when he passes me by he's a ray of light/like the first drop of sun from the sky

[timeripple]

One of the most irritating things in this world is the niggling sense of What If. For example, having read a book with an interesting plot and somewhat endearing characters but overall sense of mediocrity, it is most uncomfortable to be consumed with the half-longing, half-frustrated thought of "what if Such-and-such-author-person had written this book?"

I have been on a book-buying binge lately. Not to mention book-reading, which has been happening too. I started out trying to puzzle over bits of Plato, but gave up after deciding that first I need a better dictionary.

The purchases (made by myself or others in the past three weeks) now residing on or around my bookshelves are as follows:

Good Omens, Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman - hee hee. Agnes Nutter is great.

The Door to Ambermere, J. Calvin Pierce - Hmm. Unbalanced structure, but not too bad. Daniel is annoying, and Marcia is completely irrational. Not too bad, but it's headed back to the shop from whence it came. All $1.95 of it. I swear, bookstores are temples. Especially used bookstores.

The Harp of Imach Thyssel, Patricia C. Wrede - please see introductory comments. I liked it, but I couldn't help but be a little frustrated with things wrapping themselves up so neatly all the time. Vaguely reminded me of Riddle-Master (McKillip, of course), but that ultimately only made matters worse. Still, I liked it.

The Inferno, Dante Alighieri, transl. by John Ciardi - I'm sure it'll be glorious and complicated and depressing and all that when I get around to it. Which may not be for a while, as I've decided to tackle Atlas Shrugged (Ayn Rand) this summer.

The Last Unicorn, Peter S. Beagle - I find his style somewhat cold, but it's a lovely book nonetheless.

The Neverending Story, Michael Ende, transl. by Ralph Manheim - oh, it's been ages since I read this! Must read again. Some time.

The Outlaws of Sherwood, Robin McKinley - there was much glee until I got to the last three pages, at which point my mouth involuntarily said, "Huh?" I must read more, though; the style is fabulous!

Tales from Earthsea, Ursula K. LeGuin - have yet to read, but will eventually. Her stories tend to be exhausting in their beauty and/or creepiness, depending on whether they're Earthsea or otherwise.

All this is besides having re-read Lloyd Alexander's Prydain Chronicles and the four Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy books (Douglas Adams) I own. I saw Mostly Harmless in a store the other day, but had no money.

I am also in possession of two brand-new unread books by Patricia McKillip, but I am afraid to open them. Her books are beautiful beyond compare, yet they terrify me in some inexplicable way. Well, it's not really inexplicable, it would just take a very long time. Since I've already commented briefly on all the other books, I'll restrain myself... this time.

Comments

[kayselkiemoon.livejournal.com]

hee hee. Agnes Nutter is great

isn't she just? I adore that book. reread the first bit of it a few days ago. (it is so luxurious being in the same place as all my books!)

The Harp of Imach Thyssel

I've only read this the once, so that means it's by far not my favorite of her books. but I really like two of her other books set in Lyra - The Raven Ring (I lent you that, yes?) and Shadow Magic.

The Last Unicorn

have this but not read yet. I've read Beagle's A Fine and Private Place and enjoyed it, but I know what you mean about his style - I also have The Innkeeper's Wife and have started it at least three times and been unable to get into it. *sigh*

The Neverending Story

mmmmmmmrrrrmmmm. lovely book. although I've always been dissatisfied with the cover my copy has; i wanted it to look the way I imagine the Book to look. (haha, I have almost the same reaction word for word for the Prydain books.)

The Outlaws of Sherwood, Robin McKinley - there was much glee until I got to the last three pages, at which point my mouth involuntarily said, "Huh?" I must read more, though; the style is fabulous!

*grin* yeah, the last bit is sort of a shock to the system, isn't it? but such a wonderful wonderful wonderful book. and of course you must read more McKinley, it is all perfectly wonderful. (sorry my adjectives keep repeating, but hey.)

Tales from Earthsea

I have 7 LeGuin books (inherited two, though), and haven't read any yet. 4 of 'em are the first four Earthsea books. I shall read soon, I shall (not my stern-to-self tone).

I had The Forest of Serre for almost a year before I read it; I get similarily tentative. her writing grips me so strongly when i do open one of her books for the first time. but coming out of it is worth it. *happy addicted sigh* I've tried to explain the effect of McKillip's words on me multiple times in my lj; it isn't easy I know.

aaaahhh, books I love thee so. and thanks, Fiona, for giving me fodder for happy reminiscences ^_^

[timeripple.livejournal.com]

I've always been dissatisfied with the cover my copy has; i wanted it to look the way I imagine the Book to look.

Ya, I know what you mean. My copy's paperback, which is even more ridiculous. But the cover's not bad. The first time I read it, I remember it was hardcover, with red and green ink and with the serpents on some of the pages. I remember being inordinately pleased about that.

thanks, Fiona, for giving me fodder for happy reminiscences ^_^

'Twas my pleasure, believe me. I only aim to be useful. *snicker*
*bounces off to write a Real Resume of My Very Own, with lots of help from the CWS web pages.*