July 30, 2020

Books covid-19: day 142 | US: GA | info | act

We had our first meeting of our university-wide book club yesterday. We’re discussing Ibram X. Kendi’s How to Be an Antiracist, so I read the first three chapters. Over-forty faculty members showed up for what turned out to be a pretty good discussion. I like Kendi’s book, but I must say that I’ve been cognizant of these issues for some time, but like taking a motorcycle safety course, it’s always a good idea to have a refresher.

I’m also reading Adrian Tchaikovsky’s Children of Time. I’m about one-third in, and I’m enjoying it so far, though it is pretty grim. None of the characters are very likable, except for a classicist. It even begins with a narcissistic character that seems to exemplify all that is wrong with earth’s current society, just before . . . stuff happens. There are two main narratives, and both are compelling. The novel reminds me a bit of Vinge’s A Deepness in the Sky though maybe not as well written. Still, I am curious to see where this goes, though I’m not optimistic for the human characters.