23rd June, 2009
::facepalm::
Lack of jobs and the current recession have left Ohio with a budgetary shortfall of 3.2 billion dollars. Our intrepid Governor, Ted Strickland, has decided that a great way to reduce this deficit is by cutting library funding by 50%. Keep in mind that close to 70% of libraries in Ohio rely solely on state funds to operate and now these funds are in danger of being cut in half with little to no warning (note: libraries have already taken a 20% budget cut this year and Strickland is proposing an additional 30% in cuts). Many libraries simply will not be able to stay open after such a drastic reduction of funds. As John Scalzi puts it, this isn’t a cut, this is an amputation.
Me? I say this plan is brilliant, simply Brilliant. Prevent people of all ages from developing new skills, finding new jobs and expanding their minds. Go ahead and prevent everyone, children and adults, from educating themselves and new jobs will literally flood into Ohio. >.> Great job, Governor. I can’t wait for the 2010 election.
Posted at 5:03 pm | Comments (5)
19th June, 2009
300
It’s summertime which means there’s plenty of timing for reading out back under the ol’ oak tree. Except that we don’t have any oaks, only maples, and I’m not too keen on sitting under the trees when the mated pair of grackles who moved into our backyard this year are overly zealous in protecting their nest. Awk, awk.
Pygmy by Chuck Palahniuk
A satirical recount of a terrorist cell member’s experience coming to the US and attempting to blend in with middle-class society. Palahniuk uses a peculiar writing style in this book which makes things a little difficult to get into the flow, but he uses it with great success to excoriate the stereotypical American way of life. The book feels a little clunky at times and he also throws in some of his tiresome shock scenes, but probably still worth the read. At a hair over 200 pages, it’s short enough not to be a waste of time if you don’t like it.
3/5 gogs.
House of Chains by Steven Erikson
Continuing to plow through Erikson’s massive Malazan Book of the Fallen series, book four brings back Crokus, Apsalar and Iskaral Pust and introduces some new characters as well. Lots of foreshadowing in this one along with the expected well-written action and plotting. Good stuff.
4/5 gogs.
Posted at 5:20 am | Comments (2)
12th June, 2009
Tres Duendes
The Steel Remains by Richard K. Morgan
Richard Morgan does fantasy. Wait, what? Granted, it is quite the dark fantasy and follows his already established writing style, but make no mistake, this is fantasy to the core and just the first entry in the trilogy he is slated to write.
So how is it? Pretty good. An interesting story line full of moral dilemmas, liberally doused with action sequences. If you like his sci-fi works, you’ll probably enjoy this one as well.
4/5 gogs
City without End by Kay Kenyon
Book three of Kenyon’s Entire and the Rose quartet. The story rolls on and characters begin to get knocked off. Another decent read that builds things into what I hope is an exciting conclusion in book four.
3.8/5 gogs
Memories of Ice by Steven Erikson
Man, there is a lot going on in Erikson’s Malazan Book of the Fallen series. Sure, he breaks things up into more manageable pieces, but after just the third book in this series, I’m thinking I’ll need to reread everything in its entirety to put all the subplots together. Still, he keeps things interesting with believable characters a complex storyline. He also throws in some humor at times for good measure although there are, again, some grim parts in this installment.
3.8/5 gogs
Posted at 5:37 am | Comments (2)
