I began two books yesterday. The Legend of Banzai Maguire by Susan Grant, author of Your Planet or Mine? which I reviewed last month. So far, Banzai Maguire has been fun and intense. You can tell Grant has a background in the Air Force. She speaks with knowledge and the first chapter reads like something out of Top Gun. I can already tell I’m going to love this one.
From the back cover:
The year: 2006. The mission: routine. Or so U.S.A.F. pilot Bree “Banzai†Maguire thinks. Then she’s shot down over enemy airspace, captured and put in bio-stasis. When she wakes, everything’s changed. It’s one hundred and seventy years later – 2176 – the world is in crisis, and she’s a hotly contested prize.
Once, Banzai’s job was to protect democracy; now a mysterious voice claims she must bring it back. But who will help? …
I also started reading The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, by Robert Heinlein. Bellezza has asked bloggers to read along with her and post comments on the 28th. I read a few chapters, but the language is annoying me, leaving out the’s and a’s. While there are some humorous parts, I feel myself getting too distracted by the style of writing. So far, I’m not impressed. I’ll keep reading though, I usually read at least halfway through a book before giving up on it.
Am I alone in this? If you’re bored or can tell you’re not going to like a book, how long before you drop it altogether?
Oh, and I have a new favorite meal..
Since I absolutely hate grocery shopping, and my fridge is bare at the moment, I stopped at KFC on the way home and got the new Mashed Potato Bowl. Mashed potatoes and gravy, cheese, corn, and chicken strips. It sounds gross (especially since I usually don’t like my food to touch each other on the plate), but mmm.. I loved it!
I thought those KFC bowls looked so disgusting….because I hate mashed potatoes. I am alone in my household in this (and most of the world actually) so I’m sure they’ll be a great success.
Who is the cover artist on that first book? The work looks really familiar.
I go back and forth about books. I rarely, if ever, pick up a book and dislike it. I am usually pretty good about picking out stuff that ends up meeting whatever needs I had for it to meet. Knowing that Heinlein is a very good author (from other books of his that I have read and liked) I would encourage you to go forth…however this may not be one that I end up liking either…I just haven’t gotten far enough in to it to make a determination, so I hate for your whole image of him as a writer to be clouded by this one if it ends up not being good. Just because it won a Hugo does not mean that it is for everyone.
I went through this thing a few years ago where I decided that, as a science fiction fan, I needed to at least try out the various well known, classic authors whose work I haven’t read. And there are many of these. That is why I picked up Heinlein in the first place. I think its important to have that experience but at the same time I am not going to read a book just to say that I read it. If it isn’t good then it isn’t good.
I look forward to getting farther into Moon this weekend to form a better opinion.
I don’t know who the cover artist is.. I can’t find him or her referenced anywhere in the book. But yes, the style looks familiar. I’ll ask Susan…
You have a great sci-fi blog. I think you will like to see my Journal. Hope you drop in.
Angela, I’m sensing (being the astute person I am 🙂 that you’re not loving this book. I’m sorry that it’s going that way, because weirdly enough, I am loving it. I am getting a kick out of the world he’s creating, and comparing it to how we truly live now (which doesn’t seem that far off in some ways)! I hope you continue reading it, although of course if you drop it, I’ll still be very interested in your comments. The language IS a bit of a barrier at first, until I read that Heinlein is anticipating dialect for 2027, and then Carl said it sort of sounds like a Russian speaking American…hmmm, at any rate, thanks for trying it.
That KFC bowl really does look disgusting. I put the other Susan Grant book on my huge, ridiculous wishlist. Darn, am I going to end up adding another? I love your blog, but it’s going to kill my budget. 😉
I may just have to try one of those bowls. You’ve inspired me.
As far as me and books…
I love reading although I don’t have a ton of time to do so. If a book doesn’t catch my attention right away, I admit I usually put it down and move on to something else. It’s not worth my time when I could be enjoying what I am reading. However, I do try to go back when I ahve more time. If you have the time (and energy) to endure the book, go for it! If not, well, there’s plenty of books in the sea…or something like that
Carl – Susan Grant said the artist for Banzai Maguire was Vittorio. She also loved that cover.. was just how she imagined the characters to look.
Captain – Thanks! Yes, you have an amusing blog!
Bellezza – Now that you guys say the Russian accent thing.. I’m reading it that way.. and it’s not so annoying. Maybe it’ll grow on me!
Nancy – That’s my job.. to put everyone into debt!
Kim! Yes.. there are more books than men in my life right now.. so I could use that analogy.. lol
I found myself almost instantly falling into a Russian voice in my head when I started reading it…its probably completely wrong but hey, it works for me!
Haven’t started The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress yet. I had two other books I had to read first. Hopefully, I’ll start tomorrow. Interested in what you’ve all had to say. I thought I heard somewhere that it was a small book, but when I got it from the library, it looked good sized to me.
I think that KFC plate looks good. Will have to try it.