01 Aug Line 21 Staff Share Their Summer Reads
It’s hard to believe the summer is coming to a close. It’s definitely a season that doesn’t last as long as we’d all like it to—we always want one more trip to the beach, a final hike up that mountain, a few more picnics with friends and family. But hopefully you found some lazy days to sit around and read some books. We asked some Line 21 staff what they were reading this summer and we got some great recommendations (plus reviews!). Read on to see what they curled up with on their beach blankets this summer.
Michelle Clough recommends Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
“I am a big sucker for stories involving historical England, emotional character drama, and passionate romance, and boy, does Ken Follett deliver. Set during the Anarchy, the novel centers around the construction of a Gothic cathedral in the fictional town of Kingsbridge… and believe me, once Follett is done, you will know almost everything there is to know about medieval cathedral construction! But it’s the characters’ struggles and emotions that keep you glued to the page. The point-of-view cast is a diverse assortment of genius architects, benevolent priors, driven businesswomen, and a particularly villainous earl who balances his “mustache twirling” ways with some truly disturbing mental derangement. The central story is well paced and easy to follow, the politics are interesting, and the love stories are compelling, emotional, and… well, sexy! There is also an excellent TV miniseries, but it takes different approaches to the characters and adds some new subplots, making the show and book very distinct from each other. If you liked the miniseries, or if you just like sweeping human drama set in medieval Europe, definitely check this one out.
Steffani Cameron recommends Tales of the City: Series, Books 1 through 3 by Armistead Maupin
Of personal relevance to me now after moving into a funky new apartment block with a fascinating group of neighbours on Victoria’s downtown edge is Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City, epitomizing San Francisco in the ’70s. Now a library classic, and given the “mini-series treatment” in 1993 for UK’s Channel 4 & USA’s PBS, these “tales” include an endearing cast of opposites living in a quirky ‘Frisco apartment building at 28 Barbary Lane. From the pot-smoking friendly landlady to the meek Ohio transplant, the tenants become family. Filled with heartache, pathos, and humour, “Tales” is an 8-book series, soon to be joined by a ninth volume in 2014. Great for the beach or a rainy autumn weekend, there’s no shortage of antics to enjoy here.
Siri Arnet recommends anything by Jasper Fforde
Fforde’s writing is so hilarious, you almost don’t notice how clever it is. “The Thursday Next” books are totally great, and numerous. The Big Over Easy is the first in the Nursery Crime series, (Yes, they are definitely as silly as they sound, but manage to simultaneously be engaging and smart, and everything a mystery story should be.)
Siri also recommends Year’s Best SF 14 edited by David G. Hartwell and Kathryn Cramer
It’s not the most current edition (I think they might be up to 17 at this point?), but I’m always grabbing any sci-fi anthologies I find at the thrift store because you can never have enough. The short story format is perfect for speculative fiction, a nice finite space in which to freak yourself out. That’s why I linked to edition #14, as that one had some particularly whacked-out tales, and even now a year later, I’m not sure my brain has fully recovered (don’t worry, I love it!). Short fiction is great if you want to read but don’t have a lot of time; and when you buy used paperbacks, you’re not as tempted to be precious about them, instead you just chuck them in your bag or back seat for whenever you get a spare second!
Leslie Foster recommends The Art of Racing In the Rain by Garth Stein
I didn’t expect to like this book. There is a lot of talk about car racing, which I don’t have a lot of interest in. It is told from the perspective of a dog, an odd narrator at best, and at heart I’m a cat person. But I fell head over heels for this simple, fun, yet profound read. Enzo the dog is funny, philosophical, and full of wisdom. The lessons we learn and the heartfelt experiences of life told through his eyes made me laugh out loud and cry with abandon, often both at the same time. Equally charming are Enzo’s humans, Denny and family. It is a treasure of a book you will fly through, slowing down only at the end so this uplifting tale lasts just a little bit longer. The Art of Racing In the Rain is also coming to the big screen next year starring Patrick Dempsey.
Transcription FAIL: Caught & Saved by Line 21
In this month’s transcription fail we hear:
“Shetlanders have to live with the URBAN flow of opportunities.”
When in fact what was said was:
“Shetlanders have to live with the EBB AND flow of opportunities.”
Good thing we have a rigorous editing process to catch these!
Project Profile
Tune in for The Liquidator!
Produced by Anaïd Productions, who also brought you X-Weighted and The Quon Dynasty, among others, The Liquidator is in its third season, and we really enjoy the highs and lows of its characters in their pursuit of “the next deal.” Fast-paced, high-volume, and sometimes totally outrageous, expect the unexpected in the world of The Liquidator! Behind the scenes of the show, it’s a different world, and we love working with their team of post-production superstars. Thanks for being our clients!
