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Goblin Moon by Teresa Edgerton This is a swashbuckling adventure set in a pseudo-19th century world where multiple fantasy races coexist. Considering the title, there are a surprising lack of goblins. The story is riveting, however, following several sets of characters in their adventures with...

I had never heard of this book until I read Connie Willis' To Say Nothing of the Dog, which seems to rely heavily on it. I need to find a copy because it sounds like a fun adventure.

Yes, I find eclipses an almost spiritual experience, best enjoyed in solitude. However, for those who wish to celebrate loudly - the sun is very far away. How will it know people are cheering it on unless they shout?

Parable of the Talents by Octavia Butler. This sequel to Parable of the Sower takes a different turn, with Lauren Olamina's story turning very grim for a while as her community is overtaken and enslaved by religious fanatics. But she overcomes, spreading her "Earthseed" ideas about human...

My family travelled to an isolated ranch Lampasas, Tx for the eclipse, having planned this months in advance. It was partly cloudy all day, with complete cloud cover during the totality. It feels incomplete somehow without the visual effect, though we still experienced the sudden twilight...

I have read a couple of Leigh Brackett books in print, and I also have "The Leigh Brackett SF Collection" on Kindle. I love to visit her imaginative worlds. In some of her stories, I can see the ideas behind what Star Wars later described as The Force with it's light and dark sides.

I don't believe I really had "gateway" books into sci-fi/fantasy. I simply never outgrew a childhood interest in magical and fantastic worlds. I still like The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis from my earliest memories. I still periodically reread books I was introduced to in Jr. High such as...

I really enjoyed this film and have seen it several times. My main criticism is weak characters, but it is full of great ideas. I find it refreshing that the basic premise is never explained. It leaves a lot to ponder, but in a way that brings me back repeatedly to this film. For instance, who...

To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis This is a light adventure of future time travelers bumbling around in Victorian England. The entire story centers around trying to correct mistakes made to avoid changing the future, and of course making more. I didn't think I would enjoy this story so...

A Child of Great Promise by E.L. Knox. Another enjoyable Alt-Earth tale, this adventure involves a mixed-species party on a quest to find the main character's origins. I was surprised by the twist in the end, I hadn't worked out the answer to her riddle.

Time Odyssey trilogy by Arthur C. Clarke and Stephen Baxter – Time's Eye,  Sunstorm, and  Firstborn. Time's Eye is a fascinating concept. In an alternative history style of story, the world is reeling in the wake of a catastrophic event which various times and places of human history are...

Enchantress From the Stars by Sylvia Engdahl. This is a reread from my youth and it is as good as I remember it. Told through alternating narrative styles, this story illustrates the issues faced by civilizations of vastly different levels of development as they interact with each other. The...

A couple of other disappointing reads lately: Outlander - Diana Gabalon. I know this book (and there is a TV show) is very popular, but I did not finish it. It started off promising, but over time felt more of a stereotypical romance and I came to dislike the dynamics between Jamie and Claire...

I just finished up the year with two classics I had never read. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte This has a feel of following in the footsteps of Jane Austin, though more gritty. Jane is a spunky heroine. She shows resiliance, intelligence, self-confidence, and independence in making her way...

Pompeii - Robert Harris Pillars of the Earth - Ken Follett The Red Tent - Anita Diamont

I have a Kindle Paperwhite. The only ad appears when you first open the device. Nothing pops up when reading or even browsing through your "library". I also don't have a monthly subscription. I believe that is "Kindle Unlimited". I have never chosen to subscribe because I already have plenty of...

I have mixed feelings on Heinlein. He has great ideas, but his characters tend to be shallow and often have very dated views on roles for women. Stranger in a Strange Land is my least favorite of Heinlein. It is not so much a story, but more of a manifesto of values I don't agree with. I...

I learned only a few days ago from my brother that you can download Gutenburg books for Kindle. I have a number of classics I have acquired from amazon when they go on "sale" for free, but Gutenburg has the largest selection and they are always free.

I became inspired by posts here, and re-read A Christmas Carol. It remains an excellent parable.

I still have a softness for the Chronicles of Narnia, and Voyage of the Dawn Treader is a fantastic adventure story. I have re-read the series several times and I still find the magic. My values have changed and I may not always see eye-to-eye with the Lewis' intents, but nothing tops the...