Rainy reads

We've been getting a lot of rain lately, so I've been reading more. I used to be able to dive into a book and I'd be gone. Not so much anymore, I recognize the plot and know how it will end, and the cardboard characters don't interest me. I'll stop reading. They might or might not show up here. Sometimes I use the blog as a way to remind myself if I've read something that catches my attention.

But first, a peony!

The Last Gifts of the Universe by Riley August. I thought it would be cute. It was not.

The Tallpecs of Alberta and Saskatchewan by Fred Stenson. I'd read another of his books and liked it. I did not like this one, mainly because the vertical distortion ruins the photos for me.

Canadian Photographs, by Geoffrey James. Exactly what it says.

Identity Theft by Robert J. Sawyer. He is one of the pre-eminent Canadian science fiction writers. I've actually met him and chatted at a writer's convention. I've got lots of his other books, and enjoyed them. I remember his saying once that he gets lots of offers to collaborate on books, with the person offering to share their idea, and help him with the writing. He always refuses because these people bring nothing to the table. Ideas are a dime a dozen. He said he had more ideas than he could write out in the rest of his life. It's the writing out that's the hard part. Tapping the keys, putting in the time to get it right, then send it out to the world. Even for established writers it's not easy. There's a joke. What is it that all writers want more than anything else? Answer. To have written. Anyway, this is pretty good, though I mostly saw the twist coming. Anybody that's read Varley's Steel Beach universe will also see it coming. There is a bit of a sense of cranking it out.

The Iconic Photographs by Steve McCurry. I can confidently state you've seen his work. Who can forget Afghan Girl once they've seen her eyes? I had to wait a while to get this one, and oh boy, is it worth the wait. This is absolutely stunning.

Why Buddhism is True, by Robert Wright. OMG, so many words going around in a circle.

Not at the End of the World by Hannah Ritchie. Oh so earnest. But Hans Rosling did it so much better.

The Silent Gondoliers by William Goldman. Sort of like The Princess Bride, but not as good.

I only Read Murder by Ian and Will Ferguson. It's gone back to the library, and I now have no memory of reading it.

Of the Day

Driftwood (NZ)

Driftwood (NB)

Film

Linda

Newfoundland

New Brunswick

Why ever didn't I publish this, and maybe I did

90 days, or so ago

Flower

Landscape

This is part of the "beach" at the end of the road in norther Newfoundland. I consider myself fortunate that I didn't twist an ankle walking on the slippery sloped rocks, and then fall over and bleed to death on the razor sharp rock edges. 

Serendipity