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So I've been getting caught up on my reading, thanks to summer vacation. I've read a couple of really good books and a number of fun ones.
The first one I recommend is Charles De Lint's Memory & Dream, which focuses on an artist who learns a technique which turns her paintings into portals for otherworldly beings (she calls them "numina") to step through, but unfortunately, something seems to be hunting them. Like all of his books, the themes go beyond the usual fantasy fare, this one dealing with suicide, mentorship and an artist's obligation to her work. It was, as I have found most of his books to be, a compelling read, and very thought-provoking. As the title suggests, memories and dreams play a large role, as the protagonist struggles with her own tendency to edit her memories.
I also read Mirror Mirror by Gregory Maguire, a sort of retelling of the story of Snow White, featuring Lucrezia Borgia as the wicked stepmother. I've been wanting to read him since I first heard about "Wicked", but I just haven't had the chance to read any of his books until now. It was interesting and I'm still mulling over some of the ideas in it, but I found it somewhat unsatisfying on some level. It didn't quite have enough depth to be really involving but it wasn't quite fun enough to be truly escapist, so it was in this sort of in-between zone where it was difficult to read. I enjoyed the language and the little made-up rhymes in between chapters were amusing. I'll probably read more of his, but they're relatively low on my priority list (and my to-be-read list keeps growing!).
I'm also currently listening to American Gods on audiocassette, to keep me occupied when driving back and forth from Brian's house, and I'm really enjoying it. I'd been regretting that I hadn't gotten around to reading it before, but it's turning out to be a good choice for audiobook (though it's rather long - 15 tapes!). The reader is very good - he does a good job with the different character voices, especially Shadow's and Wednesday's. The only I've been really disappointed with so far is Mr. Nancy. Mr. Guidall really doesn't sound like someone from the West Indies. So far my favorite part is when Shadow asks the raven to say "Nevermore" and the raven's response is to croak "Fuck you." Though I also enjoyed the carousel ride. And Mr. Nancy's tale of the tiger's balls. Anyway, I'm only on tape 5 of 15, so I'll probably say more when I've finished it.
The first one I recommend is Charles De Lint's Memory & Dream, which focuses on an artist who learns a technique which turns her paintings into portals for otherworldly beings (she calls them "numina") to step through, but unfortunately, something seems to be hunting them. Like all of his books, the themes go beyond the usual fantasy fare, this one dealing with suicide, mentorship and an artist's obligation to her work. It was, as I have found most of his books to be, a compelling read, and very thought-provoking. As the title suggests, memories and dreams play a large role, as the protagonist struggles with her own tendency to edit her memories.
I also read Mirror Mirror by Gregory Maguire, a sort of retelling of the story of Snow White, featuring Lucrezia Borgia as the wicked stepmother. I've been wanting to read him since I first heard about "Wicked", but I just haven't had the chance to read any of his books until now. It was interesting and I'm still mulling over some of the ideas in it, but I found it somewhat unsatisfying on some level. It didn't quite have enough depth to be really involving but it wasn't quite fun enough to be truly escapist, so it was in this sort of in-between zone where it was difficult to read. I enjoyed the language and the little made-up rhymes in between chapters were amusing. I'll probably read more of his, but they're relatively low on my priority list (and my to-be-read list keeps growing!).
I'm also currently listening to American Gods on audiocassette, to keep me occupied when driving back and forth from Brian's house, and I'm really enjoying it. I'd been regretting that I hadn't gotten around to reading it before, but it's turning out to be a good choice for audiobook (though it's rather long - 15 tapes!). The reader is very good - he does a good job with the different character voices, especially Shadow's and Wednesday's. The only I've been really disappointed with so far is Mr. Nancy. Mr. Guidall really doesn't sound like someone from the West Indies. So far my favorite part is when Shadow asks the raven to say "Nevermore" and the raven's response is to croak "Fuck you." Though I also enjoyed the carousel ride. And Mr. Nancy's tale of the tiger's balls. Anyway, I'm only on tape 5 of 15, so I'll probably say more when I've finished it.
