Whistler

Ann Pachett

This latest novel by Pachett stars Daphne, a 50-something woman who by chance, encounters her step-father (her mothers 2nd husband) and re-establishes a relationship. The real joy of the novel is the recounting of her history, with pieces told by Daphne, Eddie (the step-father), sister Leda, and mother Abigail. Like My Friends, this is a story told out of order. The central event is a car accident that took place when Daphne was 9 that she and Eddie survived. The retelling of that story and how it threads together the relationships and revelations of the characters is quite engaging. 

4 stars (out of 4)

My Friends

Fredrik Backman

A story of childhood and of growing up. Of seeing the world and children and as artists. As children who are unable to see the world as children. This story follows Louisa, a just turned 18 foster kid who encounters an artist in an alley, and then her whole life changes. She embarks on a journey with Ted (a friend of the artist), where Ted relays the story of the summer he was 14, with a group of 4 friends. It is an immersive tale and expertly told by Backman. The story of Ted and Louisa intertwine with the summer 25 years ago, and neither the current timeline nor the historical timeline are told in order. It reflects how stories are told, based on what idea is in the head at any given time, and Louisa is making friends and experiencing the summer in real time, while Ted is simply remembering. Striking.

4 stars (out of 4)

Wheel of the Infinite

Martha Wells

One of her early works (2000), this stand alone novel is exactly what I expect from Wells. Maskelle is the protagonist, an exiled shaman/sorceress who is know as the Voice of the Adversary. She is joined by Rian, a highly skilled body guard who recently abandoned his post because he got morals. The two journey across country, Maskelle having been summoned by the Celestial One (chief shaman) and find that nothing less that existence is at stake for all humanity. No big. A fascinating world that is different that other magical fantasy. The attitude and sass of Maskelle foreshadows the personality and of Murderbot some 20 years later. Love it. 

4 stars (out of 4)

Code Girls

Liza Mundy

The Code Girls are the thousands of women who were recruited in WWII to work for the Army or Navy intelligence services on breaking codes and ciphers of Germans and Japanese. It is a well researched book and relies heavily on personal statements by the participants. We hear not only the story of the development of codebreaking skills, but also of life for women in the service during the war, the friendships that developed, and the massive & unifying effort that the war was. No-one in the US was not a participant or affected somehow. A fabulous telling of history for the next generations. The downside is the lack of a narrative thread. There are so many people involved (which is part of how astounding everything is) that there are too many to keep track of, and the resulting story is a meander through time and space that isn't always linear enough to be a story.

3 stars (out of 4)

The Land and Its People

David Sedaris

The latest collection of essays by Sedaris is both modern (with poignant reflections on current events) and classic (portraying his simultaneous frustration with all things stupid and loving of the the ridiculous). He is heartfelt in his reflections on love, relationship and death. He is unflinching in his critique of stupidity and the problems with "kids these days". I love his observations and turn of phrase. I do think that the only way to read one of his books is to listen to him read it. 

4 stars (out of 4)

The Warrior's Apprentice

Lois McMaster Bujold

Book 3 of The Vorkosigan Saga

Miles Naismith Vorkosigan is of age and planning to join the military academy. Since the emperor is also of age and inhabiting the throne, his dad is no longer the regent, but is named the Prime Minister. When Miles fails his test (his bones just can't hack it), he and Ellen (Sgt Bothari's girl and fellow Escobar War baby raised like Miles in a uterine replicator) travel to Beta Colony to visit Miles' grandmother. A series of chance meetings put Miles and Ellen on a ship to Tau Colony and their local war. Miles military logician mind get shown off as he "accidentally" creates a mercenary army and stops the planetary war. Of course there are repercussions when he gets home, but boy was that fun...

3 stars (out of 4)

Barrayar

Lois McMaster Bujold

Book 2 of The Vorkosigan Saga

Vorkosigan is named the Regent for the new Emperor (4 years old) and Naismith is his new bride. As near as I can tell, Barrayar is some version of a Tsar led Russia, with the Emperor holding together a tenuous cease of violence by the local oligarch/counts. Of course everyone assumes that Vorkosigan will seek to hold the throne when the Emperor comes of age, and therefore the next 16 years will be one assassination attempt after the other. When everything kicks off, it is Naismith who discovers and quells the rebellion with daring commando excursions behind enemy lines. For a space opera, this episode takes place entirely on planet...

What is strange about the Saga is the availability. I actually had to buy a paper version of this book since it was not available in my library. Strange, and likely to mean I won't be reading the entire series. 

3 stars (out of 4)