Wed Reading Meme...well sort of
Apr. 6th, 2016 10:04 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shadowkatTook a walk during lunch to Barnes & Noble Superstore that is located on Fifth Avenue and 46th Street, not far from my workplace, and bought two books: Hamilton by Ron Chernow and Devil in the White City by Eric Larson, which comes highly recommended by book club, Ururuha, and my mother. Most of my family has read Hamilton and raved about it. So thought I'd give it a try.
Won't be reading on the train though -- neither are commuting books, more like books to read at home or before bed, with reading glasses. (Yes, I've reached the age in which I need contacts for distance and reading glasses. I've had contacts since I was 17, and wore glasses since I was 15.)
1.) What I Just Finished Reading?
The first 166 pages of the sci-fi mystery novel that I'm writing, which is now entitled "The Maddrox Star Tattoo". And The Palace Job by Patrick Weeks -- I found my own novel more engrossing and interesting, which is probably a good thing...
The Palace Job is clearly written by a video game/role playing game enthusiast and writer of video games. And it bugged me for much the same reasons Ready Player Now did and a lot of recent action movies. I'm not into video games. It's not my thing. I've never played them, have no interest in playing them and don't really understand why anyone else plays them. The appeal is completely lost on me. So, suffice it to say, I don't think I'm the right demographic for this novel. It's clearly written for people who love video/role playing games. Noticed that the people who loved it on good reads were gamers and those who didn't weren't.
It does have a couple of interesting characters and the female lead definitely was a fav of mine. One of the best female leads that I've run across. But I could have done without 80% of the characters, a couple of which irritated me. I wish the writer had focused more on the lead, her partner, and the "Justicar" chasing them, along with their relationships with each other, the villains, family, etc than jumping between them and ten other characters, who after a bit felt like satirical cartoons.
The humor is well, insult humor with a touch of political satire. So if you are a political geek and love political satire -- this may be up your alley. The writer intersperses the action with reports on the political power plays going on because of and as result of it. These reports are given by what amounts to a Punch and Judy puppet show, except it is a Griffin and a Manticore, as mediated by a Dragon. This will either amuse you greatly or not. It didn't amuse me. (But right now, I admittedly feel a bit inundated with political satire -- or burned out on it. And it's only April, I have at least eight more months of this to go.)
Anyhow, it didn't work for me. More character, more relationship drama, less action scenes, less political satire, less insult humor, more witty banter.
2. What I'm Reading Now
Mooncalled by Patricia Briggs -- which had been rec'd to me some time ago, but can't remember who rec'd it. It's engrossing. And fits my mood. Which is admittedly 85% of this anyhow.
The story is about a skin-walker, named Mercedes "Mercy" Thompson, who has the ability to turn into a coyote, and runs an auto shop. She solves mysteries on the side. But isn't that great at it, so wisely does the auto-mechanic bit for a living. I'm not sure the writer understands what a skin-walker is -- because her description doesn't quite fit what I know about it from Native American mythology and Tony Hillerman novels. (By the way, if you love mystery novels and like Native American mythology and culture - go seek out Tony Hillerman. It's not urban fantasy, it's straight mystery.
I loved Tony Hillerman. And he got the Native American culture right, a lot of writer's don't.)
But, this is an urban fantasy novel, emphasis on fantasy, so it doesn't really matter if the author's take on skin-walker is accurate.
Nothing in fantasy is accurate, it's all made up. That's the point. And usually metaphors about our world or themes/characters etc the author wishes to convey. As long as it is consistent in the author's verse and fits the author's rules for that verse -- I don't have any issues with it.
What distinguishes this novel from other urban fantasy novels that I've read to date, is Mercy is super-powered. She can just shift into a coyote. And coyote isn't all that powerful. She can get hurt. She doesn't heal fast. And she can't do magic. She is, however, great at fixing cars. And is tough, having been on her own more or less since she was 14. There's a love triangle that is resolved by the third or fourth novel -- although it's pretty clear from the start where the writer is headed.
(This is true of most love triangles, savvy readers can usually predict it ahead of time.)
Most of this book seems to be focused on character development, character back-stories, and what makes the characters tick, and less on plot, action or theme -- which may well be why I'm enjoying it.
I want more character less plot. There is a heavy theme - against racism, sexism, and government experiments - ie. ethnic cleansing. Similar to Kim Harrison's Rachel Morgan novels and the Kate Daniels novels. (Personally, I find this theme a bit disturbing, because the writer is comparing werewolves, vampires, gremlins, and demons in some cases with minorities. Not sure, I'd like that if I were a minority. Had similar issues with that metaphor/analogy in Angel and Buffy. But, alas, it's a major theme in urban fantasy, I think the only one who hasn't really gone there may be Jim Butcher, no wait, he has...never mind.)
The mystery is a bit lame. But from what I've read the next two books in the series are much better. (Which is also true of most urban fantasy novels. The first book sucks. It takes off around the second or third book.)
Yes, it has the big "Alpha" male characters, which feel like romanticized versions of men. Male genre writers are equally guilty of romanticizing the opposite gender, the female romantic interests in Jim Butcher's novels are either femme fatals, damsels, or tough talking warriors - all gorgeous. And in the female writers novels, the male romantic interests tend to be domineering, control freaks, tough as nails, sweet, and hunks. It is fantasy, what do you expect? There are more literary urban fantasy novels out there, but I tend to find them sleep inducing, too much emphasis on long winding descriptive passages and not enough on character and action. Tried to read Charles De Lint, gave up.
Considering trying the October Daye series by Sceanan McGuire - starting with Rosemary and Rue, but am on the fence. The character appears to be a bit too much like Sookie in Charlene Harris series. And I couldn't stand Sookie.
Urban fantasy is hard -- there's far too many writers. 90% of it focuses on vampires or werewolves.
I don't mind the werewolves, but the vampires annoy me - mainly because the whole master/childe or sire/child relationship gets on my nerves. It doesn't work for me. The only one I've successfully read any of was LK Hamilton's Anita Blake series, which sort of predates everyone else and Charlene Harris, both of which steered clear of the whole Master/Child bit.
The one's I've enjoyed and engrossed me are:
Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden Series (although I think he's beginning to burn out on it)
Illona Andrews Kate Daniels Series (still working for me, and very different than most -- it stands out both with the mythology (she outdoes Naomi Navovik with the Russian and Eastern European mythology, and the characters stand out. No love triangles. Tough as nails lead. Dry wit.)
Kim Harrison's Rachel Morgan Series (which was more innovative than most with the world-building, but sort of went off the rails after the fifth book)
**************
On the subway this morning and yesterday morning, homeless men were sleeping on the trains. This morning, he looked the same as the one from yesterday, and I wondered if he was a permanent fixture.
An old man, wrinkled with decay, had a hospital tag on his wrist, dressed in dirty clothes falling off him. With bright blue eyes. Out of focus. He coughed. Everyone on the train gave him a wide birth, as if he had the plague. Fearful to go near him and uncertain what to do, if anything.
Fifteen stops into the city, he awoke, coughed into his fist, sat up. Scooted over. Looked at us as if he were wondering where we'd all popped up from, and got shambled off at the next stop. The guy across from me, an older guy, grey beard, kind eyes, construction clothes, smiled at me and we both sort of shrugged our shoulders..as if we alone of the 100 or so passengers had noticed this man, and wondered about him. Then the man across from me cleaned of the old man's seat - a scrunched up joint and a nickel fell to the floor. I've grown used to the smell of cheap weed, or skunk...it permeates different areas around my building, the hallway, and the streets where I live...and occasionally the subway. The world seems intent on escaping itself by getting high, I can't help but wonder why.
Won't be reading on the train though -- neither are commuting books, more like books to read at home or before bed, with reading glasses. (Yes, I've reached the age in which I need contacts for distance and reading glasses. I've had contacts since I was 17, and wore glasses since I was 15.)
1.) What I Just Finished Reading?
The first 166 pages of the sci-fi mystery novel that I'm writing, which is now entitled "The Maddrox Star Tattoo". And The Palace Job by Patrick Weeks -- I found my own novel more engrossing and interesting, which is probably a good thing...
The Palace Job is clearly written by a video game/role playing game enthusiast and writer of video games. And it bugged me for much the same reasons Ready Player Now did and a lot of recent action movies. I'm not into video games. It's not my thing. I've never played them, have no interest in playing them and don't really understand why anyone else plays them. The appeal is completely lost on me. So, suffice it to say, I don't think I'm the right demographic for this novel. It's clearly written for people who love video/role playing games. Noticed that the people who loved it on good reads were gamers and those who didn't weren't.
It does have a couple of interesting characters and the female lead definitely was a fav of mine. One of the best female leads that I've run across. But I could have done without 80% of the characters, a couple of which irritated me. I wish the writer had focused more on the lead, her partner, and the "Justicar" chasing them, along with their relationships with each other, the villains, family, etc than jumping between them and ten other characters, who after a bit felt like satirical cartoons.
The humor is well, insult humor with a touch of political satire. So if you are a political geek and love political satire -- this may be up your alley. The writer intersperses the action with reports on the political power plays going on because of and as result of it. These reports are given by what amounts to a Punch and Judy puppet show, except it is a Griffin and a Manticore, as mediated by a Dragon. This will either amuse you greatly or not. It didn't amuse me. (But right now, I admittedly feel a bit inundated with political satire -- or burned out on it. And it's only April, I have at least eight more months of this to go.)
Anyhow, it didn't work for me. More character, more relationship drama, less action scenes, less political satire, less insult humor, more witty banter.
2. What I'm Reading Now
Mooncalled by Patricia Briggs -- which had been rec'd to me some time ago, but can't remember who rec'd it. It's engrossing. And fits my mood. Which is admittedly 85% of this anyhow.
The story is about a skin-walker, named Mercedes "Mercy" Thompson, who has the ability to turn into a coyote, and runs an auto shop. She solves mysteries on the side. But isn't that great at it, so wisely does the auto-mechanic bit for a living. I'm not sure the writer understands what a skin-walker is -- because her description doesn't quite fit what I know about it from Native American mythology and Tony Hillerman novels. (By the way, if you love mystery novels and like Native American mythology and culture - go seek out Tony Hillerman. It's not urban fantasy, it's straight mystery.
I loved Tony Hillerman. And he got the Native American culture right, a lot of writer's don't.)
But, this is an urban fantasy novel, emphasis on fantasy, so it doesn't really matter if the author's take on skin-walker is accurate.
Nothing in fantasy is accurate, it's all made up. That's the point. And usually metaphors about our world or themes/characters etc the author wishes to convey. As long as it is consistent in the author's verse and fits the author's rules for that verse -- I don't have any issues with it.
What distinguishes this novel from other urban fantasy novels that I've read to date, is Mercy is super-powered. She can just shift into a coyote. And coyote isn't all that powerful. She can get hurt. She doesn't heal fast. And she can't do magic. She is, however, great at fixing cars. And is tough, having been on her own more or less since she was 14. There's a love triangle that is resolved by the third or fourth novel -- although it's pretty clear from the start where the writer is headed.
(This is true of most love triangles, savvy readers can usually predict it ahead of time.)
Most of this book seems to be focused on character development, character back-stories, and what makes the characters tick, and less on plot, action or theme -- which may well be why I'm enjoying it.
I want more character less plot. There is a heavy theme - against racism, sexism, and government experiments - ie. ethnic cleansing. Similar to Kim Harrison's Rachel Morgan novels and the Kate Daniels novels. (Personally, I find this theme a bit disturbing, because the writer is comparing werewolves, vampires, gremlins, and demons in some cases with minorities. Not sure, I'd like that if I were a minority. Had similar issues with that metaphor/analogy in Angel and Buffy. But, alas, it's a major theme in urban fantasy, I think the only one who hasn't really gone there may be Jim Butcher, no wait, he has...never mind.)
The mystery is a bit lame. But from what I've read the next two books in the series are much better. (Which is also true of most urban fantasy novels. The first book sucks. It takes off around the second or third book.)
Yes, it has the big "Alpha" male characters, which feel like romanticized versions of men. Male genre writers are equally guilty of romanticizing the opposite gender, the female romantic interests in Jim Butcher's novels are either femme fatals, damsels, or tough talking warriors - all gorgeous. And in the female writers novels, the male romantic interests tend to be domineering, control freaks, tough as nails, sweet, and hunks. It is fantasy, what do you expect? There are more literary urban fantasy novels out there, but I tend to find them sleep inducing, too much emphasis on long winding descriptive passages and not enough on character and action. Tried to read Charles De Lint, gave up.
Considering trying the October Daye series by Sceanan McGuire - starting with Rosemary and Rue, but am on the fence. The character appears to be a bit too much like Sookie in Charlene Harris series. And I couldn't stand Sookie.
Urban fantasy is hard -- there's far too many writers. 90% of it focuses on vampires or werewolves.
I don't mind the werewolves, but the vampires annoy me - mainly because the whole master/childe or sire/child relationship gets on my nerves. It doesn't work for me. The only one I've successfully read any of was LK Hamilton's Anita Blake series, which sort of predates everyone else and Charlene Harris, both of which steered clear of the whole Master/Child bit.
The one's I've enjoyed and engrossed me are:
Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden Series (although I think he's beginning to burn out on it)
Illona Andrews Kate Daniels Series (still working for me, and very different than most -- it stands out both with the mythology (she outdoes Naomi Navovik with the Russian and Eastern European mythology, and the characters stand out. No love triangles. Tough as nails lead. Dry wit.)
Kim Harrison's Rachel Morgan Series (which was more innovative than most with the world-building, but sort of went off the rails after the fifth book)
**************
On the subway this morning and yesterday morning, homeless men were sleeping on the trains. This morning, he looked the same as the one from yesterday, and I wondered if he was a permanent fixture.
An old man, wrinkled with decay, had a hospital tag on his wrist, dressed in dirty clothes falling off him. With bright blue eyes. Out of focus. He coughed. Everyone on the train gave him a wide birth, as if he had the plague. Fearful to go near him and uncertain what to do, if anything.
Fifteen stops into the city, he awoke, coughed into his fist, sat up. Scooted over. Looked at us as if he were wondering where we'd all popped up from, and got shambled off at the next stop. The guy across from me, an older guy, grey beard, kind eyes, construction clothes, smiled at me and we both sort of shrugged our shoulders..as if we alone of the 100 or so passengers had noticed this man, and wondered about him. Then the man across from me cleaned of the old man's seat - a scrunched up joint and a nickel fell to the floor. I've grown used to the smell of cheap weed, or skunk...it permeates different areas around my building, the hallway, and the streets where I live...and occasionally the subway. The world seems intent on escaping itself by getting high, I can't help but wonder why.
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no subject
Date: 2016-04-07 11:14 pm (UTC)It's funny: I've never fallen head over heels in love with any of McGuire's lead characters (I've also read her Parasitology series, written under the name Mira Grant), but I do enjoy her work well enough to keep buying and reading them. She has a solid writing voice and a good sense of plotting and narration. And I can usually trust that if something ongoing isn't addressed in one specific novel, it'll show up again in a later one. Also, I do actually like the characters, even if I'm not a rabid fangirl over them.
no subject
Date: 2016-04-09 02:11 pm (UTC)So...the fact that I stuck with the story as long as I did is probably indicative of the fact that I care more about characters and story and less about narrative style. Mainly because I've read some amazing writers, but barely made it through their books because their characters and stories...left me cold. (*cough*MargaretAtwood*cough*). So if a character doesn't interest me, I'm gone. (Also Kate Atkinson's Life After Life, the novel House of Sand and Fog (I can't remember the name of the author), and Ian McEwan's Atonement -- books that are well written but the over-use of a gimmick, and the irritating characters made it almost impossible for me to get through their books. And of course, Marcel Proust -- whose novels I find deeply boring, yet he is an amazingly good narrative stylist.).
OTOH, if the narrative style gets on my nerves, I'll ditch the book, regardless of how interesting the story or characters are. This happened with Anne Leckie's Ancillary Justice (couldn't make it past the first 50 pages) and anything written by James Patterson or Stephanie Meyer.
For urban fantasy/mystery novels: I tend to veer more towards Jim Butcher and Illona Andrews style of writing - which I think of as clear and crisp writing, more emphasis on dialogue than description. The dialogue is witty, character-centric, and moves plot and character forward.
no subject
Date: 2016-04-09 08:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-04-09 12:52 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-04-09 01:45 pm (UTC)It's about two Navajo Detectives solving crimes on a reservation. And digs deep into Navajho mythology and culture.
Takes place mainly in the Southwest. He's a really good writer as well. I binge read a lot of his novels in the early 1990s.
I think they also did a bunch of movies...remember seeing one or two of them.
no subject
Date: 2016-04-10 01:21 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2016-04-10 03:09 pm (UTC)It also stars Katee Sackoff (Starbuck from BSG). Quite good actually, although I've only had time to see the first five episodes of the first season.
no subject
Date: 2016-04-11 05:55 pm (UTC)