FIRST THING'S FIRST. I missed a book, you guys! Number 63 on this list is currently Life of Pi by Yann Martel - it SHOULD be Deadline, by Mira Grant. I don't know how I forgot that, since I definitely logged it on Shelfari! Anyway, Deadline was fun, you should definitely read the Newsflesh books (they are must-reads for zombie/horror fans, and recommended for fans of action/adventure/smart writing).
Which means that we're actually on...
70. Redshirts, John Scalzi
Scalzi CLEARLY knows what he's talking about vis a vis science fiction television. Redshirts is clever, witty, and the most genre savvy thing I think I've ever read. It's the story of the apocryphal redshirts, a reference to those poor bastards on Star Trek that never make it to the commercial breaks - and what happens when one ensign starts to question what, exactly, is going on on his ship. The twist is unexpected (at least it was for me, based on what I'd heard about the book I thought it was going to go in an entirely different direction) and the ending is satisfying, even while Scalzi is rubbing the goofy and ridiculous tropes we've all gotten used to right in our faces. I don't believe this story would have come off half as well from someone who didn't a.) know the genre inside and out and b.) have the sentimentality required to treat these plot devices with fondness and respect.
71. The Luxe, Anna Godbersen
Gossip Girl set in 1899, which works - it's a little less frivolous, because you get the sense that, even though the characters are all young, beautiful, and narcissistic, they are dealing with choices that matter and effect other people. Frothy and fun while still handling some serious issues (marriage, bankruptcy, suicide, etc.). A good palette cleanser.
The next four books on my docket are:
The White Road, John Connolly
City of Bones, Cassandra Clare
My Lobotomy, Howard Dully with Charles Flemming
and hopefully, Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, Robin Sloan (I'm waiting for this one on inter-library loan)
If I can get through those before January 1, I will have read 75 books this year that I've never read before, and I think that's pretty awesome.
Which means that we're actually on...
70. Redshirts, John Scalzi
Scalzi CLEARLY knows what he's talking about vis a vis science fiction television. Redshirts is clever, witty, and the most genre savvy thing I think I've ever read. It's the story of the apocryphal redshirts, a reference to those poor bastards on Star Trek that never make it to the commercial breaks - and what happens when one ensign starts to question what, exactly, is going on on his ship. The twist is unexpected (at least it was for me, based on what I'd heard about the book I thought it was going to go in an entirely different direction) and the ending is satisfying, even while Scalzi is rubbing the goofy and ridiculous tropes we've all gotten used to right in our faces. I don't believe this story would have come off half as well from someone who didn't a.) know the genre inside and out and b.) have the sentimentality required to treat these plot devices with fondness and respect.
71. The Luxe, Anna Godbersen
Gossip Girl set in 1899, which works - it's a little less frivolous, because you get the sense that, even though the characters are all young, beautiful, and narcissistic, they are dealing with choices that matter and effect other people. Frothy and fun while still handling some serious issues (marriage, bankruptcy, suicide, etc.). A good palette cleanser.
The next four books on my docket are:
The White Road, John Connolly
City of Bones, Cassandra Clare
My Lobotomy, Howard Dully with Charles Flemming
and hopefully, Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, Robin Sloan (I'm waiting for this one on inter-library loan)
If I can get through those before January 1, I will have read 75 books this year that I've never read before, and I think that's pretty awesome.
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