Smallville

My favorite love/hate show is Smallville and it is back for another season.   Just wondering, how many people watch Smallville, have watched it or even read the books?  Every time I say I am going stop watching it, I don’t.  I even read a few of the show’s inspired books. What can I say, I like fantasy.  Just recently, I bought Elliot Maggin’s The Last Son of Krypton although I haven’t had a chance to read it yet.  

Sun Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See

This is an amazingly honest book that recounts the experiences of two girls growing up in 19^th century China.  They come from different worlds (i.e. social classes) but are drawn together and become best friends.  This story shows the joys and pains of foot-binding, nu shu (secret handkerchief writing), arranged marriages, and motherhood.  This is an excellent, must-read for anyone interested in learning about other cultures.  Historical Fiction. 

Kindred by Octavia Butler

This is one of the best books I’ve ever read—it is Phenomenal.  Kindred was written by the first black science fiction writer.  The story begins with a young woman, Dana, celebrating her 26^th birthday with her new husband.  Abruptly, she is snatched back to the days of slavery by her ancestor.  She is summoned by her ancestor to protect a young boy.  He must grow to manhood and father the daughter who will become her ancestor.  Each time she goes back, it become more difficult to return to modern day.  This book ought to become a required read for students studying African-American history and/or American slavery.  Highly recommended.  Historical/Science fiction.