Breaking Down Cryptonomicon

Image via WikipediaGlad I have until January 6, 2012 to complete this 1152-page book Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson! The copy I have from Reading Area Community College is a paperback and the type is SMALL so this edition is definitely not for those with vision problems. I've been tempted to get out the 3.0 reading glasses I use while knitting intricate items. There are four hardcovers currently in the Berks County Public Libraries holdings, but no large print or audio copies.

Stephenson writes with wonderfully dry wit and I often laugh out loud by how delightfully he's written a particular turn of phrase. The book's chapters alternate between three characters in two eras: Marine Bobby Shaftoe who discovers his aptitude for codebreaking following the attack on Pearl Harbor (he previously played glockenspiel in the band since he wouldn't be able to play the pipe organ on deck); American Lawrence Waterhouse recruited into the WWII Ultra Mega security class in Britain, where everyone on the committee seems to be a personal friend of Winston Churchill; and Randy Waterhouse, co-founder of the contemporary communications firm Epiphyte currently working in Manila.

I've likened the style to a much-more-easy-to-follow Gravity's Rainbow, perhaps mostly because of the time period, a subdued Douglas Adams and Kraken author China Mieville.

I can't imagine that I'll grow to dislike this book, though perhaps I will develop tendinitis from holding and squinting at its thick format!

12/13/2011 Have just been led to this link about an upcoming movie about Alan Turing, who is a secondary character in the book: http://www.turingfilm.com/about/overview

Wishing for Wilderness

Image via WikipediaI was very sorry to finish Richard Proenneke's book One Man's Wilderness: an Alaskan Odyssey. His determination to live alone in the Twin Lakes region and fashion the majority of his furniture, housing and tools is inspirational. What time he had remaining after the physical effort required by self sufficiency he spent following the wildlife of the area, soaking up the geography of the region, and writing his observations. This book is sadly only a short 222 pages but can be followed up with books by Michael Pollan, Farley Mowat and Bernd Heinrich.

American Steampunk

Image via WikipediaThe Falling Machine by Andrew Mayer. Gears. Backpack rockets. Corsets. Impending romance. Unlike the majority of the steampunk books I've read, this book takes place in a steam-powered 1800 New York. NYC is protected by a talent endowed group of individuals a la The Incredibles, but without the Lycra and Spandex. Enjoyed it very much, and will be looking for the sequel.

Space, Mythology, and Metallic Monsters

Cover via AmazonThe Secrets of The Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott
Book 4: The Necromancer
Somehow I missed the publication of Book 4 and jumped straight to Book 5: The Warlock. The gap was not as much as a problem as it could be for some series. I'm still in the midst of reading The Necromancer and admit I'm not enjoying it as much as the previous or following offerings. Not certain why, though it may just pale in comparison to some of the other books I've recently finished or am reading now. Production value for the copy I have from Reading Public Library is still excellent - hardcover, embossed and metallic cover. I'd like to see the sigils reproduced as bookmarks.

Back to the Moon by Travis S. Taylor and Les Johnson
I like this book since a) I'm a space buff, b) we need a shuttle substitute NOW even though the last Russian touchdown survived the Steppes, and c) for crying out loud, there's still SPACE out there NASA and the moon's right in front of us. So, how is the book? It's fine. I'm not glowing about it since I think that Greg Bear, Ben Bova, and Arthur C. Clarke and the like are hard to overshadow. The characters so far are interesting, the technical aspects aren't so hard wired that only a, ahem, rocket scientist, can understand, and I'm enjoying the sheer chutzpah of the antagonists. It all seems somewhat flat, however. Keep it in the scope though, for when I've finished. To this point, it's a go for young adults as well as adults.

The Immorality Engine by George Mann
This is another book in a series that is a fine stand-alone introduction to the author/characters. Imagine Anne Perry's characters Charlotte and Thomas Pitt trapped in steampunk Victorian England and you have the right atmosphere for the series. In this case Victoria and Sir Maurice are agents to the Queen/Scotland Yard and, in this particular volume, are investigating a secret society with plans to overthrow the government as well as a sinister medical institution with designs to harness visions of the future. Going back to read the previous novels should be fun. These books can definitely be part of a YA steampunk reading list. In fact, I missed the illustrations found in many other steampunk books! The cover art is excellent. Other similar books: Scott Westerfeld's Leviathan series (YA approved) and a book for which I cannot remember title or author but I can say it's a steampunk romance set in Victorian London about war, time travel, impressarios and actors who take their characters offstage...ah ha! The Map of Time by Felix J. Palma (not YA approved).

No posts means I've been reading, and reading...

Image via WikipediaOver a year gone by!

Well! At this point I can say I can't remember a thing about my style sheet for this blog.

I quit the library while I try to improve the function of the multiple herniated disks in lumbar and cervical spine and undergoing a treatment plan for my TMJ. It was also just time to LEAVE, though I must say I really miss finding incredible programs to book. I'm still designing programs though, and am trying to figure out if a degree in Library Science or Interpretative Education is the way to go if I can afford a Masters degree. (The problem is being well enough to be able to present them!)

I've been reading and listening to tons of books. The list can be found at my LibraryThing account. I've also discovered GetGlue - you can find me under Lk Stimeling. Get Glue is nice in that I don't need to chase down an image of the book. I'm also a convert to Google Plus (G+) though I'm still on Facebook. I also discovered Pinterest.com where instead of fantastic web sites I've found, I can also highlight great images from the web to share.

Will be more blog diligent with book reviews soon!