Book Review: Downbelow Station
Title: Downbelow Station (Company Wars #1)
Author: C. J. Cherryh
Genre: Sci-fi
Publisher: Daw Books
Publication date: December, 1981
My version: Paperback, 526 pages (started with the audiobook)
Back cover:
The Beyond started with the Stations orbiting the nearest Earth. The Great Circle the interstellar freighters traveled was long but not unmanageable, and the early Stations were dependent on Mother Earth. The Earth Company which ran this immense operation reaped incalculable profits and influenced the affairs of nations.
Then came Pell, the first Station centered around a newly-discovered living planet. The discovery of Pell's World forever altered the power balance of Beyond. Earth was no longer the anchor which kept this vast empire from coming adrift, the one living mote in a sterile universe.
But Pell was just the first living planet. Then came Cyteen, and later others, and a new and frighteningly different society grew in the farther reaches of space. The importance of Earth faded and the Company reaped ever smaller profits as the economic focus of space turned outward. But the powerful Earth Fleet was still a presence in the Beyond, and Pell Station was about to become the final stronghold in a titanic struggle between the vast, dynamic forces of the rebel Union and those who defended Earth's last desperate grasp for the stars.So, my main reason for reading this book was that it was Sword & Laser's book of the month for March 2013. And I was so happy they picked it! It was hard to get a hold of it in France (although I think they would've had it in British Amazon, I forgot to check that one) or you could get it but it took weeks. So, I got the audio version to start with. But what I learned (which I already suspected) was that I'm not an audiobook person. I'm very picky about the reader and I just don't take the time to listen. And when I do have time, I have all these podcasts I want to listen. But once I got the book (I was about 40 % done by the time), I finished it quite quickly: because it was awesome! I love multiple point of views and character driven stories. I loved that you could see many sides to the conflict, although I think you can see which people the writer prefers.
My definite favorite of the characters was captain Signy Mallory and I wish there was more about her. She was totally awesome, but flawed which made her a real person and she just didn't take crap from anyone. And I love the way she's unapologetically selfish and knows it. She wants to do things her way, but at the same time she's a fair leader and the crew knows they can trust her. Also, what I love about the book is, that in general there was women as well as men in all the levels of hierarchy. And it wasn't a big deal. It wasn't in any way commented, it was just characters interacting with each other. And also: some people just are married and that's that. It's not like they have to have all these crises and other women/men, that's just part of their life. Well, that's life in general, but sometimes I feel this is forgotten, especially in the sci-fi genre.
What I was really surprised about was that I hadn't heard of this book before. I mean it is a Hugo winner, after all. And yes, I haven't read that much sci-fi, so this might be the reason, but then again I have heard writers like Isaac Asimov and Frank Herbert even before I read them. Well, I actually haven't read them... Only The Foundation from Asimov. But that's my point. This was SO MUCH BETTER! I don't know if Cherryh is just undervalued because she's a woman, or if the character driven stories have been undervalued in sci-fi in general. But that was the main weakness in Foundation in my opinion. I mean, they talk about psychology and how everything can be predicted, but if you read any history or science books about human behavior you learn, that humans are actually quite unpredictable. I just found Foundation very unbelievable. But Downbelow Station was totally believable and I can't wait to read more of the series.
Cheese slices:
Sunday, April 28, 2013 | Labels: books, sci-fi | 0 Comments
Book Review: Moon Called
Author: Patricia Briggs
Genre: Urban fantasy
Publisher: Ace
Publication date: January, 2006
My version: Kindle ebook, (print length: 317 pages)
Book description (back cover):
'I didn't realize he was a werewolf at first. My nose isn't at its best when surrounded by axle grease and burnt oil...'
Mercedes Thompson runs a garage in the Tri-Cities. She's a mechanic, and a damn good one, who spends her spare time karate training and tinkering with a VW bus that happens to belong to a vampire. Her next-door neighbour is an alpha werewolf - literally, the leader of the pack. And Mercy herself is a shapeshifter, sister to coyotes. As such, she's tolerated by the 'wolves but definitely down the pecking order. As long as she keeps her eyes down and remembers her place, the pack will leave her in peace.
I have read this book before and now I read it again, because it was coming up as group read in one of my GoodReads groups: Paranormal Addicts & Newbies - Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy (yes, I know it's a book for April, I was a little bit ahead of schedule...). I had forgotten a lot, but in the end my opinion of the book was pretty much the same. Maybe a bit improved, but I remembered the things that bothered me.
So, I thought it was an enjoyable read, but nothing special. If you like urban fantasy in general, then this might be your thing. Especially, if the above mentioned problems don't bother you. Then again, you might've read it already, since it did come out in 2006. I did read it all the way through this second time, so it wasn't so bad, but as I said, I have no interest in reading the series further.
Cheese slices:
P.S. One thing I forgot to mention in the last post: I ripped the review template from The Book Smugglers. Go check them out!
Wednesday, March 27, 2013 | Labels: books, urban fantasy | 0 Comments
Book Review: Brainstorm
Title: Brainstorm: The Flaws in the Science of Sex Differences
Author: Rebecca M. Jordan-Young
Genre: Non-fiction
Publisher: Harvard University Press
Publication date: September 2010
My version: Hardcover, 394 pages
Book description (back cover):Female and male brains are different, thanks to hormones coursing through the brain before birth. That's taught as fact in psychology textbooks, academic journals, and bestselling books. And these hardwired differences explain everything from sexual orientation to gender identity, to why there aren't more women physicists or more stay-at-home dads. In this compelling book, Rebecca Jordan-Young takes on the evidence that sex differences are hardwired into the brain. Analyzing virtually all published research that supports the claims of 'human brain organization theory,' Jordan-Young reveals how often these studies fail the standards of science. Even if careful researchers point out the limits of their own studies, other researchers and journalists can easily ignore them because brain organization theory just sounds so right. But if a series of methodological weaknesses, questionable assumptions, inconsistent definitions, and enormous gaps between ambiguous findings and grand conclusions have accumulated through the years, then science isn't scientific at all. Elegantly written, this book argues passionately that the analysis of gender differences deserves far more rigorous, biologically sophisticated science. 'The evidence for hormonal sex differentiation of the human brain better resembles a hodge-podge pile than a solid structure...Once we have cleared the rubble, we can begin to build newer, more scientific stories about human development.'
Most books set out to answer questions. This book sets out to question answers. The answers I question have to do with the nature and causes of differences between men and women, and between straight and gay people. Specifically I question what we "know" about male and female brains, or gay and straight brains.
Cheese slices:
Saturday, March 23, 2013 | Labels: books, non-fiction | 0 Comments
The Revival
After many years, I decided to revive this blog. I've lately gotten really addicted to GoodReads and also some awesome pop culture blogs with a feminist viewpoint. I think it's time to say what I think again. I haven't been very good with regular updates in the past, but I try to be better. That said, although I'm deliriously happy about any followers, I'm not going to stress about this. I hope you enjoy my ramblings. Be sure to check out the blogs linked in the sidebar (there's some awesomeness there). And if you're interested on my new grading system, be sure to check the About section of the blog.
Saturday, March 23, 2013 | Labels: announcements | 0 Comments
Why There Are So Many Funny Men in Great Britain - Or QI: Quite Interesting
I had a friend over last night and she told me about a great series she's been following: QI quite interesting. The host is one of my favorite actors: Stephen Fry. I of course had to check it and I uploaded some shows. And I'm totally hooked. Next thing I knew I ordered all the seasons that are on dvd from my trusted supplier Play.com and I also got the interactive dvds.
After this infection of yet another addiction, I started to think why is it, that there are so many genious comediens in Great Britain. What is it about British men? I mean, there is Stephen Fry, who's hilarious, there are two of my favorite authors: Douglas Adams and Jasper Fforde. Granted, Douglas Adams is dead, but still. And there are others. To me these are just the ones that stick out the most. There are of course other people in other countries that are funny, but these guys are totally hilarious and make me laugh out laud. Which is not too bad in the privacy of your own home, but can cause strange looks while reading in the bus for example. One of my later discoveries is also Dave Gorman and Danny Wallace who in their book Are you Dave Gorman? are looking for Dave Gormans mostly in Britain, but also in other countries.
Maybe it's just that I like British humor. Even though I tend to just laugh, the humor always has a bit of twist to it. It usually ironical, which is a type of humor that I love. It's not spelled out for you, but rather you have to find the fun of it. Also, it's sometimes just plain absurd and strange, which always appeals to me. Well, whatever the reason, I'll keep my eye on the British Isles for new acquaintances.
Sunday, July 20, 2008 | Labels: tv | 0 Comments
I Still Love Bon Jovi...
Today we went to see Bon Jovi's Lost Higway concert in Helsinki. For me this was very nostalgic. The first rock concert I've ever been to was Bon Jovi in the same Olympic stadium as today but 12 years ago. And he was as great today as he was then. 12 years ago Bon Jovi was my favorite band and since I'd never been to a concert, it really made and impression. Now I've been to many concerts but seeing Bon Jovi in a full stadium that are shouting and clapping just for him. It was unreal. I've been to smaller arena concerts but there is something about a full stadium. And the amount of noise it can make. One great thing was that since it was outside and we weren't sitting near the speakers, I didn't need earplugs. I'm sure that made the experience even better. I have good earplugs and you can really hear music through them, but the noise of the audience is filtered greatly. Well, I only can say, that there were few things in my teenage years that didn't suck :)
Monday, June 16, 2008 | Labels: music | 0 Comments
Lists
I'm a big fan of lists. I like to read lists. I like to check things off. When I travel, I make a list of everything I need to bring. This is not just a facet of my personality, it's also necessary. I'm way too absent-minded. If I don't make lists, I forget things. Like bringing underwear when going to places. I can manage this even with a list. Luckily it's usually things you can buy anywhere.
But reading lists has become somthing that makes my reading a bit different. I used to just pick up any book from the shelf. Now I'm thinking what would benefit my lists the most. What would be a book that would shorten most my lists. This is a good thing and a bad thing. It's a good thing, because then I pick up books that I just wouldn't get around to otherwise and end up loving, but it's also a bad thing, because I've started to stress about this and feeling guilty if I read outside the lists. Maybe I need somekind of treatment. Wonder if there is listaholics anonymous...
Sunday, June 15, 2008 | Labels: general geekiness | 0 Comments