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Home Fires Review

Home Fires, Wolfe. Yes. My usual fear with Gene Wolfe books is that I’m going to have to work harder than I want to. For Wolfe, then, this was relatively light reading, meaning I think I missed only about a third of what was probably going on. I admire Wolfe’s skill and economy with language, […]

Zero History Review

Zero History, Gibson. Yes. I got less of a Clancy vibe off Zero History than I did from Spook Country, so that was pleasant. I enjoyed it sufficiently, though it was certainly not the most compelling book I’ve read in the last year or so. As is sadly common, the editing is pretty sloppy, with […]

I would have to buy classier pickles

I have just learned of the existence of a thing called an epergne! A drawing and suggestion of how wonderful a word it is is available from the lovely Cul-de-Sac blog. OED says: A centre-dish, or centre ornament for the dinner-table, now often in a branched form, each branch supporting a small dish for dessert […]

Your novel writing assignment:

Write a thoughtful and quiet explorations of feelings and whatnot that doesn’t necessarily go anywhere about the “unusual friendship” between the coroner and the lady who lives with the corpses of her sister and husband.

Object of Beauty Review

An Object of Beauty, Martin. Yes. Martin’s writing is mechanically nearly flawless, and while it started out a bit writerly for my taste, either he settled down or I became more tolerant. This rather lengthy excerpt (edited somewhat to remove plot-related irrelevancies), I believe, will tell you all you need to know to make a […]

Food-Related Toys: Japan

These are all listed in the category “Girl’s Toy.” Hand-cranked mochi machine (do watch the video- so perky!) Somen slide! Includes a sack to carry it in! Perhaps a toffee maker? Child’s doughnut maker! Cotton candy? To all appearances, a hand-crank bread machine. Put the kids to work makin’ sushi (they even have competition) I […]

Loving Dead Review

The Loving Dead, Beamer. No. This was a Book Club selection, and I didn’t hate it. Unfortunately, that’s the most I can say for it. I do give Beamer credit for constructing an adequately consistent background and thinking through some implications, but I really need more than that if a writer is going to take […]