I don’t to think of myself as any author’s shill but…..
Spent pretty much all of three days doing not much besides reading Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir. I’d say I couldn’t put it down but was listening to it on CD so not physically holding it. I don’t want to give much of a recap because there are about a million spoiler alerts but suffice it to say, here is a list of why you might like it if:
- You liked The Martian
- You like science fiction
- You like stories about space
- You like science explained in a way you can understand it
- You like humor mixed in with your science
- You like a main character who is flawed but still very likeable
- You like books that draw direct comparisons to current issues without bludgeoning you with them
- You like stories that draw out a little of your emotion
I sent an email to Andy Weir telling him how much I liked it (and he emailed me back within a couple of hours!). If there were an Andy Weir Fan Club, I suppose I would now officially be a member. With today’s social media, are there even fan clubs anymore?
What’s the last book you couldn’t put down?
Trail Baboon 
Rise and Shine, Baboons,
I will talk about a book that I listened to during my trip to Iowa to visit my mother on SUnday. I did not have much else to do except drive while I was listening to it, so in ways it does not answer the question, “could you put it down?”. But I really enjoyed the book much to my surprise. I chose it only because of the narrator.
The book is “The Comanche Kid” by James Robert Daniels, a western of all things! I chose it at the last minute so I had something to listen to. It was narrated by Julia Whelan, who has a masterful voice that is pleasant to listen to for hours. Furthermore, she does accents and character voices well. The story takes place in Texas following the Civil War and as the Indian Nations ,in this case Comanches, are herded onto reservations as national policy. I did not want to think about my mother’s state of life. This book prevented that train of thought.
The book kept me wide awake on a sunny day that was good for travel.
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VS, why is this named “Project Hail Mary”?
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As I understand it, a Hail Mary pass in football is a last ditch effort that on the face of it looks like it is a serious longshot. Again, it’s really hard to talk about the part of this book without too many spoiler alerts, but suffice it to say that definition fits the project in this book.
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The Divider: Trump in the White House 2017-2021 by Susan Glasser and Peter Baker
My disdain for The Don is warranted.
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Reading physical books and not cds, I am obliged to put my books down occasionally no matter how much I am enjoying them. I have other things I need to do.
Of the ten books I’ve read so far this year, only one has been fiction and, as it happens, science fiction of a sort involving time travel though not in a very scientific way. The book was Time and Again by Jack Finney. It had been recommended to me and though I had read it before, it was at least forty years ago so I remembered only the barest outline. I’m a sucker for time travel stories and quite enjoyed it, but not enough to email Finney, who has been dead since 1995.
I also reread American Moderns by Christine Stansell, a book about Greenwich Village bohemians in the first two decades of the 20th century and appreciated it so much that I considered emailing Stansell. I went so far as to track her down. She’s a professor emeritus and the book was published over 20 years ago. I’ve emailed academic authors before to praise or comment their publications and I seldom get replies.
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I just finished William Kent Krueger’s most recent Cork O’Connor mystery, Fox Creek. As with all of the books in this series, it was hard to put down. Just before that one I read Louise Penny’s most recent A World of Curiosities. Another one that was hard to put down.
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I also loved World of Curiosities. You’d think after reading that many books in a series by the same author that you’d really know how it’s going to end but this one had me on pins and needles are right up to the very last pages.
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David Housewright’s first Rushmore McKenzie novel, “A Hard Ticket Home.” One of the best PI/detective mysteries I’ve read in a long time and certainly one of my best reads this year. Bonus that he’s also a Minnesota author (and a funny and charming person too.)
Chris in Owatonna
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I should read this one. I liked Penance. Text you and say.
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How did I miss this author? I will try one of his. Thanks Chris.
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How timely – I just finished a mystery by a Minnesota author… Dangerous Straits – by our own Chris Norbury. I was going to email him, but can put my comments here!
Not only was the tale rather gripping, I also learned a lot of detail about the street life of the homeless population of Mpls. Must have taken some research, which I appreciate. Also appreciated that, since it had been a while since I read the other Matt Lanier books, there was enough detail about past events to bring it all back, and understand the story line.
I usually keep my bedtime reading on the night table, but this time it got brought out to my daytime locale… Can’t wait to see what he comes up with next!
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Aww, shucks, thanks, BiR. *where’s the “blushing” emoji?*
Chris
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I am sorry to say the only books I am reading these days are cookbooks. I need to start reading again. I stopped for some unexplained reason when my parents died in 2014. This is enough of a grief response. I shall go to the public library after Daughter flies back home next week.
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I really like Dear Committee Members – I just kept turning page after page. Easy read.
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You are right, this was an excellent book. I have another Julie Schumaker book on my nightstand right now. Maybe I’ll start it tomorrow.
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loved that one
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I finished reading Elizabeth Strout’s “My Name Is Lucy Barton” a few days ago. It was fascinating read that has left me reflecting on my relationship with my mother and her relationship with hers. It’s not a suspenseful, action-packed book like Chris’ that propel you forward to find out what happens next or how things are resolved. Rather it’s a thoughtful exploration of a complex and difficult mother daughter relationship, and how that relationship carries over to many other aspects of our lives. I found it a satisfying read that has provided much food for thought.
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