A while ago I mentioned my friend had written a zombie political thriller. She just sold it.

FEED is a book about politics, corruption, presidential campaigns, journalism, integrity, escapism, the traditional news media, and how Livejournal saved the world from the living dead. It's about reporters, writers, idiots who like to poke dangerous things with sticks, the things that keep them together, and the things that tear them apart.

It's also about, well, zombies. Lots of zombies. What happens to a society when it has to live with the constant threat of zombies. What that does to the entertainment industry. To social patterns. To clothing styles. To the way that people interact. To funeral rites. Basically, it's an unholy cross between TRANSMETROPOLITAN and NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, with a little FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS on the side.

It is very Buffista-friendly. (I have read it, and it is AWESOME.)

Oh, I lurrrved Gil's All-Fright Diner. All sorts of fun!

Stephenie Meyer. How much damage hath she done to the vampire "genre"?

gnnng. Do you really want me to go into the rant, or should I just go sulk in front of my two bookcases full of vampire books?

I found another vampire novel - Wicked Game by Jeri Smith-Ready. um ... interesting, but it isn't on my top ten list or anything. But the idea of vampire DJs was interesting.

But the idea of vampire DJs was interesting.

Hmmm. I may have to look that one up.

Oh, so I enthusiastically recommend Soulless, which comes out in October. Victorian hijinks, vampires, werewolves, and parasols, just like the cover blurb promised. And OH MY GOD, fun. Very very fun. I am planning on writing the author and gleefully fangirling at her.

Do you really want me to go into the rant, or should I just go sulk in front of my two bookcases full of vampire books?

No, no - this is like a political discussion with my family, or a religious discussion with my seedgrove - we all agree AT HIGH VOLUME. Strangers would assume we're thisclose to killing each other.

I was hoping you HADN'T read "Gil's..." so I could spring it on you. I should have known better. You: horror fiction (mostly vampires). Me: Tolkien (and New Weird). I'll remember, eventually.

A demon comes out of her keyboard? No, we'll want something she actually *uses*. Fay, I shit you not.I saved the link for a time, but it made me feel dirty. Because she's got a fanboard of ninnyhammer bobbleheads who agree with her every word on any subject. True story.(and not an Ari Gold "True story" either.) Genre-busting is okay with me, but you better make it worth it.

I was hoping you HADN'T read "Gil's..." so I could spring it on you. I should have known better.

Which reminds me, have you read "Bloodsucking Fiends" and "You Suck" by Christopher Moore? If not, I'll hand them over the next time I see you.

Have not. Please do! Re-reading Brust's Dragaera novels for the zillionth time is amusing, but not new. It's almost to Tolkien-level memorization. "Oh, page 302 - yeah, I remember that."

It's almost to Tolkien-level memorization. "Oh, page 302 - yeah, I remember that."

I would give you A Look, but then you would pointedly ask how often I've read "Those Who Hunt The Night", and then things would just devolve.

I'm halfway through reading del Toro's "The Strain", and finding it fairly entertaining. I have my suspicions about some things that might turn into big gaping plot holes, but so far it's fun. And making me want to watch Blade 2 again, go figure.

(sighs) Don Ysidro. The only vampire to give Armand a run for his elegant money (and heels!)

If I weren't so pudgy, I'd totally channel their love-child in my Saturday Night Antics each week.