the wind fanning the ash of a flickering thought

[hummingwolf]

Summary of the last few days: Bleh.

Slightly longer summary: My body seems to be upset, but I can't tell if it's upset with me or upset with my medication. Left a message with the neurologist's voice mail, so hopefully I'll get some kind of clue tomorrow. As a result of the general oogieness, I barely managed to go anywhere until yesterday (when I had to return a library book).

Book finished today: Kit Whitfield's Benighted (entitled Bareback in the UK; retitled for US market because Yanks are more dirty-minded than Brits (who knew?)). This book wrecked me, people. Think prejudice, PTSD, and bureaucracy. Also people who would, if they lived in our world, be referred to as "werewolves," but in the book's alternate universe are known as "normal humans." The story's told from the point of view of one of the rare folks with a birth defect that makes them unable to transform when the full moon rises, an oppressed minority that still has a vital role to play in society--a role which gives them the opportunity to use all those glorious old techniques their predecessors came up with during the Inquisition. It's a very well-written book, stunning in some ways, but not the sort of thing you should read if you're in the mood for something light'n'fluffy.

Next book in the queue: There is no queue. Do any of you have something light'n'fluffy to recommend?

Way I woke myself up after the requisite afternoon nap: Finally listening to last Monday's Just a Minute, followed by the most recent News Quiz. Followed this up with a friendly conversation with a relative, which is always a nice touch.

Question of the evening: So, how are the rest of you doing?

Comments

[mmsword.livejournal.com]

Lets see... current light and fluffy reading for me is Callahan's Crosstime Saloon/ Callahan Chronicles. Though dealing with very serious issues, most conflicts are dealt with empathy, compassion and puns so it doesn't really get into "Downer mode" for very long at any given point.

[hummingwolf.livejournal.com]

The local library doesn't have anything in that series, for some reason. One day I'll get them to borrow a book or two from a different library for me, but that doesn't help me today.

[slyfoot.livejournal.com]

Ooo, the Callahan books are great fun too.

[mmsword.livejournal.com]

Ah, yeah, one of my local libraries has a fairly complete Spider Robinson collection, so I figured you might have a decent shot at finding it in yours. Another good one might be anything by Oliver Sacks. Again, about a serious subject matter, in this case tends to be profound cognitive problems, but again with highly humanistic and compassionate outlook. Required reading at college for me, but I didn't mind as it was so engrossing.

[slyfoot.livejournal.com]

I think I will take your recommendation and read some Spider Robinson soon!

(Actually, I should say "re-read". I've read Callahan's Crosstime Saloon, Time Travelers Strictly Cash, and Callahan's Lady.)

[mmsword.livejournal.com]

I'm doing the same just now. Realized it's been a few years and honestly, we could use a Wonderful Conspiracy right about now.

[lingmao.livejournal.com]

Have you started the Dresden Files yet? Light and Fluffy might not describe them, but they're fun and fast reads.

Thanks for the book rec by the way; I've put it in my queue.

[hummingwolf.livejournal.com]

Nope, haven't begun with Harry Dresden yet. Maybe I'll do that this week! Thanks for the reminder.

[slyfoot.livejournal.com]

Anything by Pratchett is light n' fluffy, and is full of lols.

[hummingwolf.livejournal.com]

A friend mentioned Good Omens yesterday, and when I remembered that I'd read that book before, I also remembered that I'd never read any of Pratchett's solo work. What would you recommend for a first-time Pratchett reader?

[slyfoot.livejournal.com]

Hmm, I'd start with The Colour of Magic, which is the first book in the series. If you can't get a hold of that one, try Mort. Pratchett basically does for the fantasy genre what Douglas Adams did for Sci-Fi, so if you don't like DNA, you might not like Pratchett. OTOH, if you enjoyed Good Omens, then chances are good you'll enjoy the Discworld books. Part of the fun is figuring out what the spoofs are referring to, as he pokes a lot of fun at other popular books in the fantasy genre.