At the midpoint of the year (on the hottest day of the year), I'm almost halfway through my book-reading goal for the year. I might have been ahead of pace had it not been for the fiddle... and the Guinness. 🍻
Following are review, in reverse reading order:
Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump by Maggie HabermanMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
An important work of journalism. Not a lot new here, but thorough and well-written. It will be a source for future generations. It left me despondent.
Everything Is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection by John GreenMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
I admire John Green as a writer, and this short book was selected by my book club. I knew not to expect fiction, but I didn't know I'd learn so much by reading this.
This Is Happiness by Niall WilliamsMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved this book. It took a while to get used to, since the story took its time to unfold, then took twists and turns. In the end, it was a long journey that I didn't want to end. It also explained a good bit about the sensibilities and mysterious ways of my Irish wife, which I'm grateful for! This was a lovely, life-affirming read.
On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean VuongMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
I can't write as well as this lyrical author, but then again every page here screams, "Look at how well I can write!" Meanwhile there's the story... ostensibly a letter to his mother... which it isn't -- graphic sex, shifting POVs, flights of dense prose offset by what logo was on what t-shirt and what song was playing in the background in the author's memory of the scene.
This was another book club selection -- and I admit I'm being exposed to different authors I wouldn't normally read. Which is good. But I eventually stopped trying to read this and tried listening to it, taking the lyrical nature of the writing literally. But then I found it easier to listen to if turned the speed up to 1.2, and then 1.5. Now I can honestly say I finished the book, neither betraying my experiments in fiction nor the good intentions of the book club at my local library.
The Keeper of Lost Art by Laura MorelliMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was an uncomplicated read, and I enjoyed the insight into the art world. I kept waiting for more about the horrors of war, but this had just enough of that to keep me reading without putting the book down. I've grown so thin-skinned lately, because today's real life is so scary. Art is still a refuge, and this book reflects that nicely.
Again, this was a book club read... and I highly recommend joining a club to explore genres you might not normally read on your own.
Lincoln in the Bardo by George SaundersMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
The good: It's like a journey through a haunted house. Atmospheric and bewildering. It also helps if you listen to the book, since it has so many narrative voices.
The bad: I remember reading George Saunders' "A Swim in the Pond in the Rain." It was, as AI reminds me, "a masterclass on writing... focusing on the technical craft of storytelling and the connection between writer and reader." If only George (and I feel, especially after reading his vulgar passages, that we're at least on a first-name basis) had taken his own advice in writing this book. "Lincoln in the Bardo" is, I think, pretentious. It does not try to connect with the reader at all. It reminded me of being lost in a corn maze. It's a swim for survival in a murky pond through a dense fog.
Bunnicula: A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery by Deborah HoweMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Simply charming. My grown daughter gave it to me as a Christmas gift, and I read it recently, imagining myself reading it to her as a little girl.
Project Hail Mary by Andy WeirMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
This is an extremely dense read. It's hard to get through, but much better when listening to the audio version.
I understand, from reading pre-reviews, that the upcoming movie is wonderful. How this book will translate to a movie is a mystery to me... but one I am looking forward to exploring! I liked the ending of this book very much, but I kept shaking my head throughout all the other parts, thinking about politics and current events: "People aren't really this smart!"
This book could be characterized as "hard science fiction fantasy." (PS- I give the movie 5 stars!)
The Irish Fiddler's Playbook: 50+ Easy Fiddle Tunes with Step-by-Step Fiddling Guide by Julia TermeerMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
I don't think I'll ever truly "finish" this book, but I'm having a lot of fun along the way. I'm playing my grandmother's old violin... I mean, "fiddle." The difference between a violin and a fiddle? You don't spill beer on a violin!
Small Things Like These by Claire KeeganMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
A trifle disappointing because I had heard so many good things about this novella. It seemed to be set in the early 1900s, but then there are unexpected details that let you know that you are reading something set in the near present-day... which was fascinating but disconcerting all the same. There's much more to this story than the way it ends and all that leads up to it... which is also fascinating but disconcerting all the same.
The End of Drum-Time by Hanna PylväinenMy rating: 2 of 5 stars
Read this as part of a book club. I know it's been well-received and well-reviewed, but I found it hard to follow (cue the college "Ulysses" flashbacks): big blocks of type with shifting POV and many different characters. I did not find the story compelling in any way. I slogged through it because I joined the book club to read books I wouldn't normally read... which is always revelatory, but not always enjoyable.
Our Mixtapes, Ourselves: The Happy-Sad Story and Soundtrack of Generation X by David GradyMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
I finally can say, in all honesty, that I started reading a book I couldn't put down -- and now my wife thinks I'm crazy because I had my iPhone at my side and kept listening to snippets of the songs written about here... without AirPods. Because I wanted her to ask me what the heck I was doing and then I could explain to her why I loved this book so much. Thank you, David Grady, and thanks for posting your brother's drum intro to "Middle of the Road" at https://thosesongs.blog/
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