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Post by Becky H on Jun 21, 2003 20:00:59 GMT -5
Got it today, read it today (only coming up for bathroom breaks and a Diet Coke - hmm, maybe the two are connected), and I'm now a happy girl. Sometimes more really is more. I'll be interested to find out what everyone else thinks so start reading!
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Post by Anne, Old S'cubie Cat on Jul 1, 2003 17:55:13 GMT -5
I ran across one of her books a couple months ago, and went out and tracked them all down, and now her really unusual mystery is out in paperback, (YAY!) which reminded me that I wanted to recommend her work (sorry, run-on much?).
Anyway, the nifty odd one is You've Got Murder. The protagonist is an AIP, or Artificial Intelligence Program, named Turing Hopper. Yes, she's a sentient computer program. Turing goes looking for her creator and best friend, who seems to have disappeared. Really interesting, well written; the relationships between Turing and her human friends, and Turing and the other AIPs, some of whom are also beginning to develop sentience, are really well done. This is the only Turing book so far, but I'm hoping for more.
Donna Andrews also has a series, so far four books, with an "Ornamental Blacksmith" named Meg Langslow as protagonist. I originally picked up the first one, Murder With Peacocks, used, and liked it so much that I started tracking down the others, Murder With Puffins, Revenge of the Wrought-Iron Flamingos, and Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon. In the first book, Meg is planning weddings for her best friend, her brother, and her mother, all at once. Wackiness ensues. The Langslow family reminds me of an old movie, I think it's "You Can't Take It With You".
Anyway, they're a good fun read and I highly recommend them.
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Post by Sue on Jul 2, 2003 12:51:19 GMT -5
Okay, this makes at least the third time I have recommended this author/this series. But, I'm on the 11th book in the series and it just keeps getting better. She's officially on my top 10 list of all time. Unbelievably well-written, entertaining, and highly readable. (I've put off reading Harry Potter to finish the last three books. I've bought the 12th book in hardback because it's not out yet in paperback. I've exerted myself to attempt to post in colored, large script.) Somebody, please go buy "The Warrior's Apprentice" and "The Vor Game" by Lois McMasters Bujold. Remember, they get even better as you follow the series. I'd send you my copy, but I've already lent it to my sister (who immediately purchased the other books in the series) plus, it's only 5.99 or 6.99. It's on Amazon if you can't get it at a local bookstore.
You know how you feel trying to convince your friends to watch Buffy. That's me and the Miles Vorkosigan (the protagonist) books.
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Post by Sue on Jul 13, 2003 15:10:33 GMT -5
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Post by Becky H on Jul 28, 2003 8:31:22 GMT -5
Okay, this makes at least the third time I have recommended this author/this series. But, I'm on the 11th book in the series and it just keeps getting better. She's officially on my top 10 list of all time. Unbelievably well-written, entertaining, and highly readable. (I've put off reading Harry Potter to finish the last three books. I've bought the 12th book in hardback because it's not out yet in paperback. I've exerted myself to attempt to post in colored, large script.) Somebody, please go buy "The Warrior's Apprentice" and "The Vor Game" by Lois McMasters Bujold. Remember, they get even better as you follow the series. I'd send you my copy, but I've already lent it to my sister (who immediately purchased the other books in the series) plus, it's only 5.99 or 6.99. It's on Amazon if you can't get it at a local bookstore.
You know how you feel trying to convince your friends to watch Buffy. That's me and the Miles Vorkosigan (the protagonist) books. Ok, Sue, I'm on my way to the library now. I've finally finished all of my school work and can now read for fun again. I'll let you know what I think (if I can find them). Edit later: I was out of luck: someone had them checked out so I'll just have to put them on reserve and try again later.
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Post by Karen on Jul 28, 2003 9:42:01 GMT -5
Okay, this makes at least the third time I have recommended this author/this series. But, I'm on the 11th book in the series and it just keeps getting better. She's officially on my top 10 list of all time. Unbelievably well-written, entertaining, and highly readable. (I've put off reading Harry Potter to finish the last three books. I've bought the 12th book in hardback because it's not out yet in paperback. I've exerted myself to attempt to post in colored, large script.) Somebody, please go buy "The Warrior's Apprentice" and "The Vor Game" by Lois McMasters Bujold. Remember, they get even better as you follow the series. I'd send you my copy, but I've already lent it to my sister (who immediately purchased the other books in the series) plus, it's only 5.99 or 6.99. It's on Amazon if you can't get it at a local bookstore.
You know how you feel trying to convince your friends to watch Buffy. That's me and the Miles Vorkosigan (the protagonist) books. Okay, okay, Sue... guess it does pay to shout .. ;D I need to have something good to read at the beach anyway. That is, if I can break away from the boys and their physical activities. Geesh, can't they just sit still and read? Why waste all that great ocean just playing around in it? (Are they a fast read, will I need more than 1 or 2 for a week?) I'm sitting here imagining you, eg and deborah all having a S'cubie bonding session at the diner in Edgewater - and me missing out. Hope you all had a grand time - and details, I want details!
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Post by Karen on Sept 5, 2003 11:29:44 GMT -5
This is probably not the right place to put this suggestion, but would it be possible to move this thread out from under the message board thread so that it could be found more easily?
Thanks, Sandy
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Post by missbuffy on Sept 9, 2003 9:53:03 GMT -5
I posted on the main thread about putting the Buffy and Angel book recommendations in here so they are more easily accessible. I have tried MANY times to search for some of the past posts about them, but am just not finding anything. So I will begin by posting my own recommendations here, and hopefully the other S'Cubies will follow. I read The Lost Slayer novel which was originally published as a four part series, and is now available in one book. It is fantastic. I highly recommend it to anyone who likes Buffy... even someone who isn't into Buffy but likes fantasy novels. Christopher Golden does an excellent job of capturing the characters, and it is a good story. My first thought when I finished was that this should be a Buffy movie. I have also read Tempted Champions by Yvonne Navarro. She doesn't do quite as good a job as Golden in recreating the characters, but it is a good story. Other than finding a few typos, I quite enjoyed it. And I really enjoyed the first volume of Tales of the Slayer. It is a collection of short stories about past Slayers by various authors. There was one story that I didn't love, but I thought the rest were pretty good, and I plan to get volume 2 as well.
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Post by missbuffy on Sept 9, 2003 10:04:56 GMT -5
I have just recently finished reading the last installment of Fray, the 8 part graphic novel written by Joss Whedon and I loved it.
I have to say, this is really great stuff! I don't read comics myself, but I figured it was by Joss, it was worth a look. If anyone is avoiding it because it is in comic format, well... don't! It takes a page or two to get used to the different medium, but I found it much like reading a television story board, which is fun.
Melaka Fray is a future Slayer, who lives in a world that is much different than the one we know today. I find her to be a cross between between Buffy and Faith, a tough girl with quick wit and some good puns.
The story is very Joss - great characters and some surprising twists and turns. And it has many tie ins to our favourite show. I think it would make a great spin-off.
Joss has said now that he's finished the first series he plans on doing a second, and he will incorporate the changes in the Slayer lineage that came about in the BtVS finale.
So, go read it and then come back and tell me and Sandy what you thought. ;D
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Post by LeeHollins on Sept 9, 2003 15:33:53 GMT -5
I really enjoyed Immortal - uhm, can't remember who is the author.
Joyce is in the hospital (oh, it's set during Season 3 I believe) and this immortal vampire comes to Sunnydale. Buffy faces her mother's mortality while dealing with Angel's immortality and it puts her into a real quandry. Which is better? Immortality? Mortality?
I really enjoyed it - it was the first Buffy book I ever read. I think Dave is reading it right now or he's getting ready to read it.
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Post by DaveCrenshaw on Sept 10, 2003 5:15:28 GMT -5
I really enjoyed Immortal - uhm, can't remember who is the author. Joyce is in the hospital (oh, it's set during Season 3 I believe) and this immortal vampire comes to Sunnydale. Buffy faces her mother's mortality while dealing with Angel's immortality and it puts her into a real quandry. Which is better? Immortality? Mortality? I really enjoyed it - it was the first Buffy book I ever read. I think Dave is reading it right now or he's getting ready to read it. Getting ready to read it. It's on the shelf, I just haven't slowed down long enough to have the time to think about it. I barely have enough time to post. It's almost the end of the fiscal year, so everyone is busy working overtime to get their reports in, which means I've been up to my ears, and it will only get worse as this month rolls on. October, I might actually get to read. FYI, Immortal is a joint effort between two top-rated BtVS authors, Christopher Golden and Nancy Holder.
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Post by Patti - S'cubie Cutie on Sept 10, 2003 16:45:50 GMT -5
Getting ready to read it. It's on the shelf, I just haven't slowed down long enough to have the time to think about it. I barely have enough time to post. It's almost the end of the fiscal year, so everyone is busy working overtime to get their reports in, which means I've been up to my ears, and it will only get worse as this month rolls on. October, I might actually get to read. FYI, Immortal is a joint effort between two top-rated BtVS authors, Christopher Golden and Nancy Holder. Dave, glad to see this post - I've been missing you lately, even though when you have been here I haven't had a chance to chat with you. Wanted to especially let you know that I'm 3/4 through 'The Wisdom of War' now and it is just excellent. Best Christopher Golden I've read yet (I've only read the Gatekeeper Trilogy other than this) - miles scarier than anything I've read in a long time - normally I read in bed but I'm finding it more comfy to read this book in the broad daylight....very suspenseful, thanks for the tip. *shiver*
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Post by Patti - S'cubie Cutie on Sept 10, 2003 16:49:48 GMT -5
Okay, this makes at least the third time I have recommended this author/this series. But, I'm on the 11th book in the series and it just keeps getting better. She's officially on my top 10 list of all time. Unbelievably well-written, entertaining, and highly readable. (I've put off reading Harry Potter to finish the last three books. I've bought the 12th book in hardback because it's not out yet in paperback. I've exerted myself to attempt to post in colored, large script.) Somebody, please go buy "The Warrior's Apprentice" and "The Vor Game" by Lois McMasters Bujold. Remember, they get even better as you follow the series. I'd send you my copy, but I've already lent it to my sister (who immediately purchased the other books in the series) plus, it's only 5.99 or 6.99. It's on Amazon if you can't get it at a local bookstore.
You know how you feel trying to convince your friends to watch Buffy. That's me and the Miles Vorkosigan (the protagonist) books. somehow I get the feeling you feel strongly about this. So. ok, on my way to Amazon to check out the synopsis at least.
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Post by DaveCrenshaw on Sept 22, 2003 11:40:07 GMT -5
I just finished Immortal by Christopher Golden and Nancy Holder, and while I don't think it's as good as my favorite BtVS novel, The Lost Slayer (also by Christoper Golden), it's still a very good read. I think the only shortfall of this story compared to the other is that The Lost Slayer is a considerably longer tale, and therefore more intricate and detailed.
This one is set in Buffy's senior year at Sunnydale High. There's one passing reference to the Mayor, but no mention of Faith. Angel is a major player in the story (it does take place after his return from Hell, and all the Scoobies know he's back), and much of the book is about the anguish between Angel and Buffy over the curse and how they can't be together but long to. The characters of Angel and Buffy are explored in great detail, the remaining characters are there mainly in as much as they interact with Buffy or Angel, although there is a little bit of time spent following the now defunkt relationship between Xander and Cordelia, and the blossoming relationship between Oz and Willow (as well as Willow's further foray into magic).
The story follows a new vampire in Sunnydale, Veronique, who has the ability to be re-incarnated into the next vampire sired in her general vicinity whenever she's dusted. She serves a three-in-one demon called the Triumverate, who she hopes to release on Earth, and her reward for doing so will be true immortality -- a single body that cannot be destroyed. Meanwhile, as Buffy grapples with the unkillable vampire, she's faced with her mother's mortality as well as her own, as Joyce is sick and has a mass on one of her lungs (although the book is set prior to season 5, I'm not sure when it was penned, if Joyce's death in the series had any affect). Angel's own immortality isn't any help -- every time he's around, his presence only reminds Buffy of how she, her mother and everyone else will eventually die.
It's a fascinating read, very well written, although there's only one mention of Spike at all (in regards to his and Drusilla's activities the year before at the factory, a passing remark). I really enjoyed how the different events going on in Buffy's life (her mother, Angel and Veronique) all played into each other (a single underlying theme linked all three story elements), much the way multiple storyline elements do in the series.
Next up, I'm tackling Blooded by the same writing team. I'll report on it as soon as I'm done.
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Post by Anne, Old S'cubie Cat on Oct 5, 2003 9:35:34 GMT -5
My dad has been waxing lyrical about this book for about a week now. I haven't read it, but I trust his taste (mostly), so I thought I'd post a notice for the interested:
The Hidden Key to Harry Potter: Understanding the Meaning, Genius, and Popularity of Joanne Rowling's Harry Potter Novels - author, John Granger
According to my dad, who is also an old SF&F fan and has read the HP books, Granger calls J K Rowlings a latterday Inkling (the writing group that included Tolkein and CS Lewis), and does considerable analysis of the mythic structure of the series. He apparently thinks they're on a par with the Arthurian legends. Granger also (I think Dad said) discusses the Christian elements of the series and the anti-HP Christian groups who hate it.
Emily will be reading the book next time we visit my parents, so I'll try to get another review from her.
Both Amazon and Barnes & Noble.com carry it.
I should also add that Granger's book was written before publication of Order of the Phoenix. Based on his analyses of the other books, he tried to predict the plot of OotP. According to my mom, he's right on some things, missed some others.
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