Mark Martinez

Finally got around to reading McCaffrey's first Pern novel. It's as much science fiction as fantasy and an exciting tale, keeping me hooked right up to the end. I guess I'll have to find a copy of the next book in the series.

Another chilling vignette, tied to the previous episode. We're down to the last episode, coming next week, and I don't have a clue how, or if, Scalzi plans to wrap up. I suppose tying up all the threads in a neat package isn't a requirement. Have I become addicted to conventional endings?

This book was on my radar after watching the first season of A&E's Longmire on the tube. The tv series has the same flavor as this first novel in Craig Johnson's series. I like both. Looking forward to reading more of the novels and watching the second season of the tv show.

Comical and disturbing at the same time. I've found something to like in every episode so far.

Film historian Bruce Scivally focuses on the films and the people who worked in them, but he also discusses Donald Hamilton and the Matt Helm novels. Most of the quotes from Hamilton should be familiar to anyone who has read interviews with the author. Scivally catalogs the characters and plot details taken from the novels and how they were used or abused in the movies. He discusses the effect that the Matt Helm films appeared to have on the James Bond franchise. In his narrative, he outlines a relationship between the movies, the publication of new Matt Helm novels, Dean Martin's popularity, and Hamilton's career. I found the book surprisingly interesting, but I was disappointed that there are no references at all. I thought that would be standard practice for this type of book.

I would've given this episode five stars if the hairy little mutt had not shed all over my Kindle.

The story is a prequel, telling the tale of Helm's recruitment and training. Then some of the missions he handled during World War II are detailed. There are references to individuals and events taken from Hamilton's novels, so the author has done a lot of research. I was surprised that Wease successfully captured [a:Donald Hamilton 114241 Donald Hamilton http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1291775970p2/114241.jpg]'s first person narrative style in this pastiche of the Matt Helm novels. The writing isn't as smooth or as concise as Hamilton's, especially in the early novels like [b:Death of a Citizen 2078937 Death of a Citizen (Matt Helm, #1) Donald Hamilton http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1328691567s/2078937.jpg 2084209], but I think any Matt Helm fan will enjoy reading this book.

A good adaptation with art nicely suited to the moody atmosphere.

There is a seed of something interesting here. This is an early example of a now common science fiction trope–a lost generational space ship, its inhabitants unaware of their original purpose, with science taking on religious trappings. Ultimately, the story didn't work for me because the characters in this novella are either too one-dimensional or unlikeable.

It's great to finally have these comic strips in book format. The stories are classic Trek. The artwork by Thomas Warkentin is outstanding. The quality begins to fall off a bit after he leaves the strip, however the other writers and artists still do a decent job.

So far, I've enjoyed each installment. They are just right for my commute.

There must be a slight flaw in my character because I couldn't put this book down. Li Kao and Number Ten Ox are right up there with the greatest of mythical heroes. More wine please.

In this second episode, Scalzi throws in a chilling interlude about human frailty and survival. I think I'll enjoy this serialized approach to reading.

I have mixed feelings about this book. The premise of a zombie private investigator solving his own murder is intriguing and Dan Chambeaux is a likable fellow. I found the story amusing. Ghosts, zombies, vampires and werewolves all needing legal help, the services of a P.I. and body care products made me laugh. But this is the first book in a series. I'm just not sure if I like these characters enough to follow their adventures.

Read part of the story and listened to the audiobook for the rest. Scalzi sets the stage nicely. I'l looking forward to reading future episodes. Does this count as a book in my 2013 reading challenge?

Set almost entirely inside the Blight-ruined city of Seattle, the latest Clockwork Century story from Cherie Priest is mesmerizing. I was choking on fumes and gasping for air along with the main characters. A chilling preview of things that might be coming, topped off a terrific tale.

Although I've seen most of the movies based on this novel in the last 25 years, I never got around to reading it until now. I also downloaded the Audible.com edition and listened to about two-thirds of the story narrated by a fellow named John Lee, who did a sensational job voicing all the characters. Dumas' book was every bit as exciting as I hoped it would be.

Reading this last volume of Breathed's comics, I realized that I missed quite a few of the Opus Sunday strips. None of the local newspapers carried it. Like the previous collections, I can only marvel at the craziness we seem to be reliving over and over again. Kind of scary too. Scratch that. Without Opus to help navigate life, it's frakkin' terrifying.

The Vanguard series has been an entertaining addition to the Star Trek universe. Dayton Ward's coda featuring Captain Kirk and Admiral Nogura brings the series to a conclusion with a review of the final events from the perspective of the Enterprise. Ward's tale, a novella in ebook format, doesn't have any of the characters that made Vanguard so interesting, but provides a fitting end.

Another terrific visit to the recent past with Opus, Bill and the rest of the gang. The folks at LOA are doing a great job bringing back classic newspaper comic strips.

After reading all five volumes of the Bloom County Library, I'm amazed we're still wading thru the same shit that Mr. Breathed lampooned more than twenty years ago. I'm laughing and crying.

Tough and reckless newspaper photographer gets himself involved with dames, gunmen, and murder. This reprint of one of the first graphic novels is mostly a curiosity. The story isn't very interesting and the art is average.

Wow. A wild ride, right up until the end and back to the beginning.

Chris Roberson did an outstanding job melding Star Trek and Legion lore. The artwork by the Moy brothers was equal to the story. I reviewed the individual issues over at TrekMovie.com:

http://trekmovie.com/2011/11/08/trekink-review-of-star-treklegion-of-super-heroes-1-and-2/
http://trekmovie.com/2011/12/14/trekink-review-of-star-treklegion-of-super-heroes-3/
http://trekmovie.com/2012/01/04/trekink-review-of-star-treklegion-of-super-heroes-4/
http://trekmovie.com/2012/02/14/trekink-review-of-star-treklegion-of-super-heroes-5/
http://trekmovie.com/2012/03/20/trekink-review-of-star-treklegion-of-super-heroes-6/

Finally, someone wrote a book about me!