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Post by Talon Karrde on Jan 30, 2010 18:47:24 GMT -5
Since I last posted, I've read: Great Expectations by Charles Dickens - A classic novel with a classic moral - be careful what you wish for...you just might get it. A young boy wishes to become a gentleman, scoffing at the love of his uncle and a position as an ironsmith apprentice, but once he is an established gentleman, he realizes he has pushed away the very peopel who he truly cared about all for the love of a woman. Eigthy is Not Enough[/COLOR][/B][/I] by Dick Van Patten. - I was surprised to discover how interesting this book actually was. I read it in only a couple of days. Everyone thinks of Dick Van Patten in the role of the father on Eight Is Enough, but he has done so much more on stage, radio and television. I loved reading the tales about his family and Queens. Really an enjoyable read! Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi: Outcast by Aaron Allston - The first book in the Fate of the Jedi series, this novel finds Luke Skywalker in some hot water with the new Chief of State. Charged with not reigning in Jacen Solo before he went rogue, Skywalker must now go into exile. But that doesn't mean he has to play hermit. in an effort to discover what happened to Jacen...and a few of his other students who have recently undergone some strange changes, Luke and Ben roam the galaxy following Jacen's 5-year journey taken just after the war with the Vong. Pretty decent start to an interesting new series. 1812: The War that Forged A Nation by Walter R. Borneman - I love history and this is an interesting look at the reasons we began the War of 1812, the various battles fought and the results of the war. Reading this book, youn have to wonder how this country ever won this war. High Rhulain by Brian Jacques - The 18th novel in the Redwall fantasy series. This novel centers around an otter maiden who is fated to become leader of the otter clan, saving her people from slavery at the hands of the evil cat clan. This may sound like a kid's story, but, like the Harry Potter novels, this novel appeals to folks of all ages. The Rules: A Guide for People Owned By Cats by Max Thompson - My cat, Natasia, must have bought this book for me. These are the rules for us humans as laid down by the cat - completely hysterical. It's quite possible that she had some input in writing this book. Star Wars: The Clone Wars by Karen Traviss - The novelization of the animated Star Wars film. I'd say this novel is even more enjoyable than the film thanks to the in-depth look at the charcters. I love Karen Traviss' work! Peanuts Treasury - Peanuts is my favorite comic strip...Mutts is my second fave...and I grew up reading about Charlie Brown, Snoopy (my fave), Linus, Lucy and the gang. I had tons of Peanuts books when I lived with my parents and somehow, those got left behind when I moved. Peanuts Treasury combines some of the best of Charles Schultz's work - over 600 strips! I'm currently reading By the Sword, A Heralds of Valdemar Novel by Mercedes Lackey. This novel is rather different in style than the rest. Suffice it to say that the lead character is not a herald, which is unusual in itself. Should be done with this one soon - almost 500 pages long, but quite an interesting read.
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Post by Talon Karrde on Apr 16, 2010 14:37:50 GMT -5
Since I last posted, I've read: Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi: Omen by Christie Golden - In the second novel of the Fate of the Jedi Series more Jedi become paranoid delusional while Luke and Ben set out to visit the Ang-Tii in an effort to recreate Jacen Solo's five-year journey and perhaps uncover the reason for his turn to the Dark Side. Meanwhile, a forgotten Sith Order is about to return to the galaxy at large. Pretty interesting addition to the Star Wars Expanded Universe novels. The PsychoKitty Speaks Out 2: Something of Yours Will Meet A Toothy Death [/COLOR][/B][/I] by Max Thompson - This is the sequel to The PsychoKitty Speaks Out: Diary of a Mad Housecat, a compilation of a housecat's daily blog. In this book, Max deals with some health issues and the unwanted addition of another cat to the family. Simply hysterical! Star Wars: Boba Fett: The Fight to Survive by Terry Bisson - The first book in the Boba Fett young readers series takes place during the events of Attack of the Clones and immediately afterwards. The series chronicles Boba Fett's life and explains how he became the bounty hunter he is today. So far, a very interesting take on things. I've always loved the Boba Fett character and wanted to learn more about him, so I purchased this young adult series to see if I could find out anything new and interesting in Boba's history. I wasn't disappointed. Wrigleyville by Peter Golenbock - It's baseball season! Time to read about the sport I love best. This time around, a book that chronicles the verrrry long history of the Chicago Cubs. I love Golenbock's baseball books because he doesn't just include historical and statistical facts. He also offers up the views of the players, reporters, fans, crew and more. This is baseball history writing at its finest. Star Wars: Boba Fett: Crossfire by Terry Bisson - The second novel in the Boba Fett series finds our young would-be bounty hunter facing off against Count Dooku. 2nd Chance by James Patterson - This second book in the Women's Murder Club series finds the four friends searching for a serial killer with racial tendencies and a hidden agenda. Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith: Paragon by John Jackson Miller - The third part in a nine ebook series chronicling the history of the lost Sith Tribe we meet in the Fate of the Jedi series of novels. I'm currently reading Reflex, the sequel to Jumper by Steven Gould. This time around, Davy is much older and married. Finding freelance work with the NSA, Davy is preparing for a new mission when he is abducted. Frantically searching for Davy, his wife Millie makes some rather disconcerting discoveries about the people he is working for...and herself. So far, this is a great read and I'm halfway through it already.
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Post by Talon Karrde on Jul 2, 2010 11:28:42 GMT -5
Two months have passed...Much reading have I done: Star Wars: Boba Fett: Maze of Deception by Elizabeth Hand - In the third novel of the Boba Fett young adult series, Boba seeks out his fortune on a banking world with Aurra Sing in hot pursuit. So far, this series is rather intriguing, offering up a great deal of information as to how Boba Fett became the bounty hunter he is today. Star Wars and Philosophy [/COLOR][/B][/I] Edited by Kevin S. Decker and Jason T. Eberl - This is a tongue-in-cheek look at the philosophical aspects of the Star Wars movies and a must read for Star Wars fans with an interest in the underlying meanings of the films. Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith: Savior by John Jackson Miller - The fourth installment in a nine part e-book series takes us back to the origins of the Sith tribe Luke Skywalker is currently facing in the Fate of the Jedi novel series. Kerebos by Nicholas C. Prata - The prequel to Dream of Fire, this novel gives us some interesting insight into the main character, Kerebos, and the events that made him the monster-turned-savior in Dream of Fire. Very well-written and completely captivating. Redwall: Book One by Brain Jacques - Part one of the first novel in the popular Redwall book series is a fun and intelligently written adventure with a cliffhanger ending. sandy Koufax: A Lefty's Legacy by Jane Leavy - A book about my favorite major league pitcher. The book doesn't throw a lot of statistics at you which is nice. It also looks at Koufax from an entirely different angle. Besides touting his achievements on the ballfield, it also looks at the inspiration he has provided the Jewish community. Star Wars: Boba Fett: Hunted by Elizabeth Hand - The fourth novel of the series finds Boba Fett on Tattooine, searching for Jabba the Hutt and hopefully, a beginning to his bounty hunter career. Star Wars: Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader by James Luceno - This novel, set after the events of Revenge of the Sith, offers us insight into the transformation of Anakin Skywalker into Darth Vader. The Bodies Left Behind by Jeffery Deaver - An action-packed suspense/thriller novel from the master of suspense pits a Deputy Sheriff against two killers...but are things really as they seem? I'm currently reading Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi Backlash by Aaron Allston, the fourth novel in the series which finds our heroes on the planet of Dathomir, searching for the Sith that escaped them in the Maw. Meanwhile, the Moffs are plotting to wrest power from Daala - will the Jedi be collateral damage? I'm also reading Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone - impossible to believe, but I have never read one single book from this series. So far, the book is a lot of fun.
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Post by Talon Karrde on Sept 1, 2010 11:44:39 GMT -5
Two months have passed...Much reading have I done: Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi Backlash by Aaron Allston - The fourth book in the series seems to set things back on the right path. No Cthulu in this one - we are back to the heart of what Star Wars is about. Set on the planet of Dathomir, the Nightsisters are back and stronger than ever as Luke and his friends and family try to track down the Sith who escaped them in the last novel. Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone [/COLOR][/B][/I] by J.K. Rowling - Believe it or not, I have never read on single Harry Potter book although people have been recommending them to me for quite some time. I wish I had listened to them a long time ago. I breezed through this first one and can't wait to read the rest of the series. The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo - Finally got my hands on this classic novel filled with spiritual enlightenment. An awesome read written in the style of legends. Star Wars: Boba Fett: A New Threat by Elizabeth Hand - The fifth novel of the young adult series finds Boba Fett in the employ of Jabba the hutt. Boba has grown much and his talents are becoming well-known and respected as Jabba's favorite Tattooine bounty hunter. It is time to expand his boundaries as Jabba offers Boba a job off planet tracknig down a Separatist leader for an unknown Republic client. Redwall: Book Two by Brain Jacques - Part two of Redwall features a siege at the Abbey that leaves the enemy badly injured. Meanwhile, the Abbey's greatest hero is missing, lost in the forest, still searching for clues about Martin the Mouse and how to conquer the evil that is Cluny the Scourge. Captivatingly quick read. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling -The second book in the Harry Potter series is just as entertaining as the first and just as quick a read. I was done with this book in no time. The Burning Wire by Jeffery Deaver - The latest novel in the Lincoln Rhyme series pits Lincoln, Amelia and their team against a foe who uses the electical grid as his weapon. Can it be that the team has finally met its match? I love Jeffery Deaver's writing style and the ending of this novel is awesome, featuring a twist that I never saw coming! Star Wars: Republic Commando: Hard Target by Karen Traviss - Based on the video game, this novel delves into the lives of the Clone Troopers, specifically four commandos, the last survivors of their individual units, who are brought together to complete an important mission - to capture a Separatist scientist who has created a virus that can destroy the entire Clone army. Karen Traviss has deeply immersed herself in the Mandolorian culture and thus, has an excellent insight into the lives of the clones. In my opinion, she is the best writer of all things Mandolorian, including Boba Fett. Redwall: Book Three by Brian Jacques - The third and final part of the first Redwall novel finds the forces of the Abbey and Cluny the Scourge in a heated battle while Matthias searches for the sword of Martin the Warrior in an effort to discover just how to save his Abbey from destruction at the hands of their enemy. Frankentstein by Mary Shelley - Having never read some of the classics considered high school staples, I decided to check out Frankenstein and discovered that the novel is nothing like the movies I've seen. This is a story of emotional and psychological terror dealt to a scientist at the hands of his most horrific creation, abandoned at birth. Frankentstein by Mary Shelley - Having never read some of the classics considered high school staples, I decided to check out Frankenstein and discovered that the novel is nothing like the movies I've seen. This is a story of emotional and psychological terror dealt to a scientist at the hands of his most horrific creation, abandoned at birth. Star Wars: Boba Fett: Pursuit by Elizabeth Hand - The final novel in the young adult series finds Boba Fett in great peril while still attempting to capture Wat Tambor. This novel features appearances from quite a few well-known prequel characters like Mace Windu, Anakin Skywalker, Elan Sleezebaggano, Assaj Ventress, Governor Tarking and even Supreme Chancellor Palpatine. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling - I had thought I had seen every single Harry Potter movie, but while reading this, I realized that I had never seen this particular movie all the way through. Thus, this particular segment of the series was completely new to me. An awesome read which only took me a few days to complete. I'm currently reading The Silmarillian by J.R.R. Tolkein. I have started this book twice before and never finished it, but this time I am committed to completion of this novel, a story of the beginnings of Middle Earth and the ring of Bilbo and Frodo Baggins lore. I have gotten further into the story than I ever had before and am confident that I will complete the book this time around.
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Post by Talon Karrde on Nov 20, 2010 9:09:32 GMT -5
Ah, the books...the books...so many to read...so little time! Since I last posted in this thread I have read the following: The Boys of Summer by Roger Kahn - What I expected was a look back on the Brooklyn Dodgers and the history of the team. What I got was a reflection on the Dodgers and what it was meant to Roger Khan to grow up rooting for and eventually writing about them. It was the Brooklyn Dodgers from a different persepective, that of a fan and a sports writer. What a great read! The Silmarillion[/COLOR][/B][/I] by J.R.R. Tolkien - The prequel to The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. A difficult read, but very enlightening. Written in the style of a folk tale or mythology, everything is explained from the creation of Middle Earth to the darkness of Mordor. Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher - A hysterical autobiography of sorts based on her one woman show. A tremendously fast read filled with pictures and laughter. Proves that, although her life has been a bit topsy turvy, Fisher can still laugh about it. Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi: Allies by Christie Golden - The fifth novel of the Fate of the Jedi series finds our heroes allying themselves with...The Sith?! To defeat the enemy who is possibly causing the Jedi illness, Luke Skywalker and the Lost Tribe of the Sith form an alliance. Meanwhile, Tahiri Veilla's trial has begun and a standoff involving the Mandalorians takes place at the Jedi Temple. An exciting read filled with intrigue and action. Can't wait to read the next novel in the series. Homer's Odyssey by Gwen Cooper - The story of how one blind kitten's life inspired a human's perspective on life, love and the pursuit of happiness. Absolutely adorable. Homer is an inspiration for us all. The Fall of the House of Usher and Other Tales by Edgar Allan Poe - A compilation of Poe's spookiest tales and the perfect read for Halloween. Star Wars: Boba Fett: A Practical Man by Karen Traviss - An ebook short story about Boba Fett that takes place during the New Jedi Order. Another intriguing look at the bounty hunter we love. No one can write Mandalorians like Karen Traviss! Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Wild Space by Karen Miller - Based on events that take place in the Clone Wars animated series, this book follows Obi-Wan Kenobi and Senator Bail Organa in their quest to find a Sith planet. Interesting read that reveals a great deal about the relationship between Senator Organa and the Jedi. Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith: Purgatory by John Jackson Miller - The fifth installment of the ebook series which follows the history of the Lost Tribe of the Sith long before they come in contact with the Jedi in the Fate of the Jedi novel series. Intriguing look into the history of this mysterious foe. I'm currently reading The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck, a novel I started when I was a kid, but never finished, and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling.
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Post by Talon Karrde on Jan 21, 2011 16:00:22 GMT -5
Since I last posted in this thread I have read the following: The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck - A historical fiction novel that has become a classic. The book revolves around a man named Wang Lung and his evolution from poor farmer to wealthy landowner. I picked this book up and started reading it a long time ago, then put it down and abandoned it. I never like doing that and so, I picked this book up years later so I could finally finish it and found myself wondering why I ever put the book down in the first place. A fascinating read that I discovered is the first of a trilogy. Will have to find the other books! Star Wars: Knight Errant: Influx[/COLOR][/B][/I] by John Jackson Miller - The short story prequel to the Knight Errant book and comic book series. Not a bad way to start things, this story revolves around Jedi Kera Holt and her coming of age as a full fledged Jedi during the days of the Old Republic. Star Wars: A Forest Apart by Troy Denning - A short story in ebook format that revolves around Chewbacca, his wife Malla and son Lumpawarrump. Chewie's son wants so much to be like his heroic father that he rushes into battle against a group of Imperials seeking to destroy the newly formed New Republic. A cute tale of family values as seen through the eyes of a wookie. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling - The fourth novel in the Harry potter series is much darker than past novels. It is here that we come face to face with Valdemort and his murderous ways. It is in this novel that our first major character is killed in the war against the evil wizard. Awesome novel! The Pine Tree of St. Martin by Paulo Coehlo - A short story about the true meaning of Christmas. A truly uplifting tale. Dewey's Nine Lives by Vicki Myron with Bret Witter - A compilation of stories from people who had read Dewey the Library Cat's story and wanted to share their special relationships with inspirational cats. Warning: If you are an animal lover, you are gonna need a lot of tissues for this one. I loved reading Dewey so much, that I had to pick up this book. The stories will make you laugh and cry. They are true representations of how our pets touch our lives in ways no one could imagine. Winds of Fate by Mercedes Lackey - Another book in the Heralds of Valdemar series, this book picks up where By the Sword left off and follows the adventures of Elspeth, the Queen of Valdemar's daughter. Elspeth is a herald who believes that the kingdom is in need of mage aide now that the King of Hardorn has begun amassing an army of mages bent on destroying Valdemar. She sets off on a journey to find someone to help Vademar and makes quite an important discovery about herself. Great addition to the Heralds series. Can't wait to read the rest of this trilogy! Star Wars: Death Troopers by Joe Schreiber - A horror novel in the Star Wars universe? Yup, and a surprisingly well-told zombie tale that involves Han Solo, Chewbacca and a whole lot of Imperials. A fun thriller with a few surprises. Nightwing: The Lost Years - a graphic novel that takes place just after the events of Crisis on Infinite Earths. Contains Hero's Journey and 321 Days story arcs. Starts off pretty good with a story heavily featuring Barbara Gordon, but has an ending that will piss you off...well, perhaps I should say that its lack of ending will piss you off. :fume: I'm currently reading The Guns of the South by Harry Turtledove, an interesting tale of how the Civil War might have turned out if the South had a bit more of an advantage supplied by some individuals with a rather perplexing amount of insight on how the battle is supposed to turn out. At first I wondered what I was getting myself into with this novel, but now that a bit more of the plot has been revealed, I find myself quite intrigued.
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Post by Talon Karrde on Apr 1, 2011 14:53:04 GMT -5
Since I last posted in this thread I have read the following: Star Wars: The Jedi Path: Vault Edition by Daniel Wallace - This is an awesome gift for any diehard Star Wars fan. A manual on how to become a Jedi Knight written by the Masters of old and commented on in the margins by Luke Skywalker, Yoda, Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon and more. Contains artifacts and comes in a supercool vault you just have to see in action to believe! Me like! :dance: The Guns of the South[/COLOR][/B][/I] by Harry Turtledove - An interesting tale of how the Civil War might have turned out if the South had a bit more of an advantage supplied by some individuals with a rather perplexing amount of insight on how the battle is supposed to turn out. At first, I wasn;t too sure about this book, but once I really got into it, I was amazed at the outcome. A truly interesting read for fans of historical fiction. Batgirl: The Greatest Stories Ever Told - A graphic novel compilation of a number of Barbara Gordon's Batgirl tales from the 60s until she is put out of commission by the Joker. While I enjoyed some of the tales, I think the powers that be could have chosen better stories. In my opinion, these are not "the greatest stories ever told." Star Wars: Medstar: Battle Surgeons by Michael Reeves and Steve Perry - The first book in a Clone Wars duology featuring Jedi Padawan Bariss Offee on a planet besieged by the Republic and Separatists in a battle over a plant. The book is less about the Jedi and the war and more about the M.A.S.H. unit fighting to put the clones and other various combatants together. This first book is rather slow, the second book is better. Star Wars: Judge's Call by Timothy Zahn - A short Valentine's Day story set a short time after the marriage of Luke Skywalker and Mara Jade. Cute story featuring my favorite expanded universe character written by the man that created her. Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith: Sentinel by John Jackson Miller - The sixth installment of the e-book series, this one is a love story that unites a Jedi and a Sith. Good story, albeit predictable. May perhaps reveal something about the direction of the novel series (Legacy of the Jedi) running in tandem with this e-book series. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne - A classic I had never had the chance to read before set in 17th Century Puritan Boston. Hester Prynn is forced to wear a Scarlet A for the rest of her days as punishment for adultery. But should she be punished at all? And who is the man she committed this adultery with? This book was a fairly quick read with a good story, despite the flowery writing in old English. Terminator Salvation Official Movie Prequel - A graphic novel prequel to the film that takes us out to the worldwide struggle of humankind against the machines. Not a bad story, but probably could have been better. Star Wars: The Old Republic: The Third Lesson by Paul S. Kemp - A short story exclusive to Star wars Insider Magazine that features Darth Malgus, a villain in the upcoming video game and a star in the novel Star Wars: The Old Republic: Deceived. This villain is an interesting piece of work. That's all I can say. Just finished reading Star Wars: Med Star: Jedi Healer, the much better second half of the duology featuring Bariss Offee and the doctors of RMSU 7. Right now, I'm reading The Devious Book for Cats, a pardoy maual for cats. I swear this thing was written by my Natasia under an assumed name! :scared:
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Post by Talon Karrde on May 27, 2011 16:39:48 GMT -5
Since I last posted in this thread I have read the following: Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling - The fifth book in the Harry Potter series. A shame that the movie didn't keep closely enough to the original novel. I liked the movie, but I think it would have been even better had it kept more to its source material. Can't wait to read Half-Blood Prince! Star Wars: Medstar: Jedi Healer[/COLOR][/B][/I] by Michael Reeves and Steve Perry - The second book in the Medstar duology is much better than the first. It retains its MASH quality but delves deeper into each of the characters. There's more action and intrigue as the sabateur is finally revealed. And I'm happy to say that this wasn't easy to figure out! The authors kept you guessing right up to the very end! The Devious Book for Cats: A Parody by Fluffy and Bonkers - This book will have anyone owned by a cat casting sidelong glances at their cats, wondering which pseudonym they go under - Fluffy or Bonkers. The book explains cats antics as seen through the eyes of a cat. This is a must have for any cat lover. Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire: Evolutions by Steve Perry - The graphic novel sequel to the Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire novel features the continuing adventures of the human replica droid known as Guri. Great artwork and interesting storyline. Loved that they brought back a lot of the favorite main characters as well as a few Expanded Universe characters. Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi: Vortex by Troy Denning - The sixth installment of the Fate of the Jedi series. Just when you think you have everything figured out in regards to the Lost Tribe of the Sith, Abeloth, Tahiri Veila's trial and Chief of State Daala, Troy Denning laughs at you and throws everything into disarray. Can't wait to read the next novel in the series! Summer of '49 by David Halberstam - The story behind the 1949 pennant race between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox told by a fan of both teams (a rare event indeed). The book offers up a great deal of information, including the events leading up to this race like the race of 1948, an in-depth look at players and managers and the race as seen through the fans' eyes. Great baseball book! Star Wars: Episode I: The Phantom Menace - The graphic novel version of the film falls short with poor artwork and holes in the story. They actually omitted a lot of important series. A waste of a few precious moments in my life. Making Rounds With Oscar by David Dosa, MD - Tells the tale of a nursing home cat with the uncanny ability to tell when a patient is going to die and his self-imposed job of providing support to the dying patients and their families told by a doctor at the nursing home who is still trying to figure this cat out. Adorable tale and an eye-opener as to the effects of Alzheimer's and dementia on the patient as well as the family. Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi: First Blood by Christie Golden - A short story exclusive to Star wars Insider Magazine featuring Vestara Khai. Gives readers a bit more insight into Vestara and her actions in the Fate of the Jedi series. Star Wars: Republic Commando: Triple Zero by Karen Traviss - The second novel in the Republic Commando novel series based on the popular video game. Omega Squad is on a new mission, this time with members of the Null ARC Squadron, Delta Squad, trainers Kal Skirata and Walon Vau and Jedi Jusik and Tur-Mukan. The commandos go undercover to hunt down a terrorist faction targeting clone troopers on Coruscant. The undercover operation has a surprising effect on every member of the team. An awesome follow up to Hard Contact. Can't wait to read the next novel in this series! Star Wars: Omega Squad: Targets by Karen Traviss - A short story that offers up some insight to events discussed in Star Wars: Republic Commando: Triple Zero. Features Omega Squad, Kal Skirata and Ordo of the Null ARC Squadron breaking up a hostage situation in which the hostage takers' intent is more than it appears to be. Best Friends by Samantha Glen - A book about the Best Friends Animal Sanctuary - its founding "fathers", how they got the land, the ideals behind the sanctuary, the caretakers and so much more. I love this sanctuary for its mission to put an end to homeless pets. They have a no-kill policy and take in healthy animals as well as special needs animals, some of which are unadoptable and would otherwise be sentenced to death in a regular animal shelter. Great book with invaluable insight into my favorite charity. I'm presently reading Star Wars: Labyrinth of Evil by James Luceno. Yes, I am seriously catching up on my Star Wars reading...and, as any Star Wars fan knows, there is a whole lot of it to catch up on. But I still stick in a classic, fiction or non-fiction book here or there. Anyways, back to reading!
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Post by Talon Karrde on Aug 20, 2011 9:52:54 GMT -5
Since I last posted in this thread I have read the following: Star Wars: Labyrinth of Evil by James Luceno - The prequel to Revenge of the Sith. Offers up a great deal of insight into the mind of Count Dooku as well as that of Anakin just prior to the events of Revenge of the Sith. Lucky Child[/COLOR][/B][/I] by Michael Reeves and Steve Perry - The second book from Cambodian Killing Fields survivor Loung Ung takes us through her years in America after escaping Cambodia with her brother and his wife, Loung's sister's survival in Cambodia and Loung's eventual return to her home country and reunion with her family. A terrific read about people with the strength to survive. Enemies & Allies by Kevin J. Anderson - A book that chronicles how Batman and Superman met and became allies. Interesting insights into the minds of Lex Luthor, Batman, Superman and Lois Lane. Birds of Prey: End Game - The graphic novel that combines the first few issues of the new Birds of Prey comic book series. Enjoyable storylines, though I could do without the two new team members. Roadside Crosses by Jeffery Deaver - A novel featuring Kathryn Dance, a recurring character who is somewhat like the Lie to Me guy, using kinesics (the study of body language, verbal tone, inflection, etc.) to catch her criminal. Really fast read full of twists. Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi: Conviction by Aaron Allston - The seventh book in the series marks the return of Tenel Ka, the escpae of Tahiri Veila and the continued hunt for the evil creature known as Abeloth. The novels in this series just keep getting more and more interesting! Wesley the Owlby Stacey O'Brien - A book about how the rescue of a baby barn owl changed the lives of both the owl and the woman forever. Very heartwarming tale with lots of funny and adorable moments and great pics. Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith: Pantheon by John Jackson Miller - The sixth installment of the Lost Tribe series finds the tribe on the brink of destruction at its own hands and what it took to bring it back from the edge. A League of My Own by Patricia I. Brown - A memoir written by a former pitcher who played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. A must read for all you gals out there - this is an important part of women's history! I'm presently reading Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens - 1,200 pages worth of classic novel. :scared: Anyways, back to reading! :library:
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Post by Talon Karrde on Oct 29, 2011 7:40:46 GMT -5
Since I last posted in this thread I have read the following: Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens - A really long read, but worth it. I found it to be captivating and possibly the best Dickens novel I have ever read. Jericho: Season 3: Civil War[/COLOR][/B][/I] - This trade paperback finally takes us where CBS didn't want to go - the third season. There's action and intrigue and the events in the graphic novel take place in the style of the original show. It even ends in a cliffhanger. I can't wait for a season 4 to come out! Star Wars: Choices of One by Timothy Zahn - The master of Star Wars novels returns with a new tale featuring my favorite expanded universe character, Mara Jade. The events of this novel take place before The Empire Strikes Back and helps to explain things like how the Rebels ended up on Hoth and how they got hold of snowspeeders. A fast moving novel with plenty of action and suspense. We Are the Kitties: Read This or I'll Bite You - A collection of funny stories, poetry and more written by some of the most famous blogging cats in the giant blogoverse. A lot of fun, especially for cat lovers. Star Wars: And Leebo Makes Three by Michael Reeves and Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff - A short story featuring Dash Rendar, hero of the Shadows of the Empire stories. This short story is set to pave the way for a new novel featuring Dash called Shadow Games. One of the better short stories featured in Star Wars Insider magazine to date. Interview With The Vampire by Anne Rice - What better way to prepare for the Halloween season than reading a vampire novel. My brother has been trying to get me to read this book for years, and after watching the film again, I decided to follow his advice. Funny thing - the book was good, but I liked the movie better. Star Wars: Red Harvestby Joe Schreiber - I bought this book as soon as it came out. The first Star Wars horror novel, Death Troopers, surprised me by being so good, that I couldn't wait to read the next one. Red Harvest takes place during the Old Republic and contains all the creepiness of a horror novel while still retaining the Star Wars feel. This time around things get really interesting - Sith Zombies! You don't want to miss this one! Resident Evil: Apocalypse by Keith R.A. DeCandido - In keeping with the Halloween theme, I decided to check out the novelizations of some of the Resident Evil films. DeCandido does a great job and offers us insight into the characters' minds. I love that he offers backstories of the characters in the novelization, something that was never done in the films themselves. Mimi and Maty to the Rescue: Book One: Roger Rat Is On the Loose by Brooke Smith - A cute chidren's book that teaches the benefits of animal rscue. It's an online book I found on freekibble.com, a terrific site that helps to feed homeless animals. Resident Evil: Extinction by Keith R.A. DeCandido - Back to the zombies, with DeCandido's novelization of the third film in the series. Loved that he continues Jill Valentine's story even though she doesn't appear in this film. And once again, he offers us backstories and insights into characters we never got in the movies. Great read! Talk to the Tail by Revilo - I couldn't resist reading this collection of pet cartoons, despite the fact that it had nothing to do with Halloween. A funny read for any animal lover. Dracula by Bram Stoker - I can't believe I never read this classic vampire tale! The story is captivating and I couldn't put the book down. I loved how it was presented - as entries from diaries, telegrams, and news clippings. That way, you get the tale in multiple perspectives. Awesome! Side thought - so this is where Van Helsing comes from! Now that Halloween is upon us, I can go back to reading regular novels. This time around its Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi: Ascencion by Christie Golden. I'm fifty or so pages in and am noticing that the focus is heavily on the Lost Tribe in this one.
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Post by Talon Karrde on Dec 23, 2011 14:42:56 GMT -5
Since I last posted in this thread I have read the following: Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi: Ascencion by Christie Golden - This is the eighth novel in a nine part series. Things are getting rather interesting in gearing up for the series finale. The relationship between Vestara and Ben Skywalker has gotten extremely complicated to say the least. Pets Letters to God 2[/COLOR][/B][/I] - The first book was extremely funny with questions for God supposedly written by the world's pets. This second book is just as funny. Thanks to MCV for sending it my way! Star Wars: A Fair Trade by Paul S. Kemp - This short story featured in Star Wars Insider offers up a back story for the characters in Star Wars: Croscurrent. For a short story, there's quite a bit of action and suspense in this tale. Birds of Prey: The Death of Oracle - This is the last graphic novel collection in the second incarnation of the Birds of Prey. I think they really did a good job on this one. A shame that they canned the series and decided to create a new one. How many times do they plan to cancel BOP only to bring it back in a revamped format? Batman: Noel - This is an awesome graphic novel telling the story of A Christmas Carol Batman style. This is a really creative version of A Christmas Carol. The story is great, but I would have been just as happy without the text - the art is simply amazing! God of War by Matthew Stover and Robert E. Vardeman - A novelization of the extremely popular video game. Be wary, the writing is not for the faint of heart. This novelization is just as bloody, if not more so, than the game itself. However, it was nice to know more about Kratos and the gods, their motives for their actions in the game and their feelings as certain events take place in the game. Plus, it's a really quick read. Cats' Letters to Santa - Hey, kids aren't the only ones who write letters to Santa! Cats do to, and it's quite interesting to read what they ask of the jolly old man. Are You There, Vodka? It's Me, Chelsea by Chelsea Handler - MCV sent me this book, knowing how much I enjoy a good comedy. Chelsea Handler is a terrific stand-up comedienne who comes up with some very embarassing and comprimising situations in this book, like her adventures in babysitting, her ex-boyfriend's inappropriate relationship with a friend's puppy, her DWI arrest and more. Very funny, though definitely not for kids. Star Wars: The Clone Wars: No Prisoners by Karen Traviss - This Clone Wars novel features characters from the animated series, plus a few frmo the expanded universe novels. Karen Traviss is the author and, in my opinion, the expert on clones in the Star Wars universe. The novel is fast-paced and full of action, plus it tackles one of the biggest issues of the Jedi and the leading cause Anakin's downfall - attachment. Star Wars: The Tenebrous Way by Matthew Stover - For those of you with questions about Darth Plageius, this short story featured in Star Wars Insider offers up some revealing insight through the eyes of Plageius' Sith Master. Cleo by Helen Brown - A heartwarming story about a kitten that saves the life of the author after the death of her oldest son. It's funny how the antics of a cat - the unassuming love, the high-powered hijinx, the purr - all combine to heal. The healing powers of a cat are nothing to scoff at - I know this firsthand. This is a great book, but you had better keep some Kleenex handy while reading. I just finished reading Martin the Warrior by Brian Jacques. It's a novel in the Redwall series and tells the tale of the mouse who created Redwall Abbey. I'm in the middle of reading The Help by Kathryn Stockett. I had to buy it after seeing the incredible movie and hearing that the book was even better. So far, I am loving it! Well, back to reading!
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Post by Talon Karrde on Feb 24, 2012 14:58:48 GMT -5
Since I last posted in this thread I have read the following: Martin the Warrior by Brian Jacques - This Redwall series novel tells the story of Martin, creator of Redwall Abbey. Great story. Now I finally know what kind of man...er, mouse, Martin truly was, why he created the Abbey and more. The Help[/COLOR][/B][/I] by Kathryn Stockett - The novel that inspired the Oscar-nominated film. I loved the movie so much taht I couldn't wait to read the book and I was not disappointed. The Legends of King Arthur and his Knights by Sir James Knowles - Having always loved mythology, I have read about King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table before. It had been a long time since I had last read any of the tales, so I decided to check ou Sir James Knowles' version. If you are not all that well acquainted with the tales, I would not recommend this version as I found it to be a bit lacking. Out of Oz by Gregory Maguire - The last novel in The Wicked Series focuses on Elphaba's granddaughter and answers quite a few questions that have been nagging the readers throughout the series. However, I hardly think that this will be the last we hear about Oz or Rain or Liir. Yes, this may be the end of The Wicked Years series, but Oz has a great deal of healing to do and the way the book ends leads me to believe that another series is yet to begin. Star Wars: Maze Run by David J. Williams and Mark S. Williams - A short story appearing in the Star Wars Insider that features Han and Chewbacca in their smuggling days before A New Hope. Not a bad story, albeit short. Star Wars: Republic Commando: True Colors by Karen Traviss - The third novel in the Republic Commando series. Having just completed an undercover mission in Coruscant, the commandos are starting to realize just what they have been missing out on and wonder if they will ever be allowed to have a real life outside of the war. Also, Kal Skarita and his Null Troopers track down Kaminoan scientist Ko Sai, looking for a way to stop the rapid aging process of the clones. Quite an interesting read. This is a time in the Republic when folks begin asking themselves whether Clones are property or human beings. Very reminiscent of the question of slavery in American history. Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe - An incredibly influential classic and an amazing read. Having never been assigned this one to read in school and hearing many references to the novel, I wanted to check it out. I'm gald I did. It's easy to see how this book helped spur the country to action on the issue of slavery. Star Wars: Republic Commando: Odds by Karen Traviss - A short story set before the events of True Colors. Quite revealing about the war and the Emperor's plans for the future. Interesting short story, but I wish they had put it at the end of Triple Zero rather than the end of True Colors. THis way I wouldn't be wondering about certain references in True Colors until I reached the story at the end. Right now I'm reading a collection of horror stories and Star Wars: Order 66 (I'm so hooked on the Republic Commando series, I just had to read the next novel!) :book:
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Post by Talon Karrde on Apr 21, 2012 7:23:24 GMT -5
Since I last posted in this thread I have read the following: Seven Stories by James Freeman - A compilation of short stories in the horror genre. The stories in this book are your thinking man's horror - no blood and guts, a spirit or two, and yet you will still be creeped out by the end of each tale- the sign of a true horror writer. Batman: City of Crime[/COLOR][/B][/I] - a graphic novel compilation of ten issue of Detective Comics featuring the evil entity known as The Body. One of the darkest Batman storylines I have read to date and a graphic novel that I couldn't seem to put down. Star Wars: Order 66 by Karen Traviss - The fourth novel in the Republic Commando series offers readers quite a few revelations without giving up everything. Set just before the fateful order to destroy all Jedi, this book ties up a few storylines, while still leaving some open for the final Republic Commando novel. Some shocking revelations and losses here. Star Wars: The Guns of Kelrodo-ai by Jason Fry - A short story in which we meet Shea Hublin, leader of the Imperial 77th Wing, the Imperial world's rogue squadron. Shea's an interesting character who, although loyal to the Empire, doesn't exactly believe in all that it stands for. Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith: Secrets by John Jackson Miller - The final segment in the e-book series reveals how one Sith historian prevented the Lost Tribe from self-destruction. Ties up the series nicely. Red Sox Nation by Peter Golenbock - Tells us the history of the Red Sox from their humble beginnings in the early 1900s to the winning of the World Series in 2004. I love how Golenbock tells us the story with excerpts from fans, players, announcers, staff and more. This is not just a book filled with statistics. This is a story about the players, the fans and the organization. Awesome book, as all of Peter Golenbock baseball books have been to date. Zone of the Tenth Degree by Brad Aiken - A science fiction novel featuring the heroes of Aiken's Starscape series of novels. This time, our heroes run afoul of some aliens looking to recover long lost members of their race who were lost to them some time around the sinking of the Titanic. Could it be that these aliens unwittingly caused the death of thousands? Star Wars: Fate of the Jedi: Apocalypse by Troy Denning - The final installment in the Fate of the Jedi series finds the Jedi storming their own temple on Coruscant to wrest control away from the Lost Tribe of the Sith. Abeloth's history is revealed in this one and more than one Jedi finds themselves facing the hideous creature. Also, the fate of Ben and Vestara's romance is revealed. Just finished reading Winds of Change, the second novel in the Mage Winds series by Mercedes Lackey and started reading Star Wars: Clone Wars Gambit: Stealth by Karen Miller. Mind you, I have just started reading this book and I'm already 200 pages in - definitely a page-turner.
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Post by Talon Karrde on Jun 24, 2012 18:04:41 GMT -5
Since I last posted in this thread I have read the following: Winds of Change by Mercedes Lackey - The second book in the Mage Winds series features quite a bit of action, intrigue and some romance. Though it started a bit slow, I found the book to be a real page turner once I had a couple of chapters under my belt. Star Wars: Clone Wars Gambit: Stealth[/COLOR][/B][/I] by Karen Miller - The first book in a duology featuring characters from the Cartoon Network Clone Wars animated series. A great read, but just be warned - the characters may be from a cartoon, but the situations are very mature (biochemicals used to produce mass murder, romantic relationship issues, etc.). Star Wars: Hunting the Gorach by Jeff Grub - A short story featuring a hutt as the main character. Interesting tale - I didn't realize Hutts could be such valiant fighters. Sons by Pearl S. Buck - The sequel to Good Earth and the second novel in the series, this tale is about Wang Lung's sons, specificall his youngest son. This was an awesome read, heavily steeped in Chinese history. Highly enjoyable! Star Wars: Clone Wars Gambit: Siege by Karen Miller - The second part of the Clone Wars Gambit duology featuring the characters from the Clone Wars animated series. This novel is even darker than the first, but features some intense action and amazing Jedi skills. Great read...and fast as well! Satchel by Larry Tye - I'd always known that Satchel Paige was one of the best pitchers in baseball history, but never felt I knew enough about the man himself. This book is just as much about the quirky yet superb pitcher as it is about the Jim Crowe laws that kept him out of major league baseball until it was almost too late. An enjoyable and informative read. Star Wars: Young Jedi Knights: Shards of Alderaan by Kevin J. Anderson and Rebecca Moesta - Decided to check out this young adults Star Wars book to gather more insight on the people the young Jedi become in future novels, especially Jaina and Jacen Solo. Star Wars: Book of Sith by Daniel Wallace - Dude! This is one of the awesomest things any Star Wars fan can ever own. Fans of the Jedi Vault had been begging for a Sith version. I had begged for one that came in a Sith Holocron. Our prayers were answered with a book about Sith philosophies containing numerous artifacts held inside a Sith Holocron that opens with cool visual and sound effects. Awesome!!!! Lulu in the Sky by Loung Ung - The third book in a series of memoirs by Loung Ung, a survivor of the Cambodian Killing Fields. This book picks up with Loung in college and explains how she eventually found love and happiness with the man who was to become her husband, how she became an activisit and the inspiration for writing her memoirs. Each book in this series is incredibly moving. I love Ung's writing and finished this book in two days. Loung Ung's memoirs are well-written and important reads. Star Wars: Getaway by Christie Golden - A short story featuring Jagged Fel and Jaina Solo in their new status as husband and wife on an adventure of a honeymood. Cute tale with plenty of action. Just finished reading Star Wars: Diversity Alliance by Kevin J. Anderson and Rebecca Moesta and am smack dab in the middle of the third and final book in the Mage Winds series entitled Winds of Fury. This book is an incredibly fast read - I'm already halfway done and can't wait to read the rest!
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Post by Talon Karrde on Aug 30, 2012 9:30:00 GMT -5
Since I last posted in this thread I have read the following: WStar Wars: Young Jedi Knights: Diveristy Alliance by Kevin J. Anderson & Rebecca Moesta - The eighth book in the Young Jedi Knights series. The young jedi continue to search for clues as to Raynar's father's whereabouts leading to a reunion with an old friend and a run-in with IG-88. Cute story with some further insight into how the young jedi became the characters they are today. Winds of Fury[/COLOR][/B][/I] by Mercedes Lackey - The final book in The Mage Winds series finds Elspeth, Darkwind and their new friends pitting their strength against an old enemy of Valdemar who has united his strenght with that of the bloodmage Falsconsbane. Star Wars: Young Jedi Knights: Delusions of Grandeur by Kevin J. Anderson & Rebecca Moesta - In the ninth novel of the series, the young Jedi travel to Mechis III, home of Raynar's now kidnapped uncle's droid factory. While there, they make a most intersting discovery. The more I read this series, the more I find myself disliking Raynar's uncle. Not the best in the series, but not horrible. Faith and Fear in Flushing by Greg W. Prince - A book written for Mets fans by a diehard Mets fan, Prince knows exactly what it is like to experience the extreme highs and lows of being a dedicated fan of the New York Mets. A must read for any Mets fan or anyone attempting to understand what being a fan of this team is all about. Star Wars: Roll of the Dice by Karen Miller - A short story featuring Myri Antilles, Wedge Antilles' daughter. It's a tale of espionage and intrigue taking place just prior to events in the new X-Wing novel. Showbiz, A Novel by Ruby Preston - A fictional look at what goes on behind the scenes of Broadway musicals written by someone who knows all about it. The book is not only an excellent fictional read, but also incorporates some factual concerns about the workings of the theater. Star Wars: Young Jedi Knights: Jedi Bounty by Kevin J. Anderson and Rebecca Moesta - The tenth book in the series finds the young jedi en route to Ryloth to find Lowbacca. Lowie has been visiting with his old friend Rabba, a member of the Diversity Alliance and the group of friends has been unable to make contact with him since he left. The latest revelations about the Diversity Alliance have the friends on edge as to Lowbacca's safety. This book reveals the ever-increasing bond between Jacen and Tenel Ka, reavealing much about what happens between them in later novels. Star Wars: The Emperor's Plague by Kevin J. Anderson & Rebecca Moesta - This novel finds our heroes racing against time to stop the Diversity Alliance from accessing and releasing a plague that can destroy entire species throughout the galaxy. We know that they will succeed after reading later novels, but it's reading how they do so that is so much fun. The risks these guys and gals are willing to take and the sobering events they must endure help shape the characters they are today. Just finished reading a cool collection of fiction called The Interrogator and am reading Schulz and Peanuts, a biography of Charles Schulz, creator of my favorite comic strip, Peanuts. Now, back to reading!
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