The Three-Body Problem, by Cixin Liu. Tom Doherty Books. 2006. I grew up reading science fiction and fantasy. I’d like to think I’ve read most of classics, but I haven’t. I have several authors I haven’t read, like Ursula K. Le Guin and Roger Zelazny. Money I made mowing yards and doing odd jobs I…
Kindred, by Octavia Butler. Beacon Press. 1979. Recent news FX is planning on developing a series based on Ms. Butler’s book inspired my interest. I’ve never read anything she penned prior to reading this book, no short story, article, or any other book. I’ve known of her for years; anyone who has read science fiction…
The Book of the New Sun. Gene Wolfe, author. “The Shadow of the Torturer,” “The Claw of the Conciliator,” “The Sword of the Lictor,” and “The Citadel of the Autarch,” were published from 1980-1983 by Simon & Schuster. Paperback. For literal decades The Shadow of the Torturer and The Claw of the Conciliator sat on…
If Tucker Carlson, et al., at Fox & Friends were miffed at Marvel two weeks ago as Sam Wilson prepared to distribute a thorough beat-down of a paramilitary group Carlson described as “good American Conservatives,” they are going to lose their shit this week. I will go out on a limb and prognosticate the outrage…
Sam Wilson ain’t Capt’n ‘murica, folks, and neither is Steve Rogers. I grew up collecting comics. I’ll probably stop collecting comics when I die, maybe sooner. Or later. I haven’t decided yet. As I approach my half-century mark in years alive I figure I have some time to think about my hobbies. Mainstream publishers, Marvel…
I read a considerable number of cosmology and physics books written mostly for the general public. Perhaps a better phrase is books written for “general consumption,” as I’m not sure how many people would really enjoy reading “Black Holes and Time Warps: Einstein’s Outrageous Legacy” (Kip Thorne) or “The Tao of Physics: An Exploration of…
Black Cherry Blues. James Lee Burke. Harper Mystery paperback. ©1989. $10. In the joint, guys in lock-up can get about anything. Make about anything, given enough time, persistence, someone willing to break laws associated with bringing contraband into a jail, and a lazy guard or two. No stretch of the imagination here, right? We should…
Hyperion ©1989 The Fall of Hyperion ©1990 Endymion ©1996 The Rise of Endymion ©1997 By Dan Simmons. Spectra Bantam Science Fiction. These books present a brilliant obstacle to authoring an authoritative and reasonable review. As I spent the day considering how to present a decent book review for these four books, I decided to begin…
Anansi Boys, by Neil Gaiman. Harper Torch Fiction Publishing. 2005. $8. I’m not sure Neil needs his books reviewed, actually. His books are enjoyable fiction. If you like Douglas Adams, you might enjoy Anansi Boys. British humor is hilarious; their gift for understatement tickles me. Douglas Adams was the godfather of understatements and eloquently contrived…
Book Review: City of Bones, by Michael Connelly. Grand Central Publishing. Hachette Book Group. ©2002. $10 Blurbs on books are worthless. Honestly, the accolades plastered across paperbacks are pointless. “Sizzles with energy,” “Invigorating,” “Haunting,” do not accurately assess procedural crime fiction novels like City of Bones. I’m not taking anything away from Mr. Connelly or any…
Constant Geography 
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