Book List

[tamnonlinear]

Just a few short additions to the book list- I've been watching shows and reading fanfic a lot as a result, so the book reading has taken a side path. I also suspect there was at least one other book in here, read while I was up at my folks' place, but I didn't write it down and it didn't make much of an impact. Oh well.)

17: Death's Acre: Inside

Comments

[tamnonlinear]

There are a lot of fantasy books that fall apart in the same way as the end of this book fell apart- the ending is very dramatic and symbolic but it isn't actually clear what the hell actually happened. It's a pet peeve of mine.

[tamnonlinear]

While I dearly love Robin McKinley, she is also often guilty of this. I can't decide if it's because she can't figure out how to end a book, or thought of three great ways to end a book and went with all of them.

No, dear, not that kind of farm...

[fortunavirilis]

Oooh, I'll have to pick up the book on the Body Farm. I find their work fascinating (so much so that my body will probably be donated there when I die). Have you read Dead Men Do Tell Tales by William R Maples? He was the head of forensic anthropology for the state of Florida (and a professional associate of William Maple) for many years. It has some very entertaining and informative stories from his work.

Re: No, dear, not that kind of farm...

[tamnonlinear]

Yes, I loved that book! It was wonderful. if you liked that, i think you'll love The Body Farm.

[marinatempest]

I'm reading The Family Who Couldn't Sleep and it is fascinating! Maybe you've already read it but it seems like a book you would like. The title family suffers from Fatal Familial Insomnia, and the book is all about research into that disease as well as other prion diseases such as "mad cow." Seems grotesque, and in some ways it is, but the history of the discoveries made and the personalities of the scientists make it a total page turner.

[tamnonlinear]

Sounds like a neat book. I'll put it on my list! Thank you.

[themadfish]

"I've read (Palimpsest and Kushiel's Dart come to mind) where the descriptions are lush but no one ever laughs."

Oh wow, you just pinpointed exactly why I didn't like Kushiel's Dart. Though I may have done a lot more eye rolling and "I don't care, why should I care?? Please start making me care," than you might have. I just have little patience for the kind of literature that while beautiful, doesn't provide me any incentive to get involved. I mean, if I wanted that type of beauty, I'll go outside and see it. When I read books, I want to feel emotions, or excitement, or laugh. Because laughter is important.

(and in agreement with the comments above about Pamela Dean's 'Tam lin' and 'Juniper, Gentian & Rosemary')

[tamnonlinear]

I don't think I even finished it. I just didn't care.

It is beautiful writing, but it's like being seduced by someone who wants to tell you about the fabulous color of your eyes and the luscious curves of your body but won't ever, ever make a silly joke. Some people want that, some people don't. To each their own, but it's better to know what you want and what kind of book can give it to you.

[aggiebell]

I will keep The Checklist Manifesto in mind for when my to read list is a little shorter and my free time a little greater. It sounds neat, and I'm trying to branch out into non-fiction more.

[tamnonlinear]

His other books, Better and Complications are also very good.