Tuesday, December 05, 2006

Book Dilemma - The Solution

For those of you playing along at home, I finally solved my lack of book to read dilemma. After some ummmmmmming and ahhhhhhhing in Borders, I settled on American Gods by Neil Gaiman. I just started it on this morning's commute and loving it so far. I can't believe that the only book by Gaiman that I've ever read is his joint venture with Terry Pratchett Good Omens. Where have I been?

22 comments:

Michael said...

I can't believe it either! Dude, you are in for such a treat. American Gods is good and there's the sister book Anansi Boys, but the best things he's written are Stardust and Neverwhere, both among my favorite books ALL-TIME. No, really, if I'd known you hadn't read those, they would have been my summer read suggestions. This can be the gay man's Gaiman summer! I couldn't help myself. I'm SO excited for you now.

The Other Andrew said...

OMFG I'm so excited for me too! Neil Gayman and I are going to be BFF I can tell. I'll probably read A Nancy Boys next, it sounds right up my alley.

worldpeace and a speedboat said...

ha, I love a good Nancy Boys Mystery ;-)

I loved Good Omens to bits, but Hazman lent me a book of his short stories and I didn't really enjoy them very much. his writing is great, but I found some of it too dark and disturbing for me. I guess I'm more of a Gothic-Lite sort of girl...

Miss Eudoxia said...

Ahhhh Good Omens.....a great book that I still quote bits out of......let us know how you like this newest one.

Cozalcoatl said...

do0d i mean do0od have you never read his 'Sandman' graphic novels?
I love his books but 'Sandman' kicks arse and is a really good read aswell.

Watch 'Mirrormask'.

Michael said...

I'm glad you sensed how giddy I was at the prospect of you discovering Neverwhere and Stardust. So fun! And not so thinky. Neverwhere leans toward horror and Stardust leans toward fantasy (magic AND fairies!) but both are solidly entrenched in DELIGHTFUL.

MIND THE GAP

I'm presently reading The Planets by Dava Sobel. Who knew astronomy could be so fun? Her Galileo's Daughter is one of my faves and if you haven't checked that out, by all means, do so. Umm...17th Century Florence? Yeah, I thought so. But if that's not enough, just the existence of 124 letters written between Galileo and his daughter, a cloistered nun, was enough to dampen my drawers. What?

Mikey (TLE) said...

The BBC did a television series of Neverwhere which I happen to own on DVD. Not bad, it doesn't quite capture the kooky coolness of the book, but it is good nonetheless

The Other Andrew said...

I'm LOVING "American Gods". Loving. Gaiman's always been in my peripheral vision. I mean I have lots of friends that have read his stuff, including the graphic novels, but until now I just let it pass me by. I'm a late adopter remember.

Fran Carleton said...

Never read any of his books, but his blog makes for an interesting read...
http://www.neilgaiman.com/journal/

Michael said...

You're speaking to THE late adopter, remember? By all rights, I should be adopting like a sumbitch. I have lots of catching up to do. Seriously, line 'em up.

Mikey, I've been tempted by that DVD, but I love the book so much, that I've been afraid to pull the trigger. So, worth it?

Speaking of DVDs of books, I just ordered the BBC production of The Line of Beauty. ADORED that book and, wary or not, I just HAVE to see it on the screen. Anyone else read it? Mahvelous, dahlings.

The Other Andrew said...

Mikey, I think I need to watch those DVDs.

Michael, I'm intrigued to see how they do with The Lone of Beauty on film. Lemme know what you think when you get it, huh?

Mikey (TLE) said...

Michael, that's a tough call. I liked the book but not to an unhealthily obssessive degree... so I was perhaps more tolerant of the BBC interpretation than a bigger fan of the book might be. The production values are not the best, I was reminded (fondly) of old Doctor Who episodes if that reference makes sense to you. But, on balance, I say go for it. You can always stop watching.
TOA, just bring your "Mikey's DVD Archives" library card and they are (temporarily) yours.

The Other Andrew said...

Cool. I love the "Mikey's DVD Archives", they're the best!

Michael said...

::Picturing Andrew on hands and knees, rooting through the archives::

Did I just get called unhealthily obsessive? ;-)

Michael said...

RE: the archives

IS the penalty for overdue DVDs very stiff?

I tend to disseminate freely and widely with books and DVDs, and then stew in angst over it for days. I figure it's a lesson I learn over and over and over. So I guess I never really learn it?

I just gave Tarnation to my lovely hair dude, and that was a toughie to release into the world. If you haven't seen that, oh my, it's train wreck fascinating, a documentary like you've never witnessed before. To add bait, I'll note that both Gus Van Sant AND John Cameron Mitchell (Shortbus!) are on the producers list.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0390538/

Michael said...

The greatest creation is the life you lead.

http://tinyurl.com/y5n4bc

worldpeace and a speedboat said...

IS the penalty for overdue DVDs very stiff?

is that single or double entendre?
*snigger*

The Other Andrew said...

Michael, the penalty for late returned Falcon or Triga especially titles is very stiff indeed.

re: unhealthily obssessive, Mikey calls them as he them. It's a lawyer thing. Expect it to be followed with an I withdraw that remark.

Love "Tarnation", and yes 'trainwreck' indeed.

Mikey (TLE) said...

There will be no withdrawal here (more single entendre?). But Michael, if the strappy high heel fits... It was of course meant with love.

I loved The Line of Beauty. Great book. I didn't know the BeeB had put it on DVD, I must hunt it down, add it to the library and up the stiffness of those penalties

Michael said...

Whether with love or stern judgement, machts nicht. I like it both ways. Can't wait for TLoB on video. It's the book that launched me into my annoying habit of calling everyone "darling", darling.

The Other Andrew said...

Where'd all the other annoying habits come from?

I kid! You, annoying? Not possible! :)

Mikey (TLE) said...

Woohoo! This is comment 22. This is more comments than you got for that hot naked (semi) photo of Steve. What is your record number of comments on a single post TOA?

And yes, the late penalties for Triga DVD material, especially stiff. Darling(s)