Book Beat: A good sci-fi 'Blackout'

Sci-fi fans aren't lame, they're just good readers. Master of science fiction Connie Willis delivers hardcore fun in Blackout, the first in a series of two novels. In it, she returns to the universe she occupied in Doomsday Book where historians travel back in time to study the past.

Willis weaves snappy dialogue and beautiful imagery with a deep understanding of World War II for a truly interesting read. Three young historians, Eileen, Polly, and Mike, travel from 2060 London to the travails of WWII England to study "contemps" (contemporaries) of the time. 

Eileen has been sent to interact with child evacuees from London to wait out the war and must contend with a measles outbreak among her young charges. Polly has gone back to work as a shop girl during the blitz. And Mike studies the phenomenon of everyday heroes in times of conflict.

"The hardest thing about writing about the past isn't the details—the clothes or the language or the food," said Willis via email. "Those things can all be looked up. The hardest thing is getting into the heads of the people who lived in that era." 

English contemps didn't know they were going to win the war, explained Willis. "For all they knew, they'd emerge from their shelters after a raid to find London ablaze—or German tanks rolling down their streets. And getting that part right took me longer than anything else."

She said, "I had to keep constantly reminding myself, ‘They don't know what's going to happen.' Just like we don't know what's going to happen to us tomorrow."

Willis traveled to England several times to research Blackout and its sequel All Clear. She said that research is the fun part. "I love doing research," she said. "It's absolutely my favorite thing—much easier than the actual writing." 

The only problem, she said, is that research turns up all sorts of wonderful nuggets of information that she just doesn't have room for in her books. 

She said she discovered things like the fact that Beatle Paul McCartney's mother was a nurse and his father was a volunteer fireman during the raids on Liverpool. And that the bandleader Glenn Miller was killed by friendly fire. 

Willis didn't have room for these tidbits, but said they may turn up in a future novel. 

Three reasons why you should read this book even though you might not be a sci-fi fan: 

1. The action-packed World War II scenes are exciting and have little to do with science fiction. 

2. The language will draw you in and not let you go. 

3. It's a damn good read for anyone who's not interested in or sick of all the old-timey lit we're forced to read for class. 

What to read...

Books make great travel buddies that won't hog the arm rest on that long flight to Cabo. Here are a few reading suggestions that make good spring break traveling companions. 

If you're spending a day at the spa:  Bitter Is The New Black: Confessions Of A Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smartass, Or, Why You Should Never Carry A Prada Bag To The Unemployment Office by Jen Lancaster.

Lancaster had the perfect shallow life without meaning until she got laid off after the events of 9/11 and went from six figures to the unemployment line. Finding out how the other side lives gives her the lesson of her life. 

The best part about the story is that she ends up not really changing for the better, so you're in on a joke that she might not even be aware of. But caustic humor alongside a droll narrative makes for good escapism.

Those who don't do autobiographies can try Bergdorff Blondes by Plum Sykes, an oh-so-satirical glimpse into the world of heiresses gadding about town. This is also a good book to read if you like drinking Bellinis. 

If you're all alone in a creepy motel:  Pride And Prejudice And Zombies: The Classic Regency Romance—Now With Ultraviolent Zombie Mayhem!  by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame Smith.

The title says it all—tea and crumpets  converge with blood and undead gore for a gleeful romp through Jane Austen's world of well-bred ladies and gentlemen (who happen to be highly trained zombie slayers). Yummy. 

If you're traveling by train, plane, or automobile: A Spot Of Bother by Mark Haddon.

Ever known someone who saw cancer in every little skin rash? Such is the conundrum of poor George Hall. Recently retired at 61, George is sure he's dying. But his troubles don't end with his rampantly out-of-control hypochondria. His daughter is about to marry a man of questionable worth and his son is worried about bringing his boyfriend to the wedding. 

Haddon gets us inside the heads of his characters for a funny and fun look inside dysfunction and hysteria—and you thought you were all alone in this world.  

If you're visiting people who are a lot less smart than you:  The Girl In The Flammable Skirt by Aimee Bender.

This collection of 16 short stories is both sad and sweet, funny and wise. It opens with a story about a man so obsessed with finding out the meaning of life he forgets to live and starts devolving from ape to sea turtle to salamander. 

Surprising and lyrical prose skirts the edge of poetry. Major themes include the innocent search for love and ebullient sex. Plus, you can use Bender's amazing one-liners to really rub your high-falutin' education in other people's faces. 

If you just want to stay home:  Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card.

Put that Star Wars serial down, wash your hands, and try something new. Orson Scott Card's classic is a must-read for the serious sci-fi and cult-classic fan. The multiple-award-winning and engagingly written Ender's Game tells the story of a child genius who needs to save the world.  

Whether you're off to exotic places this spring break, or staying close by, be sure to pack a friend or two for the ride.