Stars In My Pocket Like Grains of Sand

Author: Samuel R. Delany
Published: 1984

This year I read The Left Hand of Darkness which does well to portray the otherness, for lack of better vocabulary, of a truly alien human culture. Stars In My Pocket ... by comparison is like being in an alien culture. It is like reading an account in English translated from Russian about the gift economy of an aboriginal people. The book describes human beings, but in a culture and technology that is, to paraphrase Clarke, indistinguishable from magic.

This book is mind-blowing.

At times, it is a hard read, the jargon and alien cultural references so thick it is difficult to keep up. There are rewards when the mists lift and the story unfolds further. And several cool moments.

The Story:
Humans mix with aliens on thousands of worlds. Human behavior remains that, elevated and tolerant here, ignorant and violent there. A political struggle is heating up, an entire planet's worth of people are boiled away. Gender references are generically female (e.g. people are referred to as women, a reversal of mankind in a way) and are specified only when the narrator feels the need to clarify his relationship with he or she. Or needs to describe, if you will, the naughty bits.

The heart of the novel is about intense, pure, sexual desire. The two men involved are oblivious to the storm that roils around and ultimately separates them.

Cool moment number one:
In the city of Morgre the tracer cooperative "form the primary advisory council for the domestic and industrial boroughs that govern our complex." The tracers provide vital information about what is going on, past and present, that informs the culture.

They do this by collecting and cataloging the city's trash.

Cool moment number two:
Technology is incredibly advanced, mind-computer interfaces the norm. Passwords are thought out as a string of numbers/words/tastes/smells. At one point, an ancient recorded personality asks to be shut off. The main character hesitates, not knowing the proper sequence to think; tomes of ancient knowledge must be consulted. The personality makes it simple:

Push the off button.

I started reading knowing there was a second book which might have to be read. I finished this knowing I had to read the second book.

Except Delany hasn't finished writing it! It's been 23 years, man. Polish off that puppy!

How To Write Science Fiction and Fantasy

Author: Orson Scott Card
Published: 1990

In the first half of the book, a very slim volume and a quick scan/read, there are interesting bits. Some history of SF, the distinctions between SF and Fantasy and why they are important and why, ultimately, they don't matter much. Pleasant to read.

The second half pretty much focuses on how to write, though not as much about how to write SF and Fantasy.

Which brings up the second book (this is a two-for-one bonus post!): Characters and Viewpoints.

Cheryl Mills cautioned me it was quite basic stuff, and it was. A curious choice on Card's part was many (many, many) examples from movies to explain points about writing fiction. Okay book, very much for the beginning writer who does not know the difference between first and third person.

Web Design on a $hoestring

Author: Carrie Bickner
Published: 2003

Nice book on getting a website done well, quickly, and cheaply. This goes against on of my favorite sayings: The job can be done well, quick, cheap. Pick two.

It all depends on how much one charges, doesn't it? Having the tools and skills and organization can certainly get the job done well and fast.

Guatemala, Belize, and the Yucatan

Editor: Huw Hennessy
Published: 2000

Tourist guide on the Mayan areas of Central America. Picked it off the shelf at the library for a quick overview of ancient Mayan culture. Background research for a character in the next novel. Not sure whether to research more, as the list of to-do items is long.

Radio Freefall

Author: Matthew Jarpe
Published: 2007

Google failed me here. I seem to recall a quote from Asimov, something about how all great science fiction stories have a mystery at their heart. But, since I can't locate the quote, it could have been the Dalai Lama who said it for all I can remember.

This much I know. The first half of Radio Freefall, in my opinion, is all about solving the mystery of who done what. The rest is an accelerating roller coaster of conflict resolution. And it's all fun.

Hard science fiction fans should love this book. Cyberpunk fans should love this book. Heinlein fans (I hear) should love this book. With good reason. It's a well written book.

YOU: The Owner's Manual

Author: Michael Roizen and Mehmet Oz
Published: 2005

Final book for my summer reading challenge. Information about the body, inside and out, is presented very well with amusing cartoons, side bars, bullet points, and off-beat writing. It has a rather heavy emphasis on vitamin and mineral supplements. Seems like much of the dosage can be gotten through diet. Overall, very good book. I learned a lot.

Now for putting it all into practice.

Yoga Basics

Author: Mara Carrico
Published: 1997

This is book #2 for my three volume summer reading challenge. I've dabbled in yoga and like it, but can't seem to practice consistently. I keep reading books like these to be inspired.

This is well written, very much for the beginner. The pictures are okay. There are a few that show incorrect position which is always helpful for solo practice. The section on breathing is well done. Since this is a library book, I'll have to take some notes.