Making biology unique

The Devil's Alphabet
Daryl Gregory

I'm hoping to salvage some sort of respectability this month, so I picked up The Devil's Alphabet, a fast, quirky little novel that was just the thing I needed.

What if quantum evolution happened in your neighborhood? Would you even know it? According to Gregory -- hell yes, you would.

Fifteen years ago, The Changes occurred in the small town of Switchcreek, Tennessee, mutating its inhabitants and creating three new races: the super-tall argos; bald, brown (and continually pregnant) betas; and huge, meaty charlies. The Changes, which became known as TDS, or Transcription Divergence Syndrome), wreaked havoc in Switchcreed -- but then stopped. TDS didn't spread: it wasn't contagious. It left as suddenly as it had arrived.

Paxton Martin, a "skip" unaffected by the changes, left town not long after The Changes ended, but after the suicide of one of his childhood friends, he's returned. Why has his friend taken her own life? And what sinister goings-on lie at the center of this town?

The Devil's Alphabet is part science-fiction, part mystery, and part quantum speculation, but at its core it's simply a good story. Sure, there are flaws (some explanations, some preachiness, the end), but I was intrigued by the idea of a town-wide spate of mutations and the effects such changes will have.

In a nutshell: Weird, imaginative, and even a little gross at times (does Pax realize what the Vintage is? Because he just ate it.), The Devil's Alphabet will definitely get you thinking.

Bibliolatry Scale: 4 out of 6 stars

FTCBS: Isn't this already obvious? Bought this one. Of course I did.

Speak now or forever hold your peace

Speak
Laurie Halse Anderson

I needed something to break my reading funk, and I knew Speak was just the book to do it.

I feel as though I'm the last person on earth to read Laurie Halse Anderson (I generally don't read YA fiction, not because I'm against it, per se, but more because I simply forget YA titles when considering what next to read), so a summary of Speak is probably not necessary. You want a summary anyway, you say?

Ok: Speak = Teen outcast + freshman year + many problems + no friends + A BIG SECRET. That, in essence, is the novel.

Of course, there's a lot more to Speak than just that. Nearly everyone can relate to Melinda in one way or another, even if you've never experienced some of her problems. While it does have a few flaws -- the end, for one, didn't sit right with me, and some points could have been better developed/resolved -- Speak remains a fast, engaging read by an author whose other books I need in my life. Now.

In a nutshell: Teen outcasts are good for adult non-outcasts, too.

Bibliolatry Scale: 4.5 out of 6 stars

FTCBS: You can see where this is headed, no? Yep, I bought this one. Surprise!

Don't look now! (Ok, you can look now)

Don't Look Now: Selected Stories
Daphne duMaurier

I'm officially in love with Daphne duMaurier; it took me forever to read Rebecca, but once I did, I immediately needed more. Enter My Cousin Rachel. That was it. I'm hooked.

I'm glad I came across Don't Look Now, which compiles some of her best short stories into this lovely little collection. While some stories are more striking than others, this collection only served to further whet my appetite for this author. Those who dismiss her as simply a "writer of romances" are truly missing out.

Most stories hinge on a key moment in time (one that is often imperceptible to the protagonist until it's too late) that changes the protagonist forever -- and usually for the worse. In "Don't Look Now," a man and wife vacation in Venice after losing a child only to find that they probably should have stayed home. In "Kiss Me Again, Stranger," a young man finally finds love, although she isn't quite what she appears to be.

"The Blue Lenses" features a woman who, having undergone eye surgery, finds her sight has changed forever. In "Indiscretion," a chance conversation sees lives intersect, with serious -- and life-changing -- effects. In "Split Second," a woman takes a walk only to find life much different upon her return home.

Other stories are more difficult to categorize, and yet hint at a darkness just beyond our reach. In "Escort," a warship receives an unsettling escort home. "La Sainte Vierge" focuses on a young woman who prays for her husband's safety and receives a powerful vision in return. Of course, her most famous story, "The Birds," needs no summary, although it must be noted that the story brings more depth, and less hope, than the movie. Finally, the last work in the collection, "Monte Verita," focuses on those who live in a fortress atop Monte Verita. Who are they, and what do they do there?

As noted earlier, while every story isn't a stunner, I was able to enjoy them all in different ways. In fact, there isn't much to criticize about this collection, expect, perhaps for duMaurier's tendency toward ellipsis, which I found a bit annoying, lending as it did an unfinished quality to the prose. Thankfully, this didn't happen often, so no worries there.

In a nutshell: Bravo! I love you, Daphne.

Bibliolatry Scale: 5.5 out of 6 stars

FTCBS: Bought this one, of course...I seem to buy everything.

The Savage Readalong: Week 3

Ok. I've finally finished Week 3 of the Savage readalong, and my enthusiasm is beginning to wane.

Section II: The Savage Detectives begins with a bunch of people -- friends, poets, random others -- reflecting on their encounters with Lima and Belano over the next several years. Some of these encounters make for an interesting story; most are only skim-worthy.

In fact, I did a lot of skimming in this section, and I'm not feeling a damn bit guilty about it. Oh, and the total apathy re: the storyline and the characters continues. What a boring bunch of artists.

I do find it interesting that thus far I've heard no mention of our young narrator from Section I. Guess he didn't figure too prominently in the Visceral realist movement, not that he ever did anything but dick around in Section I anyway, so I shouldn't be too surprised that the wannabe didn't get too far. Let's see if that changes the further I move into Section II.

The Classics Circuit: Georgette Heyer

Footsteps in the Dark
Georgette Heyer

Today I am pleased to welcome Georgette Heyer as part of the Classics Circuit!

First, I have to say that I'm mighty pleased to participate in this Circuit, as I've never even heard of Georgette Heyer before participating, despite the fact that my edition of Footsteps calls her "one of the best-known and best-loved of all historical novelists." Really? [Insert my shame and embarrassment here.]

So, while perusing the Heyer overview, I found that many of her historical romances likened her to Jane Austen. Oh no! I wailed (to myself, obviously). And that's how I ended up with Footsteps in the Dark, a decidedly un-Austen mystery with not a hint of romance. Okay, there's a hint of it. But it's okay because Heyer gives us ghosts, disappearances, and murder as well.

Footsteps in the Dark begins as siblings Peter, Margaret, and Celia arrive at The Priory to inspect their inheritance. The building is old and mysterious, and it comes with an intriguing history: the Priory is reputed to be haunted by a mysterious personage known only as the Monk.

Of course, the new inhabitants put little stock in such rumors. But then they start hearing things. And then they start SEEING things. And then they discover a murder. AND THEN...! Is the Monk supernatural -- or earthly? And why does he prowl about their home?

I enjoyed the wacky cast of characters that inhabit the pages of Footsteps in the Dark. Each is equally likely to be the Monk, and each is sufficiently bizarre enough to warrant some snide commentary from Charles, Celia's wry husband. The mystery was engaging, the characters were colorful (even if a bit flat), and the romance, while a bit silly, was charming enough for the story. Although I don't anticipate reading more Heyer (especially not with all those comparisons to Austen), I quite enjoyed Footsteps in the Dark.

In a nutshell: Fun, wacky, and a wee bit silly, Footsteps in the Dark was a light, charming read.

Bibliolatry Scale: 4 out of 6 stars

FTCBS: Bought this one for myself.

A Savage Delay

My fellow Savages!

I am a brute beast indeed, for I am not yet ready to post on this week's readalong.

Do not beat me about the head for my tardiness; things have been hectic, and I promise to post in a couple days.

My humble apologies, etc. etc.

What is happening to me?

Dude. I'm totally bummed.

It's March 16, and I've yet to finish a book in this godforsaken month.


????????????????????


The problem is due to
a) an incredibly busy work schedule, and
b) the fact that I have about 10 books going at once

Ok, maybe 10 is an exaggeration. But here's what I'm working on:

• The Savage Detectives (for the readalong)
• The Collected Short Stories of Daphne duMaurier (I'm almost finished this one, I swear!)
• Black Hills (I'm having a tough time with this one, to be honest)
• Footsteps in the Dark (for the Classics Circuit)
• Daniel Deronda (it's just so...BIG)
• Accelerando (via DailyLit)
• not to mention a few others that have been on-going for so long that it's too shameful to even mention them here

SO. That's why I've been full of teh suck recently. At least I expect to finish the duMaurier soon. Today? Let's not get our hopes up.

Can anyone commiserate with my reading funk?

The Savage Readalong: Week 2

Hello again, savages!

Participants in the Savage Readalong have (or are about to) finish the first section of the novel, Mexicans Lost in Mexico, which ends at the start of the new year, our young narrator tearing off into the night with his heroes Ulises and Arturo.

So far, I find the story engaging, even though I don't really care what happens to anyone in the book. I find it odd that I'm not really emotionally invested in any of the characters, even the narrator, and yet I'm still enjoying the book.

I'm also surprised by Bolano's writing; I had anticipated a more tedious read, and yet I'm finding myself able to read great chunks at a time. The final scene (in which Garcia Madero rides off into the moonlight) was fast-paced and hallucinatory. I'm not sure everything he thinks is happening is actually happening, although it's too soon to tell that.

Either way, I'm finding myself enjoying the novel and eager to see what happens to these fools in the next section, The Savage Detectives.

What are your thoughts on the story thus far? What about the style of Bolano's writing?

I'd love to hear your thoughts -- and if you haven't signed up to read with us, it's not too late!

Deep water, deep trouble

Deep Storm
Lincoln Child

So here I was, feeling all smug that I had finished my February reviews well before the end of the month itself. Then I remembered Deep Storm.

Don't be fooled: my poor memory is not an indication of the novel's quality -- Deep Storm was a real "page" turner. My forgetting is due more to the fact that I had downloaded this one for my Kindle, and, as such, did not have a physical copy lying around as a visual reminder of the outstanding review.

Deep Storm is a bit outlandish, but this quality just adds to the fun. I wasn't expecting literature; I was expecting a fast-paced thriller, and I wasn't disappointed.

The novel begins as naval physician Peter Crane reaches an oil rig to help treat what he thinks is a run-of-the-mill problem. By the time he gets there, however, he learns that he won't be treating people on the rig itself, but rather miles and miles below it. You see, the oil rig is just a cover for a government-run research facility located many miles below the surface. What are they excavating down there? Why all the secrecy? And what is attacking the residents?

Deep Storm provides enough surprises to prevent the tale from feeling predictable, and readers won't have time to feel bored due to the fast pacing. This novel was a fun read perfect for the Kindle, as reading Deep Storm on the treadmill helped me walk through page after page.

In a nutshell: Thrilling, chilling, and just incredible enough, this one is a fun, fast read. I'm on the hunt for my next read by this author.

Bibliolatry Scale: 5 out of 6 stars

FTCBS: Bought the Kindle version; this book's perfect for the treadmill!

RR10: February

Another month has passed in my 2010 reading resolution. Let's see how I did.


BOOKS READ: FEBRUARY 2010

Ammaniti, Niccolo. I'm Not Scared
Child, Lincoln. Deep Storm
Maazel, Fiona. Last Last Chance
Mortimer, Ian. The Time Traveler's Guide to Medieval England
Pattillo, Beth. Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart
Picardie, Justine. Daphne
Preston, Douglas and Mario Spezi. The Monster of Florence
Webster, Jean. Daddy-Long-Legs


RESOLUTION TITLES = 4 (for a total of 8/80)

NON-RESOLUTION TITLES = 4

TOTAL READ IN FEBRUARY 2010 = 8

TOTAL READ IN 2010 = 13

A guide to navigation in perilous times

The Time Traveler's Guide to Medieval England
Ian Mortimer

I don't read a lot of nonfiction, and when I do, it's almost never history. Still, Jen's review of The Time Traveler's Guide to Medieval England forced me to run out and grab this book immediately.

The tone is so conversational, the material so fascinating, that I blew through the book in a day or two. True, I skimmed some parts, but I was pleased overall. Mortimer takes us through Medieval England as though -- you might have guessed by the title -- we were a time traveler having landed in medieval England.

Mortimer very throughly covers the landscape, people, medieval character, basic essentials (such as dates, units of measurement, and manners and politeness), clothing, traveling, where to stay (an inn? what about a monastery?), food and drink, health and hygiene (now there's an eye-opening chapter!), the law, and what to do (which provides not only a discussion of the activities the medieval people enjoyed, but also gives an overview of the literary landscape).

At right: a leper ringing his bell -- stay away!

I began by thinking that this book would be an excellent resource for my classroom; little did I expect it to be such a page-turner. If you're even a little interested in medieval England, you'd do well to check out this very thorough guide. (In fact, despite a few slow parts, this book is nearly perfect.)

In a nutshell: Conversational, fascinating, and thorough, Mortimer's Guide is a must for teachers, students, and readers alike.

Bibliolatry Scale: 5.5 out of 6 stars

FTCBS: Yet another book I purchased for myself. Get off my back, feds!