About Time
{5/5} “We’re all traveling through time together, every day of our lives. All we can do is do our best to relish this remarkable ride.” When Tim turns 21, his father tells him something completely unbelievable: all the men in their family can travel back in time. It’s true, and it’s easy to do: go […]
An Opening Act of Unspeakable Evil
{4/5} “Most people think that if you have a poster and stuff, everything’s set in stone and organized to the last detail. Most people have never organized an event. Really, all a poster is is a bold declaration: we are going to get together, for this reason, at this time, in this place, and you’re […]
Author discovery of the year
2013 was a great year of reading for me, and in particular a great year of discovering new authors. The winner of my author discovery of the year is Iain M. Banks. I read three of his books, including the brilliant The Player of Games. Runner ups are Sarah Zettel for A Sorceror’s Treason, Michael Swanwick […]
Horton Hears a Who!
{4/5} “How many times have I told you that the jungle is no place to act like a wild animal?” Horton is an elephant — he lives in the jungle, is kind to everyone, likes to take baths, and has an excellent memory. One day he finds a speck and is surprised to discover that […]
The Princess Bride
{4.5/5} “Fool!… You fell victim to one of the classic blunders. The most famous is ‘Never get involved in a land war in Asia,’ but only slightly less well known is this: ‘Never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line.’” Buttercup is the most beautiful woman in the world. Westley is […]
It’s a Wonderful Life
{4.5/5} “No man is a failure who has friends.” George has big dreams of getting out of his small town, Bedford Falls. But each time he has a chance to leave, there’s a reason to stay. He gets married and has kids, and runs the savings and loan company that his father started. When his […]
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug
{4/5} “It is our fight. It will not end here. With every victory, this evil will grow! If your father has his way, we will do nothing. We will hide within our walls, live our lives without light and let darkness descend. Are we not part of this world? Tell me, Mellon, when did we […]
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
{4/5} “I fear this quest has set in motion forces we do not yet understand.” Gandalf the Grey comes to the home of Bilbo Baggins to offer him an unexpected opportunity — go on an adventure. A group of dwarves has decided now is the time to reclaim their home, which has been taken over […]
Lord of Emperors
{5/5} “He is not an old man by any means, but he is sufficiently advanced in years to hear horses and chariots in the night: the distant harbingers of an end to mortal tenure. There is much to do before he hears — as all true and holy Emperors are said to hear — the […]
Thor: The Dark World
{4.5/5} “You must be truly desperate to come to me for help. What makes you think you can trust me?” Malekith’s race was defeated by Odin’s father but he has been in hibernation, waiting for the day when he can get his hands on a powerful weapon called the Aether. Malekith will take advantage of […]