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Loved these two short stories from Connie Willis. On the surface things are clearly defined, but both provide layers of tension, moodiness, and a veneer of darkness that changes their protagonists in unexpected ways. The breadcrumbs sprinkled throughout are thoroughly delightful and add to the overall atmosphere. In Traveller, Jim becomes irrevocably changed, and in Jack, Jack discovers what, and who, real monsters are.

#reread

#7Days7Covers #CoverCrush Day 4

@Hooked_on_books

7 days, 7 covers you love, no explanation. Try to tag someone new each day.

Anyone else interested, consider yourself tagged as well!

@DavidDiamond @TiffaniK @SockieLady @pariisannja

I‘m not sure if this is a novella or a story.
Jim is visiting NYC for some interviews about his blog/book and to see his publisher. While lost in a storm he wanders into Ozymandias book store. The story becomes a book lovers nightmare as Jim wanders down stair cases onto floors made up of endless rows of books, worrying about being trapped, or caught,or the store being a front for crime. He is shown the way out and then never again finds the shop

📚Story about a guy who believes things will survive if they‘ve a purpose inc. books.
📚Very short, fast-paced tale that provides a lesson in how time is the greatest villain of all.
📚Messages about appreciating & being more respectful towards seemingly basic items, like books.
📚Mysterious & a bit ambiguous, yet charming.
📚Allegory for feeling lost when you‘re in search of something magical was lovely.
📚Good, bittersweet story overall.
📚4/5.

I have complicated feelings about Connie Willis‘ books. I generally enjoy her time travel stories. Doomsday Book was very good and I loved Blackout/All Clear despite some slow patches. To Say Nothing of the Dog is my favorite of hers. Sometimes her story lines seem to drag and the writing just doesn‘t flow. I think that‘s why I really disliked Passage. This novella has its heart in the right place but that‘s about all.

This was an ok read, I liked that this book was talking about all of these long-lost books that were being let go in places that no longer needed them, as they were last copies. These books would go to a place that held on to them, to maybe go home with someone who would appreciate them. A quick read, but could‘ve used some more exciting features to spruce it up.
⭐️⭐️⭐️

Take a potshot at librarians and your book gets panned. I don‘t care how much I loved Blackout and All Clear.

This novella is classic Connie Willis—even when you know what‘s going on, it twists unexpectedly. Jim, thru his blog Gone for Good, is a proponent of things disappearing when no longer useful. He stumbles into the mysterious Ozymandias bookshop that tweaks his worldview and spits him out with a new attitude. This ‘shop‘ is both a bibliophiles dream and worst nightmare. And due to its shortness, this tale sets your mind to racing onward on its own.

This book gave a Twilight Zone/ Black Mirror type version of a bibliophile's nightmare come true. It also renewed my appreciation for hardcopy print books. I really believe they will stand the test of time.

I first read this story in Asimov‘s Science Fiction November/December 2017, and it made me cry. It‘s stuck with me ever since, so I‘m delighted to have it as an actual book - especially in light of what happens in the story.