Eleven Impossible to Ignore Stories

Well, once again I have Carl to thank for getting me to pull a book out of my TBR (this time for The 2013 Science Fiction Experience) that I ended up loving. This book has eleven stories, three of which were Hugo and/or Nebula award winners. But, if you ask me, these stories are all winners.

A couple of years ago, I started to keep a short story journal that simply lists the names of the stories and a 1-5 rating (5 being love). This is mainly just because I am terrible with remembering story names and it saves me time when I want to find a story I know I enjoyed before. Well, most anthologies have one or two DNFs, a couple of ones and twos and then mostly threes and fours with one or two exceptional fives. This collection, as recorded in my journal, has no stories below a three. It broke down like this

3: "In the Late Cretaceous"
3+: "Schwarzschild Radius", "Chance"
4: "The Last of the Winnebagos" (with a possible +), "Even the Queen", "Winter's Tale", "At the Rialto"
4+: "Time Out", "Jack"
5: "Ado", "Spice Pogrom"

Every one of these stories drew me in. They are all well-crafted and I enjoyed the broad range of subjects that she presented -- from quantum physics to menstruation. "Jack" was probably my favorite story to read as it was set during the Blitz and I think she just does a fantastic job every time she writes in that time period. The story didn't get a five though because I thought one tiny aspect of it was a bit cheesy. (If anyone is familiar with the story, I would love to chat about it!) "Ado" and "Spice Pogrom" were comedies and I thought they were hilarious. "Spice Pogrom" was probably really a 4/4+ story but I had so much fun reading it that I gave it full marks. Some of the reviewers on LibraryThing really didn't like her sense of humor (and yet they claimed to have loved To Say Nothing of the Dog -- go figure!) but I really enjoyed it. I think I do best with science fiction when there's an element of humor involved, like with Douglas Adams and Jasper Fforde.

It sounds like some of these stories will be in her newest collection (out in early July)--"At the Rialto", "The Last of the Winnebagos" and "Even the Queen"--but not my favorites so it's still worth looking for this older collection if you're in the mood for some fantastic tales.

Imagining eleven impossible things,
K

New Release: Eighty Days

Though the name is something of a misnomer as one of the "racers" didn't even know she had a competitor until halfway through the journey, Eighty Days: Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Bisland's History-Making Race Around the World by Matthew Goodman is still an exciting adventure that highlights the unique adventures of two brave twenty-somethings in 1889.

Nellie Bly was looking to make her name in journalism, to break free of the limits put on women at the time who were only allowed to write society columns and local interest pieces. Once she finally got into a position where she was being given real, hard-hitting investigative assignments, she got the idea to attempt to beat Phileas Fogg's fictional record for traveling around the world in eighty days. She was rejected the first time she put forth the suggestion but eventually her paper, looking for an attention grabber, took her up on the idea and sent her east to travel around the world. Not to be outdone after they heard of Bly's departure, Elizabeth Bisland's paper asked her, a literary critic, to head off on a similar journey but departing to the west. Thus began a "race" between two women who were trailblazers in the fight for women's equality despite their different directions.

Though the scope of this book might have been just a tad too broad, it was nevertheless a fascinating read. I truly felt I got to know these two women as they each traveled alone around the world. My opinions of each of them changed throughout the journey. With one woman quiet and reserved and the other brash and attention-seeking, it was interesting to see how each one dealt with the challenges that came their way. They also had different views of the cultures and lands that they encountered along the journeys, some more noble and accepting than others. And, as both women were American, it was interesting to see how their nationality affected their views on the world. I'm also very glad that I read Jules Verne's classic tale before reading this book as they paired well together.

Feeling inspired and motivated,
K

"Mr. Phileas Fogg lived, in 1872, at No. 7 Savile Row ..."

In preparation for a non-fiction read (that I'll be featuring tomorrow), I finally picked up Jules Verne's classic Around the World in Eighty Days. It was much shorter that I expected and much less boring than my last Verne read. Good news all around (bad pun intended)!

The title of this book pretty much explains the plot -- Phileas Fogg, a remarkably stable gentleman of unknown means, overhears a discussion about global circumnavigation and the conversation ends in a wager that Phileas cannot complete the trip in eighty days. He, however, is absolutely certain he will be successful. In fact, he prepares to set out that same day with his new manservant, Passepartout. Heading east, he sets out on a race against time and the suspicion that he is actually a bank robber on the run.

While there are obviously going to be uncomfortable racial characterizations in any Victorian stories that involve world cultures, I found those in Eighty Days to be relatively mild, not enough to distract from a fun story. I can see why this tale captured the imaginations of so many, even inspiring an around the world race (which I will tell you about tomorrow). This has even made me excited to read more Verne, something I haven't felt in a long time. Don't be surprised if you see Journey to the Center of the Earth here within the next few months.

Feeling an itching in my soles,
K

DWJ March: Read-Along Announcement!

Thank you to everyone who voted for the DWJ March Read-Along titles! Based on votes and title availability, I've chosen two books for read-alongs next month. So dust off your copies, place your library holds or buy your copies of

Howl's Moving Castle, discussion begins on March 15th

and

A Tale of Time City, discussion begins on March 29th.

To kick-off the fun, I'm giving away two books! Just leave a comment below and I'll choose two winners. This giveaway is open internationally and will be a quick one since I want books to arrive in time for the read-alongs.

Leave a comment that includes either or both book titles (if you list both, I'll ask you to choose one if you win), a promise to participate in the read-along and a way to contact you (email or Twitter name). Winners will be chosen on Tuesday, February 26th. Books will be sent from The Book Depository or Amazon.

Will you be joining either of these read-alongs? They're both rereads for me but I'm very excited about them. I think I might even buy a new copy of Time City for the Ursula K. Le Guin introduction!

Doubling the fun,
K

New Release: Why is Milk White? & 200 Other Curious Chemistry Questions

With questions by a curious teen and answers from a real-life chemist, Why is Milk White? & 200 Other Curious Chemistry Questions by Alexa Coelho and Simon Quellen Field is a great resource for inquiry-minded children and hopefully a nudge in the right direction for those who are on the fence about science. Appropriate for ages 8-9 and older, this book introduces kids to the building blocks of chemistry through questions in categories like "People and Animals", "Household Chemistry" and "Things That Stink". There are also molecular diagrams and some experiments to investigate certain topics further.

As parents with science degrees (zoology for me and physics/math for him), we're always injecting a bit of science into Z's life and trying to instill in him a curiosity about how things work. Between the two of us, we have answers for how/why many things work but we don't always know which questions will trigger his interest and imagination. A book like this is fantastic in its variety as there should be something that appeals to almost every child. And since STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) jobs are on the rise and are some of the highest paying jobs out there, it can't hurt to see if your kid has an aptitude for biochemistry, materials science or another of the wide variety of science fields out there. And, of course, there's a good chance that parents/educators will learn something new from this book too! (I learned things I didn't know about moisturizers and hydrogen peroxide.)

Investigating the world's mysteries together,
K and Z

The Girl Who ...

Last December, I journeyed into Fairyland with September. Then in February, I followed her again into Fairyland-Below on a search for Halloween. If this doesn't make any sense to you, then you haven't read Catherynne M. Valente's pair of YA fantasy novels, The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland In a Ship of Her Own Making and The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There. These stories are part Wonderland, part Oz and all heart-warming and fantastic.

I won't go into the plots of these stories because you're likely already familiar with them if you're at all interested. I'll just tell you that it took me a little bit of time in the beginning to get used to Valente's unique narrating voice and to stop seeing the seams between the various stories she has stitched together, a little time before I could see the beauty of the tapestry that she has woven that brings together stories both new and old. She has created something that manages to be timeless and original at once. If you need an escape into a world of strange fruits, shape-shifters and matters both urgent and festive, these are the books for you.

Wishing for a ship of my own,
K

"The sky above the port was the color of television, tuned to a dead channel."

William Gibson's Neuromancer is a book that has been on our home shelves for a long time. I know that my husband owned it for a few years even before he got his copy signed by Gibson in 2003. I finally picked it up last month for both the 2013 Science Fiction Experience and the 1001 Books to Read Before You Die list. It was written in 1984 and is a bonafide science-fiction classic. I don't know why I never read it before now but I definitely feel like a more well-rounded reader after having experienced this quintessential cyberpunk adventure.

Case was an "interface cowboy", a hacker who could access and navigate a second world that had built up inside the computer matrix. But after dipping his fingers into the pocket of his employer, he was poisoned in a way that removed his ability to access the matrix. He then drifted aimlessly in Japan, becoming addicted to drugs and acting as a middle man in some shady deals, until he was approached by the mysterious Armitage and his cybernetically-enhanced muscle, Molly. Armitage offered Case something he had been unable to find on his own--a cure for the nervous system damage done by the poison--if he would just use that ability to perform one big hack job. Case can't resist and the adventure begins.

I had mixed feelings while reading this novel. It took me a while to get into the story and I never really connected emotionally with any of the characters -- though admittedly Case and Molly started growing on me by the end. I was also uncomfortable with the excessive drug use throughout the book and there were a couple of scenes that came close to my threshold for violence. But, at the same time, I could see how influential the novel was on both literature and pop culture and, by the end of the story, I was drawn into the plot and wanted to know how everything resolved. There were parts that reminded me of Haruki Murakami's Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World but I have to admit that I prefer Murakami's blend of science fiction and fantasy to this pure sci-fi. I think I will take my husband's advice on which (if any) other Gibson novels I will read. I'm definitely curious about the Johnny Mnemonic short story now. And I suppose I need to try Neal Stephenson too. All of his books are on our shelves as well.

Slowly becoming a sci-fi reader,
K

Great African-Americans Past and Present

I would love it if you would head over to The Estella Society today and read my post on Christopher Paul Curtis' The Watsons Go to Birmingham -- 1963. It's a wonderfully vivid chapter book focusing on a turbulent time for African-Americans that is a must-read for all ages. Here, I'll introduce you to two fab picture books.

Written by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Raymond Obstfeld, What Color is My World? The Lost History of African-American Inventors is a picture book that links a modern-day family's everyday life with oft-ignored scientists and inventors. Ella and Herbie (fantastic jazz names!) are twins who are moving into a new home that isn't so new after all -- in fact, it's somewhat shabby. They complain a bit about the house before meeting handyman Mr. Mital, who is left in charge of them while their mom goes out to run errands. Mr. Mital is not only handy but is a font of knowledge about African-American inventors. The kids come to appreciate how difficult it was for inventors and innovators of color (and also for women and younger inventors) and we get quite a few fantastic examples of pioneers, both historical and those who are making technological advances in our world today.

Just like the twins, before Mr. Mital's lectures, I could have named just one African-American inventor, George Washington Carver. But now I know more about these remarkable men (and women) and the hardships that they endured simply because of the color of their skin. They were denied educations, were passed over for jobs and so much more. But they persevered, sometimes even using a white front-man to ensure their important discoveries were used and shared. The story that stuck with me the most was probably that of Dr. Percy Julian who fought to become a chemist, eventually having to leave the U.S. and study in Europe because of prejudice against him. When he returned, he began his research on synthesizing drugs, including finding a cheaper way to produce cortisone from soy plants. Dr. Julian sadly died the day before I was born in 1975.

RIF (Reading is Fundamental) has free downloadable teaching guides and activities on their blog that pair with this book but even sitting down and simply reading this book with your children or students will hopefully make a difference in how they view the scientific and technological contributions of African-Americans.

I first saw this book at the airport in Honolulu last year but didn't get a chance to look at it. But, having spent a few years of my childhood in Hawaii just like President Obama did (same island, different part), my curiosity finally got the best of me and I got a copy of A President From Hawai'i by Dr. Terry Carolan and Joanna Carolan. This colorful book is a collection of quotes from Obama's pre-Presidential days, some Hawaiian history, lore and language, and photos of the President as a young man and an adult on the islands. It's a fun little book that highlights important Hawaiian values and customs. In fact, it is more a book about Hawaii than about the President but that's okay. With intricate paper cut illustrations by Elizabeth Zunon, this would be a great book to give to kids before a trip to Hawaii or just as something to brighten up a dreary midwinter day.

"... when you come from Hawaii, you start understanding that what's on the surface, what people look like, that doesn't determine who they are." -- Barack Obama, Honolulu, 8/8/08

Respecting those who came before,
K and Z

New Release: Horten's Incredible Illusions

Sequel to Lissa Evans' Horten's Miraculous Mechanisms, Horten's Incredible Illusions takes all of the best parts of the first book and adds a bit more magic to produce a story that Z and I really enjoyed. In the first book, Stuart Horten (with the "help" of April, one of the nosy triplets next door) followed clues to find the secret workshop of his Great Uncle Tony, an illusionist/magician who disappeared years before. Now, after discovering a treasure trove of complex illusions, Stuart and April want to find out how each one works and to reveal the secrets held within.

Z and I were a bit thrown at the end of the first book when the "magic" seemed to come out of nowhere. But since we were prepared for it this time, it was exciting and fun. The different illusions were unique and Z had a blast solving the puzzles. The growing friendship between April and Stuart was also fantastic. I thought it was a great example for Z as he starts developing closer friendships ... yes, even with girls. Overall, I think this is a great pair of books for kids from about 8-12 who enjoy adventure and magic.

Seeing through the illusions,

K and Z

Get Ready! DWJ March is Coming!

Image by Yellow Crayola Crayon

Diana Wynne Jones March is happening! And, according to my survey, most of you wanted guest posts, giveaways and a read-along. So, I'm here to ask for some help in the survey below.

First, I am looking for 4+ guest posts on the theme What Makes DWJ Magical. You can interpret this any way you want and in any length of post. I welcome posts from readers along the whole DWJ spectrum -- from first-timers to seasoned veterans. If I don't get enough volunteers, some of you may get an email/tweet from me. :)

Second, we need to choose a Read-Along book. I have a couple of ideas but will give you a write-in option too. There have been read-alongs semi-recently of Fire and Hemlock and Dogsbody so those are probably off the table for this year. I'll announce the read-along book by Feb. 24th so everyone has time to get a copy of whichever book it is.

And finally, if you might be interested in hosting a giveaway on your blog for this event, let me know. I have two or three ideas for giveaways that I want to host but I would love to see more DWJ love-sharing out there!

Prepping for the party, K