Hello, reader…
*Note to first time readers: the following is a summary of a discussion by friends and bookworms who gather monthly in a virtual space called Second Life. Book notes are lightly edited reflections shared in real time via text chat.
April’s gathering felt special for some reason – perhaps the coziness of the group encouraged each of us to share in ways that felt comfy and nourishing.
Some interesting reads emerged from our conversation as well…
Loving Eleanor – Susan Wittig Albert
Veyot decided to try another title by an author whose work she enjoyed last month. Loving Eleanor, told from the viewpoint of one of Eleanor Roosevelt’s young lady lovers, is well written and interesting to read – though Veyot asked herself, “Do I really want to know all this?”. It’s a question many of us have experienced with other titles and authors as well. Veyot shared that Wittig Albert writes stories well – from the angle of the lovers – and recommends them.
FireWoman mentioned that she’s read the China Bayless mysteries by this author and enjoyed them.
The Fox Wife by Yangsze Choo
When FireWoman got this from her library, she couldn’t put it down. Set in 1908 Manchuria, murders and deaths are occuring and foxes are said to be the cause. Foxes who can change into human form.
The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo
FireWoman also read this novel by Choo, set in Malay 1893, about dreams and entering people’s dreams. She said it’s eerie but not scary-scary.
Excession – Iain M. Banks
Sierra read this book that is part of Banks’ ‘Culture’ series of novels. It’s about a kind of mystery…a star purportedly older than the universe itself…but then disappears for a few centuries before reappearing.
The Culture is a kind of interstellar civilization (among other civilizations).
In the Culture there are these kind of AI Minds (capital -M) running things … so the book is about all the things going on around investigating that .. .and at some point there will no doubt be some conflict. There is a heavy bit of space opera in it. One of the things she’s really liking about this book is that it is also giving more insight into the Culture itself.
Abandoned Places by Henk Van Rensbergen
Sierra also read this book of photography by an airplane pilot who explores abandoned places and old ruins during this free time. She said that the photographs are spectacular!
Signs: The Secret Language of the Universe by Laura Lynne Jackson
Veyot also mentioned this book by a famous clairvoyant. Jackson suggests that we all look for something unusual that might be a sign to us. Veyot happened upon this book serendipitously – it was just facing outward on a shelf so she picked it up. And finds herself looking for signs all the time now.
Our next gathering is May 12 19 at 1pm SLT. All are welcome – bring a friend!
The Reading Room 