7/23/2009

1. editor's prefatory note and apology
   
   these minutes aren't the best, taken as they were casually and on a
   scrap of paper. discussion was wide-ranging and mostly unrecorded.
   
   
2. chris: patrick rothfuss. the name of the wind.
   
   
   1. verdict: ++
      
   2. review:
      
      previously reviewed by our fine fellow lords. will continue the series,
      he liked it a lot.
      
   
   
3. chad: brian d'amato. in the courts of the sun.
   
   
   1. verdict: +
      
   2. review:
      
      from his dad, it's the dude's second book. first in a trilogy. a mayan game
      in which dude predicts the future. brain waves sent back in time (ed: !).
      the first-person writing is obnoxious, but he will probably keep reading.
      
   
   
4. brandon: kristin cashore. graceling.
   
   
   1. verdict: +
      
   2. review:
      
      forced upon him by sarah, he guesses because of its "odd psychosexual
      dynamic." this is ridiculous as hell, but it seems like he enjoyed it.
      
   
   
5. marko: j f lewis. staked and revamped.
   
   
   1. verdict: ++
      
   2. review:
      
      previously reviewed and much loved. obviously marko concurs. quick
      reads, he enjoyed them "very much." in fact he came to "several
      realizations:" the characters were well developed, there is serious
      betrayal, and actual female characters. high praise!
      
   
   
6. chris: steven erikson. gardens of the moon and deadhouse gates.
   
   
   1. verdict: ++
      
   2. review:
      
      "i don't even know where to start. they're insane." the jury's still
      out, he says, but i'm saying he's into it, no bullshit.
      
   
   
7. eric: buzz aldrin and john barnes. encounter with tiber.
   
   
   1. verdict: +
      
   2. review:
      
      written in '95, predicts a bunch of stuff that has actually come to
      pass. technology and race relations.
      
   
   
8. eric: george stewart. earth abides.
   
   
   1. verdict: +++
      
   2. review:
      
      FROM 1949, AND SO VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. he rereads this book every 7-8
      years, and it remains his favorite book ever (rebeccah's as well). classic,
      and info is widely available elsewhere. editor: reading a book from 1949 is
      obviously cheating, but it will be tolerated, just this once.
      
   
   
9. chad: joe abercrombie. best served cold.
   
   
   1. verdict: ++
      
   2. review:
      
      IT'S REALLY DARK. takes place in the "years of blood," it has to do with
      revenge and obsession. much better paced than the trilogy. it's really
      just about killing people. he liked it but it was REAL depressing.
      
   
   
10. rebeccah: larry niven. the integral trees.
    
    
    1. verdict: ++
       
    2. review:
       
       well, i ran out of space on my paper at this point, so the discussion ends
       here. she likes this book though, and niven in general. (the editor wishes
       to note that this book, too, is OLD AS HELL. there's lots of good books out
       there if you can just read whatever the hell you want, people!)
       
    
    
11. coda
    
    some discussion on the various merits of sf. universal agreement not reached.
    
    
12. that's all, folks.