Jay Royston's Blog, page 4
April 3, 2019
Big BOoTy List #11 - The Collapse of Parenting
Big BOoTy List #11 - The Collapse of Parenting - Dr Sax
Funnily enough I found this book for my wife as I knew she would love the provocative title and it wasn't until after I read #9, Boys Adrift I found out it was written by the same person.
Basically, man up, parents. Especially you in the USA. No, the whole world isn't like your kids; your kids are future and current problems caused by parental lack of responsibility, changing social values, lack of ambition, fame-fucking and over-medication.
Problem is with these type of books, the only ones likely to read them are good parents, not the majority of parents who want to avoid the leadership needed in being a parent first, friend second.
Big BOoTy List #10 - Night Watch
Big BOoTy List #10 - Night Watch - Terry Pratchett
Again. This guy is amazing. If you know Discworld, you know that Guards! Guards! is often recommended as a great book to introduce you to the world and dynamics of Ankh-Morpork, the biggest city on Discworld, the flat world which rides on the back of four elephants which are standing on the top of the great space turtle A'Tuin as it swims through the universe.
Of course you knew that.
In Guards! Guards! you are introduced to the honourable, yet drunken and cynical Sgt. Samuel Vimes, a City Watch officer who tries his best to do his job, despite the evil that men do. I won't get into it only to say, like many others, it's a must-read.
In Night Watch, it is many, many years, books and promotions later, Sgt Vimes is now the City Watch Commander and a leading, if unwilling member of high society. Longing for the old days, he takes off in foot pursuit of a man who has killed one of his officers and being Terry Pratchett, magic transports him back in time to what was to become a turning point in the history of the city, full of maniacal leaders, gestapo-like police who 'disappeared people' and most importantly, a young Sam Vimes who has just entered the ranks of the City Watch. Old Sam Vimes now becomes the mentor to his younger self, which makes the brain start to twist.
Now time travel stories always have their share of plot 'what ifs' and Night Watch is outstanding in this way. Sir Terry does a great job in not making the young Sam/old Sam the main plot, instead concentrating on the main villainy of the times.
Fun. Great. Heart. Beautiful book.
Again. This guy is amazing. If you know Discworld, you know that Guards! Guards! is often recommended as a great book to introduce you to the world and dynamics of Ankh-Morpork, the biggest city on Discworld, the flat world which rides on the back of four elephants which are standing on the top of the great space turtle A'Tuin as it swims through the universe.Of course you knew that.
In Guards! Guards! you are introduced to the honourable, yet drunken and cynical Sgt. Samuel Vimes, a City Watch officer who tries his best to do his job, despite the evil that men do. I won't get into it only to say, like many others, it's a must-read.
In Night Watch, it is many, many years, books and promotions later, Sgt Vimes is now the City Watch Commander and a leading, if unwilling member of high society. Longing for the old days, he takes off in foot pursuit of a man who has killed one of his officers and being Terry Pratchett, magic transports him back in time to what was to become a turning point in the history of the city, full of maniacal leaders, gestapo-like police who 'disappeared people' and most importantly, a young Sam Vimes who has just entered the ranks of the City Watch. Old Sam Vimes now becomes the mentor to his younger self, which makes the brain start to twist.
Now time travel stories always have their share of plot 'what ifs' and Night Watch is outstanding in this way. Sir Terry does a great job in not making the young Sam/old Sam the main plot, instead concentrating on the main villainy of the times.
Fun. Great. Heart. Beautiful book.
Big BOoTy List #9 Boys Adrift
Big BOoTy List #9 Boys Adrift by Dr. Leonard Sax
I'm falling behind on my updates! Curses, life... anyways, this is a book about how come 'boys just can't be boys anymore'. It talks about the lack of being outside, binging on the alternate reality of video game worlds, how being the 'provider' to girls/women isn't really a thing anymore, leading to a sort of nancy-boy who doesn't need to go out and make money for the family and the willingness of parents to put their kids on medications instead of adjusting their parenting...
Just a casual, not overly scientific discussion of the changes in parenting and North American social culture is changing the stereotypical 'boy'.
I enjoyed it.
I'm falling behind on my updates! Curses, life... anyways, this is a book about how come 'boys just can't be boys anymore'. It talks about the lack of being outside, binging on the alternate reality of video game worlds, how being the 'provider' to girls/women isn't really a thing anymore, leading to a sort of nancy-boy who doesn't need to go out and make money for the family and the willingness of parents to put their kids on medications instead of adjusting their parenting...
Just a casual, not overly scientific discussion of the changes in parenting and North American social culture is changing the stereotypical 'boy'.
I enjoyed it.
March 2, 2019
Big BOoTy List #7 - Best Laid Plans
Best Laid Plans - Terry Fallis
In an effort to 'Canadianize' myself more with national authors, I picked 'One Brother Shy' by Terry Fallis from my local library back in the Fall. It was the story of a brother who finds out he has a twin and they reunite through modern technology. It was a good book but seeing as this BOoTY list is for 2019, I'm not counting it.However, I did discover that Mr. Fallis had won the Leacock award (awarded to best Canadian humour novel) in 2011 and even better, he did it by self-publishing! Now there was an encouraging story for me and Karmageddon, available now.
I ordered Best Laid Plans and also contacted Mr. Fallis for advice and inspiration on how he experienced the self-publishing route. He chose to make BLP into a podcast and created interest that way. In all honesty, I know what a podcast is but have yet to engage in it. It seems like a good idea if you spend a lot of time in public transit but I digress.
When his book made the short-list for the Leacocks, he received a call from a book agent who offered to take him on and the rest was history. He also strongly stated that it was so much better having a book publisher behind him than going the difficult and lonely self-publishing route to which I fully agree but I don't have a book agent calling me yet.
I thanked him and waited for the book, curious and anxious to see why this book won a major award without the support of any major Canadian publishing house.
And here it is, the seventh book of 2019.
First, it is good and well-deserving of the Leacock. There is no way I would guess it as being self-published.
Yet...was this the final product? Or is this after a publisher bought it, sent it through their editorial departments?
To be clear, I really enjoyed this book yet it's for a very specific audience. To me the book re-enforced a stereotype I have of the 'Canadian reader' (and by extension, the judges panel). That stereotype is a person who reads Farley Mowatt and Alice Munro while sipping on an imported beer or white wine sitting in their cottage overlooking 'the lake'. It's a beautiful image, one I think every writer aspires to be. I am no exception yet it made me realize that is not the audience I am writing for and if that is true, then perhaps entering Karmageddon into the Leacock Awards was a mistake.
Best Laid Plans is centered on Federal politics, has university-educated protagonists, call-outs to proper English usage and centers on the older-50 crowd. There's an element of sexual depravity in there and also romance, both old and new. All of it is handled beautifully and diary entries help to create that second point of view of the B story. It's not heavy-handed which is what makes it so good. It's Canadian and gossipy; due to Mr. Fallis' time in politics it's not hard to imagine there is some general subtext between the lines.
I could see why he won the award; the humour is more of overall context than situational. It is distinctly Eastern Canadian yet the setting of Parliament is inclusive of us all.
I can't see this book being enjoyed by younger Canadians who have no interest in government which I guess is my only criticism. The only two young characters are university students who dress like anarchists yet are the only volunteers for the political candidate. It relies heavily on the reader being educated and politically conscious which sadly re-enforces the my own biased view that award-winning books aren't meant for everyone.
Big BOoTy List #8 - The Daily Show, An Oral History
The Daily Show - An Oral History
One of those 'interview' books that make you feel you are sitting in one giant room with everybody taking turns talking. If you are a fan of the show, you'll enjoy this book.
It got me thinking of how famous Jon Stewart became and how anonymous the writers are in late night humour; we grew up on Dave, Jay, Conan, these other guys who throw out the jokes and get the fame but like how a quarterback is only as good as his offensive linesmen (can anyone name two of Tom Brady's linesmen?) so many people who work hard for that guy to get fame aren't recognized.
I do get there is the risk associated with being 'the face' of the show. And this one makes it known that Jon definitely became King of his show as his show rose in respectability lampooning the so-called 'real news'. The Daily Show was a launching pad for talent such as Steve Carrell, Ed Helms, Stephen Colbert, Samantha Bee, Rob Cordry, etc etc.
There is little controversy in the book - some gossip but nothing you wouldn't expect if one was to write a story about any work environment. The transcripts of some of the show's humourous moments don't really work well for me, perhaps really underlining why those 'faces' are needed to sell the comedy. It doesn't really dig too much into how Jon began interviewing presidents or (something I really respected) his turn towards interviewing and introducing authors to the mainstream of Comedy Central.
One of those 'interview' books that make you feel you are sitting in one giant room with everybody taking turns talking. If you are a fan of the show, you'll enjoy this book.
It got me thinking of how famous Jon Stewart became and how anonymous the writers are in late night humour; we grew up on Dave, Jay, Conan, these other guys who throw out the jokes and get the fame but like how a quarterback is only as good as his offensive linesmen (can anyone name two of Tom Brady's linesmen?) so many people who work hard for that guy to get fame aren't recognized.
I do get there is the risk associated with being 'the face' of the show. And this one makes it known that Jon definitely became King of his show as his show rose in respectability lampooning the so-called 'real news'. The Daily Show was a launching pad for talent such as Steve Carrell, Ed Helms, Stephen Colbert, Samantha Bee, Rob Cordry, etc etc.
There is little controversy in the book - some gossip but nothing you wouldn't expect if one was to write a story about any work environment. The transcripts of some of the show's humourous moments don't really work well for me, perhaps really underlining why those 'faces' are needed to sell the comedy. It doesn't really dig too much into how Jon began interviewing presidents or (something I really respected) his turn towards interviewing and introducing authors to the mainstream of Comedy Central.
February 14, 2019
Big BOoTY List #6 Carpe Jugulum
#6 Carpe Jugulum Terry Pratchett
I found this rare Discworld find at a used book store a few weeks ago. Rare, as in I NEVER find any Pratchetts at Value Village, Sally Ann's or any other used book stores I go to. Pratchetts have always been rare in my neck in the woods.
After reading 'Going Postal' I needed a bit more of this man's hilarity in my life and while I might have this book in my soft-cover collection, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to buy a hard-cover edition at $8.
For those that know Pratchett and Discworld, this is a Granny Weatherwax story, a semi-recurring character in Discworld. She is a witch and perhaps one of the strongest personalities in all of Pratchett's tales.
The King of Lancre has married Magrat, the youngest of the three witches and a Granny protege. In a misguided attempt at diplomacy he has invited all the neighbouring countries dignitaries to the naming of their first child. Unfortunately, this includes the rather forward-thinking Magpyr family, who happen to be vampires.
And it embarrasses me to acknowledge that as i read that sentence, I realize Magpyr rhymes with vampire; so it is the Vampire Magpyrs. Pratchett is full of wonderful finds like this.
The Magpyrs are an aristocratic clan with their own family issues; Dad has taken great lengths to 'climatize' his kids to all those generic vampire cruxes. The vampire kids grew up with garlic pillows, they've been exposed to small amounts of daylight, their castle is decorated with all the holy symbols of the land. But not all is well in the Magpyr family; their daughter rebels by hanging out with other vampire teens and renaming themselves; Laciemosa is now Tracey; Grendell is Alan who plays at being an accountant, etc.
Anyways, the Magpyrs take over the castle and all of Lancre; they look at the people as 'walking food' and have put everyone under their spell, barring Granny Weatherwax and Agnes, a bi-split personality who is all fat on the outside but her inner voice is ruled by Perdita, a skinny bitch with an attitude.
Carpe Jugulum is full of strong female personalities; another great Pratchettism; he is wonderful with the lore of covens and witches, has a great knowledge of the tropes of vampirism and the practicalities of Igors and Phoenix.
There are just too many great side characters here as well; from Igor to Hodgesarrgh; the royal bird trainer. Awesome book.
I found this rare Discworld find at a used book store a few weeks ago. Rare, as in I NEVER find any Pratchetts at Value Village, Sally Ann's or any other used book stores I go to. Pratchetts have always been rare in my neck in the woods.
After reading 'Going Postal' I needed a bit more of this man's hilarity in my life and while I might have this book in my soft-cover collection, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to buy a hard-cover edition at $8.For those that know Pratchett and Discworld, this is a Granny Weatherwax story, a semi-recurring character in Discworld. She is a witch and perhaps one of the strongest personalities in all of Pratchett's tales.
The King of Lancre has married Magrat, the youngest of the three witches and a Granny protege. In a misguided attempt at diplomacy he has invited all the neighbouring countries dignitaries to the naming of their first child. Unfortunately, this includes the rather forward-thinking Magpyr family, who happen to be vampires.
And it embarrasses me to acknowledge that as i read that sentence, I realize Magpyr rhymes with vampire; so it is the Vampire Magpyrs. Pratchett is full of wonderful finds like this.
The Magpyrs are an aristocratic clan with their own family issues; Dad has taken great lengths to 'climatize' his kids to all those generic vampire cruxes. The vampire kids grew up with garlic pillows, they've been exposed to small amounts of daylight, their castle is decorated with all the holy symbols of the land. But not all is well in the Magpyr family; their daughter rebels by hanging out with other vampire teens and renaming themselves; Laciemosa is now Tracey; Grendell is Alan who plays at being an accountant, etc.
Anyways, the Magpyrs take over the castle and all of Lancre; they look at the people as 'walking food' and have put everyone under their spell, barring Granny Weatherwax and Agnes, a bi-split personality who is all fat on the outside but her inner voice is ruled by Perdita, a skinny bitch with an attitude.
Carpe Jugulum is full of strong female personalities; another great Pratchettism; he is wonderful with the lore of covens and witches, has a great knowledge of the tropes of vampirism and the practicalities of Igors and Phoenix.
There are just too many great side characters here as well; from Igor to Hodgesarrgh; the royal bird trainer. Awesome book.
Big BOoTY List #6
#6 Carpe Jugulum Terry Pratchett
I found this rare Discworld find at a used book store a few weeks ago. Rare, as in I NEVER find any Pratchetts at Value Village, Sally Ann's or any other used book stores I go to. Pratchetts have always been rare in my neck in the woods.
After reading 'Going Postal' I needed a bit more of this man's hilarity in my life and while I might have this book in my soft-cover collection, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to buy a hard-cover edition at $8.
For those that know Pratchett and Discworld, this is a Granny Weatherwax story, a semi-recurring character in Discworld. She is a witch and perhaps one of the strongest personalities in all of Pratchett's tales.
The King of Lancre has married Magrat, the youngest of the three witches and a Granny protege. In a misguided attempt at diplomacy he has invited all the neighbouring countries dignitaries to the naming of their first child. Unfortunately, this includes the rather forward-thinking Magpyr family, who happen to be vampires.
And it embarrasses me to acknowledge that as i read that sentence, I realize Magpyr rhymes with vampire; so it is the Vampire Magpyrs. Pratchett is full of wonderful finds like this.
The Magpyrs are an aristocratic clan with their own family issues; Dad has taken great lengths to 'climatize' his kids to all those generic vampire cruxes. The vampire kids grew up with garlic pillows, they've been exposed to small amounts of daylight, their castle is decorated with all the holy symbols of the land. But not all is well in the Magpyr family; their daughter rebels by hanging out with other vampire teens and renaming themselves; Laciemosa is now Tracey; Grendell is Alan who plays at being an accountant, etc.
Anyways, the Magpyrs take over the castle and all of Lancre; they look at the people as 'walking food' and have put everyone under their spell, barring Granny Weatherwax and Agnes, a bi-split personality who is all fat on the outside but her inner voice is ruled by Perdita, a skinny bitch with an attitude.
Carpe Jugulum is full of strong female personalities; another great Pratchettism; he is wonderful with the lore of covens and witches, has a great knowledge of the tropes of vampirism and the practicalities of Igors and Phoenix.
There are just too many great side characters here as well; from Igor to Hodgesarrgh; the royal bird trainer. Awesome book.
I found this rare Discworld find at a used book store a few weeks ago. Rare, as in I NEVER find any Pratchetts at Value Village, Sally Ann's or any other used book stores I go to. Pratchetts have always been rare in my neck in the woods.
After reading 'Going Postal' I needed a bit more of this man's hilarity in my life and while I might have this book in my soft-cover collection, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to buy a hard-cover edition at $8.For those that know Pratchett and Discworld, this is a Granny Weatherwax story, a semi-recurring character in Discworld. She is a witch and perhaps one of the strongest personalities in all of Pratchett's tales.
The King of Lancre has married Magrat, the youngest of the three witches and a Granny protege. In a misguided attempt at diplomacy he has invited all the neighbouring countries dignitaries to the naming of their first child. Unfortunately, this includes the rather forward-thinking Magpyr family, who happen to be vampires.
And it embarrasses me to acknowledge that as i read that sentence, I realize Magpyr rhymes with vampire; so it is the Vampire Magpyrs. Pratchett is full of wonderful finds like this.
The Magpyrs are an aristocratic clan with their own family issues; Dad has taken great lengths to 'climatize' his kids to all those generic vampire cruxes. The vampire kids grew up with garlic pillows, they've been exposed to small amounts of daylight, their castle is decorated with all the holy symbols of the land. But not all is well in the Magpyr family; their daughter rebels by hanging out with other vampire teens and renaming themselves; Laciemosa is now Tracey; Grendell is Alan who plays at being an accountant, etc.
Anyways, the Magpyrs take over the castle and all of Lancre; they look at the people as 'walking food' and have put everyone under their spell, barring Granny Weatherwax and Agnes, a bi-split personality who is all fat on the outside but her inner voice is ruled by Perdita, a skinny bitch with an attitude.
Carpe Jugulum is full of strong female personalities; another great Pratchettism; he is wonderful with the lore of covens and witches, has a great knowledge of the tropes of vampirism and the practicalities of Igors and Phoenix.
There are just too many great side characters here as well; from Igor to Hodgesarrgh; the royal bird trainer. Awesome book.
January 29, 2019
Bit BooTY List #5 - Ablutions
#5 Ablutions Patrick DeWitt
The problem with contemporary fiction is there is JUST SO MUCH TO CHOOSE FROM! I mean, talk about a forest of stories just waiting for you in your local bookstore or library. I get overwhelmed when I see so many titles waiting for my selection and often seek out the tried and true.
Now this guy, he's probably one of the most current authors I ever read. I picked up a free copy of Sisters Brothers from the local Free Book Tree (if you don't have one of these, you need one). It was near mint condition and the winner of the Governor General's Literary Award. Anyways, that book, The Sisters Brothers was AMAZING and although the movie wasn't, I still went out of my way to find something else written by DeWitt and found this little gem about a bartender, written while DeWitt was apparently a bartender.
Ablutions is unique in that it tells a tale entirely in the second person. That is to say, he uses the word 'you' throughout. He commands 'you' to discuss 'your' wife and 'your' life as an alcoholic bartender on the fringes of Hollywood. He, through the second person, makes you experience a totally different life, full of bad choices, quick sexual flings, criminal activity and day-to-day interactions with coke addicts, machete-wielding drunks and androgynous con artists.
It's definitely not for everyone but I can see a few people I know liking it, particularly Jay F, who if he is reading this should know that just because the writer is tall and lanky and has a chin like Superman, doesn't mean I thought of him in the title role.
The problem with contemporary fiction is there is JUST SO MUCH TO CHOOSE FROM! I mean, talk about a forest of stories just waiting for you in your local bookstore or library. I get overwhelmed when I see so many titles waiting for my selection and often seek out the tried and true.
Now this guy, he's probably one of the most current authors I ever read. I picked up a free copy of Sisters Brothers from the local Free Book Tree (if you don't have one of these, you need one). It was near mint condition and the winner of the Governor General's Literary Award. Anyways, that book, The Sisters Brothers was AMAZING and although the movie wasn't, I still went out of my way to find something else written by DeWitt and found this little gem about a bartender, written while DeWitt was apparently a bartender.
Ablutions is unique in that it tells a tale entirely in the second person. That is to say, he uses the word 'you' throughout. He commands 'you' to discuss 'your' wife and 'your' life as an alcoholic bartender on the fringes of Hollywood. He, through the second person, makes you experience a totally different life, full of bad choices, quick sexual flings, criminal activity and day-to-day interactions with coke addicts, machete-wielding drunks and androgynous con artists.
It's definitely not for everyone but I can see a few people I know liking it, particularly Jay F, who if he is reading this should know that just because the writer is tall and lanky and has a chin like Superman, doesn't mean I thought of him in the title role.
Bit BooTY List #5
#5 Ablutions Patrick DeWitt
The problem with contemporary fiction is there is JUST SO MUCH TO CHOOSE FROM! I mean, talk about a forest of stories just waiting for you in your local bookstore or library. I get overwhelmed when I see so many titles waiting for my selection and often seek out the tried and true.
Now this guy, he's probably one of the most current authors I ever read. I picked up a free copy of Sisters Brothers from the local Free Book Tree (if you don't have one of these, you need one). It was near mint condition and the winner of the Governor General's Literary Award. Anyways, that book, The Sisters Brothers was AMAZING and although the movie wasn't, I still went out of my way to find something else written by DeWitt and found this little gem about a bartender, written while DeWitt was apparently a bartender.
Ablutions is unique in that it tells a tale entirely in the second person. That is to say, he uses the word 'you' throughout. He commands 'you' to discuss 'your' wife and 'your' life as an alcoholic bartender on the fringes of Hollywood. He, through the second person, makes you experience a totally different life, full of bad choices, quick sexual flings, criminal activity and day-to-day interactions with coke addicts, machete-wielding drunks and androgynous con artists.
It's definitely not for everyone but I can see a few people I know liking it, particularly Jay F, who if he is reading this should know that just because the writer is tall and lanky and has a chin like Superman, doesn't mean I thought of him in the title role.
The problem with contemporary fiction is there is JUST SO MUCH TO CHOOSE FROM! I mean, talk about a forest of stories just waiting for you in your local bookstore or library. I get overwhelmed when I see so many titles waiting for my selection and often seek out the tried and true.
Now this guy, he's probably one of the most current authors I ever read. I picked up a free copy of Sisters Brothers from the local Free Book Tree (if you don't have one of these, you need one). It was near mint condition and the winner of the Governor General's Literary Award. Anyways, that book, The Sisters Brothers was AMAZING and although the movie wasn't, I still went out of my way to find something else written by DeWitt and found this little gem about a bartender, written while DeWitt was apparently a bartender.
Ablutions is unique in that it tells a tale entirely in the second person. That is to say, he uses the word 'you' throughout. He commands 'you' to discuss 'your' wife and 'your' life as an alcoholic bartender on the fringes of Hollywood. He, through the second person, makes you experience a totally different life, full of bad choices, quick sexual flings, criminal activity and day-to-day interactions with coke addicts, machete-wielding drunks and androgynous con artists.
It's definitely not for everyone but I can see a few people I know liking it, particularly Jay F, who if he is reading this should know that just because the writer is tall and lanky and has a chin like Superman, doesn't mean I thought of him in the title role.
January 14, 2019
The Big BooTY list #2, #3, and #4
Books Ogled Over The Year #2, 3, and 4
I feel I should include the books I started in December in this as well. I tend to have two or three books on the go, strategically placed around the house. A couple in the bathroom, one in my car, another one or two on my dresser. I just never know when I feel it is time for me to put down my phone and actually read something of merit.
So some of these books read may come in spurts. I have three I recently completed and will check off here; Cat's Cradle, Going Postal and Flowers for Algernon.
#2 Cat's Cradle, Kirk Vonnegut
[image error] I love me my Kirk. I love his unique style, his minimalist ability to create a scene without too much attention to detail. This was the 2nd time I read Cat's Cradle, a book which I recommended to my wife yet she was unable to finish and so sat on her bedside table for months, beckoning me to finish it. So I did.
It's an Apocalyptic novel in which he also sets forward the theme we are all connected. There are certain members on our 'team' which creates amazing coincidences throughout our lives. For the author, this leads from him writing a story on a man who invented an atom bomb to the writer becoming the leader of a small Caribbean country which leads to the Apocalypse. It's a funny/not funny type of read, which I find of most of KV's novels.
#3 Going Postal, Terry Pratchett
I sped-red this (yes I know that's a typo but phonetically it makes my point) after picking it up at the local library because I had to have it back in three weeks. I have about 20 of Pratchett's earlier works but don't own many of the last 20 books he published but probably have read about another 10.
This man knows good story and it helps his stories are set on Discworld, a medieval-esque world where wizards run the university, an orangtuan is the local librarian, there is a werewolf on the police force and trolls, vampires, dwarves and humans live together and occasionally kill each other in the great metropolis of Ankh-Morpork. His stories are rife with philosophical moments, satirical comments and a from-the-hip comedic overtone which hides how brilliant a message he often puts in his stories.
In Going Postal, it is the story of a con man, Moist Von Lipwig, charged with bringing the Post Office back to it's former glory while competing against the 'Clacks', a rudimentary tower system symbolic of emails operated by money-hungry corporate men who care nothing of the power of technology only how much money they can make out of it.
What is interesting about Going Postal that this is also the book where GNU Terry Pratchett originates, a bit of Discworld lore. GNU Terry Pratchett is an insider homage to Sir Terry that some computer coders put into their programs and is taken from the clacks system of coding. It literally means that "a man is not dead if his name is still spoken" and by putting such a code prefix of GNU, they let Terry live on, in the nether of the internet. Loved it.
#4 Flowers For Algernon by Daniel Keyes
This is one of those one-hit wonder books for authors; Keyes apparently only wrote one other novel aside from Flowers for Algernon but what a huge hit this book was. It was originally a short story, an Icarus flying too close to the sun thing. It is often cited on many 'must-read' books on reddit. I read the short story years ago but found this copy at a local 2nd hand shop and put it in the To Be Read pile.
Algernon is a mouse given super-intellectual abilities, Charlie is the human subject upon which the experiment is duplicated. It is often referred to as one of novels which brings tears to the eyes. Not so much for me but it is interesting to read of how science and society had looked at mental retardation over the decades.
I feel I should include the books I started in December in this as well. I tend to have two or three books on the go, strategically placed around the house. A couple in the bathroom, one in my car, another one or two on my dresser. I just never know when I feel it is time for me to put down my phone and actually read something of merit.
So some of these books read may come in spurts. I have three I recently completed and will check off here; Cat's Cradle, Going Postal and Flowers for Algernon.
#2 Cat's Cradle, Kirk Vonnegut
[image error] I love me my Kirk. I love his unique style, his minimalist ability to create a scene without too much attention to detail. This was the 2nd time I read Cat's Cradle, a book which I recommended to my wife yet she was unable to finish and so sat on her bedside table for months, beckoning me to finish it. So I did.
It's an Apocalyptic novel in which he also sets forward the theme we are all connected. There are certain members on our 'team' which creates amazing coincidences throughout our lives. For the author, this leads from him writing a story on a man who invented an atom bomb to the writer becoming the leader of a small Caribbean country which leads to the Apocalypse. It's a funny/not funny type of read, which I find of most of KV's novels.
#3 Going Postal, Terry Pratchett
I sped-red this (yes I know that's a typo but phonetically it makes my point) after picking it up at the local library because I had to have it back in three weeks. I have about 20 of Pratchett's earlier works but don't own many of the last 20 books he published but probably have read about another 10.This man knows good story and it helps his stories are set on Discworld, a medieval-esque world where wizards run the university, an orangtuan is the local librarian, there is a werewolf on the police force and trolls, vampires, dwarves and humans live together and occasionally kill each other in the great metropolis of Ankh-Morpork. His stories are rife with philosophical moments, satirical comments and a from-the-hip comedic overtone which hides how brilliant a message he often puts in his stories.
In Going Postal, it is the story of a con man, Moist Von Lipwig, charged with bringing the Post Office back to it's former glory while competing against the 'Clacks', a rudimentary tower system symbolic of emails operated by money-hungry corporate men who care nothing of the power of technology only how much money they can make out of it.
What is interesting about Going Postal that this is also the book where GNU Terry Pratchett originates, a bit of Discworld lore. GNU Terry Pratchett is an insider homage to Sir Terry that some computer coders put into their programs and is taken from the clacks system of coding. It literally means that "a man is not dead if his name is still spoken" and by putting such a code prefix of GNU, they let Terry live on, in the nether of the internet. Loved it.
#4 Flowers For Algernon by Daniel Keyes
This is one of those one-hit wonder books for authors; Keyes apparently only wrote one other novel aside from Flowers for Algernon but what a huge hit this book was. It was originally a short story, an Icarus flying too close to the sun thing. It is often cited on many 'must-read' books on reddit. I read the short story years ago but found this copy at a local 2nd hand shop and put it in the To Be Read pile.
Algernon is a mouse given super-intellectual abilities, Charlie is the human subject upon which the experiment is duplicated. It is often referred to as one of novels which brings tears to the eyes. Not so much for me but it is interesting to read of how science and society had looked at mental retardation over the decades.
