Book 4: Hexed

The worst cover art (for straight guys riding muni anyway). Not much here really. Fun, zippy read. Second book in the ongoing adventures of a 2100 year old druid. Requisite magic, goofiness (sometimes intrusive). Don't expect much, read it fast. Feels pretty derivative from Dresden and Sandman Slim, but moves fast, doesn't slow to explain the "finer" points (well, the more absurd than usual points). Overall, if you like that sort of cheeky urban fanstasy noir blah blah blah, this is a good book. I like it and enjoyed it for what it is.

Book 3: Big Machine

Victor Lavalles excellent novel, Big Machine, comes in at book three. An interesting work told from a fairly unique (at least to this white guy) perspective, Big Machine is loaded with interesting and very real characters. Ostensibly a horror novel (which is moderately successful), it's really just a fascinating potrait of characters seeking redemption. The dialogue sparkles and the characters are engrossing. Plot level, once the bigger parts of the plot expand, the book gets onto shakier footing, which would have completely derailed in a less talented writer's hands. Lavalle manages to prevent this from becoming absurd thanks to some great writing. Next up: Hexed.

Book 2: The King of Thorns

Of course, after reading Prince of Thorns, I had to get the second book. The first book was thoroughly enjoyable in many ways, but I felt as though there were a lot of opportunities left on the table. Which the second book picks up. And then some. King of Thorns is my second favorite sequel of all time, putting the first book into much better perspective while providing the usual depravity and insanity told from two timelines with a deftness that suggest a very quick maturation of the writer. While the pacing continues to be brisk, there's a bit more restraint that and weight in the down moments to make it seem a bit slower (in a good way). Most surprisingly, there's a real pathos in the book that, again, is restrained enough that it's not bludgeoning, but also with enough commitment that it feels real. Ultimely, the protaganist, Jorg Ancrath, remains an irredeemable shit despite his tepid and thoroughly unsuccessful attempts to be anything else. In fact, his biggest problems seem to arise from any deviation from his monstrous self. Further, when Jorg is at his most ruthless that he seems to rise above himself, almost as some sort of "be yourself" message. It's not Jorg who provides the unexpected pathos though. It's the secondary (and oftentimes tertiary) characters that provide the window. Jorg is a bastard shitbag who really deserves a rather awful death. But, being a "gritty" fantasy book, bad guys rarely get what they deserve, so we get all the delicious delinquent and psycopahting behavior one can want (of course, you better like this sort of thing, or don't bother picking either book up). But the viewpoint, which is often skewed, that Jorg sees people is where the true heart lies. Every character that's a potential substitutre father figure is seen with uncharacteristically (did I really just type a word that long? This ain't German!) rose colored glasses. Goroth, Makin, his uncle, Codden, and others all get similar star treatment from Jorg. And, I found that Lawrence actually had Jorg age and mature in the four years that sets apart the last book from this one without too much wistful memories. And, holy moly, there's some great action and moments of real "WOW!" Lawrence is a very talented writer and I'm ecstatic to see what his finale will be.

Book 1: Prince of Thorns

I've seen this book quite a few times on my recommended list from Amazon, based on my purchasing history of course. Seemed like a natural to put on my wishlist. There's a lot to like and a lot not to like in Mark Lawrence's "Prince of Thorns" a book that I had more conflicting feelings about than just about any other I've ever read. On one hand, it is brash, crazy, and totally over the top. Jorg Ancrath is one of the irredeemably despicable central characters in a long time, which, of course, plays to my overly masculine desire to read about a lot of intriguing action and death scenes. But, alas, this is ultimately an empty pursuit that needs to be balanced by something other than heaping helpings of loathsome activities. If there were a better counter balance within the novel itself as played by a someone, anyone, who wasn't entirely contemptible in their actions or pursuits, it might have been able to elevate above just being a revenge fantasy genre book. It almost feels like a cynical approach to readership that we'll just accept any horrible abuse as "part of the character" or "necessary for the story". The tepid attempts at some sort of redemption are almost more cynical in that there really is no redemption for any of the characters outside of death and a chance to start over. There were a couple of intriguing characters introduced much later in the book. Being said, I actually still enjoyed many aspects of the book. There are moments when the writing really escalates and Lawrence shows his chops. Even though most of the characters are stock types found in nearly every fantasy ever written, they are still fun and darkly humorous at times. I just really wish that Lawrence could have pulled this up from the gutter a bit more (though I think he does in the second book).

100 books in a year

Sooo, for Christmas, my wife and pops decided to split the entirety of my wish list on Amazon, putting a ton of pressure on me (all perceived) to step up my reading game. My moms included a gift certificate to B&N, so I got some additional books as well. Added to my usual backlog of books, I've got a ton of books. So, I figure, what, 8 books a month and I can hit 100 books? As of this writing, I've hit eight this month, six more on my shelf, and a wishlist of 37. So, I'm going to give it a shot. If anyone is so inclined and wants there book on my list, I'll happily accept any donations. I promise that if I don't like it for whatever reason(if it's from an indie type publisher of self published, I won't write about it. Of course anyone is free to look at my wish list at Amazon and send a copy my way. Most of what I read is bit off the beaten path and I love indie type stuff.

Johannes Cabal and the Fear Institute

One of my all time favorite literary characters is back! Johannes Cabal, notorious necromancer, reluctant private detective, and generally disdainful fop visits the dreamlands. Almost halfway through, and I have to admit, it's a bit of a slog. Cabal is still at his snarky best, dealing with morons (to him, that covers 98% of the human population) and invoking Nyarlothotep to do his somewhere just south of evil biddings (but well north of morally ambiguous let alone actual good). I think I'm having a hard time adjusting to the setting, which is an expansive dreamland, where the terrestrial characters seemingly act as if they are just on an adventure to Zanzibar rather than IN THE FUCKING MIDDLE OF THE DREAMLANDS! There's a Gaiman-esque quality to it, though that's probably because of my limited frame of reference. But, whereas Gaiman delights in his odd curiosities and characters from the ethereal and borderline mythic lands that he creates, Howard seems to despise them. Makes sense, I suppose, as Cabal hasn't met a person worthy of his scorn, but it gets difficult to really enjoy. Plus, the dreamlands themselves, which make no sense on the surface, don't really make any sense. On one hand, they are the ephemeral landscapes one would sort of suspect, but on the other, the people and places are also a bit too, well, logical. Again, I think this is the intent, but it's a little disconcerting and most of all distracting. I'll probably shift my thoughts fairly quickly as Cabal finds more ways of artfully dodging any serious harm.

SF Gate/Chronicle 100 Places I've been

First off, I think it's funny that MB starts his article with some claptrap about chefs finally embracing California Cuisine. The problem I have with many restaurants in SF, and especially those that MB favors, is that they are too geared towards California Cuisine. Sure, I like food where the ingredients star, but seems like California Cuisine has become code for the most obscure heirloom fresh farm ingredients on our menu. If the food is good, I don't need a primer on where it came from, how it was raised, how many hours it rode. Just give me some good food goddamit. OK, rant over. Here's where I've been.

Absinthe: Went there after it opened about 10 years ago. Thought it good, but overpriced. Recently visited for lunch and the dining room was much smaller and cramped feeling than I remember and the menu was terribly disappointing. Food was good, but choose from not very interesting sandwiches/salads or overpriced entrees (sorry but $25+ for lunch entrees is too much). Does not belong.

Acquerello: Again, was there like a decade ago. Food was amazing and I still remember a pasta with a truffle cream sauce. Astonishingly good food, but back then, decor needed an update. If they haven't done so, then it really needs one now. Belongs.

Betelnut: It's been like 15 years. Remember it as a great, lively environment with much better food than was expected. Belongs.

Boulevard: Only had desert here, but it was fantastic. Belongs.

Chapeau: Anyone who knows any details about MB knows that he absolutely loves this place. I went to it when it was further out in the Richmond and thought it a good French Bistro, but not particularly memorable other than the most crowded dining room I've ever been in. On the fence.

Coco500: Took the baby there about three years ago. Was good, but not terribly memorable, mostly cause of the rugrat. On the fence.

Delfina: In my mind, the most overrated restaurant in SF. I was there shortly after it opened with as much fanfare as I've ever seen, and thought, mmm, interesting, rock salt really does make the flavors jump. It's good, bordering on great, but, at least in my experience, I didn't see a lot of originality or creativity and the food was so simply prepared that I felt it wouldn't take much effort to duplicate at home. But maybe that's the ingenuity of great cooking. Still, left a bit disappointed. I need to go back and try to block out the expectations before saying it belongs (though it probably does).

Fifth Floor: Went here for desert and cheese course. Felt a bit stuffy, but that's actually okay with me. Need to have dinner to have a decent opinion.

Foreign Cinema: Been here twice. I don't get it. That's okay, but I don't get it. Doesn't belong.

French Laundry: Funny that MB takes out Jardinierre because of price, but doesn't say anything about French Laundry. Money being no object, best meal of my life. Belongs.

Gary Danko: Better value than places like French Laundry. Some of the best service (I'll take a bit suffocating over ignored any day). Absolutely belongs.

Greens: Been here twice and didn't really understand it. Food seemed inventive in theory, but it never really grabbed me. Still, the view is amazing, it has a sneaky awesome wine list and probably belongs for these two elements alone.

House of Prime Rib: I've been going at least once a year for 35 years. Belongs.

Incanto: One of my favorites and I'm surprised that stuff MB actually liked this place. Menu is wildly inventive, straying far beyond MB's usual chicken/fish/steak wheelhouse. Absolutely belongs.

Koi Palace: Went here for my college graduation five years ago. Absolutely great, but the bigger the group the better. Belongs, but there are a lot of great Asian places not mentioned, so it feels a bit forced.

Mateo's Cucina Latina: Food is great, but watch out for the prices. It would be better integrating it's Yucatan heritage into the name rather than the generic "latina". Probably belongs, but again, there are a lot of great latin restaurants that get no love from MB.

Nopalito: I'm surprised that he dings other joints for losing focus. The menu here isn't particularly dynamic and the setting kinda sucks. Used to go here quite a bit, but the food isn't what it was. Doesn't belong.

One Market: Went here for the pig tasting menu. Strangely uninteresting. Would like to go back. Incomplete.

Piperade: Maybe the best tapas place in the US. Absolutely belongs.

Slanted Door: I've been here quite a few times over the years. I think it's living on its legacy a bit. Still, the digs at the Ferry building can't be beat. But there's a lot of much better Vietnamese food in the bay area. Belongs thanks to it's location and reputation, but I don't think I'd put it there.

Town Hall: Went there a few weeks ago for a work dinner. Not terribly memorable. Not really sure if it belongs.

Yank Sing: Food is pretty darn good. I want to dislike this more as a round eye version of dim sum, but can't seem to do it, especially after being in HKG. Belongs.

Zarzuela: Good, but not near the caliber of Piperade. More like comfort tapas. I don't think it really belongs.

Zuni Cafe: Every time I go here, I have so much fun. Food isn't always memorable, but such a good time. Belongs.