Robin Sloan |  Fiction

I was charmed by this book.  Yes, as some reviewers point out, it is a techie's dream book, at the intersection of books, extreme technology, and knowledge.  And more  than that, it is simply a delightful story.

Clay Jannon takes a job working graveyard shift at Mr.Penumbra’s 24-hour bookstore, where only a few books are ever sold.  What really happens occurs in the tall vertical stacks in the back, where assorted characters drop off obscure books and pick up others, that Clay wraps in brown paper.  These books are not sold; they are simply exchanged.  For a while, Clay obeys the rules and never looks inside these books.   Clay’s job, besides climbing the ladder to find the requested book, is to record in the log who took the book, what they were wearing that night, their emotional state, how they smelled, and their words.

Of course, one day Clay looks inside and discovers symbols ... not text at all.  And with the help of a Googler, Kat, and various designers, techies, and artists, he begins to discover and unravel the secrets of the Unbroken Spine, a centuries old movement(?), sect (?), cult(?).

Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore is a fable and a fantasy, imbued with amazing real technology, a delightful read, and just plain fun.  

Jonathon Evison |  Fiction

This is just a bit of a reluctant four hearts, but still closer to 4 than 3!  Benjamin Benjamin has just trained as a caregiver, and begins working with Trevor, a young man with Muscular Dystrophy.  No surprise, their relationship is challenging, but a strong bond does grow.  There are two interwoven story lines.  This first is the tale of Ben and Trev.  Eventually they embark on a road trip, which is where the fun and adventure really begins!  Interspersed with this plot is Ben’s back story, and how he lost his wife and two children.  At first, I was frustrated at not knowing the back story before I knew the present-day story but then I realized that was the intent of the author, to weave the two tales simultaneously.

The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving is interesting, more of a light read than a heavy read, though there are relationship challenges that will leave you sad.  I am not quite sure why I am giving this a “reluctant” four hearts.  There is something about Evison’s style that didn’t land with me, and I don’t know what it is.  But overall, yes, I recommend The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving, and will be pleased to hear what you all think of it.  This is a book club read, so I will enjoy hearing what the Casting Crew has to say!

Steven King |  Fiction

Jake Epping, a reluctant time traveler, travels to September 9, 1958, multiple times to prevent the assassination of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy.  Of course, the butterfly effect causes changes in the present-day world (2011) and the past is “obdurate” and not wanting to change.  As a result, Jake must come back home a few times and then return to the “Land of Ago.”

I loved this book!  It is King at his best non-horror writing. I learned quite a bit about the Kennedy assassination and the days and months leading up to it.  He must have done significant research to create this tale.  It is a book for which occasionally you will grab your phone and Google a historical figure or place, to learn more about context.

Be warned, 11/22/63 is LONG.  My copy was 1031 pages. The paperbark is 849.  As with all long books, there were a few pages in the middle where I began to tire, but I knew that was more about me than the writing.  I definitely recommend 11/22/63.

Steven King |  Fiction

Jake Epping, a reluctant time traveler, travels to September 9, 1958, multiple times to prevent the assassination of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy.  Of course, the butterfly effect causes changes in the present-day world (2011) and the past is “obdurate” and not wanting to change.  As a result, Jake must come back home a few times and then return to the “Land of Ago.”

I loved this book!  It is King at his best non-horror writing. I learned quite a bit about the Kennedy assassination and the days and months leading up to it.  He must have done significant research to create this tale.  It is a book for which occasionally you will grab your phone and Google a historical figure or place, to learn more about context.

Be warned, 11/22/63 is LONG.  My copy was 1031 pages. The paperbark is 849.  As with all long books, there were a few pages in the middle where I began to tire, but I knew that was more about me than the writing.  I definitely recommend 11/22/63.

Ivan Doig |  Nonfiction/Memoir

Doig is a stunning, beautiful writer!  Here’s one example from page 16; you can find such examples on most every page.  “School struck me as the kind of job where you weren’t allowed to do anything; I had free time in my head by the dayfull, and spent it all in being lonesome for ranch life and its grownups and its times of aloneness.”

This House of Sky is Doig’s story of growing up in Western Montana.  On June 27, 1945, Ivan turns six and his mother takes her last breath.  He writes, years later, of his life, his father’s life, and a way of life that has gone out of existence … of sheepherders, almost nomads, and small ranchers high in the Montana mountains.  It was a rough time of subsistence and cold, cold snow.

But three hearts?  Yes, I fear it is so.  I realized upon completing this book that a sense of place, and where we grew up, stays with us forever.  Eventually, I became a bit bored with the story.  And I suspect that is because I grew up in Detroit and not in the West.  I am eager to discuss This House of Sky at book club this week, because I expect the native Westerners, of which we have many in our book club, will love this book more than I did.  I do, however recommend it.  Try it on for size.  Even if you are mixed in your experience, you will learn about a time in our country not too long ago, and you will discover an evocative and deep writer.

Bill Clinton & James Patterson |  Fiction

Ah, I breathe a sigh of relief after the last James Patterson I read (see my review on Suzanne’s Diary for Nicholas)  This is James Patterson back at his best.  Just enough complexity and intrigue; a page turner near the end; relationships that have soul and heart; a vivid plot; a noticeable number of strong women characters; the stark reality that may come from having an ex-President as your co-author.

The President is Missing (wishful thinking?) is about a potential crisis of epic proportions.  It takes great creativity to imagine this crisis ... clever and scary, beyond a doubt.  And President Jon Duncan is the only person who can prevent the crisis.  Hold your breath!

My only criticism is slight ... I believe the book is mis-titled.  It gives the impression that the President has been kidnapped and cannot be located.  That is not the story line.  The plot is richer and more interesting than a kidnapping.  I might have titled it Dark Ages.  Let us know what your title is, after you read The President is Missing, which I DO recommend!

Claire Leslie Walker & Charles E. Roth |  Nonfiction

Earlier this summer I was inspired by an article in our local paper about a man who creates and teaches Nature Journaling.  I began to think that keeping a nature journal might be a good way to be more present on my hikes, and less focused on accumulating miles and elevation.  And so, I researched the topic.  And yes, I now have a journal, pens, and watercolor pencils that I take with me when I hike alone.  I am beginning to expand the use of this journal to non-hiking times.  Here are four books that further inspired me:

The Naturalist Notebook: from a week on the Noatak River.  I discovered this book at the National Park Service visitor center in Bettles, Alaska.  Kristin Link, the author, created a watercolor journal of her time in the Brooks Range.  This is a beautiful book, very inspiring.  The only way to buy this book is to track down her website, which I did.

A Life in Hand:  Creating the Illuminated Journal by Hannah Hinchman has some great exercises to get you started, and to free up your voice.  She also has a good section on supplies.

How to Keep a Naturalist's Notebook by Susan Leigh Tomlinson is a pretty book, with some good ideas, but for my taste, an over-emphasis on drawing.

Keeping a Nature Journal:  Discover a Whole New Way of Seeing the World Around You  is, for my purposes, the cream of the crop.  This lovely book expands beyond nature drawing and brings in much of what I was personally looking for … ideas on how to use your journal, to slow down, as a spiritual practice, how to see and be present with the world around you, in the natural world and not. They have chapters on seasonal journaling as well as information about journaling with kids, varying your layouts, different ideas for keeping your journal fresh and new. And it is a gorgeous book, with many black & white and color journal examples.  If you buy only one book, this is the one to purchase.

I bought all four of these books, so if you would like to borrow any, just let me know.

Spencer Quinn |  Fiction

I was with my college friends Janet and Mark in August. Together, we visited Isle Royale and Voyageur‘s National Parks.   But perhaps the best times were playing pinochle in the evenings ... ah, reminiscent of Ann Arbor evenings.

But I digress from my intentions.   While we were traveling together, Janet and Mark recommended that I try on some Spencer Quinn novels, his Chet and Bernie mysteries.  And so I did.  Dog On It was a nice respite between heavier books.  This is a book you can read in a few evenings.                                                                                                                       

Bernie is a Private I.  Chet, his sidekick, is a “K-9 Trained Dog”.  The story is told from Chet's point of view.  So if you don't like dogs, or never lived with a dog, leave this book on the shelf and instead search for funny cat videos on YouTube.  But if you know and love dogs, you may very well appreciate Chet's perspective on humanity, and what we do, and how we smell, and what is confusing about working with us.  In this novel, Chet and Bernie search for Madison, a missing 15-year-old.

Dog On It is definitely light reading.  I actually laughed out loud a few times.  If you have been reading my blog for a while, you know I don't think the written word is capable of being funny, except sometimes it is.  I am still cracking up at this, from page 42:  A silence.  And then — yes: She barked.  A bark that sent a message, a she-message of the most exciting kind.  I barked back. She barked.  I barked.  She barked.  And then: Yip! Yip! Yip.  Iggy was back. He barked.  She barked.  I barked.  He barked.  She —

Anyway, as I say, if you’ve never lived with a dog that won’t be funny.  It may not be funny to you if you DO.  Nevertheless,  Dog On It is the first of 8 Chet & Bernie books and I will read more!

Deborah Harkness |  Fiction

This is the third and final book in the All Souls Trilogy. I sped through this book; it entertained me completely.  One friend said she found it dark – well, yes, quite a few souls are killed to free up the new generation.  One friend didn’t like the ending – I found it satisfying myself.

What I most like about Harkness’ deep writing is her ability to make me laugh every once in a while.  I still giggle now recalling Chapter 10 when the witches could not get Fleetwood Mac to stop playing everywhere.  “I hate Rumours!” exclaims witch Sarah.  I think it would behoove Harkness’ style if she found a way to insert just a tiny bit more humor.  She goes deep into relationships; this book has a lot of action (my criticism of the second book, Shadow of Night, was the lack of action); and she builds a creative story line.  If I smiled once or twice more, I feel it would relieve some of the tension of the conflicts.

I definitely recommend The Book of Life, but start at the beginning with the first book,  A Discovery of Witches.

Anne Tyler |  Fiction

We read about the defining moments of Willa's life, each a decade or two apart, but the bulk of the story occurs after Willa receives a confusing phone call and ends up traveling across the country to care for a woman who has been shot in her leg and her daughter, neither of whom Willa knows.

The story is somewhat entertaining.  The character development, and the characters themselves, are shallow and weak.  I had hoped the ending would redeem the book.  It didn’t.

You can find something better to read.