September Reads

 

by Mary Saums

 

September has been a great reading month for me. A little fact, a little fiction, a little fantasy ... all good!

 

 

 

THE HUNT FOR VULCAN: ... And How Albert Einstein Destroyed A Planet, Discovered Relativity, And Deciphered The Universe

by Thomas Levenson

 

I absolutely loved this book. Me Geek?? :) Ninety-eight percent of the time, I prefer fiction. But I occasionally get pulled into whirling stardust/planets/cosmos stories. The Hunt For Vulcan does much more than cover what's in its subtitle. It gives an easy-to-understand sequence of events. Finally, I get why scientists worship Sir Isaac Newton. The author puts readers in the story, following Einstein through the years he worked on the theory of everything, and eventually proving that the planet Vulcan does not exist.

 

 

 

 

Right. I mean, the planet Vulcan does not exist in our solar system. 

 

This review sums it up perfectly:

“Engaging . . . At heart, this is a story about how science advances, one insight at a time. But the immediacy, almost romance, of Levenson’s writing makes it almost novelistic.”—The Washington Post

Thomas Levenson knows how to tell a good story. It didn't surprise me when I read his bio just now - he teaches science writing at MIT, plus he's an award-winning film maker. It shows. If you read mostly fiction but occasionally get the urge for some non-, this would be a good choice.

 

 

 

 

 

MURDER BY MISRULE by Anna Castle is the first in a series of three historical novels set in Elizabethan England, all starring this famous gentleman - can you guess who he is?

 

 

 

It's B-A-C-O-N! Bacon bacon bacon. :) Young Francis Bacon is in his mid-twenties and living at Gray's Inn. He's clever but poor and dependent upon the good will of his uncle. Plus, the Queen has banned him from court. Just because he expressed ideas about how to reform English common law. Out of favor, he's desperate to get back in good graces. So when his uncle asks him to look into the death of a barrister, he wants to refuse but knows he really has no choice. He enlists the four young men he tutors at Gray's to ask questions where Bacon himself isn't allowed to go.

The writing in MURDER BY MISRULE is excellent. The scenes, characters, plot and a nice touch of wit puts the reader right into the story. Don't you love it when you find a great new series?

I found out about these books on the Crime Thru Time (yahoo groups) list. The moderators there frequently post when Amazon or other outlets have free or very cheap historical mysteries listed.

  

 

 

THE AGE OF MYTH by Michael J. Sullivan

 

Even if I didn't already love Michael J. Sullivan's Riyria Chronicles and Riyria Revelations series, I would buy THE AGE OF MYTH just because of the cover. It's a beauty! It has the feel of paintings of Tolkien characters and places, doesn't it? It's appropriate because Sullivan uses similar elements in this book.

 

AGE OF MYTH is the first in a brand new series, Legends Of The First Empire, set three thousand years before events in the Riyria books. As in Tolkien, we have beings similar to elves, dwarves, hobbitses, men, a few brave womenfolk, plus something different, a young female seer of sorts and her faithful wolf-dog of hidden powers. There are reports that out in the lands, townships are being destroyed. Their chief for many years has died, so now a younger, less-experienced man must lead. A brave new world, if only they can manage the brave part. 

 

What makes fans come back for more, more, more of the 400-500 pages per book? The modern style and the humor. It's still epic fantasy, but it's also updated. Lots of fun and addictive.

 

 

So, that's me. What have you been reading lately?

 

 

Comments

[Mark]

This week (give or take a day or two), I've been starting on October releases. I've read and enjoyed Behind Chocolate Bars by Kathy Aarons, Tangled Up in Brew by Joyce Tremel, and Masking for Trouble by Diane Vallere.

Next up are a couple of new releases from Crooked Lane, Death of a Toy Soldier by Barbara Early and Permanent Sunset by C. Michele Dorsey.

[Susan Neace]

I am rereading Sharon Shinn' s 12 houses series and just finished Mystic and Rider. My favorite part is when Senneth, mystic and noble confesses her love for the king's guard Tayse. Magic, politics, shapeshifters and religion with wonderful characters

[Mary Saums]

That's a good-looking variety, Mark. I need to work more new books into my reading time. Actually, I got some new ebooks this past week. I'll put them next in the queue!

[Mary Saums]

Sharon, you remind me that I need to read more in this terrific series! Don't know why, but fall weather makes me want to read stories with magic, wizards, etc. Is it because of Halloween? or maybe that it's time for a new school year at Hogwart's? :)

[Elaine Viets]

Hi, Mary. I just finished "The Secrets of Wishtide," by Kate Saunders. I love a good British historical, and this one is set in the 1850s. Mrs. Laetitia Rudd, 52-year-old widow of an archdeacon,handles "highly discreet private investigations." Smart cozy fun.

[Mary Saums]

Oh boy, thank you Elaine! That sounds like my perfect cup of tea! :)

[Hank Phillippi Ryan]

I love your lists, Mary! Thank you!
I am reading THE LAST DAYS OF NIGHT--about the battle over electricity. It's terrific!