What I've been reading in the last quarter of 2021. Pictures are from summer 2021 to the Sierra forest
-by Asia Citro and Marion Lindsay
Zoey and Sassafrass, books 1-3: So cute! Little girls and her cat, science basics and magical creatures.
-by Lily Fulop
Wear, Repair, Repurpose: I am on hold for a longer book of this type...this one took less than an hour to read. But it is great because it has information for beginners and illustrations for some of the most common sewing techniques.
-by Paul Krugman
Arguing with Zombies: Collection of his opinion pieces, organized by topic, mostly from 2010 -2019. Quick to read and easy to skip something you are not interested in. Solidified my view that many of the folks who are screaming their heads off right now are not, and have not been for decades, arguing in good faith. Disappointing for sure, but better than being frustrated. (This might be a DNF since I skipped so many parts)
-by Seanan McGuire
Every Heart a Doorway: Another YA where special kids go to special school. The twist is that there is nothing magical about the kids. It is that they find a doorway to a fantastical world more suited to them. The problem is when these kids get returned to the normal world and desperately want to go back, but can't find the doorway. Instead they get the runner-up prize of going to this school where others understand. A bit superficial reading, but that makes it shorter and more age appropriate!
Feed (written as Mira Grant): I didn't actually finish this one. Zombies lead extreme lock down. Bloggers and social media folks are awesome. It was ok, but too long and there are follow on books. It was written in 2010 and that perspective feels off, reading it now.
The Library Book: History of the Los Angeles library and the fire that almost destroyed it. So well written! I haven't been reading much non-fiction, but she makes the story so compelling.
The Orchid Thief: The world of orchids is very weird!
-by Lemire/Smallwood/Bellaire
Moon Knight vol 8, 9 and Age of Kohnshu (2016 - 2018) One of the lesser known in the Marvel Universe. This set is interesting, he is in a psychiatric ward. Is he really a super hero or is he just insane?
-by Michael Creighton
Jurassic Park: Fun read! First time and I'm impressed at how it doesn't seem dated, except for the advances in computers. Well written people and motivations and of course, scary dinosaurs.
-by Martha Wells
Fugitive Telemetry: Oh no, I am caught up on the MurderBot series! I kind of want to re-read the whole series.
Ants on the trail
-by Lianne Moriarty
Apples Never Fall: Also caught up with all her books 😮 Write faster, write more! This time the story centers around a tennis family. All sorts of miscommunications but mostly happily resolved in the end. This one ends just as the Covid pandemic is starting. Interesting to see how that will play out in books in the years to come.
-by Jeff Vandermeer
South Reach trilogy, Annihilation/Authority/Acceptance: I saw the movie a bit ago. Happy to see that they did a great job translating it to screen. Lightly creepy the whole way through. The first two books focus on a single character. The third really brings it together by getting into all the extra characters. No complete answers though, lots of ambiguity and "What is really going on?" Won't re-read it, but glad to have read it.
-by Mackenzie Lee
Loki Where Mischief Lies: One of those small stories to round out the movie characters. Typically the villains get a nice version, which I like.
-by Jenny Offill
Dept. of Speculation: Of marriage and motherhood when it isn't easy. I like the style and dense prose, but not super memorable after a few weeks.
-by Meg Mason
Sorrow and Bliss: Of marriage and motherhood and illness when it isn't easy. More memorable than the previous book but mainly because the main character is so awful. Super self absorbed, but somehow so quirky that everyone loves her and puts up with her. I would not want to spend any time around her at all. Not sure where I got the recommendations for these couple of books...I may have to be more discerning. The writing was excellent and kept me reading.
by R.J. Palacio
Pony: Like True Grit, but with a boy and a touch of supernatural. This is on a bunch of book lists this year and the cover is compelling.
-by Abigail Dean
Girl A: Fictional story about a deluded father that imprisons his kids. From POV of the girl who escapes. Obviously lots of messed up kids/story lines. Captivating reading, though not one I will ever re-read because it is pretty disturbing.
Books that I skimmed
-by Niki Segnit
The Flavor Thesaurus: A Compendium of Pairings, Recipes and Ideas for the Creative Cook: This is a gift, so I only gave it a skim. Fun anecdotes and outlines of recipes. A way to think more deeply about flavor combos. Bacon and Egg, obvious, but why not Bacon and Parsnip or Bacon and Sage? Great gift!
-by Gil Jacobs
Come Up: San Francisco Bar Dice Games: published in 1971, found in a Little Free Library in San Jose. I love these wacky niche books!
DNF
-by Mieko Kawakami
Breasts and Eggs: About Japanese women, especially single moms. Many awards, but some complaints about the English translation. I liked it, sort of, but not enough to finish all 500 pages. Many of the same thoughts get discussed over and over, either in her head, or out drinking with friends. Which seems a bit like some peoples lives, but not really mine. Got bored and figured I got the gist.
