Invincible School Ring; Magnificent Adonis Chronicles and Reminiscences; King's Racing Friends

[maribou]

Invincible: Ultimate Collection, vol. 1, by Robert Kirkman et al
I read this because someone else thought I had recommended this series to them. I had not, but now that I have started reading them, I would. Fun superhero-kid-of-superhero stuff with interesting twists.
(83)

The Ring of Solomon, by Jonathan Stroud, read by Simon Jones (audiobook)
The only thing better than reading about Bartimeus is listening to Jones be Bartimeus.
(84)

School Libraries: What's Now, What's Next, What's Yet to Come, edited by Kristin Fontichiaro and Buffy Hamilton (nook, creative commons)
Collection of short essays. Many of them were interesting enough, and/or had neat enough links, that I ended up using the bookmarking on the nook for the first time, so I could do follow-up. AND, they're free - go check them out.
(85, O34)

Letters and Reminiscences, vol. 1, by Alfred Russel Wallace, edited (and reminisced) by James Marchant (nook, public domain)
This book made me develop a big swoony crush on Wallace. I mean, I always thought he was cool, but somehow the personal nature of these letters and excerpts from his books... eesh. I'm sure in real life he would drive me crazy. :D
(86, O35)

The Magnificent Ambersons, by Booth Tarkington (nook, public domain)
I couldn't remember why I had downloaded this for ages, but it turns out it won a Pulitzer back in the teens (er, the previous set of teens, that is). The good parts of it remind me of writers of that era that I like, and have a charm of their own as well. The bad part was the vasty amount of casual racism. *grinds teeth* I liked the book overall, but it did keep pissing me off that way.
(87, O36)

And Thus Was Adonis Murdered, by Sarah Caudwell
A fairly typical British upper-crust mystery - lawyers and Venice tourism - but so incredibly well-written and witty that I finished it and started reading it again from the first page (granted I was on a plane without other books, but I *never* do that, even in those circumstances). Crisp.
(88)

The Chronicles of Clovis, by Saki (nook, public domain, mostly a reread)
The funniest of these stories are fresh like whoa - some of the others just miss, or don't make sense because of dated context, or aren't as funny as I thought they were when I was 9. What surprised me on this read was the edge of real horror to a few of the stories; the edgy Ambrose-Bierceness of them.
(89, O37)

Racing Odysseus, by Roger H. Martin
Cancer sucks. Responding to surviving cancer by taking a sabbatical to go spend time as a quasi-freshman with a bunch of St. Johnnies? Awesome. This is a wonderful read if you like pondering about higher education and lifelong learning and individuals coming of age.
(90)

The King's Peace, by Jo Walton
Arthurian alternate-world fantasy. Because it is Jo Walton, a) it KICKS ASS, b) Urdo (Arthur-archetype) is a secondary character and the main character is a brilliantly drawn woman warrior. Couldn't put it down.
(91)

Old Friends, by Tracy Kidder
One of those slow, thoughtful books that makes for good company. Best when savored, rather than gulped.
(92, O38)

Comments

[eeyorerin]

Sarah Caudwell is WONDERFUL. I love her so. I am so sad she died.

[wordswoman.livejournal.com]

So where did you fall on the Hilary question in Thus Was Adonis Murdered? Male or female?

[maribou]

I am grateful to you for being so enthusiastic about her, and glad I've finally started reading her. Will be measuring out books with teaspoons since I know there won't be more :(.

[maribou]

I asked myself that question a couple-few times and always came up with "Don't know yet, delighted with the androgyny..." I seem to switch between no-clear-picture-of-the-narrator and a few shifting ones of different genders.