reading

Logicomix by Apostolos Doxiadis and Christos Papadimitriou 

This graphic novel appears on the 2010 Tournament of Books' shortlist, and I thought that it might be manageable to read owing to its format. Once again, I've discovered that just because a story is told through the medium of illustration with little text does not mean that it will be a breeze to read. I'm enjoying Logicomix, but find that I need to put it down often. More a biography than a novel, the book suffers from not being very plot-driven. This is the story of Bertrand Russell and his quest to find the logical roots of math. Russell suffered for his art/science, toiling for years on a problem that, three written volumes later, no publisher wanted to touch. I haven't reached the end yet, but I know that Russell's story doesn't have a happy ending. 

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Steig Larsson

Hornet's Nest is simmering on the side. This is the third, and likely final, installment of Steig Larsson's mystery/thriller staring Lisbeth Salander and journalist Mikael Blomkvist. It's a big one, too...632 pages. By contrast to most books, especially Logicomix, Hornet's Nest is gripping. It picks up right where the previous book left off and doesn't miss a beat, building new story lines in a way that keeps the reader turning pages. I've got the first 100 pages under my belt and hope to be close to done by the time spring break ends. On Sunday. Sad. I highly recommend this series to anyone who is looking for an absorbing read.

Also, until I lost momentum in a severely scratched CD, I was listening to 44 Scotland Street, one of Alexander McCall Smith's charming series. Smith's Edinburgh-set vignettes, involving the inhabitants of a building, were inspired by Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City. I noticed some of Smith's trademark quirky characters, especially with how they approach moral dilemmas. Easy listening at its best.

And, with the boys, I am reading aloud The Sea of Monsters, the second book in Percy Jackson and the Last Olympians series. Percy has returned to Camp Half Blood following his "odyssey" to return Zeus' lightning bolt, and nothing is as it should be. Percy's best friend, Grover, is in trouble; his mentor, Chiron, has been fired as camp director; and the new director seems out to get Percy. The camp is threatened, and a journey presents itself. The action and character development are incredibly satisfying, even as an adult. The boys are interested in Greek mythology and, I have to admit, I haven't minded brushing up, either.