Category: Books

Where the Hell is Tesla? by Rob Dircks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Now this book was an awful lot of fun.

As with the stories of the authors Rob Dircks is obviously influenced by (Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett, Kurt Vonnegut), the story is rather less important than the dialogue and outrageous ideas. Also as with those writers, the story is actually pretty good.

An underachieving young man (is there any other kind in science fiction?) named Chip stumbles upon what appears to be a journal belonging to Nikola Tesla, describing a device of his own design for interdimensional travel. (Sorry, an “INTERDIMENSIONAL TRANSFER APPARATUS” – Tesla is rather particular about the proper terms for things.)

Accompanied somewhat reluctantly by his slightly more responsible friend Pete, Chip manages to expose them both to a series of increasingly improbable and dangerous situations as they move throughout dimensions the only way Chip knows how to do things – in over his head.

Where the Hell is Tesla? isn’t exactly a character study, but the characters are well thought out and expressed. Chip & Pete are familiar archetypes – the lovable idiot and his suffering friend – and these are well-worn types for a reason. These two idiots are just a hell of a lot of fun.

Where the Hell is Tesla? is just so enjoyable. After reading the story, I received a recommendation for Teleport This by Christopher M. Daniels. I’m not reviewing that one yet, as it’s a trilogy and I only took in the first book so far, but it has a very similar feel; and that’s a great thing. I can’t get enough of somewhat silly SF. As long as the characters have enough meat on the bone to stick with and the writing is solid, I’m up for a good time. Where the Hell is Tesla? delivers that and more. Highly recommended.

[schema type=”book” url=”http://robdircks.com/where-the-hell-is-tesla-novel/” name=”Where the Hell is Tesla?” description=”SCI-FI ODYSSEY. COMEDY. LOVE STORY. AND OF COURSE… NIKOLA TESLA. I’ll let Chip, the main character tell you more: “I found the journal at work. Well, I don’t know if you’d call it work, but that’s where I found it. It’s the lost journal of Nikola Tesla, one of the greatest inventors and visionaries ever. Before he died in 1943, he kept a notebook filled with spectacular claims and outrageous plans. One of these plans was for an “Interdimensional Transfer Apparatus” – that allowed someone (in this case me and my friend Pete) to travel to other versions of the infinite possibilities around us. Crazy, right? But that’s just where the crazy starts.” CHIP’S OFFICIAL DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction: the events depicted in the collection of emails did not happen. I have never been in contact with a covert government group attempting to suppress knowledge of the lost journal of Nikola Tesla. I have not been threatened with death if I divulge the secrets contained inside. They did not buy me this handsome jacket (oh crap, you’re reading this – trust me, it looks great on me). They did not come to my place, and liquor me up, and offer to publish this book as a sci-fi comedy novel to throw the public off the trail of the real truth. Or did they? I’m kidding. Of course they didn’t. Or did they? God, I can’t keep my big mouth shut. Where the Hell is Tesla? has been compared to Terry Pratchett (the Discworld Series), Douglas Adams’ Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, and even Kurt Vonnegut (I know, that last one is probably a stretch.)” author=”Rob Dircks” publisher=”Goldfinch Publishing” pubdate=”2015-01-16″ isbn=”0692370668″ ebook=”yes” paperback=”yes” ]

Master of Formalities by Scott Meyer
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I absolutely loved the Magic 2.0 series, so I was very eager to see what author Scott Meyer could do with a new narrative. I wasn’t disappointed.

Master of Formalities is a semi-satirical send-up of SF and politics in which a state of near constant war is avoided by the efforts of the Masters of Formalities, who ensure that a bizarre Victorian era type of rules of etiquette are followed in all dealings.

Wollard runs the household operations for the refined and proper House Jakabitus, sternly maintaining discipline and good manners with the staff. But the long-standing war with the improper Hahn Empire has gone on far too long, and Wollard finds he can influence his betters into pursuing détente, if only he can maintain proper form…

The writing from Meyer is once again very fine and very funny. Master of Formalities isn’t the breezy read the Wizard books are, which is not to say it isn’t very enjoyable. Just not quite as effortlessly entertaining. The tale is really quite long, possibly too long. There was no point in which I wasn’t enjoying it, so I have no suggestions for reducing it, but it really was a considerable read. Just as a thought, I wonder if this might have worked well as a serialized tale. You can’t help but see similarities to programs like Downton Abbey and so I think it might be interesting if the tale was presented with a similar episodic approach.

Meyer is fast becoming one of my favorite authors, and if Master of Formalities is a very different kind of read from him, that is in no way a bad thing. It’s clever and funny and while I may not be clamoring for a sequel, I absolutely enjoyed it. Recommended.

[schema type=”book” url=”http://basicinstructions.net” name=”Master of Formalities” description=”Even when finding oneself engaged in interstellar war, good form must be observed. Our story is set thousands of years after the Terran Exodus, where two powerful, planet-dominating families—the elegant House Jakabitus and the less refined Hahn Empire—have reached a critical point in their generations-long war. Master Hennik, the Hahn ruler’s only son, has been captured, and the disposition of his internment may represent a last and welcome chance for peace. Enter Wollard, the impeccably distinguished and impossibly correct Master of Formalities for House Jakabitus. When he suggests that Master Hennik be taken in as a ward of the House, certain complications arise. Wollard believes utterly and devotedly in adhering to rules and good etiquette. But how does one inform the ruler of a planet that you are claiming his son as your own—and still create enough goodwill to deescalate an intergalactic war?” author=”Scott Meyer” publisher=”47North” pubdate=”2015-07-28″ isbn=”147783091X” ebook=”yes” paperback=”yes” ]

Repeat by Neal Pollack
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I find it interesting when I can tell with absolute certainty how an author spends their free time. When an author gets into incredible detail on a certain area – much greater detail than on anything else in the book – it’s a sure sign that we’ve found their hobby. I’ve really only noticed this trend in the past year or so, which probably says more about the type of books I’ve been reading than anything else. I suspect it’s a sign of inexperience on the part of the author, but I don’t consider it a problem to the narrative. It’s just an observation.

In the case of Repeat, it’s two-fold; the book is obviously written by a Hollywood denizen, but yoga is clearly the passion of author Neal Pollack. I really knew nothing about the author prior to reading Repeat, but afterwards I was completely unsurprised to find that he is a serious yoga devotee. Looks like he’s actually written a series of yoga mysteries. I don’t know what to make of that…

He also writes extensively in the book about the show Jeopardy; he was a champion on that show.

Repeat is not an original concept for a novel. The fact that the author knows this and acknowledges it (through the character) helps tremendously. The book started incredibly slowly; I had a hard time getting into the pace of the story. Glad I stuck it out.

Repeat opens on the protagonist, a not hugely likable man-child named Brad Cohen, pondering what he considers an unsuccessful life on the eve of his fortieth birthday. He has a family and home, but is unhappy with his spotty screenwriting career and is largely disengaged from his life and family through his dissatisfaction and near constant state of being high. Before you can say Zuzu’s petals, he has been sent back to the moment of his birth, complete with his memories and consciousness. Cohen will have the experience of reliving his life, but with complete knowledge of everything that is happening to him and everything to come. And just when he’s got it all figured out, he’s born again…

Of course the parallels to Groundhog Day are overwhelming, as are the call-outs to It’s A Wonderful Life. As I stated at the beginning, the author completely owns this, so I don’t consider it a flaw. Think of it more as variations on a theme. There’s enough freshness here to make for an enjoyable read.

For the most part, though, that’s sort of all Repeat is; an enjoyable read. Not something of huge consequence, and that’s completely fine. The premise is familiar but the detail is unique. Pollack is a funny writer and creates some interesting scenarios. Go in with the right expectations and you’re likely to enjoy it as I did.

[schema type=”book” url=”http://www.nealpollack.com/” name=”Repeat” description=”Through strange metaphysical circumstances, failed screenwriter Brad Cohen finds himself caught in an infinite time loop, forced to relive the first forty years of his life again and again. Each “repeat,” Brad wakes up in the womb on what was supposed to be his fortieth birthday, with full knowledge of what’s come before. In various timelines, he becomes a successful political pundit, a game-show champion, a playboy, and a master manipulator of the stock market, but none of them seem to lead him out of his predicament. As he realizes he wants to break out of the loop and find the love of his life—the one he hadn’t appreciated the first time around—Brad tries, fails, and tries again to escape the eternal cycle of birth and rebirth. Repeat answers the question: If you could live half your life over, would you do things differently? Be careful what you wish for! Repeating is enough to drive a dude crazy.” author=”Neal Pollack” publisher=”Lake Union Publishing” pubdate=”2015-03-24″ isbn=”1477821333″ ebook=”yes” paperback=”yes” ]

The Martian by Andy Weir
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Incredible hard science fiction reads more like science fact. I don’t know when I’ve read a tale more rooted in good science. Of course, I’m no expert, so if the author were cutting some corners I might never know about it, but the meticulously detailed descriptions of the issues involved lead me to suspect that this is truly as well researched as it appears. (My own reading has confirmed the same.)

The Martian is the debut novel from author Andy Weir, who initially published the story in serialized form on his own website for free in 2011, before self-publishing a Kindle version. The experiment was successful enough that Crown purchased the print rights and released a hardcover version of The Martian in 2014. The book appeared on virtually every “best of 2014” list and rightfully so. When I read it at the time, I devoured it, despite the length of the text and the dense technical detail of the narrative.

The story is easily told: it’s Robinson Crusoe on Mars. Well, not exactly – that actually was an Adam West film in the Sixties. But it broadly explains the setup; the lead character, astronaut Mark Watney, is stranded on Mars after he is presumed dead in an accident during his team’s mission. The crew is forced to make an emergency evacuation and are unable to recover his body. The good news is that Watney was actually not killed during the accident. The bad news? He’s alone on Mars, with not enough supplies to survive and no hope of rescue. But he’s smart and stubborn…

The Martian is just so well written. Obviously the majority of the tale is from Watney’s perspective, and his humor, determination and intelligence make for a fantastic read. Weir, possibly because he is so damn smart himself, wrote extremely detailed and technical passages, presuming that his audience will be able to keep up. There’s no hand-holding or blatant over-explaining. At the same time, the journal-like observations of an isolated individual necessarily create their own exposition, so keeping up isn’t really a problem. That’s rather clever…

Watney is not abandoned in the narrative, however, as there are frequent interludes with both the team in space and back on Earth. All of the characters are very well-written and would make for interesting stories by themselves.

Soon after the novel found a new audience with the print publication, The Martian was optioned for a feature film from Ridley Scott, starring Matt Damon as Watney. The early buzz is positive and the trailers look great. But do yourself a favor and spend some time with the book first. The incredible tale of survival is truly original, even having many spiritual predecessors. It is an electric narrative that is very hard to put down. Weir has created a masterpiece, being both a detailed hard science fiction story and a gripping human thriller with interesting characters. Well done and highly recommended…

[schema type=”book” url=”http://www.andyweirauthor.com/” name=”The Martian” description=”Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars. Now, he’s sure he’ll be the first person to die there. After a dust storm nearly kills him & forces his crew to evacuate while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded & completely alone with no way to even signal Earth that he’s alive—& even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone long before a rescue could arrive. Chances are, though, he won’t have time to starve to death. The damaged machinery, unforgiving environment or plain-old “human error” are much more likely to kill him first. But Mark isn’t ready to give up yet. Drawing on his ingenuity, his engineering skills—& a relentless, dogged refusal to quit—he steadfastly confronts one seemingly insurmountable obstacle after the next. Will his resourcefulness be enough to overcome the impossible odds against him?” author=”Andy Weir” publisher=”Crown” pubdate=”2014-02-11″ isbn=”B00EMXBDMA” ebook=”yes” paperback=”yes” hardcover=”yes” ]

You’re Never Weird on the Internet by Felicia Day
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Not a lot of celebrities can get me to read a memoir, but I absolutely heart Felicia Day. No, not in a geeky infatuation way (well, maybe a little), but because I just respect and admire her as an outspoken advocate of geek & female empowerment. She is exactly the type of role model I am thrilled to see my tween daughter look up to, and I thank Ms. Day for that.

So I’m laying out the fact that I’m totally biased and partial and this is not going to be a very critical review. The simple fact is that this is the type of book I would have bought even if I didn’t have any interest in reading it; both to support the author and also to have it available for my kid to pick up.

Honestly, there really isn’t much of anything to be critical about anyway. You’re Never Weird on the Internet (Almost) is exactly what it looks like – a memoir from a famous person right in the middle of her success. It reads very much like most other modern mid-career memoirs. Like I noted in my reviews of Questlove’s Mo’ Meta Blues: The World According to Questlove & Tina Fey’s Bossypants books, the historical part is very interesting, the more current topics less so. Reading about events that more or less just happened holds limited interest with me. Others clearly feel differently, and that’s great.

Day’s writing is very entertaining – it’s pretty much exactly like listening to her talk. I planned on getting the audio version, which she narrates, but frankly the writing is so in character that I sort of heard her reading it in my head as I read anyway. Her unique voice (written or otherwise) made the stories fun and light, and I finished this within a day or two of release (even if the review is only coming now).

I will say that I had rather hoped the book would be a little more geek manifesto than memoir, but I have only myself to blame for that, as it clearly says memoir on the cover. I suppose that knowing how great she is at supporting self-worth and empowerment, and how much we need those types of books for girls, I expected a book that she wasn’t actually writing. I’d love to see her pen something a la Chris Brogan’s It’s Not About the Tights: An Owners Manual on Bravery or Austin Kleon’s Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative. Maybe for your next book, Felicia?

The book contains brave and honest depiction of the author’s struggles with depression and anxiety, and would be recommendation worthy on that basis alone. I’m glad Day was willing to bare such personal information and am certain this will be very empowering and helpful to many.

You’re Never Weird on the Internet (Almost) is a quick, fun read that will be enjoyable to most anyone, particularly fans. If it isn’t the inspirational geek pride mission statement that I hoped it would be, that’s no slight; it’s an entertaining memoir that certainly celebrates geek pride and is a great insight into how a unique celebrity essentially paved her own road to success. The behind the scenes insights on the creation of The Guild and the message of the reader’s ability to do the same are worth the price of admission. Recommended…

[schema type=”book” url=”http://feliciadaybook.com/” name=”You’re Never Weird on the Internet (almost)” description=”When Felicia Day was a girl, all she wanted was to connect with other kids (desperately). Growing up in the Deep South, where she was “home-schooled for hippie reasons,” she looked online to find her tribe. The internet was in its infancy and she became an early adopter at every stage of its growth—finding joy and unlikely friendships in the emerging digital world. Her relative isolation meant that she could pursue passions like gaming, calculus, and 1930’s detective novels without shame. Because she had no idea how “uncool” she really was. But if it hadn’t been for her strange background—the awkwardness continued when she started college at sixteen, with Mom driving her to campus every day—she might never have had the naive confidence to forge her own path. Like when she graduated as valedictorian with a math degree and then headed to Hollywood to pursue a career in acting despite having zero contacts. Or when she tired of being typecast as the crazy cat-lady secretary and decided to create her own web series before people in show business understood that online video could be more than just cats chasing laser pointers. Felicia’s rags-to-riches rise to internet fame launched her career as one of the most influential creators in new media. Now Felicia’s world is filled with creativity, video games, and a dash of feminist activism—just like her memoir. Showcasing Felicia’s hilarious and unique voice, You’re Never Weird on the Internet (Almost) is proof that everyone should celebrate what makes them different and be brave enough to share it with the world, because anything is possible now—even for a digital misfit.” author=”Felicia Day” publisher=”Touchstone” pubdate=”2015-08-11″ isbn=”1476785651″ ebook=”yes” hardcover=”yes” ]