Books: B5, Calvino, Reading, Mad Science, Shark Repellent, UnLondon, and more Batman

[woodwardiocom]

Babylon 5: The Centauri Trilogy by Peter David

While I quite like most of Peter David's work, Babylon 5 is feeling to me less like a show to be a fan of, and more like "just something that happened in the 90s." I reread the opening chapters of this trilogy (revolving around Londo, Vir, and how they rebuild their world) to decide if I wanted to keep it on the shelves, and decided against. Into the giveaway bin with it.

Cosmicomics by Italo Calvino

Ditto this nominally funny SF collection (about cosmic forces as henpecked protagonists), which on rereading I found a bit trite, repetitive, sexist, and not illuminating.

The Reading Promise by Alice Ozma

This is a nonfiction account of how Ozma's father read to her every night for over 3000 nights straight. Many of the books they read are books I intend to read to my daughter someday soon. It is somehow more about keeping a slightly-damaged family together than about books-qua-books, but that is not a weakness. It has many interesting things to say about family, growing up, tradition, and the value of literacy. I tore through it in a day and a half. Recommended.

The Geek Dad Book For Mad Scientists by Ken Denmead

Speaking of parenting, this was a Father's Day gift from my wife. It's full of lots of science experiments and demonstrations, couched in entertaining mad-science riffs. Recommended.

Why Does Batman Carry Shark Repellent? by Brian Cronin et al

In case he needs to repel a shark, of course! This is a collection of comic book trivia lists, including Nine Great Nonwhite Comic Book Characters, Three Unusual Ways A Creator Has Broken Into Comics, and Five Stupidest Superhero Origins. (Raised by wild condors, therefore can fly. Srsly.) Brief, light, but entertaining. Mildly recommended.

Un Lun Dun by China Miéville

I found this oddly hard to get through. It's a novel aimed at the YA crowd, in which two teenage girls fall through the looking-drobe into the anti-London (full of things mildly obsolete in London), which is threatened by the Smog. It's a little too cute and fond of puns, and annoyingly similar to Neverwhere. On the other hand, I love the core premise (which I shall not spoil), and how it plays with tropes. It's definitely going to be something I read to my daughter, despite how difficult I found it to engage with. Conflictedly recommended.

Batman: Death By Design by Chip Kidd and Dave Taylor

This lovely original graphic novel is about a battle over architecture fought in the streets and skies of Gotham. The art is black-n-white-ish, with subtle colors carefully layered in. It has the "non-specific 20th century" feel that works so well for Batman. It's kinda like if The Fountainhead had been a Batman story (except, y'know, not as likely to annoy the hell out of you). The back cover quote is by Michael Chabon, which should tell you something. Highly recommended.

Comments

[fadethecat.livejournal.com]

I would categorize Un Lun Dun as very firmly in the MG camp rather than YA; I found the prose bland, but appropriate given that categorization. (I would have held it against it more as YA.)

[minkrose]

After seeing all our comments about reading to Roo, I am re-recommending Proust & the Squid, especially the chapters on children and reading development. You should bump it up in your queue, as I think it will be relevant sooner rather than later. :-)

[woodwardiocom.livejournal.com]

It is physically in my to-read stack, and I'll pick it up soon, promise.

[minkrose]

Hooray! I wasn't sure if you remembered.

[trowa-barton.livejournal.com]

I'll take your Centauri trilogy

[woodwardiocom.livejournal.com]

Drop by anytime. I'll set it aside.