Stretch's reading in 2024

Happy New Year everyone! I am Kevin from Indiana and reader of mostly dark things with a little whimsy from Japan. Going into 2024 with the same plan as last year; no plan at all.

Except this year will feature far fewer ewes.

Fiction:
Penance by Eliza Clark ★★★★
The Nature Book by Tom Comitta ★★★★
Mislaid in Parts Half-Known by Seanan McGuire ★★★★★
Mosaic by Catherine McCarthy ★★★½
Into the Sublime by kate A. Boorman ★★★½
Life's Lottery by Kim Newman ★★★★
Suffer the Darkness by Yolanda Sfetsos ★★½
Ink by Jonathan Maberry ★★★
Black River Orchard by Chuck Wendig ★★★½
The Crimson Labyrinth by Yusuke Kishi ★★★½
Lovely Dark & Deep by Megan Stockton ★★★★
Tastes Like Candy 2 by Ivy Tholen ★★★
#thighgap by Chandler Morrison ★★★★½
Subdivision by J. Robert Lennon ★★★½
Walkabout by James Vance Marshall ★★★
Beartown by Richard Backman ★★½
The Hole by Pyun Hye-Young ★★
The Talosite by Rebecca Campbell ★★★
The Day of the Door by Laurel Hightower ★★★★½
We by Yevgeny Zamyatin ★★½

Non-Fiction:
Trick or Treat: A History of Halloween by Lisa Morton ★★★
Reading: A Very Short Introduction by Belinda Jack ★★★
Big Fiction: How Conglomeration Changed the Publishing Industry and American Literature by Dan Sinykin ★★★½
Pencils You Should Know: A History of the Ultimate Writing Utensil in 75 Anecdotes by Caroline Weaver ★★★★★
Book Wars: The Digital Revolution in Publishing by John B. Thompson ★★★★
Curse on This Country: The Rebellious Army of Imperial Japan
by Danny Orbach ★★★★½
The Visible Unseen: Essays by Andera Chapela ★★★★
Sports in American Life: A History by Richard O. Davies ★★★½
Geopedia by Marcia Bjornerud ★★★★½
What We Talk About When We Talk About Books by Leah Price ★★★½
Horror Literature Through History by Matt Cardin ★★★★★
Anarchism and Other Essays by Emma Goldman ★★★
Only a Theory by Kenneth Miller ★★★★
The Book That Changed America by Randall Fuller ★★★
The Book by Amaranth Borsuk ★★★½
Pencil by Carol Buggy ★★★★

Other:
Blue Lock by Muneyuki Kaneshiro ★★★
Famine, Affluence, and Morality by Peter Singer ★★★½
Blood on the Tracks 1 by Shuzo Oshimi ★★★★
Blood on the Tracks 2 by Shuzo Oshimi ★★★★
Blood on the Tracks 3 by Shuzo Oshimi ★★★½
Blood on the Tracks 4 by Shuzo Oshimi ★★★
Blood on the Tracks 5 by Shuzo Oshimi ★★★½
Blood on the Tracks 6 by Shuzo Oshimi ★★★½
The Kraken Wakes by John Wyndham ★★★
Photographs of the Atomic Bombings ★★★½
Born of Man and Woman by Richard Matheson ★★★½
The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service Volume 4 by Eiji Otsuka ★★★

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Best of Jan.: Penance
Runner Up: Mislaid in Parts Half-Known

Creme de la crème of Feb.: Pencils You Should Know: A History of the Ultimate Writing Utensil in 75 Anecdotes
Runner Up: Book Wars: The Digital Revolution in Publishing

Elite of Mar.: Curse on This Country
Runner Up: The Visible Unseen

Boss of Apr.: Geopedia
Runner Up: ---

MVB of May: Black River Orchard
Runner Up: The Crimson Labyrinth

Hit of Jun.: What We Talk About When We Talk About Books
Runner Up: Born of Man and Woman

Top of Jul.: #Tighgap
Runner Up: Horror Literature Through History

Peerless in Aug.: Aura
Runner Up: Cannibals

Superlative of Sep.: The Day of the Door
Runner Up: The Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service Volume 4

Leader of Oct.: Crushing Snails
Runner Up: We

Champion of Nov.:
Runner Up:

Unparalleled of Dec.:
Runner Up:

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Blue Lock by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and Yusuke Nomura



Blue Lock written by Muneyuki Kaneshiro and illustrated by Yusuke Nomura, revolves around the Japanese Football Association’s decision to hire the eccentric coach Jinpachi Ego to achieve their dream of winning the World Cup.

While I enjoy sports manga, I as a defensive minded player can not get behind the philosophy of this series. Ego is not going to get you a world cup trophy and even the best strikers in the world work within the context of a team. Maybe it gets better as it goes on, but it's a bit too serious for my soccer fandom.

★★★

Connective Tissue: Giant Killing

Happy new year! I don't often have things to say but I'm here. *whispers* and I will miss the sheep...

>3 LolaWalser: Haha, thanks for stopping by, I thought about goats this year but given my predisposition to horror thought it might stare into creepy far too fast.

Have you watched Ted Lasso?

I’ll miss your ewes. Happy New year and new thread, Kevin

>5 dchaikin: Football is Life! Yeah Ted Lasso is the best, I think I've seen each season at least 3 times. Best soccer property on the screen that isn't an actual game even if there is very little soccer on the show.

Happy New Year Dan!

>6 stretch: I agree. I don’t watch much tv. But i adored Lasso

Welcome back and Happy New Year, Kevin. I have to admit that some of the sheep were a bit freaky. :-) All the staring... I'll be following along as always, and look forward to adding a few Japanese books to my wishlist.

Looking back on the last reads of 2023 there is only one I want to catch up on:

The Solace of Open Spaces by Gretel Ehrlich



The Solace of Open Spaces a collection of essays that describe Ehrlich’s experiences of living and working as a sheepherder in Wyoming. Ehrlich portrays the beauty and harshness of the American West, as well as the people and animals that inhabit it. She also reflects on her own journey of coping with the death of a loved one and finding solace in the open spaces of Wyoming. Exploring themes of nature, grief, healing, and culture through lyrical and evocative prose it is one to remember.

★★★★½

Connective Tissue: The Sand County Almanac, Walden, The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating

Happy reading in 2024. Another big Ted Lasso household here. I heard a radio interview with the actor who played Roy Kent (I think he was also one of the producers) who talked about how much they all loved working together on that show and how sad he was when they finally wrapped it up.

>10 rocketjk: In all the cast interviews I have seen they all seem to have a legitimately good time making the show. It is one of the very few shows that I really hope they spin off into something else. The cast was just so much fun and the show was just so feel good happy, there doesn't feel like anything quite like it on TV.

I’ve heard this about Lasso too. I’ve tried a few of Shrinking (same writers? I think)

>9 stretch: I’m having trouble finding nature books i bond with for many years now. This looks very promising. I’m hoping to get to Sand County Almanac this year. (Your connective tissue)

>12 dchaikin: fwiw, my wife and I really liked Shrinking, as well. Harrison Ford is a hoot!

>12 dchaikin: I've been having the same issues with Nature books, I have started and given up on so many lately, this was the first one I have read all the way through in a long time. Can't put a finger on why exactly, but very few hit for me.

Aldo Leopold is one of my all time favorite nature writer his essays "Thinking Like a Mountain" and "Old Oak" are worth it if you get the chance.

>12 dchaikin: and >13 rocketjk: I started Shrinking, but got sidetracked. I need to finish that series I was liking it quite a lot.

Penance by Eliza Clark



Penance explores the aftermath of a brutal murder of a teenage girl by three of her classmates in a small town in England. The story is told through the perspective of a journalist who has written a true crime book about the case, based on his interviews with the killers, the witnesses, and the victim’s family. The novel is a dark and disturbing examination of the motives and consequences of the crime, as well as the role of the media and the public in sensationalizing and exploiting it.

The novel is divided into six parts, each focusing on one of the main characters: the victim; the ringleader of the killers; the other two killees; an innocent gril caught up in the invesigation; ; and finally the journalist that wrote the account. Each part reveals a different aspect of the crime and its impact, as well as the secrets and lies that each character hides. The novel also switches between different formats, such as transcripts, blog posts, podcasts, and letters, to create a sense of realism and immersion.

The story is not a typical whodunit or a thriller, but rather a psychological and sociological study of the characters and their environment. The author does not shy away from depicting the violence and cruelty of the crime, but also shows the complexity and humanity of the perpetrators and the victim. The novel raises questions about the nature of evil, the influence of social media and fandom culture, the ethics of true crime journalism, and the power of narrative and manipulation. Penance is a gripping and unsettling novel that will keep you hooked until the end.

★★★★

Connective Tissue: Penance -- this isn't right I mean the other Penance from Japan, Yellowface

>15 stretch: wow. Terrific review. Interesting connective tissue again. I want to read Yellowface.

Will be following along... Think I've taken a couple of book bullets already!

The Nature Book by Tom Comitta



I'm not sure how to even describe this book. An experimental collage fragments of fictional writing from other authors describing the aspects of the natural world, cut and pasted together into a rather coherent arc. Not really a story but a series of evocative passages exploring the themes of environmentalism, anthropocentrism, and the intersection of nature and humans. It somehow works, I think. Not typically one to read experimental writing but I think I enjoyed this or at least sufficiently confused enough to consider it worthy art.

Still not sure if this is even legal. How is it fair use to take whole passages of copyrighted material and string it together with other copyrighted material without transforming it in any way and without attribution for each fragment of text. I guess it did it was published after all, but I am highly confused by that.

★★★★

Connective Tissue: None, I've never read anything like it.

>19 dchaikin: unusual idea and interesting read. Glad it works.

>18 stretch: Based on your description, it sounds like this could have been a really interesting social media project!

>15 stretch: Penance was doing some interesting things, especially its examination of fan culture and how actual murders and murderers have become entertainment.

Another Ted Lasso fan here. This season's Fargo stars Juno Temple in a role that is utterly different and very similar to her role in Ted Lasso.

Mislaid in Parts Half-Known by Seanan McGuire



This is becoming one of my favorite part of January, the publication of Wayward Children book. This is the ninth iteration of the series that is a continuation of Lost in the Moment and Found.

Like all odd books of this series this one a quest for the kids of the Wayward Children school to return Antsy from the last book to return to the Store. Antsy's ability to find lost things and open doors marks her as a target for exploitation. That as a survivor of child abuse becomes a metaphor throughout the story. Overall this was a great addition even as a non-world book. It felt more like an adventure rather a vehicle to advance the big story arc of the school. A couple of the open threads from previous books and short stories are starting to be closed. With the 19th book being the final currently under contract I'm not sure we will get another world book, there is so much that needs to be wrapped in the big story.

★★★★★

Connective Tissue: Lost in the Moment and Found

>22 stretch: Thanks to you, I read the first five in the Wayward Children series last year. I particularly liked the Jack and Jill stories. I am up to Across the Green Grass Fields, I think that was one of your favorites? Once I get space in my holds queue, I'll request it.

>23 labfs39: Yeah the Jack and Jill books are the high water mark in the series for me. I did really like the Across the Green Grass Fields, but I also like Beneath the Sugar Sky, which I think is one of the least liked of the series by most people. The last two covering the store story arc are also ranking high my internal order for the series. There is so much added to the overall lore of the doors and even more fun worlds to imagine.

>24 stretch: I'm one of the readers who didn't care for Beneath the Sugar Sky. The logic worlds are much easier for me to enjoy than the nonsense ones.

>25 labfs39: I get that nonsense worlds would drive me nuts, but Sumi is one of my favorite characters. She's utter chaos, but totally confident. All the other characters are in need of self confidence being in various stages of damage which makes sense, but it is nice to have one character among the children that is just sure of themselves and not searching for their identity. She's the balance to a Cora or Kade even. Nothing makes sense in Sugarland but I do like how it is probably the most dangerous of the worlds with a sweet coating.

>22 stretch: I'd missed that the new Wayward Children book was out, so I know what I'll be reading after my current books. From your review it sounds like a good one. The even numbered books tend to be my favourites but I do generally enjoy them all.

>22 stretch: This is the second time I've run across a Seanan McGuire recommendation on Club Read in as many days. Great comments, I'm looking forward to starting the series.

>27 valkyrdeath: Yeah, the even world books are just better, this last one feels something of a hybrid a bit, a mix of world building and quest. I think with the 10th suppose to be the last one, at least on contract makes me wonder if we will get another World or something that puts a bow on the series.

>28 rv1988: They are definitely young adult, so they are easy to read through. The books are well written just not very complex. I think they are fun with some sad and uplifting twists of underrepresented children finding their place.

Big Fiction: How Conglomeration Changed the Publishing Industry and American Literature by Dan Sinykin



Big Fiction examines how the publishing industry and American literature have changed since the 1960s, when large corporations began to buy out independent publishers. Sinykin argues that this process of conglomeration has influenced the kinds of books and writers that are published, as well as the literary forms and themes that they use. He analyzes four different sectors of the publishing industry: mass-market, trade, nonprofit, and employee-owned, and how they have shaped the works of various authors, such as Danielle Steel, Stephen King, Toni Morrison, and Walter Mosley. Sinykin also explores how women and people of color have navigated the shifts in publishing, and how their experiences are reflected in their fiction.

An insightful study of the relationship between literature and the market, and how it has evolved over the past six decades. Sinykin combines literary criticism, cultural history, and industry analysis to offer a comprehensive perspective on American fiction writing. The book is rich in detail and examples, and covers a wide range of genres and authors, from bestsellers to literary classics, full of portraits of industry figures, such as editors, agents, and publishers, and how they have influenced the literary landscape. Sinykin shows how conglomeration has both enabled and constrained the possibilities of fiction, and how writers have responded to the challenges and opportunities of the market.

★★★½

Connective Tissue: The Book on the Bookshelf, The book : a cover-to-cover exploration of the most powerful object of our time

What an interesting place you’ve been. I’m fascinated at how publishers (and editors!) impact literature. And I’ve wondered what the corporate impacts are on this.

>32 dchaikin: Yeah my non-fiction reading has started down a weird rabbit hole of the book as an industry as of late. Next couple of reads will be publishing related hopefully I won't find myself in the ugly back alley of wishy washy marketing.

>33 stretch: i’m so curious what you will learn. I’m seriously thinking about Yellowface, apparently a non-subtle satire

>31 stretch: Very interesting - and I wonder how much of this is changing with the advent of algorithm-driven sales (such as BookTok favourites).

>31 stretch: Interesting. Does this book get into social media influencing and how that's shaped publishing? I get quite cross about it; it seems if you're any kind of Z list celebrity you will get a publishing deal for either your 'memoirs' or 'expertise', even if you're 20 and know nothing yet, whilst real talent gets overlooked. The Instagram blue tick in particular seems to be a straight line to a book deal. Which saddens me, but I guess that's the economics of any industry.

When my kids were younger I used to feel quite discouraged by the children's authors in the mainstream bookstores. Celebrity names seemed to rule the show.

>34 dchaikin: Yellowface is definitely not subtle in its approach. It's main weakness is that at times it becomes unfocused on the target it is trying to hit. She takes on a lot all at once. Still it is thought provoking in a way I didn't expect even if it has its flaws.

>35 rv1988: Mostly his book covers the big movements within publishing that have long lasting effects. Social media is still too new to see what long-term effect it will have on the publishing world, that is notoriously slow and conservative to move. There are some obvious changes to the industry in the public shaming in higher/pay/quality of life within the industry, the types of authors they give platforms too, and the special edition craze that is driven by the aesthetic forward social media platforms will probably be long standing changes within the industry.

As far as selling books, the publishing industry has no idea how to sell individual books. Their main marketing tool is the fear of missing out (fomo). The book blurb and New York Times bestseller stamps came to fill up space on the backs of books to create an illusion that these are more popular and significant than they actually are. Author tours made some authors household names. Before social media there were the stacks to create the market for the book, not because the demand was unbelievably high. These worked for a while, but the efficacy has faded over time. Social media is just the latest way to create fomo around a title, another shot in the dark to create the next bestseller. Even the publishers of the Fourth Wing, Entangled,fully acknowledge that they have cynically leaned into all the social media trends to launch their house but they won't be able to replicate it with any reliability in the future.

Marketing is not big on number crunching, it's all vibes and feelings. It's a bit of a wonder that publishers exist, they too aren't big on number crunching and figuring out what works.

>36 AlisonY: By and large the industry latches on to what trend is selling at any given time. Sinykin doesn't touch on celebrity memoir or the whole expertize side of non-fiction, sticking mostly to the fiction side of the house. These are books I tend to avoid as a rule, so I find them all very annoying. I think tying it to a known name is just a marketing technique that like many others are beaten into the ground hoping that they catch lightning in a bottle and get that one in a thousand fluke that becomes the book that subsidizes all the others that they can't figure out how to sell.

Into the Sublime by Kate A. Boorman



Into the Sublime is a young adult psychological thriller with horror elements that follows 4 teenage girls descending into a dangerous cave system in search of a mythical lake that can fulfill their desire to change. Told through Ameilie, one of the girls, a persuasive and unreliable narrator relaying the sequence of events to a skeptical deputy. Through the labyrinthine of the cave and the unreliable narrator Boorman skillfully creates a claustrophobic, ominous, and disorienting atmosphere that is fast-paced slow burn thriller with what may well be supernatural occurrences.

Boorman's unreliably narrator is one of the best I've encountered. She's perfectly balanced between a convincing story teller and obvious liar that the back and forth is more of a game then just a way to frame a twist. The story us mostly compelling. Still it has all the failures of a young adult book. It's divorced of consequences for our characters, while the suspense it is built to a crescendo, but the tension falls flat when you know that everyone is going to be safe. There's just a general lack of pay off to all the suspense. But it fulfills a BITF prompt so that works.

★★★½

Connective Tissue: Hide, Conjure the Witch

Pencils You Should Know: A History of the Ultimate Writing Utensil in 75 Anecdotes by Caroline Weaver



This a unique book, designed to emulate a brand new pencil box being longer but less wide then a typical book, allowing for the actual size color pictures of the pencils described makes this a bit of a pocket book hybrid with an history book. Really though it is a pencil history that traces the evolution of pencils over time and across the globe through examples of some of the most iconic pencils ever. This a another great lover letter to the pencil from Weaver and i am here for it.

★★★★★

Connective Tissue: The Pencil: A History of Design and Circumstance, How to Sharpen Pencils, The Pencil Perfect: The Untold Story of a Cultural Icon

>39 stretch: oh, pencils! I’m curious what you learned

>40 dchaikin: Not so much learned but was reminded of all the pencils from outside the US I have yet to try and need to get back onto the review wagon to finish up what I have left.

Did learn why Japanese have the master writing, writing, and drawing pencil labels => they were having a pricing wars with pencils of low quality being priced higher then premium pencils. Government maintained a trier system that the forced pencils into certain pricing brackets. No longer needed today but have stuck around as an eccentricity.

>41 stretch: well, that’s the kind of trivia that creates curiosity

Hey, Pencilman! I hold you responsible for my Blackwing mania. Not sure where they fall in your scale but for me these are the best pencils I have ever used. So far I got Matte, Pearl, Natural, 602 and 17.

>43 LolaWalser: The Blackwings are fantastic, even if I only ever really keep the 602s around. The combination of Japanese refined graphite in California cedar is hard to beat. I've never liked the eraser shape but that is mostly a foolish preference.

Some of the California centric editions have been outstanding, the Lake Tahoe and Gold Rush Pencils have been my favorites so far. Really think the editions are cool even if though I have kept from purchasing them, too many pencils as it is not sure I need to keep piling on.

>44 stretch: I have a few boxes of Blackwings that I'm slowly using. Unfortunately, they keep emailing me with pictures of their new editions.

>45 RidgewayGirl: Feel that for sure, I have an embarrassing amount of stockpiles and yet I still so tempted by email newsletters.

>43 LolaWalser: Ha. It's colored pencils for me... Black Widow, Castle Arts, Prismacolor, Polychromos, and cheap but I like them Crayola.

>47 WelshBookworm:

Prismacolor! I still have some sets I bought 30 years ago in the US and they are beautiful. The Verythins a little dry now, but an amazing quality, all things considered.

>44 stretch:, >45 RidgewayGirl:

This is where it "helps" to be a poor Canadian. The selection is limited and a single Blackwing costs @ 9 CAD.

In continuation of the esoteric nonfiction reading this year:

Book Wars: The Digital Revolution in Publishing by John B. Thompson



Book Wars: The Digital Revolution in Publishing” by John B. Thompson is a comprehensive exploration of the digital transformations that have significantly impacted the book publishing industry over the last 3 decades. The book covers a range of topics including the rise and plateau of the e-reader, the increasing popularity of the audiobook, and the fascination with self-publishing and crowdfunding for writers. One of the key strengths of “Book Wars” is its examination of the power of ‘user data’ owned by technology companies like Google, Amazon, Facebook, and Apple, discussing how the collection of behavioral information about consumer selections and purchases has grown tremendously with the rise of internet book retailers.

An interesting read about the current state of the digitial book and its future.

★★★★

Connective Tissue: The Book on the Bookshelf, The book : a cover-to-cover exploration of the most powerful object of our time

Mosaic by Catherine McCarthy



A novella that delves into the world of stained glass restoration. The protagonist, Robin, receives a letter offering her the job of restoring a macarbe stained-glass window on a thirteenth-century church. As she embarks on this journey, she battles her inner doubts and fears over whether the job is real or a cover-up.

The narrative is a slow burn, building gothic suspense mixed with more than a little Lovecraftian wyrd. Offering a unique exploration the progatnist psyche, even if the story is laregly predictable. Not really my mix of subgenres but am excited by the Dark Hart imprint that is putting out these novellas. They seem to be picking stories that mix genres in new and unique ways.

★★★½

Connective Tissue: Conjuring the Witch, Church

I’m mostly intrigued by restoring 13th-century stained glass.

Blood on the Tracks 1 by Shuzo Oshimi



Blood on the tracks is a slow burning psychological horror of a seeming ordinary boy in a very ordinary family living a very normal life of school, friends, and meals. The only thing that is out of the ordinary is a very overprotective mother, whose actions take a dark turn.

With the slowly building tension is pitch perfect for the unsettling atmosphere that leads to the unhinged event. Such a great horror manga, looking forward to where this story goes.

★★★★

Connective Tissue: Shiver, Dragon Head

Curse on This Country: The Rebellious Army of Imperial Japan by Danny Orbach



I think one of the most fascinating periods of Japanese history is from the late 1860s until the outbreak of World War II. When Japan was undergoing a rapid period of modernization, shedding the bakufu system of governing, restoring imperial authority, and forming the institutions that would shape the country for decades. How the government dealt with the dismantling of the Daimyo structure and rebuilt the military institutions of Japan would create the long lasting seeds of rebellion and disobedience. The discord between the civilian government and military exercising Imperial power would lead to the unbridled imperialism and war.

This book explores a variety of rebellions by the Imperial Japanese military during the 19th and early 20th centuries dispelling several myths and shaping the overall complexity of the realities of the time. Orbach argues that the main causes for the rebellion were two basic flaws built into the Meiji restoration. The first being that the authority of the emperor was in theory absolute, but in practice was very limited. Making his “will” rather than his actual authority the supreme emblem of political legitimacy what Orbach refers to as the “hazy Imperial center". The second flaw was that Meiji regime based its progressive movements on the idea of expansion. Protecting a richer country, stronger army, and ultimately a bigger army allowed the military to argue that there acts of rebellion and disobedience were in service to this initial prerogative – “the supreme prerogative”. Manipulating these two flaws, individual officers of low ranking could and did often acting without directives thrust Japan into fighting wars and conducting coups that put Japan in very precarious positions on the international stage. All exasperated by a horizontal rather vertical power system that replaced and reinforced the old shogunate system that the Meiji Restoration failed to usurp.

A very well written history and well argued thesis. Just wish there was more translated Japanese history books to compare and contrast. The assumption that any of this is correct is just vibes at this point, but interesting to carry into other reading surrounding the topics including some of my favorite fictional works about the modernization of Japan.

Japanese Army’s Disobedience:
- While Imperial Japanese soldiers were often perceived as blindly following orders, reality was more complex. 
- A culture of disobedience and rebellion existed within the Japanese army, stemming from the tradition of the shishi (warriors of high aspirations) – rebellious samurai active in the 1860s. 
- Officers and their associates defied orders from both the government and the general staff, launching independent military operations against other countries. 
- Notably, leniency was shown to right-wing rebels as long as their motives were considered “pure.”

Gradual Weakening of Government Control:
- The culture of rebellion emerged from seemingly innocent decisions, each reasonable on its own. 
- These decisions gradually weakened Japanese government control over the army and navy. 
- The consequences were dire, as the armed forces dragged Japan into more conflicts, including the Pacific War.
Brazen Defiance vs. Blind Obedience: 
- Contrary to the perception of blind obedience, brazen defiance was the driving force in modern Japanese history. 
- The book explores dramatic events, including assassinations, rebellions, and political crises. 
- The clandestine Cherry Blossom Society played a role in Japan’s descent into chaos, fascism, and world war.

★★★★½

Connective Tissue: N/A

>53 stretch: Fascinating. Someday I really must read more Japanese history. To start I have a book on the Samurai that I'm eager to read.

>53 stretch: Great review.

>53 stretch: Amazing how we in the West have long believed that the Japanese soldiers were “blindly obedient”. Though looking back at Richard Flanagan’s The Narrow Road to the Deep North, I don’t remember his depiction of the. Japanese soldiers as being submissive. I’d be interested to know whether Flanagan’s depiction of the soldiers was accurate. Have you read The Narrow Road?

>54 labfs39: Yeah it's something I have tried to find books Japan that can inform my own reading better. I still have concise history of Japan sitting around somewhere that would make sense to read someday.

>55 rv1988: Thanks.

>56 kjuliff: I haven't read Flanagan's work, I hadn't really even heard about it. Thanks for pointing it, turns out my library has copies of it so I put a hold on it and see what its all about.

I hope the next book I have started Taming the Samurai can answer the dichotomy of individualism within such a strong collectivistic society.

>53 stretch: very interesting! Also, how did you make that dialogue box? Is it a picture?

>58 dchaikin: Thanks!

The text box thing is not a picture. It is preformatted text html code allowed by LT <pre> text </pre> you can further format the text with bold and italics within the tags. It's the only way I know how to make a list without numbering that sticks.

Pre preserves spaces!! I need to experiment with this! Does pre also create the box around the text?

>60 dchaikin: Yeah the box is part of the tag in LT

>53 stretch: Thank you for the review. Can I ask how you came across this book?

>54 labfs39: You may also be interested in Black Ships Off Japan, which relates Commodore Perry's dealings with the shogunate.

>63 icepatton: Thanks. I'm currently reading Chinese history and historical fiction, but I'm going to start a list of ideas for Japan.

>62 icepatton: Thanks! The algoryhthm, it came up in search for a history book on the formation of the modern army of Japan as they transitioned from the Samurai into a more French/Prussian sytle military lead by professional commoners.

The Visible Unseen: Essays by Andera Chapela



In a collection of powerful, inventive essays Chapela explores the properties and poetics of glass, mirrors, light, and what means to think like a scientist in a creative world. As a chemist she delves into the literary metaphors hidden within scientific observations, disrupting the cultural divide between arts and science, questioning the limits of human perception and understanding. With her main arguement being that the purpose of description, whether scientific or literary, is not to define reality but to confirm our perception of it. Lots to think about in this well written collection of essays.

★★★★

Connective Tissue: The Two Cultures

Life's Lottery by Kim Newman



Okay, so this is in no way a well-written book, but it was so much fun and a pure nostalgia hit. As a more adultish choose your own adventure (COYA) horror it brought back all the same fun feelings and excitement I had with those old cheesy COYA from the 80s and 90s. Complete with staying up way too late into the night and flipping back to make different choices to see the outcomes. It's not a terrible story, but the nature of COYA books the story is piecemeal and fairly shallow. Still, though tons of fun to revisit these kinds of stories.

★★★★

Connective Tissue: All the COYAs from my childhood that I can't for the life of me remember the titles of but are still just as sticky.

The Kraken Wakes by John Wyndham

Listened to as a BBC audio drama rather than the full text.

The protagonist, radio reporter Mike Watson, chronicles the events that occur when these enigmatic creatures emerge from the deep ocean. Objects from outer space land in the oceans, and Mike and his wife Phyllis witness five of these “fireballs” falling into the sea during their honeymoon. The invaders remain unseen, and their origin and level of intelligence remain a mystery. They exhibit violence against humanity. The invasion unfolds in drawn-out phases, taking years before humanity fully realizes the threat. The story explores fear, adaptation, and the struggle for survival in the face of an unknown menace. Wyndham captures the obscure, elliptical way that threats move from the background to the foreground of reality.

“The Kraken Wakes” is a gripping tale that combines science fiction, horror, and suspense, leaving readers pondering the depths of the unknown and the resilience of humanity. Dialogue is a bit ham fisted at times, it was passable for the time it was written.

★★★

Connective Tissue: War of the Worlds

>68 stretch: I read this many rears ago; your review leads me to think a re-read is in order.

>69 kjuliff: I am probably overthinking it. It was a little over an hour or so, but with my drive from the site home i had a lot of time in silence to overthink this one.

>59 stretch: What do you mean a list without numbering that sticks?

I just use <ul> and <li> - is there an advantage to the <pre> tag that I'm missing?

>71 ursula: No, no advantage your missing just that it puts a box around things that calls it out.
I've had <ul> tags break on me in the past in my end of year statistics, so I stopped using them for formatting a long time ago. The <pre> has always worked for me, so that's just my default. This is long sense outdated I'm sure but habits are hard to break. Not a big bullet kind of guy so >li> is one that just gets skipped by me.

>66 stretch:

Very interesting. Reminds me of Isabelle Stengers, also trained as a chemist, but who turned to philosophy. If you're interested in such crossovers, you might like Another Science is Possible: A Manifesto for Slow Science and other of hers.

>73 LolaWalser: That sounds interesting. I will certainly add Stengers to the rotation the next time i dip into this pool. Thanks for the suggestion!

>66 stretch: lovely little description of The Visible Unseen

Catching up on your thread. For what my opinion is worth, I hated Flanagan's The Narrow Road to the Deep North. I found it a ridiculous take on the subject at hand and felt overly flowerly and done by an unexperienced hand. I promptly sold it to the used book store and wince when I see people suggest the book as a look at Japanese during the war.

>68 stretch:
I bought this book along with Trouble with Lichen over the holidays and it's a shame I read that one first instead of the Kraken book since it'll be a while since I can compare thoughts with you. I've liked two of his books very much but am not agreeing with the Lichen book. I hope Kraken works better for me when I get to it.

>75 dchaikin: Thanks Dan, it is small book that punches above its weight class.

>76 lilisin: I gave up the Narrow Road to the Deep North after the hold came in. Felt very much the same way, I think I thought it was to purple-y for my liking (I've also come to find I'm not entirely sure what purple prose means anymore) and it didn't feel as raw and authentic especially in light of other works that tread similar ground. Thought maybe it was just me and my seeming inability to get through fiction books this year.

Wyndham is new to me so I am looking forward to reading more of his work. The mix of science fiction and horror suspense is an interesting mix considering where most of my reading goes.

>77 stretch:
It feels equivalent to books like The Boy in the Striped Pajamas or The Tattooist of Auschwitz; much lauded by readers who seek a more emotional takeaway from their reading but, is perceived as trite and flowery by those who have more experience with the actual facts behind the event.

The two classic Wyndham's are worth reading first: The Day of the Triffids and The Midwich Cuckoos.

>78 lilisin: well said. You can often tell by the titles such as The Boy in the Striped Pajamas or The Tattooist of Auschwitz, that they will value sensationalism over veracity.

I haven't read Flanagan's book, but an interesting memoir I read was The Burma-Siam railway : the secret diary of Dr Robert Hardie, 1942-45, if you are interested in the subject.

>80 labfs39: Thanks Lisa. I’m not especially interested in that railway history but I like Richard Flanagan’s writing, and when I read The Narrow Road to the Deep North I was reading it from an Australian soldier’s pov. It was in looking back after the discussions of books about Japanese soldiers that I started remembering the part they played in The Narrow Road to the Deep North.

bummer about the Narrow Road to the Deep North, because I've been anxious to get to my copy.

>82 dchaikin: what do you mean? Can’t you get a copy? It’s a great read. One of my all time favorites. It’s about Australian pows and it’s from their pov. It’s not a book about Japanese cultures.

>83 kjuliff: I meant i have a copy and I'm anxious to read it, and comments here worry but. I'm happy you liked it because, well, that's encouraging.

>84 dchaikin: It won the 2014 Booker. I think you’d enjoy it.
But it’s an Australian, not a Japanese novel and needs to be read as such.

>66 stretch: The Visible Unseen sounds intriguing, I might try and check that one out.

Sports in American Life: A History by Richard O. Davies



Billed as a comprehensive exploration of sports in the American life, it does skillfully weave significant vignettes from sports history into the broader social context of America. Just has a few glaring omissions surrounding soccer, basketball, and women's sports history especially in the early 1900s. Not to say it doesn't touch on them, but Davies doesn't cover them in depth like he does, boxing, football, and of course baseball. It's worth the read as a sports enthusiast or a history buff, this book offers valuable insights into the cultural significance of sports across time.

★★★½

Connective tissue: Soccer in a Football World, The Ball is Round

>97 stretch: Hard to imagine a single book covering in all that information. Great cover. An iconic photo of quarterback Y.A. Tittle, bloodied on the field at, if I remember it correctly, the tale end of his career.

>88 rocketjk: It is Y.A. Tittle near the end of his career. Davies discusses the circumstances around the photo in the introduction, Tittle was suffering from a pretty server concussion at the time and couldn't remember where he was. Most think it was taken at the end of the game but Tittle would return to the game for two more series before the game ended. he had to be helped off the field by teammates each time, I watched the youtube clips of the last few plays of the game and it's pretty sad. We made a myth of the man in that photo but the reality was sickening watching someone clearly hobbled trying to hold it together as he kept getting pummeled.

It's just a strange omission, especially soccer. In the late 1800s and early 1900s soccer was at times more popular than baseball. The largest crowds the polo grounds ever drew were for a series of international matches in the 1920s. None of this was even mentioned, let alone the origin story of the very American game of basketball. Something we wholly invented and exported to the world. Baseball and American football are definitely unique to us as well, but they borrow elements from games like rounders and soccer that predate our games. But we do get the details of the gloves Sonny Leston was wearing when he beat some Irish guy with a losing record in an unplanned exhibition match that wasn't even covered in the local paper. Just kind of weird what topics were given such grainy detail and what was passed over.

>89 stretch: "We made a myth of the man in that photo but the reality was sickening watching someone clearly hobbled trying to hold it together as he kept getting pummeled."

As I remember it from my youth, the Giants, who had been very good for quite some time, were finally on the down side, to put it mildly. Tittle had come over from the San Francisco 49ers, for whom he played for 10 seasons. By the time that photo was taken, the Giants were an old team, especially in their offensive line, trying futilely maintain the glory they'd enjoyed just a year or two before. Hence the fact that he "kept getting pummeled." While that photo is certainly emblematic of Tittle's physical courage, it's also a sad testimony to the consequences of trying to hold on too long in a violent and punishing sport.

I understand your disappointment that the early days of American soccer are not covered in what is billed as a comprehensive history of American sports. I would have missed that, as the history you relate about the sport's early popularity here was completely unknown to me. Maybe the topics that were covered were the ones most likely to interest the book's intended audience. If the author is still around, it might be interesting to write to him and ask. Maybe he has binders full of research on the issue, and pages already written, but his publisher insisted in excising the information due to length concerns. Maybe with a little encouragement, he'd write that book! Well, we can dream, right?

A comprehensive history of soccer in the late 1800s and early 1900s in the U.S. might be an interesting companion piece to this book:

British Baseball And the West Ham Club: History of a 1930s Professional Team in East London by Josh Chetwynd and Brian A. Belton.

>90 rocketjk: The glory days of YA Tittle, somewhere i have picture in the family volumes somewhere of my dad and grandfather, with Tittle at Kezar dodging the seagulls.

This is actually the second edition of something of a textbook I think for a college course he taught. It was updated to cover more of the modern sports like Nascar and Xgames, and soccer to some extent.

I'll have to look into the baseball in London, Soccer in a Football World is a pretty comprehensive look at the history of soccer in the US but is pretty narrow in scope. The social history within the larger context is missing which is a real shame.

>91 stretch: "I'll have to look into the baseball in London . . . "

Here's one more I stumbled upon in an antique store (I think) someplace:

Baseball for British Youth by Eric E. Whitehead, a rulebook, etc., published in 1939. It's quite fascinating, actually.

Now that I think about it, I think I found this one first, got curious and did an online search, thereby discovering the West Ham book. The project of trying to popularize baseball in England was understandably abandoned during World War 2, never to be revived, at least until relatively recently.

Geopedia: A Brief Compendium of Geologic Curiosities by Marcia Bjornerud



Geopedia is an excellent little compendium of lexicon fun. A selection of the most interesting geology terms defined to be educational and entertaining ways that put a smile on this geologist's face. Sprinkled with a few illustrations to better convey the point, there is something to be learned on almost every page.

Bjornerud is by far my favorite geologist popularizer. She is both playful and passionate about geology which is infectious. She reminds me why I love this area of science every time I read something of hers. I can't wait to she what she writes next!

★★★★½

Connective Tissue: Timefulness, Dictionary of Geological Terms: Third Edition

Ink by Jonathan Maberry



Ink is a unique take on the vampire type supernatural thriller that delves into the haunting concept of memory theft. The story unfolds in the small town of Pine Deep, where residents are experiencing the loss of their most cherished memories. The culprit is a sinister force that feeds on these memories, erasing them from the hearts and minds of its victims. The villain, known as the Lord of the Flies, uses tattoos as a gateway to access and steal memories, adding a unique twist to the concept of a memory thief. The protagonists who carries the face of deceased loved ones and murder victims inked on their skins. As the tattoos begin to fade, so do thir memories, taking the souls of the dead with them. Leaving the victims grappling with an unbearable sense of loss.

Jonathan Maberry weaves a tale of loneliness and the human connection to memories. His characters are richly developed, each with a dark and compelling backstory that adds depth to the narrative. If the story didn't devolve into cliches and become overly reliant on his previous books set in the same town/universe this book would have ended up on a favorites of the year list. Sadly it got bogged down by the heroes reliving the worst stereotypes from the 80s paperback era.

★★★

Connective Tissue: The Memory Police, If Cats Disappeared from the World

>88 rocketjk: Yes, that is a very famous photo, in which Y.A. Tittle of the New York Football Giants was sacked toward the end of a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pitt Stadium at the end of the 1964 season.

Even though I went to medical school at Pitt in the mid 1990s and the stadium was across the street from the medical school building I never attended a game there. The team was horrible back then, and I was convinced by several of my particularly influential classmates that my spare time should be spent in one of our study rooms, or the hospital cafeteria that overlooked Pitt Stadium. The cafeteria was high enough to see the scoreboard, and I remember seeing Pitt get trounced by Ohio State one year, which was enough to convince me to get back to my Anatomy or Neurology text book.

Black River Orchard by Chuck Wendig



A compelling horror novel that presents an intriguing premise centered around the mystique of apples. The story unfolds in the town in Pennsylvania, where a peculiar orchard bears a new kind of apple, so red it’s nearly black. The allure of these apples is irresistible, and those who taste them find themselves desiring more, leading to a transformation that makes them stronger, more vital, and increasingly mean.

A strong parable that combines the myth of the poisoned apple with very real evil growing deep within the orchard. However, as the narrative progresses, it tends to meander and lose focus. This is a common pitfall in longer horror novels, where maintaining a tight, coherent plot can be challenging. While this adds depth to the characters and the town of Harrow, it also detracts from the central plot, causing the narrative to feel somewhat lost. Despite this, Wendig’s novel is a noteworthy addition to the horror genre, offering a unique premise and a chilling exploration of human wickedness.

★★★½

Connective Tissue: Edgar Allan Poe

The Crimson Labyrinth by Yusuke Kishi
Translated by Camellia Nieh



The Crimson Labyrinth is an adventure novel that thoughtfully incorporates game elements into its narrative. The story revolves around an unemployed man who, after responding to an ad in a local newspaper, wakes up in a strange location that resembles another planet. Along with a young woman who is equally confused, he finds himself thrust into a game where the stakes are life and death.

The game elements are a standout feature of the novel, creating a sense of suspense and intrigue that keeps the reader engaged. However, the novel does have its shortcomings. The main character’s inner voice can feel overwrought at times, detracting from the overall narrative flow slowing the action down. The emotional depth and introspection seem forced and can be overwhelming for the reader. Additionally, the twist towards the end of the novel feels unearned. It appears abruptly without sufficient build-up or foreshadowing. Its unique premise and suspenseful narrative make it a worthwhile addition to the well I guess it doesn't really fit a genre.

★★★½

Connective Tissue: Life's Lottery, Battle Royale

What We Talk About When We Talk About Books: The History and Future of Reading by Leah Price



Price, a literary critic, and historian, delves deep into the intricacies of how we engage with books, tracing the trajectory of reading from scrolls to digital screens, navigating through centuries of literary history, and drawing connections between past and present reading practices. Price's exploration of the social, economic, and technological forces shaping reading habits offers valuable insights into the broader cultural landscape. Throughout the book, Price challenges common assumptions about reading, highlighting how it has always been a dynamic and adaptive activity. She deftly dismantles romanticized notions of the "golden age" of reading, showing how each era has its complexities and contradictions. By examining phenomena such as book clubs, e-readers, and audiobooks, Price prompts readers to reconsider their preconceived ideas about what constitutes an authentic reading experience.

Price grapples with pressing questions about the impact of digital technology on reading habits, the role of algorithms in shaping literary tastes, and the future of libraries and bookstores in an increasingly digital world. Her approach encourages readers to contemplate the implications of these changes while remaining optimistic about the enduring power of storytelling.

However, the book is not without its flaws. At times, Price's arguments may feel slightly repetitive, and some sections could benefit from more concise editing. Additionally, while Price covers a wide range of topics, certain areas could have been explored in greater depth. Price's tone can be biting and sarcastic while making the text relatable and can at times come off as condescending.

★★★½

Connective Tissue: Big Fiction, Book Wars, The Book on the Bookshelf

>98 stretch: I like your review of this much better than mine from earlier this month, which I think I wrote a little too quickly with not nearly enough detail. (It was a busy week!) I did find the book very much worthwhile, but it's not that I didn't notice the flaws. In fact, I think, perverse soul that I am, her rather disparaging comments about adults reading YA, kids' books, and "comfort reading" has prompted me to spend much of the time since reading exactly that list if things. :) I do forgive her for it, though, as I think she does explore later in the book what her own biases are, and that they are biases.

>99 bragan: Yeah, agree with much of what she says, especially around the perceived preciousness of the reading and the book. She is fair and I do admire writers willingness to acknowledge and even explore their biases. For books about reading, it's refreshing that it isn't so precious and more matter of fact, to the point, vehicle for ideas. It's funny how quickly writing about technology can turn on its head, like many writers of the late 2010s viewed the e-reader plateau as its death, but with a pandemic on the horizon, we could never see the spike in adoption that has been going on for a couple of years now.

I couldn't help but imagine how disparaging she would be to horror. I love when literary critics go hard on the genre, it only motivates me to read more.

Lovely, Dark & Deep by Megan Stockton



A very atmospheric horror novella set on Six Mile Island, facing a seasonal shutdown due to a severe storm. This year, the forecast predicts "the storm of a century", leading most of the population to evacuate. However, when a child goes missing, a few inhabitants stay behind to search, unaware that the ocean is bringing more than just a storm.

Full of rich and complex characters, beautiful, concise writing, with a ratcheting up of tension and atmosphere with each chapter. There is deep connection with the characters and that you actually become terrified of losing them.

This story is bleak, scary (legitimately that is), filled with action, and a creature feature with heart.

★★★★

Connective Tissue: Crossroads

Tastes Like Candy 2: Sugarless by Ivy Tholen



A sequel to Tastes Like Candy see our return of the teenager slasher. The story takes place five years after a group of teenage girls entered the Poison Apple Halloween Carnival for a scavenger hunt, where all but one died at the hands of a masked killer. Now, a copycat killer has emerged, using a familiar cotton-candy-coated playbook to pick off a new group of girls one by one.

The writing has certainly improved and the story is tighter than the first iteration. Even the reasoning behind the killers flip is far more believable then a teen social media influencer not knowing the next step. Plenty of twists and turns making the who is pulling the strings murky and intriguing and leaves on the right note of a classic 80s sequel cliffhanger. Nearly a perfectly formulaic slasher yet it's missing that special sauce to take it to the next level...

★★★

Connective Tissue: Tastes Like Candy, Cirque Berserk

Horror Literature through History: An Encyclopedia of the Stories That Speak to Our Deepest Fears Edited by Matt Cardin



Whether you’re a seasoned horror aficionado or someone new to the genre, Horror Literature through History is a treasure trove of knowledge. Providing a thorough exploration of horror literature’s evolution, capturing its essence in a way that is both enlightening and enjoyable. This encyclopedia is not just a reference work; it’s a gateway into the hauntingly beautiful world of horror fiction that will leave readers both satisfied and eager to explore further.

The book is structured to provide both breadth and depth, offering insightful entries on seminal works, influential authors, and pivotal moments in the genre's development. Each entry is a mini-analysis, blending historical context with literary critique in a way that makes complex ideas accessible and engaging. The authors' expertise shines through, presenting horror literature as a mirror reflecting our deepest fears and societal concerns through the ages.

The encyclopedia excels in its thorough and well-researched content; revealing how societal anxieties have shaped and been shaped by horror literature.

★★★★★

Connective Tisse: Horror Fiction in the 20th Century: Exploring Literature's Most Chilling Genre, Horror: A Very Short Introduction, Paperbacks from Hell: A History of Horror Fiction from the '70s and '80s

A Sea in Flames by Carl Safina



A bit late for reading a detailed account of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Wanted a detailed narrative of the actual drilling disaster for work and ended up reading the rest. However, from a professional emergency spill response perspective, the book has several shortcomings.

Narrative Focus: Safina’s personal reactions often overshadow the main story of the disaster. The book could have benefited from a more objective and less self-centered narrative. A more sober and chronological account would be less readable but more informative.

Technical Details: While Safina expertly deconstructs the calamitous misjudgments that led to the blowout, the book lacks in-depth technical analysis of the spill response strategies and their effectiveness. Focusing on politics rather than the actual response.

Emergency Preparedness: The book criticizes the lack of preparedness by BP and the government, but it doesn’t provide a comprehensive critique and lacking the crews/company ignoring emergency protocols and spill practices in place prior to the disaster.

A Sea in Flames offers a passionate and personal perspective on the Deepwater Horizon disaster, but it falls short in delivering a thorough and balanced critique from a professional emergency spill response standpoint.

★★

Connective Tissue: The Library Book, The Fire Line, Midnight in Chernobyl, Eruption

Just catching up on your thread. What a great set of reviews, and such interesting and diverse reading. I'm especially interested in the Leah Price book (bearing in mind your caution about the limitations).

>105 rv1988: Thanks! I wish I could follow a single thread or concept, but I seem to prefer the scatter shot approach to reading.

I agreed with a lot of Leah Price, and where I disagreed she challenged those preconceived notions in a healthy way. In the end, I wanted more of that challenge and debate if only to cement my own thoughts.

#thighgap by Chandler Morrison



Chandler Morrison’s #ThighGap is a contemporary horror novel that delves into dark themes surrounding body image, social media, and the quest for validation. The novel takes a daring approach to discussing the societal pressures of beauty standards and social media, pushing readers to confront uncomfortable truths about these issues. It's a raw and unflinching portrayal of its themes, which makes for a compelling and intense reading experience. The book offers a psychological exploration of its characters, particularly how societal pressures can distort self-image and drive extreme behavior.

The novel is graphic and full of explicit content. The depiction of violence and disturbing themes can be unsettling. Overall, #ThighGap is a provocative and challenging read that engages with themes of body image and social media.

★★★★½

Connective Tissue: American Psycho

Subdivision by J. Robert Lennon



Subdivision is a surreal and Kafkaesque tale that unfolds in a dream-like manner. The story revolves around an unnamed woman who checks into a guesthouse in a mysterious district known only as the Subdivision. The guesthouse’s owners, Clara and the Judge, are welcoming and helpful, but they are oddly preoccupied with a perpetually baffling jigsaw puzzle. With little more than a hand-drawn map and vague memories of her troubled past, the narrator ventures out in search of a job, an apartment, and a fresh start in life. Accompanied by an unusually assertive digital assistant named Cylvia, the narrator is drawn deeper into an increasingly strange, surreal, and threatening world.

The story is filled with darkly comic and bizarre encounters with a lovelorn truck driver, a mysterious child, a watchful crow, and a shape-shifting demon. It’s a story that serves up what feels like a very bad dream, full of fuzzy logic, uncertainty, and memories that remain barely out of reach. I can't decided if this a metaphor for purgatory or hell, or if just a fever dream put down on paper.

★★★½

Connective Tissue: The Factory, The Metamorphosis

Anarchism and Other Essays by Emma Goldman



Is certainly a thought-provoking exploration of Goldman’s anarchist views and social activism. It's provocative perspective on individual freedom, labor rights, and women’s emancipation. Goldman’s ideas challenge conventional thinking. It's also a bit odd to read Goldman's distrust of the proletariat and skepticism of women’s suffrage. She also wrote disdainfully of contemporary feminist leaders. Not sure how her ideas are suppose to work in practice, but none the less an interesting insight into one of the leaders of the anarchist movement and ideas of the time.

★★★

>108 stretch: I really struggled with this one because it felt so random and plotless, and then the big reveal of what was really happening changed my entire assessment of the novel.

>110 RidgewayGirl: Had the same feeling. I didn't like exactly how the revel cam about but I can appreciate what Lennon was doing there.

Walkabout by James Vance Marshall



Two American siblings, Mary and Peter, who survive a plane crash in the Australian outback. Stranded and facing the harsh realities of the desert, they encounter an Aboriginal boy on his traditional walkabout. This boy teaches them essential survival skills and guides them through the wilderness.

Walkabout excels in its vivid portrayal of the Australian outback. The harsh, yet beautiful landscape is brought to life through detailed descriptions that immerse the reader in the environment. The vast, arid desert, the unique flora and fauna, and the relentless sun all contribute to a setting that is both a character and a challenge in the story. The novel also delves into themes of racism and colonialism. The interactions between the American children and the Aboriginal boy highlight the cultural misunderstandings and prejudices of the time. To be generous the story subtly critiques the colonial mindset and the inherent racism in the way the Aboriginal boy is perceived and treated by the children. But really it isn't handled well enough to call this the moral of the story.

★★★

Connective Tissue: Those Who Wish Me Dead, Hatchet

Beartown by Fredrik Backman



Set in a small, struggling town in Sweden where ice hockey is the lifeblood of the community. The story revolves around the junior hockey team, which is on the brink of winning a national championship. However, a violent incident involving the star player and a teenage girl shatters the town, exposing deep-seated issues and forcing the residents to confront their values and loyalties.

While exploring deep and significant themes, often feels mediocre in its execution. Despite its potential, the narrative sometimes falls into predictable patterns and lacks the emotional depth that could have made it more compelling.

★★½

Connective Tissue: Ordinary People

The Hole by Pyun Hye-Young



A psychological thriller about Oghi, a man who wakes up from a coma after a car accident that kills his wife and leaves him paralyzed. His mother-in-law becomes his caretaker, but her behavior grows increasingly disturbing as she obsessively digs holes in the garden his wife once tended.

Despite its intriguing premise, did not appeal. The story of Ogi, who is paralyzed and at the mercy of his mother-in-law, explores themes of isolation and neglect but may feel too slow to be unsettling. The focus on Oghi’s internal struggles feels repetitive, and the lack of character development for the mother-in-law makes her actions seem one-dimensional.

★★

Connective Tissue: The other the Hole.

---

I haven't found any South Korean author that fits with my preferred reading. I keep falling into South Korean writers whose style often emphasizes introspection and meticulous detail, which feels slow and plodding. This style delves deeply into characters’ inner lives and the subtleties of their environments, creating a contemplative and immersive experience which is great, but I get bogged down and lose interest. However, the deliberate pacing and focus on minute details makes the narrative feel drawn out and less dynamic than what I am looking for. Still searching for something that works for me.

>114 stretch:
I’ve also struggled with Korean literature so far. I still have a few on my TBR to try but there just hasn’t been a connection. Shows the tremendous difference between Japanese and Korean culture.

I'm caught up here - several intriguing reads but none of them are available through my libraries. I managed to mark Horror Literature through History and Subdivision with "notify me" tags, but Thigh Gap wasn't even in their systems.

>115 lilisin: Very true. The premises of a lot Korean work peaks my interest but I have really failed to connect to the writing. On paper it should be a lot of the things I like in books but for some reason or other they just don't quite work out for me, for reasons that are hard to articulate.

>116 ursula: The unfortunate with being more into the small press/indie press side of horror is it is hard to get copies from the library. I have lucked out in Indianapolis as there is a horror bookclub that makes tons of requests outside of mainstream publishing. Horror Literaure through History is a two volume collection the first volume is more generalistic in it's entries and the 2nd volume goes into specific landmark books and authors. I've only skimmed parts of the second volume to avoid spoilers, but it is something I will reference in the future. #thighgap might be easier to track down through the publisher Cemetary Gate, as part of their My Dark Library collection. A hashtag as a title is a mistake, makes making a request hard as it doesn't like to come up in database searches.

As an aside I hate the Libby tag system for making requests. I have a hard time navigating back to the tags once I go to deep into the UI.

>112 stretch: I too felt like Walkabout could have been something more but missed the mark. I also thoroughly disliked Beartown, despite Backman being one of my favorite authors. The sequels are the only books by Backman that I have not read.

>112 stretch: This is a great review, and I suddenly remembered having read this book a long time ago. Oddly enough, I came to it the same way you did - after reading Hatchet!

>114 stretch: I don't see The Vegetarian in your library, have you read it? It's not long enough to be slow and plodding ans it's disturbingly strange.

>118 labfs39: Yeah Beartown was not the best place to start with Backman. I liked the sports angle, not having a lot of fiction plus books in my library but I think I'll defintely be skipping the next installment. Probably get back around to Backman trying on of his better known books next time.

>119 rv1988: Thanks. Hatchet has always stuck with me.

>120 ELiz_M: I have been a bit abck forth on the Vegetarian and Human Acts by the same author. She is on the TBR for sure to at least try out.

The Book That Changed America by Randall Fuller



Randall Fuller explores the profound impact of Charles Darwin’s On the Origin of Species on American thought and society on its first publication. Fuller meticulously examines how Darwin’s revolutionary ideas were received by prominent American intellectuals and how these ideas influenced debates on religion, science, and race.

Fuller focuses on a select group of New England intellectuals, including Harvard botanist Asa Gray, transcendentalists Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry Thoreau, and social reformer Charles Loring Brace. These figures grappled with Darwin’s theories, integrating them into their own philosophical and scientific inquiries. The book highlights the tension between Darwin’s theory of natural selection and prevailing religious beliefs. Asa Gray, for instance, tried to reconcile Darwin’s ideas with his own theological views, questioning whether natural selection alone could explain the complexity of nature. Fuller also explores how Darwin’s ideas were used in the context of the abolitionist movement. Abolitionists leveraged Darwin’s theories to argue against the notion of racial superiority, asserting that all humans shared a common ancestry.

While Fuller’s narrative is rich and engaging, some readers may find the book’s focus on New England intellectuals somewhat narrow. This emphasis can give the impression that the reception of Darwin’s ideas was limited to a small, elite group, overlooking the broader societal impact of a nation preoccupied with the impending Civil War and the grappling with the institution of slavery throughout the south.

★★★

Connective Tissue: On the Origins of Species

The Talosite by Rebecca Campbell



Set in an alternate 1916 during World War I, where resurrection is possible. The story follows Anne Markham, the daughter of a celebrated neurologist, who reuses the bodies of the dead, combining them into new forms and sending them back into combat.

Anne Markham’s work involves creating complex creatures from the bodies of fallen soldiers. These creations are sent back into battle, raising questions about life, death, and the ethics of resurrection. The novella’s dark and oppressive tone effectively conveys the horrors of war and the ethical dilemmas of resurrection. The focus on Anne’s obsession can feel repetitive, and the narrative may not appeal to readers looking for a more dynamic plot.

★★★

Connective Tissue: Frankenstein

>117 stretch: Exile in Bookville, located in Chicago, is a bookstore that specializes in small presses and translations. They might be able to get anything you can't find elsewhere.

One Bloody Thing After Another by Joey Comeau



Joey Comeau’s “One Bloody Thing After Another” is a novel that attempts to blend horror with humor, but the result is somewhat underwhelming. The story follows two teenage girls, Jackie and Ann, as they navigate a series of bizarre and supernatural events. While the premise is intriguing, the execution leaves much to be desired. The characters, though quirky, often feel one-dimensional. The plot, while initially engaging, tends to meander. The humor, which is meant to provide a counterbalance to the horror elements, sometimes falls flat. The elements are there for a really compelling story, just not all hitting at once.

★★★

Connective Tissue: The Twisted Ones, John Dies in the End

Cannibals by Shin'ya Tanaka
Translated by Kalau Almony



Set during the sweltering summer of 1988 in a neglected riverside neighborhood, the story follows seventeen-year-old Shinogaki Toma as he grapples with the fear of becoming like his abusive father. The story delves into themes of violence, identity, and the struggle for self-determination. Toma’s internal conflict and his interactions with his family members, particularly his father and his father’s girlfriend Kotoko, drive the narrative. Tanaka’s characters are deeply flawed and complex. Toma’s descent into depression and instability is portrayed with a raw intensity that makes his plight both relatable and tragic. The supporting characters, including Toma’s mother and Kotoko, add layers to the story, each representing different facets of survival and resilience in the face of adversity.

Focusing on the unsettling exploration of human nature and familial bonds; the all consuming nature of relationships and the destructive patterns that Toma fears he cannot escape makes for a compelling and haunting read.

★★★½

Connective Tissue: In a Grove

We by Yevgeny Zamyatin



We is something of a classic work in dystopian literature, presenting a fascinating vision of a future society governed by strict logic and order that feels so foreign even in an age governed by algorithms and patterns. It offers a unique perspective on the dangers of totalitarianism and the loss of individuality. Heightened by characters, that while interesting, often feel underdeveloped. It’s hard to form a connection with them, which makes the narrative feel distant. For another novel that is probably a flaw but for a story that is all about the loss individuality and loneliness while surrounded by glass houses it really only adds to atmosphere.

We's big flaws come in the dense prose and really a bad primary plot. The world is fascinating the melodrama that showcases it is well not very compelling. Worth looking into for the history of the genre and the authors publication journey/exile as a backdrop makes for if nothing else interesting speculation.

★★½

Connective Tissue: 1984, Brave New World

The Day of the Door by Laurel Hightower



Laurel Hightower’s novels The Day of the Door and Crossroads both delve deeply into the complexities of motherhood, but they do so from starkly different angles. The first explores the devastating impact of maternal neglect, while the latter presents a heart-wrenching portrayal of a mother’s unconditional sacrifice.

In The Day of the Door, we follow the Lasco siblings as they confront their traumatic past and their mother’s role in it. Stella, their mother, is depicted as neglectful, and narcissistic, her actions leading to the tragic death of her eldest son, Shawn. The surviving siblings are left to grapple with the scars of their childhood and the unresolved anger towards their mother. Stella’s neglect and the psychological damage it inflicts on her children are central to the story, highlighting the long-lasting effects of a parent’s failure to protect and nurture.

On the other hand, Crossroads tells the story of Chris, a mother who is willing to go to unimaginable lengths to reconnect with her deceased son, Trey. Chris’s journey is one of profound grief and desperate love. Her sacrifices, including self-harm and engaging with dark supernatural forces, underscore the depth of her devotion and the lengths a mother will go to for her child. This portrayal of maternal sacrifice is both poignant and harrowing, contrasting sharply with the damage seen in The Day of the Door.

Hightower’s ability to craft equally emotionally charged narratives is beyond commendable. In The Day of the Door, the neglectful mother figure serves as a catalyst for the horror and psychological tension, while in Crossroads, the sacrificial mother embodies the tragic beauty of unconditional love. Hightower talent makes her one of the best modern horror authors writing. Shame that she is relegated to the small press side of the equation while less talented and mediocre novels are getting more mainstream publication.

★★★★½

Connective Tissue: Crossroads

I am not even sure what this exercise means anything yet but my top rated (4.5+ stars) books in a given publication year since 2000:

2024 Mislaid in Parts Half-Known
2023 Whalefall
2022 Nightcrawling
2021 The Trees
2020 The Hole
2019 Lost Children Archive
2018 Timefuleness
2017 The Great Passage
2016 Becoming Unbecoming
2015 Little Red Dead
2014 Confessions
2013 Redshirts
2012 Seeking Palestine
2011 The Night Circus
2010 Matterhorn
2009 Machine
2008 The Ball is Round
2007 A Dirty Job
2006 Good Omens
2005 Classic Feynman
2004 Evidence of things Unseen
2003 Night Watch
2002 The River Why
2001 Fires on the Plain
2000 The Stones Cry Out

Going through the list in my library and Pub date is weird with older books with modern dates and translations get the english date not the original publication date. So the utility of this list is limited but seems about right as a general overview of the kinds of books I read. I wonder what going back further might reveal.

>129 stretch: Interesting. Does that mean you only had 1 4.5+* book per year, or did you pick your favorite? I too loved Matterhorn and Fires on the Plain.

>130 labfs39: When there were multiples for a given year I made a pick on the book that still sits in the gut a more, some tough calls but makes for a cleaner list I think.

Yeah, Fire on the Plain is definitely in the wrong Pub year, and edition thing I think but it was certainly one of the books that had big influence on reading Japanese literature so it still feels right to include on the list. Matterhorn at the time felt like a huge undertaking, read it well after it was originally published and I had built up the expectations, luckily it surpassed anything I thought it would be. Was a truly great book.

On second thought I am just going to remove this review and will not be mentioned in the roundup or ever by me really, not comfortable with how or where a discussion might lead so it just won't have a chance to start here at least.

>132 stretch: ?? !! Hugs

>129 stretch: this is fantastic. I really enjoyed Seeking Palestine. Lost Children Archive too.

>127 stretch: very interesting about We. Just 2 1/2 stars! That’s also interesting. i haven’t read it

>122 stretch: how cool, on the American response to Darwin

>104 stretch: i’ll try to come back and follow up on Mocando.

I hate Safina’s book too. It’s just not organized. I really liked Shadows on the Gulf : A Journey Through Our Last Great Wetland by Rowan Jacobsen. For oil drilling info, see Fire on the Horizon: The Untold Story of the Gulf Oil Disaster by Tom Shroder & John Konrad. And Disaster on the Horizon: High Stakes, High Risks, and the Story Behind the Deepwater Well Blowout by Bob Cavnar - early and quickly dated as more info came out later, but he’s a true expert and understood everything going on.

Thanks, no worries about post 132. It was up for an hour or two and didn't want to just remove the post but keep it as reminder to myself. But it is a polarizing topic and book that shouldn't be lead by me. Got a lot out if in understanding that topic but it is too personal and too complicated to short out in public.

>133 dchaikin: Probably being overly harsh on We, really like Zamyatin's ideas and the world he constructs is very compelling, but the plot to me doesn't fit the initial conditions. The plot uses the world as constraint, but the conflict and the point of it all is forced. Still worth it for the history of the genre and the publication. History is fun trivia.

>134 dchaikin: This list is fantastic. Safina's book just came up in holds at my library, and I had just watched an animated breakdown of the failure of the blow preventer. I need to get Shadows on the Gulf and now I am interested in the technical aspects of the disaster. It is interesting to see how much of the drilling and the issues they encountered are so closely related to drilling we do all be it for a ddifferent aim and with less rsik of catatrophic blowouts.

>128 stretch: Day of the Door sounds interesting. It didn't sound like horror writing until I hit to the bit of your review where you described her as a horror author. Horror's not my bag, but you've piqued my interest with this review.