Things I've Read...

Since this is a blog about writing and books, I might as well throw some things out there that I like to read--or what I read frequently.

The last six things I've read:

• Quiet, Please: Dispatches from a Public Librarian - Scott Douglas
This is a very well-written and humorous account of one man's experience as being a librarian, interacting with patrons and co-workers, and wondering about life.

• Trigun Maximum, Vol. 7-14 - Yasuhiro Nightow
A superb and action-packed ending to a very in-depth and massive story by a master manga-ka, Yasuhiro (Naito) Nightow (Japanese comic-book writer/illustrator). Anyone who has gotten hooked on the anime series needs to read the original books.

• October Country - Ray Bradbury
A collection of short stories by my favorite author. The main theme is different depictions of love and the absence of love in a dark world. The stories range from humorous to terrifying; from sad to inspiring. Several of the stories were later rewritten and compiled in Bradbury's other book From the Dust Returned:A Family Remembrance.

• Bonk: The Curious Coupling of Science and Sex - Mary Roach
  
A hilarious approach to a very taboo subject in America (and in the scientific community). Roach jumps into the questions that people are afraid to ask, but are dying to know. She travels around the world, meeting the "unique" scientists that are trying to answer the questions.

• Dracula: The Un-Dead - Dacre Stoker and Ian Holt
After several decades of silence, the sequel to Bram Stoker's Dracula has been finally written. The story continues with new vampire slayings in Europe: which have targeted the people who killed Dracula. Holt and Stoker mix elements from Bram's original sequel notes, history, and their own story to revive the "undead" classic.

• Let the Right One In - John Ajvide Lindqvist
As far as vampire books are concerned, Lindqvist has written one of my favorites. It by far shadows the Twilight craze, and is so much more than them as well. This book is hefty, but is an excellent read for (real) vampire lovers.

As far as blogs, the ones I read most of the time are:

Artist Alex Pardee's blog (I love his work, and spazzy posts)
BLDGBLOG, a blog about architecture (It's very interesting)
Volpin Props, a prop fabricator (Really cool stuff)