Kitties on Crack
Sep. 15th, 2004 12:20 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
affrecaIt might just be that they are kittens. But a couple of days ago, I ventured out to petworld to get them a scratching post. To save my walls, since they have decided to leap at my vicious walls. And to stop them from deciding books are great to scratch. So far, most of the book damage they have caused comes from biting. It is helping me keep track of what I have read recently. But the cheapest was $45. I love my babies, but not that much. So, when I complained to Tom, he mentioned the scratching post we had bought for Grep and Grok years ago. Apparently, they prefer the door jam, and since Tom hasn't moved since then, he never stopped them. Four years, and the things in great shape; three days, and two half sized balls of terror are well on their way to demolishing the thing. They don't just scratch it, they climb it and play king of the mountain.
I am in a better mood. Talked to a couple of friends who called me out of the blue, so I had a chance to rant. Also ranted at poor Jorge, who foolishly popped his head out of his room when I went over to change Grep and Grok's box. I do hope my roommates ask more questions when I disappear for days without notice. If I had roommates. So trying to think of what goes with lentil soup and zucchini.
I love bookstores. To be honest, I love books, especially paperback sci-fi/fantasy. This is evident to anyone who as lived with me or helped move my library. And while Borders, Amazon and Hastings all hold a special place in my heart for having everything, I love used bookstores for having bits of everything else all while being cheaper. Used bookstores all have a different selection. This makes putting together series/trilogies (because most good things come in a trilogy) more fun, often lasting for years. And you find out of print stuff. This is important in sci-fi, because there is a lot of good stuff that doesn't get noticed. Also, two books for one (at good stores, thankfully the general poorness of the midwest limits the bookstores like those mentioned in the recent S*P arc). To stretch things further, you can even trade in books (though I almost never actually do this, instead having multiple copies of random books that I really didn't care about). What about store cats; none of those in Borders.
So I figure I will turn my travelogue/rant page into an occasional book review. Sharpen my word skills, in prep for the next time I take the GREs. And expose you all to what trash I do collect.
The current read is Jennifer Wingert's "Grasp the Stars". As you might have guessed from the title, I would place it in the space opera category (it also has the obligatory Louis Royo cover art). Though instead of taking place on multiple planets, it all takes place on Earth Port. There are two major plots running. The first involves testing Deputy Rachel Ajmani for a position on Earth's ruling council (in which everyone involved has different plans for the outcome, none of which are nice). The second one involves the possession of Meris, Mother of Multitudes, the oldest Jadamiin at 8,000 years.
The most of aliens are well designed. Sadly, the Phi-Nurians are not well developed, and are often used to threaten the characters and cause havoc. And while Meris sleeps on, the little that is said about peaks the interest and the love scene in the intro is Mountain-Dew-left out for-a-week-sweet. The Rofans used as both good guys (I think) and additional character threats (when the excrement dropping buggy Phi-Nurians are not enough for the job). Ok, so they aren't the best. But I enjoy how they are all more violent than the humans, and think we're weird for things like medical care. Not as many great lines, though.
Wingart does a good job of combining these two plots, and keeps you guessing what will happen next. Most of the characters are acting on sleep deprivation, and pushed to their limits (except Meris, who has been drugged almost continually). I am about 3/5 the way through the book, and am desperately hoping that the pace does not slow down. Somehow it reminds me of early Bujold with the energy and torture value. Also, all the characters are sarcastic, and occasionally the good guys are getting thrown out of sick bay (Medica).
And despite my earlier rant about used bookstores, "Grasp the Stars" has a 2004 copyright, so it is probably in your local (or 1 hour drive away) megabookstore with attached coffeeshop. Or you can ask nicely and I'll loan it to you (this does include you, Mom).
The kittens have fallen asleep, and I am vaguely tired. This is probably my cue to curl up in my nook so I am asleep before they start up their races again. Maybe I can convince them to curl up next to me again. Barry upstirred Chubby's place under my arm last night. Just what I always wanting, and purring bed buddy. Sorry if none of this makes sense.
I am in a better mood. Talked to a couple of friends who called me out of the blue, so I had a chance to rant. Also ranted at poor Jorge, who foolishly popped his head out of his room when I went over to change Grep and Grok's box. I do hope my roommates ask more questions when I disappear for days without notice. If I had roommates. So trying to think of what goes with lentil soup and zucchini.
I love bookstores. To be honest, I love books, especially paperback sci-fi/fantasy. This is evident to anyone who as lived with me or helped move my library. And while Borders, Amazon and Hastings all hold a special place in my heart for having everything, I love used bookstores for having bits of everything else all while being cheaper. Used bookstores all have a different selection. This makes putting together series/trilogies (because most good things come in a trilogy) more fun, often lasting for years. And you find out of print stuff. This is important in sci-fi, because there is a lot of good stuff that doesn't get noticed. Also, two books for one (at good stores, thankfully the general poorness of the midwest limits the bookstores like those mentioned in the recent S*P arc). To stretch things further, you can even trade in books (though I almost never actually do this, instead having multiple copies of random books that I really didn't care about). What about store cats; none of those in Borders.
So I figure I will turn my travelogue/rant page into an occasional book review. Sharpen my word skills, in prep for the next time I take the GREs. And expose you all to what trash I do collect.
The current read is Jennifer Wingert's "Grasp the Stars". As you might have guessed from the title, I would place it in the space opera category (it also has the obligatory Louis Royo cover art). Though instead of taking place on multiple planets, it all takes place on Earth Port. There are two major plots running. The first involves testing Deputy Rachel Ajmani for a position on Earth's ruling council (in which everyone involved has different plans for the outcome, none of which are nice). The second one involves the possession of Meris, Mother of Multitudes, the oldest Jadamiin at 8,000 years.
The most of aliens are well designed. Sadly, the Phi-Nurians are not well developed, and are often used to threaten the characters and cause havoc. And while Meris sleeps on, the little that is said about peaks the interest and the love scene in the intro is Mountain-Dew-left out for-a-week-sweet. The Rofans used as both good guys (I think) and additional character threats (when the excrement dropping buggy Phi-Nurians are not enough for the job). Ok, so they aren't the best. But I enjoy how they are all more violent than the humans, and think we're weird for things like medical care. Not as many great lines, though.
Wingart does a good job of combining these two plots, and keeps you guessing what will happen next. Most of the characters are acting on sleep deprivation, and pushed to their limits (except Meris, who has been drugged almost continually). I am about 3/5 the way through the book, and am desperately hoping that the pace does not slow down. Somehow it reminds me of early Bujold with the energy and torture value. Also, all the characters are sarcastic, and occasionally the good guys are getting thrown out of sick bay (Medica).
And despite my earlier rant about used bookstores, "Grasp the Stars" has a 2004 copyright, so it is probably in your local (or 1 hour drive away) megabookstore with attached coffeeshop. Or you can ask nicely and I'll loan it to you (this does include you, Mom).
The kittens have fallen asleep, and I am vaguely tired. This is probably my cue to curl up in my nook so I am asleep before they start up their races again. Maybe I can convince them to curl up next to me again. Barry upstirred Chubby's place under my arm last night. Just what I always wanting, and purring bed buddy. Sorry if none of this makes sense.
