Bookcover Spotlight #211

I absolutely love this cover- and the book sounds great! 

Recursion

Recursion is a wild ride.I've gotten to the point now where I expect nothing less from this author, who is pretty much an auto- buy for me. Told from the point of view of Barry, a detective with the NYPD, and Helena, a scientist who invents a way to recover memories, it's such a mind twisty story I don't even know how to review it. Crouch's previous book Dark Matter is one of my favorite reads of the last few years, so I was expecting this one to be a mindbender as well. Let's just say Crouch takes it up to eleven here. 

We start with Barry being called to a suicide attempt, as New York is beset with a wave of False Memory episodes. People are suddenly recalling things they've never done- it's almost like they're exeriencing someone else's memories- but they do recall this other life, it's just different. Some people cannot handle it, hence the suicides. As Barry learns more, we then segue to Helena and see how this all came about,  as an unintended consequence of her working on a project to help Alzheimer's sufferers. Eventually her story and Barry's collide and then things get really crazy. 

This is seriously a mindfuck of the highest order. I don't know what else to say- it's thought provoking and touches on themes of memory, regret and the nature of reality itself. I mean, if you could go back and relive a favorite memory, would you? At the same time, if you could go back and change something, would you? What even is time? Is it illusory, a construct of our perceptions, or is it an absolute thing? The genius of this story (and, frankly, Dark Matter before it) is that the author finds a way to get you thinking about these things, even as he keeps the story moving and makes you really care for these characters. 

Barry's daughter died eleven years before, and Helena's mom is destined to due from Alzheimer's- surely if you could do something about these events, you would, right? Or are the consequences of action too risky? Who has the right to make a decision like that? Like so much good science fiction, this book makes you think- just because we potentially can do something doesn't mean we should. There is emotion here and moments where I was shocked, or just had to step back and process what I'd just read. It's amazing. 

I say read this if you like the idea of what if, if you are entranced by the possibilities of time travel or even if you don't like time travel- this is more about memory and loss but also hope and possibilities. Not taking things for granted. Living life and making choices. I started with this author on the Wayward Pines trilogy and then devoured Dark Matter- and while that one is probably my favorite of his, this book is so mindbending and enthralling, I can't recommend it enough. 

Tintin and the Picaros

Tintin and the Picaros is a late entry in the series and as such has the advantage of Tintin's extensive supporting cast at this point. Tintin returns to Marlinspike Hall after some errand only to learn that Bianca Castafiore has embarked on a tour though South America. Her tour is a triumph until she gets arrested for conspiracy to overthrow the government in the imaginary country of San Theodoros- a country that Tintin and Haddock are somewhat familiar with due to their association with General Alcazar, who has been overthrown.In fact it is this association that soon leads to them being named as co- conspirators in the plot! 

Haddock of course takes exception to being named in a plot and soon engages in a war of words through the media with General Tapioca, the despotic new ruler of San Theodoros. This soon leads to Haddock and Tintin being invited to the country to have talks and clear the air, and Haddock accepts against Tintin's better judgment. The usual nonsense ensues as soon as they arrive with double crosses and a rebellion led by their friend Alcazar- not to mention that the general only has thirty men with him and they spend most of their time drunk. And speaking of drunk, why is Haddock's whisky suddenly so terrible? 

This was fun in the usual breakneck way- there are perhaps a convenient coincidence or two that moves things along, but this is a strong entry in the series and a great way to spend some time. The art is top notch as usual, the characterizations are spot on and my only complaint is we didn't get more face time with Castafiore and her retinue- I enjoyed the chaos of her visit so much in The Castafiore Emerald that now anytime her and her assistant Irma show up I expect the worst! Some highlights for me were the tourist bus showing up in the rebel camp and several clueless tourists looking for a souvenir shop, as well as Alcazar and Tapioca commiserating over how the young have no appreciation for the traditions of coups. 

As I mentioned above the full supporting cast is here, with Thompson and Thomson and even a certain dapper insurance salesman showing up, but most of them don't have a lot to do. Haddock and Tintin take center stage, and Calculus is in fine form here too, with his own little contributions to the plot. If there are any serious complaints it might be that the depiction of San Theodoros and its people comes across as stereotypical and perhaps rather crude by modern standards- there's no getting around that as these were written in a different time- but all I can say is everyone gets poked fun at or is fair game in a Tintin story, so it's up to each person if this is offensive or not. I also like the way Carnival was used in the story to move things along- a nice touch. 

One of the better Tintin stories I think, all the way around, and as with many of the volumes it can be read as a standalone- knowing the history certainly helps due to the supporting cast- but I've always read these out of order and it's no big deal. 

Tuesday Tagline #146

He lived for danger- below the sea 

  

 Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. Each week a new Top Ten list will be posted. Everyone is welcome to join. Link back so everyone can check out other bloggers' lists. It's a fun way to get to know fellow bloggers.

This week is Top Ten TBR Summer 2019- although I'm gonna tweak this just a little, to include some books coming out in the fall.     

 

 

Song Lyrics - New Sensation

I think that words combined with music can have a profound effect on us, and in this series I want to showcase some songs that I really think hit the mark. Taste in music is subjective, of course, but I'll be picking songs that I think have that combination of words and music. Songs that stand apart.  

New Sensation! This song is so catchy, I just love the beat and the infections nature of it. It makes me happy. And near as I can tell from the lyrics, it's about living life to the fullest, and maybe living in the moment as well? Taking advantage of what life throws your way? Taking a chance. I don't know, that's sorta my take. Regardless, I love the driving beat.  

What do you think of this song?  

Lyrics

Live baby live   

Now that the day is over  

I got a new sensation 
In perfect moments 
Well so impossible to refuse

Sleep baby sleep 
Now that the night is over 
And the sun comes 
Like a god into our room
All perfect light and promises  

Got a hold on you  
A new sensation, new sensation  
Right now gonna take you over 
A new sensation, new sensation  

Dream baby dream 
Of all that's come and going  
And you will find out in the end 
There really is 
There really is no difference 

Cry baby cry  
When you got to get it out  
I'll be your shoulder
You can tell me all  
Don't keep it in ya  

Well that's the reason why I'm here  
Hey hey 
Are you ready for a new sensation, new sensation 
Right now
Gonna take you on a new sensation, new sensation
A new sensation, new sensation 
A new sensation 

Hate baby hate  
When there's nothing left for you  
You're only human what can you do 
It'll soon be over
Don't let your pain take over you

Love baby love 
It's written all over your face 
There's nothing better we could do
Than live forever
Well that's all we've got to do
Hey now I'm gonna take a new sensation, new sensation 
Right now
Gotta hold on you 
A new sensation, new sensation
A new sensation, new sensation 
A new sensation  

Sunday Post #303

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Tynga's Reviews

It's Monday! What Are You Reading is hosted by Book Date 

  

So this week I was thinking about simple pleasures. I had the window open at night and the rain was falling gently down, and it occurred to me how relaxing it was. And that got me thinking about the sounds of different seasons. You know, how in the summertime you have the sound of an airplane on a lazy afternoon (who else loves that?), the crickets at night, the distinctive birdsong. The sound of boats and jet skis at a lake. Is that the best or what? And then I thought- how do sounds differ by location? Like, if you live in the topics or the desert, how are sounds different? What are your favorite sounds of summer?    

The big news this week is... The Bookish Games are over! And we won! Team Red Church for the win (this was a Nevernight edition). And man, were there some twists and turns this time!   

     

 

Song of the week 

PULP COVER OF THE WEEK: 

NEW ARRIVAL/ UPCOMING REVIEWS:

BOOKISH LINKS