Books matching: urban environment
100 result(s)
'On Looking: Eleven Walks with Expert Eyes' by Alexandra Horowitz explores the concept of observing the world around us with a heightened awareness and multiple perspectives. Through eleven walks with various experts, the author delves into the intricate details of the visual world, encouraging readers to pay attention to the often overlooked aspects of their surroundings. is organized into three parts, each focusing on different dimensions of a city walk, from inanimate objects to the sensory experiences encountered along the way. Horowitz's writing style is described as poetic and engaging, making the book a joy to read as she skillfully weaves together theoretical explanations with vivid descriptions of her augmented sensory inputs.
By marshaling your attention to these words, helpfully framed in a distinct border of white, you are ignoring an unthinkably large amount of information that continues to bombard all of your senses: t...Down These Strange Streets is an anthology of short stories in the urban fantasy genre edited by George R.R. Martin and Gardner Dozois. The collection features a mix of well-known authors and up-and-coming writers, exploring a range of settings from ancient Babylon to WWII Alaska. The stories delve into mysteries and supernatural elements, with characters such as Lord John, Garrett, Warren, and more making appearances. The book is described as a blend of horror and noir, offering a dark and gritty take on urban fantasy.
The anthology is praised for its variety of stories, some of which are standalone while others tie into existing series by the authors. Readers appreciate the different tones and settings presented in the collection, from creepy and mysterious to familiar and comforting. The book is noted for introducing new authors to readers, as well as providing deeper insights into beloved characters like Kyle and Warren from Patricia Briggs's works. Overall, Down These Strange Streets offers a fair introduction to urban fantasy, showcasing the genre's diverse storytelling possibilities.
There’s a new kid on the shelves in bookstores these days. Most often he can be found back in the science fiction and fantasy section, walking with a certain swagger among the epic fantasies, the spac...- #3
Save:"Monstrum" by Donald James follows Inspector Constantin Vadim as he leads a murder investigation in Moscow to unravel a series of crimes committed by a serial killer known as Monstrum. The book is set in a fictional future of 2015, written in the 1990s, providing a unique blend of detective mystery and thriller elements. The plot is described as reasonable, with an interesting location, and features a central character who is easy to relate to, despite his flaws and challenges.
The narrative style of "Monstrum" keeps readers engaged, with some comparing it to the works of other notable authors like Martin Cruz Smith. The story unfolds with a mix of suspense, engaging writing, and unpredictable plot twists that make it a page-turner, leaving readers immersed in the dark and chilling atmosphere created by Donald James.
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Save:'Graveyard Shift' by Michael F. Haspil is an urban fantasy novel that combines elements of police procedural with supernatural beings like vampires and mummies. The story follows the main characters, Alex and Marcus, who are part of a special unit within the Miami Dade police department, dealing with a world where vampires roam freely. The plot unfolds with a mix of action, suspense, mystery, and horror gore, keeping readers engaged as they follow the undead cops solving mysteries in a modern society filled with monsters.
The writing style of 'Graveyard Shift' is praised for its unique twist on vampire lore, introducing a resurrected mummy named Alex Romer, also known as Pharaoh Menkaure, who partners with an ancient vampire, Marcus. The book is commended for its well-thought-out plot, interesting characters, and fluid storytelling that blends elements of urban fantasy with special ops buddy cop dynamics, creating a thrilling and captivating read for fans of the genre.
Detective Alex Romer took in that detail as an afterthought. He pulled on the sky-blue Tyvek booties and crossed into the air-conditioned crime scene, his footsteps making muffled sounds on the Florid... - #5
Save:'Nostalgia' by Mircea Cartarescu is a collection of five unconnected stories, which the author subtitled as a novel. The stories play with ideas of authorship and authority, incorporating postmodern effects like shifting points of view, blurring of dreams and reality, and episodes of magical realism. The first story involves a roulette player surviving against astonishing odds, while the second story, 'The Twins', consists of a banal adolescent romance intertwined with descriptions of a man dressing in drag. The book's prose shines occasionally, with descriptions like a suicide on the pavement displaying a noble profile against a cheery stain. The collection is described as self-consciously postmodern, which may be off-putting for readers accustomed to realist fiction.
I record here (for what reason?) these verses from Eliot. In any case, not as a possible opening for one of my books, because I will never write anything else again. Yet, if I write these lines,... 'Person' by Sam Pink is a novel that delves into the daily life of an ordinary person, exploring their mundane routines and inner psyche. The book presents a bleak yet intriguing narrative, with sparse information and descriptions that prompt readers to navigate their way through the void of the protagonist's existence. Through a stream of consciousness style, readers are immersed in the main character's world, experiencing themes of anxiety, isolation, and depression in a raw and unfiltered manner.
I’m walking around Chicago, feeling like a piece of shit. It’s winter. There are many people out. I pass an older homeless man and he is dressed almost exactly like me. Almost exactly. I want to stop ...- #7
Save:'A Burglar's Guide to the City' by Geoff Manaugh is a meticulously researched study that explores burglary's relationship with architecture and cities. The book delves into various aspects of burglary, from the tactics used by burglars such as lock picking and safe cracking to the ways in which different types of buildings are violated. Manaugh also discusses the influence of architecture on crime and law enforcement, highlighting both the cunning strategies of masterminds like those in 'Ocean's Eleven' and the comical mistakes made by amateur burglars. Through engaging storytelling, the author sheds light on how law enforcement has adapted technologically and tactically to counter these threats.
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Save:'Preparation for the Next Life' by Atticus Lish is a raw and compelling novel that follows the tragic love story between Zou Lei, an undocumented Asian woman, and Skinner, a returning Iraq veteran with PTSD. The book provides a stark portrayal of their lives in the underbelly of New York City, showcasing the struggles of the most disenfranchised individuals. Lish's writing style is described as unrelenting and stripped down, immersing the reader in a dystopian reality that feels incredibly real and impactful.
SHE CAME BY WAY of Archer, Bridgeport, Nanuet, worked off 95 in jeans and a denim jacket, carrying a plastic bag and shower shoes, a phone number, waiting beneath an underpass, the potato chips long g... - #9
Save:'Borderland' by Terri Windling is the first installation in a series of shared world short stories and novels that serve as a foundational text for the urban fantasy genre. The book melds punk sensibilities with old world high fantasy glamour, creating a setting where elves and humans coexist in a city between Elfland and the human world. The stories in 'Borderland' explore urban decay, the collapse of the normal human world, and the impact on both humans and elves. The writing style captures the essence of contemporary youth culture, music, and the mysterious world of elves and fae, creating a unique and immersive reading experience.
Friday night started, for me and for all of us I suppose, in the street outside Danceland. I was sitting in the sidecar, waiting for Tick-Tick. She'd parked the bike outside Danceland and made her usu... - #10
Save:'The Transmigration of Bodies' by Yuri Herrera is a modern noir tale that captivates readers from the start with its dark and violent narrative. The story follows The Redeemer, a freelance problem solver, as he navigates a city plagued by disease and violence, trying to arrange an exchange of kidnapped children between two rival crime families. The writing style is precise and unusual, with blatant descriptions of desire and ravaged streets, and female characters written with dynamism and agency. The book's brief length allows for a quick yet satisfying discovery of the bodies mentioned in the title, all wrapped in an atmosphere of noirish darkness and moody characters.
A scurvy thirst awoke him and he got up to get a glass of water, but the tap was dry and all that trickled out was a thin stream of dank air. Eyeing the third of mezcal on the table with venom, he got...
