Book 10: The Odyssey by Homer (Translated by Emily Wilson)

I had never read a translation of The Odyssey, and I decided I wanted to before seeing the Nolan adaptation this summer. I'm really glad I did, both because I think that knowing what Nolan chose to do with his adaptation adds to the experience of the movie, and because this translation is incredibly readable and powerful on its own. There is a confidence in using language based on meter more than lyricism, and the simplicity of the language is almost deceptive - this translation doesn't force you to struggle, which makes the impact of the events the language is describing greater at times. Wilson's work made me want to read a whole bunch more, especially her introduction, and that's a sure sign of me being affected by a book. 

Grade: A 

Book 9: The Starseekers by Nicole Glover

Well, sometimes you read a book for book club and every single person shows up and says that didn't work for me!!! and it's a good time. This book is kind of like Hidden Figures but it's also a murder mystery and magic and also Indiana Jones and also allegedly a romance? And if you think that sounds like too many genres it sure is; there are seven different plots and not a lick of narrative urgency in any of them, unfortunately. The best I can say for it is that it was nice to read a contemporary piece of speculative fiction that wasn't a dystopia but also boy I wanted this to be better. 

Grade: C