Stacking the Shelves

Posted August 30, 2014 by in General / 44 Comments

I’m trying not to buy too many books, still, despite my book ban being over. That did not stop me from going to the library and picking up a new book/one with a voucher… Time for Stacking the Shelves a la Tynga’s Reviews!

Fiction (bought)

Cover of Lock In by John Scalzi Cover of Dreamwalker by J D Oswald

I didn’t intend to pounce on Lock In when it came out, but I spotted it in the shop today, so I thought I might as well pick it up. As for Dreamwalker, it involves dragons, so, hey! Plus, free voucher because I filled my stamp card, so.

Fiction (library)

Cover of Behold the Man by Michael Moorcock Cover of We Are Here by Michael Marshall Cover of The Sorcerer's House by Gene Wolfe

Cover of Homer's Odyssey by Simon Armitage Cover of Radio Free Albemuth by Philip K Dick Cover of Timescape by Gregory Benford

Cover of Black Unicorn by Tanith Lee Cover of Book of Skulls by Robert Silverberg

Various things for various challenges, here, plus some I’ve been meaning to read for a while — I like Michael Marshall’s SF, and I love Gene Wolfe in general. Simon Armitage’s work is generally awesome, too. All in all, pleased with this library haul.

Library (non-fiction)

Cover of the Selfish Genius by Fern Elsdon-Baker Cover of The Hidden Landscape by Richard Fortey Cover of Eating the Sun, by Oliver Morton

Cover of On My Way to Jorvik by John Sunderland

While Dawkins has more business commenting about biology and genetics than he does about babies with Down’s syndrome or religion, it’s interesting to see someone challenge some of his ideas. I already reviewed that one here. And of course, I just really enjoy the way Fortey writes.

Review copies

Cover of Unspeakable by Abbie Rushton Cover of Poisoned Pearls by Leah Cutter

I’ve been hoping for Unspeakable for a while, so thanks to Little, Brown for that! Poisoned Pearls came via LibraryThing’s Early Reviewers program, which is always awesome. Thank you to them and to Book View Cafe! I think I’ve read something else by Leah Cutter and quite enjoyed it…

What’s anyone else been getting their hands on?

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44 responses to “Stacking the Shelves”

  1. calmgrove

    Super range of titles. Must try the Silverberg again, having stalled many years ago. Me? Stand-up Michael McIntyre’s autobiog (borrowed, not bought) and Alison Uttley’s The Country Child (ditto: still sticking to my moratorium on bookbuying till after we move). So, still nowhere near as prolific as you!

    Reply
  5. aisha

    you got some good stuff. I’m looking forward to hearing your opinion on’ lock in ‘. Ive noticed anything Tanith Lee is always awesome. I hope you enjoy your books unspeakable with looks good too.tfs

    Reply
    • thebrightspark

      Thanks! This is actually my first Tanith Lee, I feel like I’ve been missing something. Mind you, it’s not for lack of trying — I’m visiting my parents at the moment, but my normal library doesn’t have anything by Tanith Lee in.

      Reply
    • thebrightspark

      Thanks! And here’s the summary of Lock In:

      Fifteen years from now, a new virus sweeps the globe. 95% of those afflicted experience nothing worse than fever and headaches. Four percent suffer acute meningitis, creating the largest medical crisis in history. And one percent find themselves “locked in”—fully awake and aware, but unable to move or respond to stimulus.

      One per cent doesn’t seem like a lot. But in the United States, that’s 1.7 million people “locked in”…including the President’s wife and daughter.

      Spurred by grief and the sheer magnitude of the suffering, America undertakes a massive scientific initiative. Nothing can restore the ability to control their own bodies to the locked in. But then two new technologies emerge. One is a virtual-reality environment, “The Agora,” in which the locked-in can interact with other humans, both locked-in and not. The other is the discovery that a few rare individuals have brains that are receptive to being controlled by others, meaning that from time to time, those who are locked in can “ride” these people and use their bodies as if they were their own.

      Reply
  13. chucklesthescot

    Those books should keep you entertained for a while-hope you enjoy them! I’m getting ready for another book ban…I might need to put it into action until December to let me clear my tbrs!

    Reply
  18. Liza @ Reading with ABC

    I’m not familiar with a lot of these. The covers for Sorcerers and Eating the Sun are stunning!

    Happy reading and thanks for stopping by 🙂

    Reply
  19. shannonmiz

    I don’t think I have heard of any of these, but some of them (especially Unspeakable) look really interesting, I am off to check them out! Hope you have a great week and enjoy the books 🙂

    Reply

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