vodkafan Posted August 24, 2013 Author Posted August 24, 2013 Things went completely to pot with my reviews, I haven't reviewed a single book since about June I think. Going to make an effort to get things back on track. Quote
pontalba Posted August 24, 2013 Posted August 24, 2013 Things went completely to pot with my reviews, I haven't reviewed a single book since about June I think. Going to make an effort to get things back on track. You will, once you've adjusted to your walking schedule. Just takes getting used to. I've several of Cornwell's books......I'll buy them because they appeal, but somehow they sink in the TBR pile(s). The mentions here are getting my attention. Quote
vodkafan Posted August 29, 2013 Author Posted August 29, 2013 You will, once you've adjusted to your walking schedule. Just takes getting used to. I've several of Cornwell's books......I'll buy them because they appeal, but somehow they sink in the TBR pile(s). The mentions here are getting my attention. I have started reading Sharpe's Company, I like the style of writing but I don't know quite how to describe it, it is very lean, economical, but also highly romantic in the sense of a man making his own destiny against the odds...remarkable. Quote
vodkafan Posted August 29, 2013 Author Posted August 29, 2013 For a while now I have been collecting up all Jack Vance books in second hand paperbacks. I was able to get them for really good prices . Sometimes only 1p plus postage. However good old Jack has scuppered this project by going and dying when I was only half way through. . All the paperbacks from second hand sellers on Amazon have suddenly disappeared. The good news is though that his books are all now available for kindle through Gollanz and they have knocked £2 off the usual price. So all now at £2.99 during august. I bought 7 including all 5 of the Demon Princes novels, The Blue World and Araminta Station, which is the first of the Cadwal Chronicles, which I have never read! Quote
Athena Posted August 29, 2013 Posted August 29, 2013 I'll have to look them up on the Kindle sometime, though I do prefer paperbacks it's a shame the books are no longer available, so Kindle might be the way to go. I hope you enjoy the books ! Quote
vodkafan Posted August 30, 2013 Author Posted August 30, 2013 I am really enjoying Araminta Station. Typical Vance. Poor poor Sessily Veder!! I don't want to go to work I just want to read all day today Quote
poppyshake Posted August 30, 2013 Posted August 30, 2013 I don't want to go to work I just want to read all day today It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a book lover in possession of a large TBR, must be in want of a holiday Quote
vodkafan Posted August 31, 2013 Author Posted August 31, 2013 It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a book lover in possession of a large TBR, must be in want of a holiday Quote
Athena Posted August 31, 2013 Posted August 31, 2013 It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a book lover in possession of a large TBR, must be in want of a holiday x Agreed! (gladly, I have some time off now). Quote
vodkafan Posted September 9, 2013 Author Posted September 9, 2013 I just updated my list of "books bought in 2013" on the first page, about 44 more books, all the ones not currently highlighted in red yet. Had to buy all the Jack Vance ones in August as they were on a special offer , but it has bumped up the total outlay on books to £161.71 in 8 months....I really DO NOT NEED to buy any more books this year I will put my foot down with a firm hand RIGHT NOW THAT's IT Quote
vodkafan Posted September 9, 2013 Author Posted September 9, 2013 Had a quick count up 140 books on my TBR as of today. At average 8 books per month that is 19 months reading, or till FEBRUARY 2015. Don't know what to do about this. My real issue is space. I am overflowing all my bookshelves already. I could impose a ban on myself till I got my TBR down to say 50 books. But I keep finding lots of books at really bargain prices at the moment. So what I will do is only buy books that are 50p or less for the rest of this year. My big expenditure recently on Jack Vance I consider an investment as I will read them again and again. Quote
pontalba Posted September 10, 2013 Posted September 10, 2013 I could impose a ban on myself till I got my TBR down to say 50 books. Keep telling yourself that. Try to believe it. Quote
vodkafan Posted September 10, 2013 Author Posted September 10, 2013 Keep telling yourself that. Try to believe it. I could do it. I could honestly Quote
Athena Posted September 10, 2013 Posted September 10, 2013 I've not seen any Jack Vance books for sale in any shop I've been in, so from that point of view you got a great deal in my opinion! I'll wait and see if I find them sometime, or whether I'll have to go on Amazon marketplace or something to buy them. Good luck not buying books, I think it will be difficult but I think you could do it if you really want to . Quote
vodkafan Posted September 10, 2013 Author Posted September 10, 2013 (edited) I read a good overview of Jack Vance on the Encyclopaedia of Science Fiction: http://www.sf-encyclopedia.com/entry/vance_jack I never knew that his particular genre had a name of it's own: Planetary Romance. Edited September 10, 2013 by vodkafan Quote
Athena Posted September 10, 2013 Posted September 10, 2013 Thanks , I'll bookmark the page to look at! Quote
pontalba Posted September 10, 2013 Posted September 10, 2013 Great article, VF. I see Harlan Ellison is on the list of authors influenced by Vance. Ellison, in turn has been involved in so much sci-fi history. Star Trek, Babylon 5, Twilight Zone......boggles the mind! Quote
Karsa Orlong Posted September 10, 2013 Posted September 10, 2013 I never knew that his particular genre had a name of it's own: Planetary Romance. I could've sworn we'd talked about that before. I remember saying "What is a planetary romance anyway? Do they meet in orbit for a date?" I wish I could get my TBR pile down to 50 - and it's been under 60 for a while now Quote
Karsa Orlong Posted September 10, 2013 Posted September 10, 2013 I see Harlan Ellison is on the list of authors influenced by Vance. Ellison, in turn has been involved in so much sci-fi history. Star Trek, Babylon 5, Twilight Zone......boggles the mind! He wrote the original screenplay for the best ever episode of Star Trek (imo), 'The City of the Edge of Forever'. Then Roddenberry and co decided it was too controversial (because it was about drug dealing) and changed it. And it's still the best episode Quote
pontalba Posted September 10, 2013 Posted September 10, 2013 He wrote the original screenplay for the best ever episode of Star Trek (imo), 'The City of the Edge of Forever'. Then Roddenberry and co decided it was too controversial (because it was about drug dealing) and changed it. And it's still the best episode No doubt in my mind! And ya know, I can't think Roddenberry was wrong. Especially considering his long view. Quote
Karsa Orlong Posted September 10, 2013 Posted September 10, 2013 No doubt in my mind! And ya know, I can't think Roddenberry was wrong. Especially considering his long view. Probably not. By all accounts, Roddenberry didn't think Ellison's original story would have worked on tv, and the episode we got is fantastic, so . . . Quote
Athena Posted September 11, 2013 Posted September 11, 2013 Which series and season of Star Trek is the episode from? Just so I know how long I'll have to wait before I can see it . We've watched the first half of the first season of TOS but then we stopped for some reason and went to watch other things. We should get back to it sometime. Quote
Karsa Orlong Posted September 11, 2013 Posted September 11, 2013 You should watch the second half of the first season, then, cos that's where you'll find it Quote
vodkafan Posted September 11, 2013 Author Posted September 11, 2013 You know, I don't believe I have ever seen that one.....I am gradually collecting TOS on DVD when I find them in charity shops..I will find it eventually Quote
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