Probably my last entry of the year as I head off for ten days in Florida. (Ten well-deserved days, if you ask me.) I will be reading only for pleasure—how rare, how wonderful! What’s going into my suitcase?
Passage by Connie Willis. I’ve read everything else by Connie, who is one of science fiction’s most delightful and intelligent voices. I’ve been meaning to read this one ever since 2001, when I’d set it aside to enjoy in a picturesque B&B located in the Jemez Mountains of New Mexico, as soon as I’d fulfilled my obligations at a writers conference in Albuquerque. I never got to go…the trip was scheduled to begin on September 14, 2001.
Foucault’s Pendulum, by Unberto Eco. Eco is a philosopher and historian whose most famous novel is The Name of the Rose—my favorite of his works so far. He writes what might be called “intellectual adventure” stories, intricate and challenging. I admit to skipping through paragraphs, if not full pages, of esoteric asides on such topics as medieval politics, but he’s well worth the effort. Try also Baudolino, a Crusaders-era tall tale.
Dreamers of the Day by Mary Doria Russell, who also wrote the SF classic The Sparrow. (Yes, I know The Sparrow was published as a mainstream novel—don’t be fooled, it’s SF all the way!) Dreamers of the Day is her newest and does not appear to contain any SF/fantasy elements; its main character is a young woman who takes a dream trip to Egypt on the eve of the 1921 Cairo Peace Conference, whose attendees will redraw the world map to create the modern Middle East. (Pretty book cover, but there’s no way that young woman could have climbed a pyramid in those heels.)
Missing Joseph by Elizabeth George. Thank you, Ms. George, for so many excellent mysteries starring Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley. I look forward to this one!
To all of you Suvudu readers, Happy Holidays and a terrific 2009!
All great books, Betsy! I'm happy you still get to read for pleasure sometimes. *grins* See you in the New Year!
Happy Holidays, Betsy. :)
I LOVE Connie Willis. LOVE her. Passages is a little disturbing, but in a good, makes you think about things you don't want to way...
Have a great vacation!!
Lori D.
Have a great time in Florida, Betsy -- and reading for pleasure! I really enjoyed PASSAGE, and FOUCALT'S PENDULUM is one of my alltime favorites. I'll have to look up the other ones you mention. Happy Holidays!
Wow, you suddenly took me back to 2001. I was at that writer's conference in Albuquerque right after the horribleness of 9/11. Many editors did not make it to the conference due to travel problems or just plain fear. Such an awful, scary time.
I hope you get to the Jemez mountains sometime in the future. It's a beautiful place, especially in October with the fall colors. I live in a small town south of Albuq. right along the Rio Grande.