OT: Books, Books, Books.

[SpaceBadger]

Originally posted by narf poit chez BOOM:
not to mention Diplomatic Immunity.

Actually, I'd prefer that one not be mentioned - the =only= thing Bujold has written that I just didn't like. Every other Vorkosigan book has left me wanting more more more - not this one. I'm glad she seems to be moving on to the Chalion books now.

BTW, on the matter of where to start reading the Vorkosigan books, I suggest one of the following: (A) Shards of Honor (first chronologically, and also first written), followed by the rest in chronological order (check the timeline in the back of one of the books); (B) Warrior's Apprentice (first "Miles" book, for those people who may not get into a book with a female main character), followed by others in chronological order except for a detour at some point to pick up Shards and Barrayar; or (C) Brothers in Arms (most exciting one that doesn't rely too much on backstory from other books, recommended for getting someone hooked on the series, after which they can read the rest chronlogically). Mirror Dance and Memory are my own Favorites, but I don't think I would recommend them for someone who hadn't read any of the others first.

I used method C with my brother-in-law (and it got him quite firmly addicted), but that was only because I could not find a copy of Shards or Warrior's Apprentice anywhere at the time, and did not want to lend him my copies since he lives in another state (this was before Cordelia's Honor and Young Miles came out, so Shards and WA were not readily available as they are now).

SpaceBadger

[narf poit chez BOOM]

aside from it not having the general looniness of the other books, i don't really see the problem. the books more serious tone reflects the more serious and experienced miles. he was in his twenty's during his adventure's and now that he's thirty, his starting to run his thinking from his brain, not his glands. and is naturally appalled at some of the risks he took.

[Geckomlis]

Originally posted by gregebowman:

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Originally posted by narf poit chez BOOM:
i read series in whatever order i find them.

I did that one time. Bought book 3 of the Donald Stephenson first trilogy (White Gold Wielder?), then read the second trilogy, then read the first 2 books of the original trilogy. Talk about being confused.

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Yes, that would just about confuse anyone...

[Geckomlis]

Originally posted by gregebowman:

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Originally posted by Deathstalker:
Cordelia has the first two books in the series, then Young Miles has the next two IIRC. Thats the ONE thing I hate about book stores (even Chapters does it), you go in and look at a book, it seems interesting and then you find out its part 45 of 68 and part 1 is nowhere to be seen. ARGH. Luckily our local chapters seems to be ok at stocking titles and we have several good 2nd hand book shops.

Deathstalker, that's the most frustrating thing for me too. I don't usually go the to the book stores. Usually I'll see a book at Wal-Mart or some similar store and buy it there. But it is frustrating to see a book in a series you've never heard of before and then find out it's book 2 or 3 of a trilogy, or maybe book 5 of a series of 8. So I know what you mean.

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Ok, I have to ask: Did you try your local public library system? Even if they do not have a book, they usually can get it via inter-library loan at no cost to the patron. Most libraries have put their catalogs on-line, i.e. you can search for books from any web browser. I have borrowed every SF book I wanted from the library. I could never afford to buy the hundreds of books that I have read over the years...

[SpaceBadger]

Originally posted by narf poit chez BOOM:
aside from it not having the general looniness of the other books, i don't really see the problem. the books more serious tone reflects the more serious and experienced miles. he was in his twenty's during his adventure's and now that he's thirty, his starting to run his thinking from his brain, not his glands. and is naturally appalled at some of the risks he took.

Bah, I'm talking about the plot and the writing - just not up to Bujold's usual high standards. I mean, seriously, look at the ending - all of the action happens offstage and is described second-hand afterward!

Miles is no more of a stick in this one than he was in Civil Campaign, and I =loved= Civil Campaign. I just didn't think Diplomatic Immunity was as good a book as the rest, and I've been reading them (and re-reading them) since about '88 or '89, whenever I first ran across Miles in the pages of Analog (the story where he meets Taura, title escapes me at the moment). Diplomatic Immunity just felt too much like she was going through the motions without anything really interesting to say, which was a significant letdown from her usual quality.

I'm happy to report that Bujold's latest book, Paladin of Souls (second in the Chalion series, not a Vorkosigan book), is an excellent story and shows very well that she has not lost her touch - perhaps she just needs to get away from Miles for awhile.

SpaceBadger

[ January 03, 2004, 02:47: Message edited by: SpaceBadger ]

[narf poit chez BOOM]

well, ok, it has adventure's. but not the level of hilarity of the other books. and, alot was happening offstage. but, it was told from vorkosigan's point of view and he was unconcious for the wrap up and not very on top of things until the end, where he showed his usual style. i didn't find it quite as engrossing as the other's, but i think it was just a difference in the style. mostly.

[Narratio]

Originally posted by narf poit chez BOOM:

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I've just become a dinosaur.....

how so?

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I think that Cipher, like me, reads everything he can lay his hands on including cereal boxes. When Atrocities (an otherwise noble individual) said he don't read tomes...
Well, Ciper and I have something in common.