1HanGerg
Leó admires the view, looking down onto Woolacombe beach in Devon, on a trip to stay with family last summer.
Hi everyone, welcome to my 2022 thread! I'm Hannah, a forty-something living in Lincoln, UK, with my husband, six year old son and pet rabbit. As of last September I now work for a local charity supporting families with young kids, three days a week, and when I'm not doing that I can normally be found in my art studio painting big, bold and bright abstract art. I read a pretty steady diet of Sci Fi and increasingly Fantasy, but I like to try and vary things up with other stuff - contemporary literary fiction, the odd classic, some historical mysteries, a bit of romance...almost anything really. Also some non fiction but not as much as I'd like. More and more though, I just want a compelling story with great characters, and then I'm hooked! The little guy and I made the switch from picture books to chapter books for bedtime stories, and as audiobooks in the car on long journeys, so I am going to start capturing what we are reading too - and we would like recommendations please! He likes funny stuff with silly super heroes, lots of fart jokes and comical talking pets, whilst I'm trying to get him into quest and fantasy based stuff. Anything that manages both will truly have the Gold Seal! A favourite from last year was The Carpet People. Here's to a good year of reading, and hopefully a bit more of all the other things we all enjoy as well!
2HanGerg
So, without thinking about it much, here are my favourite reads of last year. It's interesting to me how many of them I listened to as audio books, as I'm still a bit unsure how much I like that format. The listening experience is always good, and it can be really satisfying, but if it's a book I really like I find myself wishing I'd read it first and them maybe done the audiobook second. For that reason, several of the books here that have subsequent parts that I am very much looking forward to, I want to read, just to compare the experience. Also, it was a bad year for dead tree books for me, as all of those on the list that weren't audio were things I read on my kindle. I'd like to clear out some of my piles of DT books this year, so I might have to try a little harder on that score. Ok, so, in no particular order, my best books were:
Farthing - Jo Walton
Just so hauntingly, so masterfully and so subtly done - it made the final work a chilling masterpiece. A cautionary tale of British snobbery and intolerance wrapped up in the cosy trappings of a stately home murder mystery. Don't be fooled - this is high drama and great literature. I started reading the second part and had to stop as it was too darn sinister and upsetting.
Storm Glass - Jeff Wheeler
Put this one down as "most pleasant surprise of the year". The algorithm suggested this one to me on the kindle store, and it was dirt cheap so I took a punt on this first in a Fantasy series and found myself devouring the whole five part series in pretty short order. Two young women from very different walks of life must topple a corrupt and ruthless empire. I've got a few more books set in the same universe to get to at some point this year.
Network Effect - Martha Wells (Re-read)
It got a half a star more on this reading, because if I'm honest, first time round I just swallowed it in one big gulp and was a teeny bit disappointed. But this time I took the time to savour the small pleasures - the brilliant dialogue, the second-to-none characterisation, just how much Art cares about their people (sniffle). Fabulous.
The Thursday Murder Club - Richard Osman (audiobook)
Maybe nothing Earth shattering in terms of murder mystery plots, (I'm sure the plot has loads of flaws actually, if you are really determined to find them) but perhaps a tiny bit of earth moved in terms of representations of older protagonists. The characterisations were brilliant, the spirited old folk were just such great company, and the reader for the audiobook got it pitch perfect. The cosiest of cosy mysteries.
See What You Made Me Do - Jess Hill (audiobook)
My NF book of the year. An utterly harrowing book about domestic abuse that really should be read by everyone, everywhere, I'm afraid. This problem lingers at the very heart of so many of society's ills, and we are so very, very far from making it any better, unless we all arm ourselves with the knowledge in books such as these and really set out with determination to tackle it. The book looks at all forms of domestic abuse, but what it is mainly about is coercive control, or "intimate terrorism". This is only in very small part to do with violence, hence the exorcising of that word, to be replaced by "abuse". It's a much more sinister web of rendering another human being utterly defenceless, and it is terrifying and very hard to escape. Like I said, just read the book already. Join the fight. It's time.
Gideon the Ninth - Tamsyn Muir (audiobook)
I nearly gave up on this book after the first 20 minutes, as it was just so deeply weird and unnerving, but I'm so glad I didn't! Once it hits its stride it's just brilliant fun, has great characters, is STILL deeply weird but in a very satisfying way, and has the most smart talking protagonist any novel about necromancers in space has ever seen! Looking forward to getting to parts two and three this year - I'm thinking of splashing out and getting nice hardcover editions from Tor as the covers are so darn cool! (Also, I secretly went as Gideon for our round of trick or treating at Halloween. I may have just looked like a red headed woman with skull faceprint to everyone else, but on the inside, I was Gideon through and through!)
A Deadly Education - Naomi Novik (audiobook)
Another book with a very snarky female protagonist. I loved it! It's kind of the gothic horror version of Harry Potter, except Hermione's the main character and she's a total badass, who could at any moment flip and become something from Voldermort's worst nightmares. Oh, and with a nice side helping of social critique too. My first Novik and I'm already a fangirl. Definitely getting to part two of this sometime soon.
The Curse of Chalion - Lois McMaster Bujold (Re-read)
Loved this even more the second time around. Just incredible.This book is one of those books that puts you off reading for a little while once you finish it, because actually you just want to keep reading this one forever, and you're kind of disappointed when other books aren't this. Absolutely top notch Fantasy with more brilliant characters - that is definitely a theme for the year.
Farthing - Jo Walton
Just so hauntingly, so masterfully and so subtly done - it made the final work a chilling masterpiece. A cautionary tale of British snobbery and intolerance wrapped up in the cosy trappings of a stately home murder mystery. Don't be fooled - this is high drama and great literature. I started reading the second part and had to stop as it was too darn sinister and upsetting.
Storm Glass - Jeff Wheeler
Put this one down as "most pleasant surprise of the year". The algorithm suggested this one to me on the kindle store, and it was dirt cheap so I took a punt on this first in a Fantasy series and found myself devouring the whole five part series in pretty short order. Two young women from very different walks of life must topple a corrupt and ruthless empire. I've got a few more books set in the same universe to get to at some point this year.
Network Effect - Martha Wells (Re-read)
It got a half a star more on this reading, because if I'm honest, first time round I just swallowed it in one big gulp and was a teeny bit disappointed. But this time I took the time to savour the small pleasures - the brilliant dialogue, the second-to-none characterisation, just how much Art cares about their people (sniffle). Fabulous.
The Thursday Murder Club - Richard Osman (audiobook)
Maybe nothing Earth shattering in terms of murder mystery plots, (I'm sure the plot has loads of flaws actually, if you are really determined to find them) but perhaps a tiny bit of earth moved in terms of representations of older protagonists. The characterisations were brilliant, the spirited old folk were just such great company, and the reader for the audiobook got it pitch perfect. The cosiest of cosy mysteries.
See What You Made Me Do - Jess Hill (audiobook)
My NF book of the year. An utterly harrowing book about domestic abuse that really should be read by everyone, everywhere, I'm afraid. This problem lingers at the very heart of so many of society's ills, and we are so very, very far from making it any better, unless we all arm ourselves with the knowledge in books such as these and really set out with determination to tackle it. The book looks at all forms of domestic abuse, but what it is mainly about is coercive control, or "intimate terrorism". This is only in very small part to do with violence, hence the exorcising of that word, to be replaced by "abuse". It's a much more sinister web of rendering another human being utterly defenceless, and it is terrifying and very hard to escape. Like I said, just read the book already. Join the fight. It's time.
Gideon the Ninth - Tamsyn Muir (audiobook)
I nearly gave up on this book after the first 20 minutes, as it was just so deeply weird and unnerving, but I'm so glad I didn't! Once it hits its stride it's just brilliant fun, has great characters, is STILL deeply weird but in a very satisfying way, and has the most smart talking protagonist any novel about necromancers in space has ever seen! Looking forward to getting to parts two and three this year - I'm thinking of splashing out and getting nice hardcover editions from Tor as the covers are so darn cool! (Also, I secretly went as Gideon for our round of trick or treating at Halloween. I may have just looked like a red headed woman with skull faceprint to everyone else, but on the inside, I was Gideon through and through!)
A Deadly Education - Naomi Novik (audiobook)
Another book with a very snarky female protagonist. I loved it! It's kind of the gothic horror version of Harry Potter, except Hermione's the main character and she's a total badass, who could at any moment flip and become something from Voldermort's worst nightmares. Oh, and with a nice side helping of social critique too. My first Novik and I'm already a fangirl. Definitely getting to part two of this sometime soon.
The Curse of Chalion - Lois McMaster Bujold (Re-read)
Loved this even more the second time around. Just incredible.This book is one of those books that puts you off reading for a little while once you finish it, because actually you just want to keep reading this one forever, and you're kind of disappointed when other books aren't this. Absolutely top notch Fantasy with more brilliant characters - that is definitely a theme for the year.
3HanGerg
Ok, let's do the books for this year!
January
1.Paladin of Souls - Louis McMaster Bujold 5/5
2.The Killing Moon - N. K. Jemisin 3.5/5
3.The Ascendant Stars - Michael Cobley 2.5/5
4.Finna - Nino Cipri 4/5
February
5.Temeraire - Naomi Novik 4.5/5
6.Throne of Jade - Naomi Novik 3.5/5
7.Black Powder War- Naomi Novik 4/5
8.Empire of Ivory - Naomi Novik 4.5/5
9.Victory of Eagles - Naomi Novik 4/5
March
10.Mirror Dance - Lois McMaster Bujold 4/5
11.Memory - Lois McMaster Bujold 4/5
12.Komarr - Lois McMaster Bujold (re-read) 4/5
13.A Civil Campaign - Lois McMaster Bujold (re-read) 5/5
April
14.The Judge Robin Smith - Robin Smith 3/5
15.Storm Front - Jim Butcher 3.5/5
16.The Hallowed Hunt - Lois McMaster Bujold 3.5/5
17.Diplomatic Immunity - Lois McMaster Bujold 4.5/5
18.When Stars are Scattered - Victoria Jamieson and Omar Muhammed 5/5
May
19.The Galaxy, and the Ground Within - Becky Chambers 3/5
20.Defekt - Nino Cipri 4/5
21.Penric's Demon - Lois McMaster Bujold 4/5
And for the first time ever, here are the chapter books I am reading with the little guy. Recommendations welcome!
Leó's Books
1.The Day I started a Mega Robot Invasion - Tom McLaughlin
Nice. Ample chance to do robot voices whilst reading aloud. Humour we both liked.
2.Killer Vending Machines Wrecked My Lunch - Matt Brown
Some good themes of finding your friend tribe but also not shunning people that aren't your tribe. Also, killer vending machines. Bonus points for the electrical engineer mum and small but mighty granny. Fun!
3.Knight Sir Louis - The Brothers McLeod (audiobook)
4.Knight Sir Louis and the Dragon of Doooom! (audiobook) These are both brilliant but seen to only exist as audiobooks made exclusively for Audible. They are hilarious and very well narrated - great fun for long car journeys with kids. They come highly recommended by Leó and I.
5.The Leaky Battery Sets Sail - Gareth Jones Meh. first in the "Steampunk Pirates" series. I spotted it at the library and L liked the look of it. I mean, steampunk pirates! Well, steam powered robot pirates - sounds great, right? But the writer doesn't really deliver a story that lives up to this thrilling concept. Flat characterisation and an underpowered plot. L enjoyed it though, hence...
6.Attack of the Giant Sea Spiders -Gareth Jones
7.Clash of the Rival Robots - Gareth Jones still meh.
8.Kid Normal and the Rogue Heroes - Greg James This was really good. A genuinely scary supervillian (not for younger readers for this reason) and an interesting take on lots of super hero/villain tropes. And pretty funny in places too. We actually raced through the finally 1/3 of the book as I was eager to know the ending!
9.Shadow of the Storm Lord - Dan Hunter Generic and rather violent stories set in ancient Egypt. L choose it so read them I must (there's five in the series - this is actually the last but we read it first because it was the one L choose), but I don't think they're much good.
January
1.Paladin of Souls - Louis McMaster Bujold 5/5
2.The Killing Moon - N. K. Jemisin 3.5/5
3.The Ascendant Stars - Michael Cobley 2.5/5
4.Finna - Nino Cipri 4/5
February
5.Temeraire - Naomi Novik 4.5/5
6.Throne of Jade - Naomi Novik 3.5/5
7.Black Powder War- Naomi Novik 4/5
8.Empire of Ivory - Naomi Novik 4.5/5
9.Victory of Eagles - Naomi Novik 4/5
March
10.Mirror Dance - Lois McMaster Bujold 4/5
11.Memory - Lois McMaster Bujold 4/5
12.Komarr - Lois McMaster Bujold (re-read) 4/5
13.A Civil Campaign - Lois McMaster Bujold (re-read) 5/5
April
14.The Judge Robin Smith - Robin Smith 3/5
15.Storm Front - Jim Butcher 3.5/5
16.The Hallowed Hunt - Lois McMaster Bujold 3.5/5
17.Diplomatic Immunity - Lois McMaster Bujold 4.5/5
18.When Stars are Scattered - Victoria Jamieson and Omar Muhammed 5/5
May
19.The Galaxy, and the Ground Within - Becky Chambers 3/5
20.Defekt - Nino Cipri 4/5
21.Penric's Demon - Lois McMaster Bujold 4/5
And for the first time ever, here are the chapter books I am reading with the little guy. Recommendations welcome!
Leó's Books
1.The Day I started a Mega Robot Invasion - Tom McLaughlin
Nice. Ample chance to do robot voices whilst reading aloud. Humour we both liked.
2.Killer Vending Machines Wrecked My Lunch - Matt Brown
Some good themes of finding your friend tribe but also not shunning people that aren't your tribe. Also, killer vending machines. Bonus points for the electrical engineer mum and small but mighty granny. Fun!
3.Knight Sir Louis - The Brothers McLeod (audiobook)
4.Knight Sir Louis and the Dragon of Doooom! (audiobook) These are both brilliant but seen to only exist as audiobooks made exclusively for Audible. They are hilarious and very well narrated - great fun for long car journeys with kids. They come highly recommended by Leó and I.
5.The Leaky Battery Sets Sail - Gareth Jones Meh. first in the "Steampunk Pirates" series. I spotted it at the library and L liked the look of it. I mean, steampunk pirates! Well, steam powered robot pirates - sounds great, right? But the writer doesn't really deliver a story that lives up to this thrilling concept. Flat characterisation and an underpowered plot. L enjoyed it though, hence...
6.Attack of the Giant Sea Spiders -Gareth Jones
7.Clash of the Rival Robots - Gareth Jones still meh.
8.Kid Normal and the Rogue Heroes - Greg James This was really good. A genuinely scary supervillian (not for younger readers for this reason) and an interesting take on lots of super hero/villain tropes. And pretty funny in places too. We actually raced through the finally 1/3 of the book as I was eager to know the ending!
9.Shadow of the Storm Lord - Dan Hunter Generic and rather violent stories set in ancient Egypt. L choose it so read them I must (there's five in the series - this is actually the last but we read it first because it was the one L choose), but I don't think they're much good.
4PaulCranswick
This group always helps me to read; welcome back, Hannah. x
6FAMeulstee
Happy reading in 2022, Hannah!
8thornton37814
Happy 2022 reading!
10HanGerg
Ah, thanks everyone for stopping by! I'm slowly populating this thread with stuff and getting going in 2022! I will be back with more stuff soon - in the meantime I hope all your new year's are off to a great start!
11HanGerg
Hi again lovely visitors! I will reply soon, right now I'm just populating my thread with content, so please bare with me! There's now stuff in all the boxes up top, and here's my first book reviews of the year, before I get all hopelessly behind like I always do!
1.
Paladin of Souls - Louis McMaster Bujold 5/5
More absolutely superlative Fantasy. As good as its predecessor, and maybe...is it?...yes, perhaps....maybe even a little better. I don't know. I'll read them both a half dozen more times and then decide. Just brilliant. I love Bujold in SF mode, but on this evidence, I love the Fantasy even more! That seems to be the way my preferences are heading lately, and if I can find more Fantasy like this, long may it continue!
2.
The Killing Moon - N. K. Jemisin 3.5/5
I can see why people love Jemisin, but I feel largely immune to her charm. I read The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms (a book with one of the most offputtingly silly sex scenes of all time in), and now this, and I'm just not a full convert yet. This book has an interesting setting - based on ancient Egypt, and an intriguing system of theology-as-magic (is that what so-called "High Fantasy" is?). However, having just read a Fantasy novel with a theological system that feels incredibly vivid and well put together, this one feels underdeveloped and poorly explained by comparison. And the main characters offered very few people to root for. It's original and the world is interesting so I might continue with the series, but with no anticipation of a fun time.
3.
The Ascendant Stars - Michael Cobley 2.5/5
Eugh. This was the concluding part of a three book trilogy, each part being over 500 pages, and it really wasn't worth the effort. The LT reviews should have warned me, but I read the first part and quite enjoyed it. A slightly over busy plot about lots of alien civilisations converging on a planet that humans have settled and live on harmoniously with the native species, but which harbours a long buried secret that could decide the fate of the galaxy! Etc etc. Told from multiple character viewpoints and with a bit of a cloth ear for dialogue. Still, there were some nice ideas, and a style of SF universe you don't seem to see that often in Space Opera - one that felt chaotic and full of realistically ruthless and self-serving groups of aliens just grabbing what they want opportunistically, and to hell with everyone else. But. Then the plot got more complicated in part two. The huge chunks of over complicated descriptions got bigger. The list of characters spiralled out of control. But I liked the first part, so I kept going. Cue part three. Now the levels of complications have reached almost ludicrous proportions. There are plots within plots within plots, and hardly any of them make any sense at all. By the end there are two galaxy threatening events happening simultaneously. Characters keep disappearing and some never return. One of the best ones gets killed off pointlessly right on the last page, just to show that the good guys took some hits, which always enrages me. I mean, this was a galaxy spanning mess. I have no idea how this got published without an editor stepping in and taking a much firmer hand with this author. And actually it's a shame that they didn't, because somewhere in this tangle, is about three or four semi-decent series of Space Opera. Sort of a fun mess, but not fun enough that you should think about reading it.
4.
Finna -Nino Cipri 4/5
I picked this up as a few other LTers had recommended it, but I didn't realise just how short it was. I read it in super quick time and was left wanting more, so immediately got part two. I was slightly disappointed to see it didn't carry on the story arc of the main characters from book 1, but I like the idea of lots of stories all based around this thinly-veiled Ikea hellscape. I can't decide if this was too short, or if the bright and breezy tone of the plot would have been lost if it had been more fleshed out. I certainly enjoyed it for what it was, whilst at the same time feeling like the writer could handle giving me something more weighty to chew over.I think this might be my first book with a non-binary character who is referred to as "they". That part of it was interesting, but left me with more questions than it answered. Perhaps there's more to come on that score in part two, which I am sure I'll be getting to shortly.
1.
Paladin of Souls - Louis McMaster Bujold 5/5
More absolutely superlative Fantasy. As good as its predecessor, and maybe...is it?...yes, perhaps....maybe even a little better. I don't know. I'll read them both a half dozen more times and then decide. Just brilliant. I love Bujold in SF mode, but on this evidence, I love the Fantasy even more! That seems to be the way my preferences are heading lately, and if I can find more Fantasy like this, long may it continue!
2.
The Killing Moon - N. K. Jemisin 3.5/5
I can see why people love Jemisin, but I feel largely immune to her charm. I read The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms (a book with one of the most offputtingly silly sex scenes of all time in), and now this, and I'm just not a full convert yet. This book has an interesting setting - based on ancient Egypt, and an intriguing system of theology-as-magic (is that what so-called "High Fantasy" is?). However, having just read a Fantasy novel with a theological system that feels incredibly vivid and well put together, this one feels underdeveloped and poorly explained by comparison. And the main characters offered very few people to root for. It's original and the world is interesting so I might continue with the series, but with no anticipation of a fun time.
3.
The Ascendant Stars - Michael Cobley 2.5/5
Eugh. This was the concluding part of a three book trilogy, each part being over 500 pages, and it really wasn't worth the effort. The LT reviews should have warned me, but I read the first part and quite enjoyed it. A slightly over busy plot about lots of alien civilisations converging on a planet that humans have settled and live on harmoniously with the native species, but which harbours a long buried secret that could decide the fate of the galaxy! Etc etc. Told from multiple character viewpoints and with a bit of a cloth ear for dialogue. Still, there were some nice ideas, and a style of SF universe you don't seem to see that often in Space Opera - one that felt chaotic and full of realistically ruthless and self-serving groups of aliens just grabbing what they want opportunistically, and to hell with everyone else. But. Then the plot got more complicated in part two. The huge chunks of over complicated descriptions got bigger. The list of characters spiralled out of control. But I liked the first part, so I kept going. Cue part three. Now the levels of complications have reached almost ludicrous proportions. There are plots within plots within plots, and hardly any of them make any sense at all. By the end there are two galaxy threatening events happening simultaneously. Characters keep disappearing and some never return. One of the best ones gets killed off pointlessly right on the last page, just to show that the good guys took some hits, which always enrages me. I mean, this was a galaxy spanning mess. I have no idea how this got published without an editor stepping in and taking a much firmer hand with this author. And actually it's a shame that they didn't, because somewhere in this tangle, is about three or four semi-decent series of Space Opera. Sort of a fun mess, but not fun enough that you should think about reading it.
4.
Finna -Nino Cipri 4/5
I picked this up as a few other LTers had recommended it, but I didn't realise just how short it was. I read it in super quick time and was left wanting more, so immediately got part two. I was slightly disappointed to see it didn't carry on the story arc of the main characters from book 1, but I like the idea of lots of stories all based around this thinly-veiled Ikea hellscape. I can't decide if this was too short, or if the bright and breezy tone of the plot would have been lost if it had been more fleshed out. I certainly enjoyed it for what it was, whilst at the same time feeling like the writer could handle giving me something more weighty to chew over.I think this might be my first book with a non-binary character who is referred to as "they". That part of it was interesting, but left me with more questions than it answered. Perhaps there's more to come on that score in part two, which I am sure I'll be getting to shortly.
12kgodey
>11 HanGerg: Hi Hannah! I recently did a read-through of all of the World of the Five Gods books (mostly a re-read, except for the newest Penric books). Paladin of Souls is probably my favorite, although it's difficult to pick one. I'm glad there are so many books set in that world now.
I'm thinking about doing a re-read of Bujold's other fantasy series (The Sharing Knife soon), or maybe The Spirit Ring. She's pretty great.
I'm thinking about doing a re-read of Bujold's other fantasy series (The Sharing Knife soon), or maybe The Spirit Ring. She's pretty great.
13quondame
>11 HanGerg: I do love Paladin of Souls, not quite as much as Curse of Chalion but almost. There isn't anything of Bujold's that I dislike, but I sure have my favorites, including those two and Memory.
15SandDune
>11 HanGerg: Totally agree with you about Paladin of Souls although I think The Curse of Chalion remains my favourite. And also in agreement about N. K. Jemisin - she's good, but is she really that good? I'm not convinced.
16sibylline
I thought The Broken Earth series was infinitely better than *The Hundred Thousand etc.*. (Although that did have moments, and images remain in my head, a good sign.) Had a giggle about the sex scene, yep, it was ridiculous. I'd forgotten all about that but it came back instantly.
17PaulCranswick
Wishing you a splendid weekend, Hannah.
18PaulCranswick
Awfully quiet in Lincoln's fair city these days?!
Hope you are doing fine, Hannah.
Hope you are doing fine, Hannah.
19HanGerg
>18 PaulCranswick: Hi Paul! Yes, it is rather quiet round these parts! I'm six months into my new job and it's taking up lots of time and energy - I'm still just learning how to re-balance my work/life balance. I'm still finding plenty of time for reading, happily, just not much to come and tell the good folks of LT about it. I hope you are all well.
We are good. I'm still enjoying the no-longer-new-job, although the stresses and strains of it become more apparent now, and I seem to have very little time left over for my art, which pains me somewhat. But generally I have the sense of finally figuring out, to some extent, what all my experience that I have been gathering from doing all sorts of different jobs around education, young people, caring, mentoring, child development etc, was for. So that's good. It's just slotting in all the other bits of the "life puzzle" around it that might take a little figuring out. But generally, we are doing well. L is becoming such a spirited young person of great charm - I would say so of course, but it seems that many agree! He seems to have weathered the storms of Covid and lockdowns and isolations etc remarkably well - if anything it strengthened his bond with us just as usually they would be drawing away, and it also developed him socially as now he has become very adept at making friends quickly at the park etc, as that was often the only place he would see other kids at times! And he cherishes his friendships so very much now. So he is developing very nicely, I think - hopefully not complacently. The husband has been through some rough storms at work, but we are hoping a new boss - the third in five years, may finally be the one that has the competency and decency to steady the ship. He is just wrestling with a bout of Covid, that myself and the little guy escaped - the mirror reverse of last November when we two got it and he didn't. He's been OK - just tiring very easily. Remembering how it was for me, I keep urging him to take it slowly and not get too impatient if it takes longer than he expects to feel better. He retired to bed with a book at 8pm - I finally persuaded him to try the Bujold "World of the Five Gods" series, and he is predictably loving it. Prior to that I got him hooked on the Vorkosigan series - we have been trading books in that series as he actually went off and bought a few that I hadn't got round to yet! We are both nearing the end of the books with Miles in now, but still have to go back to the start with the books about Aral and Cordelia, plus I just noticed that Falling Free is free as an audiobook with my Audible subscription, so I've just bagged that one too! My most recent read was a moving non-fiction graphic novel, When Stars Are Scattered - an account of growing up in the Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya. I picked it up with a view of reading it to L, but just wanted to check it was suitable before reading it with him. There are some tough moments but it's ultimately a hopeful and uplifting story, so I have now started reading it to him. It is sure to spark some important conversations. I've just ordered City of Thorns, an adult aimed prose work with very similar subject matter, and a slightly more jaded view of the affair.
Refugees are much on the mind at the moment with the terrible war in Ukraine. We have a near neighbour with a son in L's class who is Ukrainian - they have spent the Easter holidays in Poland with her parents who had fled there whilst waiting for their English visa applications to be processed. I hope they have now returned with them in tow. Her mother had come to England every year for a month or so to see the grandchildren, so she cannot understand why the delay - the Home Office should have a paper trail proving her claim is legitimate. It is really shameful by our government . But then this is the government seriously talking about sending asylum applicants to Rwanda to have their applications processed. I feel like we are living the plot of some kind of bitter political satire, except it feels too far fetched even for that.
We have just returned from a trip to Budapest, which was a really important one for our family, as L and I hadn't been for almost three years. I do consider BP a second home, and I have missed it a lot. It was terrific to be back. L also loved seeing his cousins and all the other family he has been missing through these difficult times. Covid rates are very low in BP and very few people now wear masks. I had remained wearing mine in the UK, as rates are still high there, and I want to protect the vulnerable and stand in solidarity with them. But in BP we kind of abandoned that and went maskless everywhere, with no ill effects until we had a brief meeting with the husband's father's girlfriend - a tricky character with an uneasy relationship with us. During the whole trip she saw us in total for about twenty minutes the day before we were due to leave - on the day we were to fly home she announced she had tested positive. We flew back double masked and L and I escaped, but G was laid low. On the flight were more refugees from Ukraine - I noticed several of their distinctive passports. One family approached the passport control at the same time as us - I heard the woman tell the officer she lived in the UK but had travelled back to pick up her family - her sister I would guess, with two kids. We left them having their documents checked and went to baggage reclaim - I watched the escalator for ages for them to come down and got quite agitated, but after a further twenty minutes they eventually appeared. That's three Ukrainians at least who have found sanctuary here.
Stay well everyone.
We are good. I'm still enjoying the no-longer-new-job, although the stresses and strains of it become more apparent now, and I seem to have very little time left over for my art, which pains me somewhat. But generally I have the sense of finally figuring out, to some extent, what all my experience that I have been gathering from doing all sorts of different jobs around education, young people, caring, mentoring, child development etc, was for. So that's good. It's just slotting in all the other bits of the "life puzzle" around it that might take a little figuring out. But generally, we are doing well. L is becoming such a spirited young person of great charm - I would say so of course, but it seems that many agree! He seems to have weathered the storms of Covid and lockdowns and isolations etc remarkably well - if anything it strengthened his bond with us just as usually they would be drawing away, and it also developed him socially as now he has become very adept at making friends quickly at the park etc, as that was often the only place he would see other kids at times! And he cherishes his friendships so very much now. So he is developing very nicely, I think - hopefully not complacently. The husband has been through some rough storms at work, but we are hoping a new boss - the third in five years, may finally be the one that has the competency and decency to steady the ship. He is just wrestling with a bout of Covid, that myself and the little guy escaped - the mirror reverse of last November when we two got it and he didn't. He's been OK - just tiring very easily. Remembering how it was for me, I keep urging him to take it slowly and not get too impatient if it takes longer than he expects to feel better. He retired to bed with a book at 8pm - I finally persuaded him to try the Bujold "World of the Five Gods" series, and he is predictably loving it. Prior to that I got him hooked on the Vorkosigan series - we have been trading books in that series as he actually went off and bought a few that I hadn't got round to yet! We are both nearing the end of the books with Miles in now, but still have to go back to the start with the books about Aral and Cordelia, plus I just noticed that Falling Free is free as an audiobook with my Audible subscription, so I've just bagged that one too! My most recent read was a moving non-fiction graphic novel, When Stars Are Scattered - an account of growing up in the Dadaab refugee camp in Kenya. I picked it up with a view of reading it to L, but just wanted to check it was suitable before reading it with him. There are some tough moments but it's ultimately a hopeful and uplifting story, so I have now started reading it to him. It is sure to spark some important conversations. I've just ordered City of Thorns, an adult aimed prose work with very similar subject matter, and a slightly more jaded view of the affair.
Refugees are much on the mind at the moment with the terrible war in Ukraine. We have a near neighbour with a son in L's class who is Ukrainian - they have spent the Easter holidays in Poland with her parents who had fled there whilst waiting for their English visa applications to be processed. I hope they have now returned with them in tow. Her mother had come to England every year for a month or so to see the grandchildren, so she cannot understand why the delay - the Home Office should have a paper trail proving her claim is legitimate. It is really shameful by our government . But then this is the government seriously talking about sending asylum applicants to Rwanda to have their applications processed. I feel like we are living the plot of some kind of bitter political satire, except it feels too far fetched even for that.
We have just returned from a trip to Budapest, which was a really important one for our family, as L and I hadn't been for almost three years. I do consider BP a second home, and I have missed it a lot. It was terrific to be back. L also loved seeing his cousins and all the other family he has been missing through these difficult times. Covid rates are very low in BP and very few people now wear masks. I had remained wearing mine in the UK, as rates are still high there, and I want to protect the vulnerable and stand in solidarity with them. But in BP we kind of abandoned that and went maskless everywhere, with no ill effects until we had a brief meeting with the husband's father's girlfriend - a tricky character with an uneasy relationship with us. During the whole trip she saw us in total for about twenty minutes the day before we were due to leave - on the day we were to fly home she announced she had tested positive. We flew back double masked and L and I escaped, but G was laid low. On the flight were more refugees from Ukraine - I noticed several of their distinctive passports. One family approached the passport control at the same time as us - I heard the woman tell the officer she lived in the UK but had travelled back to pick up her family - her sister I would guess, with two kids. We left them having their documents checked and went to baggage reclaim - I watched the escalator for ages for them to come down and got quite agitated, but after a further twenty minutes they eventually appeared. That's three Ukrainians at least who have found sanctuary here.
Stay well everyone.
20HanGerg
Ukrainian neighbour update. My husband saw the family - plus newly arrived parents, on the school run today. He gave them a big warm smile of welcome.
Ok, reviews.
5.Temeraire - Naomi Novik 4.5/5
6.Throne of Jade - Naomi Novik 3.5/5
7.Black Powder War- Naomi Novik 4/5
8.Empire of Ivory - Naomi Novik 4.5/5
9.Victory of Eagle - Naomi Novik 4/5
I'd been eyeing up this series for a while, and was having a bookish chat with my SF/Fantasy loving pal who is also a historian - she said the history was surprisingly accurate, and somehow that was the push I needed to start them. They are very good and I enjoyed them, although all the back and forth to different nations was kind of annoying - I was most interested in the Europe based battles with Napoleon's army. As another lengthy sojourn abroad seemed to be in the offing at the end of book five, I decided to pause there for now. It also really annoyed me how ignorant the rest of the military is about the dragon squadrons and their riders. I know that they are secretive because of - gasp!- the women officers, but the dismissive way they are treated when they are really the heart and soul of most military operations, struck me as an annoying plot device too far, much as the arrogance and snobbishness did ring true. The emerging figure of Wellington was quite intriguing, but again, the next book plans to take us far from that action for a good long while, annoyingly. I adore the characters of most of the dragons, who seem imminently sensible to me, and the magnificent Admiral Jane Roland, making the pompous male commanders splutter into their moustaches, but our main male protagonist is a bit more insipid. Still, a really smart and exciting series and I'm sure I'll be back to finish it off fairly soon.
Ok, reviews.
5.Temeraire - Naomi Novik 4.5/5
6.Throne of Jade - Naomi Novik 3.5/5
7.Black Powder War- Naomi Novik 4/5
8.Empire of Ivory - Naomi Novik 4.5/5
9.Victory of Eagle - Naomi Novik 4/5
I'd been eyeing up this series for a while, and was having a bookish chat with my SF/Fantasy loving pal who is also a historian - she said the history was surprisingly accurate, and somehow that was the push I needed to start them. They are very good and I enjoyed them, although all the back and forth to different nations was kind of annoying - I was most interested in the Europe based battles with Napoleon's army. As another lengthy sojourn abroad seemed to be in the offing at the end of book five, I decided to pause there for now. It also really annoyed me how ignorant the rest of the military is about the dragon squadrons and their riders. I know that they are secretive because of - gasp!- the women officers, but the dismissive way they are treated when they are really the heart and soul of most military operations, struck me as an annoying plot device too far, much as the arrogance and snobbishness did ring true. The emerging figure of Wellington was quite intriguing, but again, the next book plans to take us far from that action for a good long while, annoyingly. I adore the characters of most of the dragons, who seem imminently sensible to me, and the magnificent Admiral Jane Roland, making the pompous male commanders splutter into their moustaches, but our main male protagonist is a bit more insipid. Still, a really smart and exciting series and I'm sure I'll be back to finish it off fairly soon.
21quondame
>20 HanGerg: I found a couple of the books following The Victory of Eagles suffered due to Will Lawrence having no interests in his life beyond Temeraire and his career. Temeraire has mathematics at least. The final two pick up though, so there's that.
22PaulCranswick
>19 HanGerg: Thank you for the detailed update, Hannah and I must say that >20 HanGerg: quickly put my worries about the Ukrainian family to rest!
I have made a conscious effort over the last couple of months to reduce my political discourse across the threads, as many of us were getting frazzled and tetchy, but I do need to say that the UK government and its leadership in particular are a pretty contemptible bunch. How on earth BJ can think that it is ok for him to stay in office having been fined by the police for disregarding the lockdown rules he set in place and which so many sacrificed so much to observe? Whether you agreed with the rules or not people followed the law and the fact that he did not makes his position as PM untenable in my humble opinion.
The war in Ukraine is clearly leading to many displaced and desperate people and families and we should extend the arms of comfort to them as much as possible - sending them away to be processed (irrespective of where and Rwanda is outrageous to people already at their wits end) is inhumane.
I have made a conscious effort over the last couple of months to reduce my political discourse across the threads, as many of us were getting frazzled and tetchy, but I do need to say that the UK government and its leadership in particular are a pretty contemptible bunch. How on earth BJ can think that it is ok for him to stay in office having been fined by the police for disregarding the lockdown rules he set in place and which so many sacrificed so much to observe? Whether you agreed with the rules or not people followed the law and the fact that he did not makes his position as PM untenable in my humble opinion.
The war in Ukraine is clearly leading to many displaced and desperate people and families and we should extend the arms of comfort to them as much as possible - sending them away to be processed (irrespective of where and Rwanda is outrageous to people already at their wits end) is inhumane.
23sibylline
Will does like Jane Roland, at least. He is a bit of a stick, but I think what heart he has he lost to Temeraire totally. I didn't mind that.
I had a dream that BJ got a no-confidence vote for having done something ridiculous (but not entirely ridiculous) like cheat on parking fees or something, but alas.
I had a dream that BJ got a no-confidence vote for having done something ridiculous (but not entirely ridiculous) like cheat on parking fees or something, but alas.
24quondame
>23 sibylline: At that point in the series Jane had pretty much told Will he had been an idiot to do what he did directly when it might well have been handled covertly.
25PaulCranswick
Hope all is well, Hannah. Missing your updates on the threads.
27HanGerg
Hi everyone! I'm so busy, but well! Missing our bookish chats but just juggling so much these days. Still doing lots of reading, just not documenting it very well! Saw a gorgeous, golden- sleeved copy of The Golden Enclaves in hardback (apparently it's exclusive the Waterstones but I don't know what makes it so - maybe the eyes on the page edges, or the goldenness - not sure. It's a handsome devil, there's no denying) I don't normally buy hardbacks but this one looked so good, but more importantly contains the continuation of a story I couldn't wait to carry on with, so I snatched it up, and that's my current read. On the back burner, I'm finally getting around to Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep after avoiding it for years because I just love the movie so much. Also, some books for work, the seminal The Body Keeps Score, which is fascinating, but a hard read due to some emotionally gruelling content, and Scattered Minds: The Origins and Healing of Attention Deficit Disorder, which I got as I work with lots of kids and adults with ADHD in their makeup, so I thought I was buying it for them, but reading it has struck me with the realisation that I may be on the spectrum a little myself - alway flitting here and there, starting way more projects than I ever finish, always running late and being wildly over-optimistic of how much time I have to complete tasks...yeah, there's a lot of parallels here. I'm at the milder end if I do indeed have it, but it has taught me to lay off the negative self talk a bit, as I realise that many of my personality traits are fixed things, not things I should be harsh with myself about. I haven't got to the bit where Maté deals with how you can "cure" ADHD to some extent - maybe that will be useful too. I hope you are all well friends - I will aim to be here more often as the nights draw in.
