rankin. I've enjoyed the series ever since I read the 1st book.

This series shows a retired Rebus now working in the cold case squad with two other retired police officers and commanded by a DI with ambitions to move up and away. Siobhan Clarke, his old DS is now a DI and still working in CID, in Rebus's old job.

At work early one morning with nothing to do, Rebus agrees to talk with a woman, Nina Hazlitt, who has been searching for her missing daughter. She had initially been given some hope by the retired DI in charge of the unit and she feels she's got new information on the case. 

Rebus reluctantly agrees to look into the case and slowly discovers that there might be other missing girls who are related to Hazlitt's case. They all disappeared along the same stretch of road from Edinburgh to Inverness. He passes his info to Siobhan who is also reluctant to get involved with this cold case. Her boss is of the same mood, that is, until another girl is reported missing.

This starts an investigation that will broaden, involve police units from all over northern Scotland and even bring in Rebus's old nemesis, Cafferty, plus a gangster who worked for Cafferty and has taken over the business. Throw into the mix, in the background, is Malcolm Fox, the DI in Complaints who has a bee in his bonnet for Rebus, feels that Rebus is rotten.

It's a fascinating, sometimes meandering, but never not interesting story, that shows Rebus at his best and worst (as always). His relationship with Siobhan is somewhat strained as he keeps getting her in trouble and she does have ambitions of advancing within the police force. Cafferty and Hammill (Caf's opponent) are used by Rebus and try to use Rebus in the same vein. Nina Hazlitt is always getting in the way and causing Rebus issues.

It's too rich and involved of a story (like any Rebus book) but it's time well spent. You get to visit Scotland, enjoy its rugged beauty (watching for dolphins along the coast, etc), meet great characters and just enjoy the ride as Rebus gets along with his work. I've never been disappointed with the series. (4.0 stars)"

2. V for Vendetta by Alan Moore (1990).

"I've enjoyed quite a few of Alan Moore's graphic novels; the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen series, Fashion Beast, etc. I saw the movie version of V for Vendetta first and enjoyed it so I finally got a copy of the graphic novel to try. 

England is living a dystopian nightmare, a la 1984. The country is run by Leader, the Voice (propaganda), the Ear (spying on citizens), the Eye, etc. It's a police state where every person's actions are followed and monitored. But from the underground is V (picture Anonymous) who is breaking down the organization. People in high positions are being killed and he's wreaking damage and havoc.

The police are trying to find him and discover a link to a camp where all of the dead leaders worked. Call it a concentration camp where they tested various drugs on the occupants. V seems to have been one of the 'patients' and managed to survive and destroy the camp. Now he's killing everyone who worked there.

There are various sub-stories as well. Evey is a young woman who is taken in by V after he saves her from a sexual attack by a group of men. There is the police officer trying to find out where V came from and wants his own vengeance because V killed his lover. There is Leader who is watching it all on his monitors.

It's an interesting story, as all of Alan Moore's works are but it was all a bit dark and grey. Moore is one of those unique talents and if you are exploring the world of graphic novels, he's one you should check out. (3.0 stars)"

3. Monstress, Warchild by Marjorie M. Liu (Volume 5 / 2020).

"The Monstress graphic novel, fantasy series is such a unique experience. Monstress, Volume 5: Warchild by Marjorie M. Liu is the 5th collection in the series. 

I'll start by saying it's a confusing series but mainly because so much is going on. Basically it follows Maika Halfwolf, a young woman possessed by an old god, who every so often takes over so it can feed. In this book, Maika stops her journey to discover to find various artifacts to help in the defense of the city of Ravenna, a city of Arcanics (non - humans), against the Federation. The humans, along with their allies, want to destroy the city and ultimately, the Arcanic races.

But it's a bit more convoluted than that as there are allies within allies, certain Arcanics are helping the humans and vice versa. That's part of the confusion, but you can work your way through it. 

What is especially interesting in this volume is that we find out how Maika becomes 'possessed' by the god. This happened as a child. It's a fascinating story as well. 

It's a difficult story to describe but suffice it to say, it's peopled with such an amazing group of characters; it's filled with action; it's beautifully drawn.. and I've got #6 on order so I can continue the adventure. (4.0 stars)"

4. A Ghost in the Machine by Caroline Graham (Chief Inspector Barnaby #7 / 2004).

"A Ghost in the Machine is the 7th and final book in the Chief Inspector Barnaby mysteries, AKA Midsomer Murders, by Caroline Graham. The books spawned a sprawling TV mystery series that has carried on for 20+ seasons, quite amazing actually. From what I read, this particular story was the only one not turned into one of the TV shows, mainly because Barnaby and his assistant Sgt Troy don't turn up until half way through the book.

So what to say.... There were things I didn't like about the book. It's too long (although, it was still an overall enjoyable read). I didn't like very many of the characters... well, Doris is ok, Karen is ok, Dennis is ok, Kate is ok... But Polly is awful, Latham is a shit... (I guess that's the nature of a good story, eh, some people you like, others you don't). OK so my complaints are irrelevant.

It's a wandering story, many little stories within. It starts off with the death of Aunt Carey, Mallory's favorite (maybe only) aunt. Mallory, a school head, and his wife Kate, a book publisher are to inherit the estate, located in Causton (or nearby). They're looking forward to moving there so Mallory can retire and help Kate begin her own independent publishing company. Polly, their brat of a daughter, is a trouble maker, and wants to make a quick buck... which will ultimately cause untold harm to her family. 

Benny was Aunt Carey's companion and is well loved by Mallory and Kate. She lives on the estate. Dennis is their financial adviser, enjoys collecting medieval military weapons, and fancies himself a writer. Ada is a medium who will come into the story when someone (dare I say who???) dies and Benny believes it's a murder and goes to one of Ada's events. Ada wants to be an actress and famous. She's accompanied by her young daughter, Karen, who she treats abysmally and Roy, their lodger. Hmmm... Latham works as a partner with Dennis, forced on Dennis when his father in law, bought half the business. He's a useless git, hates his wife and basically does no work. Anybody else?? Well, there are Aunt Carey's neighbours, Judith and her ill husband, who are sort of on the periphery.

So this meandering story follows these people. When the first murder takes place, the police think it's an accidental death so it's written off. (Barnaby makes a brief appearance here). Then, another death, maybe linked to the first (well, to be fair, it's the 2nd and 3rd deaths... remember Aunt Carey... ) Now the police begin to investigate as the two seem to be related.

For all its meandering (I'm liking that word, it seems), it's an interesting story to follow. There is actual police work. The characters, whether you like them or not, are well fleshed out and each changes as you get to know them more and as the events begin to pile up; some grow, some shrink.

It ends up being quite a fascinating story and the ending... as they sum up everybody's final activities, well, the last two pages are quite worth the voyage. Neat! I know I haven't told you much about the plot, suffice it to say, it's a satisfactory murder mystery, with a satisfying and even surprising ending. 😎 (3.5 stars)"

5. Wild Girls by Ursula K. Le Guin (PM's Outspoken Authors #6 / 2011) My continued exploration of the works of Le Guin.

"The Wild Girls by Ursula K. Le Guin is a very sort book containing the novella The Wild Girls, an essay on Modesty, 4 poems, another essay on reading / publishing, Staying Awake While You Read and an interview with Terry Bisson. All are interesting (such an awful word that I use much to often) and provide insight into this amazing woman.

Le Guin wrote everything, fantasy, SF, poetry, historical fiction, essays, children's books etc... I've been exploring her work for awhile now and enjoying the scope and breadth of her work.

The Wild Girls is quite dark in its way. A group of young men go out on a foray to attack wanderers to steal their women. The trip isn't exactly successful; quite a few children and elderly are murdered but the group do manage to steal six or seven young girls, some just babies. On their escape, which is quite a roundabout trip, more of the children die and one is thrown into the bushes. Modh, one of the girls wants to bury her friend, but the men prevent them. This 'dead' girl will haunt the rest of the story.

At the city, Modh and her sister Mal are kept by the Bela family. This is the dynamic of the city. Bela's family and the other gods (Sky People) basically run everything, even though they don't really anything productive. But they do own all of the property. The Roots produce everything but only rent the land of the gods... And people like Mal and Modh are Dirt People. Sky men can only marry Dirt girls... For a short story it's complex and 'interesting'. Modh spends the story trying to keep her sister with her and that's where everything happens. Plus don't forget the other girl haunting the families. Fascinating story.

As I said, there are four poems, one describing Las Vegas and especially this short, succinct, powerful one.

'The Next War

It will take place,

it will take time, 

it will take life,

and waste them."

Both essays were excellent and I also enjoyed the wandering interview. Such an intelligent, thoughtful person. Looking forward to continuing my journey through Le Guin's works (4.0 stars)"

6. The Sandman; The Wake by Neil Gaiman (#10 / 1996)/

"The Sandman, Vol. 10: The Wake is the last book in the Sandman series by Neil Gaiman. It tells the story of the funeral of Dream. Unless this is explained in the previous volume, this edition doesn't go into how Dream dies. Some of the guests at the funeral blame themselves. 

The funeral is attended by friends and foes from all of the previous books and coordinated by his family of fellow gods. The first half of the book deals with conversations between the family and between the many guests and drops into the lives of some as well. We also meet Dream's replacement???? I think that who he is. He now resides in Dream's palace.

It's an interesting event, the funeral, with speeches and asides by family and friends. The remainder of the volume is three different stories by characters from the past, basically rounding out their lives as well. As always, my favourite character is Dream's sister, Death. She has a quality about her that just draws you in. 

It's sort of a sad volume, left me thinking somewhat about death and for some reason, reminding my of the passing of my little dog, feeling him curled up beside me as he went on his final voyage to be with his sister. Silly the things you think of I guess. Anyway, it's been a fantastic series that I highly recommend and at the same time I recommend you check out The Absolute Death, which is a volume featuring Death, of course. (4.0 stars)"

7. Gideon's Fog by JJ Marric (Commander Gideon #20 / 1974). Another favorite series of mine. Always good value for money.

"I always enjoy a Commander Gideon police procedural. Gideon's Fog is the 20th book in this series by J.J. Marric and it's as good as the others. For those who've never explored the series, Commander Gideon is one of the top police officers in London, the head of CID.

In this story, as usual, there are a number of cases being investigated. It starts with a thick fog coating the British Isles. Gideon, driving home, remembers when he was a kid, holding a candle in such fogs and earning pence by escorting people home. He sees a young man doing the same thing but becomes suspicious. Parking his car, he goes into the fog, pretends to be lost and meeting the boy is escorted into the park where two henchmen try to mug him. At the same time, a man is meeting his lover to take her into the park to murder her. While burying the body, he finds a box but puts it back so that the body won't be discovered.

The next day, Gideon discovers his capable assistant, Asst Superintendent Hobbs hasn't reported to work. (Hobbs is the fiancé of Gideon's daughter Penny) As the day progresses, he begins to worry about Hobbs' absence and he starts a quiet investigation into his absence. Hobbs was investigating a major jewelry heist organization and on the side was investigating a group that has been invading London parks to keep young people from having romantic liaisons in the park.

As the story progresses, we begin to see what happened to Hobbs. We find more about the jewelry issue and the other. There are also smaller side cases that his staff are looking into. It's difficult to describe a Gideon story, except to say like the best police procedurals (and there are a few I follow) they are peopled with dedicated cops who work hard to help their citizens. Sort of idealistic maybe but still they always leave you feeling secure. Does everything get resolved satisfactorily, not necessarily. People still die, some cases remain unsolved but it's an enjoyable ride. (3.5 stars)"

Currently Reading

1. Eleven on Top by Janet Evanovich (Stephanie Plum #11 / 2005) It's been a couple of years since I've dusted off this series.

"Stephanie Plum is thinking her career as a fugitive apprehension agent has run its course. She's been shot at, spat at, cussed at, fire-bombed, mooned, and attacked by dogs. Stephanie thinks it's time for a change. So she quits. She wants something safe and normal. But the kind of trouble she had at the bail bonds office can't compare to the kind of trouble she finds herself facing now...

Stephanie is stalked by a maniac returned from the grave for the sole purpose of putting her into a burial plot of her own. He's killed before, and he'll kill again if given the chance. Caught between staying far away from the bounty hunter business and staying alive, Stephanie reexamines her life and the possibility that being a bounty hunter is the solution rather than the problem. After disturbingly brief careers at the button factory, Kan Klean Dry Cleaners, and Cluck-in-a-Bucket, Stephanie takes an office position in security, working for Ranger, the sexiest, baddest bounty hunter and businessman on two continents. Tempers and temperatures rise as competition ratchets up between the two men in her life -- her on-again, off-again boyfriend, tough Trenton cop Joe Morelli, and her boss, Ranger. Can Stephanie Plum take the heat? Can you?"

2. The Stranger Diaries by Elly Griffiths (Harbinder Kaur #1 / 2018).

"A dark story has been brought to terrifying life. Can the ending be rewritten in time?

Clare Cassidy is no stranger to murder. As a literature teacher specialising in the Gothic writer RM Holland, she teaches a short course on it every year. Then Clare's life and work collide tragically when one of her colleagues is found dead, a line from an RM Holland story by her body. The investigating police detective is convinced the writer's works somehow hold the key to the case.

Not knowing who to trust, and afraid that the killer is someone she knows, Clare confides her darkest suspicions and fears about the case to her journal. Then one day she notices some other writing in the diary. Writing that isn't hers..."

3. Lore Olympus, Volume 7 by Rachel Smythe (2024). It's been a year since I visited with this series. it's a great take on the Greek gods.

"Scandalous gossip, wild parties, and forbidden love—the Greek tale of Hades and Persephone gets a romantic modern update in the gorgeously illustrated, Eisner Award-winning Lore Olympus, including a brand new bonus short story!

An ingenious take on the Greek Pantheon, Lore Olympus is a modern update on the story of Hades and Persephone. Follow the propulsive love story of two Greek gods, told with lavish artwork and contemporary sensibilities.

This full-color edition of Smythe’s original Eisner Award-winning webcomic Lore Olympus features exclusive behind-the-scenes content and brings Greek mythology into the modern age in a sharply perceptive and romantic graphic novel."

New Books

(My wife will be surprised but I've received only one new book since my last update. There are some on order, I readily admit)

1. Seaward by Susan Cooper (1983). Cooper is another fantasy author whose works I've enjoyed exploring.

"In this classic adventure from Newbery Medalist Susan Cooper, two strangers embark on a quest for the sea that’s filled with mystery, fantasy, and danger.

His name is West. Her name is Cally. They speak different languages and come from different countries thousands of miles apart, but they do not know that. What they do know are the tragedies that took their parents, then wrenched the two of them out of reality and into a strange and perilous world through which they must travel together, understanding only that they must reach the sea. Together, West and Cally embark upon a strange and sometimes terrifying quest, learning to survive and to love—and, at last, discovering the true secret of their journey."

There you go folks. Enjoy the rest of March. I'll try to do another entry next weekend. Take care.

A Quick Update

Jo is on a video call with her best friend in England and we're waiting for a call from her doctor about tomorrow's chemo session so I thought I'd do a very quick update while I'm sitting here.

Completed Books

(Only one book completed since my last update and one that I gave up on)

1. Blood and Judgment by Michael Gilbert (Peter Petrella #1 / 1959).

"Blood and Judgement is the 1st book in the Peter Petrella police procedural series by Michael Gilbert. This was the 2nd book in the series that I've enjoyed, the other being Petrella at Q. There are six books in the series but unfortunately, they are difficult to find, or very expensive so this might be the last I'll try. I do have some of Gilbert's standalones so I'll continue with those anyway.

Petrella is a Detective Sgt who works in Dept Q in London. He has been working as part of a team trying to find a young girl but is called off that task when a woman's body is found near a reservoir buried under some leaves. It looks like maybe suicide so after a perfunctory examination, Petrella heads back for his other job. However, the coroner, in his examination, discovers that she has in fact been murdered by gun shot.

So this starts the investigation into the woman's death. Firstly, Petrella has do find out who the woman is. He is assigned a Detective Inspector from another division due to manning shortages in Q. The investigation progresses, the DI is attacked and severely hurt so another DI is brought in, this one more objectionable, from Scotland Yard. 

The main suspect is a local gangster involved in jewelry robberies who has been in conflict with his boss, another gangster who escaped from prison and supposedly managed to get to France. The woman seems to be a girlfriend to both of them?

Basically, you've got an excellent police procedural. Petrella is an excellent character, not perfect (many things are missed originally) who diligently searches for clues and uses his intelligence to sort things out. His new DI is set on a specific suspect and is willing to leave evidence out to help get him convicted. Petrella risks his career to continue investigating.

Gilbert lays out an excellent story. The setting is described nicely, the characters are fleshed out. I like Petrella's actual boss, level-headed, supportive of his men and using common sense. I do enjoy a well developed and presented police procedural and this story was no exception. I hope that I can find the other books in the series. (4.5 stars)"

2. Suez: Britain's End of Empire in the Middle East by Keith Kyle (History / 1991).

"Suez: Britain's End of Empire in the Middle East by Keith Kyle was unfortunately, a Did Not Finish (DNF) for me. I saw it originally when it first came out (2003) and at that time my interest was piqued by the subject matter. I finally bought a copy a few years back.... In the interim, I've read a much shorter book that dealt more strictly with the Suez war itself. This book deals with the build up to the war, the political machinations, the characters; Nasser of Egypt, Eden of England, Eisenhower, etc. It's detailed, intricate and I've just come to realize that when I'm reading 10 pages a week, it'll take me forever to finish. I can't say it's not interesting but it is so far in the weeds... well. If you like history and this area interests you, please try it. Mr. Kyle put tremendous effort into his research and deserves a better audience than me. Oh well. No rating (NR)"

Currently Reading

1. The Godfather of Kathmandu by John Burdett (Royal Thai Detectives #4 / 2009).

"John Burdett's famed Royal Thai detective Sonchai Jitpleecheep is put to the test both as a Buddhist and as a cop as he confronts the most shocking crime of his career.

A rich American film director has been murdered. It is an intriguing case, and solving it could lead to a promotion for Sonchai, but, as always, he is far more concerned with the state of his karma than he is with his status in the earthly realm. To complicate matters his boss, Colonel Vikorn, has decided to make Sonchai his consigliere in a heroin smuggling operation. Sonchai travels to Kathmandu to meet Vikorn's connection Tietsin, a Tibetan Buddhist monk, and falls under the sway of this dark and charismatic guru."

2. V is for Vendetta by Alan Moore (Graphic novel / 1990).

""Remember, remember the fifth of November..."

A frightening and powerful tale of the loss of freedom and identity in a chillingly believable totalitarian world, V for Vendetta stands as one of the highest achievements of the comics medium and a defining work for creators Alan Moore and David Lloyd.

Set in an imagined future England that has given itself over to fascism, this groundbreaking story captures both the suffocating nature of life in an authoritarian police state and the redemptive power of the human spirit which rebels against it. Crafted with sterling clarity and intelligence, V for Vendetta brings an unequaled depth of characterization and verisimilitude to its unflinching account of oppression and resistance."

New Purchases

1. Latchkey by Nicole Kornher - Stace (Archivist Wasp #2 / 2018). I enjoyed the 1st one very much.

"Isabel, once known as Wasp, has become leader of the fearsome upstarts, the teen girl acolytes who are adjusting to a new way of life after the overthrow of the sadistic Catchkeep-priest. They live in an uneasy alliance with the town of Sweetwater—an alliance that will be tested to its limits by the dual threats of ruthless raiders from the Waste and a deadly force from the Before-time that awaits in long-hidden tunnels.

Years ago Isabel befriended a nameless ghost, a super soldier from the Before-time with incredible powers even after death, and their adventure together in the underworld gave her the strength and knowledge to change the brutal existence of the Catchkeep acolytes for the better. To save Sweetwater, Isabel will have to unlock the secrets of the twisted experimental program from centuries gone by that created the super soldier and killed his friends: the Latchkey Project."

2. Black Hearts in Battersea by Joan Aiken (The Wolves Chronicles #2 / 1964).

"Simon, the foundling from The Wolves of Willoughby Chase, arrives in London to meet an old friend and pursue the study of painting. Instead he finds himself unwittingly in the middle of a wicked crew's fiendish caper to overthrow the good King James and the Duke and Duchess of Battersea. With the help of his friend Sophie and the resourceful waif Dido, Simon narrowly escapes a series of madcap close calls and dangerous run-ins. In a time and place where villains do nothing halfway, Simon is faced with wild wolves, poisoned pies, kidnapping, and a wrecked ship. This is a cleverly contrived tale of intrigue and misadventure."

There you go, folks. A few reading ideas for your consideration. Take care!

My First Post of March 2026

I thought I'd try to do a quick post today because we've got a busy month ahead of us. Chemo for Jo tomorrow. Friday off to Victoria for a scan, then again on Wednesday for another one. Afterwards 3ish weeks back and forth while Jo gets radiation treatment. Poor girl, she's going to be exhausted. 

I thought I may as well try and do this post before we head over the hospital for her visit with her doctor. One book completed in March so far and a few new books to talk about. So, let's go! (Note. I thought I had done a final Feb post but it seems not. I'll include some of my final books of Feb as well.)

Completed Books

(3 books since my last update)

1. Late in the Day: Poems 2010 - 2014 by Ursula K. Le Guin (My continuing look at the varied work of this fantastic author)

"One author that I've been making a concerted effort to try and read as much as, or at everything, if possible, by is American author Ursula K. Le Guin. She is such a versatile, interesting writher; Sci Fi (the Hainish books), Fantasy (Earthsea), historical fiction, fiction, non-fiction, children's stories & poetry. Not everything I've read has been perfect, but everything has been interesting and thoughtful. So far I've managed to read 25+ of her collection and still have a few more sitting on my book shelf. The other day I received a collection of her poetry, Late in the Day: Poems 2010–2014, my 2nd collection of her poetry. 

I do find her poetry quite accessible, a rare thing for me when it gets down to reading and maybe understanding poetry. What made this collection even more interesting was a short essay at the end where Le Guin talked about the act of writing poems, how using certain forms can create the poem itself. She states, "Form follows function,' engineers say. Evidently it can go the other way round. Following form, you find function." She talks about the forms she has used in her poems, generally and specifically as it relates to the poems in this collection. It added to the enjoyment of this collection.

Three particular poems struck me. Before I get into that, I have to say that quite a bit of the poetry deals with inanimate objects, organic objects, animals, but at the same time as you get into different forms, you find historical poems, myths, an interpretation of a Goethe poem. It's all varied and quite interesting. 

Now the 3 poems....

1. "The Canada Lynx

We know how to know and how to think,

how to exhibit what is known

to heaven's bright ignorant eyes,

how to be busy and to multiply.

He knows how to walk

into the trees alone not looking back,

so light on his soft feet he does not sink

into the snow. How to leave no track,

no sound, no shadow. How to be gone.

(This was in the free form style... You find that Le Guin has a cadence, a rhythm in her poetry. I imagine all poets do, I just remember her talking about it in another book, Conversations on Writing)

2. In Ashland

Across the creek stood a tall screen

of walnut and honey-locust brand and leaf.

In a soft autumn sunrise without wind

my daughter in meditation on the deck

above the quietly loquacious creek

observed a multitude of small

yellow birds among the many leaves

coming and going quick as quick

into sight and out of sight again.

She said to me, they were

like thoughts moving in a mind,

the little birds among the many leaves."

(I love the picture created and her daughter's wise thoughts on them)

3. "Disremembering

In Alice's wood where things forgot their names

and fawn and child walked together fearless,

a stone might flower, a spring burst into flames,

a heavy human soul go light and careless.

But through the forest of the failing mind

where words decay like leaves, and paths long trodden

are lost, the soul plods onward to no end,

fawns, children, flowers, flames forgotten."

(Made me think of my mother at the end of her life... Poem written in iambic quatrains in alternate rhyme)

Anyway, if you're exploring poetry, please check this out with the added benefit of the prologue about Le Guin's thoughts on poetry. (4.0 stars)"

2. Dance for the Dead by Thomas Perry (Jane Whitefield #2 / 1996). I've been reading this series out of order but enjoying very much.

"I have previously read and enjoyed a couple of thriller writer Thomas Perry Butcher Boy and his Jane Whitefield books. I haven't particularly read them in the correct sequence but it hasn't affected my enjoyment of them, just some events in their personal lives that might have been better in the proper sequence. Dance for the Dead is the 2nd book in the Jane Whitefield series, and yes, I still have to read the 1st book, my bad.

Anyway, this was a pretty darn perfect story, moved along smoothly, had moments of tension where I could feel my heart picking up, my breath quickening. And it was just a darn excellent story. Jane Whitefield is a strong, intelligent character, kind of a minus Tracker. He finds stuff but Jane hides stuff from people who want it, mainly people of course. People who have gotten under someone's skin, or who they might have stolen from, or who might have been abused by their spouses, etc., well, if the find Jane and she agrees, Jane will hide them, give them new lives, make them safe once again. 

Jane, in her daily life, is a Seneca Indian, who lives in northern New York, in a small, tidy two story house. She dates a doctor who doesn't know about her other life and is trying to decide how far their relationship should move on.

So, onto Jane's other life. She gets involved in two separate cases that ultimately become entwined. Firstly, trying to protect a young boy and his guardians. The young boy's parents are dead and it turns out that he is set to inherit a fortune, like 10's of millions. Someone wants that money and can get it if the boy disappears. At the start, Jane wants to get him in front of a friendly judge to ensure he is protected. While this does happen, there is a tragedy in the court house, the guardians are murdered and while fighting off the 'bad guys', Jane is arrested. 

While in jail she meets Mary Perkins a woman looking for help. Someone is after her for, it comes out gradually, stealing money and hiding it away. Once again, someone wants Mary to show where she hid it.

Jane manages to persuade the judge to protect the young boy, although Jane wants to find out who wants him dead. At the same time Jane takes Mary on a road trip to get her hidden away from whoever is trying to find her. 

As Jane continues to investigate, she will discover how close the two cases are intertwined and how dangerous an adversary she's put herself against. I won't go into anymore details about the story, just suffice it to say it's a tense, at times scary, sometimes violent story but just draws you in as you follow Jane in her efforts to protect both people.

I really like Jane as a character. There are intimations of her Indian heritage and it comes into play in this story, including some form of mysticism. But she is a down to earth, thoughtful, tough, capable woman. She moves about her business calmly and effectively and doesn't hesitate to fight back against violence. She's fantastic. And this story is engrossing and fascinating and has an ultimately satisfying ending. Now to read the first book and continue with Jane's life (4.5 stars)"

3. Beyond the Black Stump by Nevil Shute (Fiction / 1956). Nevil Shute is such a fantastic story-teller. He's one of those authors whose work I hope to complete before I die.

"Reading a book by Nevil Shute is kind of like watching a great movie on TCM, it draws you in, keeps your interest and leaves you feeling pretty good by the end.... well, except for On the Beach, that doesn't leave you feeling calm... but besides that. Beyond the Black Stump, originally published in 1956 is one such book.

Beyond the Black Stump was written during Shute's Australian phase. Shute took his family there in 1950 and set many of his later novels there, admiring the spirit of the Australian people. This story is set in western Australia in the desolate lands where Australian pioneers run sheep farms. The story follows one particular blended family, the Regans who run a very successful ranch. The focus is on young Mollie Regan who dreams of going to the United States.

Most of the story is set in Australia and we get to know the Regans. In their small community are the two brothers Pat and Tom, both of whom were married to Mollie's mom. The community also has the Judge, who teaches all of the children in the area, white, half caste and aboriginal. The whole family is mixed and it's easier to read the story to sort out the family relationships. Ultimately, it's a homogenous family filled with love and a fair bit of drinking. They have a nearby neighbour running a less successful ranch, a young Englishman, David Cope, who comes for his mail and to spend time with Mollie (David does have a crush on Mollie). His ranch struggles to keep water for his flock and he is in a constant state of struggle.

Into the mix comes Stanford Laird, an oil prospector / engineer. We do meet him before he arrives as he departs Saudi Arabia, heading home on vacation to Hazel, Oregon where his father is a successful entrepreneur. It's a quite, 'frontier' town. Stanford does have a troubled past, an incident that occurred when he was 16. But he's changed his life, become a successful engineer and a teetotaler. He is sent to Australia for his next assignment to see if there is oil on the Regan's property.

There is the meat of your story, the interactions between the American crew and the Regan's and David Cope and it's a beautifully told story. Shute has the ability to tell a story in a way that you just drop into the lives involved. You can picture where the people live, even if it's a strange place for you. What they see as everyday activities are often quite amazing and very different.

Mollie and Stanford will fall in love and he will take her to Hazel and I won't tell you how it ends. The story is the development of a relationship, the portrait of the lives of a fascinating family in Australia's frontier and how they interact with this new situation. I've never been disappointed with a Nevil Shute story. They have a gentleness no matter how amazing things might be. Please check him out. (4.0 stars)"

Currently Reading

(Just those books I've started since my last update)

1. Blood and Judgment by Michael Gilbert (Patrick Petrella #1 / 1959). I've been enjoying exploring Gilbert's work.

"Detective Sergeant Petrella of the London police is called in when a woman's partially buried body is found near the reservoir. She has been murdered. She also turns out to be the wife of a criminal who has escaped from prison."

2. Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman (Dungeon Crawler Carl #1 / 2020) Recommended by many people as excellent escapist fantasy.

"The apocalypse will be televised!

A man. His ex-girlfriend's cat. A sadistic game show unlike anything in the a dungeon crawl where survival depends on killing your prey in the most entertaining way possible.

In a flash, every human-erected construction on Earth - from Buckingham Palace to the tiniest of sheds - collapses in a heap, sinking into the ground. The buildings and all the people inside have all been atomized and transformed into the an 18-level labyrinth filled with traps, monsters, and loot. A dungeon so enormous, it circles the entire globe. Only a few dare venture inside. But once you're in, you can't get out. And what's worse, each level has a time limit. You have but days to find a staircase to the next level down, or it's game over.

In this game, it's not about your strength or your dexterity. It's about your followers, your views. Your clout. It's about building an audience and killing those goblins with style. You can't just survive here. You gotta survive big. You gotta fight with vigor, with excitement. You gotta make them stand up and cheer. And if you do have that "it" factor, you may just find yourself with a following. That's the only way to truly survive in this game - with the help of the loot boxes dropped upon you by the generous benefactors watching from across the galaxy. They call it Dungeon Crawler World. But for Carl, it's anything but a game."

Newest Purchases

(I'll highlight 6 of my most recent purchases)

1. The Freedom Maze by Delia Sherman (Fantasy / 2011).

"Thirteen-year-old Sophie isn’t happy about spending the summer of 1960 at her grandmother’s old house in the bayou. Bored and lonely, she can’t resist exploring the house’s maze, or making an impulsive wish for a fantasy-book adventure with herself as the heroine. What she gets instead is a real adventure: a trip back in time to 1860 and the race-haunted world of her family’s Louisiana sugar plantation. Here, President Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation is still two years in the future and passage of the Thirteenth Amendment is almost four years away. And here, Sophie is mistaken, by her own ancestors, for a slave."

2. The Eye of the Heron by Ursula K. Le Guin (Sci Fi / 2026).

"In Victoria on a former prison colony, two exiled groups—the farmers of Shantih and the City dwellers—live in apparent harmony. All is not as it seems, however. While the peace-loving farmers labor endlessly to provide food for the City, the City Bosses rule the Shantih with an iron fist. When a group of farmers decide to form a new settlement further away, the Bosses retaliate by threatening to crush the "rebellion."

Luz understands what it means to have no choices. Her father is a Boss and he has ruled over her life with the same iron fist. Luz wonders what it might be like to make her own choices. To be free to choose her own destiny."

3. Time and Again by Clifford D. Simak (Sci Fi / 1951) Another author whose work I keep trying out.

"Asher Sutton has been lost in deepest space for twenty years. Suddenly arrives a warning from the future, that he will return- and that he must be killed. He is destined to write a book whose message may lead to the death of millions in centuries to come. For this reason Sutton is hounded by the sinister warring factions of the future who wish to influence or prevent the writing of this book he has not yet begun to write.

Yet already a copy has been found in the burnt-out wreckage of a space-craft on Aldebaran XII."

4. The 1960s and 70s by Joan Didion (Fiction / Non Fiction) A collection of Didion's works and essays.

"Cool, dispassionate, and incisive, Joan Didion’s voice is electric on the page. Using autobiographical elements to stunning literary effect, she has captured the anarchic convulsions and anxious contradictions of the waning American Century and the coming new millennium with incomparable clarity and force. Now, Library of America inaugurates a definitive three-volume edition of Didion’s collected writings with the landmark works of the 1960s and 1970s, books that established her as one of the most original and influential literary figures of our time.

Didion’s darkly nostalgic debut novel Run River (1963) is set among the ranch families of her native Sacramento Valley, their prosperity and pioneer traditions threatened by suburban sprawl and the changing values of a postwar world. A riveting chronicle of passion, infidelity, and betrayal in the twenty-year marriage of Lily Knight and Everett McClellan, it eloquently evokes one woman’s alienation amid the landscapes of a disappearing California.

A major milestone in the rise of the New Journalism, Slouching Towards Bethlehem (1968) gathers Didion’s kaleidoscopic essays of the mid-1960s: masterpieces whose subjects include an aging John Wayne, a Los Angeles Maoist, the Las Vegas wedding industry, and the acid-tripping counterculture of San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury. The collection showcases Didion’s signature literary persona—“a memorable voice, partly eulogistic, partly despairing, always in control” (Joyce Carol Oates)—while introducing a style of reportage that transformed the expectations of generations of readers and writers.

In Play It As It Lays (1970) model and actress Maria Wyeth, her brief career fading, finds herself adrift in a sun-drenched, air-conditioned, and utterly benumbed world in which pills, fast cars, and casual sex have replaced human connection. The pared-down, impressionistic prose frames a harrowing story of a Hollywood life gone wrong.

Well-meaning norteamericana Charlotte Douglas arrives in the lush, dangerously chaotic Central American republic of Boca Grande, in Didion’s third novel, A Book of Common Prayer (1977), hoping to trace the whereabouts of her daughter Marin, an affluent teenager turned Marxist-revolutionary terrorist. “Immaculate of history, innocent of politics,” Douglas is swept up in intrigues and violence beyond her ability to comprehend, as Didion dissects the menacing realities of imperialism and revolution.

In The White Album (1979) Didion continues her intense, intimate, clear-eyed investigations of a California coming apart at the seams. In trips to shopping malls and to the Getty Museum; visits with Nancy Reagan, The Doors, and the Black Panthers; accounts of the prosecution of the Manson Family—all counterpointed with her own dark moods and obsessions—she offers a brilliant mosaic of a time that continues to shape our own and a monument of superlative literary nonfiction."

5. Love & Rockets, Vol. 5, House of Raging Women by les Hermanos Hernandez (Graphic novel / 1988). This has quickly become one of my favorite graphic novel series.

"A special wresting volume with Maggie and Rena Titanon, plus Gilbert's "An American in Palomar," "Love Bites," and "Holiday's in the Sun."

6. Gideon Falls #1, The Black Barn by Jeff Lemire (Graphic novel / Horror) A new series to try out.

"The legend of the Black Barn tells of an otherworldly building that has appeared and reappeared throughout history, bringing death and madness in its wake. Now, its mystery ensnares and entwines the lives of two very different men. One: a young recluse, obsessed with finding hidden clues within the city's trash. The other: a washed-up Catholic priest, finding his place in a small town that hides dark secrets. Neither of them are prepared for what's inside the Black Barn."

I hope you see something that interests you. Enjoy the rest of your week!