Review: Parable of the Sower: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Octavia E. Butler, Damian Duffy and John Jennings

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When we decided on this month’s topic for our TBR book club, I knew this would be the book I would read. I felt a bit ashamed that I hadn’t read any of Octavia Butler’s work before. This one seems the most relevant because so much of fiction is just pattern recognition and Ms. Butler was very good at that. I didn’t mean to read the graphic novel, but I wasn’t really paying attention to the version I was checking out from the library, and I had already been on the waiting list for a month when it came available, so it had to be. I wasn’t mad at the idea and i think it did see it illustrated only magnified the story. I do want to eventually read the original novel because I feel this book needs it to be read in it’s original prose.

Lauren is an hyperempathy so not only can she feel everything around her but she also very observant. She sees clearly what so many do not or do not want to. Her narration brings the people and her neighborhood to life. I felt just as devastated for her when her family was taken as she was. I wanted to shield her from all the pain and tragedy around her but knew that I couldn’t. It’s not that she needed because Lauren is probably the most resilient, strong character I have ever read. It’s not that the events of her life did not affect her. They did and more, but she persevered and kept moving and inspired others to join her. The illustrations also brought the story alive. It was muted and sharp and gave a true atmosphere to the reading experience. This is not a feel good book. It wasn’t meant to be. It was supposed to be a warning that we ignored. We can only hope that we have learned enough to avoid the tragedies Lauren and her family endured. Time will only tell if this work of fiction will become our reality.

Review: The Telling Room by Michael Paterniti

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In a small village, a man named Ambrosio experiments and works to revive an old family recipe, a cheese his father remembers from his youth. What he creates is something so extraordinary that it wins awards and turns heads. In a college in the US, another man edits a newsletter for a local deli and becomes acquainted with the story of the world’s greatest cheese. Later, when he has a chance, he follows his heart to a small village in Spain to learn more about the cheese and the story he uncovers is so full of twists and turns that he writes a book about it.

This has been on my TBR for awhile because my friend E sent it to me with a note that said something to the effect of, “You also like cheese and Spain, so you’ll think this is an interesting story. But, you’re also not going to like the narrator.” She wasn’t wrong. I perhaps have a bit of sympathy for the author who idealizes this artisanal cheese maker and his integrity, along with the slow-paced small village life, but he’s not my fave. I get looking at the world around you, especially right now, and finding it wanting. But I’m not sure the solution is to quit the world and move to a small village in Spain to write a one-sided story about a very dramatic situation.

So, this book has a lot of ups and downs. The cheese bit was very interesting. The book writing bit was less so. For an author who has done some journalism, the approach he takes to the subject matter was annoying. His writing is fine, tight. The prose kept me interested. But the book has so many footnotes and that drove me mad. I get that stylistically that mimicked Castilian conversation with its many digressions but it did nothing for me. If I hadn’t decided early in the reading that I would not be defeated by this book, I would have DNF’d it for the footnotes alone. (Yes, apparently sometimes in my mind book reading is a game you can lose by not reading. And now I’m digressing. At least this isn’t a footnote?)

The descriptions of Spain and the cheese making process were awesome. But, the descriptions of writers block and interviewing and trying to be Spanish were not.

When you make it through both types of descriptions, you finally get into some of the betrayal and… no spoilers but the book doesn’t have a real ending. It sort of just… loses steam. This is maybe what happens when you go searching for the source of a myth? You find reality and it is long and rambling and stupid and you aren’t sure where something truly ends and the next thing begins.

Anyway, this one is a meh for me. I wouldn’t recommend it. it I also wouldn’t stop you from reading it. If you think you might be interested, let me know and you can have my copy.

What I’m Reading for the TBR Project: The Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler (Narrated by Lynne Thigpen)

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This has been in my library queue for a long time. When it came available, I knew it had to be this month’s book.

Weekend Reads: Body Parts

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This theme just popped in my head and I couldn’t tell you why. I thought it and it made me giggle and now here we are. So, without further ado here are some recommendations for your weekend that all share a common theme, they involve bodies.

The Vagina Bible by Dr. Jen Gunter

Image of the cover of the vagina bible by Dr. Jen Gunter. Shows an open pink zipper with the title written over the top

Dr. Jen Gunter is (was? now that twitter is no longer twitter?) twitter’s doctor, especially when it comes to downstairs parts. This is a good resource to keep around. It dispels myths and gives you clear and forthright information about the vagina, vulva, uterus, and other bits.

Head On by John Scalzi

Black and White Cover showing a human figure missing its head and circle. The text reads "John Scalzi" and "Head On"

This is a standalone novel by John Scalzi related to another of his novels, Lock in. Set in a world where people with Haden’s disease become locked into their bodies and have to interact with the outside world through android, Chris Shane is an FBI agent and a Haden who is called in to investigate a Haden-related crime. This book was so good. There was mystery, politics, betrayal, characters you loved and characters you loathed. This is definitely something you can finish in a weekend. And you’ll want to. It was hard to put down.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

You know how I said that I had no idea where this theme came from? I think I have solved my own mystery. I assigned Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein to students taking a general humanities course about the modern world, which means I’ve recently re-read it. This is a classic for a reason. Science, madness, reason, love, hate, what does it mean to be human? What do we owe each other? There is so much in this classic.

Okay, so there you have it. Selections of pieces and parts. Have you read any of these? What did you think? What are you planning on reading this weekend? Sound off in the comments!

Quick Review: Take a Hint, Dani Brown by Talia Hibbert (Narrated by Ione Butler)

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This is the second installment in the Brown sisters series. I kicked off last year with reading about Chloe Brown so it made sense to start the year with reading about Dani. And, oof, this one is so good. Dani and Zafir are both so awesome. Dani is an academic and Zafir is a former rugby player and current security guard at the university. Zafir suffers from anxiety and also started a charity that helps teach kids how to deal with their emotions called Tackle it. Following an incident during a fire drill where Zafir is photographed carrying Dani out of the building that goes viral, they decide to fake a relationship in order to capitalize on the viral photograph to raise money for Tackle it.

I love a good fake to real story and Dani felt like a very real character to me, as a fellow academic. I recognized her focus and excitement for her topic (and that feeling other people just not understanding.) Actually, I identified with a lot of Dani’s behavior in the novel. It’s both nice (and mortifying) to be seen.

Anyway, the story was amazing, the characters were fantastic and the spice was very spicy. This was so good. I whole heartedly recommend it.

Weekend Reads: Your New Dystopian Fave

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I know, I know. It is Sunday Scaries time, the weekend is over, why I am even bothering? For starters, I’m trying to make a commitment to this new regular feature. And, secondly because we announced this month’s theme for the TBR project and I want to recommend some books!

The TBR project is our book club on Fable. Unlike regular book clubs, where everyone reads the same book, the structure of this club is a bit different. We pick a theme and everyone picks something off their TBR that has been hanging out there for awhile and fits the theme. We then share our choices, our struggles, and we cheer each other on towards a TBR that is one book shorter!

This month’s theme is Fiction that was meant to stay fiction a.k.a. It was a story, not a suggestion. So, now is the time to find the dystopian classic that is feeling a little too real for a lot of people and dive in. The theme is meant to be interpreted as broadly or as narrowly as you’d like, so I imagine you could also go for that non-fiction book about something historical that shouldn’t have happened. Without further ado, here are some of our suggestions. If one of these is on your list, March might be its month!

The Poppy War by R. F. Kuang

Image of the book cover of the Poppy War

This is the first book of a trilogy that is unflinching. R. F. Kuang’s writing often deals with themes of colonialism, trauma, and racism. This one also deals with war and sexual assault, and doesn’t shy away from depictions of violence. The story follows Rin as she goes from a poor orphan to a member of the army. Beth loved this, and you might, too, but keep in mind it may contain upsetting descriptions

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

Cover image of Children of Blood and Bone

Another first book in a series, Children of Blood and Bone follows Zelie, who has a chance to bring magic back to Orïsha after it has been brutally wiped out by the monarchy. She and her friends must escape from the crown prince and stay a step ahead of him because if he wins, magic will be gone forever. These books are so good and a film based on them is now in production!

The Sapling Cage by Margaret Killjoy

The cover image of the Sapling Cage by Margaret Killjoy

I hadn’t intended on picking three books that were first in a series, but I have. The Sapling Cage is the story of Lorel, a trans character who joins the witches in the place of her friend Lane. She must protect her identity to keep herself safe, but also help solve a mystery that has the power to be tragic not only for herself and witches, but for the entire world. Magic is being taken from the land, leaving it barren and dead. The witches have to figure out what is happening and stop it before they are blamed and hunted to extinction. I loved this one so much. Lorel is such a wonderful character and the side characters were also very fun.

So, here are three to get you started. Let us know in the comments what your favorites are. And, if it sounds like fun, join us on fable!

Parable of the Sower: A Graphic Novel by Octavia E. Butler Adapted by Damian Duffy and John Jennings

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I am ashamed to say I have never read anything by Octavia Butler. It seems like a good time to start. This is my pick for March’s Theme. Fictional Books that should stay fiction. When I checked it out of the library, I didn’t realize it was the graphic novel. Still counts.

Review: Heavenly Tyrant by Xiran Jay Zhao

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This was a trip to read at this time. I read this as my monthly pick about leadership because it is based on the first Empress of China. Xetian is a girl from a small village that has turned the world on its head. At the end of The Iron Widow, she starts a rebellion and finds the last Emperor from 200 years ago. She wakes him up but gets more than she bargains for. She is forced to work with him to achieve her goals. This book was too close to home as they rebel against an oligarchic government. They are rallying the workers and people to their cause but change is hard. As a woman, it doesn’t matter how much power she possesses or what she has accomplished, she will still be seen as a woman who cannot be trusted. Even as she gets to the new Emperor, she knows she can never let her guard down because his goals are not hers. She is smart and uses the time she has to learn as much as she can to set herself up for the future. I do love a morally ambiguous heroine. She does some rather questionable things but it’s all to make the world better. For some reason, I thought this was a duology but there’s another book coming, and what a showdown it’s going to be.