Alex > Recent Status Updates

Here we go…

So happy with this so far. “M*A*S*H* but Star Wars” doesn’t do it justice. So far, it’s about how people stay sane and human in the face of abject terror. Thrilled to be reading a Star Wars novel in which every character has an interesting interior life.

Still enjoying this one. If you like MJS, this is a good one, though I still prefer the vibe of the Royce and Hadrian adventures.

So far, so good. I didn’t finish Sullivan’s last series because of the mixed quality of some of the books, but this one is quite enjoyable, well-written, and focused so far.

It got off to a bit of a clunky start, but it has settled into a nice story about starting a small business, and all of the challenges that entails…but with a giant cat, an orc, a succubus, and a small rat baker.

It seems that I’m in the minority on this one, as I’m not enjoying this book at the 75% mark. Gemmell in general seems to be very hit or miss with me, and I think this will be the last of his books that I read for a while.

Too many characters, not a strong sense of where events are taking place, and just not caring despite some noble ideas here and there. Will trudge on to the end…

Only several chapters deep, but the language in this book is gorgeous. Feels like my brain is getting fed quality literary food.

My first Peter S. Beagle novel. Wasn’t expecting the S-bombs or the modern setting, but it has me listening to lute music, and I’ve enjoyed hanging out with the well-travelled and witty Farrell in the early going.

“Darth Maul had seen the grim realization in the eyes of his foe: the knowledge that the Twi’lek could not defeat his adversary. Once defeat was conceded in the mind, its reality was inevitable.” p.151

“Faced with a collective forgetting, we must remember.” (on the historical amnesia of Britain and its own black history)

So good! Late-40s Leia is written really well, and it looks like the seeds of the First Order are about to be planted...

Too much information per lecture for me to grasp but the most basic points of each one. Not sure this is a good idea as an audio book, but will power through to the end.

First manga I’ve picked up in over a decade. Tried a few others but they didn’t click. I think I was just looking at the wrong kinds - mostly at Shonen books aimed at teenage boys. This one is still for young adults, but the layers of plot being revealed right now have me wanting to learn more. Will avoid spoilers with all my might and enjoy this book the way the creators intended...

Things are getting very intense. Glad I powered through the first 250 pages or so. Reading a version that's 750 pages+. I'm expecting a great final 200 pages.

Finally starting to pick up. I was ready to give up with the lack of genuine focus for the protagonist the first 300 pages or so.

Princess Violet is a one-note comic book villain in how evil she is written.

Man did they spend a lot of time with the Mud People...

Expected this to be a type A personality guidebook, but it’s actually written with much more empathy than I had expected so far.

Got through the Symposium/Banquet. Much boy loving was discussed.

Listening on Audible. Six hours in. It’s not grabbing me as much as Legend. Feel like there are too many characters and relationships to follow. It’s been getting a sharper focus lately, though.

New blog post is up. It's about measuring success, and I also talk about The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson. Check it out: http://www.ichaseunicorns.com/2017/05...

In the final stretch of this one. It's an inspiring journey about how people learn, finding one's life's task, and the mindset necessary for success. It also has a ton of historical examples of artists and creators of various types who have achieved mastery in their field as a result of apprenticeship, experimentation, and mastery. Listening to the audiobook, but I'll definitely be getting the physical book as well.

I was really into this before I forgot it at my parents' house 6.5 hours away last weekend. So far, a fun though typical fantasy adventure about a teenage boy from a fishing village who runs away from home to seek his fortune, only to get wrapped up in events and a prophecy bigger than himself. I can see where it's probably going, but that hasn't hampered my enjoyment up to this point.