Book Log #32: The Time Traveler’s Almanac

The Time Traveler’s Almanac by Ann VanderMeer, Jeff VanderMeer [Amazon, Kindle, $12.99]

If one is trying to complete 52 books in 52 weeks, then The Time Traveler’s Almanac, like Bleak House, is not a good choice. It is quite a tome, though I didn’t realize it since I was reading in Kindle form. The paperback version is 960 pages.

HOWEVER, if one is looking for a really fantastic compilation of time travel short stories, then this book is the bomb. Each story was a fresh perspective, most were extremely well written and engaging. The editing was superb, as each story was fresh and different than the one before.

Really enjoyable.

Book Log #31: The Girl in the Spider’s Web

The Girl in the Spider’s Web: A Lisbeth Salander novel, continuing Stieg Larsson’s Millennium Series Paperback – by David Lagercrantz (Author) [Little Shop of Stories, paperback]

As it goes, the fourth book in the series. I remember reading that he had worked on the fifth book in the series, and possibly the sixth, before he had died. There was all sorts of controversy and rumor, the girlfriend denies there was any further plans for the series.

At any rate, this was an okay continuation. It’s not as good, and no where near enough of the title character Salander. But there’s an evil twin sister of Salander introduced, and it kind of feels like this was a filler novel before getting to the plot Stieg started for the fifth book.

Basically, as good as one has any reason to suspect.

Book Log #29: Altered Carbon

Altered Carbon (Takeshi Kovacs Novels) by Morgan, Richard K. [Amazon, paperback, $11.76]

The second book of this series was recommended by Curt, and I got there eventually. But I like to read in order, so I went to the beginning.

Great Sci-Fi. Little bit too much macho-man, indestructible, film-noir, detective-like killing machine in there, but the world building was good enough to forgive the slight cheesiness.

Book Log #27: The Disaster Artist: My Life Inside The Room, the Greatest Bad Movie Ever Made

The Disaster Artist: My Life Inside The Room, the Greatest Bad Movie Ever Made by Greg Sestero, Tom Bissell [Amazon, Kindle, $11.99]

Fantastic non-fiction on the behind the scenes making of a movie I have never seen. I… still haven’t decided if I want to see it or not. Because I’m kind of scared.

But the character sketch of the creator is compelling, and sad, and riveting. Glad I read about it, even if I never bring myself to see it.

Book Log #23: The Dagger in the Desk

The Dagger in the Desk: Bonus: Ghost Guide & Preview of The Hollow Boy (Lockwood & Co.) by Jonathan Stroud [Amazon, Kindle, Free]

A novelette from the Lockwood & Co series, taking place between Book 2 and Book 3. Not a lot here, just a mini-mystery that doesn’t add much to the overarching story, except that we get a little of how the talking skull is working with the narrator.

I’m glad to see that Book 3 is out.