I dumped my "things read" since August in my previous
post. Here are
some thoughts about them.
The Apocalypse Codex
Lots of fun. Little brain required. Clearly did a fair chunk of
research into what evangelical Christians actually believe & how they
speak (although I've never in my long-legged life heard someone say
"pentecostalist"). Certain events seem to undermine premise of the
series, but am confident that Stross can keep it going from
here.
The Citadel of the Autarch
Gene Wolfe is awesome and is smarter than you or
I.
*David Copperfield*
I loved this book and was surprised by how much I loved it.
People bang on about Dickens having way too much "description", but I
honestly have no idea what they are talking about. His problem, at least
in this book, is that he occasionally takes a ten chapter break from the
plot. He writes good people being happy very well. Uriah Heep is perhaps
the best villain I've ever read in a novel.
*Frankenstein*
No one complains about Mary Shelley having too much
description, but half of this book is about Swiss mountains. More
seriously, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. Wish the
protagonist whinged less.
*The Graveyard Book*
Fun Neil Gaiman fun. Am jealous of him.
*Hard Facts, ...*
Essential reading if you are a manager or are in the world
of business. Evidence-based management. No where near as boring as that
sounds.
*Old Man's War*
First Scalzi I ever read, despite reading his blog for ages.
Lots of fun pervaded by a bright, optimistic spirit (as opposed to the
cynicism of Stross, say). Obvious homages to Heinlein. What's the deal
with American atheist authors quoting King James scripture, rather than
a more modern translation?
*Hollow Hills etc*
Merlin's autobiography, followed by Mordred's autobiography.
People think *Dickens* has too much description? Really?! None of these
books are "fun", because the first person narrator is always a detached,
aloof outsider who takes themselves rather seriously. Even so, I enjoyed
the attempt to put the Arthurian mythos in a historical setting, and
very much liked the way she had a wizard explain what is actually behind
the legend. Patrick Rothfuss, take note.
*Redshirts*
Enjoyed this a little less than *OMW* actually, perhaps
because I've never been a Star Trek fan. Still had great fun and got
through it in two sittings. Scalzi's writing is noticeably better in
this one, I think.
*Silas Marner*
I read this because it was the shortest unread fiction book
on my Kindle. Probably the best constructed out of all the books on this
list. Many rewarding moments, but the great thing is how Eliot somehow
manages to write a book about class, social change, faith, and the
ennobling power of love in so few pages.
*Thinking, Fast and Slow*
If you care at all about thinking read this
book.
*Zoo City*
Urban fantasy, got as part of the Humble Indie Bundle.
Felt as if it over-reached itself in cleverness. Was hard to feel for
the protagonist, who
was deliberately made to
be hard to like. Fascinating premise though, and great use of non-linear
exposition.
*Gawain and the Green Knight*
I read large chunks of this out loud, deriving an almost physical
pleasure from doing so. I've never enjoyed the poem and the story behind
it quite so much as this. The last time I read a version of *Gawain,* it
was hard, plodding work. This flew by, and I suspect I'll read it
again.
Phew.
I've done justice to none of these. Sorry.