Sunday Musings: 9:41 Dragon
Posted on November 30, 2014 6 Comments
Home in bed with a cold — but that’s nothing a good book can’t cure!
CURRENTLY READING
I’ve been playing a lot of Dragon Age Inquisition lately. A lot of Dragon Age Inquisition. And recently completed a mission involving the Empress of Orlais. The mission in the game follows up on one of the latest tie-in books, The Masked Empire.
I am a big fan of tie-in material when it comes to my favourite video fandoms, with my particular focus of late being on tie-ins related to video games. Some people shun the concept, but I love the depth they add to the characters and lore. In the case of the BioWare games like Dragon Age and Mass Effect, the events and characters in the books and comics end up being very important to the game itself — though not so important that someone who opts to play the game without partaking of the extras completely misses out.
WRITERY THOUGHTS
So how’s that NaNo-ing going?
BOOKISH THINGS
Reading with our children is so important for so many things, not the least of which is fostering a love of reading.
Lootz: Mogsy’s Book Haul
Posted on November 29, 2014 24 Comments
A few review books have come in that I wanted to feature this week, but it’s been a madhouse around here lately so I’m short on the time to talk about each book in the format like I normally do. Instead I think I’m going to geek out about some of the giveaway books I won this month. For some reason, I had a really lucky November or something.
I was most excited about winning The Relic Guild from a giveaway the author held on Twitter. This is a book from Gollancz that I’ve had my eye on for a looong time but of course there has been no US release date so far! I was a sad panda about that, so imagine my delight. Black Dog is something I won from Goodreads. Yeah, I’d always thought winning anything from there is a myth. I had to look outside to check the skies for flying pigs. Talon and The Immortal Crown are books from the weekly giveaway hosted by Anya at On Starships and Dragonwings, and Shade & Sorceress, The Unmaking, and Bone, Fog, Ash & Star are from The Last Days of Tian Di trilogy that I won from an author giveaway hosted by Tammy at Books, Bones & Buffy. My thanks to all those involved!
And I also went on a bit of an audiobook binge, mainly because of the Audible Buy 4 get $10 promotion they were running for the month of November, so I spent a credit or two, scraped and scrounged around for any Whispersync deals, sales, etc. until I qualified: Endsinger (credit), The Scar ($4.95 sale), Rosemary and Rue, Among Others (Whispersync). Legion: Skin Deep was an Audible FREEBIE (go get it if you haven’t already!) and I couldn’t resist grabbing the Jinn and Juice ebook because it’s $2.99 and the print version won’t even be available until April of next year. I couldn’t pass that up!
#RRSciFiMonth Top 10 Science Fiction Novels Read This Year
Posted on November 28, 2014 21 Comments
As this will likely be my last post for Sci-Fi November, I hope everyone has enjoyed the science fiction related goodies we’ve featured at The BiblioSanctum this month, I also want to take this opportunity to thank and congratulate the Rinn Reads and Oh, The Books! teams for running such a successful event! This was my first year joining in the fun, and I’d love to continue the tradition.
Anyway, I thought to myself, what better to wrap up the month’s event with a Top 10 list of the best Science Fiction novels I’ve read in 2014? It was certainly a tough choice narrowing it down, since I read a lot of books this year, but these are the sci-fi books that really stood out for me and I hope you’ll check them out.
I’ve always been fascinated by stories that explore what it means to be human. This book is set in a future after the world has suffered the effects of a devastating virus. To survive meant genetically modifying almost every new person born on this planet, but in order to repopulate and rebuild, the engineers went further. They created different kinds of genetically modified humans (“Gems”), who were essentially nothing but humanity’s tools. Despite its futuristic setting, Gemsigns is a powerful novel as it is utterly significant and relevant to the world today. Want a great piece of social science fiction? Check this one out. (Read the review…)
I’ve been singing the praises of John Scalzi for along time, as many of his books were my gateway to the sci-fi genre. If you want light, humorous science fiction that’s also accessible and not too overwhelming and heavy-handed with the hi-tech jargon, I really recommend his books. However, Lock In surprised me with its depth and moments of thoughtfulness, and I also feel it is a next step for the author. That being said, it’s still pure Scalzi in terms of being fun and entertaining, with easy prose and plenty of witty, snappy dialogue. (Read the review…)
The popularity of this book blew up this summer, and for good reason. This is one smart book, complete with cool premise and engaging characters. And you don’t have to have a degree in astrophysics to enjoy it, though it does get technical at times. But at its heart, The Martian is an incredible tale of one man’s survival, using only his wits and astounding ingenuity to problem solve his way out of one life-threatening catastrophe at a time. And the most pleasant surprise? It’s humorous. Prepare for lots of laughs along with the tension and suspense. (Read the review…)
Cibola Burn by James S.A. Corey
This is the fourth book of what I think is probably my science fiction series right now. Authors Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck who make up the team of James S.A. Corey continue to develop the characters and build upon the world of The Expanse, and Cibola Burn is the best installment yet. I’m not surprised that an adaptation of this series is being made and coming soon to TV, as these books are a perfect mix of science fiction chills-and-thrills and the passion and weight of human drama. I’m really looking forward to it. (Read the review…)
Earth Girl takes place in the far-flung future, starring eighteen-year-old Jarra. There are many names for people like her: Handicapped. Throwback. Nean. Ape. All of them mean one thing: that she is among the one in a thousand born with an immune disorder that confines her to earth. Jarra can’t visit any of the multitude of worlds humans have colonized, because she would go into anaphylactic shock in seconds and die. Distinct, unconventional and unique, this book breathed new life into the Young Adult genre for me. Oh, and it has archaeology! (Read the review…)
When you read Defenders, look for the forest, not the trees. Just as you weren’t supposed to pick apart the minutiae of cryogenics in McIntosh’s Love Minus Eighty (another amazing novel), you shouldn’t get too hung up on the logistics of an alien invasion or the ins-and-outs of bio-engineering a whole new warrior race, just to name a couple of main themes in this book. This sci-fi novel isn’t so much about the “science” than it is a thought-provoking social fiction piece exploring how humanity might approach an “us vs. them” situation. Needless to say, if you enjoy “what if” stories, this would be the ideal book for you. (Read the review…)
The Mad Scientist’s Daughter by Cassandra Rose Clarke
This book is a deep analysis and portrayal of Caterina Novak, daughter of a brilliant yet eccentric inventor and cybernetics expert. Cat is five years old when she first meets Finn, the android her father brings home to be her tutor. But as Cat grows, she discovers Finn is different from other androids. With every year that passes their relationship becomes increasingly complicated, as Cat starts to see Finn as someone more than just a tutor and friend. The premise is a cool idea, but the powerful emotions behind it is what made this book stand out for me. Be sure as well to check out the BiblioSanctum interview with Cassandra Rose Clarke to find out more about this fascinating and heartbreaking novel. (Read the review…)
The Paradox Series by Rachel Bach
I’m putting the series as a whole on this list, because all three books have a part in making up this very strong trilogy, which I highly recommend for anyone looking for a fun, fast-paced and action-filled sci-fi read. If there’s one thing to take away from these books it is that Rachel Bach (who also writes as Rachel Aaron) never does things by halves. That’s the beauty of the Paradox series. Everything about it is larger than life, from the in-your-face main character Devi Morris to her sexy and suave love interest Rupert Charkov, or the amazing planets and exotic aliens to the twisty plot filled with adventure and thrills. It’s pure candy for the mind. (Read the reviews…)
The Everness Series by Ian McDonald
The Everness sequence is another series I’d like to feature as a whole on this list. I really wish there were more young adult novels like this out there. Up to three books so far, the latest installment Empress of the Sun was probably my favorite, and it’s always awesome to see when the books are just getting better and better. Because Everness is about alternate dimensions and the Multiverse, you just never know where the story might take you next! When it comes delivering excitement and adventure, Ian McDonald knows his stuff. Absolutely fantabulosa. (Read the reviews…)
Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer
VanderMeer is best known for his contributions to “New Weird”, a literary genre that’s been hit or miss with me – so that’s why I had my misgivings when I approached this book. But wow, am I glad I decided to give this one a shot. Yes, the story is weird and a bit surreal, but what I didn’t anticipate was how thoroughly atmospheric and intense it was. The book satisfied my appetite for Horror with its strange and unsettling elements, and it also surprised me with the heart-wrenching melancholy and the haunting quality to the narrator’s narration. This was a short read, one that blew by even faster than I expected because I enjoyed it so much. (Read the review…)
Honorable Mentions
I told you I would have a hard time narrowing this down to ten. Too bad this isn’t a top 15 or even top 20 list. The following are books are nonetheless highly recommend:
Astra by Naomi Foyle
Author Naomi Foyle has a remarkable way of giving me all the feels. I have been shocked and disturbed by some of the ideas in her books, but likewise there have been times where the touching beauty of her writing has bought me to tears. Her stories might not necessarily read like heart-pounding thrillers or page-turners, but no matter what, they always pack a powerful punch. That most certainly describes Astra, a bold dystopian tale about a girl growing up in a closed and isolated nature-worshiping community called Is-Land. (Read Mogsy’s and Wendy’s reviews…)
World of Trouble by Ben H. Winters
The stunning conclusion to the awesome Last Policeman trilogy. Imagine a world where everyone has known for the past year that a gigantic killer asteroid is hurtling towards earth, set to impact in just a matter of days. Tsunamis will wipe out the coasts, atmospheric dust will black out the sun, and life as we know it would cease to exist. When the news first dropped, Hank was among the small minority who’d decided to carry on as usual, but now it’s interesting to see how his motivations have changed since the first installment. Doomsday has finally come, and you’ll just have to pick up this series and find out what happens. Believe me, these books are worth the read (Read the review…)
Tough Traveling: Bugs
Posted on November 27, 2014 24 Comments
The Thursday feature “Tough Traveling” is the brainchild of Nathan ofReview Barn, who has come up with the excellent idea of making a new list each week based on the most common tropes in fantasy, as seen in The Tough Guide to Fantasyland by Diana Wynn Jones. Nathan has invited anyone who is interested to come play along, so be sure to check out the first link for more information.
This week’s tour topic is: Bugs
BUGS- Not in the Tough Guide but it should be. Let’s all find anything creepy or crawly, big or small, six legs, eight legs, or more. Bugs, bugs, bugs.
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
Giant spiders in fantasy should have their own Tough Traveling category. The Hobbit Bilbo Baggins and his dwarf companions fought off giant spiders in Mirkwood on their way to the Lonely Mountain.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
More giant spiders incoming! These are heavily featured in the second book of the Harry Potter series, when it is revealed a colony of them was established in the Forbidden Forest at Hogwarts by Aragog, the Acromantulas that Hagrid used to keep as a pet.
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card
The Formics, also called “Buggers” by humans, are an insect-like alien species. They’re often described as insectoid in shape and form, and live underground in hive-mind colonies which are directed by a single queen.
Flight of the Golden Harpy by Susan Klaus
On a planet where harpies as regarded as pests, the killing of them by human settlers have caused an outbreak of the native flesh-eating beetles. Without the harpies to keep them under control, the swarms have taken over the towns and are killing people by eating them.
Wendy’s Picks
The Stolen Throne by David Gaider
The Deep Roads: Every arachnophobe’s dream vacation. The dwarves don’t merely have bugs running around their stone thaigs, they have giant, blight corrupted spiders! Yay!
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater
Being scared of bugs is one thing. Being deathly allergic to them? Well that just ups the ante. Especially if you’re like Gansy and seem to have a bit of a deathwish…
Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein
Okay, I haven’t actually read the book, but Nathan has, and I’ve seen the movie, so I feel that is enough justification to include it. The important thing is that we remember the motto:
“The only good bug is a dead bug.”
Waiting on Wednesday 11/26/14
Posted on November 26, 2014 11 Comments
“Waiting On Wednesday” is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine that lets us feature upcoming releases that we can’t wait to get our hands on!
Mogsy’s Pick:
Time Salvager by Wesley Chu: July 7, 2015 (Tor)
We’re wrapping up the last Waiting on Wednesday of Sci-Fi November with Time Salvager from the awesome Wesley Chu, who is also the author of the popular Tao series from Angry Robot.
Also, confession time: I’ve actually read an early version of this book as a beta reader. It’s amazing, so if you’re excited about getting your hands on this book in July of next year…well yeah, you really should be!
“In a future when Earth is a toxic, abandoned world and humanity has spread into the outer solar system to survive, the tightly controlled use of time travel holds the key maintaining a fragile existence among the other planets and their moons. James Griffin-Mars is a chronman–a convicted criminal recruited for his unique psychological makeup to undertake the most dangerous job there is: missions into Earth’s past to recover resources and treasure without altering the timeline. Most chronmen never reach old age, and James is reaching his breaking point.
On a final mission that is to secure his retirement, James meets an intriguing woman from a previous century, scientist Elise Kim, who is fated to die during the destruction of an oceanic rig. Against his training and his common sense, James brings her back to the future with him, saving her life, but turning them both into fugitives. Remaining free means losing themselves in the wild and poisonous wastes of Earth, and discovering what hope may yet remain for humanity’s home world.”
#RRSciFiMonth: Falling Sky by Rajan Khanna
Posted on November 25, 2014 16 Comments
Sci-Fi November is a month-long blog event hosted by Oh The Books and Rinn Reads this year, created to celebrate everything amazing about science fiction! From TV shows to movies, books to comics, and everything else in between, it is intended to help science fiction lovers share their love and passion for this genre and its many, many fandoms.
Genre: Science Fiction
Series: Book 1
Publisher: Pyr (October 7, 2014)
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
I enjoyed Falling Sky a lot more than I thought I would. That’s no meagre accomplishment, considering how many books are out there in the market these days involving zombies in a post-apocalyptic type future. But Rajan Khanna did not have to resort to any gimmicks or convoluted methods to make his novel stand out. All he did was come up with an awesome premise – that when a virulent epidemic broke out two generations ago and turned most of the population into mindless Ferals, humanity managed to survive by simply taking to the skies.
That means airships. Entire cities that float. People like main protagonist and narrator Ben Gold feel most comfortable off the ground, because that translates to safety from coming in contact with the tainted blood of Ferals, and in turns means being able to live out another day. Ben, who has always been happy on his own piloting his airship Cherub, finds a way to make money by working with the intelligent and headstrong Miranda, leader of a group of ambitious scientists hoping to find a cure for the Feral virus.
But then Valhalla strikes, and the skies are no longer a safe haven. A faction made up of savage pirates, Valhalla is bent on conquering and stealing from other settlements by employing the most depraved measures – like airlifting infected Ferals and dropping them into defenseless cities. After being caught in one such attack, Ben’s life is forever changed and he is forced to make some difficult decisions. He’s the kind of guy who’s always lived by the motto “Every man for himself”, but for the first time in his life he realizes there may be bigger things to fight for.
I don’t think I would have enjoyed this book so much if it weren’t for Ben. I loved his voice and took to his casual and devil-may-care attitude right away, and I found that the first-person narrative in the present tense worked surprisingly well for the story. Ben isn’t exactly someone you can admire or point to as a good role model, but I liked him all the same. Somewhat self-serving at times and frequently having a short view of the problem, Ben doesn’t always mean to screw the people around him over, but his impulsive nature usually leads him to do it all the same. But he’s got a good heart, as proven by the many times he’s gone out of his way to try and repay a favor or make up for his mistakes, and I find that admirable. And fine, I’ll also admit he’s got a bit of that roguish charm which I find irresistible.
You also have to love the mood of the story. One might expect a post-apocalyptic zombie book to be on the dark and grim side, but I would describe Falling Sky as more an adventurous and action-filled novel. That’s not to say the world that Ben lives in is without its grit and despair, because in fact, the author does a good job illustrating why a future infested with Ferals is not a very pleasant place to be. Mindless and violent beast-like zombies aside, so much technology has been lost and a lot of the crucial supplies like ammo and fuel from two generations ago have been depleted. But humanity has had enough time to deal with aftermath of the epidemic, and the tone that I get from the story is that life continues moving forward. Certain facets of society and culture have eroded away and things may be done a little differently, but people like Ben still have their sense of humor, and others like Miranda and her scientists have their hopes and dreams.
My main complaint is that the ending came and went too quickly and suddenly. We are literally dropped into the conclusion, and…scene. All I can say is, I really, really, really hope there will be a sequel. The story may be more or less wrapped up, but because of the abruptness of the way things ended, I just can’t help but think it’s not over. If there’s a book two though, definitely sign me up for it.
A review copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Pyr Books!
#RRSciFiMonth: The Heart Does Not Grow Back by Fred Venturini
Posted on November 24, 2014 17 Comments
Sci-Fi November is a month-long blog event hosted by Oh The Books and Rinn Reads this year, created to celebrate everything amazing about science fiction! From TV shows to movies, books to comics, and everything else in between, it is intended to help science fiction lovers share their love and passion for this genre and its many, many fandoms.
The Heart Does Not Grow Back by Fred Venturini
Genre: Science Fiction
Series: Stand Alone
Publisher: Picador (November 4, 2014)
Author Information: Website | Twitter
Mogsy’s Rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Heart Does Not Grow Back was an unexpected surprise. I saw some readers designate it as Science Fiction, others who describe it as Horror, and even a few who tagged it as a superhero novel. As it often is in these cases, every single one of these categorizations are accurate, but none of them tell the whole story. It’s definitely a tough book to describe, but I’m also really glad I went into it with very little information, because I loved how everything unfolded before me and threw me for a loop at every turn.
The introduction was probably the most powerful but also most brutal part of the book. When I was reading the first few chapters, my mind went to Stephen King – not really in terms of the storytelling or writing style, but in the whole vibe of a boyhood camaraderie that binds together two young friends, and how even in small sleepy towns you will find evil people with darkness in their hearts. Once upon a time, a geek and a jock met each other on the playground and became the best of friends. But months before their high school graduation, a violent and unthinkable tragedy destroys Mack Tucker’s chances of ever becoming a professional baseball player, and Dale Sampson loses the love of his life but also discovers he possesses the ability to regenerate.
Dale’s story takes a turn for the grim and bleak, full of regrets and what-could-have-beens. Despite winning the evolutionary lottery with his amazing regeneration powers, he falls into a downward spiral of depression and apathy, until one day a girl from his past walks back into his life and gives it some meaning again.
So, what can a guy with the miraculous ability to heal and regenerate himself do in order to turn his life around, become the hero and save the girl? Dale gets together with his old friend Mack and the two come up with a plan that ends up being as insane as it is darkly hilarious. Two words: Reality TV. I wouldn’t have seen that coming in a million years.
As outlandish as the premise sounds, Fred Venturini makes it all work wonderfully, making this an intensely engaging read. I was always left wondering where the story will go next, even though the characters themselves remain quite static and predictable when it comes to personality. Mack is a crude womanizing meathead, and Dale is a sad one-man pity party who hits rock bottom and stays there for much of the book. None of the characters are particularly likeable and there was no one in this book whose neck I didn’t want to wring at least once, though there is no doubt that all of this is by design. The author clearly meant for his narrator to be deeply flawed and broken with a defeatist and almost transgressive attitude towards life and love – a result from the traumatic events of his past. Dale is standoffish and has deep-seated issues when it comes to women, but at least we are in the position to understand why.
The ending is what really pulls it all together, resolving the conflicts and all the relationships while offering a glimmer of hope and a reason to be optimistic. Still, I wouldn’t go as far as to call this a happy book. I enjoy stories where characters are put in difficult situations; part of the fun is watching them overcome those obstacles to emerge victorious, after all. But Venturini is an author who seriously puts his characters through the wringer. I mean that as a compliment more than anything, given the way Dale to pushed to the very edge thus making his eventual turnaround all the more satisfying and meaningful. Nevertheless, I still felt the need for a cheerier book after this.
Was it worth the read, though? Heck, was it ever. I was surprised when I looked up the author and saw that The Heart Does Not Grow Back was his first novel (though it was first published a few years ago under a different title, The Samaritan) because of how strong and polished the writing was. I’ll be keeping an eye out for any other books by him in the future.
A review copy of this book was provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thanks to Picador!
#RRSciFiMonth: The Dire Earth: A Novella by Jason M. Hough
Posted on November 23, 2014 4 Comments
The Dire Earth: A Novella by Jason M. Hough
Genre: Science Fiction
Series: Dire Earth Cycle #0.5
Publisher: Del Rey (November 2014)
Author Info: jasonhough.com
Wendy’s Rating: 3 of 5 stars
After reading a great novel or series of novels, you always want more. Origin stories give you a chance to see your favourite (or not so favourite) characters again, and learn something more about the history of their world. The problem is that sometimes for me, origin stories just don’t work.
In the The Dire Earth, The Darwin Elevator is already in place in Australia, but the next mystery from the strange alien Builders has arrived: the disease called SUBS. The disease strips the humanity from its victims, reducing them to a basic fight or flight animalistic existence. The only place safe from the disease is Darwin, and in this novella, we see the world come to that realization. We get to see Skylar, Skadz, Sam, Nigel, Russell, and more again, as they all deal with the end of the world, right as it is happening.
The thing is, while I really loved being able to see the characters again, the story didn’t really give me anything new. There were details that I did not know of how each person got to Darwin or discovered their immunity to SUBS, but having already read the series, the details were not particularly relevant for me. I had figured out or imagined the basics of how and why, so having it all spelled out, as I said, simply didn’t add anything to the lore that I hadn’t already figured out on my own.
That’s not to say this is a bad short story. As it is an introduction to Hough’s Dire Earth series, this would be a great way for someone new to get a taste of Hough’s world. In fact, I consider The Darwin Elevator to be a good starter book for people who are uncertain about science fiction. The balance between reality and science fiction is well done, with no overwhelming use of science. As it takes place on earth, with a focus on amazing characters, the science fiction aspect sits quietly just on the fringe as you slowly get sucked into the mystery of the Builders…
BookOutlet: A Bibliophile’s Candy Story
Posted on November 22, 2014 13 Comments
I recently attended a professional development conference held in Niagara-on-the-Lake. It dawned on me that my favourite online book store, BookOutlet.ca, had a store in that area. Turns out, it was a mere 23 minutes away, according to Google Maps! So of course I had to pay them a visit.
I took my co-worker along with me and tried my best to set a good example. As in, I didn’t go cartwheeling and dancing down the aisles — but that’s mainly because if I did, I would miss all the books I needed to fill my cart with. As it was, I managed to mostly restrain myself, and even remembered that Christmas is coming, so all the purchases shouldn’t be for me alone. I picked up a few stocking stuffers, and added to my daughters’ collection of “I Love ___” animals books. But my haul went something like this:
My biggest temptation was to buy hardcovers for my bookshelves, even though I already owned the books in digital, audio, or even paperback formats. It’s just that…hardcovers look so nice on my bookshelves…
Didn’t I make some new year’s resolution about not buying any more books until I’d bitten off a solid chunk out of what was already sitting beside my bed? Oh well… the year’s almost over…
#RRSciFiMonth: Review: Clarkesworld Magazine Issue #94
Posted on November 21, 2014 9 Comments
Clarkesworld Magazine Issue 94
Published July 1st 2014 by Neil Clarke
As with any magazine and short story collection, the contents can be hit or miss, depending on your personal preferences. This issue of Clarkesworld begins with five short stories, some by names I know well, and others, not so much. While I liked some far more than others, what really impressed me was how skilled each of the five authors were in crafting such unique worlds, complete with dialect, cultures, technology and/or magics, within so few words. It just goes to show that less can be a whole lot more, and I appreciate the opportunity to read such works.
If I have to choose a favourite, it would be Yoon Ha Lee‘s “The Contemporary Foxwife.” This is a quite little scifi tale about a young woman who unexpectedly earns herself an unusual companion. This is the second short story I’ve read by this author, and I really love the way she incorporates elements of Asian culture and mythology.
The issue featured an article filled with math and statistics, which aren’t my thing, but I did skim through enough to get the gist of the author’s points on the apparent imbalance in gender in genre fiction. Meanwhile, an interview with Annihilation, Authority, and Acceptance author, Jeff VanderMeer. And I took particular interest in James L. Sutter’s article on the tie-in novel, something, apparently, people shun, feeling that it’s not real novel writing. I’m a huge fan of tie-in novels, so I’m certainly not in that boat, but I understand the sentiment, since I happen to feel that way about movie novelizations.
Clarkesworld is the first genre fiction magazine that I’ve subscribed to (well, the first since my LucasArts subscription when I was a kid), and I’ve been really impressed with it. The covers are all stunning, and the words have all been profound in some way or another.
The BiblioSanctum 