This Is One of the Reasons Why I Read
Marion Hill on "The Book of Strange New Things" by Michel Faber
On the Pod This Week:
I know, I know - I’ve said it a hundred times. “I wouldn’t have picked this book on my own.” When I say that, I am usually talking about fantasy, and almost always talking about sci-fi (see below for my thoughts on a certain popular favorite that I just don’t get…) But I have grown to trust Marion Hill’s recommendations, and this week, like always, he didn’t disappoint. Michel Faber’s “The Book of Strange New Things” is literary sci-fi. It’s about interplanetary travel, yes . But as with all sci-fi, there is so much more to it. It’s about the dissolution of a marriage, climate change, evangelism, and our responsibility to other people. I dreaded reading it, as I dread all sci-fi, but I cannot stop thinking about it.
Show Notes:
Guest: Marion Hill
Discussed in this episode:
The Book of Strange new Things by Michel Faber
The Stories of Eva Luna by Isabel Allende
Eva Luna: A Novel by Isabel Allende
Marion’s previous picks on the podcast:
Memory and Dream by Charles de Lint, which we talked about on Episode 008
Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler, which we talked about on Episode 083
The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell
Downward to the Earth by Robert Silverberg
The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
The Sportswriter: Bascombe Trilogy 1 by Richard Ford
Independence Day: Bascombe Trilogy 2 by Richard Ford
The Lay of the Land: Bascombe Trilogy 3 by Richard Ford
Let Me Be Frank with You: A Frank Bascombe Book by Richard Ford
Be Mine: A Frank Bascombe Novel by Richard Ford
The Kammbia Series by Marion Hill
Marion’s 25 Volume II by Marion Hill
Julie’s Current Read:
Gaaah I couldn’t get in to The Kindest Lie by Nancy Johnson. Now I am ADRIFT. Should I try again? There’s nothing wrong with it, but also there’s nothing compelling me to pick it up. If you’ve read it, I’d love to hear, because so far, it’s not grabbing me.
Julie’s Current Listen:
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Okay, fam, give it to me straight: Is this going to get better?
Because so far it’s SO. MUCH. SCIENCE.
At least ten people have raved about this book to me, including last week’s guest, Ambika Devi. I even picked it up in audio, because she said that version was so well done. But so far it’s all science and physics and deteriorating matter and - BLERG. I get it, Andy! You know science-y stuff. Someone needs to, I dunno, get murdered or have sex or have feelings? Is that too much to ask?
Yes, I do realize that I am bitching about BOTH of the books I started last week, and by logical process, the problem is likely ME and not the books. Maybe I was just not in the mood to read last week? It happens to all of us. I’ll give both of these books another shot, but I’m feeling cranky about it.
Julie’s Current Obsession:
Am I the type of person who spends $3,000 on a headband? No, I most certainly am not.
But if I WERE the type of person who spends $3,000 on a headband, it would definitely be this Beaded Octopus/Shipwreck headband.
I would wear it to Trader Joe’s.
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