Kindle (not a book)

Through signing up for a bar exam preparatory course I wound up with a Kindle. I had no plans to purchase one, but it was free. So, as this is a blog about books I read I figured I'd write a little bit about medium.

First, I like having a book in my hands. Some bindings are not great and you have to wrestle with them, but most of the time I like the substantial feeling. That said, they can get bulky when you have a lot of them (books that is). This is especially true when you have a preference for hardcover books. I prefer hardcover because they seem to last longer.

Second, I like to be able to loan out and borrow books. While the wizards at Amazon and so on are working at making that more of the Kindle experience (I think), I think it is overly complex with copyright laws and profit motives and I much prefer just handing someone a book. Also, borrowing books from friends and returning books to friends is a fun excuse for a social visit and generally provides good discussion. This is lost when it is just done by a click.

Third, I like building a library and I like having bookshelves full of books. Digital books are not the same.

As to the Kindle...

It is quite readable and pretty similar to paper. I do not like that the screen saver is an advertisement, but I've also been too lazy to change that.

I enjoy access to free books on the Kindle, particularly ones I am considering buying in hardcover and can read first.

It is small and light and comfortable to hold. It's not a book, but it's not horrible. And so far I've dropped it once and it seems undamaged.

In terms of interface, the menus are okay. Having the basic (non-touch) version I am unimpressed by the keyboard and searching.

What I would really like is for books that I purchase on Amazon to come with something like a $1 option where any book I buy a physical copy of can also come with a digital copy for the Kindle. Kind of like DVDs and Blu-rays come with now. I could have a copy for my shelf and an easy to carry copy in the Kindle. So yeah, that would be absolutely wonderful!


Off topic, kind of...
From here on I will designate if I read the book on my Kindle or not. If friends read this and would like to borrow a book, so long as you do not abuse them, you are welcome to do so. As for the ones that are on the Kindle, I cannot loan those out, though some I will likely acquire in hardcover.

Anthem

“Anthem” is a novella by Ayn Rand.

It is a dystopian book in a future where the last great invention was the candle. This is after some hinted at, but not discussed, apocalyptic war.

The most striking part of the book is perhaps the use of the pronouns “we” and “our” when spoken by individual characters. There is no “I” and there is no sense of ownership outside the collective. The book involves the main character’s discovery of “I” and the individual “ego” and self-realization.

The story did not really speak to me. It spoke to the dangers of an all-encompassing collectivism devoid of individual thought. The status quo is maintained because consensus on change is difficult, and so therefore advancement is not made for all.

Rand also focuses on the collective work, which is simple and manual. She also focuses on the inventive nature of her individual hero. I wonder what Ayn Rand would write about a future in which humanity essentially no longer needs to do manual labor because we have done so well with robots and automation such that skilled or unskilled labor is no longer needed.

Also, two things strike me in this book. One is how subservient the love interest, The Golden One, is to the main character. For an independent woman in a world of people bowing themselves to the collective, to me, it appears that The Golden One trades a collective master for an individual one. The book is written as a journal from the main character’s point of view. The main character, self-named Prometheus, writes about The Golden One, of her beauty, innocence, and seeming independence. Any time Prometheus quotes The Golden One it essentially includes her bowing to or consenting to his will. It just does not fit.

Secondly, the start of the book discusses Prometheus’ childhood. Names were word and number designations. He asked too many questions as a child. Another child drew art while not authorized or permitted to do so. It is indicated that due to these outlying / misbehaviors these two were made to be street sweepers for their professions. The way it is phrased and discussed by Prometheus makes it sound like there was a conspiracy to keep the independent thinkers low and subdue them. This contrasts later with the utter incompetence and group think / collective submission of the council in power. Essentially, there appears to be no independent thought in society as a whole, and without any independent thought or distinctions made anywhere then it makes no sense to persecute the more independent thought. To me it seems like you need some sort of independent body to prejudice or persecute someone, while society could be set up to oppress any independent thought, basically but not rewarding it and indoctrinating through collectivism and only existing for your fellows (which is what happens in this world) it does not then make sense that such a society would target certain individuals. Essentially, it seemed like there was a complete lack of competence in the presented society, so much so that there was no competence or ability to persecute any individual. Again, it did not fit.

As for a suggested reading, I’d say the novella is probably forgettable.

(Read on Kindle.)

Hiatus (not a book)

It likely will be a while before I get to post up another book review.

Law school has started up again and my free time for reading has plummeted. Granted, I probably read more a week (in sheer volume) than I was this summer. But for the most part it is much duller stuff.

In the mean time, I am augmenting my book collection, including some titles I'd previously read (not mentioned for the most part) and will re-read and post about. For the time being, this blog is likely to go rather dead.

Gift from the Sea

“Gift from the Sea” is a short book that was given to me to read by my great aunt.

There are two main points that spoke to me.

One is the focusing on the center: focusing on here instead of there; focusing on the present instead of the past or future; focusing on one’s self instead of the masses; and again on one’s relationships instead of the mass (society).

Two is the idea of ebb and flow; that all life, relationships, love, interests, hobbies, or whatever ebb and flow. This parallel’s a statement made by Rabbi Zvi Katzman, that the shape of the human heartbeat on an EKG shows that life has its ups and downs. Lindbergh uses the example of the incoming and outgoing tide, of water’s rise and fall.

Another thought that came from the book, and only applies if you have enough space for this luxury, is the idea of a room that is empty. A room without any distractions meant for sitting a reflecting that would need to be big enough to allow a person not to feel cramped. I think it would be interesting. Or perhaps the ability to do the same on a back porch looking into trees or across a field.

Anyways, the book is a short read and interesting. It is far more geared towards women than men, particularly women with children.

Howl’s Moving Castle

This was a suggested read from multiple friends and my girlfriend as I am a big fan of the movie adaption directed by Hayao Miyazaki.

Also, as writing this, I learned the book is part of a trilogy called “The Castle Series.”

Being a fan of the movie the book has some stark differences.

Both stories are whole and very well told. The characters are similar and I now see how the movie takes from the spirit of the characters, capture most of their essence, but then was transformed through the lens of Miyazaki.

 The book is a well spun children’s tale, though at times confusing. Particularly, I’m not sure why Wales played a part in the novel at all, as hardly any time is spent there, and there were other plot devices to accomplish the same thing.

I also did not like Sophie’s fatalism as much; I think it was a bit too heavy. This seems a recurring theme in some of the literature I’ve read this summer (Robin McKinley’s “Sunshine” and of course Neil Gaiman’s and Terry Pratchett’s “Good Omens”). I also think there was a bit too much focus on chasing girls (Howl and Michael).

As for the rest of it, I love the depth of Calcifer’s character. I also really like that Sophie is unwittingly a powerful witch.

It may be awhile before I read the rest of “The Castle Series.” But I do enjoy the characters of Howl, Sophie, and Calcifer immensely and would read about more of their adventures.

Earth Unaware

The first worry about this book is that it was co-authored and in the Enderverse. Turns out that the worry was unwarranted.

Secondly, there were some minor things that bothered me. The fact that the main character Victor has so much insight about humans and how his actions will be perceived by them but does not contemplate how an action of revenge (which he does not take) would be perceived by a visiting (invading / colonizing) alien species. It just felt weird having a character full of so much insight and yet having this major drop off.

Another issue was Lem. Bright guy, son of another bright guy, but his inner thought process always concludes people’s thoughts are one or two dimensional compared to his deep and multifaceted thoughts. Again, kind of making a deep character and then leaving big holes in him.

These holes are annoying. Granted some of Orson Scott Card’s characters in these series are larger than life, sometimes inhuman (especially Bean). But this thing of delving into the depths of an individual’s mind, exploring their conscious and cognitive pathways, the character being aware of this exploration (as opposed to a dive into a character’s psyche in Douglas Adam’s “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”) and then having these gaping holes in their thoughts about others is really annoying. Either all the characters are way more arrogant than they are written to be, or this is a flaw in the book.

That being said…

I know the title is “Earth Unaware.” But in reality it is about a disorganized, greedy, and infantile humanity who is much like we are now, though they have a city on the Moon and are space borne.  The only person who really seems to understand humanity is Wit, who is a soldier, and likely to bite it in a future book.

It is nice to see humanity outclassed in every possible way by their enemy in this book. Not just being the underdog, but at the moment, royally and completely screwed.

The MD device is hinted at and its origins explained which I found pretty cool. The hero Mazer Rackham is shown to be able to think outside of a box and think himself into a box. In fact, almost all the characters are flawed, far more so than they were in the other Ender Saga and Shadow Saga books.

So yeah, if you’re a fan of the Ender Saga and Shadow Saga I suggest reading this.

I do not suggest reading this as the first book. In fact, I suggest you read the entire series in chronological order starting with Ender’s Game / Ender’s Shadow. Then, once you’re done with all that you should start the prequel series.

Why do I suggest this?

Books like “Xenocide,” “Children of the Mind,” and “Shadows in Flight” tell you a lot about the Formics and so you better understand both sides of the encounters between humans and Formics even though only the human side is told. The insight granted by having read everything else adds even more depth to this book.

Conclusion: good and enjoyable read.

Space Chronicles: Facing the Ultimate Frontier

This review / response is going to be more scattered than usual…

First, a quote I liked:

"[A]s our area of knowledge grows, so does the perimeter of our ignorance."

This quote led to a discussion which resulted in my saying:

“I would argue human intelligence is a measure of two things... 1) how much you are aware that there is that you don't know, and 2) knowing how to frame questions about it.”

And this is probably more akin to wisdom anyways… but whatever.

Second, here are some thoughts the book provoked:

Regarding the space shuttles... why didn't we retire one as a space plane? I mean, we could have it docked with the International Space Station (ISS). The crew there could take capsules back to Earth, either Russian sourced or new US ones.

Also, things could be sent to the ISS to be added to the space shuttle now stationed there. They could replace its engines with ion ones. They could launch more fuel. They could bolt on ion engines in new places so that it could slow itself down and vector the thrust as needed. There could be ablative armor added so that it can take hits from space debris. You could even try rigging solar sails to it.

Simply put, an object permanently in space no longer needs to be aerodynamic.

Another point, as a space plane it could go out and retrieve capsules / payloads left in low Earth orbit (LEO). Those objects could include continued repairs and upgrades for the Hubble Space Telescope and its future replacement. They could include repair kits for the other gamma ray, x-ray, and so on telescopes and instruments. I mean, not only is it a plane, but it is kind of a work vehicle. Add a tool shed, bring the necessary repair tools as needed. Think of it as a mobile, variable use, space platform. Also, think about how much that could extend the life of objects already in orbit.

I bet, with the right re-equip it could even go to the Moon. Maybe even lend there. More to the point, act as a ferry for stuff between LEO and the Moon so that you don't need Saturn V rockets for everything. I mean, once you're orbiting the Tsiolkovsky's rocket equation might still apply (I haven't looked up if it still does) but things have to be easier... right?

So I don't know, I think it was a missed opportunity to recycle. To do something awesome. I have this silly notion (as do many scientists and astrophysicist) that we could use the ISS and other such stations as way points for further exploration. I think a space plane could have been really useful, you know, our first spaceship that is strictly for moving about space.

But maybe I'm a silly dreamer, or ignorant of some giant blatant reason why what I'm thinking just is not or was not possible. But if I am right... Well, it is kind of sad then.

Third, another set of thoughts:

One of the funniest things mentioned in Neil deGrasse Tyson's book "Space Chronicles" is that we're a smart enough species to get out of low earth orbit and good enough to get to the Moon, and we can observe all of these asteroids and comets.

But we lack the political willpower to build a system that can get rid of an incoming asteroid or comet or that can nudge them away from impact. So... unlike the dinosaurs it's possible we could experience an extinction level event as a species fully capable of preventing it but lacking the will to do so.

Makes funding of wars elsewhere seem oh so meaningful...

Not to say I'm against war, but when you are not getting heavy tech developments from war, well, then it's a bit pointless.

What it comes down to is that I do not always like the tone.

Sometimes Tyson is preaching. Sometimes he is whining. This happens to all of us, I just do not much like reading it in books.

But, overall the book is a good read.

Further, it is one of those books that makes me question studying law. Perhaps I will get to spend time practicing engineer, maybe even tweak and invent things. I doubt I’ll be particularly effective pushing us into space. A friend of mine works for Space-X. I envy him.

I am not sure whether I would suggest it to others to read or not. It is good, but not fantastic.

Lastly, and before I forget…

The best part about Tyson’s perspective on all of this is he is an educator and NASA insider. He has insight and depth that most of us lack. That knowledge, perspective, and insight that he brings is refreshing and was one of the most enjoyable parts of the book.

Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch

So… this book is pretty well a comedy, maybe a satire, but most definitely a divine comedy.

Even the bad characters, the really nasty ones, are somewhat likable in their single-minded devotion to a cause.

And, at least if I hadn’t stumbled upon the realization that the whole “Good vs. Evil” argument was a bunch of hoppy-cock as a kid, this book probably would have been a good way of opening my mind to thinking about it.

I thoroughly enjoyed it. And I don’t want to go into the plot.

About a hundred pages from the end something kind of clicked. I thought it would be interesting if this all went the way of Henry Baum’s “The American Book of the Dead” in terms of time lines and ends being the beginning, which didn’t exactly happen. I also was looking at ties into Robert A. Heinlein’s “Stanger in a Strange Land.” Honestly, I have no idea if Baum’s book was influenced by “Good Omens” or if “Good Omens” was influenced by “Stranger in a Strange Land,” but to me there are certain common threads and relations and I could see a line of influence, even if there is none.

So, if you want a laugh, and don’t mind laughing at the impending Armageddon as it looms over the characters (and is in some ways is caused by them), you should pick up this book and give it a read.

Also, often times awkward situations and not so funny situations are made hilarious by little sentences tacked on at the end of a section. It is marvelously well placed. The presentation of everything in the book is impeccable. So yeah…

Also, it should be noted that this is my first exposure to Pratchett or Gaiman as authors. It was an excellent first exposure.

Shadows in Flight

The book is short, simple, and relatively sweet. This book occurs from the perspective of Bean and his three children, Ender, Carlotta, and Cincinnatus. Each chapter switches whose perspective it is told from. The little family of four is suffering growing pains on an isolated starship.

To put it simply, it is an impossible parent, with impossible children, facing impossible odds and all tied up with an unlikely result.

Like “Children of the Mind” it provides a good end for one of the main characters and leaves open a universe of possibilities.

Ultimately the book is about being a parent though, and trying to do what is best for one’s children.

Being an avid fan of the Ender Saga and the Shadow Saga I enjoyed this installment and I look forward to “Shadows Alive.”

Five Weeks in a Balloon, or, Journeys and Discoveries in Africa by Three Englishmen

A few years ago I was at Barnes & Noble with my friend and on an impulse bought “The Ultimate Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” and a book with seven of Jules Verne’s novels.

I finally took this Jules Verne collection with me to read some while I had the summer off from law school. I started at the beginning with “Five Weeks in a Balloon.” Verne is one of the authors I read as a kid (I mean mainly 1^st to 3^rd grade). I was proud of being able to read it and I really enjoyed “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea” and “Journey to the Center of the Earth.” Mainly I liked that this author, hundreds of years in the past was writing novels about things that were later made, or could yet be made, hundreds year old science fiction that was still fiction! So, I loved the books…

Unfortunately, apparently, not everything the author wrote was that great. “Five Weeks in a Balloon” is dry.

The part I probably enjoyed most was that hydrogen was listed as an inflammable gas and used to inflate the balloon because it was light and safe like that. It is always funny reading old scientific knowledge that was later proved (disastrously) wrong.

Aside from being dry, I did not like the author’s or character’s view of the natives of Africa. Self-serving senses of superiority generally do not sit all that well with me, especially when based on a racial foundation.

The book reminds me of phrase my high school English teacher Mrs. Miller said to us about writing: “Show it, don’t tell it!”

This book told, and told, and told, but was much disengaged. Even the very action filled parts were blunted.

I kind of had ambitions to blaze through these seven novels and leave the book for my seven year old cousin. Unfortunately, I do not think that will happen. I will read the other novels, and I hope to find the ones I liked so much as a child to be just as enjoyable now, though now I have my doubts.

In conclusion: “Five Weeks in a Balloon” is dry and dated.

The Difference Engine

I do not really suggest this book. I read it because I like the “Sprawl Trilogy” by William Gibson and thought that a Steampunk novel by him would be interesting.

This book is divided into three stories. The timelines are rather unclear. There is some intersection of characters but often there is little intersection of any real meaning. The book therefore contains three short stories.

My real issue is the plot development for each of the stories. It starts real slow and takes a very long time to get to a decent pace. There are minor peaks in action and narrative and deep valleys where it is nearly boring.

Just goes to show, not every book an author works on goes along famously.

Mona Lisa Overdrive

The third book in the “Sprawl Trilogy” also involves three main characters, each with unique world views, limitations, and roles to play. Mona is someone who things happen to and has very little sway on the world. Kumiko is a child of essentially no important, but is the vehicle through which the reader is exposed to important characters and major themes. Kumiko most importantly is the conduit of contact with Molly (now known as Sally). Slick Henry is a damaged soul due to his brain being addled by his stint in a prison. And lastly, Angie, who was Turner’s charge in “Count Zero,” and is the only character I would actually say is a player as opposed to a pawn or bystander.

The plot in this book like the other books builds and builds and crescendos at the finale. In this book all paths intersect in the end. They are woven together very well and it does not seem at all forced.

Sprawl Trilogy post-script:

I recommend the trilogy, it certainly is a fun read and an interesting one regarding what Artificial Intelligence will look like and what it will do if and when it breaks free.

Count Zero

This is the second book in the “Sprawl Trilogy.” In this book the main character are Bobby, Turner, and Marly. All characters in this book are more people having things happening to them and around them than Case in the first book. They also are not focuses of power or importance in this book. Turner is a person who can make things happen, but is mainly used as a tool for his particular skills rather than his narrative value.

At the end of this book some paths cross and meet, others do not really do so.

Again, it is a world vastly different than our own; a very dystopian future. And one in which the events of "Neuromancer" have some sway, though not a lot.

Neuromancer

Sprawl Trilogy preface:

Unfortunately, this is mostly going to be a ramble. [The next two posts as well.] Also, it is a book I recently read, but not immediately in the past.

What I like most about this book, and the series, is the character development.

 

Neuromancer:

The entire book is experienced through the eyes of Case. All information is what comes to him, what his inner monologue discloses about the world, and so on. Perhaps my favorite part of the book is that the story is about a dramatic change for the world, one that may have great repercussions for everyone alive, and yet most people would not notice for years, if ever.

Just as easily, the event could not happen. That result may be more or less desirable for Case, but who knows.

This book also contains Molly, the razor girl. You only know what case knows about her. Molly appears in the third book as well, again, the story is never told through her eyes, only those who interact with her.

On another note, this book coined the term Cyberspace and is responsible for much of the model of what the internet is today. Also, this is one of the greatest Cyberpunk books ever written.