Books
I love to read and I read every chance I get. Mostly I read fantasy, but sometimes delve
into the sci-fi, fiction, and non-fiction. Lately I've been writing reviews on the books
that I've read as I read them. These can be located by clicking the 'writings' button on
the left side of the screen, or by going to About Me page on Amazon.
There are so many wonderful authors out there that's it's hard to pick just a few that
are my favorite, but I'll try to keep it as short as possible. I'm sure this list will
still continue to grow. Some of the things that make certain authors and books
"favorites" in my eyes are characters that come alive and become real to me
and humor. That's not to say that comedic novels are my favorite, but that I love
seeing the characters in the book show a sense of humor. It goes toward making them seem
real. To read reviews I've written, visit my reviews page.
- Douglas Adams:
What can I say about Douglas Adams. He's hilarious. He's a genius. Just read his books and you'll understand. I picked up the first book of the Hitchhiker's Trilogy on a whim. I'd seen his books before, but never read one. If you haven't read The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy you need to do so. The first three in the trilogy are the best. The fifth one seemed like it had a lot of suppressed anger, or like he was giving the people pressuring him for another book the finger. [Visit the Douglas Adams Quotes page] - Anne Bishop:
Anne Bishop is a fantasy/horror author, and she's wonderful! She's written many books, including The Black Jewels Trilogy, as well as several short stories. I reviewed all three of the Black Jewels Trilogy. - James Clemens:
I've read all of The Banned and the Banished. When I started Wit'ch Fire I was enraptured. I couldn't put it down. It was just a few days before my wedding, and I remember lying in bed reading. As soon as I saw the second book, Wit'ch Storm, out in paperback, I snatched it up and read it as fast as I could finish it. - Neil Gaiman:
Neil Gaiman is probably best known by his comic book series "The Sandman," which I have read a few of. They truly are wonderful and unique. But more than that, I'm a fan of his novels, which he's only written a few of. "Good Omens" was written with Terry Pratchett and is a hilarious view of Armaggedon and the coming of the Anti-Christ. Neil Gaiman is yet another talented and funny British author. - Mercedes Lackey:
The first author of fantasy that I read. I got the first trilogy of hers that I read for my sixteenth birthday. My brother had taken me to Books-a-million to pick out anything that I wanted. He was always reading fantasy novels so I decided to check out the fantasy section. I was attracted to the trilogy by the cover art actually. Once I started the first book I couldn't put it down and I read as many of her books as I could get my hands on. Now I think I have almost all of her books. Mercedes also writes music that can be found at Firebird Arts & Music. - Terry Pratchett:
Terry Pratchett is yet another wonderful and funny British author. In all honesty his writing style reminds me of Douglas Adams, but not science fiction. His most well known books are the Discworld novels, which are a world carried through space on the back of a giant turtle.[Visit the Terry Pratchett Quotes page] - Terry Goodkind:
Terry Goodkind is the author of the Sword of Truth novels. They are truly an epic fantasy series along the lines of the Wheel of Time series. - Elizabeth Haydon:
I have read all of her books that are in paperback, including the "The Symphony of the Ages" series. The first two in the series are Rhapsody and Prophecy. Rhapsody was, to use the cliche, a page turner. The book is about a young lady named, yes, you guessed it, Rhapsody. Rhapsody is a Singer. In other words, she uses music to do "magic". - J.V. Jones:
Well, I don't know what it is with British authors, but here's yet another incredible author. The first book of hers that I read was The Baker's Boy. I picked it up and did the first page test (in other words I read the first page and if I'm hooked I buy it). It got better from there. Whenever I see a new book of hers, I buy it as soon as possible. And while her books aren't meant to be comic fantasy, they do have their comic moments (i.e. Bodger and Grift).
Games
From the time my brother moved back in with my parents, to present day, I've been interested
in computer games. As anyone that knows me would be able to attest to, I spend most
of my time in front of the computer. I also like the thought of Advanced Dungeons &
Dragons, and played very briefly over the internet, but otherwise I've never
really played it. I do like computer games based on AD&D, though. I don't have enough
money to play a lot of games, so my list of games I like will be short.
- Baldur's Gate
I don't really know what to say about Baldur's Gate. It's a role-playing game, and a lot of fun. I haven't actually played it all the way through yet because I keep stopping to play EverQuest. It's based on the AD&D Forgotten Realms series. Here's a brief synopsis from Amazon.com:You begin the game as a young orphan living with your stepfather within the safe confines of a scholarly community. It is a happy and idyllic life until your stepfather is killed and it becomes clear that you are intended to be next. You, as the young protagonist, then set out to discover just what kind of a mess you're in. During the adventure, you recruit a number of personable allies, battle foes, delve into dungeons, trek across wilderness, solve puzzles, and complete a plethora of epic quests that are seamlessly sown into the fabric of the overall plot. The story line unfolds in response to your choices to reveal your character's true identity as well as the nature and motive of your enemies.
- EverQuest
Update: I have cancelled my EQ account!
The bane of my existence, yet the one thing I've spent most of my money on. Between expansions and upgrading my computer to meet the current demands, I've spent entirely too much money on EverQuest. EverQuest is a MMORPG (Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game). It's fun, it's addictive, it's frustrating, it's boring... Only an EverQuest player will know what I mean by that. My main character on EQ is a level 61 woodelf druid on the Xegony server named Willowsong Silverleaf. My secondary character that I play more than my "main" is a level 61 erudite enchanter named Keshara Ashke'vron, also on the Xegony server. All of my characters are in the guild Prism of Light, and Willowsong is an officer. I've been a member of the guild for over two years now. So far there's been four expansions: The Ruins of Kunark, The Scars of Velious, The Shadows of Luclin, and the Planes of Power. - Magic: The Gathering I'm sorry to say that I don't really know much about Magic: The Gathering. I don't really have any friends that are interested in playing except for my nephew, who knows just about as much about it as I do and who lives in Alabama. Right now I basicly buy them for the beautiful fantasy art on them, and in the hopes of eventually learning to actually play.
A fun MMORPG based in the Warcraft world that you remember from such creatively named games as Warcraft, Warcraft II and Warcraft III. Players are split into two factions: Alliance, consisting of humans, dwarves, gnomes, and elves, and Horde, consisting of tauren (cow people), undead, trolls, and orcs. I play on the PvE server Kilrogg, where I have a 56 rogue, Kestrelle, a 51 priest, Alisandra, and a 35 warlock, Keshara.
Music
I've always loved to listen to and to play music. I don't play as much as I should anymore
since the apartment is too small for either of my pianos, and I was never much on playing
the clarinet solo. I do still like to listen to music, although I don't listen to it
as much as I used to. Buying CDs is expensive, and most of the stuff I hear on the radio
isn't worth buying anymore. So I save up, and buy what I really want, when I can. I'm a
big fan of new age and Celtic music, but I like a lot of things. Here's a few of my
favorites. I'm not so good at expressing in words what I think about music, so I added
reviews from people that know what so say better than I do.
- Days of the New
I don't really know what to say about this band. I just like their music. I think the guitarist is incredible. The music is acoustic and a little on the grunge side. Travis Meeks, the brains behind the band, was only 18 when the first album came out, and seems to be very talented... a little less than creative on the album titles, though."Following the release of Days Of The New's 1997 debut, the group's dictatorial frontman, Travis Meeks, fired all of his bandmates. Say what you will about Meeks's tactics, but the talented guy -- he's only 20 -- has expectations to meet after the success of DOTN's debut. The new lineup of Days Of The New is not an aesthetic re-invention of the group, but Days Of The New 2 is more multi-dimensional than its predecessor, which yielded several heritage rock hits. With Meeks's deep, stoic voice hanging like a storm cloud over a field of laborious, gloomy acoustic guitar textures, Days Of The New 2 retains the group's identity as a distant cousin of grunge. But the band has loosened up a little, having become savvy enough to weave violins and female backing vocals into the music. Meeks himself has matured, as well -- his lyrics now reveal more of his closely guarded heart." -- CDNow.com on "Days of the New II"
- Delerium
I only have one of there CDs, "Poem", and I love it. I plan on buying more as soon as I can."Front Line Assembly's Bill Leeb and Rhys Fulber have once again lifted their menacing, industrial masks to explore their flipside: a lush, enchanting discourse of world musics and heavenly soundscapes known as Delerium. Karma is the duo's eighth release under the moniker, and will undoubtedly stand as one of their strongest. Set against a backdrop composed of gripping world rhythms and chants, and the very "organic" sounding electronic sounds, is an array of vocalists who lend their talents to these tracks. Much like the late, great This Mortal Coil, Delerium uses vocalists to dramatize the musical landscape; on Karma, the group includes Kristy Thirsk ("Enchanted," "Wisdom," "Til The End Of Time"), Camille Henderson ("Deunde") and Single Gun Theory's Jacqui Hunt ("Euphoria (Firefly)"). "Silence," however, stands as the highlight. Featuring the lyrics and vocals of alternative siren Sarah McLachlan, the song is a compelling mix of pop style and electronic dance ambiance a blend of style and influence certain to satiate listening masses across the board." -- CDNow.com on "Karma"
- Enigma
- Enya
What can I say... I love Enya's music. It's beautiful and relaxing. She sometimes uses Gaelic in her songs, which is a wonderful language to listen to."As each new Enya release has washed over all who have ears to hear, as each heaven-touched work leaves admirers sitting speechless in slack-jawed wonder, questions eventually come to mind: Might her layered, choral-like approach gradually become predictable or stale? Will she ever exhaust her deep reservoir of soul-stirring ideas? Remarkably, A Day Without Rain, Enya's fourth release since her 1988 breakthrough, Watermark, establishes new artistic heights for the gifted Irish vocalist and keyboardist. The project, polished and refined over a five-year period in the company of longtime collaborators Nicky Ryan (producer) and Roma Ryan (lyricist), may qualify as her best yet--a radiant, beatific collection of works that command attention with their cathedral-like resonance as they soothe your spirit with some of Enya's loveliest, most graceful voicings ever. The disc's opening three tracks (including the spellbinding "Only Time") form a gorgeous trilogy that suggest Enya has deepened her focus on the nexus where sophisticated pop and regal mysticism, the twin rivers of her singular sound, form a seamless intersection. The disc's gentle timbre is disturbed only once, and in memorable fashion, with "Tempus Vernum," a marshalling of mythic sonic forces that brings to mind the theme from the De Beers diamond commercial, but with a Celtic/Goth edge. Additional highlights abound. The closing "Lazy Days" will leave your soul dancing in a shower of flower petals and sunshine. A wonderful recording." -- Amazon.com on "A Day Without Rain"
- James Iha
The first thing you may think of when you hear the name James Iha is The Smashing Pumpkins. Don't. His first, and so far, only, album is nothing like Smashing Pumpkins... and in my mind, thats a good thing. Full of acoustic guitar and honest lyrics, I love to listen to this album when I'm trying to relax, or when I'm feeling romantic. Some people have called the lyrics trite or compared them to a teenagers first crush, I think the honesty and innocence is a refreshing change from the usual angst-filled whining done by Billy Corgan."Fans of the Smashing Pumpkins who revel in the band's angst-ridden alt rock may well recoil in horror at this slice of pure, sweet melodicism from the band's lead guitarist, but Iha's solo debut is worthy enough to stand on its own merits. Musically, Iha's ability to effortlessly reel off one catchy acoustic pop number after another is reminiscent of Freedy Johnston. Lyrically, he's not nearly as adventurous or intriguing as Johnston. Yet, while some would no doubt classify his lovelorn ruminations as saccharine, they ultimately come across as honest and heartfelt--and, most importantly, they fit perfectly with the tone and spirit of the music." -- Amazon.com on "Let It Come Down"
- Metallica
Yes, yes, I do like Metallica's music. However, I think the band itself was way out of line with the whole Napster thing. Then, Jason Newstead left, and you just haven't heard much about them since then. Their website said that "if you thought Metallica's career had been exciting to this point, then you ain't seen nothing yet." We'll see. I'd have to say my favorite album is the "Black Album"."Called "the Black Album" by many (due to its monochrome cover), Metallica marks the group's entrance into the mainstream, with shorter songs, simpler song structures, and slower tempos overall. That said, this is an excellent album, featuring some of the best songwriting Metallica has ever done. "Enter Sandman," "Wherever I May Roam," and "God That Failed," despite being slower and more groove-oriented than the band's earlier work, feature the same heavy riffs and heavier rhythms that have always been a feature of Metallica's music. The band goes introspective with "Unforgiven," and proves that they can write a ballad with "Nothing Else Matters," which succeeds better than one might expect. Overall, this is a high-energy album despite its laid-back approach, and is in many ways superior to the previous "...And Justice for All," which was weakened by overly complicated song structures and mediocre production. -- Amazon.com on "The Black Album"
Another "band" that I love to listen to. A wonderful mix of New Age and techno/electronic music. My favorite album would probably be the second one, "Cross of Changes", with the first one, "MCMXC A.D.", a close second.
"When Enigma unexpectedly burst onto the dance/radio scene three years ago with MCMXC A.D. and "Sadeness, Pt. 1 ," a new world of musical cross-pollenization opened up, with this enigmatic project leading us into new and musically intriguing territories. Reaching into his soul to tap an even broader range of moods, Enigma founder Michael Cretu has produced "The Cross Of Changes," which continues where the Gregorian chants of its predecessor left off in exploring a pan-global terrain textured with cross-cultural soundscapes and clouded with mysterious dreaminess. At once seductive and exotic, "The Cross Of Changes" flows evenly behind intoxicating rhythms and chants in Indian and Middle Eastern voices, reaching around the globe, with a stop in the vast oceans ("The Dream Of The Dolphin") along the way. Enigma blends its melodies with an electronically-created atmosphere and subtle dance grooves, generating an absorbing swirl of imagination, one which helps the "Dear Prudence"-paraphrased "Out From The Deep" find its place among the more mysterious nature of the rest of the album. Explore: "Return To Innocence," "Age Of Loneliness ( Carly's Song)," a new version of the song which appeared in the movie Sliver, "I Love You...I'll Kill You" and "The Eyes Of Truth" " -- CDNow.com on "The Cross of Changes"
Art
By no means do I consider myself an expert on art. I know what kind of art I like, and
that's about it. I can look at a certain artists work and say "Hey, I really like that",
but I probably couldn't tell you anything about the style, or medium, or anything else
about it.
- Jonathon Earl Bowser
Jonathon Earl Bowser does beautiful art that's associated with the Goddess, beauty, and
nature. His largest art gallery is called "Mythic Naturalism". Jonathon's goddesses are
generally cut from the same mold. They are mostly nordic looking. But whether blond and blue-eyed, or otherwise they all seem to have large breasts, and little clothing. Like
Boris Vallejo's work, his art is beautiful and detailed. His backgrounds and
landscapes are fabulous, and a lot of his mountain landscapes are from Banff, Canada.
- Elfwood
While not a specific artist, obviously, Elfwood is a great place to find amateur fantasy
art. There's many talented artists on Elfwood, and some that are not-so-talented, but try
hard. I even claimed a little corner of the wood for my own.
- Salvador Dali
I really don't know what to say about Dali. He was a genious. He was insane. But
his art is unmistakable and disturbing at times. He was obsessed with death and decay, as
well as sexual images. Some of his works are very well known, most notably in my mind, the
one with the melting watches, Persistence of Memory.
- Boris Vallejo Boris Vallejo is a very well known fantasy artist, and apparently so is his wife, Julie Bell. I'm not as big a fan of Julie's work. I'm not sure why, but there's something different, or lacking, in her work compared to his. Boris's painting are generally sparsely glad women based in a sci-fi or fantasy setting, which is, at times less than believable. What woman in her right mind would walk around carrying a sword in a tiny little bikini? Nevertheless, his art is beautiful and detailed.