July Books Read

Well, I certainly read more books than I bought in July, which is a good thing. I was a little burned out on YA/J-Fic, intending on reading only one title for the month, but ended up reading three. Go figure.

Anyway, here are the books I read in July:
















Darkside (YA 2007) - Tom Becker
A few thoughts about this one here.

















Angels Flight (1999) - Michael Connelly
A word or two here.
















Uglies (YA 2005) - Scott Westerfeld

The concept has been done plenty: Everyone gets "the operation" when they turn sixteen. You know, the operation that makes everyone beautiful. The problem is, Tally, days before her 16th birthday, meets a radical young girl named Shay, who decided a long time ago that she doesn't want to be pretty. Again, you probably think you've seen this all before, but Westerfeld is a very good storyteller and knows when to back off, knows when the science is necessary and when it might get in the way. I enjoyed his Midnighters series, but Uglies is on a higher tier. Concepts of image, social structure and more, all without getting preachy. I definitely plan to read the other books in the series.

















Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business (NF 1985) - Neil Postman

Just How Stupid Are We?: Facing the Truth about the American Voter (NF 2008) - Rick Shenkman


Thoughts on both books here.


















The Last Apprentice: Wrath of the Bloodeye (J-Fic 2008) - Joseph Delaney

Readers of the previous Last Apprentice books will know the basics: Tom Ward continues his apprenticeship to the Spook, a master foe of witches and other evil beings who practice the dark arts. As Wrath of the Bloodeye opens, the wicked Fiend is at large terrorizing the county by any and all means, including war. After Tom has a close call with a press-gang looking to kidnap potential soldiers, the Spook sends him to train with another spook, former apprentice Bill Arkwright. Although Arkwright's methods are extremely intense and demanding, the Spook feels Tom will be relatively safe from the Fiend. Of course, that's when the trouble really starts.

Fans of the series will no doubt enjoy this volume. Like the previous books, Wrath of the Bloodeye is scary, exciting and non-stop. Delaney generally does a good job of creating creepy atmospheres and settings while moving the reader along at a brisk pace. Those familiar with the series expecting scenes of grisly and sometimes gross-out horror will not be disappointed. What was disappointing to me, at least in this volume, is a lack of focus. The plot and changes in setting seem to meander and wander, especially in the last half of the book. As a narrator, Tom often seems to be capable of a whole litany of extended thoughts and ruminations during the middle of nail-biting action scenes. I won't give away any important details, but some of the confrontations were a bit disappointing.

Kids ask for these books all the time at all the branches I've worked. The books are marketed to ages 10 and up (or grade 5 and up), although they may be too intense for some young readers. Anyone who enjoys the first book will probably enjoy them all, although Wrath of the Bloodeye is not the strongest entry in the series.

















Eternity and Other Stories (2005) - Lucius Shepard

If you enjoy good writing and haven't yet encountered Lucius Shepard, I encourage you to pick up any of his novels or collections (like this one) and lose yourself for a few hours. Shepard's stories usually contain some speculative element and he sometimes gets thrown into the "magic realism" camp, whatever that means, but readers should enjoy these tales for what they are: superb writing.















Salt River (2007) - James Sallis

I'd previously never read any work by Sallis, but had heard his name tossed around for years. This may not be the best place to start reading Sallis, but I enjoyed this short, reflective mystery and plan to read him again.













Five Minds for the Future (NF 2007) - Howard Gardner

Psychologist and Harvard professor Gardner has some excellent thoughts about the types of minds and thinking that will be necessary for people who want to make a difference in the 21st Century, especially in the area of using synthesis as a means of discovery. Maybe I came away with an incorrect interpretation of what Gardner actually says in some parts, but it seems he holds a somewhat naive view that with enough education, respect for others (and ourselves) is a readily attainable worldwide goal. A thought-provoking book.
















Longitudes & Attitudes: Exploring the World after September 11 (NF 2002) - Thomas L. Friedman

I don't always agree with Friedman, but he's always interesting. I believe all of these essays appeared in The New York Times during the year-eighteen-month period after September 11. I'd like to read a follow-up book of his essays now, seven years later to see if his opinions have changed.

That's it for July. Go read something!