The Star Diaries by Stanislaw Lem (another Swedish author!) came into my life due to an observant patron recognizing my Star Trek tattoo as the nerd alert that it is and recommending it to me. [Hallelujah!] The book is organized into short stories touted as the numbered voyages of Ijon Tichy. [A/N: Don't be thrown by the fact they aren't in order. Read my note at the end of this review for a better understanding.] The beginning offers an introduction which has the reader questioning the 'validity' of Tichy as a narrator and the last voyage really solidifies that doubt. [We are given to believe that these chronicles are studied by dedicated scholars and that Tichy is a great explorer.] We follow Tichy as he makes his way across the universe on a solo trip which ultimately turns into a philosophical journey about the nature of being and how he fits into the grand picture of the universe. One particular story was a standout for me (and absolutely terrifying) featuring robot monks, wild furniture, and a type of humanity that was horrifying for Tichy (and the reader) to behold. (Really dig into the underlying message here.) Lem, like most good sci-fi writers, is looking at what it means to be human by tapping into our curiosity for all things that are decidedly alien or other. Tichy is our lens into a world that is as ever changing as the various voyages that he makes. I absolutely loved it. 10/10

A/N: A note at the back of the book explained that the voyages were written out of order because Lem wrote the book over the course of 20 years and his writing style changed somewhat across the span of the stories.

I just love this cover. [Source: Goodreads]

 

What's Up Next: So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo

 

What I'm Currently Reading: Inside Out: A Memoir by Demi Moore

Although I've read this book many times, I still find it interesting every single time. This book is part of the dork diaries series and it is AWSOME! I am so far enjoying the dork diaries series.

Nikki and her band are recording their song to release as a single. And Nikki has her own reality show! Besides that, she is doing recording sessions, dance lessons and still going to school every day. Nikki is going to have a busy month and as always Mackenzie is there to try to ruin things for Nikki.

I don't think this book was quite as funny as previous entries, but it was still really enjoyable. Mackenzie seems to get worse with every entry in this series though. She never stops trying to ruin things for Nikki.

I think one of my favorite parts is with the karate instructor. I'm not going to spoil anything, but it was pretty funny.

I think this was another great entry in this series. Can't wait for book 8!

Let's just say I am a bit disappointed in this book/series.

I was truly looking forward to it, but sadly it was not meant to be.

Reasons why:
1. Mackenzie, Mackenzie and more Mackenzie, it is one of the things that keeps coming back, rinse and repeating the same stuff over and over.
2. Insecurity over Brandon, I wish she would just be honest with him, tell him how she feels. I am sure she can find a time for it (like when she chased away the camera crew). It just gets a bit annoying that every time it is about the same thing, Oh My Brandon, Does Brandon like me? Etc. etc.
3. Her whole family stuff. Brianna, her dad, her mom. It is just again the same thing, rinse and repeat.

The only thing that changes in the books is the story. This time she gets a reality show based on her. I really liked that and it was done really well.

Also I won't spoil anything but that thing that happened between our main girl and Brandon. Ah, finally!

All in all though, I am thinking of putting this series on-hold or drop it. It will all depend on the next book.

Review first posted at http://twirlingbookprincess.com/