Hi. This was February. What can I tell you.
Frank Sinatra Has a Cold by Gay Talese, Phil Stern. I’ve read Talese’s renowned profile a handful of times before, but this book’s lavish, elegant production proved hard to resist. The inclusion of high-resolution reproductions of many of the notes taken by Talese while researching the story, presented alongside Stern’s striking snapshots, makes this not just an invaluable volume but a visually stunning one as well.
Sourdough by Robin Sloan. A re-read. A favorite, for sure. It just has such a cozy, feel-good vibe. I’ve always admired Sloan’s sheer willingness to follow his already far-out ideas down the weirdest, most fascinating rabbit holes. Mostly, though, I love how loyal Sloan is to his quirky, sentient fungi creation. That this book is a direct predecessor to Moonbound is absolutely wild, considering how vastly different they are as stories. But it also makes perfect sense. Good stuff.
The Suitcase Clone by Robin Sloan. Reading this right after finishing Sourdough was the right move, as I caught connections and references that went completely over my head the first time I picked this up. A really fun, lively caper. In the same way its parent novel makes me want to be a bread bro, this makes me want to be a wine guy.
“In the Stacks (Maisie’s Tune)” by Robin Sloan. I first read this a couple of years ago during my lunch break at work, whereupon it reduced me to tears. Since I am apparently re-reading the entirety of Sloan’s oeuvre, I decided to give it another read (also at work, though not during my lunch break) (don’t tell on me). Again: I was reduced to tears. Possibly the most heart-warming, life-affirming story I’ve ever read. Possibly my favorite short story of the past decade.
“The Vanishing Man” / “On Enemy Ground” / “Shaken, Not Stirred” by Alma Katsu. When I finished the first short story in this terse trilogy, I was ready to condescendingly commend Katsu for her obvious love and enthusiasm for James Bond and spy fiction in general. Then I read her biography and learned that she actually worked in the intelligence community for more than thirty years. Assuming is how you make an ass out of yourself, etc. Anyway, this is a great set of short series, with a protagonist who serves as a perfect counterpoint for Bond—a spy who’s got the looks and the killer instinct, but lacks the sophistication and finesse. What Bond would be if here simply just a blunt instrument (that happened to be wielded by the Soviets). The third entry was probably my favorite, if mostly because of all the little nods to Fleming and 007, particularly with having Jamaica as the setting for the climax. Good show.
“Elyse Flayme and the Final Flood” by Robin Sloan. Another of my favorite things about Sloan’s writing is how he uses it not only to expound and expand on his ideas, but to discover them, as well. In the contrivances of this plot, you can clearly see the seeds that would develop into other stories of his: Moonbound, most notably, but also Annabel Scheme and the Adventure of the New Golden Gate—all entirely different yarns, but thematically linked. It’s the kind of writing I wish I could do.
“Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore” by Robin Sloan. The Sloan spree continues. I must have read this one ages ago, but I have no real memory of it. Reading it made me realize just how little I recall from the actual novel, too, so it’s a good thing a paperback copy is on its way here. The short story itself was just fine—early Sloan, of course, but his distinct style was already very much on display.
“The Hildebrand Rarity” by Ian Fleming. Very fitting that I happened to have been reading this most excellent of Bond short stories when the not-so-excellent film news dropped. Still one of my favorite Bond tales—basically a showcase for Fleming’s exceptional use of location and atmosphere. Just some really solid storytelling.
I also read two other books to be discussed at a later date.
Books Bought:
- The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz
- Book Lovers by Emily Henry
- Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell
- From Ted to Tom: The Illustrated Envelopes of Edward Gorey by Edward Gorey, edited by Tom Fitzharris
- Casino Royale by Ian Fleming
- Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan
- The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy 2023 edited by R.F. Kuang
- Busy Doing Nothing by Rekka Bellum, Devine Lu Linvega
- The Tatami Galaxy by Tomihiko Morimi, translated by Emily Balistrieri
Until next time.
ricardo reading 