As it's the start of a new year, it's also time for a new reading list.
I know I said previously that I was going to try not to read as much Star Trek literature this year, and that this first book post has no less than three Star Trek novels, but there shouldn't be any more until the Summer when David R George III's new novel is released.
Oh, except for Takedown (by John Jackson Miller) which should be delivered to my Kindle on the 27th of this month.
Una McCormack can do no wrong! She is my favourite 'Trek author at the moment, having penned my very favourite Star Trek novels; The Never Ending Sacrifice, Brinkmanship, and The Crimson Shadow.
The Missing is a long-awaited Deep Space Nine novel set aboard the new station (ghastly design, by the way), and a civilian science vessel, the Athene Donald. Along with the regular crew, it reintroduces characters from Brinkmanship, and the prickly Doctor Katherine Pulaski (Beverly Crusher's contentious 2nd season replacement in Star Trek: The Next Generation).
I loved the style of writing (especially the bits where McCormack lets the readers' imaginations fill in the blanks, and the almost complete lack of technobabble), the Captain's Log introductions, the Athene Donald (let's have more novels set aboard this marvellous ship), and the really quite tense and baffling, but also warm, Cardassian/Romulan storyline. More, please, Una!
This is not a new book, but it is a new book for me. It was first published in 2005, and was one of the more unusual Star Trek novels that wasn't linked to any particular TV series, and didn't "star" any of the main casts.
I don't know why I didn't read it at the time? It may have been because I wasn't (and am still not) interested in politics, be they real or fictional (although aren't most politics fictional?). This novel, however, was a delight to read, even though it was about the politics, politicians and press of the United Federation of Planets! Plus, I love the character of Nanietta Bacco, President of the UFP.
This is the fifth of the Thursday Next series, and just as good as the previous four. With its various plot threads meandering along, seemingly unrelated but nonetheless engaging, until they intertwine in an "Oh, yes! Why didn't I see this coming?" moment near the very end.
In this novel, Thursday has to deal with falling readership, the threat of reality TV-style books, the end of time (seemingly brought about by the inaction of her lazy, sullen, teenage son), and her two BookWorld counterparts, Thursday1-4 and Thursday5.
It was dear Mago who reminded me that it had been a while since I'd read any Calvin & Hobbes, so I thought I'd start from the beginning and see how far I get.
This is the first book - a collection of the comic strips from 1985 to 1986.
* Post title from page 10 (strip from November 28 1985)
Again, this is a new book for me, but one that was published back in 2009.
Unlike with Articles of the Federation, I know full well why I didn't read this book at the time: The slut on the cover with Riker!
Now, having read the book, I know she's not a slut and Riker's marriage to Deanna Troi is as safe as houses. Ahhh...
I have a really rotten book on the go at the moment [past 4 months], I should really give up on it and read something half decent.
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Yes, give up, Ms Scarlet. Reading a rotten book is a form of sado-masochism!
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