Book Log 2018 #19: Vacationland by John Hodgman

I really enjoyed this collection of essays/memoir/insert genre or style of writing here, in which Hodgman leaves behind the fake trivia that filled his previous three books and talks about his life, framed by the western Massachusetts vacation home his parents owned and the one in Maine that he and his wife now own. The central theme of the book seems to bounce between "how did I grow up to become moderately famous" and "why it's weird to be an adult," but it really doesn't need a theme to hold together. The stories all have that touch of humanity and insecurity that will make them relatable, especially if you're of a certain age.

On a personal note, between Hodgman's choice of hangouts in Boston as a teen and the location of his house in Maine, I feel like there's a good chance we've crossed paths at some point. Not that it means anything, but it did add to the personal connection I felt with the book.

Book Log 2018 #18: A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter Miller

A nuclear war after World War II devastates civilization, and in order to prevent it from happening again reactionary groups (known as The Simpletons) work to wipe out whatever knowledge that may allow this to happen again.  Electrical engineer Isaac Leibowitz seeks out refuge in a monastery, and eventually forms his own order based on the preservation of knowledge (the practice of which leads to his eventual martyrdom). This book follows his order over centuries, seeing how they preserve and reintroduce knowledge, as well as dealing with the emergence of new political powers who once again threaten to cause mass destruction.

I did like this book, and appreciated that it took a long-term view to the story.  It was also refreshing to read something where science and religion weren't depicted as being irrevocably at odds. The style didn't always work for me, though I can't put my finger on exactly what it was that I didn't like.  It wasn't that distracting, just times where things felt a little off.