We are headed to the coast for some much needed R&R and as I do every year I have my stack (LIFO Bitches!) of books ready to read. Whats in the beach bag this year (or on the carousel), you might ask:
Gardens of the Moon by Steven Erickson
So all I have heard is good things about the Steven Erikson's Malazan series it just always seemed like such a big endeavor. What I am about to say my sound heretical to some, but the last time I took the dive into an epic series (Jordan's Wheel of Time) it really started out great, but by book 3 I started to get a little bored, and by book 5 I was ready to put it all down. With all respect to Jordan who was a great author, the middle books for some reason just really started to branch into minute detail, that although sometimes interesting, just where not enough to keep me interested. I have really heard a lot of people say this series continues to get better and better each book, I am already ~50 or so pages into Garden of the Moon and it seems pretty captivating so I am having high hopes.
Magician: Apprentice (Graphic Novel: Raymond E Fiest - Illustrations by multiple authors)
I need a good graphic novel. I almost picked up the newer Conan series, but this looked more appealing. I never really read the Riftwar Saga, but back in the 486 era I played the hell out of Betrayal at Krondor so I do know the universe. For some reason ever since finishing The Watchman a few years ago I have been all over graphic novels, looking for anything that looks cool that isn't Manga. It sounds like this is only the first volume (and at about the size of 4 regular comics), so it might be awhile before I see vol 2 (if there is one) once I finish this one.
Love + Sex with Robots (David Levy)
Our generation will be the first to really utilize decently smart robotics in the home (some of us already do). While I don't expect any Gigolo Joe's in the near future, I have no doubt the sex industry will be at the forefront of any technological leaps (they always have been), so I am interested to see what Levy's predictions are.
The Secret Life of Lobsters: How Fishermen and Scientists Are Unraveling the Mysteries of Our Favorite Crustacean (Trevor Corson)
I love it when people write entire books about things that most people would find mundane. This book fit the bill perfectly. It is batting in cleanup though, so I am hoping that I get through all 4 this week.
Listening To:
Almost as important as the reading list, is what the latest additions to the portable music devices are, I have purchased probably about 13 or 14 records over the past 2-3 weeks but two of these guys are new albums, the other 2 are old favorites that i can't get enough of right now:
Seeing Things (Jakob Dylan)
I remember buying Bringing Down the Horse in high school after hearing 6th Avenue Heartache and I ended up loving the entire album. For some reason though none of the other Wallflowers I really enjoyed. When I heard Jakob Dylan was coming out with a solo record I honestly thought 'mmph..' but I read some decent reviews on the net about it and decided to pick it up and I glad I did I really enjoy it. It is very toned down compared to The Wallflowers, but very good.
Viva La Vida (Coldplay)
Yeah I love it. Not as much as any of the other 3 albums (yet?) but it is really growing on my quickly. I remember feeling ambivalence about X&Y when it first came out (I think it was also a vacation album) and I love that record now. Highlights for me on Viva La Vida are Strawberry Swing and Cemeteries of London.
Some Older Favorites I have on repeat:
Descended Like Vultures (Rogue Wave)
A little older, but really just hitting it's prime with me. If you don't own this album, BUY IT. Zak Rogue has an insanely good voice that warbles beautifully and can carry the oddest note sequences that i just don't think would work for anyone else in the world. The band matches it perfectly and it all just works. It doesn't work just once either, it works 11 times. Probably one of my most listened to albums of the past 3 months. So good.
Abbey Road (The Beatles)
I can listen to the last 7 song sequence on Abbey Road in order forever. Forever. I think Abbey Road and Beatles for Sale used to be at the bottom of my Beatles album list, but for some reason Abbey Road has grown with me over the last few months, I am not sure if Beatles for Sale ever will though. I think Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight has grown on me just because for the last 10 months because of my new parenting responsibilities and there isn't a morning I have woke up without wanting more sleep, but like the sequence no matter how sleepy I am, "The End" always seems to be uplifting and couples nicely with getting my daughter up/out of bed and watching Bunnytown (for those of you who are not parents yet, Bunnytown is Fraggle Rock of the new).
