Andy Weir
A recent offering from the author of The Martian. This time there is a strange lifeform?? that is siphoning off the energy of the sun, which will lead to sure collapse of life on earth. Junior High school teacher nee pre-eminent astrobiologist Dr. Ryland Grace is pulled into the project that will, on a short timescale, create an interstellar travel plan to go to the origin star and find out what is up. The story is told half in real time (on the Project Hail Mary ship) and half in flashback (the origin story of the project). Definitely consistent with my memory of the Martian, with lots of engineering and science that is pretty well researched and possible. For example, solving the energy problem of interstellar travel with the energy thief itself. Clever. Absolutely worth the read.
4 stars (out of 4)
Book 1 - Star NomadBook 2 - Honor's FlightBook 3 - StarseersBook 4 - Relic of SorrowsBook 5 - Cleon MoonBook 6 - Arkadian SkiesBook 7 - Perilous HuntBook 8 - End Game
Michael Lewis
A set of essays that follows a Washington Post series highlighting individual civil servants in government. The idea is that the U.S. Government is so vast, that we can't really grasp what it does. So these essays each fixate on one hyper-narrow function, and bring it to life. Three of these were particularly interesting/effective for me in understanding government - an essay describing the work of an engineer working on coal mine safety, an essay highlighting the work of the office in charge of national cemeteries, and one illuminating the function of the National Archives. Each of these pulled one person and dug in, but it is amazing to think about the tens --> hundreds of colleagues and supporters in those offices that make the whole machine work. It really does make you appreciate the taxes you pay, and lament the dismantling for the sake of dismantling that we are currently seeing.
4 stars (out of 4)
Robin Hobb
Book 3 of the Farseer Trilogy
The final book of the trilogy opens with a bleak outlook. Regal is in charge and has plundered the Duchies for his own personal gain. Anyone with an inclination to good is either dead, missing or powerless and the Red Raiders control much of the coast. With this backdrop, we are treated to a true fantasy quest. A cohort develops over time, evil pursues, magic pulls and hinders at the same time, prophecies abound and the fate of the Six Duchies is at stake. A true epic. And maybe in fantasy, quest form, sometimes the quest drags on, and the whole thing wraps up remarkably quickly. But let me assure you, Fitz is the reluctant hero (the catalyst) for everything that happens and is able to walk off into the sunset. An admirable conclusion.
4 stars (out of 4)
Robin Hobb
Book 2 of the Farseer Trilogy
As the story starts, Fitz is in Buckkeep, the Red Raiders escalate their raids on the coastal Duchies, and it is clear that Prince Regal has designs on the thrown for which he is only 2nd in line. With the raider problem not having a realistic solution, King-in-waiting Verity leaves Buckkeep to search for the Elderlings, mystical creatures who helped keep raiders at bay in prior generations. Which leaves Fitz and his cohort to resist the evils of Regal. He does... until he doesn't. It is hard to remember that Fitz is still just a teen, and that for all of his skills and talents (the Wit and the Skill), he hasn't really been trained in any of them nor really understand the potential or the dangers he faces. Like most teens, he is invincible in his own mind, and knows better than his elders. Reading this through the eyes of a brash teen who simultaneously lacks self-confidence makes for fascinating story development. Especially as his world crashes down around him.
4 stars (out of 4)
