World Made by Hand - James Howard Kunstler - Book 149

World Made By Hand is another alternate future book, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Set in a future where the fight for oil resulted in a war that pretty much wiped out all of our technological advances, it's the story of how people survive in the aftermath. They go back to doing things by hand, non-mechanized inventions (electricity supply is unreliable) and bartering services. As always there are opportunists, profiteers and those who retain their values. This is an enjoyable read. Recommended.

The Voice - Michael Whetzel - Book 146

The Voice contains linked stories that tell of the future after a mysterious voice speaks to humanity, leaving many people dead or injured. It's intended as a prequel to a series of novels set in this world - and it's a pretty good taster. Think of novels like The Stand or any other novel where perspectives shift to help you to build up an overall picture and you will get the idea. I found some stories interesting, others less so, but most of them readable. Whether that will carry through to a full novel from a single perspective remains to be seen. However, I am tempted to delve more into the scary future this author presents. Recommended for sci-fi/alternate future lovers.

The Unit by Ninni Holmqvist - Book 141

When I read The Unit by Ninni Holmqvist, I couldn't help being reminded of another book set in a similar sort of world. In the world of main character Dorrit Wegner, childless people over a certain age, unless they are in protected occupations, are deemed 'dispensable' and leave the outside world behind to live out their days in a unit where all their needs are provided for. The catch is that they must take part in medical experiments and donate organs to help those who are 'needed' on the outside. Sooner or later, the idyll comes to an end with a final donation. At first, Dorrit finds a world that is infinitely more accepting of her than the world she left behind (after all, they are all in the same boat). She falls in love and finds happiness, but her will is often tested as those close to her reach the end of the donation cycle. This was an intriguing and slightly worrying book, but well worth reading. Recommended. I'd love to read some more of her books, but unfortunately this is the only one in English so far. (Oh, and the book it reminded me of?  Never Let Me Go  by Kazuo Ishiguro.)