Books read in 2025: No. 27 -- Retief's War

by Keith Laumer

Started: July 12

Finished: July 18

Notes: I've never read any works by this author, but I do recall his series of Retief novels were fairly popular during my childhood. So, thought I'd give one a try.

Mini review: Humans seemingly control the government on an alien planet with multiple intelligent species of creatures that look as if they are part insect and part electronic, almost like robots. An outside force stirs up trouble and attempts to take over the planet, but the locals band together to find back. Into all this steps Retief, a diplomat, but he's a diplomat with much in common with the likes of James Bond. This one reminded me quite a bit of the men's action novels from the 1970s which I used to read when I was a teen. But I hated almost every moment of reading this one, at least until the end. I actually enjoyed the final 30 pages quite a bit. The writing style didn't do much for me, and too much didn't seem to make any sense and there was hardly ever any explanation or even descent description, which is rather jarring consider all the different alien races which looked nothing like humans. But I'll admit some of that was the point. This was meant to be a quick, action read and little more. That can be forgiven. What I just about couldn't forgive is that the main character never really seems to be in any danger. Oh, he faces plenty of challenges, even physical ones, but at least in this novel he is never really tested in combat, at least not as far as I'm concerned. He seemed to talk his way out of everything, and that and more than a fair share of luck seemed to save the day most times. But what really irkked me was that the main character didn't really seem to be all that much of a smooth talker, it's just that everyone around him was an idiot, and I do mean everyone. Still, as much as I felt bogged down by this novel, the ending did pick things up quite well and wrapped it all up in a pleasing and even mildly amusing manner.

Beer of the Week: Samuel Adams Blueberry Lager

Beer score: 5.9

Company: Samuel Adams
ABU: 5.5
IBU: 15

I love blueberries, but the few blueberry beers I've had over the years have been ... hmm, not necessarily a disappointment, but not overly special, either.

This one is about the same.

It definitely gives off a blueberry smell when it's poured, and in a clear glass it has a slightly cloudy golden color with hints of amber.

Not an overly strong beer, but I have to say, it's a little more sturdy than I expected.

In the tasting, I get a fair amount of the blueberry and a goodly amount of hops bitterness, but there's really not a lot of sweetness, which isn't bad but is sort of unexpected for a fruity beer.

Eh, not a great beer, not an awful beer, but at least it's something a bit different.

Books read in 2025: No. 26 -- The Integral Trees

by Larry Niven

Started: June 30

Finished: July 12

Notes: It's hard to believe, but I've never read any of Niven's work despite having been aware of him for decades and his early fame in sci-fi circles. This being one of his more popular works, I'm hoping it'll be pretty strong.

Mini review: I'll have to admit it took me a while to wrap my head around this one because there were so many characters thrown at the reader right up front and because the world(s) involved were so unusual that it took me a fair amount of consideration before understanding, though it helped there were illustrations at the front of the book. Basically, a number of tribes of humans have descended from space travelers far in the past, and now they live among giant trees that float throughout a donut-shaped area of space that is habitable. Sounds weird, yes, but it works. It's actually a pretty good story with something of a quest feel and a battle and characters who sometimes are surprising.

Beer of the Week: Samuel Adams Summer Ale

Beer score: 6.0

Company: Samuel Adams
ABU: 5.3
IBU: 8 

I've had this beer before, but it's been a long time, probably more than a decade.

A white ale with lemon added, it goes down fairly smooth despite the fact it has a touch more fizz than I feel necessary. Has a very light lemon scent, but I don't get a lot of that in the tasting, maybe just a hint.

Also, the tasting there's some wheat with a little bitterness, but not much sweet.

Others have commented on various sites that the lemon flavoring here is strong, but that is not my experience now nor has it been in the past (from looking at my old notes). Am I right and they're wrong, or vice versa? Who knows? All of us are different, so judge for yourself.

Books read in 2025: No. 25 -- The Mercenary

by Jerry Pournelle

Started: June 24

Finished: June 30

Notes: Since I'm reading sci-fi of late, I thought I'd take a turn to some action-oriented material. I don't believe I've read this author before, so this should be a learning experience.

Mini review: In the future, Earth's governments are withdrawing from colony planets and leaving those local governments to fend for themselves. In that situation, mercenaries find they are needed. I expected action, but most of what I got was politics. Oh, there was some action, but most of it came in the form of battles and there's not a lot of close-up action, almost like reading military reports. The main character is interesting, however, and the writing style is decent though not great. I can't say I'll be tempted to read more from this author, but I also didn't despise this novel.

Beer of the Week: Samuel Adams Porch Rocker

Beer score: 6.0

Company: Samuel Adams
ABU: 4.5
IBU: 8 

Apparently this beer is based upon an old Bavarian recipe that mixed beer with lemonade.

It definitely gives off a light lemon scent when you pour it, and in the glass it has a fairly light golden coloring, though not completely pale.

Has a big, foamy head, but no carbonation in the drinking. Very smooth and light with plenty of lemon flavoring. A little sweetness, but not really any bitter.

I've read where others have found this one to be very carbonated, so maybe I got an old one or something. Either way, I stand by that mine didn't have any fizz in it once the head had foamed out.

Would I drink this again? Hmm, yeah. I can't say it'll be on my regular rotation, but I wouldn't say "no" to one. In fact, this one might be a good trial for your friends who want a drink but say they don't like beer.

Books read in 2025: No. 24 -- Titan

by John Varley

Started: June 16

Finished: June 23

Notes: As sometimes happens to me, this is one of those books that's been haunting me for decades. What I mean is, I seem to keep running across it time and time again, and not just in book stores. There have been other books that have been that way for me, almost as if the universe is calling out for me to read them. Or maybe it's just good marketing. Anyway, after all this time, this novel being originally published in 1979, I thought it time I read it.

Mini review: A scientific exploration unit is sent to study the moons of Saturn and discovers far more than expected. I won't say more, and that's the bare tip of the iceberg, because to say more would spoil far too much. I have to say, though, this was a fine novel. The writing style is solid, the characters interesting, the world building done quite well. There are a number of elements that are almost fantasy instead of science fiction, but they work quite well here whereas a lesser writer might have made them rather silly. Those who love adventures where the protagonist has to go on a journey through many a hardship should enjoy this novel. The ending is quite solid, and while there isn't a cliffhanger, that ending does open doors to the other books in this series.