Nofi dot org » fantasy

Link love for September 2nd

Jeffrey Melton — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 19:51:10 +0000

A.V. Club interviews John Crowley on the occassion of the 25th-anniversary of Little Big (above)

We are all mutants say scientists.

Books to read now, from Seed magazine.

Forget design thinking and try hybrid thinking.

Human Centered Design Toolkit from IDEO.

Spirograph, spirographs, spirography.

Get your Philip K. Dick collection boxed set from The Library of America and save $30.

Researchers have imaged single molecules in unprecedented detail, showing the chemical bonds that hold them together.

Camera from Athens: the most artistic vacation photos you’ve never taken.

How freelancers can use active listening to improve business.

Functioning Form: Design at Facebook.

Design Tales: Designing a successful plastic pint glass.

Book bytes

Jeffrey Melton — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:51:57 +0000

I had some time over the holidays to do a lot of reading, mostly short stories and graphic novels. Here’s a list of recommendations:

Pretty Monsters: Stories – terrific contemporary fantasy and modern fairy tales, by Kelly Link
The Best of Lady Churchill’s Rosebud Wristlet – collected shorts from the underground contemporary fantasy zine, edited by Kelly Link
Ice Haven – each character is fixated on someone else, by Daniel Clowes
Dream Country (The Sandman, Vol. 3), Season of Mists (The Sandman, Vol. 4) – more about the King of Dreams, by Neil Gaiman
Shortcomings – longing and confusion, by Adrian Tomine
Queen & Country: The Definitive Edition, Vol. 1, Vol. 2, Vol. 3 – great action and espionage series, by Greg Rucka
I Shall Destroy All The Civilized Planets! – vintage cosmic weirdness, by Fletcher Hanks
The Best American Comics 2007 – another great collection, this one edited by Chris Ware
Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth – the seminal work, by Chris Ware

Beep

Jeffrey Melton — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 20:03:23 +0000

Recent consumption:

Listening: Monolake in the morning, Biosphere in the afternoon
Watching: My Neighbor Totoro, Dark City (Director’s Cut), Thieves Like Us, Quiet City
Reading: The Sandman Vol. 2: The Doll’s House, Coraline, Stardust by Neil Gaiman
Drinking: Starbucks Serena Blend Organic Coffee, Xingu Black Beer, Red Stripe Lager
Playing: Circle Synth, AAS Modeling Collection, iZotope Ozone 3

(Deathly) Hallows be thy name

Jeffrey Melton — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 19:30:24 +0000

I finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows last night. What a ride! The relentless pace and spiraling plot lines of the final book in the Harry Potter series kept me engaged to the very end. The glimpses into Dumbledore’s life and the arching Horcrux and Hallows back stories reminded me of another epic history-of-magic novel, Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell (minus the extensive, story-within-a-story footnotes). The logic of the final battle (i.e. to whom is the Elder Wand loyal?) left me a bit confunded, but it all makes sense upon reflection. Satisfied.

Aw, Horcruxes!

Jeffrey Melton — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 13:20:16 +0000

I finished Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince yesterday. I think it’s a testament to J.K. Rowling’s storytelling ability that I forgot what I already knew was going to happen, because I was so engaged in how everything unfolded at the end. I’m a bit late in reading the Harry Potter series, having read books 1 through 5 in succession last Summer and Fall before taking a break. I find the uncovering of Lord Voldemort’s secret history to be the most intriguing aspect of the series (that’s the point, innit?). Now, on to book 7.

Currently reading: Looking for Jake

Jeffrey Melton — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 19:26:57 +0000

I am about halfway through China Mieville’s Looking for Jake: Stories. I enjoyed his novels Perdido Street Station, The Scar and Iron Council, and this compilation presents 14 short fictions which combine elements of fantasy, horror and sci-fi. To me, Mieville’s writing style is reminiscent of Jorge Luis Borges, H.P. Lovecraft, Samuel R. Delany, Kelly Link and Shelley Jackson.

Currently reading

Jeffrey Melton — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 15:09:55 +0000

One of my favorite novels from recent years is Susanna Clarke’s gothic fantasy set in 18th-century England, Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell. I’m about halfway through her follow-up collection The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Other Stories, now out in paperback. Its eight stories continue Clarke’s dark tales of society and the supernatural, with hints of Jane Austen, the Brothers Grimm, Nathaniel Hawthorne, H.P. Lovecraft and Edgar Allen Poe.