The Right Book at the Right Time
January 9th, 2006What to read? That’s a common question. When to read it, though, is just as important. Maybe I’m just moody, but for me, finding the right match at the right time is the recipe for a successful reading experience. I finally realized how fussy and particular I can be this weekend.
I was flushed with excitement after finishing Tim Powers’ massive and profound Declare, at the same time that I am going through a phase of watching Alias on DVD, so I set myself up to read some good spy fiction.
Alan Furst comes highly recommended, and all his books seemed equally appealing. I picked up The Polish Officer, which was indeed as well written and exciting as promised. I even have a special interest in the time period and location of this historical espionage thriller. But for some reason I found that I couldn’t abide reading about World War II in Europe, so I decided to shelve the book for later.
Then I attemped Charles Stross’ The Atrocity Archives, a Lovecraftian-espionage mashup that sounded interesting. It only took about ten pages, however, for me to realize why I should not have picked up this book, and why I’m not too fond of Stross’ writing (the only book of his I’ve read is Singularity Sky). I know other people enjoy his writing style, but it’s too digressive, arch, dense, descriptive, and uninspired for my liking. I’m no snob; I think it’s just a matter of taste.
So what’s a nerd to do?!? I picked up a book which I have been meaning to read for over a year, Geoff Ryman’s Air. I’m in the mood for something roughly contemporary (the book takes place in 2020), something about the relationship between technology and people, something well written and imaginative but not over-ambitious from a stylistic viewpoint. I think I’ve found a match.
January 9th, 2006 at 3:22 pm
Right book at the right time is very important. I’ve put books down in frustration and come back to them months later and enjoyed them. You have to be in the right headspace and it’s hard to quantify what that headspace is.
I’m starting to feel diminishing returns with Stross. I didn’t ask for the sequel to The Family Trade (is it telling I can never remember the name of book 2) or Accelerando for Christmas, which has been my prime Stross time the last two years. Maybe I’ll get around to them.
Air is a really good book and I think you’ll like it.
January 9th, 2006 at 9:23 pm
Michael Swanwick’s The Iron Dragon’s Daughter is good, in a Ryman sort of way.
January 10th, 2006 at 1:45 pm
Yeah, I hear good things about that one and even have a copy of it somewhere.