Judith at Reader in the Wilderness has started a new meme: Bookshelf Traveling For Insane Times. The idea is to look through a bookshelf or a bookcase or stacks of books and share some thoughts on the books. You can find more details here and here at Judith's blog.
When I started writing this post it was my son's birthday, so I decided to share some books I have borrowed from my son to read.
This one came out in 2019 and my son read it before publication.
The Kirkus review says of Westside: "Akers’ debut novel is an addictively readable fusion of mystery, dark fantasy, alternate history, and existential horror." It is set in an alternate 1920s Manhattan.
Description on the back of the book:
Blending the vivid atmosphere of Caleb Carr with the imaginative power of Neil Gaiman, Westside is a mystery steeped in the supernatural and shot through with gunfights, rotgut whiskey, and sizzling Dixieland jazz. Full of dazzling color, delightful twists, and truly thrilling action...Sounds interesting. I should be reading it in April.
And then...
The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul by Douglas Adams
In March 2019, I read Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency by the same author. The story starts out seeming like an ordinary detective story with strange characters, but also has ghosts and time travel. It was weird and confusing, and I loved it. I did not even try to review it.
The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul, first published in 1988, is the 2nd book in the Dirk Gently series, and I assume it will similar and just as much fun.
One book review at 1001 Book Reviews said that both books need to be read twice to understand them, and I am sure I will be doing that.
Also ...
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
This is what I know about this book: It is a young adult novel first published in 1962 and deals with time travel. It is the first book in the Time Quintet.
Kelli Stanley, author of the Miranda Corbie series set in San Francisco in the 1940s, says:
A Wrinkle in Time is essentially science fiction. But it uses questions about science to delve into metaphysics, spirituality, and the human condition.I think that is all I need to know going into it, and I am looking forward to reading it.
16 comments:
Westside sounds like it might be an interesting read, look forward to your review. I tried the first Dirk Gently book but for some reason I just couldn't get into it. And Wrinkle in Time is one of those books I've always meant to read but have never got around to it. I'll be interested to hear what you think of it.
Cath, I hope I enjoy all of these books. I found Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency very confusing through at least half of the book, but my interest in the characters kept me going. And the various parts of the story that did not make sense came together in the end. I am looking forward to Wrinkle in Time.
Hi Tracy,
I think you will "groove" on A Wrinkle in Time. It is a classic for sure. When reading, and when rereading the novel multiple times, which was the case when my Children's Lit classes read this one, some of my students had trouble launching themselves back to the 1960s when this was written. (It was part of the curriculum.) Other students had no problem at all, and gravitated toward the book, similar in ways in which students respond to Lois Lowry's The Giver, another YA science fiction classic that I think you would love. Have you read that one? You could read it in an afternoon and it is unforgettably elegant. And a page-turner!
I will have no problem launching myself back to the 1960s for A Wrinkle in Time, Judith, I look forward to it.
I had not heard of The Giver by Lois Lowry, but it does sound very good and I will look for it. Thanks for telling me about that book. I will have to let you know if I can read it in an afternoon, though, I can hardly read anything that fast.
Interesting set of books. The Akers is new to me, the Gently is something I'm not particularly interested in, and Wrinkle I've read, through a long while ago. I've been thinking of doing this meme, but haven't found the energy to do so.
Rick, I know how it is. I am blogging but slower. And reading some. But not much else, but keeping up with the laundry. I am sleeping a little bit better lately and I hope that continues.
I love the Dirk Gently series. Long Tea Time... even more than the first one, Holistic Agency. These books are for keeps.
Haven't read the others and perhaps would not be able to read a sci-fi right now.
That's an interesting meme, Tracy. Thanks for sharing.
Neeru, I am glad to hear that you liked The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul so well. I wasn't so sure about either science fiction or fantasy right now, but might as well try.
Who can resist a book titled The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul, especially with this comment from a respected reviewer: "It was weird and confusing, but I loved it?" I don't ordinarily take to ghosts and time travel, but if you loved it, Tracy, I shall give it a try!
Mathew, I have no idea how much difference it makes if you read Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency first or not, but I suspect either book in that brief series would be equally fun on their own. I hope you do like it if you try it.
I've always loved Douglas Adams' writing, Tracy, so I was especially happy to see that one on your list. I really hope you'll enjoy it. Although I'm not typically a big fan of speculative fiction, there is some excellent work out there, and these do look interesting...
Margot, I remember that you had positive things to say about he Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. That was another book I enjoyed but just could not review.
I do enjoy it when mystery is blended with fantasy or science fiction, which is why I am giving Westside a try.
Hmmm rereading Hitchhikers Guide might be the perfect antidote to these times :-)
I think it would be a good read in these times, Brona. I read it in the last year, so I might read the 2nd book in the series soon, which I don't think I ever read.
Nice choice of books, but not to my taste. Still it would be a dull old world if we all liked and read the same things.
Col, that is very true. I just finished Westside yesterday and I liked it a lot, it was more mystery and thriller than other genres, but still, many readers don't like fantasy mixed in with their mystery.
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