Finished reading The Appeal
book
Rated A Game of Thrones / A Clash of Kings 8/10
Rated Absence 8/10
I don't remember how I learned about this book, but I thought the premise was intriguing and immediately put it on my TBR list.<br/><br/>There's sometimes/often? a split between people who like to refer to stories as scifi and those who like to call the genre speculative fiction. I think to the general public sci-fi always brings to mind flashy technology and, for lack of a better term, a lot of "pew pew!" Sometimes what the plot may be speculating about our current condition, wrapped among all the pew!pew!, can be lost because of the flash. At some point while reading this book, Rod Serling-type "The Twilight Zone" came to mind. It's definitely sci-fi, but without all the flash of, let's say, 1970s+ sci-fi.<br/><br/>If you pick up this book looking for aliens and pat answers, you're going to be disappointed. It's definitely a more philosophical look at American culture and society under alienating circumstances with the remove of some sci-fi unknown cause which creates the hypothetical circumstances through which it can be viewed. I can't say I care for the final conclusion the main character closes the novel, but that's entirely the point. I easily see how the author extrapolated recent behavior into this novel. In a way, that's both tragic and sad.<br/><br/>Read this book for the what-if of what our society is like and where it's going riding on the idea of what Life Comes Next.
Rated Death Masks 8/10
If the end of book 3 was where Butcher really started to get his sea legs in writing, book 5 is where Harry Dresden got his. Things really start to get serious in the mythos of the series and some of the somewhat sillier things in the earlier books are discarded and storylines that had pretty much reached the end of the road were put aside. There were plenty of details I'd totally forgotten about, like how Nicodemus first entered the scene and the slow introduction of Thomas began here and there. Most noteworthy, of course, is the bringing together of the Knights of the Sword and Amoracchius, Esperacchius, and Fidelacchius. What great names are those, too!<br/><br/>Considering the last 5 or so books are much more clear to me than the first 5, having been so long ago that I read them, it's really rather great to see in hindsight the events that happened here that were either put there on purpose or put to great use later. Definitely one of the developments in this book that makes me say Dresden gets his sea legs here is the more complex characterizations. I read these books for the characters and Butcher goes from just black and white characters of good guys and bad guys to include the wide spectrum of grey, revealing motivations that might make you change your mind of who are the bad guys and who are the good guys. But don't get me wrong, I still also love me the snark, bad puns, and pop culture references of Harry Dresden most. And, you know, that heart of gold.
Rated Battle Ground 6/10
A week ago when I finished and reviewed the previous book, "Peace Talks" (16), I noted the exceptionally unusual development(?) that for once Harry had spent the entire book actually exhausting every possible avenue of diplomacy and non-confrontation. Of course, the book left the reader on a "to be continued" note and this book immediately picks up there. Soon after I started this book, I came across an interview of Butcher in which he mentions that the two books came out back-to-back because they started out as a single book. Then as time went on and it became tome-like, he/his editor(s) decided to split it into two. And now it makes sense as to why "Peace Talks" was all diplomacy and, now that I've finished this book obviously by the title it was all battle.<br/><br/>So about that... As others have said in a few reviews I read when I was getting to the back end of the book, I really don't think it was a good move to split the story into two books. I think it was a bad decision of editing. Even if the last book had become 600pp long, 300pp of skirmish after skirmish, setting up a returning character in each one, just became repetitive and a bit tedious. I certainly skimmed a good 100 pages of the back half mainly making note of which characters showed up and what if anything unusual happened with each. Other than Harry, I'd say of allll the characters who got their spotlight, five of them I felt were of the most consequence by the end. By the time I got to the last one, with a twist, I mostly just wanted to get to the end. It's not a terrible book, but it's was definitely a misstep in what I expect from a Dresden Files book.<br/><br/>One final thought: Unsurprisingly, LOTR is one of Butcher's favorite and influencing books. Remember Archangel Uriel giving Dresden a copy of "The Two Towers" in "Small Favor" (10)? It seems that we're up to "The Two Towers" with this endless battle.<br/><br/>And now here's where I put all the spoilers, so if you've not read this book, now's the time to stop reading or to not click this <spoiler>.<br/><br/>So yeah. All things had been pointing towards Murphy's death for a couple of books now. I was really hoping she wasn't getting off'd, but figured it was happening. I was still annoyed when it happened and had to put the book down for a short while before continuing the slog of endless skirmishes. On the other hand, as I and many others expected, she'll probably become a valkyrie. It would be the way to get around the whole immortal-mortal finite relationship problem, but there's the detail Gard said that everyone would have to forget who she was before the All-Father brings her back. So, how will everyone have their memory of her erased? That's what I'm wondering. A favor from Mab, Molly, or The Leanansidhe since at least 2 of them have pulled off that trick before? However, if it turns out she's really gone for good because Butcher decided to fridge her, what a garbage way to go. I mean, it's a garbage way to go either way, but the whole "she died killing a Jotun" just isn't true! She was killed by some asshat, Rudolph, who'd been ruining her life since nearly the beginning of the series! AFTER killing the Jotun.<br/><br/>As for the other 4, I keep rooting for the ever greater Toot-Toot! Now I'm kind of meh on the whole turning of Molly into the Winter Lady. I still roll my eyes at the whole Butters as a Knight with a light saber Sword. And finally, the big reveal at the end of Marcone getting his neck snapped by Ethniu and thrown on the ground only for the the head to rotate back and the second pair of eyes appearing above Marcone's, the eyes of Denarian Thorned Namshiel. Yep, he's been hiding out in Marcone since "Small Favor" (10). Ugh! I got so excited that Marcone's neck had been snapped! Only for this to happen! I've been wanting him gone since many books back. The good news is I can't wait for Mab to find out Marcone is colluding with Namshiel. She's going to rip him to shreds for Namshiel's attack on Arctis Tor back in "Small Favor"!<br/><br/>Now about Harry. "Excommunicated" by the White Council because he's become too powerful/scary. Also, he made a deal with Listens-To-Wind about having a conversation over what the hell is going on with the whole Starborn thing. Interestingly, as is left at the end once Ethniu the Last Titan is locked up in Demonreach, Mab decides to marry him off to Lara Raith - in a year's time. Mab and the White (Grey?) Council colluding? Or are they both manuevering to control Harry using the same star chart or whatever the hell? Honestly, the whole Starborn thing has dragged on long enough. Butcher needs to drop the knowledge already! How is this going to go on for another NINE books?? / rant</spoiler>
Rated In Such Good Company: Eleven Years of Laughter, Mayhem, and Fun in the Sandbox 8/10
Carol Burnett is one of my favorite comedians. Even though this book was about the original 11 year run which ended in 1978 when I was probably still being potty-trained, it was one of my favorite shows as a kid because that's when it started to run in syndication. Reading this book was a real trip down memory lane. Carol, Harvey, Vicki, and Tim getting together was lightning in a bottle. Even though what I watched was the stripped down to the skits "Carol Burnett and Friends," I can appreciate the sections covering the parts of the show I never saw, the musicals and mini-musicals. What an amazing list of guest stars!<br/><br/>As I read this I came to one realization, something of this show that would never happen today. A lot of their satire and parodies were send ups of films and shows from a much earlier time, many as old as 30 to 40 years before the original run. Today's sketch shows, if it's not retreading for the millionth time what's currently going on, it's not considered good or a good idea to do. My guess is it's mainly because the collective general knowledge base is so ridiculously tiny that the audience wouldn't understand what's going on. And that's sad.<br/><br/>I have to say that of the stars written about, I don't remember seeing a show with Lucille Ball. Talk about favorite comedians! Burnett and Ball in the same bit?? I'm going to have to track that down! The closing essays made me kind of sad and wistful for those shows, but glad they got such a run and so many accolades. I'm also glad Burnett did a little calling out of sorts of what sounds like caddish behavior from Bob Barker. Studio 33, where the show was recorded, was also where "The Price is Right" was recorded and had since been renamed The Bob Barker Studio. A few years ago CBS had wanted to add a plaque to the stage reading The Carol Burnett Stage. Apparently Barker kicked up a fuss, so that particular idea got shelved. What a jerk! However, CBS instead renamed the Artist Entrance the Carol Burnett Artist Entrance. She says she was thrilled because that's where she always entered the stage to do her show, but still. Sharing a commemorative name in the studio would've been a privilege for Barker. Carol Burnett is a legend.
Wants to read La Révolution française - Vérités et légendes
Wants to read Step Aside, Pops: A Hark! A Vagrant Collection
Wants to read What Stalks the Deep by T. Kingfisher
Rated The Disordered Cosmos: A Journey into Dark Matter, Spacetime, and Dreams Deferred 8/10
<div>Though I admit to glazing over a bit at the beginning —what with its particle diagrams, etc. —I still really liked this book. Chandra Prescod-Weinstein talks about how Black Feminism has a place in science, and how her upbringing and values have affected her position as both a physicist and professor. The last chapter, written for her mother, is perfect.</div>
Rated Survivors: Series Three Box Set 10/10
<div>At times this is quite dark, but it's a really suspenseful set of stories.</div>
Wants to read State of the Union: A Marriage in Ten Parts
Rated Still Life 8/10
<div>I liked this one better than the previous one in the series, though this once again shows some of the research seams — You're going to learn this expository information just like the author! ha .... Oh well.</div>
Rated The Sparrow 6/10
Normally, books written out of choronological order isn't an issue for me. This novel switches mainly between 2 disparate time periods and that's not an issue. More on that in a bit.<br/><br/>On one hand, I really enjoyed the development of the 8+ characters, albeit a couple of them from the later time period weren't as clear for me. The world building was pretty great. I was really impressed by the development of alien species descriptions and their entire cultures. I could really imagine them in my mind's eye.<br/><br/>On the other hand, my primary issue related to the time switches is it took too long to get to the big denouement and I felt it was at the expense of all of those fully developed characters. In addition, the entire time these humans decided to up and go to a whole other world, I was tearing out my hair because so many things just... never occurred to them?? Like, humanity, especially some of these particular humans, never learned their history from the Era of Colonization??<br/><br/>I'll caveat that the entire reason for being of the main character at the end is lunacy to me, so those final chapters caused eyerolling more than anything else. At least it wasn't stereotypically one of the other main characters?<br/><br/>The entire premise of that main character at the end isn't something for me, so I'll probably pass on the sequel.
Rated Peace Talks 8/10
It's been some 5 years since the last Harry Dresden novel and I was sure Butcher had decided to quit. At least that's what I thought. It wouldn't have surprised me considering the last 3 books felt a bit directionless after the series-altering "Changes" (12). I think in my review of "Skin Game" (15) or "Side Jobs" (15.5?), I said something about it's what happens when a series introduces Cousin Oliver. Not to mention it's hard to continually escalate the Big Bads and going to Hell and back. Or Hades, I guess. Tartarus? Anyway, I was left a bit disappointed after my first read of that last book and when I decided to re-read the entire series in lead up to "Peace Talks," I was left pretty much with the same feeling.<br/><br/>I think it was good that Butcher seems to have decided to take a break on The Dresden Files and leave it fallow for years. He's come back with an all new Big Bad rising from the depths and most of this novel is spent with Harry playing politics. Whaaaat? Yes, for once Harry is trying the diplomatic route. Gone is the Harry of kicking in the door and setting a building on fire to get out the innocent. I guess he's leaving that for the young kids these days. Among all the fighting-without-fighting with the White Council/Wardens, White Court, and the Fae, he also has to think about his family and, as he says at one point, having to go back home to someone now. By his side, though, despite all the hell she's gone through and getting completely beat up in "Skin Game," is Murphy. She insists on staying by his side come hell or high water (often both at the same time) and this newly mature Dresden has learned that he also can't tell her what to do, less than ever and no matter how terrifying that is, if that's what she chooses to do.<br/><br/>For the most part, though, "Peace Talks" works as a preamble, if you will. It's the set up of the apocalypse to come. The thought I had was that this novel is as though "Cold Days" and "Skin Game" had a baby, a lot of politics with something of a crazy heist at the end. Most of what I got out of it was that Harry has a finger in too many pies and often that means that a lot of friends and family and past allies don't know what to make of him. Is Dresden trustworthy? Who does he really work for now? The one thing I miss in this new Harry (which I realized near the end of this book) was the fun of his smartassery. It took me a while to realize it was largely absent and it wasn't long after that Harry himself said something to the effect of him having learned to just keep it shut. Which on one hand is great for maturity, but on the other hand that attitude is one of the big reasons I've always loved this series. The quips and thumbing the nose in the face of ugly odds was fun. I hope it comes back soon.<br/><br/>Some main plot points I'm putting here to remind myself about the story, so don't click through or continue reading if you don't want to <spoiler>see spoilers.<br/><br/>All the heavy hitters decide to converge on Chicago to get together for peace talks with the constantly attacking Fomor. Or so everyone is lead to believe. As I mentioned, the Wardens and the White Council don't trust Harry what with him being Mab's enforcer now and he's about to be on the outs with them soon. Thomas has for some unknown reason been sent in to kill the Svartalves' king. Conveniently, Thomas has been beaten to a pulp, including his mouth, so he has nothing enlightening to say at all about what the hell was his motivation. Other than a threat to Justine, of course, who to top things off is somehow now pregnant with his kid. Of course Harry isn't going to let Thomas get executed for the attempt and that means getting in bed, figuratively, with Lara Raith, to try and save him. Which they do. Sort of. He ends up in some sort of suspended animation thanks to the "hospitality" of Demonreach island. In the meantime, McCoy loses his control while trying to stop him from his utter hatred and distrust of vampires to the point where he mortally attacks Harry. That is, if that Harry hadn't been an amazing glamour courtesy of Molly used to feint while he and the escape boat got away. I still want to know what exactly is McCoy's beef with the vampires other than generalized centuries of cold/hot war with them. And that's not even getting into the apocalypse set up with the Titan goddess, Ethniu, that's yet to come in the following book(s)</spoiler>.
Rated People We Meet on Vacation 8/10
An enjoyable romance easy-to-read book. I picked this up as part of a local book club's June read and once I had it and reading over the summary I thought: this sounds very familiar... I mean, romance books often have very common plots, but that wasn't the case here. Turns out only a month or 2 earlier I'd watched the film adaptation! It even had the same title and somehow I'd not connected the 2 until I was reading that summary. Usually if I know a movie is a book adaptation I try to read the book first, but in this case I didn't know.<br/><br/>I really enjoyed the book and appreciated how much the film was fairly faithful to it. Some things got moved around and some locations were, let's say, more glamorous with that Netflix cash. All enjoyable either way. The core of it was the relationship and the places were just the backdrop against which everything happened. I will say that with the book and the internal thoughts of Poppy I found her more irritating than I did in the movie, but not overly so. I did come away thinking, before the ending, more negatively of the character from the book than I had from the movie.<br/><br/>I also appreciated the back and forth time changes leading up to what caused all the problems that are slowly revealed as past and present come to a head. It's good the movie stuck to that too.<br/><br/>All in all, an easy romance book that even if you're not that into the genre doesn't go into too many tropes nor gets too soapy or, not an issue with me but, too lurid as some people object to that.
Rated I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban 8/10
I think most people who would pick up this novel generally know who is Malala Yousafzai. It's there in the subtitle. As I usually do with books I'm starting, I glance over the top few Goodreads reviews and I was puzzled by what they said because they were complaining, according to them, about wanting it to cover more of what she did in the book. Having finished the memoir, I'm not sure what they read. I do think this book was written with westerners in mind, people who are fairly oblivious or ignorant about the history of colonization and war in the part of the world where she's from. I count myself among that, so I really appreciated the broadbrush coverage of history during her childhood. I think it was important to get context for her fight!<br/><br/>It is a memoir and most of her childhood was not only growing up in an environment many of us can't even imagine as commonplace, but as someone who is reviled for her gender and her fight against the walls with which a minority group of backward people tried to box her. What she did, which those reviews seemed to have missed, was exist. Exist as she was while giving in as little as possible to the constraints they tried to put on her as a girl. People like those responsible for threatening her and her family's life abhor educated people in general, but especially educated girls and women. Not everyone is strong enough or clear-eyed enough to stand up to that at any cost, to say, no, I am as worthy as any man of living my life as I choose. Kudos, of course, to her parents who raised her with these values and even as she was on death's door they agreed if she died it was no fault of hers or theirs for their activism demanding equality.<br/><br/>One other thing I thought of increasingly as I neared the dreaded time you know is coming, is how much the way things were going in Pakistan in many ways parallel where they've been going in the U.S. for the last decade. The increasing anger and escalating violence from an increasingly smaller and yet simultaneously more powerful minority, imposing their skewed religious views on everyone else. People terrorizing those who don't adhere to their ignorant ways and bending the government for the whole country to their will while only controling a part of the country through their illegal machinations. It's the same horrible thing men do in every empire, over and over. Sometimes people manage to avoid war, but most of the time not. I hope for more people like the inspiring Malala Yousafzai in this world to keep the peace. Now I must find out more of what she's accomplished in the 9-10 years since!