Greetings, from Hiatus City!  I realize I should have posted, like, three reviews or so in the time since my last post.  Unfortunately, I’ve been so wrapped up in moving and unpacking, I haven’t gotten any reading done in a couple weeks!  Because I love my readers, and don’t want them to see the same old post every time they visit, here’s a bonus:  Some old books that I’ve adored, and that I hope you will, too.

The Pendragon Chronicles by Mike Ashley

This first book is an anthology of short stories about King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table.  This was the first Arthurian literature I got my hands on after The Mists of Avalon, and it really cemented my obsession with Arthurian lore.  With stories from authors like John Steinbeck and Vera Chapman, you get perspectives and fresh takes on so many of the characters.  Additionally, the book includes a glossary of characters (variations on names, and a who’s-who), and an index of Arthurian novels from the past century.  Whatever your favorite genre, you’ll probably find something you like in this book.  Romance, history, fantasy, action.  The Pendragon Chronicles is definitely one of the treasures of my library.

Slapstick by Kurt Vonnegut

My very first Vonnegut book, Slapstick really made me fall in love with ol’ Kurt as an author.  It is narrated by Wilbur Daffodil-11 Swain, a giant born, along with his twin sister, into a wealthy family.  A genius, Wilbur eventually becomes president of the crumbling United States of America, on the “Lonely No More!” platform, which gives each citizen an extended family through the use of randomly-generated middle names.  Meanwhile, the US is breaking into rogue kingdoms, and the Chinese are taking over the world (and Mars) with their increasingly miniscule citizens.  Slapstick is engaging, imaginative, and hilarious.  If you don’t love this book, then you, sir, are made of stone.

Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank

Set in central Florida during the Cold War, Alas, Babylon is a what-if scenario of nuclear war between the United States and the Soviet Union.  The protagonist, Randy Bragg, is tipped off by his Air Force Colonel brother about the impending nuclear attack, and hardly has time to say “The Commies are coming!” before most of the country is blasted back into the Stone Age.  Alas, Babylon focuses on a small community as it attempts to piece back together some semblance of civilization.  Poignant, moving, and chilling when taken in context with current events, this is definitely a novel that will stick with you long after you’ve finished the last page.  It might also make you start a stockpile of canned goods and toilet paper.

Spook:  Science Tackles the Afterlife by Mary Roach

The second book by my favorite investigative journalist, Spook is a very worthwhile (and humourous) look into a multitude of theories about the afterlife, spirits, and hauntings.  Mary Roach covers everything from reincarnation to the Spiritualism movement of the Victorian era, as well as the people who have done some of their own scientific investigating (like the guy who put dying tuberculosis patients on a scale to see if the soul leaving the body would cause a drop in weight).  What I love most about Spook is that it presents evidence for each case, and then leaves you to make your own decisions.  In any case, whether you’re an atheist, devoutly religious, or just unsure, you’ll find Spook to be immensely informative and engaging.

I also want to take a quick second to thank my friends and readers for all the encouragement and kind words they’ve given me.  I really enjoy doing this blog, and it overjoys me to know that others enjoy it, too.

‘Til next time!