Category Archives: On My Bookshelf

Science and Fiction

Posted on 17 May 2011 by

I’m reading a great book right now: astronomer Mike Brown’s neat memoir How I Killed Pluto and Why It Had It Coming. This is the guy who discovered something larger than Pluto, setting into motion the controversial 2006 reclassification of … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, On My Bookshelf | Leave a comment

Rolheiser on Nouwen

Posted on 6 May 2011 by

The popular author and speaker has a tribute to “our generation’s Kierkegaard.” Rolheiser writes: He helped us to pray while not knowing how to pray, to rest while feeling restless, to be at peace while tempted, to feel safe while … Continue reading →

Posted in On My Bookshelf, spirituality | Leave a comment

A Liturgist Looks At Vestments

Posted on 2 April 2011 by

The novel by John Reimringer, not the clothing. I picked Vestments off the library shelf a few months ago, and declined to check it out after reading the first few pages–didn’t sound right to me. On a recommendation, I borrowed it a … Continue reading →

Posted in On My Bookshelf | Leave a comment

Feasting

Posted on 19 January 2011 by

I wanted to mention I just finished a deeply thoughtful and thought-provoking novel, Strangers at the Feast. I’ve been feeling very dissatisfied with science fiction lately. I pick up books at the library that seem good or that have been … Continue reading →

Posted in On My Bookshelf | 1 Comment

Some Books

Posted on 26 December 2010 by

This is not a commercial to buy science fiction books. Just some thoughts. Connie Willis’ publisher came out with part two of her enormous tome Blackout/All Clear a few months ago. This one story about time travellers in 1940 Britain … Continue reading →

Posted in On My Bookshelf, science fiction | 2 Comments

On My Bookshelf: What’s The Point of Fantasy?

Posted on 8 May 2010 by

I’ve been reading some interesting books lately. It’s been mostly non-fiction, but a few works of fiction have gotten me thinking on the nature of science fiction and fantasy: what defines the genre, how well this genre can be written, … Continue reading →

Posted in On My Bookshelf, science fiction | Leave a comment

Science Books

Posted on 31 March 2009 by

For the past several months, I’ve been mostly disappointed in the fiction I’ve been picking up at the public library. I’ve also exhausted the astronomy section there, too–at least the books published in the past ten years for adults. Earlier … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, On My Bookshelf | Leave a comment

On My Bookshelf: Anathem

Posted on 26 February 2009 by

Science Fiction fans and critics love Neal Stephenson. His recent novels are expansive, epic, and bold. The premise of his latest, Anathem, caught my attention four weeks ago. What if monasteries existed not for religious people, but for scientists and … Continue reading →

Posted in On My Bookshelf | 2 Comments

Coraline is Cool

Posted on 26 November 2008 by

The young miss needed a 150-page book for a book report. And she needed it quick, so we were off to the library Monday to find a tome, not made into a movie, at least 150 pages, and not lame. … Continue reading →

Posted in On My Bookshelf, science fiction | 1 Comment

A Well-Built Faith

Posted on 7 September 2008 by

Joe Paprocki’s book is making the rounds. Turns out the author’s a blogger. That’s a good sign. The DRE at my new parish had a stack of them to give out to some of her catechists. Hmm, I thought when … Continue reading →

Posted in On My Bookshelf | 3 Comments

On My Bookshelf: A World Too Near

Posted on 18 August 2008 by

A few days ago I finished Kay Kenyon’s A World Too Near, the second in a science fiction series mostly taking place in a strange parallel universe not too “far” from ours. This is good writing. Good enough to forgive … Continue reading →

Posted in On My Bookshelf, science fiction | Leave a comment

On My Bookshelf: The Speed of Dark

Posted on 12 June 2008 by

Technically, this great book isn’t on my shelf any longer. It’s back at the library. I’ve been meaning to write a quick review for a few months now. I first read Elizabeth Moon’s military science fiction, her five-volume series on … Continue reading →

Posted in On My Bookshelf, science fiction | 2 Comments

On My Bookshelf: Titan Unveiled

Posted on 20 May 2008 by

I haven’t yet finished Ralph Lorenz and Jacqueline Mitton’s brilliant book Titan Unveiled, but I can’t wait to put out a positive review. The world can’t get enough good science books written for the general public. And this is one … Continue reading →

Posted in Astronomy, On My Bookshelf | Leave a comment

Not Small Change

Posted on 13 May 2008 by

Is it a publisher’s thing to promote everything as a trilogy? Familiarity breeds better book sales, probably. That said, this second book in a series, Ha’penny is a great mystery that picks up on one of my favorite reads from … Continue reading →

Posted in On My Bookshelf | Leave a comment

A Long Retreat: In Search of a Religious Life

Posted on 13 April 2008 by

In a fruitful coincidence, Andrew Krivak’s spiritual memoir arrived for reading as my personal discernment on the future continues. The author is a poet, but he has obvious abilities that transcend that genre. I’d enjoy reading his fiction, were he … Continue reading →

Posted in On My Bookshelf, spirituality | 2 Comments