The Impossible Fortress brought to mind Ready Player One in that it was chock full of the 80's. At one point the two main characters, Will and Mary, go see Some Kind of Wonderful in the local movie theater. Will is a fan of Van Halen, and they are working on a Commodore 64 computer and hoping to win a new IBM PS/2. Email is not instant or cheap, they have to use dial up and CompuServe. It was a blast from the past.
But it was also a coming of age story that could have happened in any year. It isn't easy to be a teenager, an unpopular teenager with only a couple of real friends, and then have to face pressure from your friends to do something you don't want to but feel like you have to. But sometimes you learn that your friends are just as lost and confused as you are and come through in the end. Oh and naked Vanna White.
While this wasn't perfect, it was impossible to not care about Will, Mary, Alf, and Clark.
And the trip to my teen years was fun. The reminder of how far technology has come was striking as well. I remember my first computer, it was a Vic 20 and a Commodore 64 was what we got to upgrade from it. We had floppy disks but before that we used a cassette to save the silly and very basic programs we used to write. Take the trip, it is worth it.
(Finished April 30, 2017)
Sunday, April 30, 2017
Sunday, April 9, 2017
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot
Henrietta Lacks.
daughter, sister, cousin, wife, mother, cancer patient, immortal
HeLa
The story of Henrietta, her family, and her cells, is to put it mildly, incredible.
There is so much here to take in. The evolution of medical research ethics, the way people of color have been treated specifically by the medical community and the scientists doing medical research. Poverty. Education. Trust. Love. Faith.
These are all part of the story that Rebecca Skloot is telling. It sounds like it could be a science fiction novel, a woman has cervical cancer, her cells are taken, and they start the biggest, longest chain of scientific research into treatments for cancer and other diseases, polio vaccines, AIDS research, and other types of medical advancements. The cells lead to cloning experiments and test tube babies. Her consent to use her cells after she dies was never asked for or given. Her family is not aware for a long time about this and when they find out they feel abused and are actually abused.
But it isn't fiction, this is a true story, a story told in all its raw honesty. Skloot makes Henrietta's story and family come to life and their pain becomes palpable. The anger, resentments, and heartbreak are shared but it is clear it isn't easy and they have suffered much.
Skloot tells the story with love, respect, and finally for this family, some dignity.
HBO is going to be airing a movie based on this book later this month starring Oprah.
(Finished April 9, 2017)
daughter, sister, cousin, wife, mother, cancer patient, immortal
HeLa
The story of Henrietta, her family, and her cells, is to put it mildly, incredible.
There is so much here to take in. The evolution of medical research ethics, the way people of color have been treated specifically by the medical community and the scientists doing medical research. Poverty. Education. Trust. Love. Faith.
These are all part of the story that Rebecca Skloot is telling. It sounds like it could be a science fiction novel, a woman has cervical cancer, her cells are taken, and they start the biggest, longest chain of scientific research into treatments for cancer and other diseases, polio vaccines, AIDS research, and other types of medical advancements. The cells lead to cloning experiments and test tube babies. Her consent to use her cells after she dies was never asked for or given. Her family is not aware for a long time about this and when they find out they feel abused and are actually abused.
But it isn't fiction, this is a true story, a story told in all its raw honesty. Skloot makes Henrietta's story and family come to life and their pain becomes palpable. The anger, resentments, and heartbreak are shared but it is clear it isn't easy and they have suffered much.
Skloot tells the story with love, respect, and finally for this family, some dignity.
HBO is going to be airing a movie based on this book later this month starring Oprah.
(Finished April 9, 2017)
Morning Star (Red Rising #3) by Pierce Brown
The third and (was supposed to be) final installment of (what was supposed to be) the Red Rising trilogy ends with....well now, I can't tell you that, SPOILERS!!!
I can tell you that you will have your heart shredded, mended, shredded again, and maybe mended again. I can tell you that you might chuckle when you least expect a chuckle to be appropriate.
And you will think. When power corrupts and is then overthrown, what steps in to fill the void? Someone has to lead. But what kind of leadership? Not everyone will like the new leadership, that's a given, but how does someone or a group of someones step in and create a new order without becoming the tyrants overthrown but still bring along those who don't want to come? It is a puzzle for sure. It is a world torn apart and needing rebuilding.
A color system that is clearly out of wack with the idea of freedom no matter what those at the top try to sell to those at the bottom....is one color more able than the others? Do we become who are because we are told it is who we are or do we makes choices that make us who we are and learn to carve out a place for ourselves in the place we best fit because of those choices? These are the questions, or at least some of them, that the Red Rising story asks and attempts to answer.
But now I am all uptight because I read this trilogy because someone, I am looking at you Danielle, told me that she loved it and if I did too all three books were already published so I wouldn't have to wait to find out what happens, only to get to the last page of this book and see that Mr. Brown has changed the paradigm once again...and his trilogy is now a quartet and there will be new book in the near future. Well played Mr. Brown, well played.
(finished April 9, 2017)
PS in fairness to Mr. Brown, if you read these now and have to wait for book 4, you won't be left all in a tangle, it does wrap up as if this was meant to be the ending.
My thoughts on
Red Rising
Golden Son
I can tell you that you will have your heart shredded, mended, shredded again, and maybe mended again. I can tell you that you might chuckle when you least expect a chuckle to be appropriate.
And you will think. When power corrupts and is then overthrown, what steps in to fill the void? Someone has to lead. But what kind of leadership? Not everyone will like the new leadership, that's a given, but how does someone or a group of someones step in and create a new order without becoming the tyrants overthrown but still bring along those who don't want to come? It is a puzzle for sure. It is a world torn apart and needing rebuilding.
A color system that is clearly out of wack with the idea of freedom no matter what those at the top try to sell to those at the bottom....is one color more able than the others? Do we become who are because we are told it is who we are or do we makes choices that make us who we are and learn to carve out a place for ourselves in the place we best fit because of those choices? These are the questions, or at least some of them, that the Red Rising story asks and attempts to answer.
But now I am all uptight because I read this trilogy because someone, I am looking at you Danielle, told me that she loved it and if I did too all three books were already published so I wouldn't have to wait to find out what happens, only to get to the last page of this book and see that Mr. Brown has changed the paradigm once again...and his trilogy is now a quartet and there will be new book in the near future. Well played Mr. Brown, well played.
(finished April 9, 2017)
PS in fairness to Mr. Brown, if you read these now and have to wait for book 4, you won't be left all in a tangle, it does wrap up as if this was meant to be the ending.
My thoughts on
Red Rising
Golden Son
Thursday, April 6, 2017
Golden Son (Red Rising #2) by Pierce Brown
I. Just. Can't. With. The. Feelings!!!
Ok, I can. But wow. It is hard to write a review for books you don't want to spoil for anyone but I will do my best.
This is book 2 in a trilogy, and as soon as I am done posting this I am diving into the finale, Morning Star.
Golden Son picks up 2 years after the ending of Red Rising. So much happens here that you would think it is slow moving, but then when it was over I couldn't believe it was done so quickly.
Darrow learns some hard lessons and some weighty questions are raised. What is the real cost of war is a central thread through the story so far. But there is so much more. What makes a family? How much can a relationship bend before it stops holding together and breaks? How does who we are at a given moment shape how we love? Darrow deals with betrayal, forgiveness, growing up, learning it isn't weak to depend on others, facing the timeless question about going home, and death, he faces death head on numerous time.
I'm finding the main theme of the story to be what makes us human, what makes some people lead and others follow, is it better to follow because it is how you are your best self or because you are forced to or trained to? Or does it matter, someone has to lead and someone has to follow and survival of the fittest and all that? It is the commonality in all of these types of stories, someone takes over and oppresses others until someone sparks a rebellion or revolution and a new cycle begins, until hopefully someday an equitable system is built.
There is also the obvious thread of race relations. I don't say that as criticism. It would be wrong to say we live in a post racial world, and so it feels relevant to have the hierarchy be based on a color system, Gold at the top and Red at the bottom.
Darrow is an interesting character because of his duality. Is he who is, how he is wired or is he a product of his environment? Nurture vs Nature. If you could walk a mile in another's skin would it change how you view them? Or yourself?
I know this all sounds so deep, and it is a thought provoking story, but it is also well written and gripping, even entertaining.
Ok, I have rambled on enough. I must go and begin the next book...
(Finished April 6, 2017)
My thoughts on Red Rising
Ok, I can. But wow. It is hard to write a review for books you don't want to spoil for anyone but I will do my best.
This is book 2 in a trilogy, and as soon as I am done posting this I am diving into the finale, Morning Star.
Golden Son picks up 2 years after the ending of Red Rising. So much happens here that you would think it is slow moving, but then when it was over I couldn't believe it was done so quickly.
Darrow learns some hard lessons and some weighty questions are raised. What is the real cost of war is a central thread through the story so far. But there is so much more. What makes a family? How much can a relationship bend before it stops holding together and breaks? How does who we are at a given moment shape how we love? Darrow deals with betrayal, forgiveness, growing up, learning it isn't weak to depend on others, facing the timeless question about going home, and death, he faces death head on numerous time.
I'm finding the main theme of the story to be what makes us human, what makes some people lead and others follow, is it better to follow because it is how you are your best self or because you are forced to or trained to? Or does it matter, someone has to lead and someone has to follow and survival of the fittest and all that? It is the commonality in all of these types of stories, someone takes over and oppresses others until someone sparks a rebellion or revolution and a new cycle begins, until hopefully someday an equitable system is built.
There is also the obvious thread of race relations. I don't say that as criticism. It would be wrong to say we live in a post racial world, and so it feels relevant to have the hierarchy be based on a color system, Gold at the top and Red at the bottom.
Darrow is an interesting character because of his duality. Is he who is, how he is wired or is he a product of his environment? Nurture vs Nature. If you could walk a mile in another's skin would it change how you view them? Or yourself?
I know this all sounds so deep, and it is a thought provoking story, but it is also well written and gripping, even entertaining.
Ok, I have rambled on enough. I must go and begin the next book...
(Finished April 6, 2017)
My thoughts on Red Rising
Monday, March 20, 2017
Red Rising (Red Rising #1) by Pierce Brown
My friend Danielle insisted I read this. I am glad she did.
When I started it I was only 40ish pages in and I was gutted and angry and I couldn't imagine where this was going. I was solidly in the corner of Darrow and there was very little he could have done to lose me but with his mission I wondered if that resolve would be tested. I needn't have worried. While he isn't perfect he is guided by love and loyalty and when he makes mistakes he seems to learn from them. Only, unlike the teenagers we are used to and their mistakes when Darrow makes mistakes it often costs a life or lives.
Darrow is a Red. He works the mines of Mars as a Helldiver and he believes the history of how his people ended up there. When circumstances put in a place of learning the truth about the world he lives in and the world outside his mine shaft everything is shaken. What is revealed is what might on the surface seem obvious, absolute power corrupts absolutely, but it is so much more in the pages of Red Rising. Brown takes what could be considered a sub-genre of YA, the post apocalyptic, government run amok and blood thirsty in their desire to stay in control, and he makes it feel fresh. Maybe it is the setting (Mars for example), maybe it is the throwing in of the mythology of the Gods of Olympus, or maybe it is that he is talented.
Either way, what we have here is a story that is though provoking on the evils of class division, concentration of wealth and power, and revolution.
I feel like maybe a small warning needs to be given, it is violent in parts and the group we are following with Darrow are young by our standards even if in their world they are old enough to marry. Don't let their ages, Darrow is 16 in Earth years, when we met him, turn you off, it is actually important to the idea I believe Brown is putting forth, the young can make a difference, can be smart and make change in the world.
Like all first books in a multi-book story Red Rising has to lay the groundwork for what comes next. It does this well and without many stumbles. I'm looking forward to reading book 2, Golden Son. And as added bonus all three books of this trilogy have been published so if you like it, as I did and suspect you will, there's no long wait for the other installments.
(Finished March 20, 2017)
When I started it I was only 40ish pages in and I was gutted and angry and I couldn't imagine where this was going. I was solidly in the corner of Darrow and there was very little he could have done to lose me but with his mission I wondered if that resolve would be tested. I needn't have worried. While he isn't perfect he is guided by love and loyalty and when he makes mistakes he seems to learn from them. Only, unlike the teenagers we are used to and their mistakes when Darrow makes mistakes it often costs a life or lives.
Darrow is a Red. He works the mines of Mars as a Helldiver and he believes the history of how his people ended up there. When circumstances put in a place of learning the truth about the world he lives in and the world outside his mine shaft everything is shaken. What is revealed is what might on the surface seem obvious, absolute power corrupts absolutely, but it is so much more in the pages of Red Rising. Brown takes what could be considered a sub-genre of YA, the post apocalyptic, government run amok and blood thirsty in their desire to stay in control, and he makes it feel fresh. Maybe it is the setting (Mars for example), maybe it is the throwing in of the mythology of the Gods of Olympus, or maybe it is that he is talented.
Either way, what we have here is a story that is though provoking on the evils of class division, concentration of wealth and power, and revolution.
I feel like maybe a small warning needs to be given, it is violent in parts and the group we are following with Darrow are young by our standards even if in their world they are old enough to marry. Don't let their ages, Darrow is 16 in Earth years, when we met him, turn you off, it is actually important to the idea I believe Brown is putting forth, the young can make a difference, can be smart and make change in the world.
Like all first books in a multi-book story Red Rising has to lay the groundwork for what comes next. It does this well and without many stumbles. I'm looking forward to reading book 2, Golden Son. And as added bonus all three books of this trilogy have been published so if you like it, as I did and suspect you will, there's no long wait for the other installments.
(Finished March 20, 2017)
Wednesday, March 15, 2017
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
In the story of Cora the Underground Railroad is really and underground railroad. Station masters and conductors and locomotives carry runaway slaves to the north and hoped for freedom.
Along the way Cora is our look into the world of what it looks, smells, tastes, and feels like to be owned. It is often violent, scary, ugly, and painful. Even in that Cora finds tiny moments of beauty that she uses to hold onto when she thinks she can't go on. And all along the way she is reminded of the words of her first station master encounter, "Look outside as you speed through, and you'll find the true face of America."
And that is the lesson if you will of The Underground Railroad. I won't spoil it for you and tell you what she sees. It is the kind of thing you have to experience.
Some of the questions I found myself thinking about were what does it mean to be free? Are there levels of freedom? What motivates people to do what they do, to act as they do, to think and believe what they do? How much is upbringing, how much is what we are born with, how much is when and where we are born and to whom we are born? What is our responsibility to each other and to those who will come after us? And what price should we pay for those who came before and the things they have done?
Thought provoking. Well written. Gripping. Over before I wanted it to be but also not soon enough.
(Finished March 15, 2017)
Along the way Cora is our look into the world of what it looks, smells, tastes, and feels like to be owned. It is often violent, scary, ugly, and painful. Even in that Cora finds tiny moments of beauty that she uses to hold onto when she thinks she can't go on. And all along the way she is reminded of the words of her first station master encounter, "Look outside as you speed through, and you'll find the true face of America."
And that is the lesson if you will of The Underground Railroad. I won't spoil it for you and tell you what she sees. It is the kind of thing you have to experience.
Some of the questions I found myself thinking about were what does it mean to be free? Are there levels of freedom? What motivates people to do what they do, to act as they do, to think and believe what they do? How much is upbringing, how much is what we are born with, how much is when and where we are born and to whom we are born? What is our responsibility to each other and to those who will come after us? And what price should we pay for those who came before and the things they have done?
Thought provoking. Well written. Gripping. Over before I wanted it to be but also not soon enough.
(Finished March 15, 2017)
Sunday, March 12, 2017
Carve the Mark (Carve the Mark #1) by Veronica Roth
Veronica Roth has come back to familiar territory. As in the Divergent series (Book 1, Book 2, Book 3) Roth creates a new world where people are divided and war is coming.
In this universe, literally because the people in her story are scattered among planets and space ships, and figuratively, some people are fate favored. As it is explained here there are different versions of the future that oracles can see (choices people make can influence the future that comes to pass) but someone who is fate favored has their fate happen in every version of the future. There are also people with something called a current gift. It is something that can do thanks to a force called the current that is said to run through everything.
On Thuvhe, the planet where our main characters live, there are two groups, the Shotet and the Thuvhe.
The current leader of the Shotet group is Ryzek. He is cruel and trying to get out of the fate he has been told is his, to fall at the hands of a Thuvhe family. He uses his sister Cyra and her current gift to help him rule by fear.
Akos is a Thuvhe boy that Ryzek has kidnapped along with Akos' bother Eijeh. Eijeh is going to be an oracle like his mother and Ryzek thinks he can use this to change his fate.
Cyra doesn't want to be what her brother has turned her into. Akos wants to save his brother and get them both back home.
Can people from diametrically opposed groups come to like each other, to work together, to help and heal each other, or to love each other? Friendships, forgiveness, lies, allegiances of blood and of connivence are al part of the story Roth tells.
It is really hard to review a book where spoilers are to be avoided so I will say that Carve The Mark is, as often happens with books that are the start of a series, a little slow to get started but it picks up and ends up being a good read. I will absolutely read the next book when ever it comes out.
(Finished March 12, 2017)
In this universe, literally because the people in her story are scattered among planets and space ships, and figuratively, some people are fate favored. As it is explained here there are different versions of the future that oracles can see (choices people make can influence the future that comes to pass) but someone who is fate favored has their fate happen in every version of the future. There are also people with something called a current gift. It is something that can do thanks to a force called the current that is said to run through everything.
On Thuvhe, the planet where our main characters live, there are two groups, the Shotet and the Thuvhe.
The current leader of the Shotet group is Ryzek. He is cruel and trying to get out of the fate he has been told is his, to fall at the hands of a Thuvhe family. He uses his sister Cyra and her current gift to help him rule by fear.
Akos is a Thuvhe boy that Ryzek has kidnapped along with Akos' bother Eijeh. Eijeh is going to be an oracle like his mother and Ryzek thinks he can use this to change his fate.
Cyra doesn't want to be what her brother has turned her into. Akos wants to save his brother and get them both back home.
Can people from diametrically opposed groups come to like each other, to work together, to help and heal each other, or to love each other? Friendships, forgiveness, lies, allegiances of blood and of connivence are al part of the story Roth tells.
It is really hard to review a book where spoilers are to be avoided so I will say that Carve The Mark is, as often happens with books that are the start of a series, a little slow to get started but it picks up and ends up being a good read. I will absolutely read the next book when ever it comes out.
(Finished March 12, 2017)
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