The Rose Variations by Marisha Chamberlain

The Rose Variations by Marisha Chamberlain

What adventures Rose has had in this book. Life adventures, professional adventures. I enjoyed the setting in a university music department in Minnesota. Rose is a composer working her way to tenure, while at the same time experiencing a variety of relationships. It felt close, emotionally, to real life, and was fascinating to re-experience that time of one's life.

The narrative moved along with less wallowing in the emotions than I expected. There was always another experience around the corner.

The biggest questions in the book are will our heroine earn tenure and will she find love, despite a dysfunctional upbringing. I found myself hope she would find both and I will let you,dear reader, be the judge of that.

Anne

Reisterstown Readers has a new blog!

Our local library has a Book Club that's been running a number of years - and they just started a blog! Welcome, Reisterstown Readers to the blogosphere! They meet the 2nd Thursdays of the month at the Reisterstown Library - and their next book is Manhunt.

Lauretta

R.I.P. Philip Jose Farmer

Philip Jose Farmer passed away at age 91 Wednesday the 25th. I vividly remember "To Your Scattered Bodies Go" and it pushed me to think about what it is to be a human being. Actually,
that's my personal definition of good science fiction - it forces you to think, specifically about humans and the human condition.

There's a lovely obituary in Farmer's local paper.

What stories do YOU remember from Philip Jose Farmer?
Lauretta

Do you ever cry when reading a book?

HeatherJ, over at Age 30+ ... A Lifetime of Books, is running a poll to find out how many folks cry when reading books. As opposed to watching movies, listening to music, etc.

I remember crying several times during really sad bits of stories. Not often, by yes, when the boy threw himself into Lloyd Alexander's Black Cauldron.

Interesting question, no? Go have a look.
Lauretta

Free Astronomy & Science Fiction Stories!

The National Science Foundation (USA) has funded a Science Fiction anthology - a free one! Check out stories by Mary Robinette Kowal, Geoffrey Landis, and others in Diamonds in the Sky.

Save a word from extinction from the English language

The Oxford Dictionaries are running a campaign to rescue certain words from extinction and/or removal from the english dictionary. Warning! There is sound (which can be turned off in the lower left) - but it's a bit disconcerting to here "Pick Me!" as you scroll across the words.

Let us know in the comments which one you saved, 'K?
Lauretta

Food, Glorious Food!

Loyola College in Maryland is running a Humanities Symposium on the nature of food and its relationship to humanity. In addition to studying The Omnivore's Dilemma, the 2-and-a-bit month long seminar will cover movies, tastings, children's nutrition, history, and art. Many events are free and open to the public! Details may be found here.