Saturday, 21 December 2024

As the Year 2024 Winds Down

Whereas the rest of Canada might be getting some snow right now, here on the West Coast, we're getting drenched as usual. And I'm not complaining! It's still kind of balmy and most mornings, I've been able to go for a run if I want to... (key words there... If I want to). On Friday I went and got my Covid shot. As I was informed by the pharmacist, this was my 7th, this one by Pfizer. And no charge. I had my flu shot in November, once again no charge. I sincerely worry what will happen if the Conservatives get voted in in British Columbia, as the NDP are hanging on by a thread here, or if there is a Federal election and the Conservatives get voted in nationally. Bye bye health care, I'd say. Scary! We'll see what happens

Anyway, as the year comes to a close, this is my last or maybe last post of the year. Let's look at books.

Finished

Since my last update, I've finished 8 books, although to be fair, I did give up on two. I'll just provide reviews of those I've completed.

1. Booked by Kwame Alexander (2022). 

"Booked by Kwame Alexander is the 2nd graphic novel I've enjoyed by this talented author and also his illustrator, David Anyabwile. The story follows Nick Hall, a young boy, who loves playing soccer and competing against his best friend Coby. But life isn't a bed of roses for Nicky.

His parents are going through a difficult time; they love each other but are finding it difficult to live together anymore. Nick's mom is heading to Kentucky to help train horses. Nick is finding this a difficult situation with which to cope. Also there are two brothers who bully Nick and others. They steal Nick's bike. His friend Coby tries to stand up for him, gets in a fight and is expelled. This, while Nick, is afraid to help his friend. Nick also likes April, a girl in his class and finds it difficult to express his feelings, even though it's clear she does like him too.

Nick's father is insistent on improving Nick's vocabulary and has published a dictionary of odd words that he wants Nick to read. READ ANYTHING! Of course, Nick rebels. One of his best friends is Mr. MacDonald, an ex-rapper, changed to school librarian. He also keeps giving Nick books. READ! Besides all of this, there are the normal other school situations. Nick doesn't like English class, doesn't like the girl, Winifred, who has all of the answers.

But Nick's overall situation is a tense one. He's developing stomach pains, can't sleep because his mother is away, is angry with her for 'abandoning' him. He refuses to talk with her, all of the pressures of growing up in a family that is drifting apart. All of this will build to a crisis situation. Will it affect Nick's health? Will it affect Nick's ability to attend a big soccer tournament in Dallas? Check it out.

It's a fascinating story. The language is cool and well-paced. Nick and his friends are neat kids. The soccer scenes are so well-drawn and described. And you will learn words you might not have heard before as throughout, these words are interspersed and defined for you. Kind of a neat touch. It's an intelligent, well-written, interesting story about growing up. Check it out. (4.5 stars)"

2. Wanderers by Chuck Wendig (2019). It took me awhile to get through this one but I'm glad I stuck with it.

"Wanderers by Chuck Wendig took me awhile to get through, but not because it wasn't interesting. It's more because I usually have a few books on the go at a time and because it's a big old book, a tome as some would say. However, it was an excellent dystopic story that  was interesting from beginning to end.

Firstly, I have to say, Wanderers had definite undertones.. or maybe, even, overtones, to Stephen King's The Stand. There is a group of people, getting bigger as their journey progresses across the US, wandering from point to point. Now this group of people is quite unique. The first 'wanderer' is Nessie, older sister of Shanna, and daughter of her divorced dad. She gets up one morning and without so much as a how-do-you-do, opens the front door and starts walking down the road. No matter how much Shanna tries to stop her, or to get her attention, Nessie is oblivious to her and any other distractions. She seems to be asleep.

Quite quickly, other wanderers join her. They are escorted by police and family members. Fairly quickly someone realizes that if you try to stop a wanderer, like by putting her / him in a police car or holding him / her down, they explode. So there you. The main story is now set. Wanderers gathering in a huge flock, ultimately over 1,000, travelling west across the US, escorted by family and others.

Of course, this isn't the only story line. HAH! You wondered didn't you? Let's see what else is going on? Down in Texas, a businessman is about to break ground on an amusement park; one of many. During the ceremony, when the perform a ground breaking explosion, it releases a swarm of bats, living in connected caves. Many of these people will become infected with something. The businessman's body, covered in spores or something, will later be found in Florida. The CDC will investigate. Does this have something to do with the wanderers? Or maybe the comet that sails by Earth has something to do with it?

Right.. the CDC. OK. The CDC is of course called in to investigate the wanderers. Disgraced former employee, Benji is called. It seems that some time ago he released 'fake' info about conditions in pig farms, that besmirched the reputation of CDC. However, Sadie, an old friend, wants him along with the CDC as they follow and try to find out what's going on with the wanderers. Now... Sadie has an interesting 'device'... a machine intelligence called Black Swan that she can 'talk' to on her phone. Black Swan is an integral part of the story. What does it have to do with the wanderers? I don't want to provide too much info as this is a rich, intricate story that you need to be surprised with as you progress.

But, wait though. the right wing fanatics, want to use this wandering flock as harbingers of evil. One particular fella, Ozark Stover has been building a 'militia' to take over the US. He uses the services of a disgruntled preacher, Matthew Bird to help sow this distrust of the current US government, of the wanderers, etc. Matthew has his doubts about what he is doing but likes the way people now listen to his radio messages, attend his services.. 

It's just a fascinating story. Two forces, or maybe even more, on a collision course as the Earth roils with self-destruction as a disease... oh yeah, did I mention, White Mask? I did say it was an intricate, rich story. Where are the wanderers going? What is Black Swan doing? What are Stover's plans. It's fascinating, peopled with so many excellent characters. I've not even mentioned Marcy or Arav or later on, Dove... A race to save the world or to survive against so many forces piled up against them. Just excellent. (4.5 stars)"

3. If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin (1974).

"If Beale Street Could Talk was my first exposure to the work of James Baldwin. As I find with most new authors, it took me a bit to get into the flow of the writing style and the writing style.

The story is set in '70s Harlem and the  narrator is a young black girl, Tish Rivers. Tish works in a department store dispensing perfume and currently lives at home with her mother, Sharon, her father, Joseph and her sister, Ernestine, who we will gradually discover, is a force with whom to be reckoned. We will quite quickly learn that Tish has just discovered that she is pregnant and also that her baby-daddy, Alfonso 'Fony' Hunt, is in prison, accused of rape.

The crux of the story is Tish's efforts to get Fony out of prison by proving his innocence. In this she is helped by her parents and Fony's father (not so much by his mother and two sisters, who are in their own world). This is where Ernestine shines. She organizes, she controls, she demands. She gets a white lawyer to agree to take the case, even though it puts him in a negative spotlight with a racist DA and his team who seem to be doing everything to hinder the defense's case. 

The DA has made the victim incommunicado by sending her to Porto Rico. The DA has arrested Fony's friend and isolated him in a prison upstate and made it almost impossible for Fony's lawyer to talk to him. Etc.

It's a fascinating, powerful story that delves into Tish and Fony's relationship, how it developed and burgeoned. It delves into the family relationships; the tension in Fony's family, between father and wife. That relationship is compared to that of Tish's family, the love of her sister and parents, their strength and support. 

It's an beautifully written story and a powerful, passionate tale of life in Harlem, of racism, of love, all bundled into one excellent story. I've never seen the movie but will have to check it out now too. And also check out more of Baldwin's work. (4.0 stars)"

4. The Seeing Stone by Tony DiTerlizzi & Holly Black (Spiderwick Chronicles #2 / 2003)

"The Seeing Stone is the 2nd book in the Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black. It follows the Grace kids, older sister Mallory and twins Jared and Simon as they 'help' their mother adjust to a new life in the old Spiderwick mansion after their parents' divorce. It's not an easy adjustment, especially in school where at least Jared is having trouble fitting in. As well, it seems the house and neighboring woods are populated by all sorts of supernatural creatures; goblins, trolls, griffons, elves, etc. Their great-great-great uncle Arthur had a secret room in the mansion with his journal and all sorts of information on the various creatures.

This story finds Simon captured by goblins. (Oh, the kids can't see these supernatural creatures, unless they allow themselves to be seen) One such, helps Jared find the Seeing Stone which is a sort of monocle that permits him to see the goblins and he uses that to lead Mallory into the woods to try and save their brother.

It's a fun, exciting adventure and with excellent drawings to add to the texture. Great characters, fun story, well-paced and leaving you wanting to see what the kids will be involved with in their next adventure. (Oh, the story was sent to DiTerlizzi and Black by the kids and they got it published for them) 😉👍 Lucinda's Secret is next in line (4.0 stars)"

5. Illegal by Eoin Colfer & Andrew Donkin (2017)

"Illegal: A Graphic Novel is a graphic novel by Eoin Colfer; Andrew Donkin. It's the 2nd graphic novel by the two that I've read and enjoyed, the first being [book:Global|86175343]. They've also been involved in the graphicalization of his Artemis Fowl series, of which I've enjoyed one thus far.

Illegal is a powerful story of two brothers, Ebo and Kwame and their friend, Razak, refugees from Nigeria, trying to get to Italy (or Europe in general) so they can be re-united with their sister Sisi. This involves a journey across the Sahara to Libya and then by boat to Italy (if they can raise enough money to pay smugglers to take them.

Ebo's older brother leaves by himself and leaves a note for Ebo telling him that once he finds Sisi and can raise money, he will send for Ebo. But Ebo can't wait and makes his own journey to find Kwame. They do meet up finally and continue their journey together. It's a journey fraught with danger; the heat of the desert, the abuse by smugglers, the dangers in Tripoli (disease, gangs, police, militias) and then, especially the dangers of braving an inflatable raft to cross the Mediterranean... a raft filled to over flowing, with insufficient water and food for the migrants... a raft that springs a leak.

It's a terrifying ordeal for these young men but they are determined to persevere and find their sister. The story moves from the present, when the two brothers and Razak are floundering in their inflatable raft and the past, with Ebo's journey to try and find Kwame. It's beautifully drawn and inked by Giovanni Rigano and touchingly told by Colfer and Donkin. 

The story starts with these words, a quote from Elie Wiesel...

"You, who are so-called illegal aliens, must know that no human being is illegal. That is a contradiction in terms. Human beings can be beautiful or more beautiful, the can be fat or skinny, they can be right or wrong, but illegal? how can a human being be illegal?"

Words to think on. It's a subject matter that brings out many feelings, positive and negative but it's a subject that needs to be discussed and that solutions that promote the dignity and safety of every human (no matter from where they come) be worked out. Excellent, touching, powerful story. (4.0 stars)"

6. The Wild Robot Escapes by Peter Brown (Wild Robot #2 / 2018)

"The Wild Robot Escapes is the 2nd book of three in Peter  Brown's story about Roz the Wild Robot. In the 1st book, Roz crashes on an island in the ocean when the ship on which she was being carried sank during a storm. Roz adapted to her new life and became friends with the animals on the island, even adopting an orphan goose, Brightbill. But at the end, Roz was captured by other robots and taken back to civilization.

In The Wild Robot Escapes, Roz has been refurbished and reprogrammed and sent to work on a farm with the Shareef family. As Roz adjusts to this new life, making friends with the cattle and the Shareef children and fixing all the machinery and getting the farm running smoothly again, she still pines for her island, her old friends and especially her son, Brightbill.

As the story progresses, Roz will come once again into contact with her beloved son and will, with the assistance of the Shareef children and many others, try to find her way across the  continent and hopefully once again to her old friends.

It's a lovely, tender story. Roz is a kind, caring robot who everybody eventually begins to love. The other characters are well-developed and empathetic. It's just a kind, lovely adventure and you hope that it will end with Roz once again back home. But to do that she must avoid the Reco robots who are once again searching for her. And what will the Designer do if and when she gets her hands on Roz? 

If you liked the 1st book, you will enjoy this one just as much. Cheer for Roz!! (4.0 stars)"

Currently Reading

I'm down to 4 books and won't start any more until I finish them. But they are fairly short so I might be able to squeeze one or two more in if time permits.

1. The Boggart by Susan Cooper (Boggart #1 / 1993). I'm enjoying Cooper's The Dark Rises series and have been looking forward to checking this one out.

""Centuries old and thousands of miles from home". When Emily and Jess Volnik's family inherits a remote, crumbling Scottish castle, they also inherit the Boggart - an invisible, mischievous spirit who's been playing tricks on residents of Castle Keep for generations. Then the Boggart is trapped in a rolltop desk and inadvertently shipped to the Volniks' home in Toronto, where nothing will ever be the same - for the Volniks or the Boggart.

In a world that doesn't believe in magic, the Boggart's pranks wreak havoc. And even the newfound joys of peanut butter and pizza and fudge sauce eventually wear thin for the Boggart. He wants to go home - but his only hope lies in a risky and daring blend of modern technology and ancient magic."

2. Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz by L. Frank Baum (Oz #4 / 1908). I'm finding this one a bit sillier than the previous ones, but still enjoyable.

"In this edition, Dorothy and the Wizard are sucked into the center of the Earth.  Together they make their way back to Oz, dodging grim perils on a hazard-filled journey."

3. Silverwing by Kenneth Oppel (2023). This is the graphic novel version of the original story.

"A small bat blown off course makes the perilous journey home with new friends in Oppel's story that is now available in graphic novel format!

Shade the young silverwing bat may be the runt of his colony, but he’s determined to prove himself on the long, dangerous winter migration to Hibernaculum—millions of wingbeats to the south. Too soon, his hopes are dashed when a fierce storm catches Shade in its grasp. Driven far from the others by the unforgiving winds, Shade is left alone.

On his journey back to his family, Shade meets other winged loners. Marina is a Brightwing bat with a strange metal band on her leg, Zephyr the mystical albino bat has an unusual gift, and Goth the carnivorous vampire bat is the largest bat Shade has ever seen. Shade will need all the help he can get if he hopes to reunite with his colony, but with a long and perilous flight ahead, how will he know who to trust?"

4. The Annual Migration of Clouds by Premee Mohamed (Cloud Migration #1 / 2021)

"In post-climate disaster Alberta, a woman infected with a mysterious parasite must choose whether to pursue a rare opportunity far from home or stay and help rebuild her community.

The world is nothing like it once was: climate disasters have wracked the continent, causing food shortages, ending industry, and leaving little behind. Then came Cad, mysterious mind-altering fungi that invade the bodies of the now scattered citizenry. Reid, a young woman who carries this parasite, has been given a chance to get away - to move to one of the last remnants of pre-disaster society - but she can't bring herself to abandon her mother and the community that relies on her.

When she's offered a coveted place on a dangerous and profitable mission, she jumps at the opportunity to set her family up for life, but how can Reid ask people to put their trust in her when she can't even trust her own mind?"

New Books
Six new books / graphics acquired since my last update.

1. Pearl by Sherri L. Smith (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."

2. God Flare by David A. Robertson (Reckoner Rises #3 / 2024). I enjoyed the 1st to books in this graphic novel series.

"Cole and Eva are reunited once more. A new terror looms as Mihko Laboratories latest human experiments are about to be unleashed. Cole is on the long road to recovery, but he’s still struggling with survivor’s guilt. He must stay focused as he, Eva, and their friends prepare for the final showdown with Mihko.

After the events of Version Control, Brady’s mind is fractured, and he can’t distinguish between what really happened and what Mikho made him believe. Eva and Cole may have to face this terrifying threat without him. It’s a grim prospect, but a new discovery might just change God Flare.

Will Brady recover enough to join the fight? Can Cole come to terms with his abilities in spite of his PTSD? And will God Flare help even the odds against Mihko?"

3. Something is Killing the Children, Volume Two by James Tynion IV (#2 / 2020). Vol 1 was scary and creepy.

"Erica Slaughter may have slain the monster terrorizing the small Wisconsin town of Archer’s Peak, but now she sets off deeper into the woods -- because the monster she killed was a mother… and now she needs to kill its children.

EVIL NEVER DIES...UNLESS ERICA SLAUGHTER KILLS IT.

Erica Slaughter may have slain the monster terrorizing the small Wisconsin town of Archer’s Peak, but the horror is far from over. As her mysterious handler arrives in town to clean up her mess and quarantine the townsfolk, Erica sets off deeper into the woods -- because the monster she killed was a mother… and now she needs to kill its children."

4. Devil's Food by Kerry Greenwood (Corinna Chapman #3 / 2006). The first book in this Australian mystery series was excellent and also had great food.

"If there's one thing Corinna Chapman, baker extraordinaire and proprietor of the Earthly Delights Bakery, can't abide, it's people not eating well--particularly when there are delights like her just-baked, freshly buttered sourdough bread to enjoy. So when a strange cult which denies the flesh and eats only famine bread turns up and a malnourished corpse is found in a park, Corinna is very disturbed indeed.

But she doesn't only have that to contend with. Her hippie mother, Starshine, has turned up out of the blue, hysterical that Sunlight, Corinna's father, has absconded to Melbourne with all their money and a desire for a new young lover. Meanwhile, someone is also poisoning people with weight loss herbal teas. And odd things are happening at the nearby Cafe Vlad Tepes, which attracts a very strange clientele."

5. Brzrkr Volume 2 by Keanu Reeves (2021)

"WHAT PRICE WOULD YOU PAY FOR TRUE FREEDOM?

Half-mortal and half-god, cursed and compelled to violence, the man known only as B. begins wandering the world anew. After enduring a series of experiments and missions, B.’s memories of his origins will be finally restored. But what does this revelation mean for his future? Has B. finally found true freedom? Perhaps, but when has the U.S. government ever let their best asset go?"




6. Brzrkr Volume 3 by Keanu Reeves (2023)

"In the final volume of the record-shattering series, uncover the ancient mysteries of our anti-hero’s origins and his final fate! As B.’s full fury is unleashed, a new discovery promises to bring the answers he’s been seeking for centuries. But as the team travels to finally uncover the mysteries of B.’s birth, is he finally near the end of his fatal goal, or will his violent efforts be in vain?"





So there you go. Some final gift ideas for Xmas maybe? I hope to do one more update before year's end but if I don't manage to write one before Xmas, have a great holiday!

Sunday, 8 December 2024

A December 2024 Reading Update

How time flies when you're.... well, you know how the expression goes. It's been a busy reading couple of weeks. I'll list all of the books I've read since my last update but I may only provide reviews for a few favorites as I think I've read quite a few (November was graphic novel month and in December I'm focusing on children's / middle grade type books, so they do go fairly quickly) What with the postal strike, I've been buying more books locally, which I always enjoy. I'll list them all, but once again, maybe only provide synopses for a select few. 

Onward!!!

Recently Finished

1. Tank Girl #3 by Alan C. Martin  (1996) (2.5 stars)

2. Chocky by John Wyndham (1968).

"One of the first Sci-Fi authors that I remember enjoying (and my memory is faulty due to my increasing old age... ) was English author John Wyndham. The first book I remember reading by him was Day of the Triffids, a book I've read two or three times. Since then I've enjoyed many of his books; The Chrysalids, The Kraken Wakes, The Midwich Cuckoos, etc. When I saw that I had a copy of Chocky (1968), I thought I must have read it before but I decided to try it anyway.

I think Wyndham's later work (from the books I highlighted especially) displayed a unique story telling style, kind of like Nevil Shute of Sci Fi. The characters are usually unassuming people, the main story tellers, caught up in unique situations and handling them with common sense and aplomb. In this story, Matthew is the 12 year old adopted son of Mary and the narrator (I don't know if we ever get his name). At a later date they finally have their own child, Polly.

While growing up, Polly had an imaginary friend, Piff, who she eventually grows away from. The story starts with her older brother now exhibiting signs also of having such a friend, named Chocky. While they are concerned, the parents feel it is something that Matthew will outgrow. A series of incidents and just school reports raise their concern again. Dad has a medical friend over to talk with Matthew. He talks about 'possession'.

I won't get into the story anymore except that the connection with Chocky grows but there remain few answers about who this Chocky is. Matthew does try to explain but being still barely a teenager, he finds it difficult to communicate his perceptions. Chocky has views about Earth, various physics type ideas, even art and perception.

The story isn't scary at all, but it's still a fascinating read. There are connections of sorts to other Wyndham stories, especially The Chrysalids and The Midwich Cuckoos (also published as Village of the Damned) with their plots about children with 'powers' of the mind. The parents reminded me of the couple in The Kraken Wakes, level-headed, commonsensical and dealing with a unique situation. It's kind of a coming of age type story, a boy growing up and dealing with a strange situation. Well written, entertaining and even touching. I still prefer other Wyndham stories but Chocky is still an excellent tale. (4.0 stars)"

3. Something is Killing the Children, Vol. 1 by James Tynion IV (2020) (3.5 stars)
4. The Night Librarian by Christopher Lincoln (2024) (3.5 stars)

5. The Wind's Twelve Quarters by Ursula K. Le Guin (1975) (4.0 stars)

"The Wind's Twelve Quarters is a collection of short stories by Ursula K. Le Guin. As she states in the forward, "This collection is what painters call a retrospective; it gives a roughly chronological survey of my short stories during the first ten years after I broke into print, belated but undaunted, at the age of thirty-two." There are 17 short stories, each with a brief explanation or foreword about the story, how it might relate to some of her novels, etc. 

Overall, I found it an interesting, enjoyable book (and now that I've said that, it seems like I'm damning with faint praise, which definitely is not my intent. It's just more a demonstration of my lack of ability in describing something.😔). Do you have to have read her novels to grasp some of the stories? No, not necessarily, but some of them do relate to her Earthsea books or her Hainish stories. She does explain where the particular short story fits in so that makes it easier.

It's a nice mix of stories, fantasy, Sci Fi in all its varieties and just original thoughts. I found Direction of the Road particularly fascinating, a story of life from the perspective of an ancient oak tree and how its life is impacted by the introduction of a highway beside it. Semley's Necklace struck a chord with me as I'd just finished Rocannon's World recently and the tale of how Semley finds her necklace and the impact of space - time and its impact on her homeworld and her life was very poignant. April in Paris was a strange time travel / wizardy magic story. The Masters deals with technology vs religion. In some ways it made me think of The Canticle for Leibovitz... just in some ways. This story covers the rediscovery of a wheel and pleas for heresy. I could go into all of the stories, but let's just highlight a couple of more, The Word of Unbinding which brings  you to the world of Earthsea and the power of names and also dragons.. Vaster than Empires and More Slow talks about a scientific expedition to another galaxy and the effects on the mental stability of the crew as it meets 'life' on the planet. Quite a scary story.

Suffice it to say that the ability to craft a short story, to quickly get into the plot, to introduce the characters and to satisfyingly tell a story that satisfies the reader is quite a unique talent. Alice Munro has this ability and so does Ursula LeGuin. What makes her unique in this field is that she was equally comfortable writing short stories or novels. I always find her stories, in either style, interesting, thoughtful and so well-crafted. The Wind's Twelve Quarters was no exception. (4.0 stars)

6. The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy (2019) (5 stars) My favorite novel for this update. Also a 30 minute animated feature.

"What a wonderful, perfect, gentle, loving book The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy is. I found it by chance as there were a couple of people talking about it as I wandered around my favorite local book store. I had to take a look at it and it looked beautiful with the drawing of the horse and his 3 companions on the cover. The title was also in a wonderful cursive script. As I scanned some of the interior pages, I had to take a chance on it.

There is an expression I regularly hear on the Great British Bake-off, 'style over substance', meaning it looks good but leaves something to the desire when it comes to taste. Well, this book has style, wonderful drawings by Charlie Mackesy and it also has substance, just a beautiful story about love, caring and friendship.

The story, which is more of a novella actually, starts with the 'boy' sitting by himself and meeting the 'mole'. As they wander, the boy askes questions, the mole answers... the mole seems to think everything revolves around cake, which is no bad thing. While sitting in a tree, they meet the fox who is trapped. While not very talkative, he threatens to eat the mole. Even so, the mole helps him get free and later on the fox returns the favor. As the 3 continue their journey, they meet the horse and continue their walk. The horse seems to be the logical one with the answers he provides to questions.

The simplicity and beauty of the dialogue resonates...

"Sometimes I worry you'll all realise I'm ordinary," said the boy.
"Love doesn't need you to be extraordinary: said the mole.

"We all need a reason to keep going," said the horse. "What's yours?"
"You three", said the fox.
"Getting home," said the boy.
"Cake," said the mole.

I don't want to use up all of the wonderful quotes, but I had to add this one for you.

"I've discovered something better than cake."
"No you haven't," said the boy.
"I have," said the mole.
"What is it?"
"A hug. It last longer." *sniff* (that was me)

The story, the journey and the wonderful artwork make for a perfect little wonderful story. One that is fine to read by yourself, but one that is even better to share with a loved one... Enjoy. (5 stars)"

7. 1984: The Graphic Novel by Fido Nesti (2021) (4.0 stars)

8. Woman, Life, Freedom by Marjane Satrapi (2023) (4.5 stars)

"Woman, Life, Freedom is an excellent graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi and a group of excellent comic artists and 3 other authors; political scientist Farid Vahid, acclaimed journalist Jean - Pierre Perrin and historian Abbas Milani. The graphic novel centers around the death of Iranian Mahsa Amin, who was beaten by Iran's Morality police for not wearing her veil.

The book covers the history, the politics  and all aspects of life in Iran and for those Iranians who were forced out of the country to save their lives. It's a wide - ranging story covering the ongoing revolution to regain democracy in Iran, the history of Iran, the treatment of protesters (a detailed list of some of those murdered by the regime for daring to challenge authority), various anecdotal stories about life in Iran; women who dare to disguise themselves so they can go to a soccer match with men; a simple (seemingly)story of a woman trying to live a normal life and risking it, just to spend time with normal activities. 

There are fascinating sections covering the decadence of the ruling class; pretending to be loyal Muslims while in Iran but living the high life of dancing, drinking, etc when away. There is the inability to trust people around you, whether in the country or outside because the regime has spies everywhere, pretending to be normal citizens but 'maybe' reporting back to the regime. To be a woman or a man supporting women's rights in Iran is highlighted throughout. Chapter 3 starts with a segment entitled 'Names that will go down in history'; Niloofar Hamedi who took photos of Mahsa Amini who was in a coma. She tweeted the photo and was arrested shortly thereafter. Elaheh traveled to the hometown of Mahsa to cover her funeral and was arrested as well. Doctors who dared to treat protesters who rallied against the regime were arrested. Lawyers defending protesters were arrested, thrown in prison, lost the rights to practice as a lawyer. And on and on.

One of the most terrifying chapters Women Saying No has a page about White Torture. Female prisoners who committed no crime were placed in a totally white room. 'With no sense of time, of day and night... the whiteness starts to take over their body, their mind and soul... and their personality dissolves into nothingness." Terrifying; a version of George Orwell's 1984 in real life.

And yet the book is still filled with hope. The mantra Woman, Life, Freedom permeates the story. There is a persistent hope that the regime will sink into the earth, that with this continuous democratic pressure, that right - minded Iranians will finally get to live the lives that they deserve. They just need the support an an opportunity to create this environment. This was powerful and excellent, and I highly recommend. (4.5 stars)"

9. Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson (2015) (4.0 stars)
10. Wonderful Alexander and the Catwings by Ursula K. Le Guin (Catwings #3) (3.5 stars)

11. In the Lives of Puppets by T.J. Klune (2023).

"I was first attracted to In the Lives of Puppets by T.J. Klune by its wonderful cover designed by Red Nose Studios, specifically Chris Sickels. The story outline then sounded intriguing and then, of course, the story, which was wonderful.

In the Lives is about Vic, a young boy, who lives with his father, Giovanni Lawson, in a fantastic house in the woods. Vic's best friends are Nurse Ratchet and Rambo. So let's stop there for a moment. Vic is human, maybe one of the last humans left. Giovanni is a robot / android, an inventor. Nurse Ratchet and Rambo are both robots that Vic found in the huge junk heap near their house, and repaired them. Ratchet is as her name describes a medical robot and Rambo is basically an oversized Roomba. Both have personalities - plus. 

The three are best friends and spend their time wandering through the forest and sneaking visits to the dump. They must be careful because the dump is patrolled by huge robots and they must avoid them at all costs. The dump is a valuable place, filled with broken robots, repair parts, etc, etc. 

Oh, I forgot, Vic designed a heart for Giovanni, made of wood, that helps keep Giovanni going... and makes him more human?? Anyway, one day, the threesome discover a broken robot at the dump, missing some parts. They bring it home to Giovanni, who is very upset. The robot is a HARP, basically killer robots designed by the mysterious Authority, to hunt down and destroy humans and rebellious robots. Still, Vic and Gio bring Hap (now named thusly) to life, repair his broken parts and give him a new heart as well.

They must spend time now, helping Hap remember but also trying to make him more gentle and friendly. HOWEVER.... one day while visiting the dump, they see a floating ... er, robot? the Terrible Dogfish, which discovers their home in the woods, and they take Giovanni away. He has made Vic and the others hide in a secret room under the house. Only Nurse Ratchet knew about it.

This is where the story takes off and I won't go into much more detail, except to say that Vic decides to go the City of Electric Dreams (Las Vegas) with his friends to rescue Giovanni. And it's a very exciting trip and adventure where they will meet other robots and even the Blue Fairy. (Oh right, this story is a modern, Sci-Fi take on the Pinocchio story... Mind you, who actually Pinocchio? Vic or Hap?) Anyway, on  this trip, Vic will discover many disconcerting, troubling things about his father, Giovanni and about Hap that will require him to try and reconcile his feelings about life and the whole damn thing.

It's a fascinating, rich story. All of the characters are neat (yes, I said neat) and so funny and interesting. Well, they're not all funny but the core 4 are just great. As an aside, Klune said he got the idea for the story by watching his Roomba and then adding ears to it. Strange, eh? Rambo is one of my favorites, optimistic, in love with the movie Top Hat and won't stop talking. Nurse Ratchet is like her namesake in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest except she's so much more, smart, evil, funny, just a bit of everything. Vic is a boy, smart, inquisitive, trying to adjust and survive in a world of robots... It's just a wonderful, entertaining story. I can't try to describe it all... (4.5 stars)"

So there you go, 11 books since my last update. I've whittled my Currently Reading list down to 7. 

Currently Reading
1. Wanderers by Chuck Wendig (2019). I've been working on this since the end of June but I've made steady progress since I started it at the end of June. Consider it as The Stand but without the humor??? That was a joke.

2. The Blunders by David Walliams (2023). I've enjoyed a couple of Little Britain's David Walliams' children's books. This one looked neat.

"Meet the Bertie, Betsy, their children, Brutus and Bunny, along with their beloved grandma Old Lady Blunder, and their pet ostrich, Cedric. An ostrich is not a sensible pet, but then the Blunders are not sensible people. This family of upper-class twits lives in a crumbling country house named Blunder Hall. When their home comes under threat, they must embark on a series of comic misadventures to save it."



3. Jane on Her Own by Ursula K. Le Guin (Catwings #4). The final book in this children's series.

4. The Wild Robot Escapes by Peter Brown (Wild Robot #2 / 2018). The 2nd book in the Wild Robot adventure. I really enjoyed #1 and will read #3 before end 2024, I'm sure.

"Shipwrecked on a remote, wild island, Robot Roz learned from the unwelcoming animal inhabitants and adapted to her surroundings--but can she survive the challenges of the civilized world and find her way home to Brightbill and the island?"




5. If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin (1974). This is my first exposure to Baldwin's work. I'm getting into it now.
6. Dead Dead Girls by Nekesa Afia (Harlem Renaissance #1 / 2021). I've been neglecting this mystery but will focus more once I finish either Beale Street or Wanderers.

7. Booked by Kwame Alexander (2022). I enjoyed The Cross-over very much and am liking this so far.

"In this electric and heartfelt follow-up to Newbery Medal–winner The Crossoversoccer, family, love, and friendship take center stage as twelve-year-old Nick learns the power of words as he wrestles with problems at home, stands up to a bully, and tries to impress the girl of his dreams.  From the dynamic team behind the graphic novel edition of The Crossover.

Twelve-year-old Nick is a soccer-loving boy who absolutely hates books. In this graphic novel version of Booked, the follow-up to the Newbery Medal–winning novel The Crossover, soccer, family, love, and friendship take center stage as Nick tries to figure out how to navigate his parents’ divorce, stand up to a bully, and impress the girl of his dreams. These challenges—which seem even harder than scoring a tie-breaking, game-winning goal—change his life, as well as his best friend’s."

New Books
1. Bear by Marian Engels (1976)
2. Good Bones by Margaret Atwood (1992)

"A treasure trove of collected works from the legendary author of The Handmaid's Tale and Alias Grace

Queen Gertrude gives Hamlet a piece of her mind.
An ugly sister and a wicked stepmother put in a good word for themselves.
A reincarnated bat explains how Bram Stoker got Dracula hopelessly wrong.

Bones and Murder is a bewitching cocktail of prose and poetry, fiction and fairytales, as well as some of Atwood's own illustrations. It's pure distilled deliciously strong and bittersweet."

3. Red Mandarin Dress by Qiu Xiaolong (Inspector Chen #5 / 2007). I enjoyed the first book in this mystery series very much.
4. Passage by Connie Willis (2001). I have read and enjoyed one of Willis's Oxford Time Travel books.
5. Tarzan at the Earth's Core by Edgar Rice Burroughs (Tarzan #13 / 1929). I do like this series. I pick up a book every year or so.

6. Cetaganda by Lois McMaster Bujold (Vorkosigan Sage #9 / 1995)

"The latest installment in the adventures of Miles Vorkosigan. Miles and Cousin Ivan travel to Cetaganda to play the part of sprigs of nobility doing their diplomatic duty. But when the Empress of Cetaganda dies naturally, and her lifelong attendant dies unnaturally, Miles and Ivan finds themselves in the thick of it."





7. The Amulet: Escape from Lucien by Kazu Kibuishi (Amulet #6 / 2014)
8. Monstress: Warchild by Marjorie Liu (Monstress #5 / 2020)
9. Unprotected: A Memoir by Billy Porter (2021). Such an interesting man. I look forward to reading this.

"It’s easy to be yourself when who and what you are is in vogue. But growing up Black and gay in America has never been easy. Before Billy Porter was slaying red carpets and giving an iconic Emmy–winning performance in the celebrated TV show Pose ; before he was the groundbreaking Tony and Grammy Award–winning star of Broadway’s Kinky Boots ; and before he was an acclaimed recording artist, actor, playwright, director, and all-around legend, Porter was a young boy in Pittsburgh who was seen as different, who didn’t fit in. At five years old, Porter was sent to therapy to “fix” his effeminacy. He was endlessly bullied at school, sexually abused by his stepfather, and criticized at his church. Porter came of age in a world where simply being himself was a constant struggle.

Billy Porter’s Unprotected is the life story of a singular artist and survivor in his own words. It is the story of a boy whose talent and courage opened doors for him, but only a crack. It is the story of a teenager discovering himself, learning his voice and his craft amid deep trauma. And it is the story of a young man whose unbreakable determination led him through countless hard times to where he is now; a proud icon who refuses to back down or hide. Porter is a multitalented, multifaceted treasure at the top of his game, and Unprotected is a resonant, inspirational story of trauma and healing, shot through with his singular voice."

10. The Ferryman by Justin Cronin (2023). I'm just about to finish Cronin's Passage trilogy and this one looks interesting.

"Founded by a mysterious genius, the archipelago of Prospera lies hidden from the horrors of a deteriorating outside world. In this island paradise, Prospera's lucky citizens enjoy long, fulfilling lives until the monitors embedded in their forearms, meant to measure their physical health and psychological well-being, fall below 10 percent. Then they retire themselves, embarking on a ferry ride to the island known as the Nursery, where their failing bodies are renewed, their memories are wiped clean, and they are readied to restart life afresh.

Proctor Bennett, of the Department of Social Contracts, has a satisfying career as a ferryman, gently shepherding people through the retirement process--and, when necessary, enforcing it. But all is not well with Proctor. For one thing, he's been dreaming--which is supposed to be impossible in Prospera. For another, his monitor percentage has begun to drop alarmingly fast. And then comes the day he is summoned to retire his own father, who gives him a disturbing and cryptic message before being wrestled onto the ferry.

Meanwhile, something is stirring. The Support Staff, ordinary men and women who provide the labor to keep Prospera running, have begun to question their place in the social order. Unrest is building, and there are rumors spreading of a resistance group--known as "Arrivalists"--who may be fomenting revolution.

Soon Proctor finds himself questioning everything he once believed, entangled with a much bigger cause than he realized--and on a desperate mission to uncover the truth."

There you go. Update complete. Maybe you'll get a few present ideas for Christmas in this BLog entry. Have a great December. Read many good books.
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