World Book Day Meme

[gridlore]

ganked from frostfox

The book(s) I am reading: Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies by Jared Diamond A re-read, but I'm always going back to books like this for further insight.

The book I love most: A World Out of Time by Larry Niven My all-time favorite science-fiction novel. Not a world-beater, but an epic tale of one man's desire to be the ultimate tourist.

The last book I received as a gift: Sunrise Over Fallujah by Walter Dean Myers Gift from kshandra and murphymom. Interesting, if disjointed, story about a Civil Affairs unit in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Strangely, none of the action takes place anywhere near Fallujah.

The last book I gave as a gift: Stand and Deliver: The Autobiography by Adam Ant Feeding my Child of the Eighties. Kiri loved it.

The nearest book on my desk: No room for books on the desk, but on the floor next to me are the Pathfinder RPG Core Rulebook and GURPS Religion

Comments

[cmdr-zoom.livejournal.com]

I first read A World Out of Time when I was just a little too young to really understand most of it, but was caught up by the travelogue anyway. Then I went back later (several times) and read it properly.

One of Niven's flaws, alas, is that his characters sometimes aren't much more than free-roaming cameras through which the reader gets to observe his newest Cool Thing(s).

[gridlore.livejournal.com]

Fully agree, but Niven did such a good job of showing off the universe that you can forgive him that flaw. I've always been of the opinion that Niven is only at his best when he has a co-author.

[claidheamhmor]

Love Guns, Germs and Steel. Eye-opening.

[gridlore.livejournal.com]

You can see how it and Collapse affected my view on elves (http://gridlore.livejournal.com/716804.html) and dwarfs (http://gridlore.livejournal.com/939371.html).

[claidheamhmor]

Another book worth looking at - "False Economy"; some interesting insights into economies, history, and that sort of thing.

[claidheamhmor]

I really love those views on elves and dwarves - thank you! Some nice food for thought there.