I read relatively few books this past month (considering that last January my total was fifteen) - factors being that none of these books were "quick reads" and that I chose not to read lighter/quicker books concurrently. I'm pretty well satisfied with this January's list, though.
The View from the Cheap Seats - Neil Gaiman
"We all - adults and children, writers and readers - have an obligation to daydream. We have an obligation to imagine."
I read this one on my Kindle as a library checkout (not my preferred medium, which probably added to my slowness getting through it). This is a collection of Gaiman's non-fiction essays, including book introductions, articles on various books and authors (mostly of the sci-fi and fantasy variety), pieces relating his own childhood and background, and some of his personal thoughts on a variety of literary-related subjects. I was happily surprised to find essays on a number of authors and books that I was familiar with, such as Douglas Adams, Diana Wynne Jones, and Harlan Ellison. There was also a piece on Susanna Clarke and her first novel, which I'd already checked out from the library (see below). And though many of the books and authors included in this collection were ones I wasn't familiar with, I minded less because I came away with a good amount of new reading recommendations.
If you're a fan of Neil Gaiman or just interested in learning more about him and his ideas, this is a good collection to peruse. I read eight of his books last year, and from this collection I learned a good deal more about Gaiman himself as well gaining more insight into some of his works. Fans of the Fantasy and SciFi genres in general will surely find some interesting and enlightening pieces, even if they've never read anything by Gaiman. I'll note that this collection is probably best read as a hard copy and skipped and skimmed through as interest strikes rather than trying to read straight through.
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell - Susanna Clarke
"Well, I suppose one ought not to employ a magician and then complain that he does not behave like other people."
I'll admit that I checked this book out from the library and renewed it once before I got around to even starting it. At nearly 800 pages, it's intimidating from sheer size alone. In addition, it's not a "quick read"; I found that I often could only take in a few chapters at one sitting. That's not to say that the book is boring - it just has a lot going on and can seem slower-paced more often than not. I found myself simultaneously wanting the book to rush forward so I could find out what happened, and for it not to end. It also has a particular style that might not be for everyone - footnotes and asides abound, its treatment of magic is woven into reality (along the lines of Gaiman, I felt), and it is, at its heart, a very "English" sort of novel.
Personally, I really enjoyed this book and felt it was worth the effort to get through. At the same time, I realize that it might not be the book for everyone. If you're looking for a more typical fast-paced and "exciting" fantasy book, this isn't it. But if you're willing to invest some time in a slowly-unfolding, multi-layered book that winds its way around many side trails and subplots, this won't disappoint.
The Name of the Rose - Umberto Eco
"Until then I had thought each book spoke of the things, human or divine, that lie outside books. Now I realized that not infrequently books speak of books: it is as if they spoke among themselves."
I went into the book not knowing a lot about it (it was recommended after I read A Canticle for Leibowitz, so I was expecting monks and maybe some sci-fi or time-travel elements. I was wrong on the second count). It's basically a mystery novel with a lot of philosophy/religious discussion woven throughout. I found it fascinating, though at times somewhat plodding (mostly in reference to the sections involving explanations of varying religious sects and arguments between them regarding heresy). But the characters are well-written, the story-line is intriguing, and the narrator's voice is unique.
Even though I appreciated the book overall, I felt that the book left something of a bitter aftertaste. Without giving away much in terms of plot, it's fair to say that heresy, murder, torture, and destruction (both of people, ideas, and things) are integral threads of the story. If you're into historical mysteries and the late Middle Ages time period in particular, and as a bonus are intrigued by architecture, philosophy, and religious discussion, then you'll probably find this book very rewarding. [special bonus if you can passably read Latin]. If none of the above interest you, you may still find it a worthwhile read - the prose is compelling in and of itself - but you'll be starting with a disadvantage.
The View from the Cheap Seats - Neil Gaiman
"We all - adults and children, writers and readers - have an obligation to daydream. We have an obligation to imagine."
I read this one on my Kindle as a library checkout (not my preferred medium, which probably added to my slowness getting through it). This is a collection of Gaiman's non-fiction essays, including book introductions, articles on various books and authors (mostly of the sci-fi and fantasy variety), pieces relating his own childhood and background, and some of his personal thoughts on a variety of literary-related subjects. I was happily surprised to find essays on a number of authors and books that I was familiar with, such as Douglas Adams, Diana Wynne Jones, and Harlan Ellison. There was also a piece on Susanna Clarke and her first novel, which I'd already checked out from the library (see below). And though many of the books and authors included in this collection were ones I wasn't familiar with, I minded less because I came away with a good amount of new reading recommendations.
If you're a fan of Neil Gaiman or just interested in learning more about him and his ideas, this is a good collection to peruse. I read eight of his books last year, and from this collection I learned a good deal more about Gaiman himself as well gaining more insight into some of his works. Fans of the Fantasy and SciFi genres in general will surely find some interesting and enlightening pieces, even if they've never read anything by Gaiman. I'll note that this collection is probably best read as a hard copy and skipped and skimmed through as interest strikes rather than trying to read straight through.
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell - Susanna Clarke
"Well, I suppose one ought not to employ a magician and then complain that he does not behave like other people."
I'll admit that I checked this book out from the library and renewed it once before I got around to even starting it. At nearly 800 pages, it's intimidating from sheer size alone. In addition, it's not a "quick read"; I found that I often could only take in a few chapters at one sitting. That's not to say that the book is boring - it just has a lot going on and can seem slower-paced more often than not. I found myself simultaneously wanting the book to rush forward so I could find out what happened, and for it not to end. It also has a particular style that might not be for everyone - footnotes and asides abound, its treatment of magic is woven into reality (along the lines of Gaiman, I felt), and it is, at its heart, a very "English" sort of novel.
Personally, I really enjoyed this book and felt it was worth the effort to get through. At the same time, I realize that it might not be the book for everyone. If you're looking for a more typical fast-paced and "exciting" fantasy book, this isn't it. But if you're willing to invest some time in a slowly-unfolding, multi-layered book that winds its way around many side trails and subplots, this won't disappoint.
The Name of the Rose - Umberto Eco
"Until then I had thought each book spoke of the things, human or divine, that lie outside books. Now I realized that not infrequently books speak of books: it is as if they spoke among themselves."
I went into the book not knowing a lot about it (it was recommended after I read A Canticle for Leibowitz, so I was expecting monks and maybe some sci-fi or time-travel elements. I was wrong on the second count). It's basically a mystery novel with a lot of philosophy/religious discussion woven throughout. I found it fascinating, though at times somewhat plodding (mostly in reference to the sections involving explanations of varying religious sects and arguments between them regarding heresy). But the characters are well-written, the story-line is intriguing, and the narrator's voice is unique.
Even though I appreciated the book overall, I felt that the book left something of a bitter aftertaste. Without giving away much in terms of plot, it's fair to say that heresy, murder, torture, and destruction (both of people, ideas, and things) are integral threads of the story. If you're into historical mysteries and the late Middle Ages time period in particular, and as a bonus are intrigued by architecture, philosophy, and religious discussion, then you'll probably find this book very rewarding. [special bonus if you can passably read Latin]. If none of the above interest you, you may still find it a worthwhile read - the prose is compelling in and of itself - but you'll be starting with a disadvantage.
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