My reading list, while not "out of control" in a real way (how can reading be out of control? Reading is fun-damental!), currently a bit lengthier and more eclectic than usual. ( Here's what I've got. )

Oh, incidentally, after I'd bought Alcatraz but before I'd read it, I saw an offer from TOR (a fantasy publisher) to sign up for free e-books, which I took them up on! Because Sanderson was listed as one of the writers offering a new novel for download. I am no longer planning to take them up on that.

For those who might be curious what it looks like when I really and truly get my hate on for a book, please see my review of Alcatraz Smedly Versus the Evil Librarian. A book I picked up expecting to enjoy, and ended up truly loathing. A lot.

David Eddings burnt his office down. Mostly, though, I'm sad to hear about Leigh. I was so happily surprised when she started getting credit for co-writing. I wish them the best of luck.

Jess and I finally got around to reviewing the Sisters Grimm! It was the series that kind of sparked the site, so it's about time. Anyway, it's over here and has the longest URL ever.

In non-YA news, I also read Lance's biography, Out of Sync. It was interesting, and very readable; it was also written at about a sixth grade reading level. Oh, Lance. Oh, bus school. It was kind of disappointing, though, because it's clear from reading he was trying not to name names or give out dirt on anyone else (except maybe Pearlman, who fucking deserves it), so even the section where, you know, Justin broke up the band and blamed Lance for it is very much, "And then I was sad, but I got over it, and still love Justin and am so proud of his success!" Almost word for word.

The best section is the last third, which covers space camp, the band breakup, and being outed. It's the only section with actual emotion. The outing story was actually quite compelling and I was worried his grandma wouldn't love him anymore. (She does!)

Overall, I wish someone had taught Lance how show-don't-tell works; there are virtually no illustrations or anecdotes in it, just straight narrative. It's entertaining and fun, but a bit flat. But then again...it's Lance! He tried to go into space! He's awesome! I super enjoyed it; it's just clear that Lance (or his ghostwriter) is not a professional writer.

And speaking of books, I haven't written a single word for Nano yet today. Whoops.

Off to bed after a tiring weekend, but before I go, a review of The Sea of Trolls is up at Active Voice. [Summary: Based on Norse mythology. Very well written. Good and bad gender representations. Four cupcakes.]

I have been seriously lazing about updating Active Voice (while poisonivory has been kicking ass and putting up new reviews once a week), but I finally actually did something! A fairly massive review (which doesn't even cover everything I wanted to say) of the Underland Chronicles: clicky!

[ETA: Also, I just signed up for PaperBackSwap finally, and have already ordered two of the three AI Gang books. I have been looking for them for years!!! Now if only they had the third...Oh, and obviously, I posted, like, 30 books.]

poisonivory and I finally finished our review of HP7! It's over at Active Voice.

...was really good.

The HP release was fun, crowded, and crazy. I enjoy that while waiting for your numbers to be called in line, everyone gets to be best friends.

First four-ish chapters read; can't keep my eyes open much longer. When did I turn a million years old?

Pluggity plug plug: scifantasybooks.

What? I was bored. Should be good times.

For those of you on my flist who a) will probably see me in person in the next weekish, and b) are interested in YA/kids lit, I collected a bunch of coupons from Borders. "20% off1 regular price Kids or YA Book (when you spend $10 or more, Borders Rewards members only)". I can't imagine anyone does, but hey, if anyone wants a coupon, let me know.

Or, you know, if anyone has any books they need me to pick up with my discount before it expires when I'm done with the store (omgsoexcited), let me know.

In other news, I'm meeting the boy's folks tomorrow. Hopefully, this will go well.

So a week or so ago, poisonivory loaned me the book Fly By Night by Frances Hardinge. It is truly fantastic (YA, semi-fantasy/alternate reality historical) and I highly recommended it to everyone who likes books. Since one of the main points of the book is that books, sort of in genral, are awesome.

( Premise, some thoughts )

You'll be able to recognize it pretty easily in bookstores; it's got a banner across the front that says "BANNED".

So I've been reading Neal Stephenson's Cryptonomicon for the last month or so, for about two hours a day. (Two subway rides plus lunch five days a week equals out to something like that.) And I just finished it (and will likely be late to work because of it). And I just... guh??

It took me the whole month to read it, because despite reading relatively quickly, it's tough to slog through. There are numerous plot lines that have little to do to each other (or do they???) and characters who I still don't know who they were or why they were doing what they appeared to be doing, and I'm pretty sure one of them died but that really didn't stop him from reapearing a couple of decades later, and why was that one guy such an asshole, and what the hell just happened?! So I need to reread this motherfucker, but I just don't think I have the strength to do that.

And there are two. more. books. Jesus Christ, Neal Stephenson!

(Translation: dear lord, this book was amazing, and waaaaay too smart for me.)

I suppose I should get dressed and go to work now.

First, the important thing: ( Connie Willis rocks my fucking socks off and is my favorite author of all time. )

Aside from that, my sister (Tammy, the less often discussed sister, not harriet_vane) brought her whole family over, as well as their two six-week-old kittens. I spent much of the day cooing at them. We had a giant cookout, which was much better than I expected, as I'm generally not a cookout fan. And tomorrow, we're all going to see Episode III on my employee discount (read: for free).

And that's all I did today other than read.

Connie Willis. Go. Find. Read. Love.

poisonivory got me, and I'm bored and reeeeeally don't want to pack right now, so here goes.

( Books meme )

( Movie meme )

You know, I become more compulsive about updating when I don't have a computer. Odd, that.

Anyway.

I'm still sick, but not nearly as sick; in fact, I made it to class and work today, and will be heading off to the other class in six minutes.

Things that were stressing me out that I took care of:
( stress )
( Did I mention that my computer DIED? )

In much better news, I read a fairly awesome book yesterday. (Almost Like Being In Love by Steve Kluger.) It's the first book since Stephen Fry's Revenge (sophomore year) that I've read in one day. Leah recommended it to me, and after much prodding on her part I finally picked it up, and it was fabulous. Very quick and easy to read, fairly uniquely formattedc, and one of the characters is an obsessive compulsive geek who grows up to be a history professor who explains the Revolution to his class in terms of baseball metaphors and wants to write a book about how Alexander Hamilton inadvertantly invented sports. Or something like that. Not to mention the fact that it made the slash fangirl in me swoon with delight. So, yes. Good book; very enjoyable, light read. Highly recommended.

And now I'm four minutes late to class, but not really, because classes don't start until ten after. Yay Brandeis time!