Category Archives: Reviews

Master parent category for all my reviews: books, movies, television shows, restaurants, products.

Postcards from the Edge of Islandia

Posted on June 24, 2018 by

The second third of Islandia suffered middle book syndrome even though it’s not actually a middle book.  Yet it is the middle of this book.  The first third had elements of a travelogue, a natural history explorer, a diplomat and … Continue reading →

Posted in Alternate History, Books, Fiction, Musings, Reading, Reviewing, Reviews | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep or History Podcasts I Nod Off To

Posted on June 5, 2018 by

Several weeks ago I decided to stop falling asleep to whatever audiobook I was currently listening to because I spent too much time the following morning figuring out where I drifted off to dreamland.  In other words, what’s the last … Continue reading →

Posted in Musings, Reviews | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Book Review: Raven Stratagem (3.5 Stars)

Posted on June 4, 2018 by

Raven Stratagem by Yoon Ha Lee Published: June 13, 2017 by Solaris Books Read: May/June 2018 2017 GoodReads Choice Nominee for Science Fiction 2018 Best Novel Hugo Finalist Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars This time last year I was … Continue reading →

Posted in 4 Star, Books, Fiction, Ratings, Reading, Reviewing, Reviews, Science Fiction, Space Opera | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Field Notes from My Retro Utopian Adventure

Posted on June 2, 2018 by

I’m in the final phase of my Hugo finalist reading, concentrating on the Best Novel category.  In the right-hand panel of my blog, you’ll find my “Currently Reading” widget which is just the RSS feed for my GoodReads status updates.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fantasy, Fiction, Reading, Science Fiction | Tagged , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

App Review: Axis 360 (1 star)

Posted on May 29, 2018 by

Application: Axis 360 (version 3.7.3 released 4/9/2018) Developer/Published: Baker & Taylor Platform: Android (version 7.0) Device: Samsung Galaxy S7 Rating: 1 star When it comes to Android apps that purport to provide me access to the digital resources of my … Continue reading →

Posted in 1 Star, Mutterings, Products, Ratings, Reviews, Services | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Unexpected Heart-Pounding Action-Adventure in Under 7,500 Words

Posted on April 28, 2018 by

I seem to have left the best for last in my Retro Hugo short fiction reading.  This morning, I started reading and could not stop reading “The Sunken Land” by Fritz Leiber.  His writing took me back to the days … Continue reading →

Posted in 4 Star, Books, Fantasy, Fiction, Ratings, Reading, Reviewing, Reviews | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Reading the Best Novelette Finalists (2018 & 1943)

Posted on April 16, 2018 by

I predict it will take me longer to get through the Best Novelette category than any of the other short fiction categories.  Most modern novellas and some of the short stories are available in audio format.  Thanks to Heinlein’s continued … Continue reading →

Posted in Fantasy, Fiction, Musings, Reading, Reviewing, Reviews, Science Fiction | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment