Review 347: The High Sierra

The High Sierra: A Love Story by Kim Stanley Robinson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I keep talking about this book with people I know who like to hike or enjoy the mountains. There's a lot of surprises in the book, such as the way it's organized, but way more than that. Anyway, I should gather more thoughts and words and put them here....be back momentarily.

--------------------------further thoughts:

What a book! It’s long, probably too long (sorry, so are my thoughts here), but it does cover a wide variety of topics. It is partly autobiographical, with a strong focus on Robinson’s life hiking and spending time in the Sierra Nevada Mountain range with leaving out most of his childhood, except brief mentions of how athletic he was, and continued to be during college. It was in college when one of his good friends took him and several other friends on an experience that would transform their lives. They went on a backpacking trip into the Desolation Wilderness area of the Sierras. He fell in love.

Other parts of this book include a history of people, such as the beginning of the Sierra Club, John Muir (of course) and a few other historic events and people. He talks about geography a bit, and something he calls psychogeology.

There’s quite about the names of things in these mountains, how there are some bad names and some good ones, as well as many suggestions for new names. I have to agree with his statement, why does one generation (mostly white men) get to name everything, and have it never change?

Robinson talks about routes and areas, of course, and this does take up a good portion of the book. The backpacking and camping experiences they had, with some of the mishaps that happened, the exciting times.

There does seem to be some pieces missing, such as not much talked about the Pacific Crest Trail, and not much about Yosemite, and that’s likely because he avoids these places, also Mammoth. The places that people already know about and go to he avoids, so it becomes understandable that he doesn’t discuss that.

Robinson includes a significant amount about the Swiss Alps, as he and his wife lived in Switzerland for a couple of years. It feels out of place, but if you look at the book as an autobiography it becomes understandable, and it does serve as a comparison to the Sierras.

I found that Robinson is quite opinioned about the way to do backpacking. It works for him, but definitely won’t work for everyone. Not taking established trails, well is that good advice? Wouldn’t that end up creating some major issues if that’s what everyone did, go off-trail?

When I first started reading the book it created such a strong longing in me to go to the Sierras, to go hiking. While I could possibly do that, it won’t be anytime in the near future. It was tempting to stop reading until I could relieve that desire, but I continued on with the book, pushing past that desire. Is this one of Robinson’s goals? Not sure but it did feel often he was writing to the younger people, collage age like those he teaches.

I listened to the audiobook, which is narrated by Robinson as well, and he does a wonderful job with that. In fact he was the best choice as his enthusiasm comes through even more so. But I missed out in seeing all the photos that are included in the print book. I did manage to get hold of a copy, but late in my reading, and really it’s better to view the photos while reading.

Post note:   despite this long review I didn't mention how this book was written by an author of many science fiction books, several of which I have read.  There is a series of three books that I really enjoyed, read a couple of them twice.  Hopefully I can get back here and link to those books I've read of his.

Review 346: The Revivalists

The Revivalists by Christopher M. Hood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

With a name like “The Revivalists” you’d expect this cult to be the center of the book, but that is not the case. Instead, we have two parents attempting a cross-country rescue attempt of their daughter. But since this is a post-apocalyptic world, where a devasting virus wiped out nearly everyone this is not an easy task.

There is a long set-up with the main characters, Bill is our narrator who was, or is a psychologist. His wife Penelope went into deep hibernation, barely doing anything other than sleeping and eating for many months, maybe close to a year? Until they heard from their daughter who was caught in California when the virus hit, while they are in New York.

As one may expect in a post-apocalyptic world going cross country they meet a variety of characters, and quickly have to deal with an entirely new world.

The writing was good, and it kept up the momentum where you want to keep reading, finding out what happens next. Although there are parts that bog down, with backstory and occasional social commentary. I had wanted more about the cult, was it formed before or after the devastating virus? How did their daughter get there?

Many questions remain, and the book ended a bit abruptly. Perhaps leaving and opening for a part two. If you’ve read a lot of cross-country travel in a post-apocalyptic world this book may not bring much new to that genre. I’ve not read a lot, but it felt familiar enough. There was enough here to say I’m glad I read it.

Thanks to Harper and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.

Review 345: The Bookseller

The Bookseller by Cynthia Swanson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book had an interesting premise with a fascinating dream life. It was as if Kitty was living a double life, as Kathryn that was a sort of what if scenario. By day Kitty owns a bookstore with her best friend Frida. She never married, which is what women did in the late 50s/early 60s. Now she’s resigned in being a spinster in her early 30s. By night, while dreaming she becomes Katharyn who is married to a wonderful man with piercing blue eyes, and two wonderful children. In a later dream the twins become triplets! And unfortunately, something is wrong with the third one. The more dreaming as Katharyn the more that world doesn’t seem so perfect.

While these seems interesting the story wasn’t written very well. There were all these unnecessary details, bogging the narrative down. I was getting bored reading this book. Not a good sign! But I stuck with it and get engrossed in the story and forgot about how poorly written the book was. Ended up enjoying the book more than would’ve thought, but it’s still not a great book. Mediocre at best.

Review 344: There Is Never Anything But the Present

There Is Never Anything But the Present: And Other Inspiring Words of Wisdom by Alan W. Watts
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Alan Watts is someone I’ve heard before; listened to hours of his lectures and read a few of his books. I was interested when I saw something by him on NetGalley, not realizing it was only a collection of quotes.

While the quotes are good, and interesting on their own, I will say that his full lectures and books are better if you want to understand what Watts is about, his philosophy and take on the world. Also, Watts has a fantastic sense of humor, and it doesn’t seem to come across with these short sections. While I was reading, I had to remind myself of his voice, his way of speaking, then in hearing that I was able to feel the humor and lightness.

The book could easily be read in a day, being small, but I didn't, nor would I recommend that method. These quotes are something to ponder and sit with a while. Good for contemplation, not racing through.

Review 343: Hester

Hester by Laurie Lico Albanese
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book. Days after finished reading I still wished I could remain in that time period, still follow our main character, Isobel. Instead, I will have to see what else this author wrote.

The book is a fictional origin story of how Nathanial Hawthorne came to write his classic book The Scarlet Letter. The woman in his book Hester Prynne, being modeled after our main character, Isobel Gamble. As a child she learns that colors with words are not normal and you may be labeled a witch, so it is a secret she must hold onto. This synesthesia runs in the family, by the women, and her maternal grandmother was indeed accused of being a witch but escaped before being put to death.

Quickly Isobel is grown, marries, then after a misfortune, they sail to the new world, landing in Salem, MA to begin anew. Here Isobel becomes herself, a woman, and where most of the story takes place.

I enjoyed how this book was written, how the story took place. We have snippets of another timeline for a brief page or two between each chapter. It ends up switching characters further along in the book, which lead to the reader knowing much more than the characters. Not sure I liked that, but the only aspect that really bothered me with this book.

A great read for Nathanial Hawthorne fans, who of course, don’t mind the inventions about his life.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an uncorrected electronic advance review copy of this book.

First thoughts:

I wish the book hadn't ended, I want to read more.
Instead I will have to see what else this author wrote.

Review 342 : Devil Sent the Rain

Devil Sent the Rain by Lisa Turner

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Not my usual book, a detective story taking place in the south, although it's not uncommon either. It just isn't my typical go-to type book. Generally, I don't like these kings of books, nor series.  

This was okay, not great. I didn't love the writing or anything. 

Turns out this is book 3 in a series called Detective Billy Able. It didn't hurt not to have read any previous books in the series.  Don't think I'll read any more in the series either. 

Why did I read this?  I picked this book as it fit in trying to read from each of my bookshelves in my home, and I've had it awhile. One of my goals this year has been pulling books out of a variety of the shelves I have. Generally I stick to one or two main bookshelves.  I got the book in June 2016 at a library conference.