Classic 4+/5

Okay, I can’t summarize this one. Sorry. The central character, Case, lives in the underbelly of a hugely corrupt dystopian world, is recruited to do something that involves linking his brain to a computer, and I think he won in the end, but maybe not. I have to admit, I listened to this one on audiobook, mostly while driving, so I didn’t even try to follow the plot. It was very cool, and a prime example of cyberpunk, which is an important influence in SF. I’ve read a couple of other cyberpunk books, such as Snowcrash, and found the genre a lot like noir: very dark, very twisty, and ultimately depressing.

Just wrapped up WFC in Kansas City. Great weekend–connected with all sorts of old friends, and met new people as well. Great panels and readings, some business contacts. Launched Book 3 (Gathering of Ghosts) of my Addicted to Heaven series. All together: had a great time!

Science Fiction 3+/5

Noria Kaito, daughter of the Tea Master in Chinese Occupied Scandinavia, must keep secret the tea masters’ virgin spring, because water is a precious commodity over which wars are waged. Lyrically written with a frighteningly possible setting and characters the reader cares about, this novel has a quiet, but poetically justified ending. Don’t expect a thriller or adventure.

A good week: finished revisions to The Shadow Spy’s Daughter. Gathering of Ghosts is out this week in print, though the e-book won’t be for a month. Sigh. Last week my new book video, Janat’s Bargain came out on Youtube (trigger warning for addictions). Wednesday I head out to Kansas City for WFC–finally got my programming today! One panel and a reading. So that’s good!

Memoir 5+/5

Jeanette McCurdy never wanted to be a child star, but her abusive-dependent relationship with her star-struck and money-hungry mother was too complex for her to be her own person until her mother died. This true story sent me hunting to look up Jeanette McCurdy to check out her filmography. Gripping and heart-wrenching on every page, it provides one lens into the money- and star-power-driven culture of Hollywood.