Books. Whee?

I have tried to read Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell as two people said it was good. I am done trying. I made it about seven or eight pages in, by forcing myself. The story might be good. The author's style and word choice and diction for the narrative part echoes her characters' time and place. This is not only gimmicky but, I find that particular style of phrasing to be positively painful to read. I wanted to yank my eyeballs out by the time I gave up. I flipped through the book in case later sections used a different diction but I saw no sign of this. The thing is over 700 pages long. I'd lose my mind! (That, and I'd never finish it before the 14 day mark. Since the author hadn't gotten me to care in the least about her characters, or even to have any idea who they were other than pompous twits, I saw no reason to give her a chance to do so when I'd have no prayer of finding out what happened. I don't even know what was supposed to start happening or why I'd want anything to happen, and for this, I'm grateful. I think it's a sign of a badly-written book when you've made it that many pages in and the author hasn't gotten a single ONE of those hooks into you, though....)

I'm partway through de Lint's Trader, one of two that were recommended to me after I so disliked Memory and Dream. I am presently stuck, but this is because every sign points to the main character being an idiot in the next few pages, and I simply do not wish to read it. Other than that, the book is a huge improvement over M&D. I do not want to strangle any of the viewpoint characters. Neither do I disbelieve in any of the viewpoint characters, or the world they're in. I am more than halfway through the book. By more than halfway through M&D, the world was believable (and stayed so to the end of the book), but the main character was a complete loss. :P

I've also a copy of Lindskold's The Pipes of Orpheus to read, and then Michelle West's The Sun Sword. I'm oddly reluctant to read the last, although of all the books presently on my 'to be read' list, it is the only one we own. The only one I was sure enough that we got it without first pre-reading at the library. It's the sixth in the series - the series up till now has rocked - even if it turns out to suck, I do not want to own only the first five books of the series. I don't expect it to suck, though. I just don't want the series to end quite yet.... But I do want to read that book. :) Sometime.

All in all a mixed bag. There was a short story in Powers of Detection (one of only a couple worth mentioning, more's the pity) by Donna Andrews. It was actually pretty good - not in the top tier, but pretty good. (At that, it was probably the best story in the book. I liked the story by Anne Bishop more, but this is because I knew the characters - as a story it was somewhat inferior, honestly.) Her books have descriptions so odd that it is with some nervousness that I've placed holds on them at the library. I have this sinking feeling I might regret it. Libraries are lovely things, though - at least there won't be any money wasted with the time, if so.

Mmm, books.

Finally made myself pick up Trader again. The ensuing scenes were actually uglier than I'd expected, so it's probably just as well that I waited 'til I could handle what I was anticipating.

Finished it. Good book. Very good. As little as I liked that section I hung up on, as depressing as a few parts of the book were, I liked it and I liked the ending. So, that's one that I'm pleased I read. Need to get Somewhere To Be Flying at some point soon and try that also.

The ending didn't betray the characters or the start or the setup. This is a definite bonus.

Friday Fiver: Shop...until you drop.

fridayfiver

1. What type of shopper are you?

Hmmm. Mostly lazy. Lackadaisical. Semi-planned. I don't mind picking up something I didn't plan to get, if I have a use for it, as long as it doesn't cost too much. I kind of like shopping. But on the "busiest shopping day of the year" I am at home with the space heater on and a good book - no way I could bring myself to face that chaos. I like going out, getting things, I like acquiring things, I like seeing what's out there. I don't like getting trampled to death for a five-cent "bargain". Or even a five-dollar bargain.

2. Have you ever gone out of your way to get a deal?

Hmm. No, not really. I have made a point of stopping where I knew there was a sale on something I wanted anyway, but only if it was convenient. Fry's ads. But they're within 5 minutes of my house. Not very out of my way and no special effort involved. If I go in and the line leaves its holder and crosses the entire freaking store, I leave again. I don't care what the deal is. (Okay, I might brave that line if I were saving several hundred or a thousand dollars on things I truly needed. This has never come up yet.)

3. Do you do your holiday shopping early, or do you procrastinate?

I don't do a lot of holiday shopping. I suck at figuring out gifts for people and I'm self-conscious about it being required. But, when I do? I do it early and I procrastinate. If I see something I think someone would like, I'll probably grab it. But other than that...I always lose track of time and suddenly the holidays are there and I wasn't ready. Though I got cards this year! (Anyone want one?)

4. What's the best gift you've ever received?

I hate these questions. They require a better memory than I have, by far. I'm tempted ot answer this with memories of holidays spent with my parents - not the presents under the tree, though those were incredibly good some years - but the tree, all ornaments and lights; the Christmas music; the food; the sense of good cheer. I don't treasure that enough to make it, myself, and yet it's a wonderful and bright memory.

5. What's the best gift you've ever given?

Sadly, I have no idea on this one, either. It would have to be answered by the people I've given gifts to. I've given money, before, when someone had need; I have given words, and things I hoped they'd like, and only wishes for a good holiday. But the best? That's not something I can judge. Nothing you give is ever equal to the task of conveying what someone means to you, anyway.