Books, February

[mamculuna]

Here are my books for this month:




8. Jo Walton (papersky), Among Others: I suspect almost everyone on LJ will see something of themselves in the protagonist, who finds her salvation in the SF sections of libraries and used books shops, although the magic that threatens her is a little worse than what the rest of us encounter.

9. Fleet Maull, Dharma In Hell: A collection of Maull's essays about being a Buddhist in prison, and the opportunities for inmates to devote themselves to service and compassion, as well as meditation and mindfulness.

10. Sherwood Smith (sartorias), King's Shield: The Inda series gets even better as it goes on (thank goodness--not all do. I could mention Dune and ASOIAF). The characters come into adult responsibilities, some a further extension of their younger selves and others branching out into new abilities. The book is focused on a war, and a more terrifying enemy who want to use magic in warfare, but most of all we see an amazing kind of heroism, especially from women and even young girls: not superpower heroism, but grit, courage, intelligence, skill, and endurance. Believable, but awe-inspiring.

11. Anton Lavey, The Devil's Notebook, and Aleister Crowley, The Book of the Law: I read parts of both of these to be able to talk with a friend about them. I think I should actually read more or not at all. A very hurried first glance makes them both seem mostly concerned with breaking out of the cage of social restrictions that have distorted personality, but I haven't lived that experience, so they don't really speak to me. But as I say, I'm sure there's more that I missed, especially in Crowley.

12. Rick Simmons, Defending South Carolina's Coast: The Civil War from Georgetown to Little River (Sesquicentennial Civil War Series): I thought I would be able to ignore the insanity of celebrating the centennial of the Civil War, but this book is about the area where I spend a lot of time, so I succumbed. The title sounds more pro-South than the writing--it's actually just an objective account of where the forts where and what events transpired in each battle. Hadn't realized that the South had started building forts long before Secession.

13. Sherwood Smith (sartorias) , Treason's Shore: The conclusion of the Inda series, and wonderful as the rest. Not finished yet, but brings it all together--plus this seems to be the book of magic (Inda=school, The Fox=pirates, King' s Shield=War), though I may see it differently when done. But what I want to know is why this series is famous and celebrated. Complex, brilliant world building, characters to die for, beautiful writing. What are you waiting for?

14. David Bodanis, The Secret House: : The Extraordinary Science of an Ordinary Day: All the stuff that goes on in your house, physical, chemical, biological. You almost don't want to know--but really, you do.

15. Lynda Barry, What It Is: Graphic/cartoon book on creativity, becoming a person, the mind, and everything. And it's Lynda Barry!!

16. Vogue Magazine Knitting Editors, The Ultimate Knitting Book: I assume all knitters know about this, and I'm not just sitting here reading it cover to cover this month, but using it all the time. Just saying that it's the best, the clearest, the most comprehensive. Stitches, abbreviations, patterns, whatever you want, it's here and it’s good.

Comments

[helianthas.livejournal.com]

You read a lot! I've been looking for recommendations, so I'll check out some of these. I've suddenly gone into a fiction mode, after years of leaning toward non-fiction. I haven't done SF in aaaages but I used to be so into it. And boy are you right about Dune. Brilliance into... ridiculousness (IMHO.)

Do you read multiple books at a time, or serially?

Do you find that you use the Knitting book more than looking stuff up online? I got rid of a bunch of my books, mostly b/c I don't have enough space, but I found that the videos from knittinghelp.com are so awesome that I didn't really miss the books. I'll check out The Ultimate, though. Always good to have one. (I have "THe Ultimate Handbook of Knitting and Crochet Stitches", which is super helpful.)

[mamculuna.livejournal.com]

Yeah, the disintegration of Dune was sad to see. I usually have one main book that I'm reading, and then others--often the others are ones that I just read parts ofl

I use the knitting book more than you might think. I love knittinghelp.com, especially the videos, but sometimes it's more convenient to open a book where I'm sitting than to go turn on computer, etc.
The illustrations in this one aren't videos, but they're the next best thing. I also like Magical Knitting (http://www.catbordhi.com/)--not as comprehensive, but very clear and helpful. I really like her explanation of knitting on two circular needles for example.

[siro-gravity.livejournal.com]

ah...my ex-husband wrote/edited "A Portable Darkness" which is basically a collection of Crowley's writings.

The Secret House sounds a bit scary, but also interesting, and I'd love to have that knitting book.

you read SO MUCH! what is ASOIAF?
I agree with you about the Dune series.

[mamculuna.livejournal.com]

ASOIAF is George RR Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire</>. An HBO series based on the first books starts this spring. He has never finished it, and the last couple of books are decidedly not as good as the early ones. It's about an imagined world that's a good bit like early Renaissance England or Italy--lots of powerful clans fighting for power--but with some supernatural touches. You have to like battles, but if you do, it has wonderful characters, great intrigue, powerful writing.