My boss loaned me Look to Windward, and told me I had to read it. He was right, and as soon as I found some other of Ian M. Banks's books, I bought them. He also reminded me that Iain Banks is the same person, but not the same author. That author writes "real literature", not genre.

I can read and enjoy "real lit", but prefer SF. If I need seriosity, I'll reread Dhalgren.

Sequel to A Cavern of Black Ice. J.V.Jones last few outings have been excellent, and I'm looking to pick up where we left off with this series. Although, I'll admit, not quite enough to go dig up the last and reread it first. But enough to buy it the first time I spotted it in the bookstore.

I've been on a bit of a Mil-SF kick lately, reading Ringo, Flint and Weber. I reread Drake's Tank Lords on my Palm, thanks to Baen's free library, and that encouraged me to pick up a hard copy of one of Drake's books.

One of the few Nebula or Hugo award winners that I haven't read.

I accidentally picked up the third book, and was mightily confused. But I did enjoy the first, Island in the Sea of Time, so I went back and got the second.

Last Monday of the month is usually Beer Club night at the Black Forest, but due to scheduling conflicts, the Brewmaster asked to reschedule.

We ignored him.

Particularly since a good friend is in town for the week before going to Kuwait, on the way to Iraq.

In any case, this year's Octoberfest is outstanding. Malty and rich, without being cloyingly sweet. A little heavy at 6.7% ABV. The Hefeweizen is a better session beer.

I drank the Octoberfest.

The latest in Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson's Dune prequel trilogy. I bought this in hardcover, as I did the last few, but I'm afraid I may regret this. The coincendence that every character in Dune's ancestor from 100 generations ago knew each other, and set everything in motion at roughly the same time tends to strain my suspension of disbelief.

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This is a reissue of all of Randall Garrett's Lord Darcy novels and short stories, which have been out of print for far too long. I have at least one of them, and probably two, packed away somewhere, but I'm looking forward to reading the rest.

Eric Flint is the editor, and, from what I've seen recently, he's going through Baen's backlist and doing something about books that aren't in print but should be.

I'll post notes once I read the book.

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