![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Posting a couple days late, here.
Books finished:
The Wanting Seed by Anthony Burgess (2) - A satire about a future world suffering from out-of-control human population growth. This story was probably a lot funnier when it was published in the 60s because of how many taboo ideas it proposes as reasonable solutions to dealing with population growth. Unfortunately for the satire, it's not the 60s, the world has changed quite a bit, and many of the taboo ideas aren't. As a result, I had a hard time seeing and appreciating the satire; and, at times, couldn't identify what was supposed to be satirical.
Extraordinary Engines: The Definitive Steampunk Anthology by Nick Gevers, ed. (2) - A collection of short stories with a couple of short novelettes that nominally represent a cross-section of steampunk fiction. Most of the stories seemed rather weak, though people more familiar with the steampunk genre might very well have a different view.
The Short History of a Prince by Jane Hamilton (2) - A coming-of-age story told across three decades, and centered around the defining year in the main character's life when his older brother succumbed to cancer. Another story that would probably appeal more to a reader who likes this genre.
The Know-It-All: One Man's Quest to Become the Smartest Man in the World by A.J. Jacobs (2) (Audio) - Jacobs details his quest to read the Encyclopedia Britannica from A-Z in one year. During this year, he also comes to terms with his relationship with his father while pursuing his quest to become a father. This non-fiction story is perfectly suited to being listened to in fragments over the span of several weeks. While interesting, it's very repetitive and thin on depth.
Total points for the month: 8
Total points for the year: 46
Books finished:
The Wanting Seed by Anthony Burgess (2) - A satire about a future world suffering from out-of-control human population growth. This story was probably a lot funnier when it was published in the 60s because of how many taboo ideas it proposes as reasonable solutions to dealing with population growth. Unfortunately for the satire, it's not the 60s, the world has changed quite a bit, and many of the taboo ideas aren't. As a result, I had a hard time seeing and appreciating the satire; and, at times, couldn't identify what was supposed to be satirical.
Extraordinary Engines: The Definitive Steampunk Anthology by Nick Gevers, ed. (2) - A collection of short stories with a couple of short novelettes that nominally represent a cross-section of steampunk fiction. Most of the stories seemed rather weak, though people more familiar with the steampunk genre might very well have a different view.
The Short History of a Prince by Jane Hamilton (2) - A coming-of-age story told across three decades, and centered around the defining year in the main character's life when his older brother succumbed to cancer. Another story that would probably appeal more to a reader who likes this genre.
The Know-It-All: One Man's Quest to Become the Smartest Man in the World by A.J. Jacobs (2) (Audio) - Jacobs details his quest to read the Encyclopedia Britannica from A-Z in one year. During this year, he also comes to terms with his relationship with his father while pursuing his quest to become a father. This non-fiction story is perfectly suited to being listened to in fragments over the span of several weeks. While interesting, it's very repetitive and thin on depth.
Total points for the month: 8
Total points for the year: 46