Posted by barb on Jun 12, 2005 in
Books by Sheri S. Tepper
As is typical of the Tepper books I’ve read, she paints a rather depressing picture of Earth’s future, with a decimated environment and overcrowding that taxes the few remaining natural resources. A group (IGI-HFO, or In God’s Image – Humans First and Only) has called for all animal life to be eradicated to leave more resources for humans.
But in this desolation, Tepper remains optimistic on human nature — at least the human nature in a few strong people who can affect change in the world. As with most Tepper novels, the main character is a multi-faceted, interesting, strong female. Jewel Delis has worked with domestic animals since before the IGI-HFO people banished all except laboratory animals. Her brother works as a linguist, and often brings her along as an assistant on his travels to other worlds, not knowing that she really works for arkists, the group secretly trying preserve animal life on other planets.
Excellent read.
Tags: reviews
Posted by barb on Jun 4, 2005 in
Books I’ve made it a tradition to make Bookcrossing releases of either sci fi or science books at the AAS meetings. The targeted audience has really paid off for me, with several books journaled from each meeting that I’ve attended. This June meeting in Minneapolis is no exception. I made two releases, and both of them were journaled! Check out their journies on the following pages:
Posted by barb on Jun 4, 2005 in
Movies 3.5/5 stars
Fun, fluffy romantic comedy starring the very cute Wil Smith. Not much else to say.
[IMDB link to Hitch]
Tags: reviews
Posted by barb on Jun 2, 2005 in
Books,
Travels And she had a great time browsing the shelves.
We bought a lot of books, but the pile that Felicia and I bought will be shipped later, when a could other books arrive. So much for instant gratification.
Tags: build-a-bear, trip report
Posted by barb on Jun 1, 2005 in
Movies 4/5 stars
I love the books, and was really looking forward to the movie. Naturally, the movie has watered down a couple of the stories, but that has to happen, since there’s only so much that can be fit into two hours. What really struck me, though, was how sad the movie was. I started crying in the first 5 minutes, and didn’t stop until it was over. I thought maybe I was being a big baby, but Sweetie, who was sitting next to me, was crying through much of it, too. I didn’t remember the books being quite that sad. Overall it was quite good, though be prepared with a few Kleenex.
[IMDB link to The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants]
Tags: reviews
Posted by barb on May 27, 2005 in
Memes, Etc. My AAS poster is printed, and I just need to pack my bags for tomorrow’s trip, so it’s time for a bit of Friday fun! (Blame Mushi)
You Are Incredibly Logical |
(You got 88% of the questions right)
Move over Spock – you’re the new master of logic
You think rationally, clearly, and quickly.
A seasoned problem solver, your mind is like a computer! |
Tags: dumb fun
Posted by barb on May 24, 2005 in
Books Those last four entries of books are ones that I’ve finished between February and now — I’ve been too busy to read much, and way too busy to write up in my diary. Here’s hoping that I’ll have more time to read after the AAS meeting next week…
Tags: reviews
Posted by barb on May 24, 2005 in
Books by Jon Hein
Repeat after me: Not all fun web sites need to be made into books.
This is a book based on the Jump the Shark web site, where people discuss when various TV shows, celebrities and politicians “jumped the shark”. Of course, the phrase “jump the shark” refers to an episode of Happy Days where Fonzie jumped a shark cage on water skis, also widely viewed as the moment when Happy Days showed that it was past its prime.
The problem with the book, though, is that we get only Hein’s opinion on when people jumped. We lose the interaction of the website, which, frankly, is the fun part.
Tags: reviews
Posted by barb on May 24, 2005 in
Books by Greg Bear
I wasn’t going to pick this book up, since I wasn’t very happy with the last part of Darwin’s Radio; however, I found it on the free book-exchange shelf at work, and figured the price was right.
I’m glad I did pick this up. The book picks up 15 years after the Sheva virus first struck. Kaye, Mitch, and Stella (their “virus daughter”) are still on the run. Most of the “virus children” are in special schools (most of which were formerly prisons), and they are approaching puberty, which is making a lot of ignorant politicians nervous.
The book is pretty good — certainly better than the last quarter of Darwin’s Radio, and almost to par with first three-quarters.
Tags: reviews
Posted by barb on May 24, 2005 in
Books by Peter David
Calhoun and the USS Excalibur visit a planet that has been embroiled in civil war for centuries. Calhoun is worhipped as their savior from war, and, of course, things go wrong.
Standard stuff for ST:NF — fun, fast, and quickly forgotten.
Tags: reviews
