FF:Trying Harder
Kel Sees a Camera and Poses
This has been a week for finishing up. Next will be one for starting new. Remember, folks, this is supposed to be fun, so don’t feel you need to report massive reading “progress.” I like hearing from you, no matter what!
The Friday Fragments lists what I’ve read over the past week. Most of the time I don’t include details of either short fiction (unless part of a book-length collection) or magazines. The Fragments are not meant to be a recommendation list. If you’re interested in a not-at-all-inclusive recommendation list, you can look on my website under Neat Stuff.
Once again, this is not a book review column. It’s just a list with, maybe, a bit of description or a few opinions tossed in.
Recently Completed:
Middlegame by Seanan McGuire. Audiobook. A regular reader of the FF asked, “Is this horror? From what I’ve read, it sounds like it.” My assessment is “Yes and no.” Very strong elements of horror (with horror movies repeatedly alluded to by the narrative voice). However, I think the novel is reaching for more. Whether or not you think it does so will depend on the individual reader.
The Complete and Original Norwegian Folktales of Asbojornsen & Moe, translated by Tiina Nunnally. A very interesting read but the “complete” means a certain amount of repetition of story types. Recommended as a read in small bites unless you’re a folklorist who wants the “compare and contrast” experience. Excellent translation, that strives to portray the Norwegian cultural vibe, something that even the original compliers admitted was difficult to do.
In Progress:
Grimjack created by John Ostrander and Tim Truman. Comic books. Past the “Trade Wars” storyline and into Kalibos. Grimjack is definitely an anti-hero, but one who tries to be more “hero” than “anti.” Ever since “Requiem” he’s been trying harder.
The Age of Faith by Will Durant. Part Four of “The Story of Civilization.” Audiobook. At a massive sixty-one and a half hours, I’ll be back and forth with this one for a while!
Also:
Dipping and delving into the three Star Kingdom novels by Weber, and Weber and Lindskold as I get ready to start writing as of yet untitled Book Four in the series.
