A Confession
I think I might be a sci-fi/fantasy fan. I don’t know. I’m not sure. There are signs. My love for Buffy the Vampire Slayer, for instance. I thought that was just dabbling, you know? Everybody dabbles, right? But then I read an interview with Neil Gaiman on Goodreads and I thought, “My, but Good Omens sounds like a wonderful book.” And so I read it. And it was the best book I’d read in a long time. And I read Preludes and Nocturnes. (A comic? Shut your mouth!) And now I’m reading everything Neil Gaiman. After Good Omens and Preludes and Nocturnes, it was Coraline. I made the girls listen to the audio version on the Halloween road trip to Michigan. They were creeped out, but once they heard the ending, they wanted to hear it again and I was filled with glee. I’m not a re-reader or a re-listener, but I couldn’t wait to listen to Coraline again. And then Lena found a graphic novel version of it at the library and did a review of it on Kids Know Stuff. In the meantime, I checked out American Gods (excellent) and Neverwhere (extra excellent).
You would think that just the fact that I’ve been reading all of these books would tip me off to my new genre obsession, but it wasn’t until I saw that Neil Gaiman linked to Lena’s review of Coraline that I realized my true feelings. The thrill I felt upon seeing that was completely uncalled for. First, I did a little dance. Then, I sang a little song. Next, I reserved more Neil Gaiman from the library. Finally, I admitted to myself that I am a sci-fi/fantasy fan and it’s time to watch Battlestar Galactica and the complete X-Files.
I’m just surprised because I usually read Ya-Ya Sisterhood-type books, you know? Because that’s who I am. But it’s super refreshing to read these books with plot points that don’t revolve around an abused woman/child who finally learns her worth and sets her husband/father on fire or something. It’s a whole new world.
So fill me in. If I like Neil Gaiman, who else will I like?
And another giveaway at Kids Know Stuff will post today at noon. I’m not revealing anything, but it will have something to do with super healthy, tasty and fun Goji cereal. (Cereal for Christmas? Shut your mouth!) Trust me, you want to win this giveaway!
November 17th, 2008 at 11:05 am
I love Sci-Fi. The problem with sci-fi books is that there are many, many great ideas, but only a few are well written. Neil Gaiman is one of those great exceptions. Octavia Butler is my favorite. If you haven’t read Kindred… run, do not walk, to the nearest library or bookstore and get it. Then read everything else she ever wrote, because it’s all great. I also really love James Morrow because he’s funny & full of Biblical references. Try Towing Jehovah.
November 17th, 2008 at 1:16 pm
One of my friends is a big sci-fi /fantasy fan. He has shelves full of the books. When I saw them, I scoffed at him. Then, he convinced me to watch the Firefly DVDs with him, and I loved them. Then, he asked me to watch Buffy with him, and I scoffed again, but then I started making excuses to go over to his place and watch more episodes and now I’m hooked. I’m afraid that sc-ifi novels are next. Someone save me.
November 17th, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Abby, Have you tried the major players at all? Tolkien, Lewis, also Anne McAffrey and Piers Anthony are prolific. These are not dark, but well written. Piers Anthony is very tongue in cheek, especially in his Xanth books (about 35 of them)…titles alone tell you something Centaur Aisle, Cube Route, Heaven Cent, Faun & Games, etc. Then there are the two Pornucopia books: Pornucopia and The Magic Fart.
More in line with Gaiman maybe Lilith Saintcrow. I just read her “Dante Valentine” series (5 books). Actually, I read the first one “Working for the Devil” right before vacation and promptly picked up the other 4 for vacation. A couple of short blurbs from a website:
When the Devil needs a rogue demon killed, who does he call?
The Player: Necromance-for-hire Dante Valentine is choosy about her jobs. Hot tempered and with nerves of steel, she can raise the dead like nobody’s business. But one rainy Monday morning, everything goes straight to hell.
The Score: The Devil hires Dante to eliminate a rogue demon: Vardimal Santino. In return, he will let her live. It’s an offer she can’t refuse.
The Catch: How do you kill something that can’t die?
Book 2:
When the dead call, she answers.Bounty hunting is a helluva job, but it pays the bills. And it lets Necromance Dante Valentine forget her issues—like struggling with her half-demon side and the memory of her lover’s death.Now psychics all over the city are being savagely murdered—and a piece of the past Dante thought she’d buried is stalking the night with a vengeance. Too bad she’s got no way to tell which fiend–or friend–to trust. Or that her most horrifying nightmares are gathering to take one kick-ass bounty hunter down for the count.But that’s only the beginning. The Devil just called. He’s looking for Dante’s lover–the one he killed…
Dante is a necromance (She can raise the dead for a short time… usually to settle estates or identify their killer)… winds up on contract with the devil and lover to the devil’s ‘right hand’, one of the most powerful demons in hell.
NOTE: the spines do have a pentagram. Also, the mythology seems to be that demons are angels… that it was the devil who sparked the humanity in humans. There are quite a few sub-plots and stories throughout. I don’t know how you feel, but good stories are just that… good stories to me.
Michael Moorcock, the Melnibone series. Specifically Elric of Melnibone. These are very tough to find the originals, but there are many compilations and such. Again, interesting, good writing, dark, but very thought provoking (to me).
Just some thoughts
November 20th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Have you attended any conventions? No? Then you’re ok…dabbling, jumping right in…all ok…it’s only when you start to dress up and going to conventions (says I who was dragged to one years ago…at gun point…not really…I had a good time) that I’d say you have a problem. If that happens…drag your husband, kids and friends along with you that way everyone gets addicted and no one can make fun of you. just sayin’
November 22nd, 2008 at 1:49 am
I have an unspeakable Neil Gaiman Crush Issue, after reading “Neverwhere.”
January 10th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
Hey now… Dressing up for Hallowen is okay and does NOT make one a freak. Right…? I got your X-Files right here baby… You just let me know when you’re ready to take that leap, Ab.