Mark’s Comments (group member since Apr 13, 2012)

Mark’s comments from the The Sword and Laser group.

The pubic library called. Murderbot books #3 and #4 are ready for me to pick up. W00t!

Simple it’s not, I am afraid you will find, for a mind-maker-upper to make up his mind.

https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/6644...

or in this case, her (U.S. District Judge Janis Sammartino) mind...

Star Trek/Dr. Seuss Mashup Deemed Copyright Fair Use by Judge

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr...

Some of the stories in Martian Chronicles come from at least 16 different pulp and weekly fiction magazines published in the 1940s and early 1950s. If this book gets picked I'll try to find all the magazine covers to add to the S&L wiki.

There is a recent (2011) graphic novel, too, but I've not read it.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

I dusted off my old copy of Bradbury's Martian Chronicles, just in case.



I still can't figure out why a dude from a rocket is carrying a semi-automatic pistol. Where the heck is his raygun?

This is the first S&L March Madness semifinal where I have a copy of every book. It's print vs ebook in each bracket.

Ran across this website which analyzes the happiness of books and other things. All of the HP novels are sliced, diced, and measured for their happiness content. Here is the link for the first book.

http://hedonometer.org/books/v1/?book...

My take? There seems to be a lot of unhappiness in the Potterverse, but Rowling is pretty good at wrapping things up at the ending.

Mark wrote: "Some selected photos of the reconstructed set: https://www.goodreads.com/photo/user/... "

Happy to see the set providing a home for more dragons!

Ruth wrote: "Finished All Systems Red which was great (who’d have thought a murderous robot could be so sympathetic?) although I’m kinda bummed how expensive the sequel [book:Artificial Conditio..."

After hoping they would go on sale and not seeing that happen, I'm working my way thru these books by borrowing from the library. Takes a bit longer, but my local library was ok with adding them to the collection.

There are a multitude of How to Survive March Madness articles out there on the intertubes. With that in mind...

How to survive Sword & Laser March Madness

1. Get a stress toy. A sword or a laser is acceptable.

2. Decide what you'll be drinking right away.

4. Check your TBR pile for suitable bracket choices.

3. Don’t walk, read, and stream the latest S&L podcast at the same time.

5. Always vote for Theft of Swords. One of these years it has to make it to the finals.

Melanie wrote: "After Atlas by Emma Newman vs. The Stainless Steel Rat

I have no idea about either of these books. After Atlas is the second in a series, so do I have to read the first book first? Suggestions abo..."

The author and readers say After Atlas can stand alone.

https://www.enewman.co.uk/book-detail...

https://www.goodreads.com/questions/1...

Stephen wrote: "I just read The Stainless Steel Rat. I do not know if Mark has read it lately or as a young teenager but it did not age well. A sixteen year old me would have liked it."

Ha! Yes, it's been decades since I read it. I've reread other science fiction classics from those days and it's true, some don't age well.

Out of 16 books in the brackets, I've read five (3 Laser, 2 Sword) and have five in my TBR pile (3 Laser, 2 Sword).

I feel compelled to support the Roberator's perennial pick, Theft of Swords, in the Sword bracket.

My nomination, The Stainless Steel Rat, is in the Laser bracket, so that's a treat, but I'm ok with any of the Laser picks.

Tassie Dave wrote: "Battle of the moderator nominations."

Will there be a virtual arm wrestling match between mods?

Ruth (tilltab) Ashworth wrote: "Yes, I definitely would not recommend reading We Interrupt This Broadcast first."

Agreed. It's a shocking short story, but not essential to read first.

The Science of Harry Potter: The Spellbinding Science Behind the Magic, Gadgets, Potions, and More! is on sale for one Knut

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...

Maclurker wrote: "Um. I can fold fitted sheets. I’d show you but I don’t want to attract the attention of You-Know-who."

Too late. She knows.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MLE-...

Will V & T present the HP&TPS podcasts in their best Brit accents?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sbv84...

Silvana wrote: "Hi Rob, sorry to bother you again, would it be possible to revoke my vote for Trail of Lightning and give it to Nexus?

Thank you and sorry for this."

Corgi Lawyer sez

;-)

I witnessed Pottermania as an adult, but didn't participate. By the time the third Potter film was released, most of my colleagues at work (in a library) were reading the books as soon as they were published. It was difficult to ignore the fact that so many people I knew were enjoying the books. I don't remember when I read the first book, but it was around 2004. I just finished it again, on orders from the Supreme Laser, and still find it an appealing and entertaining story, even though I'm an old fart now.

I've dived deeply into the Star Wars universe beyond the movies, watching some of the animated shows and reading many of the books and comics.

I've never watched Ultraman.

Rumor has it I might be a Trekkie.

;-)