On String Theory and Fairy Tales

I sometimes like to read a fiction and no-fiction book simultaneously just to mix it up.  It was funny because I started a book on string theory called The Elegant Universe, and then got The Lost Gate, a book I'd been waiting on from Orson Scott Card.  You wouldn't think it but they really compliment each other!

Orson Scott Card (Ender's Game, Lost Boys) is one of my absolute favorite authors. He has such a fantastic imagination it makes anything he writes so much fun to read. The Lost Gate was no exception.  Who else could take almost every myth and tale the world has known and explain them in a scientific yet magical way that makes sense?

The sons and daughters of the North clan all have some sort of magical powers, except for Danny. With no apparent magic in him his family treats him as an outcast, a servant, a dog. He is always fearful that someone will tire of him and kill him.
When mean cousins push him to the brink, he discovers that maybe he does have some magic in him. But what he discovers only makes things worse and life becomes even more complicated for Danny North.
Alternate worlds, myths that are actually realities, physics and fairy tales combine. 

I must admit, I found myself getting lost at times in this novel, but it did come together in the end to make a delightful read.   Not a book for kids, with adulterous relationships,  murder,  and just some scary stuff.  I want to know more about what happens to Danny, Wad, and the others. Not sure if he's planning a sequel but I'd like it.

Invasive Procedures

I adore Orson Scott Card.  I think that he's one of the most imaginative authors of our time.  Invasive Procedures, a joint effort by him and Aaron Johnston was exciting.  I don't usually like thrillers, but this definitely was.  In this story a geneticist goes a bit bonkers and creates a religion of sorts with him, of course, as the fearless leader.  He has the ability to change a person's DNA to make them stronger, healthier, and cure genetic diseases by injecting them with a virus designed just for them.  Exciting and scary!  A good summer read. 

Magic Street?

I started two books after finding several neat ones at our local "Savers" (thrift store.)
One was The People of Sparks which I have had on hold at the library and growing much too impatient to wait for any longer. I read about half the book and then started reading it to my kids so now I'm going at a slower pace but it is still a good read. Bringing on some mighty deep conversations for my serious little six year old "What is a disaster mom? Why did all the people die? Could that happen now?" Oh great! On the other hand it's brought up more conservation, farming, buying local conversations so we'll see how it goes.

We are also reading Pippi Longstocking together which he likes much more (it was always a favorite of mine too.)
The other book I picked up was Magic Street by Orson Scott Card. I admit I am a major Card fan and was excited to find one of his books I hadn't read for $1, but not sure about this one. It started out a bit too graphic for someone with a womb (read it to see what I mean) and hoping I can keep reading to see if the disturbing images that kept me awake all last night were worth it. It's one of those times when I'm debating reading again for fear of more haunting images. Maybe I should stick to Pippi myself.