Reading Log: September 2023

 The books that I finished reading in September 2023:

September 2023 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson

"Harlem Shuffle," Colson Whitehead

"The History of White People," Nell Irvin Painter

"The Complete Guide to Mysterious Beings," John A. Keel

"Crook Manifesto," Colson Whitehead

"Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law," Mary Roach

Cliff's Notes:

"Shuffle" & "Manifesto"

"Harlem Shuffle" is apparently the first book in The Harlem Trilogy. And, "Crook Manifesto" is the second. They set stories about a furniture store owner against actual events. What is most interesting to me is that they offer an explanation of why an intelligent person may turn to a life of crime.

"Mysterious Beings"

I just have to mention that "The Complete Guide to Mysterious Beings" is well ahead in the running for the worst book that I will read this year. Even believers in mysterious creatures and the paranormal will start to doubt themselves after slogging through the "evidence" presented by this author.

"White People"

Spoiler alert: White people in America did not coalesce as a group until Malcolm X achieved national prominence.

"Fuzz"

An engrossing discussion of ongoing conflicts between humans and the species that happen to get in our way. But, no "laws" are actually broken.

Reading Log: January 2023

 The books that I finished reading in the month of January 2023:

January 2023 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson

"Zone One," Colson Whitehead 

"Dignity," Ken Layne

"Reminiscences of a Stock Operator," Edwin Lefèvre 

"The Old Gringo," Carlos Fuentes 

"Sea of Tranquility," Emily St. John Mandel

"The Plot," Jean Hanff Korelitz 

Reading Log: September 2022

 The books I read in September 2022

September 2022 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson

"The Life and Adventures of Joaquín Murieta," John Rollin Ridge

"South Central Noir," edited by Gary Phillips

"The Long Tomorrow," Leigh Bracket

"L.A. Requiem," Robert Crais

"On Photography," Susan Sontag 

Cliff's Notes

"Murieta"

Yet another historical novel, depicting an actual person, but based entirely upon myth and supposition. I will say that it is relevant to our times in its depiction of radicalized police violence. However, the author tends to lean toward the side of the perpetrators rather than the victims. But, that could be a reflection of the cultural attitudes of the his times as well as his own beliefs. 

Published in 1854, the novel was not "historical" at the time it was written., but a recounting of recent events.  It is a book of many firsts -- the first novel published in California, the first novel published by a Native American, and the first American novel to feature a Mexican protagonist. 

However, when all is said and done, I don't recommend it.

"Noir"

This book is an anthology of new stories by many well known authors set in both past and present South Central Los Angeles. All of the offerings are strong. Two of my long time favorites are represented -- Steph Cha and Naomi Hirahara.  Gary Phillips, two of whose books I have read over the past couple of months, also contributes a story in addition to editing the book.

 This is the best book of the month and I highly recommend it.

"Tomorrow" 

Said to be one of the first novels to depict a a post-apocalyptic America this is an excellent read. I enjoyed being able to compare and contrast it to "Earth Abides" (see last month) as to how each author thinks that civilization will, will not, rebuild.

A strong "two thumbs up". 

"Requiem"

Elvis Cole is one of my favorite private investigators and I love stories set in LA, so this book is an easy hit. However, it is not one of the strongest in the oeuvre of Robert Crais. The story does have a really cool premise - Joe Pike's ex-girlfriend is murdered and it seems as though he did it. The book also has an interesting glimpse into a backstory for Pike as well - everyone has something to hide.

"Photography"

Sontag maintains that photography is an agent of the surreal rather than a reflection of the real. She presumes that her readers have a much better knowledge of Surrealism than I do. She also has a dim view in the direction that she sees the field as heading.

So the fault may lie within me, but my take on this collection of essays written between 1973 and 1977 is - Yeah, well, you know, that’s just, like, her opinion, man.

Reading Log: August 2022

 The books that I read in the month August 2022

August 2022 Books: photo by Cliff Hutson

"Earth Abides," George R. Stewart

"Bark to the Future," Spencer Quinn

"Matthew Henson and the Ice Temple of Harlem," Gary Phillips

"A Gentleman in Moscow," Amor Towles

Cliff's Notes

"Earth"

This is one of the most interesting science fiction novels that I have read. Though written in 1949, it speaks to our times as a lethal pandemic ravishes civilization and people have to adapt to the changes that has wrought. The author notes,“All the best-laid plans could not prevent the disaster against which no plans have laid.”. That is as true now as it was then.

And, on a very personal and silly note, I was amused that the opening of the story unfolds near the town of  "Hutsonville".  Not that such a community actually exists nor that it would have been named after a relative of mine.

"Bark"

 Another amusing addition to the Chet and Bernie series. Perhaps not quite as good as those written at the beginning it is still a fun read.

"Matthew Henson"

This is a novel that I find difficult to classify. The title character was a real person. Other people people who appear in the story, e.g, Bessie Coleman, or Nikola Tesla, are historical figures as well. And, its depictions of American culture and race relations during the Harlem Renaissance are well grounded. But, clearly, the story is cut from whole cloth. I guess that its genre could best be described as historical fantasy, with an overlay of science fiction.

While very entertaining, I feel that this book falls short of the author's outing in "One-Shot Harry". Also, I am appalled at the egregious lack of editing and proofreading. Lastly, there is no Ice Temple, unless I dozed off for a couple of chapters as I sometimes do when watching television. 

"Gentleman"

This book is the best of the month, though at first I did not think it all that promising. 

Starting in the year 1922, the describes the life of a Russian man sentenced to house arrest in a Moscow hotel though 1954. How interesting could life be in such a confined environment? It turns out that it is very compelling. And, we  should admire any course of study no matter how arcane if it is pursued with curiosity and devotion.

Notably, it is also set against real history that many of us are familiar with on some level and offers some comment on actual sociopolitical events while the author develops a delightful cast of fictional characters. 

I would suggest that, at heart, its moral is that being a good person is more important than having good taste.