books: April 2017 (7 books)

[supercheesegirl]

The Doll's House (The Sandman #2), by Neil Gaiman: Originally read in November 2005, reread 4/3/17. I didn't remember much of this. The serial killer convention was a little much for me these days, but I did enjoy the reread.

Fangirl, by Rainbow Rowell: Finished 4/6/17. I started this as an audiobook on a day when I had a long drive to make by

Comments

[bulleteyes]

You are such an evocative, thoughtful writer when you review your books. I appreciate reading them.

Now and then you will say "It's a sad book. I had forgotten the ending" and I am once again hit right in the heart by the impact your tender simplicity has on me.

I should reread The Left Hand of Darkness. I get daunted by some books these days. I suspect time, circumstance and chemo took a toll on my ability to comprehend the deeper aspects anymore. Maybe I should just read them anyway . . . ?

I've tried for years to read and appreciate Neil Gaiman. His writing gives me the internal heebie jeebies. No other writer has ever, ever given me the pit of my stomach "something is really wrong inside this person" depth of concern than I feel for him. I don't mention it anymore since it seems to really provoke a strong response in his fans. I'm not calling him names, or doubting his enormous talent. I just can't take what is inside him into me and that shocks me because I have read my way through entire libraries and never had that response before.

I also tried watching the series American Gods. It is shameful the things that Ian McShane can draw me into but I've accepted it and he smiles.

Between Gaiman's concepts and words merged with Bryan Fuller's horrific delight in finding new and obscene ways to torture the human frame I almost threw down my laptop and crawled across the floor to get away from it.

I'm not even writing Ian an "I'm sorry but I just can't" note. He'd try to talk me into sticking it out and it mystifies me that for this one writer I just can't.

[supercheesegirl]

I feel like my brain doesn't work the same way post-pregnancy - surely not the same thing as post-chemo, but I can sympathize. I think it's still worth trying to read challenging books; even if you're not in a place to dig into the meat of it, there may still be a lot to enjoy.

I won't get on your back about Neil Gaiman. I feel similarly about China Mieville: every time I crack one of his books, I'm absurdly glad I don't live in his brain. I've enjoyed many of his books but he has serious powers of squick.

I haven't tried the American Gods series. I really want to watch it but there are many things I really want to watch. I'm concerned it might fall into the same category with Game of Thrones: I loved the books but seeing that action onscreen was just too much for me. So I'm not prioritizing American Gods right now. At some point, when there's time for TV again (maybe when Miss F is 16 and we can watch it together), I'll check it out.

[bulleteyes]

An altered brain may not be altered in the same way but we still know it is no longer going in the same directions.

I knew I could mention Gaiman to you without you achieving liftoff. It's just puzzled me so much. Your mention of an author that twists your insides helped, thank you.

I've a couple of friends who cannot see Game of Thrones. I think even a few brief YouTube clips have sent them fleeing for their sanity.

Time. Is there anything more present yet elusive?