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The Invisible Life of Addie LaRueThe Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, Preloaded Audiobook
by Schwab, VictoriaPreloaded Audiobook - 2020Preloaded Audiobook, 2020
IndyPL_SteveB's rating:
Added Mar 19, 2024
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRueThe Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, Audiobook CD
by Schwab, VictoriaAudiobook CD - 2020 | Unabridged.Audiobook CD, 2020. Unabridged.
IndyPL_SteveB's rating:
Added Mar 19, 2024
Comment:
A miracle of a novel – a fantasy with romance and a fascinating best-seller that delivers more than you expect. This is a wonderful book that may leave an unerasable mark on your own brain.
1714 in a tiny French village. Adeline LaRue is 23 and dressing for her wedding – which she does not want. She wants to be independent, to explore the world. Addie is desperate, and she bolts for the forest. As night falls, her prayer is answered by a handsome stranger in black. He asks what she truly wants, and she answers, “I want a chance to live. I want to be free. I want more time.” There is a price, of course – the usual one, the soul, when the time comes. “Done,” whispers the god.
As there always is in magic wishes, the god also grants the wish with a twist. Addie cannot die until she chooses to give up her soul. Any sickness or injury will be repaired; she cannot age, but she can still suffer. Worst of all, she is “free” in a way she didn’t expect. As soon as she goes around a corner or closes a door, she is forgotten. No one remembers her. She cannot leave notes, or create art, or tell her story, or even leave footprints in snow. 300 years later in New York City, Addie steals a book from a bookshop run by a handsome young man named Henry. He is able to remember her. For a while, life becomes wonderful – but of course, Henry has his own secrets.
You might think you can predict where the story is going; but Schwab’s imagination and attention to detail do not allow her to follow a simple path. As she ponders the nature of immortality, loneliness, survival, and human life, the writer goes deeper into the mind of Addie – and into our own minds. There we see that the freedom to grow, to succeed, to fail, to change, to leave a MARK in life, to be SEEN as you are, and especially to be *remembered* are attributes of life that we often fail to notice.
The excellent Julia Whelan narrates in a style that makes you forget the rest of the world while you are listening. I cannot imagine someone reading it better or indeed, in any other way.A miracle of a novel – a fantasy with romance and a fascinating best-seller that delivers more than you expect. This is a wonderful book that may leave an unerasable mark on your own brain.
1714 in a tiny French village. Adeline LaRue is 23 and…
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRueThe Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, Downloadable Audiobook
by Schwab, VictoriaDownloadable Audiobook - 2020Downloadable Audiobook, 2020
Available
IndyPL_SteveB's rating:
Added Mar 19, 2024
Comment:
A miracle of a novel – a fantasy with romance and a fascinating best-seller that delivers more than you expect. This is a wonderful book that may leave an unerasable mark on your own brain.
1714 in a tiny French village. Adeline LaRue is 23 and dressing for her wedding – which she does not want. She wants to be independent, to explore the world. Addie is desperate, and she bolts for the forest. As night falls, her prayer is answered by a handsome stranger in black. He asks what she truly wants, and she answers, “I want a chance to live. I want to be free. I want more time.” There is a price, of course – the usual one, the soul, when the time comes. “Done,” whispers the god.
As there always is in magic wishes, the god also grants the wish with a twist. Addie cannot die until she chooses to give up her soul. Any sickness or injury will be repaired; she cannot age, but she can still suffer. Worst of all, she is “free” in a way she didn’t expect. As soon as she goes around a corner or closes a door, she is forgotten. No one remembers her. She cannot leave notes, or create art, or tell her story, or even leave footprints in snow. 300 years later in New York City, Addie steals a book from a bookshop run by a handsome young man named Henry. He is able to remember her. For a while, life becomes wonderful – but of course, Henry has his own secrets.
You might think you can predict where the story is going; but Schwab’s imagination and attention to detail do not allow her to follow a simple path. As she ponders the nature of immortality, loneliness, survival, and human life, the writer goes deeper into the mind of Addie – and into our own minds. There we see that the freedom to grow, to succeed, to fail, to change, to leave a MARK in life, to be SEEN as you are, and especially to be *remembered* are attributes of life that we often fail to notice.
The excellent Julia Whelan narrates in a style that makes you forget the rest of the world while you are listening. I cannot imagine someone reading it better or indeed, in any other way.A miracle of a novel – a fantasy with romance and a fascinating best-seller that delivers more than you expect. This is a wonderful book that may leave an unerasable mark on your own brain.
1714 in a tiny French village. Adeline LaRue is 23 and…
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRueThe Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, Book
by Schwab, VictoriaBook - 2020 | First U.S. edition.Book, 2020. First U.S. edition.
IndyPL_SteveB's rating:
Added Mar 19, 2024
Comment:
A miracle of a novel – a fantasy with romance and a fascinating best-seller that delivers more than you expect. This is a wonderful book that may leave an unerasable mark on your brain.
1714 in a tiny French village. Adeline LaRue is 23 and dressing for her wedding – which she does not want. She wants to be independent, to explore the world. Addie is desperate, and she bolts for the forest. As night falls, her prayer is answered by a handsome stranger in black. He asks what she truly wants, and she answers, “I want a chance to live. I want to be free. I want more time.” There is a price, of course – the usual one, the soul, when the time comes. “Done,” whispers the god.
As there always is in magic wishes, the god also grants the wish with a twist. Addie cannot die until she chooses to give up her soul. Any sickness or injury will be repaired; she cannot age, but she can still suffer. Worst of all, she is “free” in a way she didn’t expect. As soon as she goes around a corner or closes a door, she is forgotten. No one remembers her. She cannot leave notes, or create art, or tell her story, or even leave footprints in snow. 300 years later in New York City, Addie steals a book from a bookshop run by a handsome young man named Henry. He is able to remember her. For a while, life becomes wonderful – but of course, Henry has his own secrets.
You might think you can predict where the story is going; but Schwab’s imagination and attention to detail do not allow her to follow a simple path. As she ponders the nature of immortality, loneliness, survival, and human life, the writer goes deeper into the mind of Addie – and into our own minds. There we see that the freedom to grow, to succeed, to fail, to change, to leave a MARK in life, to be SEEN as you are, and especially to be *remembered* are attributes of life that we often fail to notice.A miracle of a novel – a fantasy with romance and a fascinating best-seller that delivers more than you expect. This is a wonderful book that may leave an unerasable mark on your brain.
1714 in a tiny French village. Adeline LaRue is 23 and…
IndyPL_SteveB's rating:
Added Mar 19, 2024
Comment:
Hardinge is one of the finest writers of fantasy novels, and this one kept me glued to my seat. Her books are published as Juvenile or Young Adult books; but readers of any age (from 13 and up) who enjoy creative, complex fantasy worlds will appreciate her books.
Part of the country of Raddith is covered by an area called “the Wilds”, which is inhabited by strange creatures. One is careful not to go into the Wilds unprepared. Some of the most powerful creatures of the Wild are also the smallest – spider-like but highly intelligent creatures known as the “Little Brothers.” For reasons which are unknown at the beginning, the Little Brothers favor the down-trodden and can give them a special power of effective curses. Since people being turned into trees or fish or worms because they have made someone angry tends to disrupt society, avoiding curses is a major part of the culture.
15-year-old Kellen has a rare and most useful talent. Ever since he was bitten by a Little Brother a year ago, he can “unravel” curses. The first person he rescued from a curse was the girl Nettle, whose stepmother had turned her and her siblings into birds (hints here of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Seven Swans”). Nettle has more human abilities to be nice to people and figure out how they think – an ability which Kellen lacks.
The two discover that there is also a secret war going on between the Chancery (the governmental body of Raddith) and a group calling itself “Salvation”, which rescues accused Cursers. Lots of adventure, magic, fully-developed characters, and an unpredictable surprise in every chapter. You can’t know where the plot is going until you get there. Great book!Hardinge is one of the finest writers of fantasy novels, and this one kept me glued to my seat. Her books are published as Juvenile or Young Adult books; but readers of any age (from 13 and up) who enjoy creative, complex fantasy worlds will…
The Book of Forgotten AuthorsThe Book of Forgotten Authors, Book
by Fowler, ChristopherBook - 2018 | Expanded and updated paperback edition.Book, 2018. Expanded and updated paperback edition.
IndyPL_SteveB's rating:
Added Mar 14, 2024
Comment:
Most of you would find this book fun, to rediscover older authors you forgot about or to discover interesting ones you have never heard of. Fowler is a British novelist, mystery writer, and reviewer – who must be able to read very fast, because he has read a LOT. He particularly loves looking at used book shops for books by people he hasn’t heard of or only vaguely remembered. He seems to have run across a number of gems here, plus some that probably deserve to be forgotten. These are all writers who were very popular at one time, but who are only vaguely remembered today. Some of their books are very difficult to find.
Fowler gives us short essays on 100 individual writers, plus group essays on “The Forgotten (pre-Tarantino) Pulp Fiction”, “The Forgotten Rivals of Holmes, Bond, and Miss Marple”, “The Forgotten Books of Charles Dickens”, and “Forgotten for Writing Too Little – and Too Much”, and several other topics. These additional group essays might touch on another one hundred authors.
People in my generation will be familiar with at least the names of many authors, maybe from your mother’s “Book-of-the-Month-Club” and “Literary Guild” selections. Those are just the ones you might have heard of. There are many here that are REALLY obscure to me, but which are good possibilities for new reading discoveries.Most of you would find this book fun, to rediscover older authors you forgot about or to discover interesting ones you have never heard of. Fowler is a British novelist, mystery writer, and reviewer – who must be able to read very fast, because he…
System CollapseSystem Collapse, Book
by Wells, MarthaBook - 2023 | First edition.Book, 2023. First edition.
IndyPL_SteveB's rating:
Added Mar 14, 2024
Comment:
Another exciting and thoughtful addition to the award-winning “Murderbot” series, about the android Security Unit who has overcome its control system to become an independent, self-reliant individual. (Some more nervous humans think of it as a “rogue Sec Unit”.)
{If you have been reading the “Murderbot Diaries”, the most recent two books will confuse you – because they have been published and numbered *out of order*. This new “Book 7” is actually a direct sequel to Book 5, *Network Effect* (published in 2020) and it should be read right after that.}
Book 7, *System Collapse*, details Sec Unit’s attempts to protect the various humans under its responsibility from the planet-invading and mostly sinister Barish-Estranza officers and soldiers. Very quickly, they discover that there is a previously unknown breakaway group of survivors on the planet. These survivors appear not to have been exposed to the alien contamination – which also makes them an enticing target for Barish-Estranza. If the corporation can’t successfully and safely take over operation of the planet, those uninfected colonists would make great slave-workers on a different planet.
As usual in this series, the action is plentiful; but the real appeal is that the story is told through the thoughts of the Murderbot Sec Unit. It is deadly, insecure, and cynical about the motives of any humans, but protective of them at the same time.Another exciting and thoughtful addition to the award-winning “Murderbot” series, about the android Security Unit who has overcome its control system to become an independent, self-reliant individual. (Some more nervous humans think of it as a…
IndyPL_SteveB's rating:
Added Mar 14, 2024
Comment:
2024 winner of Caldecott Medal for Distinguished Art in a Children’s Book
A little girl has big dreams and is complimented on becoming such a big girl as she does the right things – until she wants to be a dancer and it is apparent that people are seeing her as a BIG girl – too big to fit into their dance costumes. She begins to feel torn down until she understands that BIG can still be good in many ways, especially in her self-image.
Like many fine picture books, this combines creative artwork with a simple story that creates a lot of depth. It’s an impressive combination of art and theme.2024 winner of Caldecott Medal for Distinguished Art in a Children’s Book
A little girl has big dreams and is complimented on becoming such a big girl as she does the right things – until she wants to be a dancer and it is apparent that people are…
Midnight at Malabar HouseMidnight at Malabar House, Book
by Khan, VaseemBook - 2021 | Paperback edition.Book, 2021. Paperback edition.
IndyPL_SteveB's rating:
Added Mar 14, 2024
Comment:
If you are looking for something different in a mystery novel, here is an exciting police detective mystery set in Bombay, India (today called “Mumbai”), in 1949-1950. This is two years after the disastrous partition of India by incompetent British bureaucrats, desperate to rid themselves of a collapsing possession. The country is still in turmoil with many leaders pleading for unity while Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs continue to murder each other.
Inspector Persis Wadia is the first female police inspector in India, and of course many of the men in the service resent her. To keep her away from the limelight, she has been posted to the least prestigious station in Bombay, at Malabar House. So on New Year’s Eve, 1949, she is the only officer at the station while the men are out celebrating in the streets. About midnight she receives a surprising call that Sir James Herriot, an English businessman and a British government liaison with the new Indian government, has been murdered at his own New Year’s Eve party. There were over one hundred guests at the party, so that means a LOT of suspects. Since Sir James was investigating corruption and murder during Partition, there may be many people with a motive for killing him.
There are lots of twists and turns in the investigation, with a proper surprise ending. And a lot of Indian history, interestingly told. First of a series and definitely worth pursuing for the well-written leading lady.If you are looking for something different in a mystery novel, here is an exciting police detective mystery set in Bombay, India (today called “Mumbai”), in 1949-1950. This is two years after the disastrous partition of India by incompetent British…
The Speckled BeautyThe Speckled Beauty, BookA Dog and His People
by Bragg, RickBook - 2021 | First edition.Book, 2021. First edition.
IndyPL_SteveB's rating:
Added Mar 14, 2024
Comment:
Rick Bragg is one of the great American memoir writers. He is from Alabama and has made a living writing beautifully about his rough family’s history of factory work, farming, and moonshine. “The Speckled Beauty" is what he calls the half-blind stray dog he rescued from starvation and pack battles in the woods and ditches around Bragg’s farm – “Speck” for short. And of course, the “rescuing” goes in both directions. Bragg is recovering from cancer and heart disease and needs something to care for. But Speck is not a “good dog.” Speck is crazy wild, fighting with snakes and bobcats, chasing the mule and donkeys on the farm, rolling in the most evil-smelling things he can find. Bragg’s elderly mother and his older brother Sam, himself with severe health problems, tell Bragg that the dog isn’t worth the trouble. But over several years, Speck worms his way into all of their hearts – even the mule’s.
There is no real plot, just the story of people trying to stay alive, getting things done, and trying to find positive meaning in what they do and experience. But it is Bragg’s writing -- descriptions, observations, and confessions – that pulls us through the book.Rick Bragg is one of the great American memoir writers. He is from Alabama and has made a living writing beautifully about his rough family’s history of factory work, farming, and moonshine. “The Speckled Beauty" is what he calls the half-blind…
Attack of the StuffAttack of the Stuff, Graphic Novel"the Life and Times of Bill Waddler"
by Benton, JimGraphic Novel - 2020Graphic Novel, 2020
IndyPL_SteveB's rating:
Added Mar 14, 2024
Comment:
A goofy, short, children's graphic novel. Bill Waddler is tormented by things talking to him -- shoes, his alarm clock, his toilet, chair, lamp, and peanut butter. In desperation he has a friend drive him to the wilderness, where he finds that snakes like music. At the same time, the worldwide Internet has crashed and the world is in hysteria. Can Bill be the person that "the Internet" will talk to?
You can have a lot of fun with this one.A goofy, short, children's graphic novel. Bill Waddler is tormented by things talking to him -- shoes, his alarm clock, his toilet, chair, lamp, and peanut butter. In desperation he has a friend drive him to the wilderness, where he finds that…
Fugitive TelemetryFugitive Telemetry, Downloadable Audiobook
by Wells, MarthaDownloadable Audiobook - 2021Downloadable Audiobook, 2021
All copies in use
Holds: 5 on 17 copies
Holds: 5 on 17 copies
IndyPL_SteveB's rating:
Added Mar 14, 2024
Comment:
Another fun novella in the “Murderbot” science fiction series. It is listed as Book 6; but it actually takes place *before* Book 5 (*Network Effect*), and it should be read in that order. This is essentially a “closed room” murder mystery, but here it is a “closed space station”. While the cast of suspects could be as large as 3,000 beings, the killer must still be in or just outside of Preservation Station.
An obviously murdered body is found in a seldom-used hallway. No blood or mess, so it seems likely that the victim was killed somewhere else, cleaned up, and moved here by unknown means. Nothing shows up on station security video, and no one can identify the victim. “Murderbot” (called “SecUnit” by people in general, because who would feel safe hiring some android named “Murderbot”?) is on Preservation Station, so Station Security reluctantly allows it to help investigate the murder.
I loved the clever working-out of the mystery itself; but the real draw here is Murderbot and its snarky, condescending observations on the bureaucratic idiocy around it.
Kevin Free is the perfect narrator for the semi-mechanical being struggling with the never-had-before experiences of free choice and the beginning level of emotions.Another fun novella in the “Murderbot” science fiction series. It is listed as Book 6; but it actually takes place *before* Book 5 (*Network Effect*), and it should be read in that order. This is essentially a “closed room” murder mystery, but here…
Fugitive TelemetryFugitive Telemetry, Book
by Wells, MarthaBook - 2021 | First edition.Book, 2021. First edition.
IndyPL_SteveB's rating:
Added Mar 14, 2024
Comment:
Another fun novella in the “Murderbot” science fiction series. It is listed as Book 6; but it actually takes place *before* Book 5 (*Network Effect*), and it should be read in that order. This is essentially a “closed room” murder mystery, but here it is a “closed space station”. While the cast of suspects could be as large as 3,000 beings, the killer must still be in or just outside of Preservation Station.
An obviously murdered body is found in a seldom-used hallway. No blood or mess, so it seems likely that the victim was killed somewhere else, cleaned up, and moved here by unknown means. Nothing shows up on station security video, and no one can identify the victim. “Murderbot” (called “SecUnit” by people in general, because who would feel safe hiring some android named “Murderbot”?) is on Preservation Station, so Station Security reluctantly allows it to help investigate the murder.
I loved the clever working-out of the mystery itself; but the real draw here is Murderbot and its snarky, condescending observations on the bureaucratic idiocy around it.Another fun novella in the “Murderbot” science fiction series. It is listed as Book 6; but it actually takes place *before* Book 5 (*Network Effect*), and it should be read in that order. This is essentially a “closed room” murder mystery, but here…
Nettle & BoneNettle & Bone, eBook
by Kingfisher, T.eBook - 2021eBook, 2021
All copies in use
Holds: 44 on 30 copies
Holds: 44 on 30 copies
IndyPL_SteveB's rating:
Added Jan 16, 2024
Comment:
Winner of the 2023 Hugo Award for Best SF/Fantasy Novel.
A clever teen/adult twist on fairy tales. “Kingfisher” is the penname of Ursula Vernon, who also writes children’s stories.
Marra is the third daughter of the royal family of a tiny country, known as The Harbor Kingdom. So far, the more powerful rival countries to the north and south have prevented each other from invading to take over the harbor. To provide political protection, Marra’s mother marries off oldest daughter Damia to the Prince of The Northern Kingdom. When Damia mysteriously dies after a few months of marriage, the mother sends second sister Kania as the Prince’s bride. Marra is hustled off to a convent, ostensibly to protect her from marrying and producing a male heir to compete for the rule of the Harbor Kingdom.
Eventually Marra visits Kania and discovers that the Prince is a sadistic wife-abuser of particularly nasty habits. Marra determines that it must be her mission to murder the Prince. Since convent life is poor training for assassination, she sets out to gain allies. These include a dust-wife who talks to the dead, a fairy godmother of dubious abilities, a chicken with a demon inside, a man who is a prisoner in the Goblin Market, and a dog assembled from dead bones. All this could add an edge of horror to the story; but the horror is handled ironically, with a humorous undertone.
While the story is fun, it is the creative writing which keeps you in it.Winner of the 2023 Hugo Award for Best SF/Fantasy Novel.
A clever teen/adult twist on fairy tales. “Kingfisher” is the penname of Ursula Vernon, who also writes children’s stories.
Marra is the third daughter of the royal family of a tiny country,…
Nettle & BoneNettle & Bone, Book
by Kingfisher, T.Book - 2022 | First edition.Book, 2022. First edition.
IndyPL_SteveB's rating:
Added Jan 16, 2024
Comment:
Winner of the 2023 Hugo Award for Best SF/Fantasy Novel.
A clever teen/adult twist on fairy tales. “Kingfisher” is the penname of Ursula Vernon, who also writes children’s stories.
Marra is the third daughter of the royal family of a tiny country, known as The Harbor Kingdom. So far, the more powerful rival countries to the north and south have prevented each other from invading to take over the harbor. To provide political protection, Marra’s mother marries off oldest daughter Damia to the Prince of The Northern Kingdom. When Damia mysteriously dies after a few months of marriage, the mother sends second sister Kania as the Prince’s bride. Marra is hustled off to a convent, ostensibly to protect her from marrying and producing a male heir to compete for the rule of the Harbor Kingdom.
Eventually Marra visits Kania and discovers that the Prince is a sadistic wife-abuser of particularly nasty habits. Marra determines that it must be her mission to murder the Prince. Since convent life is poor training for assassination, she sets out to gain allies. These include a dust-wife who talks to the dead, a fairy godmother of dubious abilities, a chicken with a demon inside, a man who is a prisoner in the Goblin Market, and a dog assembled from dead bones. All this could add an edge of horror to the story; but the horror is handled ironically, with a humorous undertone.
While the story is fun, it is the creative writing which keeps you in it.Winner of the 2023 Hugo Award for Best SF/Fantasy Novel.
A clever teen/adult twist on fairy tales. “Kingfisher” is the penname of Ursula Vernon, who also writes children’s stories.
Marra is the third daughter of the royal family of a tiny country,…
Network EffectNetwork Effect, Downloadable Audiobook
by Wells, MarthaDownloadable Audiobook - 2020Downloadable Audiobook, 2020
All copies in use
Holds: 32 on 12 copies
Holds: 32 on 12 copies
IndyPL_SteveB's rating:
Added Jan 02, 2024
Comment:
“Murderbot Diaries, #5.
2021 Hugo, Nebula, and Locus Awards for best SF novel
This is the first full-length novel in the “Murderbot” series. It is a combination of tightly-wound space adventure and psychological tension inside the sarcastic mind of a recently independent and self-aware Security Unit android. The novellas were fun, but this novel is more fully developed and satisfying.
Most of the humans call the main character “Sec Unit.” Sec Unit figured out how to disengage its internal control software and has for several months been examining human behavior and trying to figure how to understand it well enough to survive – and even to protect the very few humans it likes. Since most of its knowledge of human behavior comes from watching thousands of hours (played at super-speed) of basically “space soap operas,” its mis-understandings bump pretty hard against reality every few minutes.
Sec Unit is now working on behalf of a University exploration program, run by Dr. Mensah, the first human who ever treated it like an independent, thinking individual. It is providing security protection for a group of off-planet researchers, which includes Dr. Mensah’s teenage daughter, Amena. They are hijacked and kidnapped by what appears at first to be space pirates. The attacking ship turns out to be the transport that had been run by the only other self-aware and independent computer entity Sec Unit has ever met. But that program (Sec Unit calls it “Art”) has mysteriously disappeared, and the ship is being run by a group of strangely configured humans. Sec Unit has to figure out how to be a hero and a team builder – the idea of which it hates – in order to get everyone out of their disaster.
Wells’s plot is full of action and twists, which is fun. However, the best part about it – and the reason these books have won so many awards – is that the entire thing is from the twisted, sarcastic, confused, and self-examining point-of-view of Sec Unit.
The audiobook of this novel is very well narrated by Kevin R. Free, who has just the right tone for a formerly controlled machine just beginning to learn about human speech and emotions – and who is also beginning to confront its own new emotions and its need for a sustainable worldview and lifestyle.“Murderbot Diaries, #5.
2021 Hugo, Nebula, and Locus Awards for best SF novel
This is the first full-length novel in the “Murderbot” series. It is a combination of tightly-wound space adventure and psychological tension inside the sarcastic mind…
Network EffectNetwork Effect, Book
by Wells, MarthaBook - 2020 | First edition.Book, 2020. First edition.
IndyPL_SteveB's rating:
Added Jan 02, 2024
Comment:
“Murderbot Diaries, #5.
2021 Hugo, Nebula, and Locus Awards for best SF novel
This is the first full-length novel in the “Murderbot” series. It is a combination of tightly-wound space adventure and psychological tension inside the sarcastic mind of a recently independent and self-aware Security Unit android. The novellas were fun, but this novel is more fully developed and satisfying.
Most of the humans call the main character “Sec Unit.” Sec Unit figured out how to disengage its internal control software and has for several months been examining human behavior and trying to figure how to understand it well enough to survive – and even to protect the very few humans it likes. Since most of its knowledge of human behavior comes from watching thousands of hours (played at super-speed) of basically “space soap operas,” its mis-understandings bump pretty hard against reality every few minutes.
Sec Unit is now working on behalf of a University exploration program, run by Dr. Mensah, the first human who ever treated it like an independent, thinking individual. It is providing security protection for a group of off-planet researchers, which includes Dr. Mensah’s teenage daughter, Amena. They are hijacked and kidnapped by what appears at first to be space pirates. The attacking ship turns out to be the transport that had been run by the only other self-aware and independent computer entity Sec Unit has ever met. But that program (Sec Unit calls it “Art”) has mysteriously disappeared, and the ship is being run by a group of strangely configured humans. Sec Unit has to figure out how to be a hero and a team builder – the idea of which it hates – in order to get everyone out of their disaster.
Wells’s plot is full of action and twists, which is fun. However, the best part about it – and the reason these books have won so many awards – is that the entire thing is from the twisted, sarcastic, confused, and self-examining point-of-view of Sec Unit.“Murderbot Diaries, #5.
2021 Hugo, Nebula, and Locus Awards for best SF novel
This is the first full-length novel in the “Murderbot” series. It is a combination of tightly-wound space adventure and psychological tension inside the sarcastic mind…
FreewaterFreewater, Book
by Luqman-Dawson, AminaBook - 2022 | First edition.Book, 2022. First edition.
IndyPL_SteveB's rating:
Added Jan 02, 2024
Comment:
Winner of the 2023 Newbery Medal and the 2023 Coretta Scott King Award for children’s literature.
Compelling middle-grade historical novel about a community of escaped slaves in the swamps of the American South before the Civil War. It is based on research about these communities, especially in the Great Dismal Swamp. 12-year-old Homer and his 5-year-old sister Ada have found an opportunity to escape Southerland Plantation with their mother, Rose. But Homer complains that they were also supposed to take his friend, Anna. Rose tells them to head into the swamp and goes back for Anna, but she doesn’t return. The two children are terrified and flounder around a bit until they are rescued by Suleman, who is the formidable guardian of the swamp. He takes them to the hidden colored community of Freewater. Homer and Ada don’t know how to be free; a small number of the children in Freewater were born in the swamp and don’t understand what slavery is really like.
Homer knows that the Plantation owners are planning an extravagant wedding for their oldest daughter and thinks this will give him the distraction he needs to rescue his mother and Anna. Some of his new friends insist on coming with him, without really understanding their danger. A tense climax provides great drama.Winner of the 2023 Newbery Medal and the 2023 Coretta Scott King Award for children’s literature.
Compelling middle-grade historical novel about a community of escaped slaves in the swamps of the American South before the Civil War. It is based on…
The Man Who Invented ChristmasThe Man Who Invented Christmas, BookHow Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol Rescued His Career and Revived Our Holiday Spirits
by Standiford, LesBook - 2008 | First edition.Book, 2008. First edition.
IndyPL_SteveB's rating:
Added Jan 02, 2024
Comment:
Useful and interesting book showing how Charles Dickens, desperate for a hit, wrote *A Christmas Carol* and changed the celebration of Christmas in England.
SondheimSondheim, BookHis Life, His Shows, His Legacy
by Silverman, Stephen M.Book - 2023 | First edition.Book, 2023. First edition.
IndyPL_SteveB's rating:
Added Dec 14, 2023
Comment:
An essential new book on the life and work of theatre composer Stephen Sondheim. Any lover of Sondheim’s shows will want this; it is absorbing and entertaining, much like Sondheim’s musicals. The book has hundreds of photos, with at least one fascinating story on each page.
You know *Company*, *A Little Night Music*, and *Sweeny Todd*, of course. But the inside stories of the less popular musicals are even more fascinating. Besides a biography of Sondheim himself, Silverman also gives us the background and production stories of each of Sondheim’s shows, from college all the way up through *Into the Woods, *Assassins*, and *Passion*.
You likely also know that Sondheim as a teenager was trained for songwriting by family friend, Oscar Hammerstein. Sondheim did most of the lyrics with Leonard Bernstein for *West Side Story*, then moved on to being the lyricist for Jule Styne in *Gypsy*. You may not also realize that a young Sondheim’s first job out of college was as a major scriptwriter for the first season of the television series of *Topper*.
As Sondheim was trained by the best, he often took young songwriters under his wing, encouraging Lin-Manual Miranda and Jonathan Larson, among others. There are many stories here about his deep friendships with Bernadette Peters, Lee Remick, Anthony Perkins, and Mary Rodgers.An essential new book on the life and work of theatre composer Stephen Sondheim. Any lover of Sondheim’s shows will want this; it is absorbing and entertaining, much like Sondheim’s musicals. The book has hundreds of photos, with at least one…
IndyPL_SteveB's rating:
Added Dec 04, 2023
Comment:
Such a cool picture book, showing what snowmen do at night, while we are not watching. Excellent, imaginative pictures. Perfect for individuals or group reading.
IndyPL_SteveB's rating:
Added Dec 04, 2023
Comment:
Scary, funny, and satisfying young novel. The witches are horrible and sneaky, but defeatable. Clever writing.
IndyPL_SteveB's rating:
Added Dec 04, 2023
Comment:
Perhaps my favorite Dahl book. Spunky, smart kid who loves to read has criminal parents and a monstrous school principal. She finds validation and love with her wonderful class teacher.
King Bidgood's in the BathtubKing Bidgood's in the Bathtub, Book
by Wood, AudreyBook - 1985Book, 1985
IndyPL_SteveB's rating:
Added Dec 04, 2023
Comment:
Wonderful picture book with dozens of fascinating visual details that reward several extra minutes of looking. The king hates to get out of his bathtub and wants all of his court to dance or play in the tub with him. Kids see the inherent silliness in it, while they also know how much THEY like playing in the tub. Caldecott Honor book that would have won in most years. Great for group reading.Wonderful picture book with dozens of fascinating visual details that reward several extra minutes of looking. The king hates to get out of his bathtub and wants all of his court to dance or play in the tub with him. Kids see the inherent…
IndyPL_SteveB's rating:
Added Dec 04, 2023
Comment:
Fascinating and controversial picture book by Sendak. I think it is great, but I recognize that the naked Mickey freaks out some people. I would only use it with my children or grandchildren when you can discuss it. Never in a group story time.
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