false 11 394 390 true 6739093 read 0 true 6739092 currently-reading 4 true 6739091 to-read 5 false 6935032 sci-fi http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/73158815 to: The Yiddish Policemen's Union (Hardcover) by Michael Chabon
Awesome alternate history story. It has detectives, Tinglits, Jews, Alaska, and Zionists. I liked the characters, I liked the story, and I enjoyed the ride.

Hurry up and read it. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/73158808 to: The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay (Paperback) by Michael Chabon
This is my first exposure to Mr Chabon. I found myself comparing his writing to Neal Stephenson at first. There are unusual turns of phrases, things like "her smoky voice."

In the 60's, I read a lot of comics. A book about comics gave me a chance to remember my own efforts to get eight 12-cent comic books out of a dollar.

I suspected, when finished, that the story I read wasn't the whole story, that there is a layer underneath, that I'll have to wait to understand.

Of course, I want to read about the Yiddish Policemen right away. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/71355843 to: Ring of Fire (Assiti Shards Anthology, #1) by Eric Flint
I've tried the Grantville Gazette, and was not grabbed by the quality of the stories. But this book was terrific. I saw the Grantville characters that I like the best, and the stories were well done.

I had read that these stories were "canon" and that some were used to launch subsequent full novels in the Ring of Fire universe. It didn't have the same gravity to know that, as it did to encounter the characters and settings in the "background" stories found in this volume.

Highly recommended for Grantville fans. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/73050220 to: The Philosopher's Apprentice: A Novel (Hardcover) by James Morrow
bookshelves: sci-fi
This book kind of reminds me of Towing Jehovah - wherein the protagonist finds himself in an outlandish situation. From the juxtaposition of "normal perspective" and abnormal situation, complex events gain perspectives that aren't otherwise seen. Sometimes Morrow's dalliances into the absurd are just silly. Other times, they're treasures.

This book is mostly the latter. Whether your issue of choice is cloning, right to life, fundamentalist religion vs secular thought, the distribution of wealth and kindness among the people of earth, or Frankenstein, you can find a lot to enjoy and think about in this book.

]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/71349704 A Dance with Dragons (A Song of Ice and Fire, #5) by George R.R. Martin
bookshelves: to-read
At one time, the series was expected to be five books (now seven), and this book was part of the fourth book. At some point in 2004 or 2005, it was decided to publish half of the bloated manuscript as A Feast for Crows. The rest of the book was not going to take long to finish.

I despair that I'll ever complete the series, but I'm still looking forward to this book. Whenever it comes out. I have re-read the first four books this year, in hopes that it would be this fall.

I could do that again. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/71354103 to: Shambling Towards Hiroshima (Paperback) by James Morrow
bookshelves: sci-fi
I like anything by James Morrow. This kind of reminded me about the one where they always told the truth - like cotton candy and quickly forgettable. It's a small book, the characters and story are interesting, and did I say I like anything by James Morrow?

I'm exaggerating that. But I like a lot by him, and since "Towing Jehovah" I've been a fan. Anything he wants to do is okay with me. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/71348607 to: Snakewater Affair: A Spider Latham Mystery (Paperback) by Liz Adair
I like Spider Latham in anything. Some of the stories are a bit religious for me, but after the first book, I felt like the religion was more about what the characters did in their lives, and less about the author thinking out loud.

]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/71348572 to: The Lodger (Paperback) by Liz Adair
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/73299770 to: The Lives of the Great Composers (Hardcover) by Harold C. Schonberg
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/73299742 to: Opening Night on Broadway: A Critical Quotebook of the Golden Era of the Musical Theatre, Oklahoma! (Paperback) by Steven Suskin
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