(1) Today’s birthday boys:
Born 1866: H.G. Wells
H. G. Wells in 1943.
Born 1912: Chuck Jones
Chuck Jones
Born 1947: Stephen King
Born 1950: Bill Murray
Bill Murray
And as a bonus, also on This Day in History:
1937: J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit published
(2) Grotesque parody news story of the day: “Game of Thrones Cast Murdered Following Emmy Victory”.
FANS of popular HBO fantasy series Game Of Thrones were this morning trying to get over last night’s shocking post-Emmy massacre, where virtually the entire cast and creative team were brutally murdered in cold blood.
… “One minute Peter Dinklage was standing with his Emmy and a big smile on his face, the next minute his head went sailing through the air,” said one eyewitness to what is now being referred to as the ‘Red Emmys’.
“Maisie Williams and Sophie Turner were stabbed through the heart, and the big lad who plays Sam got it in the neck. Even by Game of Thrones standards, it was fairly over the top”.
With so many members of the cast and crew slaughtered, fans are now fearing that next year’s season will focus mainly on Bran Stark as there’s basically nobody left at this stage.
(3) Constructed languages are the topic of a forthcoming documentary, Conlanging: The Art of Crafting Tongues .
Featuring an overview of the history of constructed languages up to and through the amazing creations and initiatives of those who actively invent new tongues today, this film tells the rich story that has expanded far beyond Tolkien’s “secret vice.” It’s being made by the people who know the craft intimately for language lovers and a general audience alike.
https://player.vimeo.com/video/130812323?color=faa302&byline=0&portrait=0
And All Things Linguistic has an interview with the creators of the documentary in the Conlangery #112 podcast.
(4) Add this to the list of “Han Solo in Carbonite” products — a huge vinyl sticker for your door.
(5) This year Gen Con featured another official beer, Drink Up and Prosper, from Sun King Brewing. According to the Indianapolis Star, not only was the brew available at the con, but it was put in cans and sold in stores.
This will be the fourth year the brewery has partnered with the world’s largest gaming convention, and the fourth beer brewed specifically for the event….
Previous beers included Froth of Khan (2014), Flagon Slayer (2013) and Ale of Destiny (2012).
(6) The Pittsburgh Pirates major league baseball team recently dressed up as superheroes “in the greatest baseball-themed comic book crossover of all-time.”
After the Pirates defeated the Dodgers, 4-3, the team dressed up as superheroes before boarding their flight to Colorado — like, for example, Superman with an expert hair curl hanging out with Bane that came complete with appropriate Zack Snyder lighting.
A squadron of Marvel’s cinematic heroes hung out with either a Na’vi or a really off-brand Nightcrawler: …
Costume selfie! (Via @El_Coffee on IG) pic.twitter.com/06VfkxqmZ1
— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) September 21, 2015
(7) The Tor boycott continues to fade to invisibility as a news story. Here’s what I found searching Twitter for “Tor boycott” today.
PLEASE BOYCOTT THE #BBC TONIGHT. THEY WILL BE SHOWING A PROGRAMME AT 7.40PM (BST) GLORIFYING TERRORISM. THE DOC-TOR MUST BE EXTERMINATED!
— Ginger Dalek (@Ginger_Dalek) September 19, 2015
It was the hyphenated “Doc-Tor” that triggered the result.
(8) And by strange coincidence, Adam-Troy Castro has written some good advice in his new blog post, “Writers: The Long-Term Benefits of Not Being An Ass”.
For the vast majority of artists, being an asshole to the people who give you money is not a good career move. You are not indispensable unless you’re an eminence of such towering fame that they are willing to bend heaven and Earth to keep you. And sometimes not even then. Fame is fleeting.
So one guy I’m thinking of, who has come out and described himself as one of the greatest writers of his generation, who says that his work is reeking with literary virtues that any number of others would give their left tits to be even shelved next to, who has been abusing his publisher in public and attacking his editors as people and in general making himself a horse pill – I think he’s in for a surprise, sooner or later, probably sooner. Writers who can sell the number of copies he sells, or more, are not exactly thin on the ground, and the vast majority of them will not be rallying their readers to send hate mail.
But this is not about him. This is about you, the struggling artist. And to you I have some strong advice.
Be a sweetheart.
Be the kind of artist who, when dropping by the publishing house, brings cookies. Or if not cookies, then at least a warm smile and a gracious manner.
(9) The Clarion Foundation has received a $100,000 donation from a benefactor who wishes to remain anonymous. Clarion will use the donation to launch an endowment fund in support of the Clarion Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers’ Workshop, held annually at UC San Diego.
Karen Joy Fowler, president of the Clarion Foundation, expressed profound appreciation for this generous gift. “This is tremendously important to all of us who have worked with, for, and on behalf of Clarion over the years. For us, the workshop is a labor of love. Having these funds in hand allows us to plan for the future in a way we’ve never been able to before. This gift provides a solid foundation on which we can build.”
“Our global civilization is now embarked on an unconstrained experiment in long-term sustainability, which we have to get right for the sake of the generations to come,” says Clarion Foundation Vice President Kim Stanley Robinson. “Science fiction stories, ranging from utopian to dystopian, are what we do now to imagine outcomes that help us evaluate our present practices. The Clarion workshop nurtures and trains writers to change the ways we think about the future, and it helps to connect the sciences and the arts at UC San Diego and around the world. We’re thrilled with this gift, which enables us to continue that crucial work.”
The Clarion Foundation partners with UCSD in the delivery of the workshop, with the foundation managing faculty selection and the admissions process and UCSD managing the six-week summer workshop. The foundation has annually conducted fundraising campaigns that allow it to provide about $12,000 in scholarships each year and to cover expenses.
(10) Aaron French compares horror traditions in “Past and Future: Esoteric and Exoteric Philosophy in Weird Fiction” on Nameless Digest.
As with everything else, the philosophy behind dark, weird, and horrific fiction has evolved over time. This philosophical evolution of horror fiction arguably began in earnest with Edgar Allan Poe – though Poe also nurtured a sense of romantic love, which conquers, as well as defeats, his harshest poetry, e.g. “Alone.” Bleaker still, and more callous in disregard of the human race, is H. P. Lovecraft, grandfather of the grim, who described his philosophical position as the following: “…by nature a skeptic and analyst… [I] settled early into my present general attitude of cynical materialism.”
….But if we turn our attention to the postmodern, a new speciation occurs in the writings of Thomas Ligotti, representing a philosophy so hopeless, malicious, and unorthodox that it gives readers pause, unintentionally flipping mental levers and bringing about unwelcome psychological changes.
(11) Here’s somebody else who has definitely flipped his mental levers — “Man angers neighbors by shining ‘alien’ fighting spotlights”:
Neighbors in the Virginia Road area of Hermitage said Arthur Brown, 78, shines the spotlights outside his foil-wrapped house at all hours of the day and night because he is afraid of extra-terrestrial attacks.
(12) From June of 1992, a YouTube clip from Arsenio Hall with guests William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy, who are too funny. Shatner enters using a walker and a nurse pushes Nimoy in a wheelchair.
James H. Burns further comments:
Shatner and Nimoy even pitch their convention appearances at the Creation cons of my old pals, Gary Bermand and Adam Malin–
And most amazingly, Shatner talks about his hopes for Star Trek Seven, which he later helped turn into a pretty good Trek novel!
[Thanks to James H. Burns, Will R., Martin Morse Wooster, and John King Tarpinian for some of these stories. Title credit belongs to File 770 contributing editor of the day Rose Embolism.]
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1. Night Watch, Terry Pratchett
2. THE SWORDSWOMAN AND THE PALADIN
The Privilege of the Sword, Ellen KushnerPaladin of Souls, Lois McMaster Bujold
AAAAAUUUUUUGGGGGGHHHHH!
A cry in the night of anguish heart-striking, of soul killing blight
3. The Goblin Emperor, Katherine Addison
4. STORIES OF HISTORICAL FACT
Tooth and Claw, Jo WaltonJonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, Susanna Clarke
Also anguish. My throat hurts.
This round and onward are going to be super painful.
21ST CENTURY FANTASY, ROUND FOUR
1. EIGHT MILLION STORIES IN THE NAKED CITY
Perdido Street Station, China Mieville
Night Watch, Terry Pratchett
I didn’t care for PSS, and so generally abstained. I know it is a really good book, but I have my own issues with it. Therefore, Night Watch wins for me!
2. THE SWORDSWOMAN AND THE PALADIN
The Privilege of the Sword, Ellen Kushner
Paladin of Souls, Lois McMaster Bujold
This hurt. This hurt a lot.
3. MOVING HOUSE
The Goblin Emperor, Katherine Addison
Coraline, Neil Gaiman
This also hurt a WHOLE lot, but Goblin Emperor is my newest comfort read. Sorry, Neil.
4. STORIES OF HISTORICAL FACT
Tooth and Claw, Jo Walton
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, Susanna Clarke
Both have stuck with me, but DRAGONS!!!
@Eve
They’re ending today: https://file770.com/?p=24964&cpage=4
This is cool. I might but a non-indie comic for a change.
21ST CENTURY FANTASY, ROUND FOUR
1. EIGHT MILLION STORIES IN THE NAKED CITY
Night Watch, Terry Pratchett
2. THE SWORDSWOMAN AND THE PALADIN
Paladin of Souls, Lois McMaster Bujold
3. MOVING HOUSE
The Goblin Emperor, Katherine Addison
4. STORIES OF HISTORICAL FACT
Tooth and Claw, Jo Walton
1. EIGHT MILLION STORIES IN THE NAKED CITY
Perdido Street Station, China MievilleNight Watch, Terry Pratchett
Easy peasy. I tried so hard, but I just bounced off the Miéville, and this is my favorite Pratchett.
3. MOVING HOUSE
The Goblin Emperor, Katherine Addison
Coraline, Neil GaimanThat’s tough. I dearly loved both. TGE struck me as the more original.
4. STORIES OF HISTORICAL FACT
Tooth and Claw, Jo WaltonJonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, Susanna Clarke
If you’re going to write only one novel ever, that’s the way to do it.
Tasha
Judging from the persona you project, I think you and Tanner would probably enjoy riding Damnation Alley; It’s been for me a pretty reliable way of lifting my spirits. I think it’s worth a try…
@Jim S — Yup, I’ve read, and reviewed, Monkey King, Faerie Queen. 😀
Several: Yup, Dorothy Gilman, too. At least the Mris. Pollifax books…she has another series? Or at least other books?
@Sylvia Sotomayor — Just now ran off to Audible and spent my credit on The Best of All Possible Worlds!
@Tasha Turner –Heather Rose Jones is on my list, but not finding her books at Audible or either of the libraries I have e-access to.
Someone mentioned Nancy Atherton–going on my list. Should have been on already.
And who mentioned Charlotte MacLeod? I read all the Peter Shandy books. I also read a couple of her other series, and made a mental note to look for more–and that mental note apparently got lost. Thank you for reminding me!
@Lis Carey I hope you like Grace Delarua as much as I did!
Have you tried the Gil Cunningham books by Pat Mcintosh? Husband and wife team investigate murders in 15th century Scotland, with a moderately prominent dog from the second book onwards. I would call them mostly cozy with occasional sidesteps into darker themes (which are treated respectfully).
21ST CENTURY FANTASY, ROUND FOUR
1. EIGHT MILLION STORIES IN THE NAKED CITY
Perdido Street Station, China Mieville
Night Watch, Terry Pratchett
2. THE SWORDSWOMAN AND THE PALADIN
The Privilege of the Sword, Ellen Kushner
Paladin of Souls, Lois McMaster Bujold
Maybe along with book suggestions, someone can send a supply of those nice forehead cloths?
3. MOVING HOUSE
The Goblin Emperor, Katherine Addison
Coraline, Neil Gaiman
A hard choice, but I think TGE breaks new ground in a way Coraline doesn’t.
4. STORIES OF HISTORICAL FACT
Tooth and Claw, Jo Walton
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, Susanna Clarke
Send forehead cloths, chocolate, and tea, or I the pain of that choice may be too much!
And once again it’s time to try acquiring some sleep; the more I try the less likely am I to be woken by nightmare scenes of multiple Hoyt’s, but I’d prefer something a bit more solid…
This one actually wasn’t that difficult for me. Next round will be hell….
1. EIGHT MILLION STORIES IN THE NAKED CITY
Perdido Street Station, China MievilleNight Watch, Terry Pratchett
2. THE SWORDSWOMAN AND THE PALADIN
The Privilege of the Sword, Ellen KushnerPaladin of Souls, Lois McMaster Bujold
Ok, this one was a little hard.
3. MOVING HOUSE
The Goblin Emperor, Katherine Addison
Coraline, Neil Gaiman4. STORIES OF HISTORICAL FACT
Tooth and Claw, Jo Walton
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, Susanna ClarkeThis one, on the other hand, was easy….
1. I…. I can’t. *head cloth*
2. Paladin of Souls, Lois McMaster Bujold
3. The Goblin Emperor, Katherine Addison
4. Tooth and Claw, Jo Walton
Time to spoil the donuts. Or something. Metaphors, who needs them? Oh, wait….
1. Night Watch, Terry Pratchett
3. Coraline, Neil Gaiman
Hmm, I need to re-read Good Omens. I picked up a new copy when I was last in the UK (February), and it’s been whispering in my dreams ever since.
Stevie: The coast is clear, I have parsed no Hoyts today…;
1. EIGHT MILLION STORIES IN THE NAKED CITY
Night Watch, Terry Pratchett
2. THE SWORDSWOMAN AND THE PALADIN
The Privilege of the Sword, Ellen Kushner
3. MOVING HOUSE
The Goblin Emperor, Katherine Addison
4. STORIES OF HISTORICAL FACT
Tooth and Claw, Jo Walton
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, Susanna Clarke
Tie.
1. EIGHT MILLION STORIES IN THE NAKED CITY
Night Watch, Terry Pratchett
2. THE SWORDSWOMAN AND THE PALADIN
Paladin of Souls, Lois McMaster Bujold
3. MOVING HOUSE
The Goblin Emperor, Katherine Addison
4. STORIES OF HISTORICAL FACT
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, Susanna Clarke
I love cozy mysteries, but Nancy Atherton’s Aunt Dimity books are too soft even for me. When it comes to Elizabeth Peters, I prefer Vicki Bliss and Jacqueline Kirby to Amelia Peabody. The Richard III Murders (a Kirby) is delightful and fun for Shakespeare fans, as well as for Ricardians. Well, they get made fun of, but it’s all in good spirits.
I seem to recall people here discussing traditional ballads (did I make that up?) and that brought to mind Sharyn McCrumb’s Appalachian Ballad mysteries. She Walks These Hills is my favorite, but also The Hangman’s Beautiful Daughter and If Ever I Return, Pretty Peggy-O. The Songcatcher is interesting, too, for its discussion of how songs were “stolen” from the people who sang them. McCrumb is, of course, the author of Bimbos of the Death Sun and Zombies of the Gene Pool. And Missing Susan and If I’d Killed Him When I Met Him. All good stuff. Just stay away from the later Elizabeth McPherson books after the husband goes missing. No, no and no to those.
And if I am really cranky and in need of a picker upper, I will reread Connie Willis’s To Say Nothing of the Dog and block any thought of the Doomsday Book.
Lear, without the fool?!? But the fool is the best part:
Fool: A Novel
And there’s even a happy-ish ending. Though not for Lear himself…
Forehead Cloths! Getcher ante-penultimate Fantasy Bracket Forehead Cloths! Cool and comforting! Now with aloe to sooth your fevered brow!
Remember, a portion of every purchase goes to the Smash The Dice With A Sledgehammer Fund!
Do you remember how much of his background as a rapist is mentioned? I try to avoid books with rape/rapist especially redeemed rapist as they are a big trigger for me.
It’s one reason why I stopped reading white authors (male & female) is too often rape is written from the rapist perspective and “it’s no big deal” or they can do this thing and be redeemed which still doesn’t really address what they did.
21ST CENTURY FANTASY, ROUND FOUR
1. EIGHT MILLION STORIES IN THE NAKED CITY
Perdido Street Station, China Mieville
Night Watch, Terry Pratchett
2. THE SWORDSWOMAN AND THE PALADIN
The Privilege of the Sword, Ellen Kushner
Paladin of Souls, Lois McMaster Bujold
3. MOVING HOUSE
The Goblin Emperor, Katherine Addison
Coraline, Neil Gaiman
4. STORIES OF HISTORICAL FACT
Tooth and Claw, Jo Walton
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, Susanna Clarke
1. EIGHT MILLION STORIES IN THE NAKED CITY
Perdido Street Station, China Mieville
Night Watch, Terry Pratchett
Pratchett. No question.
2. THE SWORDSWOMAN AND THE PALADIN
The Privilege of the Sword, Ellen Kushner
Paladin of Souls, Lois McMaster Bujold
This is the hard one. I love them both. I’ll have to go with the Bujold, but I wouldn’t be sad if the Kushner goes on.
3. MOVING HOUSE
The Goblin Emperor, Katherine Addison
Coraline, Neil Gaiman
Addison. I like the Gaiman, but love the Addison.
4. STORIES OF HISTORICAL FACT
Tooth and Claw, Jo Walton
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, Susanna Clarke
Walton. Still don’t like the Clarke.
Lis Carey: Dorothy Gilman, too. At least the Mris. Pollifax books…she has another series? Or at least other books?
Gilman wrote a few standalones, and at least one duology that I know of–The Clairvoyant Countess and Kaleidoscope; both are fun. So is A Nun in the Closet, though I suspect it would be kind of dated. I’ve always had a particular soft spot for Tightrope Walker because part of the plot follows the protagonist as she searches for the lost manuscript of a sequel to her favorite children’s novel (a fantasy that Gilman later actually wrote, titled The Maze in the Heart of the Castle). It also involves carousel horses . . .
BigelowT: Second the recommendation of McCrumb’s Ballad Novels! They are wonderful, especially She Walks These Hills and The Hangman’s Beautiful Daughter. Not exactly cozies, but lovely and rich.
@Liz it’s tacky as all get out but I find them quite fun reads Hannah Howell’s wherlocke series: regency romance and civilized werewolves & yes they are on audible. Not anywhere close to Mary Robbinete Kowal level of writing this is eye candy reading.
I used to read Anne Perry mysteries. She had 2 series I liked. I believe both were set in Victorian England
1. Monk – was a bit less cozy
2. Charlotte & ? Pitt – had some romance overtones it was a cross classes marriage and the wife is frequently involved in helping solve mysteries. Some of the mysteries are pretty gruesome but the books were actually somewhat upbeat I thought – you saw the worst of people, you saw the best of people.
I learned something about her Anne Perry’s personal life when she was a teenager under her born name and haven’t been able to read her since which is my problem.
The hell of it is, they may well have. There’s no reason to think the Family Elsinore was doing a particularly good job with the ruling stuff, what with the big ol’ feud consuming them. It’s certainly what let Fortinbras pull off his conquering ruse.
So if people were wondering, “What will Brian Z. troll the site about once the Hugo furor dies down?”, the answer turns out to be “Anything. Anything at all.”
21ST CENTURY FANTASY, ROUND FOUR
1. EIGHT MILLION STORIES IN THE NAKED CITY
Perdido Street Station, China Mieville
Night Watch, Terry Pratchett
2. THE SWORDSWOMAN AND THE PALADIN
The Privilege of the Sword, Ellen Kushner
Paladin of Souls, Lois McMaster Bujold
3. MOVING HOUSE
The Goblin Emperor, Katherine Addison
Coraline, Neil Gaiman
4. STORIES OF HISTORICAL FACT
Tooth and Claw, Jo Walton
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, Susanna Clarke
1ST CENTURY FANTASY, ROUND FOUR
1. EIGHT MILLION STORIES IN THE NAKED CITY
Night Watch, Terry Pratchett
2. THE SWORDSWOMAN AND THE PALADIN
Paladin of Souls, Lois McMaster Bujold
3. MOVING HOUSE
The Goblin Emperor, Katherine Addison
4. STORIES OF HISTORICAL FACT
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, Susanna Clarke
@Lis Carey:
Have you tried the Gin and Tonic mysteries by L.A. Kornetsky (pseudonym of Laura Anne Gilman)? I have not read them, but they seem like they might fit the bill.
The brackets did indeed become easier now. Thus:
1. Night Watch
2. Paladin of Souls
3. The Goblin Emperor
4. Tooth and Claw
Looks like it’ll be pterry FTW. I’ll bet my forehead cloth on that.
@Lis: Seconding the Pat McIntosh. Also, while often darker, never completely depressing and often funny, are Lindsey Davis’ Falco books. Suppose you’ve already read all of “The Cat Who…” books.
@Lis Carey. Have you read the Meg Langslow mystery series by Donna Andrews beginning with Murder with Peacocks? Murder mysteries in an environment of slapstick, all with birds in their names. I think the best title is “Crouching Buzzard, Leaping Loon”, but one of my favorite books in the series is “Revenge of the Wrought Iron Flamingos”.
I reread the when I want something that will make me laugh.
Oh yes, the Donna Andrews mysteries are wonderful. I recommend them highly. I would read them in order if possible, as there is a slow multibook narrative arc.
Tasha
It seemed to that Zelazny knew exactly what he was doing, and that he was perfectly aware of a fact which we have not been prepared for; one which,lift the spirits of those who wont be joining us.
1. EIGHT MILLION STORIES IN THE NAKED CITY
Perdido Street Station, China Mieville
Night Watch, Terry Pratchett
Well, it won’t matter, because Pratchett is totally winning this, but I hereby cast my ritual vote for God Stalk, no wait, I mean Bold as Love. Seriously, people, please read it.
2. THE SWORDSWOMAN AND THE PALADIN
The Privilege of the Sword, Ellen Kushner
Paladin of Souls, Lois McMaster Bujold
3. MOVING HOUSE
The Goblin Emperor, Katherine Addison
Coraline, Neil Gaiman
4. STORIES OF HISTORICAL FACT
Tooth and Claw, Jo Walton
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, Susanna Clarke
No, no, no. Gods, no. Cally, I need a caseload, but without the aloe, it makes me break out.
Um. Um. Um.
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, Susanna Clarke
I think. I think. Maybe. Ouch.
[scribbles notes]
I love the Donna Andrews mysteries. I also liked her short-lived series about an AI. The first one was You’ve Got Murder.
Speaking of mysteries, some of my favorites are the highly-atmospheric Peter Bowen series that starts with Coyote Wind. I like them for the voice of the main character and for the supporting characters, especially his lover and his daughters, and for the portrait of Eastern Montana. They have funny moments, but they are not something I would recommend to someone looking for humor and cozy mysteries. Some of the issues tackled are brutal, but in the end there is always music and whiskey at the bar.
For fun, Alan Russell’s The Hotel Detective was amusing. Like Joe Gores’ 32 Cadillacs, it is more a series of anecdotes and humorous stories than anything else. It takes place in the “Hotel California”, a thinly disguised luxury resort hotel in the San Diego area.
21ST CENTURY FANTASY, ROUND FOUR
1. EIGHT MILLION STORIES IN THE NAKED CITY
Perdido Street Station, China Mieville
Night Watch, Terry Pratchett
2. THE SWORDSWOMAN AND THE PALADIN
The Privilege of the Sword, Ellen Kushner
Paladin of Souls, Lois McMaster Bujold
3. MOVING HOUSE
The Goblin Emperor, Katherine Addison
Coraline, Neil Gaiman
4. STORIES OF HISTORICAL FACT
Tooth and Claw, Jo Walton
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, Susanna Clarke
Forehead cloths are not enough.
(Bujold, Kushner, sob.)
I’m retiring to a hot bath and the comfort of my cat.
Sequentially.
Although I did have a guy who would sit drowsing on my tummy, with his paws and tail trailing into the bathwater.
Though it actually wasn’t all that relaxing for me, since nekked plus claws is an uneasy combination.
I know Donna Andrews slightly (and like her), and my mom is a huge fan of her books, so I keep meaning to try her novels.
In mysteries, I came across an excellent mystery trilogy last year, set in Saudi Arabia, written by an American woman who’d married a Saudi and lived with his extended family there for a number of years. The first was FINDING NOUF, the second was CITY OF VEILS, and the third was KINGDOM OF STRANGERS. The main character is a female Saudi scientist enrolled in a brand new government program that allows certain women to enter the work force, and she gets a job with the police forensics lab. Really interesting books, very good writing.
Before Iain Pears starting writing big historical novels, he wrote a 6 or 7 book Art History Mystery series that’s delightful. Set in Italy, the main characters are an English art historians and two Italians (a woman and a man) in the art theft/fraud squad. Well written, well structured mysteries, engaging characters, and a lot of fascinating stuff about art.
@Stevie I can’t tell from your comment whether I’m going to end up reading about rape. My fault I didn’t word my question properly. Let me try this again:
Yes or no: does the book contain rape or the redemption of a rapist?
Perdido, Paladin, Goblin, Abstain.
1. EIGHT MILLION STORIES IN THE NAKED CITY
Night Watch, Terry Pratchett
3. MOVING HOUSE
Coraline, Neil Gaiman
1. EIGHT MILLION STORIES IN THE NAKED CITY
Night Watch, Terry Pratchett
2. THE SWORDSWOMAN AND THE PALADIN
Paladin of Souls, Lois McMaster Bujold
3. MOVING HOUSE
The Goblin Emperor, Katherine Addison
4. STORIES OF HISTORICAL FACT
Abstain
Finally, a bracket where I’ve actually read both books! And an easy choice to boot…
1. EIGHT MILLION STORIES IN THE NAKED CITY
Perdido Street Station, China Mieville
Night Watch, Terry Pratchett
I had a lot of issues with PSS but overall enjoyed it. But Night Watch is in strong competition with Snuff for my favorite watch book, so no question here.
21ST CENTURY FANTASY, ROUND FOUR
2. THE SWORDSWOMAN AND THE PALADIN
Paladin of Souls, Lois McMaster Bujold
1. EIGHT MILLION STORIES IN THE NAKED CITY
Night Watch, Terry Pratchett
3. MOVING HOUSE
Coraline, Neil Gaiman
but only just.
4. STORIES OF HISTORICAL FACT
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, Susanna Clarke
Kyra, I’m betting that I would enjoy your company with friends in a social gathering or at a con. Any resemblance between you and Maleficent is, I am sure, just an impression caused by the stress of trying to pick between excellent stories in the last rounds of this damned bracket.
Oh, a towel? Thank you, Ford.
Also! The saga of Bob (you know, not the Reverend but Marlene’s boy) and the unicorn will appear in Mothership Zeta 2, so I am biased but hope they kick ass and take names.
Cat mysteries: the Midnight Louie series by Carole Nelson Douglas.
Softboiled mysteries: Renee Pawlish.
I’ve never had more than an edge-of-tub cat.
Laertes,
It has been over 25 years since I read 1984 and I can still vividly remember the feelings of revultion and despair that last line gave me. I tossed the book across the room in rage and if it hadn’t been a loaner may have then ripped it in twain.
I then went out and bought a copy since if a book can effect me so dramaticly I just have to own it. Best last line ever!