George R. R. Martin. The series just gets better and better, the continuing characters richer, the relationships more ambiguous.
disgusting book
Codex
Lev Grossman. Another book about books. Not fantastic writing. I almost put it down in the first couple dozen pages. By page 17 the protagonist has looked down the dresses at the breasts of two different women. It is, as the title suggests, about books, and there’s an Arthurian twist to one of the plot devices.
A Clash of Kings
George R. R. Martin. Volume two of “A Song of Ice and Fire.” Here I see even more than in the first volume what many internet reviews mention, that the heros and villains are not one-dimensional, but do both good and evil deeds. I found myself beginning to be on the side of a character I found unsympathetic in the first novel, and I have some guesses about who might survive the series (although that is, from both volumes so far, not a safe thing to do at all). A good, solid fantasy read.
Religion and Blogging
Great post by The Revealer: Do You Believe in Blog? I hope I’ll have time to comment on it.
Revolting opinions of a science fiction writer
Here is Orson Scott Card going on about marriage. Apparently it’s not a unique example. Google on “Orson Scott Card marriage” and you’ll get an eyeful.
No mention, of course, about the evils of plural marriage. I think he should turn his attention to the abuses perpetrated by Mormons (whether LDS or not) before he spreads his hateful lies about gay and lesbian people.
Strangers: Homosexual Love in the Nineteenth Century
Graham Robb. Very interesting survey, covering medicine, crime, politics, art, and life through documentary evidence, aggregated statistical materials, and literary excavation. Not every section will be to every taste, but there’s probably something for everyone here.
Cool chain of links
I found this site: AORTAL — the anti-portal on this blog: Broccoli and bechamel, which I in turn found through a comment on Prepare to Meet Your Bakerina. (The obscure delight of this post will make sense only after you go to Aortal.)
Walking to Vermont: From Times Square into the Green Mountains–A Homeward Adventure
Christopher S. Wren. Engaging, quick read about a retired NY Times foreign correspondent walking into retirement.
The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory
Brian Greene. A brilliant, understandable attempt to describe current physical theories on the nature of reality. Not easy going, but all the same it’s meant for lay readers, not physicists. Literally thrilling–especially the initial description of relativity. I felt like Greene was giving me a peek into a conceptual framework that felt like I was getting a glimpse of God. I mean it; thrilling.