Greybeard, Brian Aldiss

Greybeard by Brian Aldiss is a story of post-apocalyptic England.

Started: February, 2009
Completed: August, 2009
Recommended by: Found in an internal company library shelf
Review:
This book is clearly dated as its "future" is close to our present.  Atomic testing has sterilized the human race for all intents and purposes and this book follows one of those who is caught up in a world of aging and failing Englishmen.  The language is fabulous and the story, while definitely dated, is intriguing.  I heartily recommend this book to Aldiss fans and recommend it to those who find atomic destruction fears interesting.  The book is largely a character study, but it does do some exploration into how society as a whole and individual countries might address the realization that they have no future.  Greybeard is a quick read (I took so long because I read it while reading other things and only when I had snatches of time and the book close by) and while one does not suddenly appreciate the world, it is nice to find new value in children.

Portrait of a Lady, Henry James

Portrait of a Lady by Henry James is available in the public domain through Project Gutenberg and is considered one of Henry James' best works.

Started: June, 2009
Completed:
Recommendation:
Recommended by: Nobody, just perused Project Gutenberg

Words I looked up:
caravansary -an inn with a central courtyard for travelers in the desert regions of Asia or Northern Africa
tenue - bearing, carriage, deportment; mode of dress

Review:  None right now, but I will update it when it is complete

Knee Deep in Paradise, Brett Butler

Knee Deep in Paradise is an autobiography by Brett Butler.  She is a comedian best known for her show "Grace Under Fire" which ran from 1993 to 1998.

Started: August, 2009
Completed: October, 2009
Recommended by: My wife, who enjoyed it and passed it on.

Review:  This book is well written with good use of the language.  I had to look up several words (I did not walk in expecting that I would need a dictionary) and frequently enjoyed several turns of phrase.  It appears that Ms. Butler wrote this book over several years (perhaps a lot longer) but she seems to have started it before her second marriage and completed it before its dissolution (although, it appears that was on the horizon).  Her childhood was difficult although it was largely a story in neglect.  She coped by drinking and her story frequently drops in and out of the events to be found at any AA meeting.  I do not say this to denigrate her life or her story, but that there aren't a lot of plot twists.  Ms. Butler seems to feel that her life was very visible once she was on Johnny Carson and, to her, it must have seemed to be.  Time, however, and likely less coverage then she imagined have lost that story and there is nothing in the book to catch the reader up in the tumultuous events of fame.  The book ends as a focus on the father she never knew as she compiled what appears to be every piece of information she has about him to build the book.  I found the material interesting; I have enjoyed Ms. Butler's comedy, but I wonder if I will in the future knowing from where it comes.  I do not recommend this book.