Lucy > Recent Status Updates

This novel is set in Kabul, Afghanistan in the 1970s. Having a snapshot into other cultures, perspectives, and related sufferings has been an eye opener. I can see now why I waited forever to finally get this e-book. It is deep and sobering, especially regarding the plight of women under a repressive regime.

The deep monotone voice of this audiobook’s reader juxtapositions itself well againt the horrors of slavery and the “matter of fact” reporting by Frederick Douglass. While the vocabulary & sentence structure is dated (1855), it remains enlightening and crystal clear even in 2025. A must read!

This story has an amazing setting & premise! Clarke obviously inspired by Giovanni Battista Piranesi, the 18th century Italian archaeologist, architect, and printmaker. The protagonist called Piranesi utilizes elements of science, history, art, nature, philosophy, and religion to solve the mystery of existence in the halls. I look forward to its conclusion!

This is a relatable and simple discussion on eastern mysticism. It aligns with much I’ve already read about over a lifetime but it is still nice very to have this wonderful approach, too.

As a child I wanted to be the first woman astronaut, so being only a little younger then Dr. Kathryn Sullivan I knew I would relate to her aspirations. That is where the similarities end because she is simply brilliant and driven. This memoir is heavy on engineering and scientific details but has enough trailblazing humor to keep me engaged.

This is a strange tale

This book is odd - but I continue to listen anyway to this abstract cubist approach to betrayal, desire, secrets, infidelity, bravado, and political oppression. This is a dark tale, dystopian in nature, that bounces back and forth in time and perspective. Curiously, it feels like a physical interpretation of metaphysical philosophies. Yes, a very strange story.

The history behind Mildred Breedlove’s commission to write this centennial poem makes the reading much more interesting. As a poet laureate appointed by the governor in 1957, you would think she understood her job was to celebrate, commentate, and praise the state of Nevada. Instead, she started out in the first section describing the land as aggrieved, with little worth, and much to deplore. What? Haha!

How is it that I’ve never read this book before?
In the chaos of presidential politics unfolding before us, this dystopian story is a sobering snapshot of what could be if “the people” won’t vote or recognize false propaganda.