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Weekly book post
Feb. 19th, 2013 03:50 pmThe Fall of Troy by Peter Ackroyd. A cleverly executed combination of archaeology and the fantastical. It's based on Schliemann's discovery and excavation of Troy. I loved the characters and milieu he created and the quotes from Homer and Virgil. Well worth reading.
Patriot Hearts by Barbara Hambly. I've previously enjoyed a number of Barbara Hambly's fantasy and historical fiction books. Here she writes about the first four First Ladies of the US, with Sally Heming appearing instead of Jefferson's late wife. She skips about in time and space and character point of view but she carries it out very well. It's easy to look back on American history now and forget that the new nation faced a host of problems. It was a good read by a good author.
Liars All by Jo Bannister. I've seldom been so disappointed in a writer or a book. The main character, a "strikingly beautiful" woman with two men in thrall - one stereotypically brawny, the other brainy - has been done often and better. One "friendship" is more like Stockholm syndrome. Only in fiction would anyone get away with such nonsense. I've tried three of her books but I'm done.
Flight of Aquavit by Anthony Bidulka. On the other hand I enjoy this series. This book is set early in the series. The setting is unconventional for a private detective - Saskatoon - but that adds to the enjoyment. He's gotten better as the series continued but this was a good entry. I like his characters.
Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing by Mignon Fogarty. It's been done better. It's a good refresher course but I've read some articles lately that were just as useful. The breezy tone undercut some of her points.
And I can't exactly say I'm reading Modern English Usage by H. W. Fowler. It's more the kind of book you dip in and out of but find endlessly fascinating. Instead of the meaning of words he discusses usage. The first edition in 1926 was groundbreaking. His entries on elegant variation, slipshod extension or really any and all of them are still right on point. It's great browsing if you love words.
I think what my book reviews tell me is that I need characters and good locales to enjoy fiction.
Patriot Hearts by Barbara Hambly. I've previously enjoyed a number of Barbara Hambly's fantasy and historical fiction books. Here she writes about the first four First Ladies of the US, with Sally Heming appearing instead of Jefferson's late wife. She skips about in time and space and character point of view but she carries it out very well. It's easy to look back on American history now and forget that the new nation faced a host of problems. It was a good read by a good author.
Liars All by Jo Bannister. I've seldom been so disappointed in a writer or a book. The main character, a "strikingly beautiful" woman with two men in thrall - one stereotypically brawny, the other brainy - has been done often and better. One "friendship" is more like Stockholm syndrome. Only in fiction would anyone get away with such nonsense. I've tried three of her books but I'm done.
Flight of Aquavit by Anthony Bidulka. On the other hand I enjoy this series. This book is set early in the series. The setting is unconventional for a private detective - Saskatoon - but that adds to the enjoyment. He's gotten better as the series continued but this was a good entry. I like his characters.
Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing by Mignon Fogarty. It's been done better. It's a good refresher course but I've read some articles lately that were just as useful. The breezy tone undercut some of her points.
And I can't exactly say I'm reading Modern English Usage by H. W. Fowler. It's more the kind of book you dip in and out of but find endlessly fascinating. Instead of the meaning of words he discusses usage. The first edition in 1926 was groundbreaking. His entries on elegant variation, slipshod extension or really any and all of them are still right on point. It's great browsing if you love words.
I think what my book reviews tell me is that I need characters and good locales to enjoy fiction.
