Books matching: urban environments
100 result(s)
A short, quirky meditation on modern existence - bleak but funny, sad yet weirdly hopeful. Not for plot chasers, but essential for anyone who likes their fiction offbeat and brutally honest.
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...- #2
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.
- #3
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... A lively, accessible look at evolution happening all around us in the city; both enlightening and entertaining, and perfect for anyone interested in how nature survives - and even thrives - in urban environments.
Some 20 miles west of the city of Rotterdam lie the coastal sand dunes of Voorne—an extensive area (at least, by Dutch diminutive standards) of rolling, vegetated dunes, though increasingly consumed f...- #5
Save:A tough, unforgettable read that packs an emotional sucker-punch - devastating, beautifully written, and incredible at making you walk in someone else’s shoes, even if you might need a breather after.
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... - #6
Save:Wren Valere, a Retriever with a magical talent for finding missing objects, is tasked with recovering the stolen cornerstone of a fifty-year-old building. The case becomes more complex than expected, involving an insane wizard, secret organizations, a demon, and a developing romance with her partner Sergei. The plot is tightly woven, leading to a grand culprit manipulating the lives of the characters. The writing style is fast-paced, entertaining, and includes elements of urban fantasy with magical powers, secret societies, and political intrigue.
The cyclist sped past her, a blur of expensive aluminum, narrow wheels and Lycra-clad body topped by a screaming-orange helmet. He—she? it?—hopped off the curb and dove into the light traffic moving u... - #7
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... - #8
Save:Field Notes from a Hidden City by Esther Woolfson is a nature book that takes the reader on a journey through Aberdeen, Scotland, exploring the environment and biology of the city over the course of a year. Woolfson's writing style is described as captivating, inspiring, and unique, focusing on her observations of the creatures that share the world with us in a caring yet unsentimental way. The book delves into the details of the natural world, combining fine detail with human emotions, and provides fascinating background information about the city and its inhabitants.
The first snow of winter begins to fall in the afternoon, while it’s still light. It lies at once although it’s too early for it. Usually, the first thin flurries of the season fall quickly then melt... - #9
Save:One Hundred Shadows by Hwang Jungeun is a captivating novella that weaves together the lives of two characters, Eungyo and Mujae, who work in an electronics shop in a rundown building in Seoul, marked for demolition. The story unfolds with elements of magical realism, where shadows detach and take on a life of their own, symbolizing the struggles and burdens faced by marginalized individuals. The central themes revolve around gentrification, loss, and the bittersweet nature of their budding romance amidst societal upheaval.
The writing style is described as unique and elegant, characterized by a spare, poetic prose that captures the subtle moments in the protagonists' lives. Each chapter acts like a vignette, connected by a common thread that highlights the mundane yet profound experiences of ordinary people against the backdrop of urban change. The narrative's lack of traditional punctuation in dialogue may challenge some readers, but the haunting atmosphere and emotional depth resonate powerfully, making One Hundred Shadows a memorable exploration of life's complexities.
I saw a shadow in the woods. I didn’t know it was a shadow at first. I saw it slip through a thicket and followed it in, wondering if there was a path there, and thinking how familiar it looked. The w... - #10
Save:'A Dozen Black Roses' by Nancy A. Collins is a gripping tale following Sonja Blue, a half-human, half-vampire heroine who navigates a world filled with evil vampires and supernatural beings. The story delves into a blood war between rival vampire clans, where Sonja finds herself entangled in complex manipulations and power struggles. The writing style is described as energetic and splatterpunk, with a refreshing take on the protagonist's enjoyment of violence and lack of remorse.
The city was founded over two hundred and sixty years ago by those who fled the intolerance of their various homelands. It sits at the head of an estuary, a stone's throw from the huge bay that first...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Sonja Blue )
