FF: Trying is Worth It!
This week, two of the novels I read tried to be more than they were – but I enjoyed them both, even though I felt there were stumbles. I also liked how they caused me to do a lot of thinking about writing as a craft.
Book Chat, Two Cats
New to this feature? The Friday Fragments lists what I’ve read over the past week. Most of the time I don’t include either short fiction or magazine articles.
The Fragments are not meant to be a recommendation list. If you’re interested in a not-at-all-inclusive recommendation list, you can look on my website under Neat Stuff.
Once again, this is not a book review column. It’s just a list with, maybe, a few opinions tossed in.
Recently Completed:
Bone Gap by Laura Ruby. Audiobook. Saying this is YA fantasy is like saying a slice of bread with a slice of tomato and another of American cheese is pizza. I understand reviewers are calling this “magical realism.” I wouldn’t go that far, but the author did strive hard. Definitely liked the characters. Vivid and engaging.
Unnatural Death by Dorothy L. Sayers. I’ve read this before, but it still hooked me in. The murder might have been “perfect,” but the murderer could not leave well enough alone – especially after Peter Wimsey pokes his long, aristocratic nose in.
The Documents in the Case by Dorothy L. Sayers, with Robert Eustace. This is not a Peter Wimsey novel. It violates Show, Don’t Tell in a very interesting fashion. If you like the idea of reading other people’s mail, you’ll like this novel. Does a lot with how people see each other, and themselves. Perhaps not wholly successful but, worth the attempt. Robert Eustace provided medical and chemical background. Very unusual that he was given cover credit!
In Progress:
The Change: Tales of Downfall and Rebirth, edited by S.M. Stirling. Last time I did an event for this book, I was at a great disadvantage in that I’d only read my own story. Since there’s another event this Saturday, I decided to see how much of that I could remedy.
So You Want to Be a Wizard by Diane Duane. Audiobook. Although this book is clearly intended for the junior high set, it doesn’t pull any punches with vocabulary or breaking the rules in world building. If you read it wanting Harry Potter, you’re going to be disappointed. If you read it with no expectations, there’s a lot to like.
Also:
I’m still reading Island Dreams by Gerald Hausman. A poetry collection spanning many years and many places. It’s rich enough that I’m reading a little at a time.
