What Am I Reading? Episode 6
Betsey Wilcox
The holidays and WorldCon really slowed down my reading time as did deaths in the family in December. I managed to complete two books and start on a new series, so I have something to write about.
J. K. Rowling- The Christmas Pig
Yes, I am a fan of Ms. Rowling’s writing - both her adult series and, of course, Harry Potter. I found The Christmas Pig to fall in-between. It is a lovely story and if you are searching for a way to explain loss to children this book might be the best effort I have read. It didn’t make me cry, but I did really care for the characters, which run the gamut from stuffed pigs (yes, plural) to broken angel tree toppers and discarded bunnies to a nasty, scary creature (I don’t want to spoil too many details for you!). This is a story that can only happen on Christmas Eve, when magic might happen. I was sucked into the story and wondered how it was going to turn out. I really liked how all of the loose ends were neatly wrapped up at the end. I highly recommend this book.
Ada Palmer - Perhaps the Stars (Book 4 of Terra Ignota), Audible
The previous three books in Ada Palmer’s Terra Ignota require more than one reading to really understand and I am not going to claim that I really understand them all. Apparently, my classical Greek and Roman education is lacking! Now that the fourth book is out, I found myself missing some of the references - time to brush up on my Greek and Roman. I listened to book four on Audible and it was really well done, however, I found myself lost on occasion and had to replay sections. It didn’t always work. I have set myself a new goal of starting at the beginning and actually reading all four books in order. Sitting with Ada and her father and devoted fans in a private group at WoldCon was very illuminating and answered some of the questions that I had and got me excited to re-read the whole thing from start to finish. So, if you have not read the previous books, DO NOT start with this one thinking it will catch you up. It will not. You will flounder and drown. Start at the beginning and wade out into the surf slowly. The books in order are Too Like the Lightning, Seven Surrenders, The Will to Battle and Perhaps the Stars. Enjoy the challenge.
Martha Wells- The Murderbot Diaries
First, I had the great good pleasure to meet Martha Wells informally at WorldCon before she won two Hugos for her writing of this series of novellas and a novel. I had heard many good things about the novellas but had not had the opportunity to add them to my pile of TBR (To Be Read). They are there now, and I have started them. I am going to hold off writing about them until I have completed them (currently on the third novella) but I am enjoying them immensely. Next time I will review them all at the same time. Also, Martha, I did not mean to ignore you on the street on Sunday, but I was focused on my lunch partner and didn’t realize who had spoken to me in passing until you were out of sight. Congratulations on winning two Hugos on Saturday night. Well deserved!
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to mention the loss of one of my dearest and longtime friends in Science Fiction, Diana G. Gallagher. Had we not met in 1986 I might never have become as involved in science fiction or met so many people who impacted my life in so many ways. Diana died on December 2nd from long term complications of COPD. She was probably the most talented person I knew. She was a singer-songwriter in the filk world as well as an artist and a writer. She published at least a hundred books. I am proud to say that I have all her books, music and almost all of her art. The last time we went to a WorldCon together was 2013 in San Antonio. I miss her a lot but am grateful that I was able to call her friend and sister for 35 years.
Until next time,
Betsey
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