pseudolibrary
I'm an eclectic reader.
The Republic of Thieves
I thought this was a trilogy and now I'm gonna have to wait on pins and needles for the next book. I've fallen in love with these characters and their schemes.
 - Patrick Ness)
The Knife of Never Letting Go (Chaos Walking #1)
Reminded me a little of Ender's Game and a typical Star Trek away mission wrapped up in a coming of age series. The dog talking reminded me way too much of Up (the Disney movie). I can still hear "Poo, Todd?" in the back of my head. Thanks Patrick Ness. Thank you very much It's a great quick read and worked really well on the Kindle - even the parts where the Noise is in a strange font. Would be neat to see if they'd considered making the Noise into a GIF on the Kindles that support better graphics.
Red Seas Under Red Skies
Thank goodness I own the next book in the series, 'cause I just wouldn't be able to hold myself together after the end of this book. There's all the great friendships and adventures and risk-taking of the first book - but this time with a great sea voyage. Pirates. Pirates make everything better. And yes, Cosetta will be the King of the Seven Marrows. It's going to happen.
Eleanor & Park
Ridiculously cute. The plot is a timely somewhat rehash of Romeo & Juliet and is self-aware while rehashing. Simple declarations of young love in back-and-forth sections between Park and Eleanor.
Red Summer: The Summer of 1919 and the Awakening of Black America
This is essential reading. It covers a part of American history that I was never really taught in school. It provided context for works I'd read in my African American Literature classes - Jean Toomer, Langston Hughes, and Richard Wright. I developed a clearer understanding of the roots of the NAACP.
Everything Is Miscellaneous: The Power of the New Digital Disorder
Third order almost sounds like a plan for world semantic domination. I'm hooked. This skinny book gave me some big ideas about how my introduction to cataloging course will feed into the metadata courses I'll take. Gave me a bird's eye view (with some specific examples) of how the semantic web can be put to use for users. I'm starting to use Delicious, just to play around a little. Really excited about how Ranganathan applies to librarians' work on the web. Really great read for librarians, information professionals, or just social media users.
London Under: The Secret History Beneath the Streets
Finally found out what a catafalque was, thanks to this book. Really dark and dreary. Like Dirty Jobs meets a Mary Roach book.
The Lies of Locke Lamora
Swashbuckling, crass, and fantastic. The structure is simple - there's a Godfather-like plot in the present and then the coming-of-age story in the past. Lynch alternates chapters and as a result, builds a compelling story of young thieving friends and their brave and dastardly (or should I say bastardly?) exploits.
Pacific
Just look inside the mouth of this possum. This book has teeth and it is rare that sequels have such bare bones reality. I absolutely loved the references to The National and Celtic mythology. It felt Updike-like (oooo, that rhymed). It's quick and dirty. Literature needs more grit like this.
The Book of Trees: Visualizing Branches of Knowledge
Fascinating analysis of the role of the tree in modern infographics. From religious and genealogic diagrams to computer file trees, this in-depth and fascinating book on design is a keeper.
Killed Strangely: The Death of Rebecca Cornell
My jaw dropped when the connection to Lizzie Borden was revealed. Just for that, people might find this book interesting. Crane explores the social and cultural roles of mothers and sons in the late 1600s in Rhode Island. It's not a murder mystery. You won't know whodunit. Those interested in witchcraft, Native Americans and crime, mother-son relationships, and even elder care will be interested in the history and primary source analysis performed by Crane. A scintillating read. She kept it simple and short, but she does recover a lot of the same ground from different perspectives. I skipped through some of the analysis of the trial (and re-trials).
The Slow Regard of Silent Things: A Kingkiller Chronicle Novella
I learned some new words and communed with the character. I don't think you can ask much more of novellas. At least the ones I like.
Instamatic Karma: Photographs of John Lennon
This photo album helped me see John Lennon as a person, rather than an icon.
Annihilation
What are you waiting for? Pick up this book now. It's the next Brave New World. It's the next The Stand. It's the next 1984. It's the next Fahrenheit 451. It's that good.
Marvel 1602
Because it was the end of the semester, it took me forever to realize Native American Rohjaz was Steve Rogers. Steeped in the myths. Made me want to read up on Dr. Strange.
Revival: A Novel
It's not Stephen King at his strongest. The final scene is scary as all get out, but the build isn't worth it. If I thought Mr. Mercedes was chock full of dirty old man, this is even worse. I guess King has earned it. He was a little too proud of his "key of E" line. Also felt too much of an influence of THE DEAD ZONE and JOYLAND thoughout, both of which were better than this.
Currently reading
Golden Son
Lumberjanes, Volume 1
Reference and Information Services: An Introduction, Fourth Edition
