...
Title: Thieves' World
Editor: Robert Lynn Asprin
ISBN: 0441805787
Format: Paperback - 308 pages
Rating: Overall Concept - 9/10
Execution - 7/10
Title: Tales from the Vulgar Unicorn
Editor: Robert Lynn Asprin & Lynn Abbey
ISBN: 044180585X
Format: Paperback - 299 pages
Rating: Overall Concept - 8/10
Execution - 7/10
Title: Shadows of Sanctuary
Editor: Robert Lynn Asprin & Lynn Abbey
ISBN: 0441805868
Format: Paperback - 338 pages
Rating: Overall Concept - 8/10
Execution - 7/10
As per the intro to the first book, this was an idea born of beer at a book convention in 1978. This was the first shared world concept for a Fantasy series. It had previously been done with Sci-Fi with Medea (the progenitor of which was Harlan Ellison, and he apologizes about this quite frequently).
I read this series first when I was 13 or so, and never made it past the 2nd book. I am pretty certain that this is due to the fact that the 2nd book ends with a flagrantly blatant portrayal of several homosexual men. At the age of 13 I am certain I was very uncomfortable with the idea. Actually, now that I'm 33 I am questioning as to why the author choose to portray the characters in this matter. I can't really see as to why this was necessary. Not to say that the characters can't be homosexual but why it was portrayed in the very "in your face" method that was chosen.
I need to thank the co-announcer of a web radio show I listen to (Smaug is the co host and the radio show is Mortality.net, a bi-weekly show concerning news and reviews for roleplaying games), for reminding me of this series. However, my wife isn't all that happy that I spent several days and $70 on eBay obtaining the 12 books of the original series, and have now spent $20 on the two new books of the current series.
The entire idea of this series of books (of which there are 12) is that they all take place in or around the 'city' of Sanctuary. This city is best desribed as the 'armpit of all fantasy worlds'. This is due to the fact that it is a 'backwater' city in its world and is filled with 1/3 thief, 1/3 scoundrel, 1/3 con-artists and 100% victims. It is the perfect setting for candlestine fantasy, underhanded dealings and where pimps and thieves can become hereos. Each author submits a story to this world. The first time an author writes, they tend to use characters of their own creation and involve characters of others creation. By the 3rd book there are 25 'main' characters (of which three have died/been reborn).
I find these books to be very entertaining and quite cohesive despite the fact there are 25 different stories written by 15 different authors (in just the first 3 books). The level of magic in these stories is more akin to the styles of Fritz Leiber and low level settings than the High Level magic of settings such as Forgotten Realms. This is quite refreshing, especially since magic seems to have a high price on the user. This creates more of a feeling of 'be careful what you wish for' and a greater moral cost for any magic. Not the shortcut that it seems to be in some of the recent 'bubble gum' fantasy.
I would certainly recommend these books to any reader of fantasy and probably will 'borrow' several ideas from this setting for my on going gaming group. (Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, isn't it?)
Sunday, February 01, 2004
...
Title: Crossroads of Twilight
Author: Robert Jordan
ISBN: 0812571339
Format: Paperback - 822 pages
Rating: Overall Concept - 7/10
Execution - 6/10
This is the tenth book in a series wherein the average page count doesn't drop below 700. That is like reading twice as many standard trade paperbacks.
This series has literally hundreds of characters and is has such depth of world development that it often requires the reader to read a book summary of the previous novels in the series once the new one is released, in order to be fully up to speed with the events.
After reading the HUGE event that left off the 9th book of the series, I was expecting some serious 'dominoes' to fall in this book. However, this book decided to focus on several events that were well disjointed from this seminal event and kinda left me lacking.
I have read several disparaging reviews of this book on the internet and have several friends who seem VERY dissapointed by it. I think this may have made the dissapointment a little smaller for me as my expectations had been lowered.
I will say that given the number of pages the author had in this book, there really did not seem to be any major events until the last 10 pages. Even the seminal event of the previous novel was glossed over and was almost made anticlimatic.
This book was very much a filler and I feel that this is because the author is attempting to setup very, very particular events to occur and he needed this book to setup all the necessary precursors to these events.
My greatest dissappointment is that the next book in this series that the author choose to release isn't the 11th but a prequel. And apparently he is going to release another prequel before he releases book 11.
This makes me wonder if he has written himself into a corner and doesn't know how to finish the series with the expectations that his fans and his previous books are generating.
Perhaps he can take a cue from another favourite author of mine, Neil Gaiman, when he commented at his ending of his fan favourite Sandman series that this was his series and his ending, and that he knew he couldn't make everyone happy with regards to the ending and that the only advice he could offer to those that didn't like the ending to just go ahead a write their own.
Oh well, hopefully Robert Jordan won't take so long with the series that he will perish before he can properly finish it, as odds are his publishers will pay some unknown author a pittance to finish it or some egotistical prig will decide to take on the mantle and 'run with it'.
Title: Crossroads of Twilight
Author: Robert Jordan
ISBN: 0812571339
Format: Paperback - 822 pages
Rating: Overall Concept - 7/10
Execution - 6/10
This is the tenth book in a series wherein the average page count doesn't drop below 700. That is like reading twice as many standard trade paperbacks.
This series has literally hundreds of characters and is has such depth of world development that it often requires the reader to read a book summary of the previous novels in the series once the new one is released, in order to be fully up to speed with the events.
After reading the HUGE event that left off the 9th book of the series, I was expecting some serious 'dominoes' to fall in this book. However, this book decided to focus on several events that were well disjointed from this seminal event and kinda left me lacking.
I have read several disparaging reviews of this book on the internet and have several friends who seem VERY dissapointed by it. I think this may have made the dissapointment a little smaller for me as my expectations had been lowered.
I will say that given the number of pages the author had in this book, there really did not seem to be any major events until the last 10 pages. Even the seminal event of the previous novel was glossed over and was almost made anticlimatic.
This book was very much a filler and I feel that this is because the author is attempting to setup very, very particular events to occur and he needed this book to setup all the necessary precursors to these events.
My greatest dissappointment is that the next book in this series that the author choose to release isn't the 11th but a prequel. And apparently he is going to release another prequel before he releases book 11.
This makes me wonder if he has written himself into a corner and doesn't know how to finish the series with the expectations that his fans and his previous books are generating.
Perhaps he can take a cue from another favourite author of mine, Neil Gaiman, when he commented at his ending of his fan favourite Sandman series that this was his series and his ending, and that he knew he couldn't make everyone happy with regards to the ending and that the only advice he could offer to those that didn't like the ending to just go ahead a write their own.
Oh well, hopefully Robert Jordan won't take so long with the series that he will perish before he can properly finish it, as odds are his publishers will pay some unknown author a pittance to finish it or some egotistical prig will decide to take on the mantle and 'run with it'.
...
Title: From Hell
Author: Alan Moore
Illustrator: Eddie Campbell
ISBN: 0958578346
Format: Over Sized Paperback - 560 pages
Rating: Overall Concept - 9/10
Execution - 9/10
I first became aware of this book well AFTER the movie starring Johnnie Depp (of the same name) was released. To find out that this movie I really wanted to see was based on an Alan Moore graphic novel was most revealing and made me want to see the movie all the more.
However, I haven't gotten around to seeing this movie yet as I felt it would be better to read the book first and then determine how the movie was interpreted from the book.
I was quite surprised when began to read the book for two reasons: 1) the movie is "investigated here by a Scotland Yard sleuth (Johnny Depp) who uses opium, laudanum, and absinthe to fuel his semiprescient visions of the slayings." (Amazon.com quote) but the book has no mentioning of such an investigator. and 2) the premise for the story seemed very familiar to me and then I remembered the movie of 1979 called Murder by Decree wherein Sherlock Holmes follows the Whitechapel case to a similar conclusion to the one of this book.
What I learned from the rather well detailed appendix of this volume, is that both the 1979 movie and this book are based upon a theory of the Whitechapel Murders that was written by Stephen Knight (Jack the Ripper: The Final Solution).
This book was EXCELLENT. From the artistry of Eddie Campbell wherein you can almost feel the grit of 1880's London, to the writting of Alan Moore that even made the appendix an entertaining jaunt into history.
Based upon my enjoyment of this book and what I have gleaned from friends about the movie of the same name, it will be some time yet before I watch the movie so as not to overly sully my memories of this book.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who can get over the fact that it is "a comic book". Especially for anyone who is a bit of Ripperologist, who I certainly think could get some deeper meanings from this book that I may have missed.
Title: From Hell
Author: Alan Moore
Illustrator: Eddie Campbell
ISBN: 0958578346
Format: Over Sized Paperback - 560 pages
Rating: Overall Concept - 9/10
Execution - 9/10
I first became aware of this book well AFTER the movie starring Johnnie Depp (of the same name) was released. To find out that this movie I really wanted to see was based on an Alan Moore graphic novel was most revealing and made me want to see the movie all the more.
However, I haven't gotten around to seeing this movie yet as I felt it would be better to read the book first and then determine how the movie was interpreted from the book.
I was quite surprised when began to read the book for two reasons: 1) the movie is "investigated here by a Scotland Yard sleuth (Johnny Depp) who uses opium, laudanum, and absinthe to fuel his semiprescient visions of the slayings." (Amazon.com quote) but the book has no mentioning of such an investigator. and 2) the premise for the story seemed very familiar to me and then I remembered the movie of 1979 called Murder by Decree wherein Sherlock Holmes follows the Whitechapel case to a similar conclusion to the one of this book.
What I learned from the rather well detailed appendix of this volume, is that both the 1979 movie and this book are based upon a theory of the Whitechapel Murders that was written by Stephen Knight (Jack the Ripper: The Final Solution).
This book was EXCELLENT. From the artistry of Eddie Campbell wherein you can almost feel the grit of 1880's London, to the writting of Alan Moore that even made the appendix an entertaining jaunt into history.
Based upon my enjoyment of this book and what I have gleaned from friends about the movie of the same name, it will be some time yet before I watch the movie so as not to overly sully my memories of this book.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who can get over the fact that it is "a comic book". Especially for anyone who is a bit of Ripperologist, who I certainly think could get some deeper meanings from this book that I may have missed.
...
Title: Bring Me the Head of Prince Charming
Author: Roger Zelazny & Robert Scheckley
ISBN: 0553354485
Format: Over Sized Paperback - 279 pages
Rating: Overall Concept - 8/10
Execution - 5/10
Title: If at Faust You Don't Succeed
Author: Roger Zelazny & Robert Scheckley
ISBN: 055337141X
Format: Over Sized Paperback - 322 pages
Rating: Overall Concept - 8/10
Execution - 5/10
Title: A Farce to be Reckoned With
Author: Roger Zelazny & Robert Scheckley
ISBN: 0553374427
Format: Over Sized Paperback - 292 pages
Rating: Overall Concept - 7/10
Execution - 5/10
For a series that I spent several years trying to find I must say I wasn't truly impressed.
I had seen this on the shelves at my local bookstore for a very long time, yet didn't have the cash to pick them up at the time. As is the case with mass market paperbacks, they left the shelves not to return once I got the money.
But through the fotuitous offerings of eBay, I was able to locate these books and hastily bought them.
Given the premise of the novels (Good vs. Evil having a Millenial contest to decide the moral leanings of the human race for the next thousand years) I was expecting some funny commentary on Good, Evil and human beings foibals regarding either. Something akin to the book Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. Instead I was given a series akin to the writings of Piers Anthony. Not to disparage Piers Anthony's writtings, but more to the fact that he has very good ideas that he either beats to death (Xanth) or he poorly executes (Steppe).
I was glad to have read more materials by my favourite author (Roger Zelazny) but was rather disappointed that such a good idea was so poorly executed.
Title: Bring Me the Head of Prince Charming
Author: Roger Zelazny & Robert Scheckley
ISBN: 0553354485
Format: Over Sized Paperback - 279 pages
Rating: Overall Concept - 8/10
Execution - 5/10
Title: If at Faust You Don't Succeed
Author: Roger Zelazny & Robert Scheckley
ISBN: 055337141X
Format: Over Sized Paperback - 322 pages
Rating: Overall Concept - 8/10
Execution - 5/10
Title: A Farce to be Reckoned With
Author: Roger Zelazny & Robert Scheckley
ISBN: 0553374427
Format: Over Sized Paperback - 292 pages
Rating: Overall Concept - 7/10
Execution - 5/10
For a series that I spent several years trying to find I must say I wasn't truly impressed.
I had seen this on the shelves at my local bookstore for a very long time, yet didn't have the cash to pick them up at the time. As is the case with mass market paperbacks, they left the shelves not to return once I got the money.
But through the fotuitous offerings of eBay, I was able to locate these books and hastily bought them.
Given the premise of the novels (Good vs. Evil having a Millenial contest to decide the moral leanings of the human race for the next thousand years) I was expecting some funny commentary on Good, Evil and human beings foibals regarding either. Something akin to the book Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. Instead I was given a series akin to the writings of Piers Anthony. Not to disparage Piers Anthony's writtings, but more to the fact that he has very good ideas that he either beats to death (Xanth) or he poorly executes (Steppe).
I was glad to have read more materials by my favourite author (Roger Zelazny) but was rather disappointed that such a good idea was so poorly executed.
Sunday, September 28, 2003
...
Title: Servant of the Shard
Author: R.A. Salvatore
ISBN: 0786918780
Format: Paperback - 359 pages
Rating: Overall Concept - 6/10
Execution - 9/10
This is the 12th book in R.A. Salvatore's saga detailing the events in the lives of Drizzt Dourden, Cattabrie, Bruenor, Wulfgar, Regis, etc.
The focal characters of this book, is surprisingly, two of the series previous main villians, Artemis Entreri and Jarlaxle. This is most refreshing as it adds a needed jolt to the energy of this series. The previous book in the series, Spine of the World which dealt exclusively with Wulfgar, almost finished my reading of this series.
Having a book where most of the characters are just different shades of evil was a most excellent read. It was probably during or shortly after this book that the seeds of the War of the Spiderqueen were planted.
This book was also refreshing as the characters from the Cleric Quintet series (Cadderly, Danica, Ivan & Pikel) were around for a significant portion of this book.
And the end of the book leaves endless possibilites for adventures around Artemis and Jarlaxle, with Jarlaxle revealing a secret that could very well shake the foundation of Mezzoberanzan.
A most excellent read that I would highly recommend.
Title: Servant of the Shard
Author: R.A. Salvatore
ISBN: 0786918780
Format: Paperback - 359 pages
Rating: Overall Concept - 6/10
Execution - 9/10
This is the 12th book in R.A. Salvatore's saga detailing the events in the lives of Drizzt Dourden, Cattabrie, Bruenor, Wulfgar, Regis, etc.
The focal characters of this book, is surprisingly, two of the series previous main villians, Artemis Entreri and Jarlaxle. This is most refreshing as it adds a needed jolt to the energy of this series. The previous book in the series, Spine of the World which dealt exclusively with Wulfgar, almost finished my reading of this series.
Having a book where most of the characters are just different shades of evil was a most excellent read. It was probably during or shortly after this book that the seeds of the War of the Spiderqueen were planted.
This book was also refreshing as the characters from the Cleric Quintet series (Cadderly, Danica, Ivan & Pikel) were around for a significant portion of this book.
And the end of the book leaves endless possibilites for adventures around Artemis and Jarlaxle, with Jarlaxle revealing a secret that could very well shake the foundation of Mezzoberanzan.
A most excellent read that I would highly recommend.
...
Title: Primal Scream
Author: Michael Slade
ISBN: 0451195663
Format: Paperback - 429 pages
Rating: Overall Concept - 6/10
Execution - 9/10
This book is the sixth in Michael Slade's series of novels dealing with the exploits of Special X, a division of the Vancouver RCMP.
This book follows the standard faire of any of these books, with over the top sex, violence and the criminally insane.
However, unlike its predecessors this book is full of excellent plot twists and unexpected surprises.
By this time in "his" career, Michael Slade has fully developed his writting skills and this book shows it.
I would still recommend that anyone wishing to read Michael Slade begins with the books in their chronological order (Headhunter (of which Primal Scream is a direct sequel of), Ghoul, Cutthroat, Ripper, Evil Eye and then Primal Scream). I suggest this as the characters carry through these books and without the previous knowledge of them and their histories, as provided by the earlier novels, the book may become muddled and hard to fully appreciate.
I can hardly wait to read the rest of this series, as this book was most excellent.
Title: Primal Scream
Author: Michael Slade
ISBN: 0451195663
Format: Paperback - 429 pages
Rating: Overall Concept - 6/10
Execution - 9/10
This book is the sixth in Michael Slade's series of novels dealing with the exploits of Special X, a division of the Vancouver RCMP.
This book follows the standard faire of any of these books, with over the top sex, violence and the criminally insane.
However, unlike its predecessors this book is full of excellent plot twists and unexpected surprises.
By this time in "his" career, Michael Slade has fully developed his writting skills and this book shows it.
I would still recommend that anyone wishing to read Michael Slade begins with the books in their chronological order (Headhunter (of which Primal Scream is a direct sequel of), Ghoul, Cutthroat, Ripper, Evil Eye and then Primal Scream). I suggest this as the characters carry through these books and without the previous knowledge of them and their histories, as provided by the earlier novels, the book may become muddled and hard to fully appreciate.
I can hardly wait to read the rest of this series, as this book was most excellent.
Tuesday, September 02, 2003
...
Title: The Terminus Experiment (Shadowrun #34)
Author: Jonathan E. Bond & Jak Koke
ISBN: 0451457048
Format: Paperback - 288 pages
Rating: Overall Concept - 7/10
Execution - 7/10
I own the entire run of Shadowrun Novels by ROC publishing (all 40 of them) and have read up to and including this title.
I must say that this book was another example of a really good quick read. I have enjoyed all the Shadowrun books and am only dissapointed by the fact that I only have 6 more to go.
For anyone who likes Fantasy, Cyberpunk or Shadowrun type books, I would redily suggest they read this one.
The one thing about this book I found most interesting was that this was the first Shadowrun novel to have a blatantly lesbian relationship. What makes it so interesting was that the book was written by a couple of men. Not to say that a man cannot write about a gay relationship, but I couldn't help but wonder if this situation was a hook or gimmick to feed the authors fantasy.
However, it was refreshing for the authors to have included such an integral part of human society into a book dealing with the future. All of the other Shadowrun novels have made no mention of homosexuality and have made few mentions of interracial relationships. By specifically including this into this story I think the authors have taken a risk that pays off immensely.
For the above reason, as well as some of the dark imagery and there being no clear protaganist, I think that this book is showing a maturing of the Shadowrun novel series, a maturing that I hope continues in the rest of the books.
Now, lets see what we can do to convince WhizKids and Fanpro to produce more Shadowrun novels. ;^)
Title: The Terminus Experiment (Shadowrun #34)
Author: Jonathan E. Bond & Jak Koke
ISBN: 0451457048
Format: Paperback - 288 pages
Rating: Overall Concept - 7/10
Execution - 7/10
I own the entire run of Shadowrun Novels by ROC publishing (all 40 of them) and have read up to and including this title.
I must say that this book was another example of a really good quick read. I have enjoyed all the Shadowrun books and am only dissapointed by the fact that I only have 6 more to go.
For anyone who likes Fantasy, Cyberpunk or Shadowrun type books, I would redily suggest they read this one.
The one thing about this book I found most interesting was that this was the first Shadowrun novel to have a blatantly lesbian relationship. What makes it so interesting was that the book was written by a couple of men. Not to say that a man cannot write about a gay relationship, but I couldn't help but wonder if this situation was a hook or gimmick to feed the authors fantasy.
However, it was refreshing for the authors to have included such an integral part of human society into a book dealing with the future. All of the other Shadowrun novels have made no mention of homosexuality and have made few mentions of interracial relationships. By specifically including this into this story I think the authors have taken a risk that pays off immensely.
For the above reason, as well as some of the dark imagery and there being no clear protaganist, I think that this book is showing a maturing of the Shadowrun novel series, a maturing that I hope continues in the rest of the books.
Now, lets see what we can do to convince WhizKids and Fanpro to produce more Shadowrun novels. ;^)
Friday, August 22, 2003
...
Title: The Club Dumas
Author: Arturo Perez-Reverte
ISBN: 0679777547
Format: Paperback - 384 pages
Rating: Overall Concept - 8/10
Execution - 6/10
About two years ago I came upon a rather neat film called The Ninth Gate (dir. Roman Polanski). I was quite taken by the film, enough so to purchase the soundtrack. Upon mentioning this film to some friends, I was informed that it was based upon the Book The Club Dumas by Arturo Perez-Reverte and that a large portion of the story was left out of the movie. Intrigued, upon my next visit to the local big chain bookstore I found and purchased this copy.
I finished reading this book about a week ago and I have some mixed feelings about it.
It was a good read and aspects of it were very enjoyable. I learned a lot about Alexandre Dumas and his writings.
I certainly did enjoy the authors style, diction and pacing(although, being an English version of a Spanish novel I am not certain what was lost in the translation).
I think that my mixed feelings stem from the differences with the movie (isn't that always the case).
The movie focused exclusively on the story arc involving the The Nine Gates to the Kingdom of Shadows, whereas the book had the two interwoven story arcs of The Nine Gates to the Kingdom of Shadows and the possibly authentic original chapter 42 of the Three Musketeers.
The artistic license that Polanski uses, by modifying/reworking aspects of the story, in no way detracts from the overall story. In fact, his ending, which does not appear in the book, is quite satisfactory and I really liked it.
I find the way that the parallels of the Three Musketeers plot is 'wrapped up' to be anti-climatic and almost makes the previous tension frivolous. And the end of the Nine Gates story arc seems to lack the finality of the movie.
Up until the last chapter of the book, I was thoroughly enjoying it. However, the end leaves me a little disappointed.
Perhaps I would have liked it better had I seen the movie after reading the novel?
All in all, I think that Arturo Perez-Reverte deserves more reading. However, I might borrow from the library rather than purchase.
For anyone who appreciates a good intelligent and historical mystery I would recommend this novel.
Title: The Club Dumas
Author: Arturo Perez-Reverte
ISBN: 0679777547
Format: Paperback - 384 pages
Rating: Overall Concept - 8/10
Execution - 6/10
About two years ago I came upon a rather neat film called The Ninth Gate (dir. Roman Polanski). I was quite taken by the film, enough so to purchase the soundtrack. Upon mentioning this film to some friends, I was informed that it was based upon the Book The Club Dumas by Arturo Perez-Reverte and that a large portion of the story was left out of the movie. Intrigued, upon my next visit to the local big chain bookstore I found and purchased this copy.
I finished reading this book about a week ago and I have some mixed feelings about it.
It was a good read and aspects of it were very enjoyable. I learned a lot about Alexandre Dumas and his writings.
I certainly did enjoy the authors style, diction and pacing(although, being an English version of a Spanish novel I am not certain what was lost in the translation).
I think that my mixed feelings stem from the differences with the movie (isn't that always the case).
The movie focused exclusively on the story arc involving the The Nine Gates to the Kingdom of Shadows, whereas the book had the two interwoven story arcs of The Nine Gates to the Kingdom of Shadows and the possibly authentic original chapter 42 of the Three Musketeers.
The artistic license that Polanski uses, by modifying/reworking aspects of the story, in no way detracts from the overall story. In fact, his ending, which does not appear in the book, is quite satisfactory and I really liked it.
I find the way that the parallels of the Three Musketeers plot is 'wrapped up' to be anti-climatic and almost makes the previous tension frivolous. And the end of the Nine Gates story arc seems to lack the finality of the movie.
Up until the last chapter of the book, I was thoroughly enjoying it. However, the end leaves me a little disappointed.
Perhaps I would have liked it better had I seen the movie after reading the novel?
All in all, I think that Arturo Perez-Reverte deserves more reading. However, I might borrow from the library rather than purchase.
For anyone who appreciates a good intelligent and historical mystery I would recommend this novel.
...
I guess I should blame equally my mother and the comic industry for making me something of a bibliophile. (I consider myself a bibliophile for two reasons 1) I have a personal collection of almost 800 books and 2) I specifically will only buy books in a series with the same cover type, even willing to wait a year to get the book since all my other editions in the series are paperback.)
When I was a preteen and living in a small town (Owen Sound ONT for the truly curious) I didn't have a lot of toys nor did I have all that much television to watch on my 11" b&w television. In the restless summer months, while off of school, I would get bored to the point that I would irritate my mother. Her solution to this was to tell me to go to the library (which was a 5 minute walk from our house) and find something to read. Her reasoning being that a Public Library MUST have SOMETHING I would want to read. Thus began my foray into the world of books. It wasn't long after that I became a voracious reader of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror.
Now as to the comic book part. When I was a few years older and the family was better off financially, I began to 'collect' comics. Please note that this was during the comic collecting craze of the early to mid eighties. I can't remember how long after I started collecting that I began to bag, board and box my comics but I do know that it doesn't seem all that long after. I began to buy anything that was a number 1 (and let me tell you a lot of these were just dreadful) and I was a Marvel snob. I just couldn't get into the DC universe (which might have been a good thing as the cost would have truly been prohibitive). By the time I was in University I had an obsession to the point that my girlfriend (now wife) started supporting my habit. Part of my problem was my overwhelming desire, once I had begun to like a series, to try to collect ALL of the back issues to a series. And my need to buy all the crossover issues that were big at the time. All I can say was I wasn't all that discriminating and spent much more money than I should have. About 3 years after I graduated from University, just around the time I got married, I donated about 1500+ comics to the Good Will. You see, I couldn't get a reasonable price for the collection (as I was only culling the herd of the weak and sick) and my wife was not about to allow one room of the house just for boxes of comics. Hence and agreement was made, I would only keep those comics I truly loved (all my Dr. Strange and Sandman for example) and the rest we would donate. I don't regret my decision, but the collector in me would love to go over those issues to see just what I truly did have. Despite my intentions to the contrary I currently have a collection of about 1000 comics and it is growing.
So, back to the bibliophile. Now I have taken my collector instincts and am applying them to my personal library. I tend to buy books shortly after they come into the book stores (as most of the things I buy are mass market paperbacks and I have learned that if I wait more than a few months, it will become increasing difficult to locate and therefore purchase). However, I have become somewhat discriminating (probably not as much as my wife would like) as I only buy books/series that I either like the author or have already read and liked the series so far.
The comic collector in me can't stand to see a book abused or mishandled. I cringe when ever I see/hear the spine of a book being 'cracked' as a reader bends it backwards. I won't allow dog earring of pages, that's what bookmarks are for. I try ever so hard (even though I commute to and from work daily) to not scuff, scrape or mar the covers of my books. I have removed all the slip covers of my hard covers and have placed them in separate storage, both to protect them and because I find the natural spine of a hardcover more appealing. I am noticeably hesitant to loan my books for fear of my 'friends' mishandling them. I usually preface a loan with my expectations regarding the shape of the books return. If someone borrows one of my books and 'damages' it, I will NOT allow them to borrow again and I may (depending on the damage) replace the book (if I can). You could almost say I have a reverence for books in general. Reminds me of a favourite quote of mine, it is from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
In the first season the computer teacher is talking to Giles about his dislike of PCs.
PC Teacher "Giles, why don't you like computers"
Giles - "Honestly, it is the smell."
PC Teacher - "But they don't have a smell."
Giles - "Precisely."
I am certain that someone can emphasize with this as I know that I find the smell of a used bookstore to be exhilarating and comforting at the same time. The musty smell of old books can only give me happy thoughts.
Fortunately my wife reads almost as voraciously as I do and we read very similar genres, so my 'hobby' is quiet agreeable to her. We both wish one day to have a room in the house that is wall to wall, floor to ceiling book shelves with a couple of wing back chairs to curl up to a good book in.
Now as to the purpose of this blog, I intend to document and comment on the books I read as I read them. I also plan to include other books I have read, authors who I greatly enjoy and maybe some comments on some movie adaptations.
Thanks for reading this far and I hope my future blogs are of value in your future book choices.
I guess I should blame equally my mother and the comic industry for making me something of a bibliophile. (I consider myself a bibliophile for two reasons 1) I have a personal collection of almost 800 books and 2) I specifically will only buy books in a series with the same cover type, even willing to wait a year to get the book since all my other editions in the series are paperback.)
When I was a preteen and living in a small town (Owen Sound ONT for the truly curious) I didn't have a lot of toys nor did I have all that much television to watch on my 11" b&w television. In the restless summer months, while off of school, I would get bored to the point that I would irritate my mother. Her solution to this was to tell me to go to the library (which was a 5 minute walk from our house) and find something to read. Her reasoning being that a Public Library MUST have SOMETHING I would want to read. Thus began my foray into the world of books. It wasn't long after that I became a voracious reader of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror.
Now as to the comic book part. When I was a few years older and the family was better off financially, I began to 'collect' comics. Please note that this was during the comic collecting craze of the early to mid eighties. I can't remember how long after I started collecting that I began to bag, board and box my comics but I do know that it doesn't seem all that long after. I began to buy anything that was a number 1 (and let me tell you a lot of these were just dreadful) and I was a Marvel snob. I just couldn't get into the DC universe (which might have been a good thing as the cost would have truly been prohibitive). By the time I was in University I had an obsession to the point that my girlfriend (now wife) started supporting my habit. Part of my problem was my overwhelming desire, once I had begun to like a series, to try to collect ALL of the back issues to a series. And my need to buy all the crossover issues that were big at the time. All I can say was I wasn't all that discriminating and spent much more money than I should have. About 3 years after I graduated from University, just around the time I got married, I donated about 1500+ comics to the Good Will. You see, I couldn't get a reasonable price for the collection (as I was only culling the herd of the weak and sick) and my wife was not about to allow one room of the house just for boxes of comics. Hence and agreement was made, I would only keep those comics I truly loved (all my Dr. Strange and Sandman for example) and the rest we would donate. I don't regret my decision, but the collector in me would love to go over those issues to see just what I truly did have. Despite my intentions to the contrary I currently have a collection of about 1000 comics and it is growing.
So, back to the bibliophile. Now I have taken my collector instincts and am applying them to my personal library. I tend to buy books shortly after they come into the book stores (as most of the things I buy are mass market paperbacks and I have learned that if I wait more than a few months, it will become increasing difficult to locate and therefore purchase). However, I have become somewhat discriminating (probably not as much as my wife would like) as I only buy books/series that I either like the author or have already read and liked the series so far.
The comic collector in me can't stand to see a book abused or mishandled. I cringe when ever I see/hear the spine of a book being 'cracked' as a reader bends it backwards. I won't allow dog earring of pages, that's what bookmarks are for. I try ever so hard (even though I commute to and from work daily) to not scuff, scrape or mar the covers of my books. I have removed all the slip covers of my hard covers and have placed them in separate storage, both to protect them and because I find the natural spine of a hardcover more appealing. I am noticeably hesitant to loan my books for fear of my 'friends' mishandling them. I usually preface a loan with my expectations regarding the shape of the books return. If someone borrows one of my books and 'damages' it, I will NOT allow them to borrow again and I may (depending on the damage) replace the book (if I can). You could almost say I have a reverence for books in general. Reminds me of a favourite quote of mine, it is from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
In the first season the computer teacher is talking to Giles about his dislike of PCs.
PC Teacher "Giles, why don't you like computers"
Giles - "Honestly, it is the smell."
PC Teacher - "But they don't have a smell."
Giles - "Precisely."
I am certain that someone can emphasize with this as I know that I find the smell of a used bookstore to be exhilarating and comforting at the same time. The musty smell of old books can only give me happy thoughts.
Fortunately my wife reads almost as voraciously as I do and we read very similar genres, so my 'hobby' is quiet agreeable to her. We both wish one day to have a room in the house that is wall to wall, floor to ceiling book shelves with a couple of wing back chairs to curl up to a good book in.
Now as to the purpose of this blog, I intend to document and comment on the books I read as I read them. I also plan to include other books I have read, authors who I greatly enjoy and maybe some comments on some movie adaptations.
Thanks for reading this far and I hope my future blogs are of value in your future book choices.
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