1984 has to be one of the most disturbing books I’ve read, between the creepy parallels with our current political situation, and the torture and brainwashing. Animal Farm has always been one of my favorite books, for its basic but powerful allegory about political corruption. 1984 takes this idea to a very different level. Written in … Continue reading
I found this to be a thoughtful and entertaining take on the time travel story. Time travel stories have plenty of tropes, and it seems like most of it’s been done before. Mastai’s debut novel takes those tropes, mashes them together, and comes out with something that feels new. I had a few issues with … Continue reading
I liked this novel by Margaret Atwood, although I don’t think it’s one of her best. I had a hard time buying into the concept of the story, and she lost me a little when the story turned in a direction I wasn’t expecting. Still, this is Margaret Atwood we’re talking about, and any new … Continue reading
Trying something new this month! I rarely review series books, unless it’s the first in a series. So I thought I’d do a set of mini-reviews instead. (Note: minor spoilers ahead since two of these reviews are for the second book in the series.) The Mime Order by Samantha Shannon I really enjoyed this second … Continue reading
I can see why this book shows up on so many best-of-2014 book lists. What I liked most about it is that it’s a post-apocalypse story about people that seem very real. I love The Stand, but I’m always more interested in the regrouping that happens than the whole good versus evil battle. Station Eleven … Continue reading
No doubt you’ve already heard about Wool. I’d read a lot of good reviews and my husband highly recommended it – and still it exceeded my expectations. Wool is hard to put down. It starts out with this really eerie description of a future civilization that is living in a silo because the air outside … Continue reading
I’m struggling with how to review this one. I’m torn between my love/worship of Margaret Atwood, my admiration for the world she’s created in this trilogy, and my “meh” reaction to this book. Atwood has created a future world that is so detailed, down to the names of food products and chain strip clubs. It’s … Continue reading
If you liked The Hunger Games, I’m sure you’ve already read this one by now. But if you haven’t, or if you like to get ahead of what’s coming out in theaters, you might want to check this one out. Divergent isn’t literature, and it doesn’t break too many of the rules of the young … Continue reading
I’ve become a big fan of Paulo Bacigalupi after reading his short stories and his first YA novel, Ship Breakers. Bacigalupi is not only a great writer and world-builder, but like all good science fiction or dystopian fiction, he makes really compelling statements about the world we live in. The Drowned Cities is no exception. … Continue reading
Paulo Bacigalupi is the author of the award-winning science fiction novel, The Windup Girl, and a young adult novel called Ship Breaker. I loved Ship Breaker; but I’ve tried to read The Windup Girl and found it difficult to get into. Bacigalupi introduces a very detailed alternative world that’s can be compared to the noir-dystopian-Asian-influenced … Continue reading
Ship Breaker is the first young adult novel written by Paulo Bacigalupi, a new but critically acclaimed science fiction writer who recently won a Nebula award for The Windup Girl. This is no light read in terms of poverty, abuse, violence, and environmental conditions – but at the same time a fun, action-filled read set … Continue reading
The Nook and the Kindle both reduced prices this week. The Kindle is down to $189. Of course this is a reaction to sales of the IPad – but I’m hoping it’s also an indication that a new Kindle is on its way this holiday season. I’m still on Version 1 and itching to see … Continue reading
