Hey there, fellow bookish folks! It's 2026, and this is my first post of the year. I know I should have posted before this, but I've been waist-deep in clearing out my deceased husband's loads of stuff from his destroyed bedroom and closet. There's still a lot to do, but I'm going to need my son's help with reaching things on high shelves and putting things into garbage sacks for pick up or for donating. Said son is opting out of a lot of things these days, I assume its due to delayed grief or feeling, rightfully so, overwhelmed by all that there is to do...and he's the only one who can drive stuff to other locations. There's only one car, his, and I've not driven in over a decade. Anyway, he's finally awake and going to the store to pick up some stuff, including my prescriptions. Meanwhile, I will post some book reviews and a couple of tidbits (Shelf Awareness has been pretty spare of good book tidbits this year).
This man was an amazing intellectual who cut through all the publishing hype to get to the crux of why things were published and lionized, while other books languished that were much better reads. RIP, Mr Carey.
Obituary
Note: John Carey
John Carey, an author, literary critic,
and academic, "who lobbed contrarian hand grenades at
high-culture snobs and ossified elites who, in his view,
revered lofty affectation over
accessibility and saw appreciating the
arts as a path to moral superiority,"
died December 11, the New York
Times reported. He was 91.
A Merton Professor of English
Literature at Oxford from 1975 to 2002, he
wrote several books, as well as reviews
for the Sunday Times of
London--for nearly 50 years--in which
he challenged sacred cows and
received wisdom. In The Intellectuals
and the Masses (1992), Carey
accused modernists like Virginia Woolf
and D.H. Lawrence "of writing
abstrusely with the express purpose of
preventing the rabble from
understanding their books," the
Times noted. "This book is richly
stocked with people whom any person of
decent instincts will find
loathsome."
"He truly dislikes, and helps us
to dislike with him, the bleating
toffs, the scented scribe agonizing
over his weightless sonnet, the
glassy metropolitan snobs, the varsity
idlers in their pleated gowns,"
noted critic James Wood in the London
Review of Books (2001), adding
that Carey's "complaints vibrate
with an appealing, nonconformist"
outrage.
In 1975, he published an essay in the
New Review titled "Down with Dons,"
which began: "From the viewpoint
of non-dons, probably the most
obnoxious thing about dons is their
uppishness. Of course, many dons are
quite tolerable people. But if you ask
a layman to imagine a don, the
idea will come into his head of
something with a loud, affected voice,
airing its knowledge, and as anyone who
has lived much among dons will
testify, this picture has a fair degree
of accuracy."
Noting that Carey "bestrode the
ever-narrowing bridge that
connects the academic teaching of
English literature to the world of
literary journalism like a colossus,"
the Guardian wrote that "he
combined his professional duties with a
half-century-long stint on the
books pages of the Sunday Times. All
this gained him a formidable
reputation as the most erudite and
possibly the most pugnacious critic
of his generation."
I'm actually looking forward to Nolan's version of the Odyssey, because he brings to bear Hollywood A-list actors and a lot of the over-the-top cinematics that make big budget films so popular. Greek myths generally don't get that kind of treatment.
Movies:
The Odyssey
Universal has released a trailer for
The Odyssey,
Christopher Nolan's highly-anticipated
"reimagining of the iconic Greek
epic" by Homer, IndieWire
reported. The film was shot entirely using
IMAX cameras and will be released in
theaters everywhere on July 17.
The film stars Matt Damon (Odysseus),
Tom Holland (Telemachus), Anne
Hathaway (Penelope), and Mia Goth
(Melantho). The cast also includes
Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Lupita
Nyong'o, Benny Safdie, Charlize
Theron, Jovan Adepo, Jon Bernthal, John
Leguizamo, and Elliot Page.
Earlier this year, Nolan told Empire
magazine: "As a filmmaker, you're
looking for gaps in cinematic culture,
things that haven't been done
before. And what I saw is that all of
this great mythological cinematic
work that I had grown up with--Ray
Harryhausen movies and other
things--I'd never seen that done with
the sort of weight and credibility
that an A-budget and a big Hollywood,
IMAX production could do."
Here are the reviews:
Exit Strategy by Lee and Andrew Child is a father and son written Jack Reacher thriller that does not disappoint in the fast-paced thrills dept. This Thriller/Suspense Action Fiction novel is a real page-turner that I couldn't put down. Here's the blurb: Jack Reacher will make three stops today. Not all of them were planned for.
The “blockbuster” new Jack Reacher thriller from bestselling authors Lee Child and Andrew Child, featuries“the best villain yet”
First—a
Baltimore coffee shop. A seat in the corner, facing the door. Black
coffee, two refills, no messing around. A minor interruption from two of
the customers, but nothing he can’t deal with swiftly. As he leaves, a
young guy brushes against him in the doorway. Instinctively Reacher
checks the pocket holding his cash and passport. There’s no problem.
Nothing is missing.
Second—a store to buy a coat. Nothing fancy.
Something he can ditch when he heads to warmer climates. Large enough to
fit a man the size of a bank vault. As he pulls out his cash, he finds
something new in his pocket. A handwritten note. A desperate plea for
help.
Third—wherever this bend in the road takes him. Impressed
by the guy’s technique and intrigued by the message, Reacher makes it
his mission to find out more .
Having read more than a few Reacher novels, I was intrigued as to what Child's son could bring to the franchise. There was a bit more info-dumping, especially about the military and weapons, than usual, but I still enjoyed Reacher's latest round of arse-kicking adventure. I now see him as Alan Richter, who plays Reacher on the streaming series, and is one big powerhouse dude, but in Exit Strategy he's less of a superhero nice-but-grumpy and gruff guy and more serious tough guy who just cuts right through the BS of life and gets down to business of solving the main problem or mystery. I missed some of his Army buddies who make great sidekicks on the streaming series, but this book's plot was swift enough that I didn't have a lot of time to wonder what happened to them all (Like Neeley, whose love of Reacher and cocopuffs are eternal). At any rate, the prose was sterling and the plot unrelenting. I'd give this gripping novel an A, and recommend it to anyone who enjoys previous books or the streaming series.
The Square of Sevens by Laura Shepherd-Robinson is a historical British fiction novel that is very densely written and has a snail's pace plot to boot. Here's the blurb: This “intricately plotted, epic” in the vein of the vivid novels of
Sarah Waters and Sarah Perry—follows an orphaned fortune teller in
18th-century England as she searches for answers about her long-dead
mother.
Cornwall, 1730: A young girl known only as
Red travels with her father making a living predicting fortunes using
the ancient Cornish method of the Square of Sevens. Shortly before he
dies, her father entrusts Red’s care to a gentleman scholar, along with a
document containing the secret of the Square of Sevens technique.
Raised
as a lady amidst the Georgian splendor of Bath, Red’s fortune telling
delights in high society. But she cannot ignore the questions that gnaw
at her soul: who was her mother? How did she die? And who are the
mysterious enemies her father was always terrified would find him?
The
pursuit of these mysteries takes her from Cornwall and Bath to London
and Devon, from the rough ribaldry of the Bartholomew Fair to the grand
houses of two of the most powerful families in England. And while Red’s
quest brings her the possibility of great reward, it also leads to grave
danger.
As the author notes in the afterword of the novel, hours and months of research into 18th century London and surrounding towns, and cartomancy or fortune telling via cards, went into the making of this book, which is obviously why each paragraph is so dense and rich with detail that even a chapter feels like an entire book unto itself. While this attention to detail can be fascinating, it grows tedious and boring quickly. The characters go through many twists and turns, and no one is whom they seem to be, which also makes the plot hard to follow. The mystery and misogyny that Red, the main character, must navigate are harrowing, and given the time period, believable and terrifying. Though I think an editor could have trimmed at least 200 pages from this book, I stuck it out and was thrilled that it had an HEA ending. The whiff of Dangerous Liasons-style political intrigue spiced things up considerably toward the end of the novel. All in all, a long read that will take you on a mind-numbing journey for over 500 pages, I'd give it a B-, and recommend it to those fascinated with the "magic" scams and scammers of the 1700s.
Up All Night With a Good Duke by Amy Rose Bennett is a historical romantic fiction novel with plenty of spice and all kinds of good humor and witty banter between the two main characters. Artemis, the "Bluestocking" (meaning well educated and well read woman, a rarity at the time) female protagonist has no need of a marriage as she plots her own course as a writer and a teacher, while Dominic Winters, the Duke of Dartmoor is a disrespectful nobleman who needs a male heir and a marriage after the death of his first wife. Still in mourning, though, he's none too keen on the idea of romance and succumbing to the marriage market maidens, all of whom leave him cold. Until he meets his match in the spitfire Artemis, and suddenly passionate attraction flares between the two, which neither expected. Hijinks ensue. Here's the blurb: "I can think of the perfect way to keep you
occupied and your mind diverted," she murmured. "Come to my room. If
you're not too tired…"Lust
flashed in his gaze and then he caught her face between his hands and
kissed her. "For you, my beautiful Artemis, I'd stay up all night."
Artemis
Jones―"respectable" finishing-school teacher by day and Gothic romance
writer by night―has never lost sight of her real dream: to open her own
academic ladies' college. When Artemis is unexpectedly called upon by a
dear friend, a fellow Byronic Book Club member, to navigate her first
London Season, she comes at once. Who knows, perhaps she can court the
interest of a wealthy patron for her school. As long as she can avoid
her high-handed aunt's schemes to marry her off.
Dominic
Winters, the widowed Duke of Dartmoor, needs a wife―someone who will
provide him with an heir and help him to manage his spitfire adolescent
daughter. The problem is, Society has dubbed him "The Dastardly Duke."
Rumors are rife that he murdered his mad wife so his choices for a
suitable bride are limited. But then he meets the ravishing and
passionate Artemis Jones who might just be everything he needs.
"The
perfect blend of sexiness and humor… Amy Rose Bennett has created a
lush, vibrant love story, her characters sharing a fabulous sensual
chemistry that fairly scorches the page."―Christina Britton
If you are not a fan of some classic romance novel tropes, such as steamy love scenes with heaving bosoms and throbbing manliness, you won't enjoy this book...give it a wide berth. However, I found the sparkling and concise prose and straightforward plot to be engrossing and intriguing. I also loved the fact that the author didn't take those tropes and breathless sex scenes too seriously. The addition of humor made it all seem like a jolly good lark. I liked the fact that Red didn't give up on her dream of opening a real school for women, even though she fell in love with the Duke. Nor did he require her to diminish herself or her goals in favor of being his wife and mother to his children. I'd give this splendid romance an A-, and recommend it to anyone who likes spice but also likes smart female protagonists.
Curse of the Fae Library by DM Fike is the first part of the Magical Midlife Librarian series, and it's a romantic-ish cozy fantasy with dragons and an older female protagonist, which is rare in fantasy these days. Here's the blurb: A magical tree library. An angry dragon. A family secret. Rosalind’s ordinary life is about to get turned upside down.
After
a bitter divorce and no job prospects, forty-year-old Rosalind Baldwin
yearns for a fresh start. She gets her chance when her estranged
grandmother Clio urges her to come for a visit. But Clio is no ordinary
grandma. She’s the legendary Librarian of Atlantis, a powerful fae who
guards the sentient ash tree that houses a magical library.
Then Clio dies under mysterious circumstances.
Now
only Rosalind, Clio’s sole female heir, can keep the Library of
Atlantis open. It won’t be an easy job. The fae don’t trust her. Her
sasquatch bodyguard Henry wants her to quit. Oh, and there’s a
fire-breathing dragon rampaging on the library grounds.
Can
Rosalind really run the mythical Library of Atlantis? Or will the same
killer catch her before she even has the chance to try?
Curse of the Fae Library is perfect for readers who enjoy cozy paranormal fantasy with a dash of adventure and romance. Readers of Magical Midlife Mom will delight in revisiting familiar characters, although you can enjoy this series without reading any prior books.
Though it appears to be self-published, I was surprised at how well-written this novel was, from the sturdy and delightful prose to the surprising plot full of intricate discoveries, it was well worth the price of the ebook and the time it took to read it in one sitting. I loved Rosalind and her soft heart and love of getting books into the hands of readers. Well deserving of an A, with a recommendation to anyone who is an Anne McCaffrey fan and who loves libraries, pick up this fun novel and enjoy.
The Study of Storms and Magic by Maria V Snyder is a science fiction/fantasy "Study" book from her bestselling series that is told from Valek's POV instead of Yelena's, who is the heroine of her original series. Here's the blurb: “No one survives the third transgression.”
The
storm season is fast approaching, and Zethan can’t wait to travel to
the Northern Ice Pack in Ixia to aid in taming its ferocious blizzards.
It’s a needed break from his twin sister, Zohav’s constant criticism;
his magic classes at the Magician’s Keep; and the pressure of being
compared to his famous brother, Valek, the hero of Sitia.
Except,
this time, Zohav is tagging along to test if her magical abilities to
influence water will work on ice. Zohav longs for her old home in Ixia
and the quiet life that was ripped from her when she developed magical
powers.
Together, with Heli, a strong Stormdancer who can harvest
the energy from the formidable blizzards, the trio set off on an
adventure. Battling through freezing temperatures, gale winds, icy
precipitation, and snow cats, are all part of the job. Unfortunately,
the elements aren’t the only danger they face as their escapade turns
into a fight for survival.
This
novella is set in the Study Chronicles world of Ixia and Sitia! Find
out what Valek’s younger siblings are up to in this chilling tale.
The great thing about this well-written and swiftly plotted novella is that it only takes a couple of hours to read...the bad thing is it's over in a couple of hours, leaving the reader bereft and yearning for more of Snyder's delicious storytelling. Ze and Zo, who are Valek's twin siblings, are fun and fascinating, and their adventures will keep readers glued to their e-readers. I'd give this short book an A, and recommend it to anyone who has read any of Snyder's Study Chronicles. You will not regret it, I guarantee it.
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