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Many, many moons ago, I was in the audience of a panel at Minicon (back when it was big) where Alan Steele was talking about something. I no longer remember the panel description, but I remember him saying something about how he went through intense periods of output followed by equally intense periods of “intake.” He went on to explain what he meant, which was -- when he wasn’t writing like a fiend, he was reading like crazy.
I’m still writing like a fiend. My young adult novel is due in October, and so I’m working steadily on it. But I must be low on the intake valve, because I’m also reading a lot.
As I’ve mentioned, I’ve been whipping through a graphic novel/manga series called HIRAKU NO-GO at top speed. I’ll take three out of the library and have them done by the next morning (which is really fast for me with my dyslexia). As I was waiting for Mason to decide which GOOSEBUMPS to bring home, a couple of books on the new releases shelf caught my eye. I picked up a new one by Mike Resnick and a short novel by Bernard Beckett called GENESIS (hard cover, Houghton Mifflin Harcort. 2009.) GENESIS apparently had an Australian printing in 06, but I’m going to treat it as a brand new title. My review will be under the cuts.
However, I will say this above the fold, since it has no spoilerage: if you’re into artificial intelligence, questions of the soul, and have a high tolerance for irritating writer trickery, this book is for you. It’s a fast read, and the theme and world-building bits are outstanding.
Also, please note that because of the "writer trickery" I end up spoiling the ENTIRE PLOT. Read no further if you have any intention at ALL of reading this book. (Also... this turns into a kind of weird rant. I thought about editing it, but I think I have some valid points, so I left it. My apologies to Mr. Beckett. Really, I don't hate YOU. I don't even entirely dislike your novel. In fact, it can be argued that I wouldn't get worked up over something I found worthless...)
( Read more... )
I’m still writing like a fiend. My young adult novel is due in October, and so I’m working steadily on it. But I must be low on the intake valve, because I’m also reading a lot.
As I’ve mentioned, I’ve been whipping through a graphic novel/manga series called HIRAKU NO-GO at top speed. I’ll take three out of the library and have them done by the next morning (which is really fast for me with my dyslexia). As I was waiting for Mason to decide which GOOSEBUMPS to bring home, a couple of books on the new releases shelf caught my eye. I picked up a new one by Mike Resnick and a short novel by Bernard Beckett called GENESIS (hard cover, Houghton Mifflin Harcort. 2009.) GENESIS apparently had an Australian printing in 06, but I’m going to treat it as a brand new title. My review will be under the cuts.
However, I will say this above the fold, since it has no spoilerage: if you’re into artificial intelligence, questions of the soul, and have a high tolerance for irritating writer trickery, this book is for you. It’s a fast read, and the theme and world-building bits are outstanding.
Also, please note that because of the "writer trickery" I end up spoiling the ENTIRE PLOT. Read no further if you have any intention at ALL of reading this book. (Also... this turns into a kind of weird rant. I thought about editing it, but I think I have some valid points, so I left it. My apologies to Mr. Beckett. Really, I don't hate YOU. I don't even entirely dislike your novel. In fact, it can be argued that I wouldn't get worked up over something I found worthless...)
( Read more... )