As is usual, my reading time took a hit in December. Still managed to read 7 stories:
A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World by C.A Fletcher:
Add the phrase ‘on a quest’ at the end of the title and you would have a pretty accurate synopsis of the book. For about the first 80% of the book I was enjoying the story but not real impressed. The last 20% takes this book to the next level. A very satisfying read.
4 Stars
The Road by Cormac McCarthy:
I have actually avoided this one, thinking it would be to dark. I actually did not find the story that dark after all. I found the love the father had for his son and how he prepared him for life is what stood out for me.
4 Stars
The Collected Schizophrenias by Esme Weijun Wang:
The Author has Schizoaffective Disorder. In the book she discusses some of the differences in the types of schizophrenias. She also discusses how society deals with persons suffering mental illness and the effects that treatment can have on the person. While much of the book is rather clinical it really strikes when it is personal. Having had a brother who was schizophrenic this book was very emotional for me.
4 Stars
Chernobyl 01:23:40 by Andrew Leatherbarrow:
This book began as a personal fact-finding mission with results posted on a blog. People reading the blog suggested he make a book. Much of this is information I have heard before but he does delve into new territory. My only issue was with the writing taking place over 5 years he at times jumps around. A good read but it would have done with another round of editing.
4 Stars
A River in Darkness by Masaji Ishikawa:
I have read several tales of people escaping North Korean concentration camps and making it out to the South. This is a very different tale. The authors father was born in Korea (the southern part of the united Korea) and kidnapped at about 13 by the Japanese. He was taken to Japan as slave labor for the Japan war effort. When the war ended, he was simply released and allowed to find his way as a Japanese citizen. Japan did not welcome the Korean’s who now found themselves living in Japan. He was treated very poorly. He managed to fall in love with a Japanese woman. They got married and started a family. The family had a very hard life with the father’s inability to find decent work, both from a lack of training and rampant prejudice. In the 1950’s The North Korean government had people in Japan recruiting Korean’s to return to this new utopian society in the North. They promised good jobs and a free education for their kids. Upon arrival in Korea they quickly learned that things would not be as advertised. The children were not allowed to attend school because they were ‘dirty Japanese’. The mother could only find menial labor for the same reason. The father was also discriminated against because the locals looked down on the ‘returnees.’ The book follows his life in Korea until in his thirties and facing starvation for his children, his wife and himself it was decided he would try to get back to Japan. It also covers how the Japanese after getting him home did not want his story publicized and the issues he faced after returning to Japan. This is a hear wrenching story originally published in 2000 in Japan. Translated to English in 2018.
5 Stars
A Little Yellow Book of Fever Dreams by Caitlan Kiernan:
I was really looking forward to this book in the series. I have repeatedly heard great things about the author. I am not sure if it was just the story selection but these stories mostly fell flat for me. One I would consider pretty good and one good. The rest I could have done without. Overall, I give it three stars but it is close to a two-star read for me.
3 Stars
The Eyes of the Dragon by Stephen King:
I have not read this book since the mid to late 80’s but remembered as one of my top King reads. Decided to give it a re-read via Audible. The story was everything I remember. I love the story of King Roland, his two sons, and his magician Flagg. On top of that Bronson Pinchot does a great job with the narration!
5 Stars
A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World by C.A Fletcher:
Add the phrase ‘on a quest’ at the end of the title and you would have a pretty accurate synopsis of the book. For about the first 80% of the book I was enjoying the story but not real impressed. The last 20% takes this book to the next level. A very satisfying read.
4 Stars
The Road by Cormac McCarthy:
I have actually avoided this one, thinking it would be to dark. I actually did not find the story that dark after all. I found the love the father had for his son and how he prepared him for life is what stood out for me.
4 Stars
The Collected Schizophrenias by Esme Weijun Wang:
The Author has Schizoaffective Disorder. In the book she discusses some of the differences in the types of schizophrenias. She also discusses how society deals with persons suffering mental illness and the effects that treatment can have on the person. While much of the book is rather clinical it really strikes when it is personal. Having had a brother who was schizophrenic this book was very emotional for me.
4 Stars
Chernobyl 01:23:40 by Andrew Leatherbarrow:
This book began as a personal fact-finding mission with results posted on a blog. People reading the blog suggested he make a book. Much of this is information I have heard before but he does delve into new territory. My only issue was with the writing taking place over 5 years he at times jumps around. A good read but it would have done with another round of editing.
4 Stars
A River in Darkness by Masaji Ishikawa:
I have read several tales of people escaping North Korean concentration camps and making it out to the South. This is a very different tale. The authors father was born in Korea (the southern part of the united Korea) and kidnapped at about 13 by the Japanese. He was taken to Japan as slave labor for the Japan war effort. When the war ended, he was simply released and allowed to find his way as a Japanese citizen. Japan did not welcome the Korean’s who now found themselves living in Japan. He was treated very poorly. He managed to fall in love with a Japanese woman. They got married and started a family. The family had a very hard life with the father’s inability to find decent work, both from a lack of training and rampant prejudice. In the 1950’s The North Korean government had people in Japan recruiting Korean’s to return to this new utopian society in the North. They promised good jobs and a free education for their kids. Upon arrival in Korea they quickly learned that things would not be as advertised. The children were not allowed to attend school because they were ‘dirty Japanese’. The mother could only find menial labor for the same reason. The father was also discriminated against because the locals looked down on the ‘returnees.’ The book follows his life in Korea until in his thirties and facing starvation for his children, his wife and himself it was decided he would try to get back to Japan. It also covers how the Japanese after getting him home did not want his story publicized and the issues he faced after returning to Japan. This is a hear wrenching story originally published in 2000 in Japan. Translated to English in 2018.
5 Stars
A Little Yellow Book of Fever Dreams by Caitlan Kiernan:
I was really looking forward to this book in the series. I have repeatedly heard great things about the author. I am not sure if it was just the story selection but these stories mostly fell flat for me. One I would consider pretty good and one good. The rest I could have done without. Overall, I give it three stars but it is close to a two-star read for me.
3 Stars
The Eyes of the Dragon by Stephen King:
I have not read this book since the mid to late 80’s but remembered as one of my top King reads. Decided to give it a re-read via Audible. The story was everything I remember. I love the story of King Roland, his two sons, and his magician Flagg. On top of that Bronson Pinchot does a great job with the narration!
5 Stars
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