Born a Crime - reading

Finished "Born a Crime" by Trevor Noah. Overall I really liked the style this was written in. I might argue about the organization of the book, that it didn't follow a chronology, and there was a little less than ideal flow from one section to the next since the age of Trevor from one chapter didn't relate to the next sometimes, and I couldn't track a progression as readily as I would have liked, but I still loved this book! It highlights life in Africa during and after apartheid, and the effects it has on a population, and on Trevor. Definitely recommended.

Maker of Universes and others - reading

On a recent trip I finished The Guns of Avalon by Roger Zelazny, the second book in the Chronicles of Amber series which I read a while back. It was a good reminder of what I liked about that series. It sparked a few discussions among family about books, and about that universe.

On the way back from that trip, I re-read for the umpteenth time Through the Rainbow by me. I do enjoy that one. Every time I read it, though, I realize I left the ending open for a sequel that I have not even outlined.

Since I returned, I finished Maker of Universes by Philip Jose Farmer. The family discussion brought to my attention that this book inspired the Chronicles of Amber, and without giving away specifics, you can see the similarities throughout. Farmer, though, writes a misogynistic fantasy that feels like a personal fantasy world he may have visited himself. Throughout the book there were many instances of telling instead of showing, and hurrying the action along because he couldn't be bothered to write it out properly. Overall, I'd say read the Chronicles of Amber and leave this one aside.