Book Review (Novella): All Seated on the Ground by Connie Willis

All Seated on the Ground by Connie Willis

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I read the electronic version via the Asimov's website: http://www.asimovs.com/_issue_0805/allse...


Probably rates a 3.5, but like Connie Willis, I love Christmas and singing in very large choirs. Combining the two, especially with Handel's Hallelujah Chorus, is priceless.



And as Aunt Judith and the Altairi reminded me: ‘A prompt handwritten note expressing gratitude is the only proper form of thanks.' I'll be posting those notes to friends and family today.



Highly recommended, especially during this joyous season, bearing tidings of comfort and joy to all.



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Book Review: The Mote in God's Eye

The Mote in God's Eye by Larry Niven

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I should read more space opera, especially when written by Niven and Pournelle. The human Empire (Russian in origin, which seemed odd considering in 1974 when first published, the USSR was Communist not Imperialist) has first contact with aliens from a system referred to as "The Mote." Communication is key, but as expected, truth is the first casualty in diplomacy and war. By the time I reached the end, having had bits of both sides of the story, I kept wishing and hoping ... 'if only' the aliens had divulged the truth behind their species' biological problem, I believe, even a militaristic human society would feel compassion for them and strive to solve what the alien's considered unsolvable or impossible or 'Crazy Eddy.'

Join in the discussion of this book at the Beyond Reality GoodReads book club. 

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Grand Conspiracy

by Janny Wurts

Start date: December 2, 2010

Under Heaven

by Guy Gavriel Kay

Start date: December 1, 2010

The Mote in God's Eye

by Larry Niven

Start date: December 1, 2010

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My ‘Best of 2010′ Meme for Beyond Reality

First thing I'll have to do is look up what 'meme' means because I'm drawing a complete blank on that.

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Welcome to the Beyond Reality SF&F discussion group on GoodReads. In Beyond Reality, each of our me...

Books we're currently reading

Grand Conspiracy
by Janny Wurts
Start date: December 2, 2010

Under Heaven
by Guy Gavriel Kay
Start date: December 1, 2010

The Mote in God's Eye
by Larry Niven
Start date: December 1, 2010

View this group on Goodreads »


Share book reviews and ratings with Beyond Reality, and even join a book club on Goodreads.

Our illustrious leader, Stefan, posted this thread and these questions for us to ponder and pontificate upon. My answers and musings can be found below (and I'll be reviewing my stats and reviews on GoodReads to bolster my memory).

What was the best fantasy book you read in 2010?

Only five of my reviews this year earned a five star rating, two of which were science fiction novels. Of the three remaining fantasy novels, one was a re-read, which I won't count towards this year's 'best of' list. The final two are difficult to choose between so I will call it a tie between Warhost of Vastmark by Janny Wurts and Breath and Bone by Carol Berg.

What was the best science fiction book you read in 2010?

Hands down, Connie Willis' All Clear swept me away. I strongly suggest that you read Blackout first and follow it immediately with the second half/second novel All Clear


Best any-other-genre-that's-not-SF-or-fantasy book?

I only read a handful of non-fantasy or non-SF novels this year (typical for me, I'm happily stuck in my rut). I had no five star reads in this category, but a couple did stand out: The Art of Racing in the Rain and The Murder of Roger Akroyd.


Best new book (meaning, actually published in 2010)?

Again, this will have to go to the dynamic duo Blackout and All Clear by Connie Willis


Best debut novel?

Did not read any debut novels this year.


Best short story collection or anthology?

The Masters of Fantasy collection proved to contain the best overall collection of short stories from my favorite genre and several of my favorite authors.


Best short story?

"Sundering Star" by Janny Wurts from the Under Cover of Darkness anthology.


What was your favorite Beyond Reality "Book of the Month" in 2010?

I suspect it will be the one I'm currently reading . . . Under Heaven by Guy Gavriel Kay


Who's the best author you discovered this year?

Robin McKinley and her young adult fantasy award winning novel The Hero and the Crown.


Best SF&F-related website or blog?

I don't follow any of them 'religiously' but I get bombarded with a multitude of tweets from myriad sources. The one I frequent the most is John Scalzi's Whatever blog.


Best SF&F movie?

I'm even harsher rating movies than I am with books. I gave no five star ratings this year. Three movies made it to my four star rating (barely) and they include Avatar, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part I.) and How to Train Your Dragon.


TV show?

Stargate Universe, but not because I really like it, more because there's little else to watch when it comes to science fiction television. Yes, I watch Doctor Who, Eureka, Warehouse 13, etc., but they are frivolous and entertaining ... popcorn for my mind.

Book Review: The Towers of Midnight

Towers of Midnight by Robert Jordan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The tangled knot of plot threads weave a tapestry of convergence. The Last Hunt begins, prelude to the Last Battle.

Of the main characters, Perrin's growth and acceptance sealed him as the rising, shining star among the brilliant cluster of Two Rivers misfits out to save or damn the world. Mat's character surprised me most this novel. Normally, I skim through chapters devoted to Mat's point of view. Not so this time around. I wonder if I'm seeing Brandon's influence on Mat or if Jordan's plan included more maturity for Matriam at this point in the epic. The Aes Sedai (Nynaeve, Egwene, Cadsuane and even Elaida, briefly) had their moments, but the support staff (i.e. Warders) shined. Lan, Gawyn, Galad (by osmosis mostly as Gawyn's step brother), Brigitte - all received long overdue attention. I wanted more from Aviendha's thread. Rand and Min sporadically pounced in and out of various hot spots, spectacularly so in Maradon.

With the end so close, I fear I'll break with the strain of waiting another year (or more) for the epic conclusion to a saga I started over two decades ago.

It's darkest before the dawn ... or the end of all things. Tarmon Gai'don breaks.


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Book Review: All Clear by Willis

All Clear by Connie Willis

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wonderful, exceptional, loved every page. I find myself unable to describe what truly astonishes me about this novel without giving away huge spoilers. I laughed, I cried, my heart filled to bursting and erupted with hope and inspiration.

All Clear picks up where Blackout abruptly ended, back in the Blitz, London during the Blackout, the air raids, the shelters, life marches on for the stoic British citizens. Our stranded time-traveling historians face the facts, for the most part, and buckle down to survive. Rationing recipes, holding down jobs, wondering if the next air raid will destroy your employer's building or your home, constant commute disruptions caused by bombed out streets, communication disruptions (telephone lines down and mail slowed to a crawl), doing the odd heroic rescue on the side, and don't forget the rehearsals for the latest diversionary play performed in the underground tube stations by the hodgepodge of amateur actors directed by none other than Sir Godfrey.

Connie Willis revealed the essence of Britain during the Second World War through these glimpses into the everyday lives of it's citizens.

Now that I have reached the end, and seen all the pieces fall into place, I must re-read both novels to truly appreciate the masterful ingenious tale crafted by Connie Willis.


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Book Review: Blackout by Willis

Blackout by Connie Willis

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fifty years in our future, time-traveling Oxford historians studying key moments early in the Second World War become stranded in time in various locales around England. Like the contemporaries they are assigned to observe, the historians increasingly feel the weight of impending doom.


Doubt seeps into their belief that the continuum, the embodiment of a chaotic system, prevents damage or alteration to the time line; a self-correcting system. The butterfly effect, more aptly referenced with the catch phrase 'For want of a nail' becomes an argument both for and against altering the time-line. All doors back to Oxford and home seem sealed off and hope flickers and flutters against the background of air raid sirens and the Blackout.

The author peeled back the curtains to give us a glimpse of England in 1940, the astonishing courage and fortitude of her citizens. Amidst all the danger and bleakness, the light and compassion continued to shine. And the occasional comedic interludes, especially as respects to two incorrigible children, Alf and Binnie, and a rag tag amateur acting troupe forged in the shelters and tube stations during air raids, directed by a retired knighted Shakespearean actor, Sir Godfrey. Willis captures the soul of the British to a tea.

Be prepared to move directly on to the second novel immediately. The only reason I didn't give this first novel five stars relates to the torture I would have endured waiting six months to read the second half. I didn't torture myself, though, because I waited until All Clear was released before starting Blackout.


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Book Review: Haze by Modesitt

Haze by L.E. Modesitt Jr.
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I admit this is the first Modesitt science fiction novel. I'm no stranger to his work in the fantasy field, having read all the Recluce and Spellsinger novels and two of his Imager novels.

This novel includes two story lines that alternate and converge. Both stories use Roget's point of view, but during separate time lines in his life. This gives us a glimpse of current events and some of Roget's back story which also serves to world build (or re-build) Earth in our future. Earth is a mess, ecologically speaking, and ruled by the Federation, a Sinese-based empire. Roget experiences discrimination in his career advancement because he is a descendant of the remnants of the United States (oriental supremacy and occidental minority). The current time-line follows Roget as he explores the planet of Haze (Federation designation due to the orbital shields) or Dubiety (as referred to by the inhabitants).

Modesitt explores two philosophies of government and society. The Federation is an extrapolation of all that's wrong with empires, as history continually shows. Haze/Dubiety is an example of an extreme instance of choice and consequences. Citizens have freedom of choice so long as they never harm another person and take complete responsibility for their actions and their consequences. Modesitt gives several good examples of testing the boundaries of this scenario.

Comparable to some of the best of Heinlein's social engineering science fiction. Yet the characters take back stage to the themes, but not so much that you get bogged down in data dumps or didactic digressions. I felt the most sympathy for a dachshund named Hildegarde in a painting Roget kept an image of to talk to and ease the loneliness of his existence.

Most of the science in the Federation appears to be hard science, although I don't remember how the Federation battle cruisers traveled to Haze (whether it was FTL or hyperspace or hard science believable travel). The Dubiens had some technology that seemed fantastic and Modesitt didn't go into explanations so I can't confirm or deny the science behind their "Trans-Temporal Entropic Reversal" system.

I got a chuckle when Roget's guide took him to dinner at the Lucasan club. See my status updates for more on that scene.

Roget's leap of faith, although predictable, was no less poignant. And the epilogue, while a bit corny, did bring a smile to my face.

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Join the discussion and author Q&A at the GoodReads Science Fiction and Fantasy Book club where Modesitt is the featured author for November 2010:

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Welcome to the SciFi and Fantasy Book Club!  SciFi Czar: Brad
Fantasy Czar: Cindy
PLEASE NOTE:...

 

Books we're currently reading

Haze by L.E. Modesitt Jr.
Start date: November 1, 2010

The Magic of Recluce by L.E. Modesitt Jr.
Start date: November 1, 2010

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Share book reviews and ratings with SciFi and Fantasy Book Club, and even join a book club on Goodreads.

Book Review: The Magic of Recluce by Modesitt

Excellent world building and superb magic system with an annoyingly dense but affable young adult protagonist on a quest. Lerris is 'the chosen one' but for all the wrong reasons or completely mysterious hidden reasons until he's painted himself into a corner with his fumbling choices. Lerris isn't burdened with a prophecy, but he resists the status quo of Recluce. Lerris is just your typical young adult with attention deficit disorder (i.e., he's bored and finds everything boring), but Recluce doesn't prescribe Ritalin. Somewhat like extreme Amish, Recluce peacefully forces their misfits to either exile permanently or go on dangergeld (similar to rumspringa but with a quest attached), during which they must decide if they can return to Recluce and succumb to its creed and worldview (seeking perfection in Order). This novel follows Lerris on his journey as a dangergelder until he understands all that Recluce embodies and effects, and reaches his decision.

If you are looking for a story with character growth, Lerris' journey as an exile from Recluce will fit that bill. If you are looking for a new fantasy world with a detailed history, divergent societies, a logical robust magic system, with a different spin on the age-old struggle between angels and demons, good and evil, black and white, order and chaos, then you've come to the right story and series. 

For the rest of my GoodReads review of The Magic of Recluce.  

Join us at the GoodReads SciFi and Fantasy Book Club this month to participate in discussions with the author. 

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3980 members
Welcome to the SciFi and Fantasy Book Club!

SciFi Czar: Brad
Fantasy Czar: Cindy

PLEASE NOTE:...

Books we're currently reading

Haze

by L.E. Modesitt Jr.

Start date: November 1, 2010

The Magic of Recluce

by L.E. Modesitt Jr.

Start date: November 1, 2010

View this group on Goodreads »

Book Review: The Hero and the Crown by McKinley

Aerin may be the king's daughter, but you wouldn't know it from the looks, the stares, the snickers, the pranks, or the court gossip. Her father loved and married Aerin's mother after his first wife died childless. But being from the North, of unknown heritage and lineage, suspicions of witchcraft at worst and being a commoner at best, followed Aerin like a fog of misery. Her royal Gift failed to manifest as she entered and traversed adolescence, which further fueled the rumors of her inadequate or inappropriate breeding. Aerin wrestled with the trappings of her princess-hood, losing the battle with gentility and sought solace in the royal library and her father's retired lame warhorse, Talat. Nothing say quest and adventure like a dissatisfied frustrated teenage princess and a well-trained loyal equine collaborator. For starters, and against all odds and her father's wildest nightmares, Aerin and Talat master the art of dragon slaying.

For my complete GoodReads review of this book, please click here.

Book Review: The Coming of Conan the Cimmerian (anthology) by Robert E. Howard

The two best stories are "The Phoenix on the Sword" and "The Queen of the Black Coast"; otherwise, the first half of this anthology holds the best of the bunch, gradually dwindling down to my least favorite two stories: "The Vale of Lost Women" and "Rogues in the House." The final story almost redeemed the second half, but didn't quite pack the punch necessary to overcome the duds immediately prior to it.

I enjoy reading Howard's fast paced fiction, especially to spice up my lunch hour during the work week. I highly recommend this collection to all fans of the original one-of-a-kind blue-eyed-blazing barbarian from Cimmeria.

Follow this link for my complete GoodReads review of this novel.

Book Review: The Last Unicorn by Beagle

Beagle continually surprised me with his unique prose. Descriptions and metaphors in odd juxtapositions that at first make no sense but then you blink and they make complete sense. His dialogue often rang with rhythm and rhyme, nudging me to re-read a snippet just to hear it roll off my tongue.  A timeless tale of love, beauty, regret and hope. 

Follow this link for my complete Goodreads review.  

My Notes from "Pray Like It Matters" part 4 of "Raising G Rated Kids in an R Rated World"

 PRAY LIKE IT MATTERS

 Raising G Rated Kids in an R Rated World - 4

 October 24, 2010

 Dan Southerland

John Huber (Family Pastor)

Reactive prayers: In crisis mode
Proactive prayers

Survey results from 50 of our teens:
"If my parents only knew ..."

•  drinking, drugs and sex
•  peer pressure
•  pressure to succeed; terrified to fail
•  my parent's ability to relate to me
  

Prayer for one kid proactively ... pass over to Pastor Dan

Big idea for this series: my greatest opportunity to change the world for Christ is the kids God has put in my life.

Big idea for this teaching: there is nothing I do for the kids in my life that matters more than prayer.

Join Jesus in what He is already doing.(theological premise)
You need the prayer; I need the practice (turn to your neighbor)
John 17 - Jesus prays for His kids

(second favorite theologian after Charlie Brown)
John Wesley: Pray like it all depends on God.
                      Work like it all depends on you.

Three Prayers Jesus Prays for His Kids (and Three Actions to Go With Them)


1.  Pray for your kid's protection.

Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name. - John 17:11 (NIV)

I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from evil. - John 17:15 (NIV)

• from bad choices
• from bad friends
• from bad habits

Is your home a safe place for your kids?

2.  Pray for your kid's joy.

May they have the full measure of my joy within them. - John 17:13 (NIV)

• salvation experience
• service orientation
• security

How is the fun factor in your home?

3.  Pray for your kid's maturity.

Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.  John 17:11 (NLT)   

Luke 2:52 (Jesus 12 years old for his bar mitzvah)

• wisdom; grow intelectually
• stature; physical growth
• favor with men; socially
• favor with God; spiritually
  

Let your kids see Jesus in you.

It is never too late to start praying for your kids.
It is always too early to stop.

Book Review: Cryoburn (Miles Vorkosigan Returns)

Miles is on a new (to us) planet, Kibou-daini (settled by people of Japanese heritage). An entire culture mortally afraid of dying (pun intended) to the point where millions, if not billions, of citizens have chosen cryo preservation rather than the more traditional final frontier (i.e. Death). Oddly, since they are not dead, as citizens they still retain their votes in this democracy, albeit by proxy held by ever larger more monopolistic corporations. This sparked quite a few intriguing interpolations both in the characters and my own internal ponderings.

My complete GoodReads review of Cryoburn by Bujold

My Notes from WFC's Online Church Sermon by Brian Phipps

PROVIDE DISCIPLINE

Raising G Rated Kids in an R Rated World - 3

October 17, 2010

Brian Phipps

 
 
Big idea for this series: my greatest  opportunity to change the world for Christ is the kids God has put in my life.
 
Todays’ big idea: discipline + discipline = discipline
 
 
Discipline #3. The lifestyle of a disciple (end goal)

A person who is loving  Jesus, becoming like Jesus, and share Jesus.
 
Romans 8:29 God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son.
 
Heb. 12:10 “God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness.”
 

Discipline #2. A commitment to train

Prov. 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.
 
Proverbs 13:24 Those who spare the rod of discipline hate their children. Those who love their children care enough to discipline them.

 
Discipline #1. Constructive course corrections.  (build up)

Proverbs 3:12 “The Lord corrects those He loves.”
 
Constructive course corrections:
 
         -include the moral reason why
         -help *** the value.
         -are never done in anger
 
Eph. 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.
 
         -are consistent
         -don’t allow arguing, but welcome limited challenges
         -are different for each kid

 

Couple of books: 

Parenting with Love and Logic - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46186.Parenting_With_Love_and_Logic

How to Make Your Children Mind Without Losing Yours by Kevin Lehman - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3099208.How_to_Make_Children_Mind_Without_Losing_Yours

Correction warning!!!
Correction without a relationship fosters rebellion
 
Heb. 12:11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.
 
Want to be a friend to your kid?
 
Be a trainer now, so you can be a friend when they are older.

Favorite coach, favorite teacher ... the ones who corrected you in love.  We can make an amazing difference in this world by investing pure love in our children. 

BookMooches Sent First Half of October

The leaves are falling and I'm cleaning off book shelves at home to make room for, yep, you guessed it, more books.  After I make my trip to the post office later this morning, I will have sent off seventeen mooched books to various states across the nation:  Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Virginia, and Washington.  Since I first joined (or found) BookMooch back in July 2008, I've given away 350 books and received 185 books (some of which I gave away again after I read them).

Reading Goal Reality Check for Q4 2010

In 2009, I read ninety-six novels, just four shy of my goal of reading one hundred books that year.  Now that I'm firmly in the final quarter of 2010, with nearly half of October history already, I find myself at nearly the same place and pace.

I track all my reading via GoodReads, which introduced a handy stats feature this year.   Since I've read sixty-two novels in the first three quarters of 2010, I project another twenty before the end of the year, which is disappointing.  And I'm not likely to get more time to read, since the last quarter is filled with family events and holidays, none of which leave me leisure time to read.  Perhaps I'll at least be able to finish a couple of audio books on the long road back and forth to Texas (twice) in the coming weeks.

Looking back at the quality of reads this year, I only awarded three five-star ratings/reviews but over thirty four-star ratings/reviews.  A couple of the best reads included:

A Civil Campaign by Bujold

Carol Berg's Lighthouse duology - Flesh and Spirit and Breath and Bone

Kay's Sarantine Mosaic duology - Sailing to Sarantium and Lord of Emperors

Miller's classic award winning Canticle for Leibowitz

And as if I didn't already have enough unfinished epic fantasy series to read, I started a new one by Brandon Sanderson with his recently released Way of Kings (aka the tome).

For my own peace of mind and to further advance me to my one hundred book goal for 2010, I'm swearing off books over 800 or 900 pages for the rest of the year.

Just a Placeholder

I do most of my blogging at Wordpress.com and had hopes that I could automatically import my blog posts from there to here, but I'm not finding that functionality at Blogger.com.

Not to fret, I'll occasionally post here and read some blogs here.  And I'll cross-post when appropriate.