BookLog

Carnival by Elizabeth Bear

Science Fiction with a decent premise. I found myself having to
go back and revise assumptions I had made about the characters and
setting several times - I might re-read it later and see how my mental
image of the book changes knowing the later bits beforehand. I want
a utility fog outfit!

Blood and Iron by Elizabeth Bear

Bear at her most cruel, to her characters at least. An urban
fantasy full of fae folk and wizards. Bear does something clever with
POV in this book that I think works very well. I'd recommend this
book to anyone who isn't looking for something cheerful.

From the Notebooks of Dr Brain by Minister Faust

ZOMG funny. A self-help book for superheroes. At the same time,
an intelligent, aware deconstruction of superheroes, and a good
story. Did I mention it is funny? It is.

Understanding Comics by Scott McCloud

Informative. The first of McClouds three examinations of
comics. I didn't get as much out of it as I did from the
third book, Making Comics, but I'm not surprised - this one is older,
and has a different focus. I'd still recommend this one for anyone
with a serious interest in the art form.

Soul Kitchen by Poppy Z Brite

The third novel in Brite's chef books. I love these. If you've
read Brite's horror fiction, and didn't like it, you should read
these. If you *did* like her horror, you should read these, too.
Especially if you like food. Brite's writing has always been focussed
on her characters, with the plot mostly serving as something to show
of the characters. The difference with her chef books is that her
characters are now *likeable* instead of being psychopaths and
self-absorbed teenagers. On another note, I keep imaging Ricky as
looking like Rob Feenie, though as Liz notes, his personality is more like Anthony Bourdain.