The Left Hand of Darkness

The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin  304 pp.

First published in 1987 and a winner of both Hugo and Nebula Awards, this novel was way ahead of its time on the subject of gender. Gently Ai is sent to the planet Winter as an ambassador of a "Star Trek Federation of Planets" type intergalactic organization. What he finds is a world where the inhabitants have no gender until the time for mating occurs when they temporarily become either male or female. To the people of Winter, the full time maleness of Ai is a perversion. As on our world, there are regional divisions and hostilities between them. This isn't a book of flashy action, but rather one requiring contemplation of the subject matter. I read this book years ago and decided to reread it after hearing of the death of the author.

The Perfect Nanny

The Perfect Nanny by Leila Slimani, 228 pages

When Myriam and Paul decide to find a nanny to take care of their two small children, they think they've hit the jackpot with Louise, a woman who not only takes exquisite care of their two small children, but also cooks, cleans, and is available at all hours at no extra cost. But they should have realized that Louise is no Mary Poppins — I mean, the readers knew, since what else could we expect from a book that starts with the line, "The baby was dead."?

This is a slow-burning, tension-filled book, filled with plenty of meditations on the guilt associated with motherhood, as well as the roles of race and class in upper-middle-class society. I liked this way more than I thought I would, and zoomed through it. I'd recommend it for fans of Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train.

The Winter Station

The Winter Station: a Novel / Jody Shields, 334 p.

In Kharbin, a Russian-controlled Chinese border town in 1910, bodies are appearing mysteriously in the snow.  They are blood-spattered, but have no obvious wounds.  The Baron, a Russian medical doctor married to a Chinese woman, begins to have his suspicions when he visits the home of a victim who died in bed, leaving his walls mist-sprayed with blood.

Based on a historical outbreak of pneumonic plague in the frigid city of Kharbin, this is a strange, moody, affecting tale.  Kharbin was, apparently, a wild west sort of place in those years, as it was just becoming a major railway junction.  The harsh winter combines with deep cultural mistrust between Russian and Chinese residents to create a miserable claustrophobia. 

Demon Vol 4

Demon Volume 4, Jason Shiga, 174 pgs.

The blurb on the cover says it all, "Bizarre, sick, funny and more than a little depraved, all of which is part of the charm."

This is the final (I think) volume in the series.  Jimmy and his daughter Sweet Pea are still demons but have discovered that their mortal enemy Agent Hunter is ALSO a demon.  They have a final showdown that results in a pile of bodies big enough to climb like a mountain.  This is crazy, gross and lots of fun.  I'm not even positive I've kept up with all the details but all you need to know is the final showdown includes a rebirth, a wall of prisoners, an army of peg legged men with baseball bats, conjoined twins and Israeli commando demons.  There is a time limit to getting past all these guards before Agent Hunter takes over the world. Will Jimmy and Sweet Pea prevail?  Read it yourself to find out...there will be no spoilers here.

Astrophysics for People in a Hurry

Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson, 222 pages

In this short volume, the superstar astrophysicist offers up a succinct overview of astrophysics. Tyson gives basic information on astronomical bodies and processes, the Big Bang, the elements of the cosmos, and, perhaps most interestingly, how we've figured all this stuff out. While I don't feel like I'd be capable of lecturing on astrophysics after listening to this audiobook, I certainly feel more enlightened about the nature of the universe. And bonus points for making it fun to listen to!

Uncommon Type

Uncommon Type: Some Stories by Tom Hanks, 405 pages

Oscar-winning actor and noted typewriter aficionado Tom Hanks authored this charming collection of short stories that all include some mention (either pivotal or passing) of a typewriter. The stories themselves were, on the whole, just what you might expect from America's Dad: not too dark or twisty; the funny ones are full of chuckles, and the serious ones are definitely serious, but not depressing. While his Hollywood cred comes out in a few stories (one of which features a character that I kept picturing as Stanley Tucci), my favorites are two series of connected stories — one series focusing on four friends that travel to Antarctica, go bowling, and orbit the moon; and another series of small-town newspaper columns by an old-school news curmudgeon that reminds me of my journalism school professors. All in all, a delightful collection.

Eternal Life

Eternal Life: a Novel / Dara Horn, 236 p.

Like Horn's earlier Guide for the Perplexed, Eternal Life is an enjoyable read that hints at great meaning but may never quite reach it.  Nevertheless, Horn has an engaging style and creates likeable characters.  In Eternal Life, we have Rachel, who's been alive for 2,000 years,, which is about 1,900 more than she'd like.  When her current granddaughter reveals that she's researching the genetics of longevity, Rachel decides to take a chance and share her secret.

The little book of lykke

The little book of lykke: secrets of hte world's happiest people / Meik Wiking, 285 pages.

I'm not sure there is really any secret here and yet many of us have strayed from focusing the six areas that bring happiness.  At least, there are six topics in this book that are explained, exampled, and certainly SEEM like things that could enhance your overall happiness. Togetherness, money, health, freedom, trust and kindness are each a focus.  Why are the Danes happier than Americans?  They have, perhaps a healthier attitude towards these six factors and they ride their bikes a lot.  These Nordic people seem to have a handle on the good life.  See also The little book of hygge and Lagoom: the Swedish art of balanced living. 

Draft no. 4

Draft no. 4:  On the writing process / John McPhee, 192 pgs.

McPhee is a writer of nonfiction. Here he reveals some of his history, some of his secrets, most of which boil down to working hard.  I loved the revealing details of various fact checkers and copy editors that work very hard to perfect a piece.  I always thought of writing as a solitary task.

There are so many fun anecdotes and pieces that are revealed to make the whole.  Certainly not a "how to" but occasionally a "how not to."  I loved the authors voice, sense of humor and curiosity.  A gem about the craft of writing.

January totals!

Pirate Cat says, "Arr! Ye booklubbers must read more
pirate books, or I'll make ye walk the plank!"

Bill  1/344
Christa  9/3211
Jan  5/1314
Kara  10/2653
Karen C  8/2088
Kathleen  6/1406
Linda  6/1942
Patrick  1/449

Total  46/13,407