Three years' pause

I have read a lot of books over the past three years, but most of them were for school so you wouldn't be interested in book reports on them. Well, you might if you need something to help put you to sleep at night.

There are a few non-academic books that stand out over that time that I feel compelled to share:

Atta, by Francis Rufus Bellamy

When I started reading this book I said to myself, "You know you're going to hate this." I mean, it was written in 1974 so how good can it be? Boy, was I wrong. My all-time favorite writer is Steinbeck, and his books are all #1 on my list (even the not-so-great ones), but Atta is #2 on my list of all-time favorite reads. That's a pretty high honor. Amazon's book review starts with, "A microscopic man fights for survival in a world of ants..." which, again, makes it sound like it will be the most boring thing you could ever read in your life. I could not put it down, and when I finished it, I read it again about three more times. Yes, I liked it that much.

The Annunciate (1999), by Severna Park

This book was a sleeper. I read it and then thought, "That was cool," then promptly gave it to someone else to read and then I forgot who I gave it to and then had to buy it again because I couldn't stop thinking about it. Amazon's review starts with, "In the star system ThreeSys, three members of the elite human "Meshed" caste have used their great gifts for evil purposes -- enslaving the lower orders in the addictive dreams of a powerful narcotic." The author manages to paint such a picture with her words that it's easy to imagine everything as the story progresses. It tells of creatures I've never seen; places I've never been; and yet the problems of humanity do not change. I found it completely mesmerizing. Don't be like me and give it away to someone when you're done; keep it, you will want it again for later.

The Elder Gods, by David & Leigh Eddings

This one was written in 2003, so it's the most recent book I've read (that I've liked). I've started this one a few times and then had to put it down for one reason or another, and then I pick it up again and start over. I find it completely fascinating and intoxicating to read about the intermingling of the gods and mortals. Plus, I long to be a god so I can sleep for a thousand years. Amazon's review starts with, "Somewhere beyond the farthest pole of the world, the land of Dhrall lies anchored by the will of four powerful Gods. Able to bend reality to their whims and influence the lives of mortal men, these deities are still bound by the laws of nature and cannot take lives." This review does not do it justice, so you'll just have to read it for yourself. Amazon's readers gave it a rather bad rating, but they're obviously all stupid.

Now, all that being said, I have quite a few books on my reading list. Some I already have waiting on my nightstand, and some are simply on a list in my head. Someday I hope to read them, or at least most of them.

Spillover, by David Quammen
Anything virus-related, I'm in.

Plutocrats, by Chrystia Freeland

It was showcased on The Colbert Report, so it must be good.

Ironskin, by Tina Connolly

This was written by a friend of a friend, so of course I must read it.

There are many others I want to read, but I'm tired of messing with Blogger to put up the pictures.

I promise my next check-in won't make you wait another three years. Hopefully.