Authority

(Short review)

“Authority” (Southern Reach 2) by Jeff VanderMeer

The story of ‘Area X’ started in ”Annihilation” continues from a completely different angle as we follow John Rodriguez in his first days as the new leader (“Control”) of the Southern Reach organisation. He struggles to find out what became of his predecessor and why so little is still known about the mysterious area they study. A mixture of office politics and growing horror with a promise of revelations to come in the third volume.

Annihilation

(Short review)

“Annihilation” (Southern Reach 1)  by Jeff VanderMeer

30 years ago  weird things started to happen in a coastal area of Florida now known as ‘Area X’. The shadowy  Southern Reach organisation was set up to study and explore the anomaly. This book follows  the 12^th expedition into the area as experienced by an unnamed female biologist . Its pure creepy atmosphere and I found myself completely immersed in the storyline and its ongoing mysteries. Excellent stuff.

Saga (Volume 1 - 3)

(Short review)

“Saga” (Volume 1 – 3) by Brian K. Vaughan & Fiona Staples.

These are the so-far collected graphic novel versions of the ongoing comic series. The initially simple story of soldiers from both sides of an interplanetary war falling in love and having a child. They are pursued across the galaxy by both their own factions, mercenaries and the media. The art and writing are great and definitely not for kids.

The Screwtape Letters

(Short review)

“The Screwtape Letters”(Annotated edition)  by C.S. Lewis

One of those often referred to but never read (until now) books again. Originally a newspaper column, the text takes the form of letters of advice from an elder demon to his younger prodigy. Some wry comments about society and people’s habits,  but I found it a bit disappointing. Lewis took his Christianity very seriously and it shows. The later annotation helps but was often more interesting than the main text. 

Cold War Space Sleuths

(Short review)

“Cold War Space Sleuths” by Dominic Phelan

Non-fiction history. This is the story of some of the leading amateur space enthusiasts of the last 50 years in their own words. How they got into the hobby and the secrets they uncovered during the cold war period. I was in contact with some of these individuals in the 1990s so this book was in particular interest to me. Fascinating stuff – but only if you’re a space geek.

The Martian

(Short review)

“The Martian” by Andy Weir

Near-future science fiction. An Astronaut is presumed dead and abandoned by his crewmates on Mars. This is the story of his survival until a rescue mission can arrive. Told mainly in his journal entries, its gripping stuff.