April 2021 Reading discussion

[luriantimetraveler]

Just finished China Mountain Zhang by Maureen McHugh — so much that I appreciated about this: I'm a sucker for the mosaic style of story, and the moments of revelation where you realize the stories have overlapped. I also appreciated the focus on everyday existence, rather than changing the world. It's refreshing to read a SFF novel that addresses homophobia and racism without cloaking it in metaphor or worldbuilding: Rafael/Zhang attempts to "pass" both sexually and racially because of his world. The technology was interesting and creative without distracting from the story, which is very much a character study. McHugh also manages to stick the ending — not bleak, not overly hopeful, but meaningful.

Now I'm on to The Painted Drum by Louise Erdrich also mosaic-y, but realistic fiction set in the US. It's my first Erdrich novel, and while some reviewers have said it's not a good entry into her work, I'm enjoying it so far!

 

[thaddeus6th]

Former political editor, he left a while ago, Brian.

I got my late uncle that as a Christmas gift a few years ago.

 

[Littlelostelf]

Oh no most of his later books are great, although this is mid period,1986. Moon was so much better if I remember correctly.

I agree, Nobody True and Others are two of my favs.

 

[Parson]

The technology was interesting and creative without distracting from the story which is very much a character study.

This made me smile. I believe I've said the same thing about a book but in the opposite direction. For me I always want to think on grand scales, with wonderful technology. It's always a plus for me when the interpersonal stuff doesn't get in the way of a good story.

My present book Unconquerable Sun (the Sun Chronicles) by Kate Elliott almost got tossed into the rubbish in the first few chapters because of the continuing set up to the story: i.e. who was related to who, and who was attracted to who, and who was abandoned by whom, and on and on. For me, the good news is that I persevered and right now I am liking the action pretty well. More when I finish this book. Right now I feel it could be pretty good, or it might be pretty bad with a few good parts.

 

[Vertigo]

This made me smile. I believe I've said the same thing about a book but in the opposite direction. For me I always want to think on grand scales, with wonderful technology. It's always a plus for me when the interpersonal stuff doesn't get in the way of a good story.

My present book Unconquerable Sun (the Sun Chronicles) by Kate Elliott almost got tossed into the rubbish in the first few chapters because of the continuing set up to the story: i.e. who was related to who, and who was attracted to who, and who was abandoned by whom, and on and on. For me, the good news is that I persevered and right now I am liking the action pretty well. More when I finish this book. Right now I feel it could be pretty good, or it might be pretty bad with a few good parts.

I'll be interested in your final views. I used to quite like Elliott when I read fantasy so I'm interested, at least, in this one.

 

[Ian Fortytwo]

I'm currently reading The Man Who Fell to Earth, by Walter Tevis.

 

[Danny McG]

I'm now going to be busy for a while with a very large ebook
The complete Sherlock Holmes

 

[Extollager]

I don’t know what it would be like to read all 56 stories and 4 novels together, but yeah, what an enjoyable “book”! I could read any of them right now with pleasure. If I were going to read the lot, you know what I might do? Read them in reverse publication order, that is, read the final volume of stories first and finish with A Study in Scarlet. I’m half tempted to do that!

But I’d read other things too, break up the Holmes stories. Still,what a project, to read them all say by the end of this year.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

Stuff I read during my week away from the computer:

Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By In America (2011) by Barbara Ehrenreich -- her experience living as a low-wage worker, documenting the difficulties in surviving in that fashion.

Bright-sided: How Positive Thinking Is Undermining America (2010) by Barbara Ehrenreich -- her account of how the promotion of extreme optimism (of the "just wish for it and it will happen" variety) in messing things up.

The Third Tower Up from the Road (2009) by Kevin Dolgin -- a collection of travel essays, notable mostly for the author's smart aleck style.

Late Migrations: A Natural History of Love and Loss (2019) by Margaret Renkl -- alternates memoirs of the author's family and nature essays, many previously published elsewhere, and mostly concerned with death. Includes really beautiful illustrations by the author's brother.

Incurable (1971) by Nell Dunn (original title The Incurable) -- stream-of-consciousness novel, often jumping back and forth in time, and switching between first and third person, so it would be somewhat misleading just to describe the plot. In essence, it involves a woman with three small children whose husband is hospitalized with multiple sclerosis. She runs off to live a hippie existence in Europe and North Africa with another man, then comes back.

Next up:

The Romanovs: The Final Chapter (1995) by Robert K. Massie -- all about the killing of the last Tsar and his family, the woman who claimed to be Tsarina Anastasia, and such matters.

 

[hitmouse]

I don’t know what it would be like to read all 56 stories and 4 novels together, but yeah, what an enjoyable “book”! I could read any of them right now with pleasure. If I were going to read the lot, you know what I might do? Read them in reverse publication order, that is, read the final volume of stories first and finish with A Study in Scarlet. I’m half tempted to do that!

But I’d read other things too, break up the Holmes stories. Still,what a project, to read them all say by the end of this year.

I read the whole lot in one go in the Penguin complete edition. It was great.

 

[Danny McG]

But I’d read other things too, break up the Holmes stories

That's my plan, maybe half a dozen Sherlock and then a sci fi or contemporary thriller and then back to the Sherlock.
I've read a few but never had the chance, until now, to go for them all.

It was inspired by me starting to watch Sherlock on the BBC iPlayer

 

[HareBrain]

I read the whole lot in one go in the Penguin complete edition. It was great.

I think that's the one I had. I was newly arrived at university, had no friends there and wasn't confident of making many, had little money, and when I saw it in the bookshop, it seemed a very cost-effective way of passing a lot of time. The novels didn't really work for me but the stories were excellent.

 

[Randy M.]

A Study in Scarlet, The Valley of Fear and The Sign of Four are adventure novels with Holmes and Watson interludes. Sort of. This is somewhat less true of The Hound of the Baskervilles which I (and a whole lotta other readers) consider the best of the novels. At some point H & W fade into the background in the first three novels, and only Holmes fades for a while in the latter; in the short stories, they are the foremost element.

Tangentially, that's a pattern that shows up in some other mystery or mystery adjacent works. In Algernon Blackwood's two strongest John Silence stories, "Ancient Sorceries" and "Secret Worship," Silence doesn't show until near the end. Not long ago I read Margery Allingham's Tiger in the Smoke and if her series character Albert Campion isn't entirely abandoned, he is relegated to a mostly off-stage presence; it's the strongest of her novels I've read, though I haven't really read many of them. Now I think about it, I'm curious how often this strategy is used.

 

[Vince W]

That's my plan, maybe half a dozen Sherlock and then a sci fi or contemporary thriller and then back to the Sherlock.
I've read a few but never had the chance, until now, to go for them all.

It was inspired by me starting to watch Sherlock on the BBC iPlayer

If you struggle at all with reading it straight through I can heartily recommend The Complete Sherlock Holmes read by Stephen Fry audio book. He's a huge fan and gives a wonderful performance of all the characters. He even makes the second half of Study in Scarlet less dull than it usually is.

 

[Parson]

Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By In America (2011) by Barbara Ehrenreich -- her experience living as a low-wage worker, documenting the difficulties in surviving in that fashion.

Bright-sided: How Positive Thinking Is Undermining America (2010) by Barbara Ehrenreich -- her account of how the promotion of extreme optimism (of the "just wish for it and it will happen" variety) in messing things up.

These are two books which have been on my radar for a time. I heard a discussion about Nickel and Dimed and it really peaked my interest. As I understand them, both of these books seriously debunk a couple of widely held myths about American Exceptionalism, while having just enough personal testimonies supporting them, that they can maintain their hold on the American psyche. Thanks for bringing them back to the front of my consciousness.

 

[svalbard]

The Dragon Waiting by Robert M Ford

A few chapters into this alternative history of Europe. Byzantine Empire still holds sway over Europe in what is the 15th century in our time although dated differently in the book. This is a world where magic is very real. I am immersed already. This is a book written in the 80s and I believe I heard about it here. After a number of attempts to purchase it on Amazon I finally found a copy and really happy that I did.

 

[Randy M.]

The Dragon Waiting by Robert M Ford

A few chapters into this alternative history of Europe. Byzantine Empire still holds sway over Europe in what is the 15th century in our time although dated differently in the book. This is a world where magic is very real. I am immersed already. This is a book written in the 80s and I believe I heard about it here. After a number of attempts to purchase it on Amazon I finally found a copy and really happy that I did.

Sheesh. I've owned the paperback of that for over 30 years. Time really flies while your TBR pile expands.

Anyway, just finished In a Glass Darkly by Joseph Sheridan LeFanu. If you enjoy mid-19th century ghost stories, this is the guy to read. They may not be flawless, but there's a texture and depth to them that others from that time period do not usually have. Collection includes "Green Tea," "The Familiar," "Mr. Justice Harbottle," "The Room in the Dragon Volant" and "Carmilla."

 

[Foxbat]

Just finished Cromwell’s Masterstroke: Dunbar 1650 by Peter Reese
I’ve already read a lot about this battle but this is the first book I’ve come across that provides an in-depth exploration of the lead-up to the battle and its aftermath. Reece does a fine job of providing historical perspective.

 

[Montero]

@luriantimetraveler
I've read, and re-read China Mountain Zhang and think it is splendid for all the reasons you list. I was sadly disappointed by her two subsequent books as they are dark and depressing. She was literally depressed when she wrote the second one. The third has some lighter moments but they are a bit spread out. I've not been back to look in a while to see if she writes more.

I'm currently reading our very own Kerry Buchanan's "Knife Edge" - serial killer/thriller/detective story set in Northern Ireland, mostly rural background with a little Belfast. Well written, characters are sensible, real people (well the killer isn't sensible) but everyone else is. It is gripping, gives you a real feel for contemporary Northern Ireland, both people and place, and I like the practicality of the main character. Also really like that the detectives don't have drink or marital problems, smoke like pre-clean air regs chimneys or throw tantrums. Recommended.

 

[williamjm]

The Dragon Waiting by Robert M Ford

A few chapters into this alternative history of Europe. Byzantine Empire still holds sway over Europe in what is the 15th century in our time although dated differently in the book. This is a world where magic is very real. I am immersed already. This is a book written in the 80s and I believe I heard about it here. After a number of attempts to purchase it on Amazon I finally found a copy and really happy that I did.

The author's first name is John not Robert. I read this a few years ago and really liked it, it's pack a lot of plot, world-building and characters into a fairly short novel.