Libby's comments (member since Feb 18, 2009)

Libby's comments from the SciFi and Fantasy Book Club group.

Cindy wrote: "Thanks, Jon! I read Cloud Atlas a month or so ago, and I've been looking for some interesting discussion. :)

As far as my October reading, I'm in the middle of The Year of the Flood..."

Cindy - I loved Rebecca great choice for Halloween reading.

I'm reading Unseen Academicals - I basically drop everything to read the latest Terry Pratchett book. I just love him.

I'm listening to Turn of the Screw by Henry James which is fitting for Halloween. Quite enjoying this classic. As well as War of the Worlds.

I've got lots of others on the list but October is just flying by! Per usual, too many books and not enough time. Here are the others on my list - they are mostly for GR book groups but they are all great books so I can't complain -
The Guns of Avalon
To Ride Hell's Chasm
The Blade Itself

I also REALLY want to get back to the Wars of Light and Shadow series by Janny Wurts - The Ships of Merior is up next for me.

Finally found time to pick this one up and am quite enjoying it. It is written from a matter-of-fact, reporter type perspective but I think that works since its a first-hand account - and isn't the narrator a journalist by trade?

Also, I agree that Britain would be a prime target for world domination during that time period as they were THE world power economically etc.

Blackrose - I thought the same thing re Tess having no job, um, you were head of Section 5. Since the show did feel like a series ender I double checked and they have been renewed but I don't think we'll see any new episodes until next summer.

I also agree that Eastwick is likely to bomb so maybe we'll see Tess return.

The problem with "SyFy" is that they are very fairweather friend about their shows. When its popular they are all for it but at teh first sign of lower ratings they bail.

Marc wrote: "Lara Amber wrote: "If you see anyone testing the ebook waters, let others know."

My publisher has just started a new line for short stories, entirely in e-format, called Echelon Shorts. Also, e..."

I had not checked out that site - thanks for the heads up.

Steven wrote: "I don't know about specific authors, but I know that Baen is usually pretty good about publishing e-books and that Tor is usually pretty bad about it.
I'll read e-books, but they are not my prefere..."

Same here - I'll read them but I prefer the actual book. Recently I've used Shortcovers and downloaded some freebies from there. They can be read using Adobe Digital Editions.

I do think offering free downloads or e-books is a great way to promote an author's work. I read a lot of the free books that I wouldn't otherwise buy in the store because I"m not sure I'll like them. Then if I decide I enjoy the work / author I'll go out and buy.

blackrose wrote: "Libby wrote: "Like most everyone here, I'm an admitted book horder. I just love my books. I can usually remember where I got each one, when I read it, who I recommended it to . . . "

Wow. That'..."

Well, it would be lovely if I could remember all the plots etc but that's not the case. Often I may not remember the details about the actual book but I remember how it can to be in my hands. It's like a life roadmap for me. I always seem to remember where each book came from and when in my life I acquired it. I've got a memory for details - unfortunately it is usually not the important ones ;-)

Like most everyone here, I'm an admitted book horder. I just love my books. I can usually remember where I got each one, when I read it, who I recommended it to . . . they are my little (ok, not so little) library of life history. I've got books coming out of everywhere and I fear to count them. However, like someone else mentioned it has made moving tough. Last time I moved, at about book box no. 20 the mover actually asked me "so, how many books so you have?"

@ Kevin - I really like the idea of donating books to prisons. I've done donation programs for kids but I've not considered that before. Great idea - I'll have to look into it.

This was one of the aspects of the book I found unique and very well done. I've been to Boston a few times and have some friends there Stephenson certainly creates a living city character in this book and it really sets the spirit of the book.

Strangely enough it made me hungry for lobster (the non-poisoned kind, that is) - odd, I know, but its one of my favorite foods and not exactly in abundance here in Dallas, Texas :-)

Hmm, I guess I thought it was pretty "normal" for the people involved. Can't say exactly why except that in my life experience the radical hippy / environmentalists I've known (and I have known a few) have also been drug users. I think it may coincide with a liberal world view - or maybe it’s an anti-establishment thing? Or an embracing of altered consciousness? Just throwing out ideas here

He's a fun character but nothing terribly unique. I've mentioned this before but the book reminded me of The Voice of the Butterfly A Novel. I guess I wasn't that taken with ST because I think Nichols does this type of character better.

Enjoyed the book at the start but then it kinda died out for me - entertaining but nothing special. I wouldn't consider this book SciFi at all. Likely the only reason it may be shelved w/ SciFi section is due to the author.

Terence wrote: "Ben wrote: That's a very accurate statement. I was more interested in what Keyes only alludes to (the Hegemony, the Black Jester, the Virgenyans' origins in our world, etc.) than in the actual plot..."

100% agree - the most interesting parts of the story never materialized!

My vote is for Stephen - I really enjoyed the passages where he is writing the "book" on Aspar. Nice bit of unexpected humor. Ogre is also a favorite - just loved that horse - so loyal and fierce ;-)

Great selections - looking forward to voting!

I find the show entertaining and much better with the edition of more Artie and Claudia - but it isn't one I expect a lot from. I'd like to see improvement but I'm not holding out hope. That being said, there is nothing wrong with a simply entertaining show.

I also like how he incorporated the science - it seems well researched and he threads in the science without being overwhelming. I also think the 1st person narration works very well. It reminds me of The Voice of the Butterfly A Novel – that book is similar in theme but a bit more extreme. The main character is an aging, radical hippy – really quite funny. Anyway, I think it takes skill on the part of the author to write good 1st person POV - especially with a non-conventional protagonist

Started over the weekend as well and I'm enjoying it. It is a pretty detailed read with lots going on. However, I prefer being thrown right into the story as it makes for a more interesting read. Often authors linger too much on set-up / character introduction and lose the reader before the plot even starts. While a lot of information is being presented, the structure of teh book supports it well.

There are certainly some stereotypical characters here but there appears to be enough originality in the book to offset any real complaint on my part. Also, I have bristled at some of the author’s word choices in the descriptive passages but not so much that my enjoyment of the book is significantly impacted. I feel that a few of the word choices are out of place, or lack narrative flow – sorry I don’t have the book with me so can’t give examples at present. Anyway, I'm anxious to see how everything will come together.

Looks like The Briar King is a free download too!

Per usual- too many good books and not enough time to read :-)

Just finished The Gunslinger
Currently reading:
The Big Sleep (AUDIO)
Two Front War, The
Sabriel
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies The Big Sleep

I've got these planned for Sept:
The Book of Lost Things
Nine Princes in Amber

and of course - Zodiac and The Briar King

Most of these are groups reads but its nice variety of SciFi / Fantasy / Mystery. If only I could just leave work now and go home and read ;-)