What I Read (2008)

For a few years now I've been keeping a book log--one or two short lines about each book I read. I don't expect this to be of widespread interest to anyone, but I figure by placing it here I can recycle my paper copy and reduce a tiny bit of clutter. So without further ado, I present the unedited . . .

What I Read (2008)

Jan. 15, 2008 Disappearing Nightly by Laura Resnick
A light-hearted supernatural mystery about disappearing acts. Congenial but not creative enough to warrant a second look.

Jan. 15, 2008 The Dungeon: The Black Tower by Richard A. Lupoff
Shaggy-dog tale of Major Clive Folliott's search for his brother Neville in the Dungeon. A nice beginning with a strong air of mystery.

Jan. 18, 2008 J'etais un Rat! by Phillip Pullman
My first French novel! I was able to follow the plot, even if a lot of details eluded me.

Jan. 24, 2008 Galactic Campaign Guide by Peter Schwaghofer & J.D. Wiker
A helpful GM's guide to Star Wars gaming.

Jan. 31, 2008 Monster Island by Christopher Golden & Thomas Sniegoski
A really great Buffy book about a pureblood invasion of a half-blood demon island. Good mingling of both show's casts.

Jan. 31, 2008 Replaced by Emma Harrison
A pretty good Alias book about a biochemical threat.

Feb. 11, 2008 L'île de l'enfer by Ellen Miles
A "Christer Sisters" mystery about an arsonist at a vacation resort. My second French novel.

Feb. 13, 2008 The Dark Abyss by Bruce Coville
The second book in the Dungeon series, as Clive and his band continue to follow his brother's trail. Pretty good and intriguing mystery.

Feb. 13, 2008 Tales From the Empire by Peter Schweighofer (editor)
Short stories from the Empire & New Republic era, including first Mara Jade appearance. Not half bad.

Feb. 28, 2008 Carnival of Souls by Nancy Holder
Average Buffy novel about a seductive carnival coming to town.

Mar. 5, 2008 The Cestus Deception by Steven Barnes
A good Star Wars novel, as Obi-Wan & Kit Fisto are sent to a planet producing bio-droids.

Mar. 2008, The Dark Side Sourcebook by Slavicsek & Wiker
Not especially interesting or helpful Star Wars sourcebook

Mar. 2008 Valley of Thunder by Charles de Lint
3rd volume of The Dungeon as the group is split into two before reuniting. Solid.

Mar. 23, 2008 Blindsight by Peter Watts
An interesting book with some thought-provoking ideas on consciousness; should check out his others.

Apr. 10, 2008 The Lost Slayer by Christopher Golden
Strong Buffy novel where she sees an alternate future where Giles is a vampire.

Apr. 12, 2008 Tales From the New Republic by Peter Schweighofer & Craig Carey (eds.)
Short stories set in various time periods after Endor. Some really nice stories.

Apr. 22, 2008 Night Watch by Terry Pratchett
Decent Guards book featuring Vimes going back in time to encounter his younger self.

Apr. 29, 2008 The Lake of Fire by Robin W. Bailey
Volume 4 of The Dungeon, the group travels through an inferno landscape and then discovers elaborate cloning facilities. Still retains my interest.

May, 2008 Medstar I: Battle Surgeons by Reaves & Perry
A Clone Wars novel about a MASH unit; oddly plotless, but I-5 is fun.

May 4, 2008 The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
A pretty fun novel about a "Literary Detective" in an alternate world where space & time are flexible.

May 12, 2008 Child of the Hunt by Golden & Holder
A Buffy novel about the Erl King & the Wild Hunt, with a theme about runaways. Really good actually.

May, 2008 X-Wing: Rogue Squadron by Michael Stackpole
A pretty interesting Star Wars novel set about seven years after Endor. A real sense of hope and progress.

May 28, 2008 Harry Potter à l'école des sorciers by J.K. Rowling
The French version of the first book--some odd name changes, like Snape is now Rogue, but fun to read.

May, 2008 Jedi vs. Sith
A really good reference book that has some great artwork and info.

June 1, 2008 Restless Gods by Reginald W. Bibby
A theist-oriented sociological study of religion in Canada, finding that the churches are resilient.

June 5, 2008 The Hidden City by Charles de Lint
Book Five of The Dungeon, as we receive the first intro to the Ren and the Chaffri, and learn about the ganine.

June 7, 2008 Medstar II: Jedi Healer by Reaves & Perry
Slow moving. I'm glad I-5 and Den Dhur were there.

June 15, 2008 One Thing or Your Mother by Kirsten Beyer
An interesting Buffy novel featuring Snyder's mom.

June 16, 1008 The Last Hero by Terry Pratchett
Cohen the Barbarian tries to kill the gods which will destroy the world.

July 1, 2008 X-Wing: Wedge's Gamble
The Rogues infiltrate and bring down Coruscant. Logic a bit hard to follow in places.

July 1, 2008 The Final Battle by Richard A. Lupoff
The last book in The Dungeon series. Disappointing, with too little time spend on supporting characters.

July, 2008 Democracy's Discontent by Michael Sandel
Argues that civic virtue should re-emerge as a pre-eminent value. Good on historical analysis, poor on modern implications.

July, 2008 The Comic Book Killer by Richard Lupoff
An enjoyable mystery with an insurance adjuster protagonist.

July, 2008 Résumé with Monsters by William B. Spencer
An interesting, light-hearted but well-written take-off of the Cthulhu mythos.

July 31, 2008 The Tail of the Tip-Off by Rita Mae Brown
An insipid, underwritten mystery novel w/ talking cats.

Aug. 8, 2008 Boba Fett: The Fight to Survive by Terry Bisson
Pretty fun kids' book tells of 10 year old Fett seeing Pops get whacked on Geonosis.

Aug. 18, 2008 The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
As great as ever.

Aug. 19, 2008 Jedi Trial by Sherman & Cragg
A crappy, boring Star Wars novel about a Separatist takeover of a communications center.

Sep. 3, 2008 Legacy & Secrets of the Jedi by Jude Watson
A pretty good book focussing on Padawans in different time streams.

Sep. 8, 2008 Drowning in Fire by Craig Womack
A novel w/ each chapter focussing on a different character and time period in Oklahoma Creek territory. Mostly okay.

Sep. 12, 2008 Truce at Bakura by Kathy Tyers
Re-read for gaming & still quite enjoyed.

Sep. 22, 2008 America: The Book by Jon Stewart
Hilarious in places.

Sep. 2008 Working for the Devil by Lilith Saintcrow
A demon-hunting "necromancer" in supernatural-filled world. Main character bi. Unsure about reading more.

Sep. 2008 Crossfire by Terry Bisson
Second Boba Fett novel, pretty good, as Boba meets up with Aurra Sing.

Sep. 2008 Harry Potter et la chambre des secrets by J.K. Rowling
A lot of fun.

Oct. 4, 2008 The Krytos Trap by Michael Stackpole
Third X-Wing novel, telling of difficult aftermath of Republic invasion of Coruscant

Oct. 2008 Under Arrest: Canadian Laws You Won't Believe by Bob Tarantino
A very well-written book on obsolete laws.

Oct. 10, 2008 Go Ask Malice by Robert J. Levy
A great Buffy novel, telling of Faith's origin.

Nov. 2, 2008 Yoda: Dark Rendezvous by Sean Stewart
A great Clone Wars novel, introducing a really interesting Padawan named Scout.

Nov. 22, 2008 The Sociology of Religious Movements by William S. Bainbridge
Some fascinating case studies of cults like the Millerites and Processians.

Nov. 2008 Beggars Ride by Nancy Kress
Third & very readable book in the trilogy, featuring the murder of all the Sleepless. Very thought-provoking.

Nov. 2008 Anne Perry's Christmas Mysteries
Two short novels set in the carriage-horse days. Nice characterization, even if plots are a bit dull.

Nov. 2008 Bablyon 5: Betrayals by S.M. Stirling
Another nice entry in the series, detailing a Narn-Centauri peace conference w/ several good subplots.

Nov. 2008 Where's My Cow? by Terry Pratchett
A very short but cute picture book.

Nov. 2008 Maze of Deception & Hunted by Elizabeth Hand
The third & fourth Boba Fett books. Still good.

Dec. 5, 2008 Thud! by Terry Pratchett
Tensions mount between dwarfs & trolls w/ Vimes stuck in the middle. Another quality Discworld story.

Dec. 9, 2008 The Great Hunt by Robert Jordan
What an exciting book! It just gets my blood racing like no other series I've ever read.

Dec. 2008 Slings & Arrows Comic Guide (2nd edition)
A great and useful guide to comics, full of anglicisms like "bog standard" and "kack".