I picked up the first of the Dresden Files novels. I’ve never read them, despite their popularity and longevity. I’m enjoying it so far, but that’s not why I’m writing this. I’m writing this because of the villain. I can’t help but imagine him as Donald Trump. Below is the description. His salt-and-pepper hair was … More Villains
Thoughts on Mortal StakesRobert B Parker I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned Robert B. Parker before. I’m on another reading kick, this time Mortal Stakes, his third in the Spenser series, published in 1975. So I was 9 when it came out. Parker spends lots of time on morality in his Spenser novels, often using other … More Mortal Stakes
Book ReviewThe Last Emperoxby John Scalzi I’ve been a Scalzi fan since 2006. I buy most of his novels in hardback. This time I bought it e-book but that’s just because I had to wait too long for the physical copy. I suspect it was import problems related to the pandemic. The Interdependency is my … More The Last Emperox
“Would you care to have a drink with me after work?” I said. “That would be lovely,” she said. “Where and when?” “Ritz bar, this evening when you get through.” “Five thirty,” she said. “I’ll meet you there,” I said. Excerpt FromValedictionRobert B Parker Big Robert B. fan from decades past, I’m re-reading Valediction, published … More Fine, I’ll Meet You There
I’m reading a book, basically a transcription of stories told on the Moth stage. One story kind of hit hard. Let me quote it here. Western mental health workers who came here [East Africa] immediately after the genocide, and we had to ask some of them to leave.” I said, “What was the problem?” And … More Moth Wisdom
Book ReviewOne Second AfterBy William Forstchen “I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where … More Book Review – One Second After
Book Review The Postman By David Brin Note: I spoil. That said, the novel is over 30 years old, so if you haven’t read it, where have you been for the last several decades? Tropes abound in post-holocaust fiction. The struggle against the fall into chaos. A man (or woman, but let’s face it, usually … More Book Review – The Postman
Book Review Orphanage By Robert Beuttner I grew up on Stormship Troopers, Ender’s Game, and The Forever War. But there is a gap in my education. I got the bug (no pun intended) to fill in the gaps, so I checked out some best-of lists online. I bought a bunch used on Amazon. Among them … More Book Review – Orphanage
Book Review Rogue Protocal By Martha Wells I spoil. This is a 150 page story, the 3rd in a 4-book series. The second book felt a little pricey. The last 3 were released in May, August, and October, 2018. So it’s a 600 page novel split into four full-priced morsels. I’m certain that I’ve detected … More Book Review – Rogue Protocal
Book Review Six Wakes By Mur Lafferty I don’t always buy every book that’s nominated for the Hugo best novel, but I do check them out to see if they appeal. In 2018, the nominees were: The Stone Sky, by N.K. JemisinThe Collapsing Empire, by John ScalziProvenance, by Ann LeckieSix Wakes, by Mur LaffertyRaven Stratagem, … More Book Review – Six Wakes
