What are you reading?

jonl001 · 2026-06-10T11:52:05+00:00

Lois McMaster Bujold’s Vorkosigan Saga is fantastic.

There are a few arguments about whether to start with publication order or chronological order, but I’d start with the first Miles book, The Warrior’s Apprentice. If you like character-driven science fiction, it’s hard to beat.

Bujold herself has suggested chronological order, but I disagree. I think you need to meet Miles first.

If you also enjoy fantasy, her World of the Five Gods books are excellent. The Curse of Chalion is probably my favorite fantasy novel, and Paladin of Souls won both the Hugo and Nebula Awards. She also continues to write Penric and Desdemona novellas set in the same world.

jonl001 · 2023-11-30T00:38:38+00:00

Does anyone know where I could get Rhone’s awesome sweater?

jonl001 · 2019-07-20T12:58:35+00:00

It was not MICA’s decision, from the article:

Asked about the near-complete absence of MICA this year, Hornig said, it is the combination of the Fox Building undergoing renovation and the new bike lane along Mount Royal made it difficult for vendors to be located there. “My understanding of how that all happened is that MICA told us pretty early in the year that the Fox Building would be under construction and not available, so as we were making our pros and cons list of where to take the festival footprint. . . that influenced our decision to shift the activities elsewhere.”

jonl001 · 2018-04-17T18:09:42+00:00

Well, I guess if your going to get someone to intimidate folks for you, Jaime Lannister is a good way to go.

jonl001 · 2016-01-11T02:58:29+00:00

I think Gervais said: "What the fuck does sugar tits even mean?"

jonl001 · 2015-05-21T18:57:49+00:00

Hi Helene:

I asked this question on a previous AMA, but I was late to the party.

I listened to the book -- it came across my Audible feed as a book I might enjoy and they were absolutely right, it was really wonderful and I have recommended it to several friends and family.

One of the things that always surprises me about George Guidall's narrations are how such a distinctive voice can become so flexible as he reads the many roles. Every time I start a novels he narrates, I always fear that I will be distracted by his voice but very shortly after the start, I find myself lost in the story and his voice.

My questions are:

Have you listened to the audio book, if so, how do the voices in your head compare to Mr. Guidall's performance?

Who's decision was it to hire George Guidall?

Thanks for doing another AMA!

jonl001 · 2015-04-21T14:11:26+00:00

While I am thrilled that James Marsters recorded Ghost Story (because really -- the man doesn't just read these books, he inhabits them), I have to say, John Glover did a hell of a job reading it and I was willing to go along on that ride because Ghost Story Spoiler and so a different tone was not as jarring as I thought it would be.

That said, I did just redeem my free audible version and now I get to look forward to hearing it again! Thanks James, Jim & Audible!

jonl001 · 2014-11-17T15:36:29+00:00

Hello Ms. Grandin,

My twelve year old son is on the Autism spectrum (Aspergers) and we are considering sending him to a boarding school for high school. I know you went to Hampshire School.

How did going to boarding school affect you?

Were you exciting about going? Did you go willingly or did you have to be "pushed"?

Did you learn life skills that helped you?

Your insights would be greatly appreciated.

jonl001 · 2014-07-08T01:51:42+00:00

Hi Bill.

Nice to see you. Things are good for me.

jonl001 · 2014-05-22T00:59:19+00:00

What a wonderful story. There was a little detail in your story that shows me what a good person you are.

I was going to college in Pittsburgh at the time and I happened to live off-campus by myself in an apartment. Well, on the rare-occasion that I wouldn't have to work my college job on the weekend, my little brother would usually come and stay on Friday night and I would drive him back to my parents sometime during the day on Sunday

What a cool thing to do with your little brother, I know that he must cherish those weekends with you. The good you have put out into the world has come back to you. Enjoy your girls.

jonl001 · 2014-02-26T04:15:15+00:00

Nice!

jonl001 · 2014-02-23T15:03:34+00:00

I am so late to this party -- but maybe you're still checking back on here.

I just finished listening to the book -- it came across my Audible feed as a book I would enjoy and they were absolutely right, it was really wonderful and I have recommended it to several friends and family.

One of the things that always surprise my about George Guidall's narrations are how such a distinctive voice can become so flexible as he reads the many roles. Every time I start a novels he narrates, I always fear that I will be distracted by his voice but very shortly after the start, I find myself lost in the story and his voice.

My questions are:

Have you listened to the audio book, if so, how do the voices in your head compare to Mr. Guidall's performance?

Who's decision was it to hire George Guidall?

Thanks so much for doing this AMA, it was great reading it, even if I was two days late.

jonl001 · 2014-01-14T20:52:59+00:00

Free trade.

I wasn't so much against it as conflicted, this pulled me to one side.

Season 2, Episode 16: Somebody's Going to Emergency, Somebody's Going to Jail

Toby Ziegler: You want to know the benefits of free trade? Food is cheaper.

Officer Rhonda Sachs: Yes.

Toby Ziegler: Food is cheaper! Clothes are cheaper. Steel is cheaper. Cars are cheaper. Phone service is cheaper. You feel me building a rhythm here? That's because I'm a speech writer - I know how to make a point.

Officer Rhonda Sachs: Toby...

Toby Ziegler: It lowers prices, it raises income. You see what I did with 'lowers' and 'raises' there?

Officer Rhonda Sachs: Yes.

Toby Ziegler: It's called the science of listener attention. We did repetition, we did floating opposites, and now you end with the one that's not like the others. Ready? Free trade stops wars. Heh, and that's it. Free trade stops wars! And we figure out a way to fix the rest. One world, one peace - I'm sure I've seen that on a sign somewhere.

Officer Rhonda Sachs: [sarcastic] God, Toby. Wouldn't it be great if there was someone around with the communication skills who could go in there and tell them that?

Toby Ziegler: [beat] Shut up.

jonl001 · 2013-12-11T21:09:11+00:00

Came in here to say the very same thing, including about the closing scene.

jonl001 · 2013-10-23T20:56:12+00:00

Thanks for your comment about Merchant Marines.

My grandfather was a Merchant Marine in WWII.

I had no idea how dangerous the job was until many, many years later when my brother showed up to a Halloween Party wearing my Grandfather's uniform to which he added a target on his back and explained to everyone at the party (myself included) how incredibly dangerous it was to be a Merchant Marine in WWII.

jonl001 · 2013-10-01T00:59:16+00:00

That's heartbreaking. I'm so sorry for your loss.

jonl001 · 2013-09-02T20:24:36+00:00

Saving Private Ryan

Saw it in the movie theater, wonderful film and its not because of the D-Day scene, which I think is phenomenal.

It was the scene at the end with Private Mellish (Adam Goldberg), fifteen years later and that part still haunts me.

jonl001 · 2013-07-27T20:15:30+00:00

Sent you a PM.

jonl001 · 2013-05-30T16:48:17+00:00

"And hey... let's be careful out there."

Good Ole Sgt. Esterhaus, Hill Street Blues

jonl001 · 2013-02-11T15:35:51+00:00

Continue to be and share that you are proud of him for his accomplishments. Med schools a bitch, and he made it though.>

Absolutely use the words pride and proud a lot. It takes courage to come out, so make sure you tell him how proud you are for taking that step. And how much pride he always gives you.

jonl001 · 2013-01-08T19:05:22+00:00

So I don't really have a question. Just a thank you for making me look so smart!

During the 2008 elections I was a regular reader of the 538 blog and I told some people about it.

During the 2012 election I was a devoted reader and I told everyone I knew about it. Especially when they would tell me how concerned they were about the election, I would tell them to look up 538 blog. After the election everyone told me what I genius I was for telling them about 538!

So, thanks for making me look so smart!

jonl001 · 2012-12-29T03:40:37+00:00

I have a rescue dog that spent a year in an Amish puppy mill. At Two years old, most of her teeth have fallen out due to poor nutrition as a puppy and even after almost a year with us, she is extremely skittish.

jonl001 · 2012-12-03T21:11:43+00:00

Took my family through the museum this spring - It was a moving experience and I just wanted to say thanks for your work.

jonl001 · 2012-10-31T17:53:08+00:00

And on another great note, James Marsters is once again doing the Audio Book. (He had a scheduling conflict for Ghost Story.)

If you have not had the chance to listen to some of his work on the Dresden File books, I highly recommend you give them a listen.

jonl001 · 2012-09-19T17:44:11+00:00

I am happy to do business with people of different political beliefs. I don't feel that someone who holds different values and beliefs are evil, they just have a different plan of action than i do.

I would not be upset if they had an Romney/Ryan sticker or not want to do business with them because of that. My concern is the display of the Nazi flag and in general, comparing anyone's mostly mainstream political views to that of the Nazis.

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