Mid-March Madness

What I'm Reading Now: Q & A by Keith R. A. DeCandido

I'm at all certain what this story is about yet, particularly as Q has not even made more than a passing appearance. To be fair, though, I'm only about 30 pages into the book.

What I'm Listening to Now: Hunters of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson

Okay, I'm a completist. Having finished the audiobook edition of Chapterhouse Dune, I had to see once more how the entire end-story played out.

What I'm Watching Now: Watchmen

I deliberately did not re-read the original graphic novel before viewing the film. I didn't want to have the story that fresh in my mind with the accompanying expectations and preconceptions. That disclaimer now out of the way . . .

The thought the film was very, very good. Rather than possibly spoil the story for anyone who has not seen it or read the original graphic novel, I'll roughly summarize it by saying that it makes last year's The Dark Knight seem sunny and cheerful in comparison.

Returning to Strange New Worlds

What I'm Reading Now: Death in Winter by Michael Jan Friedman

They've done an interesting thing over at Simon & Shuster with the Star Trek series of books. Previously, other than for the occasional trilogy, most of the books tended to be completely standalone, like extended written episodes from the various incarnations of the television series. Recently, though, they've become a much more connected set of novel, with a connected series of backstories.

While it is possible to read them independently, there are definitely nuances and inferences that readers might not fully grasp the significance of. Some readers might complain, but I'm finding it a more compelling reason to go back and read some of the books in the series that I might have otherwise missed so that I can have a greater appreciation and understanding of the new books published in the future.

And What Have I Been Up To?

What I'm Reading Now: Kindred by Octavia E. Butler

I have enjoyed Octavia Butler's stories for many, many years. I was very disappointed to hear about her death almost exactly two years ago, knowing that there would be no more stories from this wonderful author. She has a writing voice unlike any other I can recall--simple, direct, and yet incredibly evocative.

I have owned this book for a few years now, but had not placed it at the top of my "To Read" list until now. By happy coincidence, my son is reading it for school. Of course, I'm enjoying the pleasure of that far more than he is.

What I'm Listening to Now: Chapterhouse Dune by Frank Herbert

Yes, I'm listening my way through the entire original Dune series, much like when I read through them all with a co-worker five or six years ago. (Has it been that long?)

When this first book was first released in print, one of my college apartment-mates and I rushed directly from our classes to the Crown Books just around the corner from the apartment we rented. I remember him being seriously annoyed because he was working in the Chemistry lab storeroom that night and I would get a headstart.