Books from Summer 2007

Here's my annual "What I read this summer" list


Northanger Abbey - one of Jane Austen's lesser-known works, but a very entertaining read.

The Children of Hurin - posthumous publication of JRR Tolkien's tale of tragic fate.

blink - Malcolm Gladwell's book about the value of snap decisions.

The Art of Teaching - Jay Parini's memoir of his development as a professor of English.

Suddenly They Heard Footsteps - Dan Yashinsky's reminiscences about becoming a professional story-teller.

Have Spacesuit, Will Travel - pre-moon landing sci-fi from Robert Heinlein - excellent starter for my son.

The Other Boleyn Girl - historical novel about Ann Boleyn's career as Queen of England, told through the eyes of her sister.

A Crack in the Edge of the World - Simon Winchester's fascinating account of the Great San Francisco Earthquake of 1906.

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - way better than #5. I have to say that Snape is the most interesting character in the series, much more complex than HP.

The Ship - a fictionalized account of a British naval vessel during a pivotal WWII battle in the Mediterranean, written by C.S. Forster (of Horatio Hornblower fame).

Whit - a dark comedy by Iain Banks. Frankly, not his best work.

Vancouver's Old-Time Scoundrels - the story of John "Gassy Jack" Deighton and other colourful characters from the early days of Vancouver, by Jill Foran

Confusion
The System of the World - the second and third volumes of Neal Stephenson's Baroque Cycle. I thought Confusion was outstanding, and TSotW was pretty good - not up to Cryptonomicon though.

Rainbows End - near-future sci-fi from Vernor Vinge. Far from his best effort. Read True Names or Fire Upon the Deep