Monthly Archives: May 2007
Fantasy: “Wizard’s First Rule” by Terry Goodkind
Book 1 of the Sword of Truth series that I earlier read Book 10 of (doh!). Also the debut novel by the author.
Really like some of the characters, but felt some, Richard in particular, were a bit stiff at the beginning. Having read Book 10 already, I think it’s stiffness on the part of a first-time author, and he will loosen up as the series goes on.
Loved learning more about the Mord-Sith (awesome!) Samuel creeps me out and totally reminds me of Golom or whatever his name is in lord of the rings (precious! my precious!). Looking forward to more.
A testimony for doubt…
by one who is proven wrong in other aspects in the end. So is he wrong about this?
Faith is a device of self-delusion, a sleight of hand done with words and emotions founded on any irrational notion that can be dreamed up. Faith is the attempt to coerce truth to surrender to whim. In simple terms, it is trying to breathe life into a lie by trying to outshine reality with the beauty of wishes. Faith is the refuge of fools, the ignorant, and the deluded, not of thinking, rational men.
–“Chainfire” by Terry Goodkind
Fantasy: “Chainfire” by Terry Goodkind
You’ve got to love how I am always picking up series mid-way (or more than mid-) through. But I swear to you, I bought this in the airport, and there was NOTHING on it to indicate that it was…Book TEN of a series (and Book 1 of a within-series trilogy). Um Hello Publishers, thanks a bunch!
However, due to a wicked spell, everyone but Richard has completely forgotten Kahlan’s existence…so not having read any of the previous books really put me right in the same boat with most of the characters! Lots of great magic and spells, and vast expanses going on here. Warriors and fighting and mysteries and betrayals. Wow!
Loved this and it’s been awhile since I found a new fantasy series to get involved in. Time to get Book 1 and find out who these people really are.
Boys will be boys.
Wright kept talking. “For me [Stephen] King is Emily Dickinson with balls, Emily Dickinson if she got the hell out of her house and lived in the real world.”
Horowitz leaned toward Adi. “I think the philosophers of old got it wrong. The big question in life is not how much pain and suffering can we endure, but how much happiness can we bear. That’s the real existential question for post-industrial, agnostic man. Things are going to get better for us. How many cruises can you take in retirement? How many all-you-can-eat buffets can you visit? These are the real issues facing us!”
–both from “Death of a Writer” by Michael Collins.
Fiction: “Death of a Writer” by Michael Collins
Bought because I enjoyed an earlier book of his, “The Keepers of Truth.”
As to this one: A novel set in academia, involving a lost manuscript, an unsolved murder, suicide, jealousy, ambition, and the lack of it. A side story with the lead detective’s messed up life.
I thought the beginning with Pendleton was dragging on a bit…but once he became incapacitated things really took off. The backstory on the detective however seemed dragged in a bit. Eventually it found its place, but I was never sure it was really necessary that it be there.
Protected: Things I used to do in college that I just don’t do anymore.
Live Tunes for June.
15th: Morrissey – I’m hoping for a few Smiths appearances. “Frankly, Mr. Shankly” anyone?
19th: Arcade Fire – Concert of the season, no? second time seeing them. Will accept nothing less than being blown completely away.
24th: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club – I have no idea what to expect.
31st: Dinosaur Jr. with Lou Barlow doing some solo stuff also or so the flyer suggests. “Mary kissed me and we lost control / The oldest story never told / Crazy Mary you’re forever divine /
They’ll never know the baby’s mine…”
Protected: Bonus!
Coinstar Rejects.
I used to post about this on the blog all the time; I think it needs its own category here on Snip.
I do not use change. Any change given to me when I buy lunch or stamps or snacks or what have you is dumped into my bag and then dumped into a change jug when I get home. When it gets full, I cash it in and it’s generally about $200 (given the size of the jug, the fact that I dump ALL change in it and only dig out quarters for laundry occasionally). It is always a surprise to find what Coinstar rejects when I take it in as often there is change from countries I have never been to so clearly I got handed this AS IF it was legitimate currency when someone was giving me change for a purchase. Shortly after a Coinstar run, I become a Change Nazi, carefully looking over everything they hand me back. But of course, shortly after that, I forget…
Anywho, here’s this week’s round of Coinstar Rejects:
- One Boston T token.
- One Canadian 10-cent piece
- One dull British 10-pence piece
- One sparkly French Franc. Hello they don’t even use these in France anymore, but someone in the US is giving me them as change? Lame!
- One dirty 25-centime piece from the Dominican Republic. Hello!