In his own words
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To The River
Review: I am haunted by waters. Thus begins this extraordinary book. I don’t use the word extraordinary lightly here, I mean this is a really extraordinary, exceptional, puzzlingly beautiful book. This was Olivia Laing’s debut, way back in 2011 but it has aged beautifully. The book begins with the author describing her recent breakup with…
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WWII German Super-Heavy Siege Guns
Review: I have been looking forward to reading this for a while and I’m happy to report that it was worth the wait. The book is published by Osprey publications, they are the premier military history publishing house and never disappoint. Lavishly illustrated with historic photos, drawings and even 3D computer renderings the book brings…
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Frankenstein
Review: What a good book. I bet you thought I was going to say what a great book. This was good, but not great. If you’re an English teacher or a Shelley devotee I will understand if you want to hit me in the head with a first edition, but I just, well let me…
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Your Inner Fish
Review: I’m back! With the onset of fall and modeling season, and then with Halloween coming up reading has been on the back burner. So forgive me the delay but this book was perfect for a long read. Neil Shubin is the paleontologist and professor of anatomy who was the co-discoverer of Tiktaalik, the so…
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The Satanic Bible
Review: First of all let me state that this book can transform your life, motivate and inspire you. But it cannot, unfortunately, summon demons from the infernal regions. I began this back in July and made a plan to read a portion of it every day just like any daily bible devotional. I am very…
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James Tiptree Jr.: The Double Life of Alice B. Sheldon
Review: Noted SFF author James Tiptree Jr. was a woman. Alright, thank you for reading this review and remember to check back often as new material is added…. er, well there is a bit more. James Tiptree appeared on the science fiction scene in the late 1960s, writing about rocket ships, aliens, intergalactic bureaucracy, exploring…
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The Demon Haunted World
Review: A rare Neilosian DNF. I liked this book, I really did. But after 200 pages I just tapped out due to how dated it was to read. I was alive (and absolutely drunk every single day without exception. The more you know.) in 1996 and it takes a book like this to remind me…
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The Mysteries of Udolpho
Review: “Emily’s face was stained with blood…” What a great read this was. This was very, very long at 875 pages so I had to prepare myself mentally before beginning it, but I’m very glad I did. So, first a little bit about the author. Ann Radcliffe was born in 1764, the daughter of a…
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Slowness
Review: Well, this was weird. Straight up peculiar and odd. I didn’t hate it, but I sure didn’t “get it”, that is if there was anything to get. I’m still not sure if I missed the joke, or the punchline, or the point. I’ve been meaning to read Milan Kundera for years because he has…
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The Touchstone
Review: It’s been a while, a long time really since I read anything by Edith Wharton and I realize now how much I have missed that. Edith Wharton rarely disappoints and this is no exception. The Touchstone was Wharton’s first published novel, although she did have one self published in her teens called Fast and…