My picks and such

It’s been awhile, but I wanted to see how my earlier Science Fiction/Fantasy picks fared before inflicting my views once again.  I am more than happy to say that Jeremy and Lisa Hill both liked Lord of Light, saving me from having to eat the book if they found it lacking.  Mike Dennis is now reading it.

I will stick with Roger Zelazney for now, and suggest his “Lord Demon” for a fun fantasy read.  If you want serious, I again urge you to read Orson Scott Card’s “Ender’s War” (or Ender’s Game”) followed by “Ender’s Shadow.”  Even people who do not like sci-fi liked it.

If you are into fantasy, try Zelazney’s Amber series, starting with “Nine Princes of Amber.”  I always like discovering an author I  like who has lots of stuff out there, and the Amber series is ten books. 

Want something with a woman Protagonist?  Try David Weber’s Honor Harrington series.  Want something with a “superhero” who has to get by on wits alone, then Lois McMaster Bujold has the Miles Vorkosigan series, beginning with “Vor Game.”  If you want to see an interesting team, “Lieutenant Leary Commanding” has a dashing Aubrey-like protagonist with a whizzo signals officer, Adele Munley.  All characters have flaws, but all also prize honor before life.  For a walk on the wild side (Vampire, classic style with a twist) Barbara Hamby’s (or Hanby) excellent “An Old Friend of the Family” is for you.  Trust me, you will like it.

For old fashioned slash and dash, C. S. Forester’s Hornblower series cannot be beat.  I have started rereading them in ordeer.  See how Horatio Hornblower (watch the old Gregory Peck movie or the newer series as well) beats the Frenchies at every turn, like any competent Royal Navy Officer is expected to perform during the Napoleonic Wars.

All are carried at Barnes & Noble as well as well stocked second hand stores, though Zelazney is always hard to find, as he has been dead for ten years.  Damn stomach cancer.  Amazon has them as well, so even if you live in Nowheresville, you can get them cheaply and quickly.

...or just borrow one of Charlie's numerous copies

Yes, that is an option. 

Mike Dennis also liked Lord of Light.

Tonight I am proofreading Atlantic Navies (at least the German Half, Gruppe Nord) and for background noise there are three great Flicks:

Animal House

The Freshman

Charlie's Aunt (the one staring Hoover from Animal House, not the original Jack Benny version).

I recommend them all.

Tireal dared us not to feel something, and alas, I took his dare and felt nothing.

Read Randy Pausch's "Last Lectures."  The ex UVA professor, who died of pancreatic cancer this July (he was tenured at Carnegie Mellon) celebrates life and provides numerous observations from the point of view of a "shortimer" with 3 young children and a wife with whom he was deeply in love.  You will laugh, you might cry at unexpected moments (I did), and you will, in some odd way, be entertained.

Hardback, and overpriced at 8" x 5", 210 pgs listing for $22.

PM me if you want to borrow my copy.

Some comments - he lists 5 well known cliches and explains what they mean to him.

"Dance with the one who brung you."
"Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity."  Seneca
"Whether you think you can or can't, you're right."
"Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how was the play."
and one I used earlier
"Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted."

He had a  unique perspective of time, one only available to one who knows death is near.

He was - outstanding.  My son's oldest friend (the youngest child of my best man and, if such a term can be used, my closest friend) who have known each other since Jacob's birth, was fortunate enough to hear some of Randy's lectures.  Praise does not do what he said justice.

Read it.

One of my copies of Lord of Light and Lord Demon will be at the game, if anyone PMs me ahead of time wanting them.

"Last Lectures."

Hardback, and overpriced at 8" x 5", 210 pgs listing for $22.

I can get for $10.98 per copy.........