3 nonfiction

The Good Women of China by Xinran - Xinran, a journalist/radio personality, writes about stories she learned about  (some reported on her radio show, some not) the lives of Chinese women during and after the Cultural Revolution. Sad to heartbreaking. (A to Z)

Legends by LIFE Magazine - photographs of legendary people and quotations about them by other famous people. Some nice pictures and quotes.  (888, BAM)

The Quotable Star Wars - quotations from the original trilogy. Cute. Has a few photographs. (A to Z, 888)

all books: 100 books

4 science fiction (one with fantasy too)

The Stars Down Under by Sandra McDonald - I just love it when you get a good sequel :)  A combination of  of military science fiction and Australian aboriginal myth, this book has Jodenny Scott and Terry Myell grounded and on base due to the events of The Outback Stars but life doesn't stay quiet for long. Harrassed at work for his unorthodox career (and marriage) track, Myell is conscripted at gunpoint by members of a research unit investigating the mysterious gateways that allow instantaneous travel between the stars. Wild, weird stuff. Looking forward to the next one - hoping the loose ends are tied up.

Dragon Harper by Anne & Todd McCaffrey - Kindan, a young harper apprentice, becomes tasked with searching archives to see if there are ny clues to a mysterious flu-like virus attacking everywhere on Pern. The dragonriders come up short in this one due to the need for them to stay healthy to fight the coming Thread. I enjoyed it - I like learning about the inner workings of Harper Hall and the apprentices. Interesting parallels to the 1918 outbreak and the more recent SARS. The older books are still better, but it's a nice way to while away some time. (EMAH)

Moon Flights by Elizabeth Moon - Short story collection. Some SF, including one set in the Vatta's War universe(well, pre-Vatta's War series), some fantasy, mostly Chicks In Chainmail stories, and one historical military fiction.  Definitely readable, but I'm not really a short story person.

Commitment Hour by James Alan Gardner - peripherally connected to his League of Peoples/Expendable Crew Members series. In Tober Cove, the young people alternate gender from year to year until they turn 20. Then they must make the Commitment and choose the gender that they will remain for the rest of their lives. There are the usual male and female choices, plus a third choice of becoming a hermaphrodite, or Neut. But Neuts are scorned and driven out of the village. But this year, the year that Fullin and Cappie will Commit, a scientist (also feared and scorned in this village) shows up to observe, along with his companion, a Neut whose reasons for being there are hugely complicated and very deadly. Interesting concept, not as great a follow through. First parts of the book drag somewhat, but action picks up towards the last part. LOTS of expounding on gender roles. An okay read - his other books are much more interesting.



all books: 100 books (3/4s of the way!)