Book Club (Recommended Reads)
Monthly book recommendations from our catalog, written by our staff.
May 2020
Around the World by 4788888
Summary:
Around the World in 12 Days is an as-yet incomplete autobiographical work that currently consists of two volumes, with a third one on the way. Around the World is a beautifully written travelogue from the CLA's Head Archivist, 4788888, detailing the first of his monumental journeys across the map in search of rare and undocumented books.
Review:
"I'm going to make a bold claim here, but I stand by it: if you're going to read any of the books in our collection, you should make it this one. Its epic scope is unmatched by any other in-game book I've read, and 4788888's skillful prose vividly brings the people and places of Civrealms to life while never losing sight of the deeply personal narrative that forms the book's emotional core. Around the World is a marvellous achievement, and I think I speak for all of us when I say that I'm eagerly awaiting future additions to the series."
Written by goldencrunchcrms
Where to find it:
Available in Bremerhaven and CLA-affiliated libraries.
A New World by Onederful
Summary:
A New World by Onederful recounts the arrival of the Valhalla people to Napistan. A folk tale, the story is centered around a battle between their leader, Havok, and Aegir, the Norse god of the sea. It is a creative and endearing work which brings much culture and life into the nascent Napistani nation.
Review:
"A New World is an engaging read and highlights some of the unique cultural perspectives of different players on CivRealms. I personally was able to transcribe this work for Onederful and it was a lot of fun. His prose has a unique style, remniscent of Beowolf or other great Anglo-Saxon epics. I hope to see more folk tales and mythological stories come out of Valhalla soon!"
Written by 4788888
Where to find it:
Available in Bremerhaven and CLA-affiliated libraries.
Theseus and the Minotaur by Milipede
Summary:
Part of a series of graphic arts books by Milipede, Theseus and the Minotaur is a full-length epic with illustrations recalling the Greek legend of Theseus of Athens. The book contains fantastic imagery and is a classic hero's quest story. Theseus and the Minotaur was originally published by Milipede on other Civ servers, and has been re-published for CivRealms.
Review:
"For anyone who enjoys reading folklore or enjoys illustrated books, Theseus and the Minotaur is a must-read. The story is engaging and varies from the standard unillustrated, unformatted texts which we typically see on Civ servers. Go support this author and check out some of his other works, too!"
Written by 4788888
Where to find it:
For sale in ChChris' CivCorp shop and for checkout at CLA-affiliated libraries.
April 2020
Wanderlust by goldencrunchcrms
Summary:
Wanderlust is a memoir (of sorts) by goldencrunchcrms which discusses his real-life experiences with urbex (urban exploration) and how it relates to his Minecraft playstyle. The book discusses several events from goldencrunchcrm's life and how they influence his thoughts and desires.
Review:
"In all the books I've read on CivRealms (and I've read quite a few), Wanderlust is one of the most original works I've encountered. This avant-garde novel explores issues of loneliness, ambition, and the great unknowns through elegant language and simple design. The unique narrative of goldencrunchcrms and his paramount ability to relate his experiences between real life and Minecraft is engaging, and I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the thrill of adventure underscored by human qualms."
Written by 4788888
Where to find it:
Available in Bremerhaven and CLA-affiliated libraries.
Leobonet's Error by Henderwicz
Summary:
Leobonet's Error is one of a number of titles available from the Norlish literary powerhouse that is North Star Books, which has quickly established itself as one of the major players in the nascent publishing industry here on Civrealms. It's also an excellent primer for anyone interested in learning more about the ongoing debates that characterise Norlund's vibrant religious culture.
Review:
"In this book, Henderwicz, the pastor of St Martin's Church in Tallum, systematically deconstructs Pope Leobonet's The Truth and lays the foundations for an alternative to Leobonet's theology. Henderwicz's prose is as meticulous as it is economical, and while his arguments are sophisticated, they're never inaccessible."
Written by goldencrunchcrms
Where to find it:
Distributed for free at St. Martin's Reformed Church in Tallum, Norlund and available for loan at your nearest CLA-affiliated library.
Lies by HikorutheGamer
Summary:
Hikoruthegamer's Lies is one of the more ambitious player-authored works of fiction in our collection. This short science fiction story is written as a series of diary entries from an unnamed narrator in a distant future where the rise of automation has gone horribly awry.
Review:
"Lies deals heavily with themes of confusion, paranoia, and complacency, and its portrayal of our narrator's slow loss of trust in the world around him is an effective setup for a truly chilling conclusion. An impressive debut, and one that gives us high hopes for this author's future endeavours."
Written by goldencrunchcrms
Where to find it:
Available for sale in Alexandria from The Sweet Roll Library and Cafe and for loan at CLA libraries.