Another engrossing read/listen from Kim Stanley Robinson. Aurora tells the story of a ship that leaves the solar system in the year 2545, with the intent to settle and form a human colony in the Tau Ceti system, many light years distant. The ship is amazing, containing 24 diverse biomes, around 2000 individuals, and a
Another unexpected delight. I had tuned into a virtual event hosted by Point Reyes Books – Kim Stanley Robinson in conversation with Robin Sloan. Robinson is a fave but I had never heard of Robin Sloan. What serendipity! Intelligent and bright eyed, with a mischievous smile, I investigated him further. I loved the title of
I am disoriented by calculating this news — where did the time go? Did I read anything? The truth is, I’m not sure. I see books around me, and I know I’ve read a few, but I’ve embraced @bnsunshine ‘s philosophy, which is to not count at all. I’ve had a lot of fun exploring
During my first visit back to Woodland Public Library in almost a year, I took in the view — new carpeting, lower bookshelves to let more natural light in. Giving the building some space has certainly made for some improvements! The entire literacy center has been remodeled, though is empty yet thanks to COVID-19. I
I have just finished listening to this work of fiction on this, Valentine’s Day, a light snow starting then stopping, a teaser we’re told, for the main event to come later today: I am in an oddish mood. O’Farrell says in an author’s note at the end of the book that its genesis was her
Oh, this jewel of a book, this rollicking ride of a book, was just pure pleasure. I couldn’t tell you where I read a review or who might have recommended it but it was on my “shelf” at the library and I am so glad it was. 160 pages of heart and adventure and surprise
As we celebrate the lunar new year, we can also inform ourselves a little more about the Eastern philosophy related. Here’s a link to a very rich post sent to me by Brian this morning. I’ll be working through it, though at first blush, it’s worth your time as well: http://www.tigersplayastrology.com/tigers-play/re-establishing-the-foundation-qi-in-the-year-of-the-yin-metal-ox-xin-chou-year-20214719?fbclid=IwAR2uSWJ0CMnJepYZIT5zZ00Vmk6NJFZGNAO1QaTLy3XnLsT60qhIxb0cj6s I am sure I’ll
This was my bookclub’s choice last month. I was hesitant to tackle it because it is about the Spanish flu–a difficult read in the midst of our current pandemic. The author is Irish. She finished her novel just before our current pandemic began. It was published in July 2020. One of our bookclub members has
Another absolutely brilliant work from Kim Stanley Robinson. While his books tend to be classified as hard science fiction, I always find them to be more like explorations of our relatively near future. And what I love is that he doesn’t just describe an obvious dystopian future, given where we seem to be headed, but
I watched an interview with award-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa when her book came out. I was already familiar with her journalism; she often appears on major news broadcasts. I am very glad I decided to read her memoir. She is a great storyteller; her book is an intimate description of her life growing up as
