'The Book of Secrets,' Loreena McKennitt, 1997, Warner Bros.. Cover: intriguing. Pictures on the inside of fruit opened to show seeds is colourful but a little weird. Lyrics included.
Loreena McKennitt has a singular sound which we find lends itself very well to the writing of fantasy books, although this album is actually well grounded in history. One of the tracks found here has vocals but no real words; but with McKennitt's voice, words are not necessary.
One of our favourite tracks on this CD is 'The Highwayman,' an abridged version of the poem by Alfred Noyes set to music. McKennitt writes her own lyrics for the most part, however, including most of those found in 'The Mummers' Dance,' whose chorus is that of a traditional mumming song. Personally, we're a bit uncomfortable with mumming, which, McKennitt says, has its roots in the tree worshiping peoples who inhabited Europe long ago. But this song can be taken other ways; & it's downright beautiful.
'Marco Polo' has in it an authentic Sufi melody McKennitt ran across during her travels; the melody makes the song, & McKennitt was right to include it. From the sorrow of 'Skellig' to the evocative 'Prologue,' from songs featuring McKennitt's clear, willowy voice to instrumentals (all written by McKennitt), this album is a must-have.
In addition to the lyrics, McKennitt offers the history of how she created each of these tracks through her travels; the history is written in both English & French. There is a small problem with the graphics on the inside of the package; they can get in the way of reading when the words are on top of them.
The Writer's Guide to Creating a Science Fiction Universe by George Ochoa and Jeffrey Osier, 1993, Writer's Digest Books, $18.95, hardbound, 314 pages. Category/Genre: writing reference. Cover: glaring, especially the spine. Where we got it: bought it. Where you can get it: Amazon.
The authors begin by exploring the basics of space -- its characteristics, orbits and gravity, and so forth -- and continue on to spaceships, space stations, and space colonies. Next comes a chapter concerning the Sun and the planets: how they were formed, the atmospheric and geologic characteristics of the planets, and how terraforming might be accomplished.
Chapter Four deals with designing a starship, faster-than-light travel (the authors say travelling close to the speed of light is highly improbable, but there are ways of handling the problem), generation ships, and more. There's an introduction to the Milky Way, information on supernovae, neutron stars, and black holes, and how to design a planet.
Next, the authors cover aliens and possibilities for galactic civilisations, including empires, republics, and federations. Molecular technology and virtual reality are also discussed, as well as time travel, invisibility (as yet no one has come up with an entirely convincing way to make something or someone completely invisible), androids, cloning, and genetic engineering. The book closes with a chapter on alternate histories and parallel universes. There's a bibliography at the end.
The books Writer's Digest has on writing science fiction are excellent. This one is a good overview of the many things a science fiction writer may want to know.
If you like this one, try: How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy by Orson Scott Card, Space Travel: A Writer's Guide to the Science of Interplanetary and Interstellar Travel by Ben Bova with Anthony R. Lewis, World-Building: A Writer's Guide to Constructing Star Systems and Life-Supporting Planets by Stephen L. Gillett, and Aliens and Alien Societies: A Writer's Guide to Creating Extraterrestrial Life-Forms by Stanley Schmidt.
'Fracture,' directed by Gregory Hoblit; screenplay by Daniel Pyne & Glen Gers; starring Anthony Hopkins, Ryan Gosling, David Strathairn, & Rosamund Pike; score by Mychael Danna & Jeff Danna; 2007; Castle Rock Entertainment; Rated R; 113 minutes. Extras: deleted scenes, two alternate endings, theatrical trailer, sneak peeks. Cover: serviceable.
The first thing one notices about this movie is the music, which is atmospheric & moody, & sets the tone nicely. The next thing one notices is the way the onscreen credits drift apart, becoming 'fractured.' It's clever, & also helps set the tone.
The story is about an up-&-coming DA, Willy Beachum (Ryan Gosling) who, upon the eve of his leaving the DA's office for a cushy private sector job, gets a case: that of Ted Crawford (Anthony Hopkins), who has shot his wife. The case seems open-&-shut; Crawford freely confessed, & had the gun in his hand when police arrived. However, things are not as they seem.
More of a 'howdunit' than a 'whodunit,' this movie is about figuring out how Crawford got rid of the evidence when it seemed to be in plain sight, & whether or not Crawford will get away with his crime. Anthony Hopkins is as wonderful as always as the villain, although we would have liked him to be a bit more sinister (though one would caution the director not to walk too deeply into 'Silence of the Lambs' territory). Ryan Gosling is good as the very confident Beachum, & David Strathairn does a fine job as his boss.
Overall, an entertaining film. Oddly, though, the sneak peeks included in the extras are adverts already shown at the beginning of the film, & not really extras at all. Plus the two alternate endings are hardly different -- they're practically identical; nor are they terribly different from the original.
'The Following: Pilot,' 2013, Fox. Created by Kevin Williamson, written by Kevin Williamson. Starring Kevin Bacon, James Purefoy, and Shawn Ashmore. Genre: Crime/thriller/drama. Rated TV-14 for language and violence. Airs at 9:00 p.m. EST on Monday.
Spoiler Alert!
When serial killer Joe Carroll (James Purefoy, pictured on the right) escapes prison a mere month before his scheduled execution, former FBI agent Ryan Hardy (Kevin Bacon, the bloke on the left) is called in by the director of the FBI to help with the case. Hardy is the one who put Carroll in prison ten years ago.
Carroll was convicted of killing 14 women who attended the college where he taught English literature. He cut out their eyes as a nod to his favourite author, Edgar Allen Poe, with whom Carroll is obsessed.
But a lot has changed since then. Hardy, having recovered from the stabbing he suffered at Carroll's hands, now has a pacemaker and drinks vodka as if it's water (literally, as he fills water bottles with the stuff and takes it with him to work). It's a toss-up as to whether Hardy had to quit the FBI because of his pacemaker or because of emotional problems.
Under police supervision is Sarah Fuller (played by the wonderful Maggie Grace), Carroll's last and only other living victim. Carroll's ex-wife, Claire Matthews (Natalie Zea),is under police surveillance as well; she confides in Hardy that Carroll has written her a letter, and it's in this scene that we discover Hardy and Matthews had a relationship. It's also where we get one of the best quotes in the pilot: 'I do better in people's pasts. I always have.' This is from the still-tortured Hardy, who left Matthews for just that reason.
Also on the case is Agent Mike Weston (Shawn Ashmore), who thinks Hardy is a hero. There's a nice contrast between the bright-eyed eagerness Ashmore brings to Weston and the world-weary looks Bacon supplies.
Despite the prolific police presence, Carroll captures Fuller; he wants to finish what he started -- to 'write the proper ending.' This of course brings Carroll and Hardy together for a final show-down. In this scene, Maggie Grace does a lot of screaming, and it's extremely realistic.
Some of the creepiest scenes are those that reveal Carroll's followers: a guard helped him escape and was learning from Carroll how to be a serial killer (warning: he practises on dogs and puppies); a woman kills herself whilst waiting for police to question her (one of the more grisly scenes); two of Fuller's 'friends' turn out to be Carroll's followers; and Matthews' nanny is also a follower.
A tip of the hat goes to the composer, John Frizzell, who wrote some very moody music.
'Yourself or Someone Like You' by Matchbox 20, 1996, Lava Records. Cover: a bit odd. A moody black & white of the band is inside, as well as a few other atmospheric photos. Lyrics included.
If you don't listen to the words, this album is upbeat & has a groove to it. Matchbox 20 likes to play around with the themes of loneliness & being broken & dirty. There's a lot of dissatisfaction & being too aware of one's own flaws. Anger also plays a large role, which is suitable for Rob Thomas' voice as well as the grinding guitar of Kyle Cook.
Many of the songs are singable, particularly track one, 'Real World,' 'Push,' & '3 a.m.' 'Real World' is also especially relatable, about a man who wonders what it would be like to be someone who can make a difference. 'Push' is about a couple who's hoping their bad times will change (even though they themselves won't), & 'Back 2 Good' is about a man having an affair & regretting it; the kinds of pain Matchbox 20 explores are familiar & diverse.
This is an album filled with anger and hurt, but the driving rhythms are chipper enough that you won't feel emotionally crushed after listening to it. Rob Thomas wrote all the songs except for three, for which he had help. Obviously, this is a guy who's been through a lot. But we all know pain makes for great art, & this album proves it.
Note: some strong language as well as sexual language.
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins, 2010, Scholastic Press, $17.99, hardbound, 390 pages. Category/Genre: science fiction. Cover: brilliant. It should be noted that the image of the mockingjay on the covers becomes more realistic with each passing book, until she finally breaks free of her bonds. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, & probably anywhere else you can think of.
Spoiler Alert: If you haven't read The Hunger Games & Catching Fire, you may not want to read this review.
Don't read this series if you don't like to see good characters die.
Katniss's old life is literally in ruins as she visits what's left of her home in District 12. Because of her friend Gale, her family is safe, along with 800 others, all of whom have been evacuated to the rebel base in District 13.
Everyone wants Katniss to become the Mockingjay, the symbol of the uprising. But Katniss is more concerned about Peeta, who is in the hands of President Snow. When Peeta publicly asks for a cease-fire, however, Katniss agrees to be the Mockingjay, provided the rebels won't harm Peeta for being a traitor if they win.
Meanwhile, the war rages on, and soon Katniss is in the thick of it, doing her best to promote the rebel cause and, much to her own surprise, inspire people.
This installment brings everything to a head: the rebellion; Katniss's desire to kill President Snow; the love triangle amongst Katniss, Peeta, and Gale; and the fates of each of the characters. No one is safe in Collins's world, and everyone suffers. This brings out both the best and worst in people, and Collins deftly handles each.
The ending to this popular series is not entirely happy, but it is realistic, and it will make you want to read the trilogy all over again.
If you like this one, try: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. (Again.)
Fiber One Raisin Bran Clusters cereal is a delight. Not only does it offer an astounding 11 grams of fiber per serving, but it has a touch of honey on golden flakes, little clusters, and tons of raisins. It's delicious; it's true, in fact, that you'll likely not realise you're eating fiber when you taste this cereal. It also has three grams of protein (& those of us who are vegetarians could use every gram of protein they can get).
The flakes are made of wheat & bran. The clusters . . . well, they don't say. So we're not sure if they're made of nuts, or what. The closest the box admits to having nuts in the cereal is the 'may contain almond ingredients' disclaimer found on the side of the box. But they're good, anyway. There are 170 calories per serving of Fiber One Raisin Bran Clusters -- a bit steep. But they're still very good in milk.
'J to tha L-O! The Remixes' by Jennifer Lopez, 2002, Epic Records. Cover: Cool; snaps from various videos. CD itself has a picture of Jennifer Lopez's eyes in blue. Two more pictures of Jennifer Lopez are inside. Lyrics not included.
J. Lo is all about the dance, & this album is a prime example. Loaded with danceable tunes, these remixes feature such artists as Ja Rule, Fat Joe, & Cadillac Tah.
The CD has a lot of what you'd expect in remixes from Jennifer Lopez: more percussion, echoes, & as mentioned earlier, featured artists. However, there are a few surprises. For example, 'Love Don't Cost a Thing' gives the man's point of view, something not heard at all in the original track. And there's one ballad included, 'Alive,' about starting over. Overall, the album is lighthearted & positive, & Lopez's voice sounds particularly good with Ja Rule's; Ja Rule is featured on two tracks.
'Let's Get Loud,' in our opinion, is one of the better remixes on the album, maybe because it was a party song to begin with; it just works well in this format.
This is a solid album, but probably not vital to your collection unless you just can't get enough of J. Lo.
C.J. Cherryh, who wrote The Chanur Saga, The Dreaming Tree, Merchanter's Luck, and the Hugo Award-winning Downbelow Station, and who writes the Foreigner series, has been one of our favourite authors for many years now. We recently got the chance to interview her.
How long does it take for you to write a book?A BOOK TAKES FROM 3 MONTHS TO 9 DEPENDING ON THE BOOK. I HAD ONE ONLY TAKE 2 WEEKS, BUT THAT WAS WHEN I'D BEEN BITTEN BY A POISONOUS SPIDER AND WAS SLEEPLESS ON MEDROL. How long does it take to write a short story? ABOUT A WEEK TO TWO WEEKS: THE PAY SCALE IS NOT COMMENSURATE.
Do you prefer writing books or short stories? Why? SHORT STORIES DON'T MUCH INVOLVE THE ASPECT OF STORYTELLING I LIKE BEST: CHARACTERS. MOST SHORT STORIES ARE IDEAS GIVEN FLESH, BUT YOU DON'T VERY DEEP INTO THE WHYS AND IFS OF CHARACTER.
What kinds of writing quirks do you have? I WRITE WHILE WATCHING DISASTER DOCUMENTARIES AND HISTORY. I CAN WRITE ANYTHING, BEING A 'TECHNICIAN' IN THE SENSE OF SKILL; BUT I HAVE DEFINITE PREFERENCES FOR STORIES WITH CHARACTERS I LIKE.
Who is your favourite author and why? CURRENTLY, MOST OF WHAT I READ IS JANE FANCHER'S BOOKS AND LYNN ABBEY'S. I ALSO LIKE PATTY BRIGGS, MARTHA WELLS, LARRY NIVEN, NIVEN-POURNELLE, FRANK HERBERT, JACK WILLIAMSON, ROGER ZELAZNY, JACK VANCE, LEIGH BRACKET AND CL MOORE.
What was the most challenging thing about writing the Chanur Saga? COPING WITH THE TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF COPYEDITING AND GALLEY CHECKING, WHILE TRYING TO WRITE THE OTHER BOOKS: TRYING TO REMEMBER WHERE YOU ARE IS REALLY HARD WHEN THE PUBLISHER NEEDS YOU TO REMEMBER WHAT YOU WERE WRITING LAST YEAR.
How did you get the idea or inspiration for Pyanfar? FRANKLY---IT WAS BECAUSE I'D GOTTEN A COVER WITH AN AIRHEAD FEMALE AND GOT SO VERY ANGRY I DECIDED TO WRITE A FEMALE NO COVER ARTIST COULD TURN INTO BARBIE.
Who is your favourite character to write about, and why? I THINK ARI EMORY (I OR II) OR BREN CAMERON ARE MY FAVORITES. ARI AND BREN ARE BOTH A BIT AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL, AND ALSO HAPPEN TO BE IN A POSITION TO KNOW JUST ENOUGH TO MAKE THE STORY WORK. NEITHER TOO MUCH, NOR TOO LITTLE.
How do you make a living as a writer? I WRITE FULL TIME, AND WROTE and TAUGHT UNTIL I HAD BANKED ENOUGH MONEY TO GO ONE YEAR WITHOUT TEACHING; THAT WASN'T THAT HARD. I NEVER DEVELOPED CHAMPAGNE TASTES, SO LIVING ON A WRITING INCOME IS NOT AS HARD AS IT COULD BE IF I DECIDED TO BUY NEW CARS AND DIAMONDS OR TAKE UP POKER. MAIN RULE---PAY YOUR TAXES ON TIME, HAVE AN AUTOMATED SAVINGS WITHDRAWAL FROM YOUR REGULAR ACCOUNT, AND NEVER SPEND MONEY YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY GOT IN THE BANK...REMEMBERING ALSO THAT THAT MONEY HAS TO LAST UNTIL YOUR PUBLISHER PAYS YOU, OVER WHICH YOU HAVE NO CONTROL. MANY THINGS MAKE PAYMENTS LATE; NEVER GET BEHIND THAT EIGHT-BALL, AND NEVER RUN THE ACCOUNT LOW. CURB YOUR WANTS LONG BEFORE YOU GET IN THAT SITUATION.
Would you ever consider writing for children? THERE'S NOTHING STOPPING CHILDREN FROM
READING MOST OF MY WORK. THERE ARE A FEW BOOKS I WOULDN'T RECOMMEND BECAUSE OF
LANGUAGE OR CONTENT, BUT IF THEY CAN READ THE SENTENCES, THEY SHOULD HAVE NO
PROBLEM.
Tell us something about Closed Circle. How did it come about? LYNN ABBEY, JANE FANCHER AND I ALL HAVE BACKLIST PROBLEMS IN THE MODERN WORLD ---WHEN BACKLIST USED TO BE YOUR RETIREMENT PLAN, IT BECAME DEAD AS A DODO IN A DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM THAT WANTS ONLY 'NEW' BOOKS. STUPID PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW THE FIELD GOT IN CONTROL, AND STILL ARE. SO SF, WHICH DEPENDS HEAVILY ON BACKLIST TO EDUCATE NEW READERS, FOUND THOSE GATEWAY BOOKS UNAVAILABLE---AND THOSE OF US WHO HAVE BACKLIST---COULDN'T GET THEM OUT THERE. SO---WHAT THE INTERNET AND COMPUTERS CAUSED---IT CAN ALSO SOLVE. WE DECIDED THERE'S NO REASON WE CAN'T BE A COMPANY AND PUT OUT OUR OWN, WHERE WE HAVE THE RIGHTS. AND WE DID. AND WE HAVE. WE BRANCHED OUT FROM THERE IN THE NOTION THAT IF WE CAN DO OLD BOOKS, WE CAN ALSO REDO BOOKS TO MAKE THEM WHAT WE WANTED TO BE INSTEAD OF THE CONSTRAINT OF THE TIMES; AND WE CAN ALSO JUST FLAT DO NEW WORK THAT WE WANT TO DO.
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins, 2009, Scholastic Press, $17.99, hardbound, 391 pages. Category/Genre: science fiction. Cover: well-done, with colours appropriate to the title. Where we got it: publisher. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, & probably anywhere else you can think of.
Spoiler Alert: If you haven't read The Hunger Games, you may not want to read this review.
After surviving the previous year's Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen lives in a big house and will never go hungry again. She longs for her old life, when things were more clear-cut. The relationship she shares with her friend Gale is strained, and she only gets to see him on Sundays, when he isn't working in the mines. She has hurt Peeta, the boy who saved her life, more than once, and soon she and Peeta will go on the Victory Tour, which will keep the memory of the Games fresh in everyone's minds.
Then Katniss gets a surprise visit from President Snow, who accuses her of getting people ready for an uprising. This is plenty for Katniss to handle; but this year also marks the Quarter Quell – the year in which the Capitol adds a new sadistic twist to the Games. And this year, the tributes will be chosen from past victors. Katniss will be returning to the arena.
Though this book has Katniss entering another Hunger Games, the differences Collins provides, both in action and in Katniss's personal life – not to mention the start of a rebellion and the ramifications that has for District 12 – make this a worthwhile sequel. We are treated not only to Katniss's continuing angst, but to treasured characters from the first book and new characters, as well.
If you like this one, try: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins.
We first became aware of Linden Street Quick-Dri Textured towels & washcloths when our sister gave some to us as a surprise one year for Christmas. We've asked for more since, & have never been disappointed with what we got. The towels (& cloths) come in a variety of neat colours, including chocolate, soft cream, & Arona blue. They're plush, large, & energy efficient; they save money on drying because they dry faster than most other towels & cloths. They also absorb water better, which means you get drier faster.
You may want to wash these towels before use. They have an inordinate amount of fuzz which gets all over one when drying; in the case of the chocolate towels, if you're geeky pale like us, you end up looking dirtier after the bath than you did when you went in. You also may consider washing and drying them separately for a bit, until the excess fuzz comes off completely. Otherwise, you're likely to find your other laundry items looking fuzzy.
The fuzz will last a bit through more than one wash; however, the bulk of it should be gone after one wash. Definitely worth it in spite of that, & they're so absorbent & energy efficient that they cost less, ultimately, than other towels. They're also a nice size. The towels are available at JCPenney for $3.00 to $20.00.
'A Rush of Blood to the Head' by Coldplay, 2002, EMI Records. Cover: a bit odd, but evocative of the lyrics of 'A Whisper,' in which a man feels he's being reduced to a whisper of himself. Inside are a couple of black & white pictures of the band, as well as web addresses the band find interesting. Lyrics are not included.
This is Coldplay's second CD, & it explores love, loneliness, & loss with the band's signature sound.
The CD opens with 'Politik's' driving guitar, offset by quiet bits. The plea 'open up your eyes' is aimed at the world at large, though it can be taken for something more intimate. The driving sound continues in 'God Put a Smile Upon Your Face,' where the pensive lyrics are superbly juxtaposed against the music.
'The Scientist,' about a man more interested in love than in science, was critically acclaimed for its use of falsetto & piano; according to lyrics007.com, the song was written around a piano ballad, by all the band members. Another song with a dominant piano sound (it, too, was written around a piano riff, says lyrics007.com) is 'Clocks,' which makes use of contrasts, a theme found more than once in this CD.
The unusual-sounding 'Green Eyes' is a typical love song about a man whose girlfriend helps him through the rough spots, but in Coldplay's hands, the idea seems new. So, too, does the story of 'Warning Sign,' about a man who regrets missing out on love.
From the urgent 'A Whisper' & 'Clocks' to the desperate 'Amsterdam' & the hopeful 'Daylight,' this album really comes through.
The Hunger Games, by Suzanne Collins, 2008, Scholastic Press, $17.99, hardbound, 374 pages. Category/Genre: science fiction. Cover: evocative and intriguing. Where we got it: Books-A-Million. Where you can get it: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, & probably anywhere else you can think of.
This fast-paced book begins a trilogy which by now is quite familiar to both readers and movie-goers alike. But for those few unfamiliar with the series, it begins in a place called District 12, which was once Appalachia. Aside from the Capitol, all of the 12 districts exist in poverty and suffering. The people of District 12 are starving, and must resort to desperate measures in order to feed themselves.
Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who has her mother and younger sister to feed, spends every spare minute she has hunting in the woods, which is forbidden by law; she could be shot and killed for this trespass. With her is her friend Gale Hawthorne, who also has a family to keep alive. The two have been best friends for years and know how to work the Hob, their district's black market, where hunted goods can be sold.
The book opens on the day of the reaping. This is the day on which a boy and a girl from the ages of 12 to 18 will be selected from each district to compete in the Hunger Games. The Hunger Games are the Capitol's sadistic way of reminding the poor districts who's in power. The 24 tributes chosen by lot will fight to the death in order to try and win food for their starving communities. To add humiliation to their pain, the Capitol forces the tributes to preen for the camera and act as if being selected is an honour.
And for some tributes, it is: certain districts train their youth from day one so that when they get to the arena, they have a distinct advantage over other tributes.
Of course, Katniss ends up in the arena, but that isn't the most exciting part of the book; the most exciting parts are the many twists and turns Collins skillfully interjects throughout the story. Action drives the book, though it is not just physical action – there is plenty of that, and some of it is quite gruesome, so be prepared – there is also a plethora of emotional action. Collins creates such depth of character that you feel as if you know everyone in the book, even those players with a minor role. She doesn't hold back, and she has a gift for making every tiny detail important.
If you like this one, try: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins.
Ragu has been a favourite of ours for many years, specifically the Tomato, Garlic, & Onion flavour. Even when we didn't like garlic or onions & didn't much care for tomatoes, somehow the blend of all three in this delectable sauce worked.
We put Italian seasoning in the sauce to take the edge off the garlic & onion; you may find that unnecessary. The beauty of this sauce is that not only do you get lots of vegetables (two per serving), but it's easy to fix. All we do is heat it on the stove for a couple of minutes (adding seasoning to taste); & a jar will do the two of us for three nights.
We've even tried using this sauce as a pizza sauce in our homemade pizza (see our review of Mama Mary's Pre-Made Pizza Crust); & while it was quite runny for pizza sauce, the taste (even when not seasoned) never disappointed.
'Return of Saturn,' No Doubt, 2000, Interscope Records. Cover: a bit of a gallimaufry, but it works. Bright pink stars on a deep blue background give the CD itself a futuristic look. Lyrics included.
Gwen Stefani wrote or co-wrote all of the songs in this album, & the listener can tell how deeply she's exposing herself through her lyrics. The CD begins with the driving beat of 'Ex-Girlfriend' & moves on to the softer, more introspective 'Simple Kind of Life.'
Themes include Stefani's struggles with identity ('Magic's in the Makeup'), her tumultuous love life (her confidence in 'Bathwater' contrasts nicely with her hesitation to say 'I love you' in 'Artificial Sweetener'), & her desire for marriage ('Marry Me').
Gwen Stefani's beautiful voice is accompanied by Tony Kanal on bass guitar, Tom Dumont on guitars, & Adrian Young on drums & percussion. No Doubt's
signature sound is replete in this CD, especially on 'Ex-Girlfriend,' 'Simple Kind of Life,' & 'Bathwater.' There's a picture of each band member inside, & Gwen Stefani's reflective lyrics, along with the engaging music, guarantee that you'll be singing along. This album is a must for No Doubt fans.
We have LOTS of books waiting to be read. Here are a few:
'Existence' by David Brin (SF) Tor Books
We're not exactly looking forward to trying this one, because we tried it before a few months back & just didn't get into it. But we're willing to give it another chance, as we heard that if we liked C.J. Cherryh, we might like David Brin. Here's hoping.
'Naked Heat' by Richard Castle (Mystery) Hyperion
Now, this we're looking forward to, as we read the first 'Heat' book by Richard Castle ('Heat Wave') & really liked it. We watch 'Castle,' as well, & thought the book was a good complement. Unfortunately, we don't have the entire series, so we'll be reading this out of order.
'Transformed' by Debbie Kump (F) World Castle Publishing
This is a new author for us, so this will be a totally new experience for us. The premise is promising, & we'd like to support the author if possible, as she's the cousin of someone in N3F (a SF & F club to which we belong).
'Steampunk II' edited by Ann & Jeff VanderMeer (SF) Tachyon Publishing
We've been wanting to try steampunk for a long time now, & are really looking forward to this one. It's an anthology, & we're not big on short stories, but it's supposed to be a good introduction to the steampunk genre.
'Warriors: Into the Wild' by Erin Hunter (F) HarperCollins
This was given to us by a dear friend, & we tried it once already but were thwarted by our OCD. We're a bit better now with our OCD & are going to try to give this series another chance.
What about you? What's on your bookshelf waiting to be read this month?
