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Post by Laura on Oct 5, 2003 23:39:02 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. I've no idea if this is a Miles Vorkosigan book or not, but today's NYT Sunday Book Review has an ad for the latest book by Lois McMaster Bujold, called Paladin of Souls. It's a "follow-up" to The Curse of Chalion.
Just thought you'd be interested.
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Post by ldelrossi on Oct 7, 2003 12:26:47 GMT -5
I just finished THE DAVINCI CODE by Dan Brown (I think). It is a really good book. It begins a bit slowly and then builds speed. If you are a very religious church-going Catholic you may not like it.
The Catholic Church is pictures as manipulating and equivacating from its inception - There is also quite a bit about the Female Goddess/earth mother. It is really fascinating and has you wondering just how much is true and how much is fiction.
I won't tell you any more. If you want to know more, IM me.
His other book is ANGELS AND DEMONS which is again Catholic Church oriented but also about the Masons. The author apparently does a lot of research.
Both books made me want to do research to find out if what he says has any truth.
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Post by LeeHollins on Oct 7, 2003 12:35:29 GMT -5
I just finished THE DAVINCI CODE by Dan Brown (I think). It is a really good book. It begins a bit slowly and then builds speed. If you are a very religious church-going Catholic you may not like it. The Catholic Church is pictures as manipulating and equivacating from its inception - There is also quite a bit about the Female Goddess/earth mother. It is really fascinating and has you wondering just how much is true and how much is fiction. I won't tell you any more. If you want to know more, IM me. His other book is ANGELS AND DEMONS which is again Catholic Church oriented but also about the Masons. The author apparently does a lot of research. Both books made me want to do research to find out if what he says has any truth. Lori - I read Angels and Demons and loved it! My dad gave it to me after he read because we both enjoy those types of books. I want to read The DaVinci Code - my dad is reading it now and as soon as he is done with it, I get it. I've heard it's great - I heard Ron Howard and Brian Grazer are going to make the movie. AaD was very intriguing - so full of history (I'm not Catholic so I don't know how much of it was true) but not dry. I started it and I was hooked!
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Post by Betsy on Nov 1, 2003 20:23:00 GMT -5
Not sure who here reads the Angel and Buffy books, but I'd thought I report on the newest.
The newest Angel book came out in October. It's called Fearless. It's wriiten by Doranna Durgin. The other Angel book she wrote is Impressions. The summary of Fearless is as follows:
The gang at Angel Investigations is well versed in the nuances of demon fighting, so they're surprised to find themselves euphorically giddy after a long night of . . . what? their clothes are torn and bloody and their bodies are battered, but their memories of the previous evening are hazy at best. Research determines that they've been doused with demon pixie dust that helps them to heal.
Angel, however, is having the opposite post-battle experience. After years of superhuman healing, he's suddenly recovering from a fight with the resilience -- or lack thereof -- of an average human being. Shaken and reluctant to confide in his friends, Angel is reduced to secret-keeping and collaboration with newfound demon cohorts. If the gang goes in search of their next fix of fearless, will Angel be strong enough to protect them?
I really liked this book. It takes place just before the 3rd Season's "Waiting in the Wings". You see some sides of the fang gang that are interesting and the see some different feelings from Angel. I recommend it.
The next Angel book comes out in December and it's called Solitary Man. It's written by Jeff Mariotte.
Just picked up the newest Buffy/Angel Book. Just came out today. It's called Cursed and it's written by Mel Odom. Here's the summary of the book:
Sulking around the Slayer in Sunnydale, the vampire Spike has often run into demons intent on punishing him for throwing in with the White Hats. But when there are hints of a more organized campaign dedicated to vanquishing the vampire with a chip in his head, Spike sets off on the trail of whoever's put a hit out on him.
Meanshile, in the City of Angels, the vampire with a soul finds that the search for a mystical object is tied to his days as the vicious Angelus. Then Spike -- his former partner in carnage -- arrives in L.A. Each nursing a grudge, and with the specter of Buffy in both of their (cold, dead) hearts, the two vampires reluctantly work together . . . until their torturous past catches up with them!
This story takes place in an alternate continuity during Buffy's fifth and Angel's third seasons. I plan on reading this book this weekend. Will let you all know my thoughts on it, but really how bad can a book be starring Angel and Spike.
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Post by KMInfinity on Nov 2, 2003 10:16:15 GMT -5
**The DaVinci Code played fast and loose with lots of facts, and how they're interpreted, both in the art world and in Catholic Church history. Still a great read tho. The general theme - that the Catholic Church has, throughout its 2000 year history, made lots of mistakes, been mysogynistic, and sometimes subverted by secret societies from within, is basically true. (I'm a practicing Catholic--those of us who are "liberal" and anti-hierarchical sometimes believe there are "two" Catholic Churches, or, rather, a schizoid church--one that is corrupted by its own power, and one where the Spirit moves.) ABC in the US has a special on tonite (11/2/2003) that claims to investigate facts behind the DaVinci Code - It's still on the bestsellers list... **The Miles Vorkosigan series, by Bujold, is truly awesome....and I've read most SF and fantasy for the last 40 years. The new book is not part of the Vor series, but a followup to her fantasy series, which I haven't read yet. **I recently reread Robert Heinlein's Time Enough for Love... Still a great read, tho a bit dated with the 60's emphasis on plural marriage and "enlightened" sex. For those who haven't read Heinlein, he's a Science Fiction Grandmaster (died in 1989?), usually considered a seminal writer in the field, whose novels veer from political conservatism to social liberation. His "juvenile" novels, written for teens, are superb stories about the future. His adult novels are critically panned for being too much about his own views, but then again, if you agree with his perspective, you'll really like the books. ;D I have a bookcase just for his novels. Despite the fact that the bulk of his work was written from 1940-1970, his novels seems as modern as anything new....maybe a tiny bit too optimistic about humanity's future...
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Post by Karen on Nov 2, 2003 10:52:40 GMT -5
<snip> ABC in the US has a special on tonite (11/2/2003) that claims to investigate facts behind the DaVinci Code - It's still on the bestsellers list... **The Miles Vorkosigan series, by Bujold, is truly awesome....and I've read most SF and fantasy for the last 40 years. The new book is not part of the Vor series, but a followup to her fantasy series, which I haven't read yet. <snip> Sue will love hearing that you've read the Miles V series, KM. I've just started reading it myself. Too little time, too many books. Thanks for the heads-up on the special on the DiVinci Code tonight. Sounds interesting. (Edit: My TV Guide listings has this shown on Monday night.)
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Post by Sue on Nov 2, 2003 12:03:27 GMT -5
**The Miles Vorkosigan series, by Bujold, is truly awesome....and I've read most SF and fantasy for the last 40 years. The new book is not part of the Vor series, but a followup to her fantasy series, which I haven't read yet. And from Karen: Duh, ya think? Which one are you reading. I originally recommended folks to start with "The Warrior's Apprentcie", but have changed that now to start at the beginning with "Cordelia's Honor". (Whatever) KM-- Bless you, my child. I guess if you are posting here you've read thru my rants exhortations re McMasters' books. You will love "The Curse of Challion" as well and I've already asked for it's sequel (her newest one) for Christmas. I just mailed "Cordelia's Honor" to Nicki and she will pass it on to Becky when Becky gets back in the states. I liken my "Vorkosigan" crusade to that of Buffistas trying to convert others to watch. (Did you see where I credit my introduction to Miles to fanfic--the books were mentioned in an author's note). Anyway, glad to have another Miles' fan. Sue
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Post by Karen on Nov 2, 2003 23:01:07 GMT -5
And from Karen: Duh, ya think? Which one are you reading. I originally recommended folks to start with "The Warrior's Apprentcie", but have changed that now to start at the beginning with "Cordelia's Honor". (Whatever) <snip> Sue, I bought "Young Miles", a trilogy of the "Warrior's Apprentice","The Mountains of Mourning" and "The Vor Game". It's been a good read so far.
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Post by DaveCrenshaw on Nov 3, 2003 11:02:50 GMT -5
I recently started and gave up on two BtVS novels that I found to be substandard to other BtVS books I've read recently. In both cases, I read the first two chapters and quit, I was so unimpressed.
The first is Blooded, which surprised me because it's written by Christopher Golden and Nancy Holder, and it's Willow-centric. This must have been an early BtVS novel for these authors because their trademark ability to capture the individual Scooby voiced wasn't there at all. I also found myself not the least bit compelled by the storyline, about a Japanese vampire and a Chinese warlord battling for eternity in the hilt of a sword until accidentally freed in Sunnydale. The story simply didn't grab me.
The second novel is Chaos Bleeds. If the title is familiar, it's based on the recent video game. Hence it reads like the video game. Each chapter represents a different level in the game, and even in chapter 1, the Magic Box is raided by an impossible number of vampires bent on ... well, it wasn't explained what they wanted, at least before I gave up. The battle rages on and on and on between the Scoobies and about a zillion vampires, with one master vampire looming on the horizon waiting for Buffy to defeat the other vamps and then challenge her one-on-one. Level two, or rather, chapter two, plays out exactly the same way, except that the vamp on the periphery this time is Kakistos. It wouldn't take long for the structure of this book to get tiresome.
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Post by Nickim on Nov 3, 2003 17:38:59 GMT -5
I just finished "Pretty Maids All In A Row." It's about Spike & Dru during the Second World War and I thought it was pretty good. If anyone would like to borrow it, let me know.
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Post by KMInfinity on Nov 3, 2003 18:53:15 GMT -5
My bad.. The DaVinci Code documentary is TONITE, 11-3.
Pretty Maids is the only Buffyverse book I've read. I'll be combing these threads for good recommendations. I enjoyed that one very much.
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Post by ldelrossi on Nov 4, 2003 14:17:21 GMT -5
If anyone has teenage girls between 13 and 16 I would like to recommend a book. THE SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELLING PANTS by Ann Brashers. There is also a sequel THE SECOND SUMMER OF THE SISTERHOOD.
Plot: 4 girls are going to be separated for the summer for the first time. One buys a pair of pants and they agree that they will take turns wearing it and sending it on. The pants seems to have magical powers to help each girl get through traumatic experiences.
Basically it's about growing up, but each girl is different as is her experience. There is one brief example of teenage sex.
I have several copies in my library and they are never on the shelf.
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Post by Becky H on Nov 6, 2003 12:59:13 GMT -5
If anyone has teenage girls between 13 and 16 I would like to recommend a book. THE SISTERHOOD OF THE TRAVELLING PANTS by Ann Brashers. There is also a sequel THE SECOND SUMMER OF THE SISTERHOOD. Plot: 4 girls are going to be separated for the summer for the first time. One buys a pair of pants and they agree that they will take turns wearing it and sending it on. The pants seems to have magical powers to help each girl get through traumatic experiences. Basically it's about growing up, but each girl is different as is her experience. There is one brief example of teenage sex. I have several copies in my library and they are never on the shelf. I second this recommendation. I found both books to be unexpectedly moving and although they deal with some so-called "teen issues," they've never didactic or preachy. On an unrelated note, I just finished several books I'd like to recommend. I read Pat Barker's Regeneration trilogy earlier this term and I've just put down Sebastian Faulk's Birdsong; all four are excellent WWI historical fiction. I also recommend Philippa Gregory's The Queen's Fool if you like the Tudor period. It's about the short, unhappy reign of Mary Tudor and, while pulling no punches about her religious fanaticism, is a surprisingly sympathetic portrait.
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Post by Nickim on Nov 9, 2003 18:12:29 GMT -5
And from Karen: Duh, ya think? Which one are you reading. I originally recommended folks to start with "The Warrior's Apprentcie", but have changed that now to start at the beginning with "Cordelia's Honor". (Whatever) KM-- Bless you, my child. I guess if you are posting here you've read thru my rants exhortations re McMasters' books. You will love "The Curse of Challion" as well and I've already asked for it's sequel (her newest one) for Christmas. I just mailed "Cordelia's Honor" to Nicki and she will pass it on to Becky when Becky gets back in the states. I liken my "Vorkosigan" crusade to that of Buffistas trying to convert others to watch. (Did you see where I credit my introduction to Miles to fanfic--the books were mentioned in an author's note). Anyway, glad to have another Miles' fan. Sue Almost finished with Cordelia's Honor. This quote made me think of the discussion we've all had about self-esteem. Refering to her husband: "Naked sentiment in his mirror-bright eyes. In those mirrors, I am altogether beautiful, Cordelia realized warmly. Much more flattering than that one on the wall upstairs. I shall use them to see myself from now on." How true that when someone we love and find attractive admires us and thinks us beautiful that we are more willing to believe it. Also, when Bothari was describing his "therapy" I kept thinking of Spike's chip. Cordelia was afraid that Bothari would be dangerous without his medicine and the Scoobys always worried that Spike's chip would fail. Someone else controling their behavior isn't enough, they neede to learn to control their own behavior.
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Post by Sue on Jan 26, 2004 8:48:09 GMT -5
Kind of cheating here, but I'm posting primarily to move this back to the front page.
There was a huge discussion of books going on on the main thread, with contributions by Matt, Julia, Rachael, Rob, ellie, Nan, Linda and probably other people who I am accidentally overlooking and I am hoping they will post their recommendations here for future reference.
Also, some of the n'ubies may find the recommendations already listed to be valuable.
Sue
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