Paid a visit to my favorite lending library this evening. It can be a bit frustrating at times, as the stacks aren’t organized very well. Or at all, really…considering the books are haphazardly strewn about the edges of a spare bedroom (cum computer room). Still, I can always find a few titles to suit my fancy, and can borrow them for as long as I like. It’s fortuitous to have friends like Dave…who frequent Uncle Hugo’s Science Fiction Bookstore. He’s also just returned from a trip to Portland, where he scored a pile of used books at Powells. Tonight, however, I grabbed just three titles to tide me over. I was already on a Michael Swanwick kick, having spent some of the day perusing his amusing Periodic Table of Science Fiction short stories. So I picked up “Stations of the Tide“. The blurbs are promising:
“In this highly readable, futuristic detective novel, a bureaucrat/agent tracks a bush wizard who appears to be using a restricted brand of high technology to work his magic.”
Also grabbed Graham Joyce’s “Dark Sister“. A review mentions the main character, a mother, and the chaos of her small children. I can relate. And last but not least, a book of short stories by Jonathan Lethem. I’ve been a long-time Lethem fan, so it’s no surprise to see reviewers write such things as:
“There is no mistaking his range or ability as he writes skillfully about subjects as various as Hell and the NBA.”
Now it’s just a matter of choosing the order to read them in, while lounging on the deck or in my favorite comfy chair. Oh, I’ve got it so rough these days.