What kind of friend would I be if I didn’t remind everyone that John Scalzi’s newest book, Zoe’s Tale hit bookstores today?
John says:
I’m really proud of Zoë as a character; I think she’s one of the best I’ve ever written. I also think that that in many ways Zoe’s Tale is the best book in the entire Old Man’s War sequence, which is saying something, considering it’s the fourth book in the universe, and two of them have got Hugo nods. But there it is: The amount of work I had to do to get Zoë right is also reflected in the rest of the book as well. It’s good.
I’m also happy to say that the goal of making this a standalone novel seems to have been achieved: I’ve heard back from folks who have read the book cold, without having read the other books in the sequence, and it’s worked for them. This is good news because, as most of you know, Zoe’s Tale was written with an eye toward opening up this universe to younger readers who might have missed the other books; it’s the book I can point to when someone asks if they can give a book of mine to their daughter or nephew or whomever.
I’m currently reading (and loving) Soon I will be Invincible,* but as soon as I finish it, Zoe’s Tale is at the top of my list, leapfrogging over a giant stack of books that just said, “Hey! We’ve been waiting in line here! Come on! No cuts!”
Sorry, giant stack of books, but I like the Old Man’s War universe so damn much, it always gets cuts.
… okay, back cuts behind Immortal Iron Fist. Sorry, The Terror, you’ll have to keep waiting. (But if Zoe’s Tale is anything like the other books in the Old Man’s War universe, you’ll only have to wait a few days. I usually have a damn hard time putting them down.)
*Link and title fixed. I was in a hurry to get out of the house when I wrote this post this morning.
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Hi Wil,
I read “Invincible” a couple of months ago. Between that and Dr. Horrible’s Sing-A-Long Blog, I’ve decided on a new career path…
SUPER VILLAIN!
So frustrating. Neither this nor Last Colony are up on the Kindle store. The store gave away Old Mans War for FREE, like a crack dealer at a preschool. So then I binged on that and Ghost Brigades. Now I’m a junky and need my fix but I have to buy a meatspace copy to get it. And I’m posting this from work, will the lidless eye of IT catch me? If they do it’s all Scalzi’s fault!
Serendipity! – A co-worker and fellow geek just passed me “Invincible”. I’m about a quarter of the way through. I’d love to hear your thoughts on it after we’re done.
I went on a binge at Powell’s in Portland a few weeks ago. I read Stross’s Glasshouse last week. I’m planning on reading Fire Upon the Deep over vacation next week.
And in the nonfiction genre, I also picked up I am a Strange Loop by the same guy who wrote GEB.
Of course! A book I think I want to read (Invincible) and it’s out of stock at Amazon. Oh well. Gonna have to hunt for it, then.
Yet another big fan of “Invincible” and Dr. Horrible up here.
Haven’t read any of the Old Mans War series yet, so thanks for the heads up, and as soon as I can spare a dime for some books, I’ll be picking them right up!
Looks like a good book. It is interesting to know what you like to read. What else do you read?
Take care of those ribs.
Ah, yes, but have you read The Android’s Dream?
I loved OMW the second I read it but I truly almost hurt myself laughing while reading TAD. Many LOLs were sacrificed that day I’ll tell you!
Hope you keep on the mend!
Cheers!
Wil,
I know you love Scalzi, but don’t postpone reading Dan Simmons’ “The Terror” for too long. It’s one hell of a book from a man who has written several “one hell of a books”. Simmons is the man, after all, that Harlan Ellison once told, “I’m so sorry, but you’re a writer.” Many authors are storytellers; Simmons is a writer.
Hi Wil – I’m so glad you’re reading Soon I Will Be Invincible! My day has officially become rad.
I am off to get the Scalzi.
(Although the link to Invincible goes to a very mysterious region of Amazon. Paperbacks here: http://tinyurl.com/6ovajs)
Hey, did you hear about the Watchmen movie? http://www.eonline.com/uberblog/b24472_doomsday_watchmen.html
Hey Wil,
I have to admit that your recommendation on books is close to what I read. I took your advice and read Old Man’s War and loved it. What an interesting story that meshed together so many sci-fi elements into a legible cacophony of story-telling.
On your posting, I will pick this one up too and alas, my stack ‘o books will also be rendered to mere footstools while this new acquisition takes ‘cuts’ in front of everyone else!
BTW – purchased your Audible JUST A GEEK – Love it – you are now my commute partner on the way to and fro work!
Bill T.
San Jose, CA
This reminds me… I meant to tell you that I’d read Old Man’s War based on you being excited about it (and pointing to Scalzi’s blog a lot). I enjoyed it. More than I expected to. That sci-fi style is a flavor I’m not often in the mood for, but it was really an engrossing read.
I just finished “Ghost Brigades” and could hardly put the damn thing down. I’ve already started Tobias Buckell’s “Crystal Rain,” but it’s taking some serious willpower not to interrupt myself and go back to the library and get “Last Colony.”
(NO spoilers in this post)
I found “Soon I will become Invincible” really frustrating. I felt like there was this amazing setup for at least two wonderful twists … and then the author wimped out 🙁
It was *good* book that could have been *great*.
Gotta second The Terror. Don’t put it off too long. it’s not exactly a light read, in fact it’s the first book I’ve read in years that I would freely describe as brutal, but damn, is it worth it. Simmons is genius.
I also enjoyed Invincible, but I just wanted to add that if you haven’t read it, I highly recommend checking out Devil’s Cape, which I liked even more.
I also thought the latest Wild Cards novel, Inside Straight, was surprisingly good, at least relative to the general quality of that series a a whole. The idea of a Superhero reality show is a great idea and well-executed. It was also a good move that this latest book doesn’t require or presume any familiarity with the series as a whole.
But really, if someone thinks they might enjoy a novel about superheroes, I can’t recommend Devil’s Cape highly enough. It’s a much darker grittier take than Invincible. (Which isn’t a criticism of Invincible. Sometimes you’re in the mood for dark and gritty and sometimes you aren’t.)
i have an advanced readers copy from the book expo in june, buried in a “to read” pile somewhere in my office. i’m motivated to dig it out. tnx.
Got to see Scalzi win his Hugo a couple of weekends ago. I even got to *touch* the Hugo after he paraded it through the hotel lobby at the front of a procession of admirers. Did he ever get his own nametag back?
Wil, I’ll be interested to hear what you think of “Soon I Will Be Invincible” when you’re done. I was a bit underwhelmed by the ending, which is unfortunate, since I liked the book in general.
I “read” The Terror as an audiobook and I can highly recommend it! Very good voice acting and a great story!
Hey Wil, I just wanted to say thanks for repeatedly recommending Scalzi. I have read hundreds and hundreds of books over my lifetime, and the OMW series is one of the best. I never would have found it had you not pimped Scalzi so much. Considering the number of Scalzi books I’ve bought for myself and my friends (and gotten my friends and family to buy for themselves), I think Scalzi owes you a beer and a fancy dinner.
Just wanted to say I get the best book recommendations from these comments; thanks, people, you’re fabulous.
And cheers to my library system for having so many of these titles, woo!
oh, and Wil – I salivate at the thought of an occasional “what’s the in footstool/to-be-read-next pile” type post from you, so that I can keep finding new books to snuggle. C’mon, do my work for me!
Hey Wil,
The Terror is definitely worth the read, but I can’t fault your reasons in putting it off a bit longer.
Piece of advice: Have tea or an equivalent hot beverage handy when you do finally dive in. The story’s harsh winters practically leech the heat from your hands as you turn the pages.
I thought “Soon I Will Be Invincible” rocked a phat groove. Much, much fun.