Blackout/AllClear

Imagine if you were a historian that could travel back in time to observe particular time periods.  Imagine getting stuck there for some unknown reason...

It's not a new idea, and after reading and watching Doctor Who, there are many examples of time travelling gone wrong, and of the sometimes terrifying consequences.

I read the first half of this dynamic duo a few years back as part of a selection of women authors who have won Nebula Awards.  I loved it until I got  to the end, when I thought,"What's going on here, isn't she cutting it a bit close?"  The book begins with a lot of almost harried activity...there is just so much going on, and underlying is this tension and an uneasy sense that things are tragically going to go to pot, the suspense is just building up with no real release.  Anyone who's read my blog knows just how annoyed I get when I make these discoveries (I hate to read a book and then have to wait for the sequel), but I take all the blame because I didn't do the research.  I was left hanging after finishing Blackout!  I have done the research now.  As a matter of fact I have bought several of Connie Willis' books in preparation for reading this pair, and it works to my advantage because in another of her books Firewatch  (a collection of short stories) is one about this particular universe, so it was with a smug feeling that I began the books, first with the short story Firewatch and then on to Blackout and finishing up with All Clear.  

Naturally I chose November to read this as during this month I usually read someting that has some relation to the World Wars, and these two did not disappoint.  I got an unusual education about an era in our history that is already so well documented.  It was a true homage to the English people, those folks who lived through the Blitz and afterward.  If you want to step in to history, this is a good way to do it.  I loved the books from beginning to end, and since there is over 1100 pages, there's a lot to love. 
I look forward to reading more of Connie Willis' books as these two were so well researched and written, I can understand why she has won so many awards for her genre. 

The Curious Case of the Clockwork Man

Another rollicking trip through an alternate steam punk  universe with my favourite characters Burton and Swinburne.  If I thought that the first book Spring Heeled Jack was a little on the gross side, I suspect it was just trying to warm me up for the extremely revolting content of this one.   Things are afoot, the plot has thickened so much that there is another book in the wings, and I reckon it will be a doozy.  Can’t wait!

A Lazy Weekend

Usually weekends that involve travel out of town to grocery shop are an all day affair and I am absolutely exhausted by days end, and extra sore to boot from all of the driving (it's a two hour round trip).  Add to that a really crappy night's sleep and you have Zombie me for the rest of the weekend.
To get me through the rest of the weekend (because even in zombie form I still must read) was Changeless and Blameless by Gail Carriger.  These are books two and three of the Parasol Protectorate series, and they were such an easy, casual read (not requiring too many brains or effort to read...perfect for vegan zombies who lived on lots of Earl Grey tea and pretzels all weekend as well as the last of the spaghetti) that by the end of the second (which ended in a cliffhanger so to speak) I had to hurry on to the next one instead of waiting for next month.  Hence the double entry.  They really are a nice clean, balanced mix of steampunk and urban fantasy.

The bookcovers are pretty cheesy, but if you can get past that, you are in for a pleasant surprise. 

Soulless

 I love a good romance based in the 1800's.  Even better, a romance/mystery based in the 1800's plus werewolves, vampires, and a steampunk theme!!  Soulless by Gail Carriger has all this and more.  It was a pleasant vacation from some of the stuff I have been reading lately which has been really heavy.  I blame it on Jane Austen, who has for a large chunk of my life influenced me to love the strong, intelligent female protagonist, who never compromises herself for anything or anyone.  And funny!  I had a few laughs which was really needed, so all in all a good romp in an alternate universe full of my favorite things.  What's not to love?

The Eyre Affair

 

I really got a kick out of reading this book!  Like in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen,  The Eyre Affair is laced with literary references ... with a twist!  I enjoyed it just as much and know it would have been even better if I had've read the books that were used in this story (yes... I am ashamed to admit I have not read Jane Eyre, or Martin Chuzzlewit!).

This is an alternative history of which Thursday Next is the protagonist.  You'll notice right away with her name that this is no regular kind of book.  It is richly flavored in a  Dickensian way by the names that a lot of these characters have (one of which is Jack Schitt, and I still cannot read that without giggling a little bit because it was used with great skill throughout the novel).  I recommend to anyone to read the book just for that fun value alone.  More also is a science fiction/ futuristic element of technology, in a world that has to protect its literature ( Next is a cop that hunts down literary felons...and I don't mean that literally).  This is where it's a good idea that you know your literature, though I think you can get by pretty well without it (though I'd like to see you not go back and read all the books mentioned afterwards).  I won't tell you any more because I don't want to spoil it... just go out and get it!

There are a few more to read in this series, but I want to be prepared beforehand, so I will read the books featured first (so I don't feel like a stupid boobie for not knowing my stuff).  This year seems to be, so far, a year of finding books that seem to be almost tailored to my own tastes, and I am having a great time discovering them.