Here’s a picture of the haul from the World Fantasy Convention: (We got two of the bright blue bags with the odd aspect ratio, but I only put one in the picture.) The small pile on the left is a collection of samplers and free magazine issues (if I read them all, I’ll have a… Continue reading You Can Never Have Too Many Books
Category: Books
Literary Poll: Fantasy Scavenger Hunt!
The World Fantasy Convention is being held just up the road in Saratoga Springs, and Kate and I are commuting to it for the next few days. That means light blogging, which means it’s Dorky Poll time. Here’s a literary Dorky Poll (a more conventionally Dorky version will follow shortly), suggested by Kate: What items… Continue reading Literary Poll: Fantasy Scavenger Hunt!
Nathalie Mallet, The Princes of the Golden Cage [Library of Babel]
Back in August, somebody from Night Shade Books contacted me and asked if I would like a review copy of the forthcoming book by Nathalie Mallet, The Princes of the Golden Cage. I almost never turn down free books, so I said yes (actually, both Kate and I were contacted, and she replied first, so… Continue reading Nathalie Mallet, The Princes of the Golden Cage [Library of Babel]
Literature Nobel: Doris Lessing
In the “Social Networks Brighten My Morning” file, I am inordinately amused to be getting status updates from a Nobel laureate on Facebook. Speaking of Nobel laureates, the latest chunk of dynamite money was awarded this morning to novelist Doris Lessing: “that epicist of the female experience, who with scepticism, fire and visionary power has… Continue reading Literature Nobel: Doris Lessing
America’s Best Formulaic Science Writing
Attention-grabbing anecdote about science-related issue. Short biographical sketch of quirky researcher working on scientific problem. Short explanation of the scientific problem’s history and significance. Anecdote about quirky researcher’s work on scientific problem. Short explanation connecting back to initial attention-grabbing anecdote. Pithy summary of What It All Means. (Repeat steps 2-4 as needed to fill out… Continue reading America’s Best Formulaic Science Writing
After Faking Her Death to Escape the Potter Fiasco, Hedwig Moved to Japan and Took Night Classes in Psychology…
It’s as good an explanation as any for this:
Barney and Betty Hill: The Final Word
On September 19, 1961, Betty and Barney Hill were driving through rural New Hampshire, and had an odd experience that has become probably the most famous alien abduction story in the history of UFO folklore. As it happens, they drove right past the town where SF author and Making Light blogger Jim Macdonald lives. Now,… Continue reading Barney and Betty Hill: The Final Word
James “Robert Jordan” Rigney, 1948-2007
James Oliver Rigney, better known to the world by his Robert Jordan pseudonym, has passed away after a long illness. I didn’t know him personally– I met him very briefly once, at a signing– but the Wheel of Time books were ridiculously important in my life. I met a great many friends through Robert Jordan… Continue reading James “Robert Jordan” Rigney, 1948-2007
Teaching Science in SF
In a comment to my Worldcon wrap-up, “fvngvs” asks a question following up on the science in SF panel: So Chad, now that you’ve had some time to think about it, can you think of a list of books/stories with a really good treatment of science concepts? It’s a good question, and deserves a full… Continue reading Teaching Science in SF
Doctorow on Asimov
Discussing Isaac Asimov’s non-fiction a bit yesterday reminded me of my absolute favorite panel at Worldcon, Saturday’s “Mundane or Transcendent?” with Cory Doctorow, Patrick Nielsen Hayden, Charlie Stross, and Robert Silverberg as moderator. They’re all really smart people, and they’re all good at turning phrases on the fly, so it was terrifically entertaining. Some of… Continue reading Doctorow on Asimov