Book post!

[froggy_dear]

3/21: Earthworks by Brian Aldiss. I first grabbed this over a month ago to read while at the dentist's office. It's kind of been my "waiting room book" since then. Read it while waiting for 2 or 3 dental appointments and for one blood donation. Finished it this weekend. Short book. Didn't totally love it. I mean, it's fine, and an interesting vision of the future, but a little bit lacking in.... something. The main character escapes from a farm, crashes a boat, and does a lot of running, and halucinating. It'd be a pretty good B-movie.

3/19: 1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus by Charles C. Mann. I heard about this book, although not a lot, and thought it sounded interesting. So I bought it with Christmas Amazon money. I found it really fascinating, and an great jumping off point for those interested in knowing more. I also found it very persuasive and I'm inclined to agree with the author's assertions that the Native American population was quite large, that they managed the landscape, and that their civilization is not given enough credit. I was most fascinated by the Appendix on quipu, which I had known of before, but not known as much about. Written by a journalist, so it's very accessible. Only thing that bothered me is that there's an extensive notes section at the back of the book, but no indication of notes in the text. Consequence of being popular nonfiction, perhaps?

x-posted to book tally for keeping track of books I've read.

Next up to read: World War Z by Max Brooks. I have no idea what to expect; I bought it on a whim.

Comments

[upaya.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed World War Z. Did you know that Max Brooks is Mel Brooks' son?

[xmorningxrosex.livejournal.com]

World War Z was great, and everyone I know of that has read it has really liked it. It's a quick read and easy to get lost in.