My library was about two blocks from the beach. So I'd get a back-pack full of books and, if the weather suited, sit on a rock by the bay to read them. Hey, Mom had told me to go play outside.

Nicole, I'm gonna start you out with "Wild Seed," and then maybe the Xenogenesis trilogy.

Squeee! Thanks, dearest. I've been eyeing the 3-fer called "Lilith's Brood" on Amazon. If I can find it at my local used bookstore (which I highly doubt but I'm optimistic - even with my pessimism) I'll be a happy girl. Over 700 pages, so that should hopefully keep my greedy Story!Self busy for a bit.

I'm heading to the local branch of the library tomorrow, AIFG! In theory the trip is just to pick up the books I put on hold(some of the Agatha nominees I haven't read yet) but I'm sure I'll end up with a large stack of books...

(adds "Kindred" and "Clay's Ark" to the list)

Oh, and "Xenogenesis" = "Lilith's Brood." Lilith got around.

I think my favorite Butler is actually Bloodchild and Other Stories. I remember being really creeped out and fascinated by the title story in particular. Kindred is also excellent.

Why did no one mention that LKJ has a new paperback out?

I ran into it in the bookstore and had to read it. It's more novella or short story than novel, and it's...what we've come to expect from her. Which is to say, crap crap crap, lots of sex, poor poor lycanthrope who is TORMENTED over the fact that he is JUST TOO WELL HUNG!, minimal explanation of "plot" (see, it gets to the big conflict and Anita is...hit over the head, and then it's all resolved!).

It was nice, though, that there were a few references to previous things that had sort of been dropped--like the fact that Anita in theory makes her living as an animator too.

It makes me so sad, I enjoyed the first couple Anita Blake books.

Scarier still, it included an excerpt from the next book, which started out with her old friend Ronnie (wait, remember how she used to have FRIENDS?) basically saying what all the readers have been complaining about...and poor, poor Anita is all hurt and pissed and her boyfriends are all ready to kick Ronnie's ass, because how dare she not understand Anita's PAIN and how she NEEDS SEX??

I'm so happy that I no longer feel the need to read any more about Anita Blake.

What if poor old Anita just buys a vibrator?

From LKH's blog:

But I promised Anita that if she truly cared about someone they'd survive. I know why I made the promise to her; my mother's death when I was six. To say it scarred me is an understatement. So I promised Anita something I cannot promise myself. How was I to know that she would fall in love with so bloody many men? I was planning on monogamy for her when I made the promise. Who knows, maybe her interest in so many of the other characters is my subconscious's way of keeping everyone safe? Maybe. But Merry is pressing for the same promise. I don't think I can give it. I fear for some of the men in this, the last few scenes. She's fighting me, and I can't argue with her. I feel that it is wrong, if I can stop it, if I can save them all, why not? Why not?

A woman at the St. Louis signing for MICAH asked when I was going to kill someone off in one of the series. She didn't care who, just someone. She felt that the characters weren't in true jeopardy anymore. I'd been wondering the same thing myself for a little while. But who would I sacrifice to make my fictional world more believable? No one. I hold them all precious. Admittedly, eventually, Cel is going to have to die in the Merry series. I just don't see her as every being safe while he lives. But that's books away, and I don't care about Cel, not in that way. If Merry's series is not 'real' enough for some of the readers is that a good enough reason to pick someone to kill off? No. But what I fear is that the plot itself, of its own weight, is leading us to the loss. It's that fear that keeps Merry reluctant, and my feelings of guilt that help her win the argument. Can we get through this last scene with everyone intact, and should we? I don't know anymore; I just don't know.

You know, if LKH had any online friends, they'd be telling her "Just walk away from the badfic, honey. Try writing something else for awhile."

That is just too, too funny.