Eliyes

A little while ago -- a week, maybe? -- I discovered the tumblr of a fanfic writer I like. Now, I like every fic they wrote that I have ever read, and I went to the tumblr because they have an ongoing story I'm really into and they said they'd be giving updates on how it's coming along there. (Because apparently just getting a notification when the newest chapter is up wasn't enough for me, I dunno.)

This writer, they produce works with excellent structure, great thoughtfulness and depth of characterization, interesting plots, and enjoyable use of language. Really, I like their stuff a lot!

So I was initially excited when I discovered that they post fic recs! Surely, if their writing was to my taste, what they like must be stuff I'll find worth looking at, right?

Turns out no. The stuff they like is either stuff I find too boring or poorly done to really get into, or stuff I actually hate. They made one rec saying, "I don't know why this isn't on every rec list for this fandom" and I actually said out loud, "because it's really bad" (having previously tried to read the story in question).

It's weird, isn't it? You would think someone whose writing we like would like the same sort of stuff we like to read, but it isn't always the case. There have been times when I've read an interview with a published author or a scriptwriter or a poet whose work I enjoy and they've said someone or something was a big inspiration to them, and I've thought, "Wow, I really hated that book/show/etc."

I guess it just proves that even if you're inspired by someone else, even if you think artistic works are inevitably at least somewhat derivative of the the artist's influences, the artist themself -- and what they put into it -- really makes a difference to the audience.

Here is a thing I have discovered about myself as a reader: if it starts with a sex scene, I won't read it. If the first sentence mentions sex-related body fluids, I will close any tabs/delete any e-books by that same author. If the summary is about an action-adventure but the first two chapters are just the characters having sex, I get mad.

And this may be a bit hypocritical of me -- I've written PWP fic myself, after all -- but I don't really think so, because even my PWPs start with kissing or finding a location in which to have sex or feeling attracted. I need some build up. (Most of my fic is nothing but build up!) Stories without foreplay -- and I don't even necessarily mean between the characters, but rather between the story and myself -- are not my cup of tea. They get an "Oh! EW! Get it away!" reaction, much the same as being flashed.

(eta: And lest anyone on my f-list thinks this is specifically aimed at them... it's only generally aimed at you, as a "in future" thing. It is prompted, however, by my receiving several book reccommendations from my mother which just didn't work out. Unless she's a really terrific actor, she's not on my f-list.)

Finished: Command Decision, Victory Conditions (series over, satisfied and ready to reread), The Bone Doll's Twin, Hidden Warrior (creepy-good and addictive, need the third book NEED IT NOW!), and The Titan's Curse (*thumbs up*).

Bought today: The Battle of the Labyrinth (which comes after The Titan's Curse) and Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Demigod Files (short stories and character interviews! And puzzles! And a map! 8D), both by Rick Riordan. Also bought a book for mother's day that Mom has ordered me to take back since she already has it. In hardcover. *facepalm*

Still waiting for the Pimpernel books to be delivered...

I bought two books today, new. :3

Miles, Mutants & Microbes by Lois McMaster Bujold is a collection of three stories from from the Vorkosigan Saga. It contains the novels Falling Free and Diplomatic Immunity -- and sandwiched between that is the short story "Labyrinth", which I've already read since it was also in Miles, Mystery & Mayhem.

I also got Dead Easy by Wm. Mark Simmons, which is one of the continuing adventures of Chris Cséjthe that began in One Foot In The Grave. I'm not sure how many of the books in this series I'm missing, but eh -- he's an entertaining read.

So, back in this post I listed some books I'd bought and promised a follow-up. This is gonna be pretty quick. ;3 Let's get the bad out of the way first.

THE ELEVEN MILLION MILE HIGH DANCER is so bad I can't even stand to read enough of it to laugh at it. Seriously, very bad. I didn't finish the first chapter, that's how bad it is. I recommend avoiding the hell out of this book when possible.

Terry Pratchett's Making Money I really enjoyed. It continued the story of Moist von Lipwig that was begun in Going Postal. I actually liked this book better than the first one; it was less zany, less supernatural-intervention-y. Also less disturbing. It was kinda topical, too; it's essentially about the economy of Ankh-Morpork.

The Callahan Chronicles was a fabulous read. I couldn't put it down! I was walking around reading it (fortunately I didn't bump into anything). I won't get into which of the stories I liked best, because at this point it's all one story -- everything builds up to the end. And the end! I cried. In a good kinda way. It was also interesting as a discussion of the events of the time the stories were written/take place in and how that effected people's emotions and lives. Bad things are happening to people in each of these stories, pretty much -- but they're all stories about coping, about how the love and compassion of those around you can be a balm, and so can being the one who is loving and compassionate. These are stories about hope and healing. I recommend them to anyone who is feeling down.

Crossover and Breakaway were real page turners. Action-spy-mysteries with corporate, national, religious and interplanetary politics, and the kind of earthy soldier/cop characters that appeal to me. There's a strong theme of "what constitutes a human being?" which I always enjoy in my sci-fi. Cassandra herself is very human. There are aspects of her personality which I think would have made me dislike her if she weren't so damned well-written. She's a very strong female lead -- in fact there are a number of strong female characters and Cassandra's own observations on the interaction of the sexes in her new environment as opposed to her old, and what they say about people pepper the book. There are also a number of strong male characters. The cast is very well rounded.

One of the things that makes this setting so interesting is the role of culture. Cassandra comes from a society where culture and traditions and heritage are all seen as unnecessary baggage that stand in the way of pure scientific advancement of the species. The place she has fled to celebrates heritage, culture, and diversity -- and is very diverse. Shepherd has envisioned a future where, because of economics and technology, the dominant ethnicity is not white, and that's new and exciting in science fiction. (The dominant ethnicity is, in fact, Indian. Chinese is a close second.) The world he has created is rich and vibrant, painted with colour and textures, and also sounds and smells that really make it easy to imagine it all. I really hope the series will be continued and look forward to buying more of these books if it is.