May 2015

I read a lot of Toni Morrison about twenty years or so ago, but haven't read any of her new works since--gulp--Jazz. God Help the Child, her latest, is pared down and gorgeous. It clocks in at a very short 178 pages, and although the story itself lacks the richness of character development we see in Beloved, say, still, it works. Beautifully. Her prose is as lush and evocative as ever, even if the novel reads like a parable or fairy tale.

Loved it.

Great review on the new Toni Morrison, Becky. Thumbed.

I read a couple of Danilo Kis' stories in The Encyclopedia of the Dead the other night and was wowed.

Hm. He's compared to Borges. I like me some Borges...

A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab. Magic-based fantasy. Some swords, not many horses, no dragons. Good world-building. Maybe first in a series? I might read more.

Speaking of Borges, have you seen The Library of Babel? A literal interpretation of his short story.

Insane. Like Borges. Wow.

I'm going back in. If I don't return in a week...well, better not send a search party because they'll get lost too.

The Bone Season. First in a projected seven-volume series. Meh. I shan't be reading the rest. Rather long.

Oh no!, a YA dystopia series that isn't worth reading? Who'd a thunk? Hey, I'm kidding, I know some of them, if my wife is to be believed, are worth reading.

On dystopias, you should check out Ice by Anna Kavan sometime. I plan on reading it myself once I order it.

I will definitely check Ice out.

Ice seems to be a theme around here, eh? ;-)

Ha!