I loved The Three-Body Problem, and this second book in Liu Cixin’s trilogy took the story up another notch. This story delivers on multiple layers ofI loved The Three-Body Problem, and this second book in Liu Cixin’s trilogy took the story up another notch. This story delivers on multiple layers of both plot and theme. The elements of science fiction, dystopian fiction, mystery, and romance blend seamlessly. I couldn’t wait to enter this sophisticated puzzle every night and let it take me to unexpected places. It’s a rare gift to read something that feels so totally new. I look forward to the third book the way I look forward to returning to a favorite haunt....more
A delightful read in the tradition of the Wild West tall tale. It's also a thoughtful allegory on aging: growing old and deciding what of our wild youA delightful read in the tradition of the Wild West tall tale. It's also a thoughtful allegory on aging: growing old and deciding what of our wild youth to keep, what to discard, and what to defend from those who would revise our history or try to tell us who we are today. The humor was terrific: a famed and deadly gunslinger gets a second chance as a dentist with a penchant for the quiet life, so of course it's funny.
I loved the attention to telling details of history, and the reminder that so much we take for granted was once new-fangled. I appreciate the optimism it entails for a young person to meet their icon and not be disappointed. As an older reader, I found the greatest gift of this story the feeling that age need not take away from us the power to go outlaw when a righteous cause calls....more
This book is amazing! There were multiple points where the story could have ended - all of them terrific, including the actual ending - but I didn't mThis book is amazing! There were multiple points where the story could have ended - all of them terrific, including the actual ending - but I didn't mind reading on because I felt compelled by this vision of the future and the trajectory of the characters. Kim Stanley Robinson paints a complex, insightful picture of the future that is simultaneously horrifying and hopeful. While it decries the bleak prospect we are moving toward with human-caused climate change and humanity's propensity for greed, it also affirms the human capacity for generosity and for finding inventive ways to survive and thrive through adversity. The portrait of present and future New York alone is fascinating, a full realization of the concept of place as character. To me, this story is important and inspiring, and I wish everyone would read it - though I hesitate to say so because that might make it sound too much like homework, when that was not my experience at all. New York 2140 was a joy to read. ...more
This is a difficult book to rate. I will say I'm glad I read it.
On one hand: Beryl Markham's West With the Night was my favorite memoir, a masterpiecThis is a difficult book to rate. I will say I'm glad I read it.
On one hand: Beryl Markham's West With the Night was my favorite memoir, a masterpiece that floored me. So I was excited when a friend gave me Straight on Till Morning because I was under the mistaken impression it was a sequel. I was disappointed to learn I was not to be treated to Markham's unique style again. Still, I soldiered on, and this biography did leave me all the more fascinated with the astonishing Markham, not only because of her inspiring independence and sense of adventure, but because of the charming spell she cast on others despite her confounding self-absorption and irresponsibility.
On the other hand: I found the biographer's style a bit difficult to wade through at times. I sometimes wearied of the exhaustive, and occasionally tangential, details. In the author's defense, I typically prefer memoir to biography. I could only stick with a few pages at a time. Lovell certainly did her research, and I found Markham's singular life story worth the effort.
If you have not read West With the Night, I recommend reading it first. If you're eager to know more about her, then I recommend following up with this biography. Although it's not as magical as Markham's book, it offers a much more complete portrait, including the tragic flaws in her character that might be easy to miss while reading Markham's own account of her life. Through both books, this complex woman has burrowed in my mind to stay. ...more
I adore this hilarious, heartfelt story. Andrew Sean Greer reminds me that reading deeply meaningful literature need not entail emotional suffering - I adore this hilarious, heartfelt story. Andrew Sean Greer reminds me that reading deeply meaningful literature need not entail emotional suffering - at least not for the reader. I missed poor, earnest Arthur Less each time I put the book down until I picked it up again, even knowing full well that I would once again catch him trapped between relentless hope and dread. I rooted for him all the way. ...more
Flor Edwards is a unique and graceful writer who surely would have written a great work in any case, but in this case her childhood has provided a fasFlor Edwards is a unique and graceful writer who surely would have written a great work in any case, but in this case her childhood has provided a fascinating, illuminating story for her first book. She has provided a child’s-eye view of a strange and insular world, and the pages just turn themselves. I look forward to reading her next book....more
As beautiful and flawless as The Hummingbird's Daughter, though in a very different way. Chalk up another reason for my unfailing love of Luis AlbertoAs beautiful and flawless as The Hummingbird's Daughter, though in a very different way. Chalk up another reason for my unfailing love of Luis Alberto Urrea's ever-inspiring work. ...more
A smart, funny, thoughtful story. The pages turn easily, yet there is a lot to think about too. Vanessa Hua pays close attention to social change on bA smart, funny, thoughtful story. The pages turn easily, yet there is a lot to think about too. Vanessa Hua pays close attention to social change on both a global and a personal scale, in ways that make me feel newly enlightened about the human condition. I love the relationship between two pregnant women of different generations, the bond they share. I eagerly await this author's next book! ...more
I love when a book introduces me to pockets of culture, history, or vocation unfamiliar to me. This did all three with keen insight, charm, and honestI love when a book introduces me to pockets of culture, history, or vocation unfamiliar to me. This did all three with keen insight, charm, and honesty. Jennifer Worth is generous with her readers: she takes us to dark places, but then whips us back up off the floor to laugh at the odd and unexpected little gifts life offers. This is not as much a story about the midwife herself as a series of short stories about the people whose lives have intersected hers and how sharing some of life's profoundest moments with them has impacted her. I would have loved to learn a bit more about the midwife herself, but that's a minor point. I learned enough to satisfy, and likely she reveals yet more of herself in books 2 and 3......more
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