A Year in Reading
Looking back over the books I have gone through is always an
interesting experience, teetering between quite pride and the number of books I
have read and despair at the sheer volume of books in my ever expanding
to-be-read pile. Anyway, what follows are the highlights (that I have not
already reviewed here), not the worst, not the best, but those that stuck in my
mind for whatever reason.
Rex Libris: Book of Monsters (Volume 2) By James Turner
Ah, Rex Libris, immortal librarian that brave any foe to the
farthest reaches to retrieve overdue books. Only the TV mini-series The
Librarian, starring Noah Wyle, comes close to the campy feel that Rex
brings. However, the sheer volume of oddball fact and trivia and ridiculousness
that Rex and hic companions brings cannot be rivaled.
The People of Forever Are
Not Afraid by Shani Boianjiu
I picked this up as a book for consideration for a book club
figuring that a novel of three young girls in their mandatory military service
set in the Middle East would make for some interesting discussion.
However, the book was a slog through muddled apathy. I forced myself to
push through to the end, holding out for a redeeming ending only to be
disappointed.
Sacré Bleu by Christopher Moore
This is my 2013 book that I tell people about and all but throw at
them. Well written, well researched, excellent layout, beautiful cover design.
If you like art or Christopher Moore, or just odd/dark humor, just read this
book.
The Emperor’s Soul by Brandon Sanderson
This novella won a Hugo Award and one you finish it, it is easily
to understand why. Sanderson creates an amazing world, rich characters, and
adds a dash of existential debate, all within 200 pages. He has been getting a
good amount of buzz as of late and this might be a good way to ease into his
writing, which can be a bit overwhelming in some instances.
The Dinner by Herman Koch
One of two books that, when done, I had the urge to chuck across
the room (The other being The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake). The
idea being of a story slowly unfolding and progressing just as the meal that
the characters are eating does is very intriguing. It was touted as revealing a
dark side of society and making the reader question how far they would go to
protect their family. I more felt that it was a rambling and entirely
unreliable narrator justifying criminal activity.
Saga (Volume 1 & 2) by Brian K Vaughan
A simply amazing story of a new family risking everything to find
their place in a war torn galaxy. With heavy doses of science fiction and
fantasy, these graphic novels flawlessly blends love, grit, violence, and of
course hope into an award winning series. I certainly recommend grabbing
this one up if it even sounds remotely interesting. You will not regret it.
