Book Report

[itsallovernow]

You all are incredibly helpful and incredibly well read. I went to Borders after work and piled up books under my chin like Gus Gus from Cinderella and settled myself on the floor to peruse. I used to do this as a child at the library, continued the behavior as an adult until my library fines got out of hand ( I actually had to do all the research for my discipline exams in the library during grad school because I couldn't afford to pay the fines, thus they wouldn't actually let me check books out).

After great reluctance in having to choose, I settled upon the Morgaine trilogy (in a one book format), Pilgrim by Timothy Findley (thank you Canadians, although you're woefully underrepresented at American chain bookstores) with a to be read pile of Jim Crace, Marge Piercy, further Cherryh, etc. The Hobson, Scheckley, Tostevin and Michael Marshall Smith were not to be found. I was also tempted by the latest Edna O'Brien, the only Wallace Stegner I haven't read, and the first Ash book by Mary Gentle.

I packed at 1:30 this morning and will leave work around 3:00 in order to catch my plane. I'm having pre-trip jitters and thus packed five pairs of shoes. I'm going to Western Wyoming for a family reunion and memorial service. I do not need five pairs of shoes (not including the ones I'm wearing, although I did pack my running shoes since although I hate to run, it's way too frelling cold to swim in the lake and I will lose my mind if I don't exercise for a week). I do hope my sister remembers to pick me up from the airport, oh yes I do.

I had to get up early to do an interview from home this morning because my interviewee wasn't going to be available later. Me, in my bathrobe, fending off the cats, asking questions from my bed always cracks me up.

I do hope to have the next chapter of Blue Eyes done before I leave, but I've had a lot of work stuff to do. We shall see.

Oh, and before I forget, I wanted to say one or two things about WWL, Part 2. Still beautifully shot, and the leaching of color as the magnetics weigh them down was lovely. The second half didn't quite live up to the premise established in the first, but it raises questions to return to later, which I liked. Sikozu's early connection to Scorpy is skillfully established, and there are so many moments in this to love - John having to take another one for the team and the agonizing results of that, using the lakka, turning the tables on Grayza, (not that any of this was fun to watch, pretty as half naked John is, but it is intense and not glossed over), Sikozu, Jool and Chiana giving that look to the guards, John asking Braca if his ass looked fat in those pants and his continuing paranoia and flippant attitude. Something got broken in John when he had to resurface on Elack and it will be a long, long time before it's fixed.

Comments

silly yankee bookstores. . .

[raithen.livejournal.com]

No Hobson? No Tostevin? *pout*

Let me know what you think of Pilgrim - I haven't read it yet (its on the list. I'll get there someday). SOunds like you have a LOVELY list of reading.

Oh ya -- the book meme is 60% done. Will finish it soonish and post. I promise. But completing it DID help me to make a rather trenchant realization about my diss (you will see, when I post!). So THANKS for the nudge! And speaking of dissertation revelations - -guess I should get back to reading (and oh ya, perhaps writing about) language registers, and figuring out how they relate to genres, and how I can cram this all into the damn diss.

Right, *BREATHE*.

You - BON VOYAGE! Have fun on the trip! I know it may not be your first choice of vacations, but it will be what you make it!

(also, 5 pairs of shoes is perfectly acceptable, IMHO!)

[life-on-queen.livejournal.com]

*big hug*

Take care of yourself. I will even write new fic so you will have something ni--er, new to read. Muses fled before multitudes at Scapercon. Am hoping beer and solitude will bring them back this week.

Must work now. ;]

[haphazardmethod.livejournal.com]

I have two copies of the Stoppard play, so if you change your mind, let me know and I'll get it to you when you come back.

Have a good trip, nerves and all. :)

[thassalia.livejournal.com]

Ooh, can I say yes to the play now. I know I want to read it. BTW, thanks again for the recs and the good wishes!

[kernezelda]

Good luck to you. Be safe.

[thassalia.livejournal.com]

Thank you!! And yeah for new Cranky fic (and clean up the TCP fic and post it dammit!! You are also underrepresented!)

Re: silly yankee bookstores. . .

[thassalia.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I skimmed through Pilgrim and read sections and was compelled enough to put the Wallace Stegner back and buy it (this is not as significant as it sounds. I know I'll read the Stegner, I've read everything else, but the Findley intrigued me and I didn't want to put it back).

I can't wait to see the book meme ( and your diss discoveries) and it sounds like you're really cooking on your dissertation. Congratulations! Breathing is always advisable. It's difficult to write a long, important document if you're passed out on the floor:)

[thassalia.livejournal.com]

Thank you, and with that icon, I'll also have a nice image to take with me:)

[veritykindle.livejournal.com]

After great reluctance in having to choose, I settled upon the Morgaine trilogy (in a one book format), Pilgrim by Timothy Findley (thank you Canadians, although you're woefully underrepresented at American chain bookstores) with a to be read pile of Jim Crace, Marge Piercy, further Cherryh, etc.

Sounds like you are all set for the trip. :) I always take about ten books with me on trips, too. My luggage is always unliftable because there are so many books in there.

Hobson, Scheckley, Tostevin and Michael Marshall Smith were not to be found.

Yeah, Sheckley is insanely hard to find. It's interesting -- there was just recently an article in the Boston Globe about what a classic Sheckley is, and Neil Gaiman posted a link to it and mentioned how much he liked Sheckley, and yet despite all that, his short stories are no longer published anymore, and are really hard to buy. (His novels are easier to find, but like I said, they aren't nearly as good.) My parents had to resort to buying a Russian translation of the short stories just because they couldn't find an English version...

*sneding good thoughts to you about the trip*

[thassalia.livejournal.com]

I always take more books than I can read on vacation, but I like to have options:) When I was a kid, my book back was bigger than my suitcase:)

Thanks for the reccs and the good wishes.

[fbf.livejournal.com]

*hugs* Have fun in Wyoming. Relax (as best as one can with family) and fun. I know it's late, but I reccomend Geek Love, for a fiction novel. It's about sideshow attractions/freaks and is one twisted book, but pretty good. You might want to check it out when you get back. *hugs again* Be safe in your travels.

[thassalia.livejournal.com]

Thank you - for the book rec and the well wishes. They are very much appreciated.

[haphazardmethod.livejournal.com]

Remind me when you get back. (I have the mental accuity of an eggplant these days, so prodding helps. *g*)

[thassalia.livejournal.com]

No problem (What, you have other things on your mind than work and baby and husband and a life?:)

[cofax7]

I hope your vacation is very restful and you like the books you are bringing.

[thassalia.livejournal.com]

Thanks. A vacation with books can never be a bad thing, all my whining aside:)