Date: 2009-06-29 18:18 Subject: Book blog--Writers Behaving Badly edition Security: Public Mood: chipper Tags: book blog 2009

As calico_reaction pointed out, I missed some numbers on my book blogging. So now I’m backtracking and trying to do some catching up (especially since I had a great deal of luck finding new books at the library yesterday, and I already have more to write about).

calico_reaction also mentioned that I hadn’t yet reviewed Drood, which I’d promised to do. So I’ll begin with that one.

#33—Drood, by Dan Simmons (TBR)

I think I’ve mentioned before that The Terror was probably my favorite book of last year. It was creepy and elegant, and it worked on so many levels for me. I eagerly awaited my copy of Drood, and found it had many similarities to Simmons’ previous novel. In particular, he does a fantastic job of evoking 19th century literature and life. One of the best things about both The Terror and Drood is the use of detail—the reader is drawn into the story to an almost physical degree. In Drood, that imagery conveys the contrast between life for the well-to-do and the poor in London at that time, the sights, sounds, and smells of the city as well as the reek of the underworld.

The narrator of Drood, Wilkie Collins, has a complicated relationship with Charles Dickens, and the tortured path of their intersecting lives leads to tragedy. Collins is an unreliable narrator on a number of levels, driven by jealousy, fear, and relentless addiction. As a writer, it was uncomfortable to watch him struggle with his desire for fame and immortality—I know I’ve had my own moments of painful envy, and Simmons’ description is pitch-perfect. Maybe that’s why I struggled more with Drood than The Terror; it’s harder to watch familiar ugliness than unfamiliar.

If I have any qualms about the story, they lie in the conclusion.

( spoilers ahead )

But what really makes the story is the portrayal of two leading lights of 19th century fiction, in all their complicated, messy, imperfect glory. Reading Dan Simmons’ books always make me want to learn more about the people and places he illuminates. I can’t think of a better compliment I could pay him.

#34—The Lost City of Z, by David Grann (TBR)

In 1925, Percy Fawcett and his son disappeared into the Amazon jungle, in search of a lost city. They were never seen again. Their story, and those of other lost souls in search of fame and destiny, is interwoven with Grann’s account of his own hunt for signs of Fawcett’s passage.

For me, the book made me wonder why certain people become obsessed with the ‘lost cities’ of the world, figurative or literal, to the point that they’d abandon loved ones or take them into danger rather than take responsibility. I’m all for adventure and exploration, but it’s hard to admire someone who gets his child killed, or leaves his wife penniless. Where’s the honor in that?

Grann himself becomes obsessed with Fawcett, and sets out in his footsteps. Interviews with Fawcett’s family members hint that he may have found information that eluded others, so Grann leaves his own wife and infant son to follow the story.

In the end, there aren’t any easy answers, either in regard to Fawcett’s ultimate fate, or to the itch humans feel for distance and danger.

#not-35--The Beautiful Cigar Girl, by Daniel Stashower (TBR)

This book is subtitled ‘Mary Rogers, Edgar Allan Poe, and the Invention of Murder’—it pulls together the story of Mary Rogers’ murder with Poe’s later attempt to explain her death in one of his short stories (“The Murder of Marie Roget”). In an era where 24 hour news channels churn out a Crime of the Century approximately every fifteen minutes, it’s difficult to imagine the grip in which Mary’s story held New York City for years. A troubled girl in a rather notorious job, Mary’s death stirred up all sorts of emotions.

Poe hoped to cash in on that, literally. Never financially secure, he hoped that if his fictional detective Dupin could come up with a solution to the crime, it would give his career a much-needed boost.

For me, the really interesting part of the book (in a can’t-look-away-from-the-train-wreck kind of way) was the story of Poe’s life, and the downward spiral that seemed to consume him. During most of his chapters, I found myself muttering, “Oh, Edgar Allan, NO.” He was one of those self-destructive souls who always looks for recognition but can’t resist snapping at anyone in his path. Brilliant man, but definitely fits the behaving badly category. (I think I may have mentioned this one during my true crime binge, but it fits the current subject matter so well, I have to include it here.)

#35--Samuel Pepys: The Unequalled Self, by Claire Tomalin (LIB)

I don’t like Pepys as much as Claire Tomalin does. Granted, his diary is an important contribution to the literature of his era. But while the author seems to think of him as a rather naughty schoolboy, I found myself twitching at some of his goings-on. His selfishness and willingness to abandon old friends who no longer seem useful is bad enough, but his sexual escapades really set me against him. Tomalin portrays most of his behaviors as harmless follies, and excuses the worst with the comment that it was probably common at the time for well-to-do men to attack their maidservants. That may well be true, but I still remember what my mom used to say to me when I told her ‘everyone’s doing it’. I bet your mom said it to you, too.

If Pepys’ own reports can be trusted, his marriage was difficult and there were times when he lacked physical and emotional intimacy at home. But the thing is, some of what Pepys did clearly crosses the line between lustiness or a craving for companionship. In fact, he makes clear that he frequently coerced sexual favors from women over whom he had power. As far as I know, rape was illegal even in the 1600s. And even if it wasn’t, I can’t find a lot of sympathy for someone who abuses his authority so blatantly. Tomalin praises Pepys’ honesty. I wish he’d had some moral fiber to go with it.

#36—The House of the Stag, by Kage Baker (LIB)

This book is a prequel of sorts to Anvil of Stars, and in many ways I liked it better than its companion book. The world is unique, and the characters are finely drawn, their good and bad qualities believable and absorbing. I raced through The House of the Stag until I reached the point where the storyline drew me up short.

( spoilers, most definitely )

Date: 2009-06-23 22:22 Subject: Choose your own adventure is not a genre Security: Public Mood: puzzled Tags: slushity-slush

Has there been an anthology close recently with a 'deja-vu' theme? Because I've seen several stories in the slush pile with multiple endings, or endings where the protagonist seems to be stuck in a time loop.

These, generally, are deeply unsatisfying stories. Why? Because there's a sense of futility, of failure to move on or change for the protagonist. Not that the protagonist needs to win or sort everything out, but there has to be *some* movement. After all, how much fun would "Groundhog Day" be if Bill Murray's character didn't change by the end of the story?

Remember, kids, there's a reason why Sisyphus' task in the underworld was considered a *punishment*.

Okay, it's your turn--what overused plot cliche makes you crazy?

Date: 2009-06-21 11:18 Subject: Daddish things that make me smile Security: Public Mood: calm Tags: thinky

I consider myself really lucky--not only do I have a terrific dad and a great husband, but I've been blessed with many men in my life who have acted as friends, mentors, and counselors. I was thinking today about them all, and about the things that say 'dad' to me.

--Listening to our next door neighbor sing 'Row, Row, Row Your Boat' with his two-year-old.

--Watching the NFL offensive lineman in our congregation take care of his daughters so his pregnant wife can relax.

--Hearing my five-year-old talk about how he'll be a firefighter and a daddy someday, and take his 'babies' to work with him so they can ride in the fire trucks with him.

--Letting my husband take our daughter clothes shopping because they really enjoy spending that time together.

--And best of all this year, watching my younger sister deal with an extremely opinionated one-year-old at the family reunion. I asked Dad what he thought, and he smiled beatifically and said, "Payback."

To all the good guys who've made my life better, thanks. And to all you fathers, happy Father's Day. It's an important job.

Date: 2009-06-10 15:04 Subject: Back to Book Bloggin'--LJ edition Security: Public Mood: exhausted Tags: book blog 2009

One of the few things I've had energy to do lately is read. (The cold may or may not be improving at this point--it's faked me out at least once already.) Today I finished James Enge's Blood of Ambrose, and I thought I'd better post some of what's been crossing my eyeballs. This first part is an all-LJ edition.

#43--Blood of Ambrose, by James Enge jamesenge (TBR)

I've long loved Enge's Morlock stories in Black Gate, and this offers a heaping helping of the Ambrosii and their complicated family dynamic. In a way, this is a coming-of-age story, but it's also a study of family relationships, and it's a darn fine sword and sorcery epic as well. I love the sly asides and vivid imagery, but those never overpower the human elements of the story. I'm hanging onto this one--I bet it'll repay a reread down the road.

#44--Living with Ghosts, by Kari Sperring la_marquise_de (TBR)

I saw this one recommended by several people and thought I'd give it a try. It took a while to get into it--I struggled with the naming conventions in the setting--but as I got deeper into the story, I was enthralled by the characters. There was so much history between them, that even when they made choices that frustrated me, I could see why they acted the way they did. Living with Ghosts did not at all turn out the way I expected (and I mean that as a compliment, coming from someone who's read a *lot* of fantasy), but it was a satisfying conclusion. I look forward to reading more of Sperring's work.

#45--A Magic of Twilight, by S. L. Farrell sleigh (TBR)

Sometimes I buy books because they have intriguing cover art (because I'm just that simple-minded and visual). I was glad I grabbed this one. In it, the clash of nations and ideologies finds expression in the life of the protagonist, Ana, who's drawn against her will into a battle between the beliefs she's always held and a new rationalism that threatens both her nation and her own sense of self. It's one of those rare stories that treats religion as a complex interaction of human beings rather than a social monolith. Given the ending, I'm wondering if there'll be a new cast of characters in the next book, but either way I'm looking forward to it.

#46--Dead to Me, by Anton Strout antonstrout (TBR)

I . . . did not love this book. I really, really wanted to--psychometry is one of those psychic talents that hit my squee button and aren't used often enough, and Strout does give it an interesting (and believable) down side. I guess the wisecracking protagonist in a bureaucracy of good just didn't work for me. (It probably says something about me that my favorite character was the one who approached the battle of good vs. evil with a win-at-all-costs, end-justifies-the-means attitude. I would have happily read a whole book about him.)

Okay, that was way more tiring than I expected. Time to rest again. Stupid cold.

Date: 2009-06-09 11:57 Subject: The Swine Cold Security: Public Mood: cranky Tags: call the waaambulance

That's what Girl!Twin is calling it, anyway. It's the worst cold we've passed around in ages, and now it's doing something horrible in my throat and lungs. Listening to everyone get up this morning was like hearing the cast of a Dostoevsky novel--we sound like a merry band of consumptives. Except without the merry.

Not the best birthday ever. But not the worst.

I guess it's time to go take some more medicine. *sigh*

Date: 2009-06-03 19:59 Subject: Oh, feh. Security: Public Mood: hopeful Tags: fangirling

I have a houseful of company and a headcold from heck that's decided to camp out in my sinuses. My teeth hurt, people. (Though I must say my family has been very understanding and low-maintenance, and we've had some fun times.)

You know what would really make my life better? A GIF of Chris Pine, Karl Urban and Zachary Quinto all doing that eyebrow quirk thing they do. All at the same time. How awesome would that be? Would my computer just explode from the awesomeness?

Date: 2009-05-26 21:54 Subject: Girl!Twin is onto me Security: Public Mood: content Tags: writing

Yesterday, I was grumbling over my latest writing project. Girl!Twin asked me what was wrong.

"It's a little fuzzy at this point," I told her. "I'm not sure where it's going."

"So you don't have a major plot?"

"Wee-ee-eell, I wouldn't say that, exactly."

"Oh," she said. "So, you don't have a plot."

Darn these young whippersnappers and their perceptiveness. It's getting harder and harder to pretend I know what I'm doing.

On the good side, I sent out my sixth and seventh subs of the month.

Date: 2009-05-19 07:15 Subject: Dreamwidth Security: Public Mood: busy Tags: dreamwidth, is it drafty in here?

For those of you on Dreamwidth, I now have an account there courtesy of time_shark. (Thanks, Mike!) There, I will be known as kossari_mage. And in honor of that, I'm posting some fiction about a Kossari mage.

So if you're on Dreamwidth, let me know.

Date: 2009-05-18 16:03 Subject: Winning is what happens when your head doesn't explode Security: Public Mood: cranky Tags: call the waaambulance, plague

The day started pretty well. I remembered all the errands I needed to do. And at the library the woman who checked me out was contagiously happy--not the forced cheer that always makes me nervous, just happy about the sunshine, and good books and life in general.

The Plague killed that pretty thoroughly. When I arrived to pick him up, I heard there was an incident where he smacked another kid. He was kind of provoked, but he knows better, and it was frustrating and embarrassing for me. Then he went into the school bathroom and pulled down the blinds that I've told him about a zillion times not to touch. So on the way home, while I was explaining to him why he would be spending some time in his room rather than watching a movie, he said, "You're a jerk, Mom."

That may be true, but it was pretty much the last straw. So he's up in his room until dinner time, and I'm down here, seething slightly. Well, at least I've figured out what I want to work on, novel-wise, for this week. So I'm going to go set up the kind of international resentments that will lead to war.

Date: 2009-05-17 19:52 Subject: Greetings from Getoffmylawnistan! Security: Public Mood: awake Tags: what passes for life around here

Hubby and the twins have spent the weekend cleaning the basement. Yay! Hubby promised to pay for the child labor. When they came upstairs, he checked in his wallet.

"I thought you said you didn't have enough," I said.

"I knew I didn't have enough. I just wanted to check how much of enough I didn't have."

I think he's inhaled too many basement fumes today.

Date: 2009-05-16 21:28 Subject: In other news . . . Security: Public Mood: cranky Tags: call the waaambulance, publications

I received my contributor's copy of the Sam's Dot anthology Cover of Darkness, which contains my story "Bones of Contention". Also, it seems I have won the James Award for poetry from Sam's Dot, for my poem "The Sideways Heart" which appeared in Sounds of the Night last year. Wow! And the newest issue of Tales of the Talisman has one of my poems as well, and work by janni, time_shark, and jerwine, among others. Good company in which to find myself, methinks.

Now, if only I could make myself write. This has not been a good month, for a number of reasons. None of which completely excuses my laziness, since I've written through the difficult times before. I'm just . . . tired of striking a balance. Or failing to strike a balance.

I find myself growing increasingly impatient with others. For instance, tonight I was attempting to buy a new pair of sneakers, since the soles were falling off the old ones. I got into an 'express' lane where the cashier immediately vanished into another dimension. When I got to another lane, the clerk couldn't check me out because he was having an involved discussion about tanning booths versus reflectors with the couple in front of me. GAH! I actually had to ask the people to move once the cashier *did* scan my sneakers, because I couldn't reach the ATM setup with them in the way. Irks me to no end, it does.

Maybe I should go read slush, since I'm already in a bad mood?

Date: 2009-05-09 00:26 Subject: Wow. Just . . . wow. Security: Public Mood: giddy Tags: fangirling

I never thought I'd say this, Star Trek universe, but I think I fell in love with you again tonight.

Oh my goodness, what a blast the new movie is. And it made me want to write crazy space opera with lots of explosions.

<3

Date: 2009-05-07 06:57 Subject: At last, a yay! Security: Public Mood: elated Tags: guidelines, sale

It's been a while since I sold a short story, but I'm happy to announce that "Pretty Broken Things" will be appearing in next year's Side Show 2 anthology from Sam's Dot.

The editor is still looking for stories, and the guidelines are here for any who might be interested. I hear that the editor would love to see more stories from women, too (so far I'm the only one in the anthology).

Date: 2009-05-04 21:53 Subject: Let me entertain you Security: Public Mood: amused Tags: plaguisms

Or rather, let the Plague entertain you. His preschool class talked about insects last week, and he brought home a butterfly with a popsicle stick body, pipe cleaner antennae, and paper wings (plus 'google eyes'--I can't forget those). Plague was very proud of it, and ran to get it as soon as the hubby showed up that night. "Look, Dad!" he shouted. "It's made of art!"

Life is better here now that the Plague can play outside again. It's great to turn him loose on the playground and watch him go. Plus it makes a great bribe when I need quiet time to write.

Date: 2009-05-04 06:58 Subject: How very metrical Security: Public Mood: ambitious Tags: goals, metrics

I just did my checkin post for getyourwordsout. For April, I wrote 17787 words (which was over my goal by about 1100 words) and for the year so far, I've written 76331.

I need to be diligent at the beginning of this month, because I've got company coming at the end of May, and I know that cleaning and other prep will take a lot of my time and mental energy.

May Goals:

1. 17000 words minimum
2. 4 subs minimum
3. Revise 'God's Bone'
4. Read over Spider, make notes on revisions

Yeah, I can do that.

Date: 2009-04-30 07:35 Subject: I'm drowning! Someone throw me a paper shredder! Security: Public Mood: awake for the moment Tags: what passes for life around here

My desk is currently overwhelmed with paperwork. And most of it's not even *my* paperwork. I have school forms, camp forms, health forms, summer activity forms . . .

I need to dedicate an hour or two to cleaning things out, filling things out, and putting things in envelopes. But not this morning--I gave blood yesterday, and today I want a nap.

Date: 2009-04-28 22:26 Subject: Not quite a victory, but definitely a break in literary hostilities Security: Public Mood: cheerful Tags: books, fangirling, metrics, writing

So far, I've kept to my 200k goal for the year. This month has been tough--too much travel, not enough focus. And the stories I've been working on have been more complex. Which is good--I like the thought that my authorial tool box is expanding. But they've required more thought--more planning--than I'm used to. And there's definitely been more starting, stopping, scratching out and starting again.

I needed a break from that, though. So I've been playing around with an urban sword & sorcery adventure of sorts. At this point, it's rambling a bit, but it's so much *fun*. And I've gotten 4700 words in three days of writing, which pleases me.

To celebrate my failure to fail, I visited the local bookstores tonight and came home with copies of ccfinlay's The Patriot Witch and cindy_pon's Silver Phoenix. And since my purse book at the moment is sleigh's A Magic of Twilight, I think there's a very special LJ edition of the book blog coming up. Just to prove to you all that I'm reading books as well as helping you all make your car payments buying them.

Date: 2009-04-24 21:53 Subject: When Mundania Attacks Security: Public Mood: silly

Did anyone else see the Yahoo news article titled 'Shippers should consider armed guards' and immediately think of fandom rather than piracy?

Maybe I need to spend less time on Fandom Wank.

Date: 2009-04-24 17:30 Subject: Book Bloggin' (and a bit o' snark) Security: Public Mood: contemplative Tags: book blog 2009

First off, this is one book I won't be reading. (Ha! I bet you thought I'd read anything.) Why? Because I despise books that use scientific terms incorrectly in an attempt to make themselves sound more scientific. Bah! This title just makes me think MY QUARKS, THEY ARE DIRTY! FILTHY! And they may well be. But I think I'll opt for brain bleach and a toothbrush.

#28 A Matter of Justice by Charles Todd (LIB)

Unlike The Murder Stone, which was a stand-alone mystery, this one is apparently part of an ongoing series. But it is similar to the former novel, inasmuch as it invokes the years after World War I, and the continuing impact its horrors have on the people involved. Todd's detective, a victim of shell shock, is accompanied in his investigations by the ghost of one of his men. Ghosts abound in this tale, at least in the metaphorical sense--the events are motivated by a long-ago crime, and the past resonates through the present in horrific ways.

#29 Relic by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child (TBR)

This, the first Pendergast novel, is a blast to read (even a second time--I've been meaning to reread this one ever since I got my own copy, and it's still enjoyable). Of all the thriller writers working today, I think Preston and Child are my favorites. They have a great sense of pacing and character, they choose fun settings, and their science, if implausible, always makes me want to learn more. Also, you'll never find me in a museum after closing time, no matter how much I loved The Mixed Up Files . . . when I was a kid.

#30 Terminal Freeze by Lincoln Child (TBR)

Preston and Child have each done solo novels. Generally I find them weaker than the collaborative counterparts--this one seemed a bit superficial by comparison to Relic (and to The Terror, but that's hardly a fair comparison--I've been on an arctic novel binge since reading Simmons' magnum opus, but nothing else quite conveys the sense of frozen desolation). I guess for me the plotting and characterizations seemed a bit too superficial--the supernatural badness didn't have as much of a gee-whiz factor as I'd like, and it was really clear who was going to have to die. Plus, thanks to some of you, I can spot a Magical Native at twenty paces and smirk. But I don't ask for a lot from thrillers, and this was briskly paced and interesting enough to keep me reading.

#31 Blood and Ice by Robert Masello (TBR)

Another from my arctic novel binge, this one set near the South Pole. Magazine writer Michael accepts a story assignment at a Antarctic research base to escape a tragic situation at home, and finds a 150-year-old mystery hidden in the ice. This story cuts between Michael's POV and that of a pair of doomed lovers during the Crimean War. As is often the case, I found one set of viewpoints much more compelling (in this case, the Crimean storyline). So I stalled out for a while when the two stories converged. Ultimately, the ending disappointed me--mainly because I thought I'd figure out what would happen, and it didn't go that way.

#32 The City at the End of Time by Greg Bear (LIB)

This was another story with two settings in which one (the present-day timeline) engaged me much more than the far-future alternative. The ending, with its crushing of space and time, was kind of cool. But it went on longer than my interest held, unfortunately. I was rather glad I'd checked this out from the library rather than buying the hardcover.

In other news, I am almost done reading Drood, which is good, because it is darn heavy. And disturbing.

Date: 2009-04-17 14:27 Subject: I'm outta here! Security: Public Mood: bouncy Tags: appearances

Off to Eeriecon for the weekend. I don't expect to have internet access, but I do expect to have an awesome time! I've got panels on writerly work habits, editing, and worldbuilding, among others, and I'm reading the first chapter of A Spider in Waiting at 12:30 on Sunday. Plus the poetry round robin tonight at 11:00, and dinner at the Big Kids' Table on Saturday night.

So I've been away more than I've been home lately . . . I kind of like the lifestyle of a jet-setting artiste.

In the meantime, if you have any excellent news to share, please post it here, because I know I'll never catch up otherwise. Have fun, kids!