“Terminal Freeze” is another Lincoln Child book about a monster on the loose. I might sound like I’m bored with the idea, but actually Child’s books are like comfort food to me, and “Terminal Freeze” is pretty tasty.
‘Star Wars’ meets ‘Jurassic Park’ in Christie Golden’s ‘Fate of the Jedi: Omen’ (Book review)
“Fate of the Jedi” is the third multi-author “Star Wars” series from Del Rey, following the Yuuzhan Vong series and the Jacen-turns-evil series. The first two can be labeled interesting experiments, but the format is really clicking this time around.
‘Nick & Norah’: One movie that’s better than the book (Commentary)
My friend Ally wondered the other day why filmmakers can’t just stay true to the book, especially if it’s a good book. I had mentioned that “Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist” was my favorite movie of 2008, and she said she hated it because the book was better.
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So much for the Jedi Purge: In ‘No Prisoners,’ Traviss introduces more spin-off Jedi (and I’m not complaining) (Book review)
I’m not going to argue that the “Star Wars” prequel movies are as good as the original trilogy. They aren’t. However, the prequel era has added layers to “Star Wars” we couldn’t have dreamed of when it was a simple — albeit great — drama of good versus evil back in the early 1980s.
OK, fine, Dumbledore is gay. But Buffy is straight, dammit (Comic book commentary)
I don’t think I’m homophobic. I believe gay people should have equal rights to straight people in every respect (marriage, serving in the military, etc.) And I think Ross Mathews is the funniest of “Chelsea Lately’s” roundtable guests.
My prediction: We’ll get another ‘Harry Potter’ novel someday (Book commentary)
The “Harry Potter” saga is confined to Harry’s seven years at Hogwarts, plus the flashback memories — via Tom Riddle’s diary or Dumbledore’s Pensieve — and the epilogue that shows Harry and friends as adults. But was it really the end when “Deathly Hallows” was published two years ago?
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‘Fate of the Jedi: Outcast’ a great launch of new ‘Star Wars’ series (Book review)
Aaron Allston has been among my favorite “Star Wars” authors since his “X-wing” Wraith Squadron books from about a decade ago. “Star Wars” novels tended toward the dour side at that time, but Allston brought humor and fresh characters to the fold.
For the love of libraries, in all their musty, dusty glory (Book commentary)
In fourth grade, my homeroom teacher conducted a game where every student had a fictional $1,000 to bid on fictional items. Apparently she was preparing us for our futures as eBay bidders. (As I think back on it, this was one of the rare examples of public school teaching me something useful.) Continue reading “For the love of libraries, in all their musty, dusty glory (Book commentary)”
5 random things to mull over (Commentary)
1. I notice comedians now apologize for jokes if they offend someone. Can you imagine if musicians had to apologize for bad songs? “Sweet Home Alabama” attacks my eardrums every time I walk into a small-town bar, and I’ve never gotten a letter of apology from Lynyrd Skynyrd. Or what if politicians had to say they were sorry? In that case, the Republican and Democratic parties could just give a blanket Apology Address once a year.
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Remembering Brainerd … and moving on to the next adventure (Commentary)
I’m moving to Sedalia, Mo., to start a new job, so I’ll soon be racking up new positive and negative experiences. (Based on my first dalliance with the town and the job, it will be positive, but that’s balanced out by my naturally pessimistic attitude.)
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