21st Jan2013

Book Review: Gun Machine by Warren Ellis

by Guest Post

Gun Machine Book Cover Warren Ellis

Gun Machine
by Warren Ellis
Mulholland Books

I have this image in my head of Warren Ellis sitting outside his local pub in the light summer snow of southern England, stabbing at the folding keyboard of his iPad with only his middle fingers, muttering around the cigarette hanging from his lips about stupid fucking commas. There’s also empty cans of Redbull and a few broken, empty bottles of Whiskey littered around his feet. This fiction, in part, comes from Ellis himself, from his posts on twitter and his site, but mostly it’s my own romantic vision of him.

Another thing I get from Ellis’s posts on the web is that, wherever he’s writing, he approaches work not as some lofty artistic pursuit, but the same way he’d go about digging a ditch, or building a bridge, or assembling a strange device designed to inflict pain. This is backed up by every single word and sentence in Gun Machine.

Gun Machine is about NYPD detective John Tallow’s investigation into a roomful of guns he finds moments after his partner is shot dead right in front of him. It’s a short read, but it never slows down from the first page on, and each of the secondary characters could star in their own books.

I’m not usually a fan of crime fiction, and frankly hate the kind of procedural cop dramas Fox is likely to turn Gun Machine into, but if Ellis suddenly becomes prolific in the genre, I might just forsake the usual sword and sorcerer and spaceship bullshit I usually read.

Do yourself a favor and read Gun Machine, and if I haven’t convinced you, watch these 2 excellent trailers for it.

[editor: Here's where you can buy Gun Machine]

 

Tim Kress headshotThis post was written by guest writer, Tim Kress. He is the author of the book Early Mourning. When he’s not publishing strange web comics about Roy Orbison, Tim can be found harassing the masses on Twitter under the handle @Tim_Kress. His website is timkressfiction.com.

Category : books, Fiction, Reviews
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27th Jan2012

Book Review: The Boy Who Couldnt Sleep And Never Had To

by Reed

I recently finished The Boy Who Couldn’t Sleep and Never Had To, by DC Pierson. You may know DC Pierson from the sketch and improv comedy group Derrick Comedy, which is famously known for introducing us to Donald Glover, The Mystery Team movie, and “Bro Rape”.

The book tells a tale about two boys, Eric and Darren, who share a love for drawing, science fiction and video games. Being the age of 15 & 16 while in high school, they’re naturally socially awkward and have trouble talking to the opposite sex. When not in school or getting picked on by Darren’s older brother, the two of them spend their time plotting their epic sci-fi movie series called TimeBlaze. The plot really starts to pick up when Eric reveals his deep dark secret; He never sleeps and he never has to. At first Darren doesn’t believe Eric, putting him through various tests to prove that he’s telling the truth. After it becomes apparent to him that Eric really has this ‘superpower’, Darren tries to do whatever he can to test Eric’s limits.

Without giving too much of the plot away, the two friends become entangled in a world of betrayal and find themselves on the on the run from things and people they would’ve only imagined. It is a fun, original story with humor and cultural references that any self-described “geek” will understand. I highly recommend this novel, especially if you are looking for a quick read between books.

 

Category : books, Fiction, Reviews
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17th Jan2012

Book Review: The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

by Jeremy

In my current move to read and write more, I just finished the book The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown. Yes, that Dan Brown, the same man who authored Angels & Demons, The Da Vinci Code, and sent would-be conspiracy theorists and religious members scurrying to their nearest search engine to find out what was true and what was fiction. It is the third book starring the fictional professor/ eidetic cryptologist, Robert Langdon, and his historically based adventures, featuring codes only he can crack.

This adventure starts very quickly, and so does Brown’s successful formula of using facts and real life situations with a very believable plot, full of twists and turns to keep you hooked. If there is one thing any writer can take from his writing, it is the way he leaves every chapter as a cliff hanger, so that even at four o’clock in the morning, you find yourself saying “One more chapter, okay, one more chapter.” If you are familiar with his other books you will definitely enjoy another go round with the modern-day Indiana Jones (sans fedora and whip, sadly), and the formula he uses, still doesn’t get old. This time the plot focuses around the Freemasons, a secret society ”society with secrets” that dates back over 400 years, and has always been associated with new world orders, occult rituals, and even the Knights Templar and the Holy Grail (even though he covered this topic previously, there is not a lot of crossover between the subjects). Set in Washington D.C., the nation’s capitol and home to some very symbolic structures, and a lot of history to draw material from, it is fun to read about the United States’ interesting past, for a change. If you, for some silly reason, have not read his previous books, don’t worry, just finish this one and then go back and read the other two. The way Brown gives character background information, fills in the gaps enough without spoiling the earlier stories.

I was a little late getting to this book, since it came out in 2009, but I’m glad I finally read it. I’m sure they’ll be making a movie out of it in no time, so do yourself a favor and pick it up before Tom Hanks gets to it.

Category : books, Fiction, Reviews
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03rd Jan2012

Book Review: Those Guys Have All The Fun by James Andrew Miller

by Reed

I am, by definition, a sports fanatic. I’m passionate about my teams, I can sit and watch most sporting events (watching the NHL Winter Classic as I type this), and I could easily sit and watch ESPN all day. When I started hearing about this book that was a behind the scenes look at the history, events, and scandals of the “mother ship” I was excited to pick up the book.

The book, which is essentially the oral history of ESPN,  takes you from the humble beginnings in 1979 all the way to 2011 and the introduction of ESPN3D. All of your favorite ESPN personalities are here, as well as athletes and keys players from other organizations. Although the book isn’t as scandalous as it was promoted, it is interesting to hear about all the events that transpired over the years. You’ll read about how ESPN covered events that weren’t directly sports related (9/11, OJ Simpson Trial, the Erin Andrews Peep Hole Incident), as well as the creation of the other ESPN channels (ESPN2, ESPNews), the X Games, 30 for 30 documentaries, and the ESPYs.

Overall this book is a quick but good read. At times I found myself skimming certain topics or commentaries, but for the most part everyone has an interesting perspective. My opinion on ESPN has definitely changed after reading this book, but you can’t take anything away from them as a company after seeing how the grew into the world-wide leader in sports.

Get “Those Guys Have All The Fun” Here.

Category : books, Sports
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09th Dec2011

Book Review: Bossy Pants by Tina Fey

by Doug

Would you like to hear a story? Yes, we all like stories. This one is told by Tina Fey in her expected self-deprecating and awesome fashion. She shares stories of her first thespian relationships, as well as great behind the scenes of the comedy-improv world that got her to where she is today. I expected it to be mostly about SNL (and there is some in there) but it is more a story of how comedy went from being a male dominated profession to the Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Kristen Wiig era of hilarious women that don’t need to have a man to make it funny.

I’m not what you would call a feminist (I don’t think) and I’ll admit, there were times that I thought “Don’t try to make me feel bad for being born a man I CAN’T HELP IT!” There were times that a judgmental tone came across pretty obviously, but I think it was intentional. She wants people to know what she’s passionate about, and if you read this book you’ll know.

On the whole it was more of a “Good for you” attitude that dominated my thoughts. She did it, she went for it, she pushed, and she was amazing along the way. Even if “30 Rock” wasn’t the second funniest comedy on TV she would still be around, killin’ it doing something just as great somewhere else.

Category : books, Non-Fiction, Reviews
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07th Dec2011

Book Review: The Dip by Seth Godin

by Doug

My favorite blog to read when I’m feeling stuck (in anything) is Seth’s blog. He can say (in one or two sentences) things that inspire me all day long. Most of the time he does it by asking questions or using statements that seem iconoclastic. But no matter how long I think about his allegations I always feel challenged to think outside the norm, even if I don’t agree with him (which doesn’t happen often, because he’s a very wise man).

So when I read “the Dip” I expected the punch in the gut, but I didn’t expect the kick in the pants. I should have seen it coming. He called me out. Everything worth doing, has a dip. A point in time, where that thing/goal/achievement isn’t fun anymore, isn’t worth it anymore, isn’t realistic anymore before you reach the summit. That’s true of anything worth doing. Because if there wasn’t a dip, everyone would do it. Right? Seth says that if getting a six-pack didn’t have a dip, then the guy on the cover of “Muscle Magazine” wouldn’t get paid anything for the pictures of his rock hard abs. If becoming a doctor didn’t have really hard classes and a ton of homework, then every idiot that decided they wanted to be a brain surgeon in 3rd grade would be diagnosing my AOSSS (Adult Ooooh Something Shiny Syndrome).

All-in-all it taught me to push through. To keep going. Of course you failed. You have to fail before you start to succeed. It has to get hard before it gets good. Or else everyone would be doing it. I recommend anyone that wants to accomplish something in their life to read this book TODAY. I read it every month just to remind myself to keep pushing. And because the cover is pretty.

Category : books, Non-Fiction, Reviews
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06th Dec2011

Book Review: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

by Doug

While perusing my favorite time-wasting website, I saw a teaser for an upcoming movie called “the Hunger Games“. It gave away nothing. Yet a symbol that appeared at the end was apparently enough to arise excitement in those who knew what it stood for. So I found the book and read it, purely on the basis of how epic the movie trailer looked. I wasn’t disappointed.

The story takes place in a post civil war United States, now called Panem. There are 12 remaining districts (like states) and a capital that controls them all. Each district provides some product for the capitals use (ie: fish, grain, coal, clothing, etc…), but otherwise live in an occupied poverty. And each year to remind the districts of the civil war, and how they lost, one boy and one girl (between the ages of 12-18) from each district must go and fight in the Hunger Games. The Hunger Games are cruel televised games that show these children killing each other until there is only one left. That survivor is called the victor, and they go home to a life of luxury and wealth (compared to what they grew up with) back in their districts. (If you want more explanation, just watch the trailer above.)

Immediately I enjoyed the setting. Underdogs, oppressed people, heart-ache, and passion. I was eager to see how the games unfolded. They were intense, terrifying (just the idea of kids killing each other for sport alone), not to mention the way the “game makers” made the game more interesting. I was admittedly disappointed at the direction by the time the conclusion rolled around. I wanted to see something bigger, a story that stretched out further beyond the main characters, as was set-up by the wonderful description of the country. But then I learned that it has two more books in the series. I was no longer disappointed. Nor will you be.

Category : books, Fiction, Movies, Reviews
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05th Dec2011

Book Review: The Lost Gate by Orson Scott Card

by Doug

A friend told me I should read this book called “Ender’s Game” because it was amazing and epic. So I did, because if a friend asks you to read something and you don’t read it…what kind of friend are you (I’m laying it on thick because that friend hasn’t read “Ready Player One” on my recommendation yet)? So when I saw this new book from Orson Scott Card (the author of “Ender’s Game”) I decided to go for round two.

It takes place in modern day but assumes all mythic heroes were real, and born of families from another world. These powers would be specified in different branches of magic. Some might control a type of animal, others may harness the power of fire, and yet others may only be able to make flowers grow more easily (obviously some powers were better than others). Depending on your power and your place in the hierarchy of your family you could be given the name of the heroes of old. So there is a living Thor (not the original but the most powerful of his kind) an Oden (named so by being leader of the North family) and so on.

Traveling through the great gates from Earth to their original planet multiplied their powers which allowed them to rule over humans in the days of old. But generations ago the last Loki hid all the great gates causing all of the families’ powers to corrode, until they seemed to be capable of little more than magic tricks.

This is where you enter the story with Oden’s son who has passed the age where his powers should have arrived, but they haven’t. I immediately liked the concept of the underdog outcast. I love the history. I love the explanations, it is a well-thought-out “Esau’s Fable” of mythology. The story takes you places that you won’t expect, and will surely leave you wanting the next book to come out (like I am right now). It isn’t the best book I’ve read this year but it is a good read for those that like fantasy that has a little substance to it.

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30th Nov2011

Book Review: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

by Doug


Typically I read books that have been recommended to me. I rarely find myself picking up a book because the cover looked good or the paragraph description alone convinced me that I wouldn’t want to kick a dog mid-way-through the book. And after a very disappointing recommendation to read “Twilight” I was frustrated, to say the least. But I have a daily commute that was swallowing large portions of my day, and needed something besides my 4 CD’s to keep me sane.

So I found an audio book that was narrated by Will Wheaton, and about an MMO video game that first changed, then took over the internet. That alone was enough to make my nipples harden, but then I found the plot; that the creator of said video game left billions to whoever could find his easter egg hidden within the game. Easy enough, except that this guy was an 80′s freak, and to find his egg you needed to like what he liked. Beat the games he beat growing up. Watch the movies he watched. And most importantly think like he thought.

What happens when you mix “the Matrix” with “the Goonies” and throw in tons of Monty Python and John Hughes lines along with video game references that even the most avid gamers have to look up from time-to-time? You get one of the greatest slumber parties I’ve ever thrown, or you get “Ready Player One”. I’ll admit, after I finished I was hoping (more than a little) that this would end up being a trilogy… but alas, no such luck. I guess I’ll just have to read it again.

Get “Ready Player One” here.

Category : books, Fiction, MMORPG, Reviews
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