my wonderful flist recs

[cahn]

julianyap: Slings and Arrows (TV), seasons 1 and 2 (about to watch 3). This show has accomplished something I thought was impossible: it got me to fall in total and raving love with a show where I'm not particularly taken with the (particularly non-romantic) relationships between characters. I adore Geoff with a mad and absolute love; I love the two old gay guys whose names I don't even know; though I do not love Ellen (although I am fond of her) I squee every time Geoff and Ellen are in a scene because they have amazingly hot chemistry (this from someone who generally gets distracted by shiny things like aluminum foil than watch most screen romance/sex scenes) and in general are So Clearly Dysfunctionally Right For Each Other; I love Maria who hardly gets any screen time but is awesome anyway; I adore Anna (and though I do not love Richard I enjoy watching him and I triply love any scene with Anna and Richard interacting).

I think the thing is: yeah, it's not about relationships, which is usually what draws me in. Well, it's not about person-to-person relationships. But it's about the relationship of people to a production, to producing something, and to the audience and the cast of a show, and all of that is so heartbreakingly right that it has won my heart. (It's no coincidence that the show won my heart in the "production" (season finale) episodes, where we actually get to see bits of the performed plays.)

ase: Y, the Last Man (Vaughan), graphic novel. I'm not usually a graphic novel fan (the notable exception being Watchmen, which despite having no likeable characters is in the category of "Have you read this? If not, why not??") - V for Vendetta I mildly liked, but mostly left me pretty bleah, as did The Dark Knight Returns.

Well... I don't know if I love Y. I honestly can't tell yet; we're still in the "getting to know you" phase. But now that I have read the first two volumes I am going to have to read the rest. It is that good, and that arresting, and that chock-full of plot. (And I love Marrisville, and I adore Lydia.) In fact, having inhaled volumes 1 and 2, I am actively avoiding the rest until the last bit comes out - wait - apparently it IS out! Good thing I wrote this! I wonder if I should wait until I can get the whole blame thing in one large omnibus? I wonder if I can wait?

mistful: Flora Segunda (Wilce). I know I don't love this book. The main character is a touch too whiny, the plot is just a bit too transparent, and it doesn't quite draw me in enough that I don't notice the former two things. But. But. It's got a fresh new fantasy world, a military-quasi-Hispanic-quasi-Native-American mishmash that I really like. The world is different and well-imagined (ahem, Kirstein! Anne McCaffrey actually did much of that before, and didn't do it too badly either!) - I'd love to see what Wilce does next. I would totally read another book set in this world. I really want to see one told from Idden's point of view.

Keturah and Lord Death (Leavitt): Okay, this one was clearly chock full of holes (I mean, ...seriously?) but... this one did draw me in, so I didn't notice the holes until I put down the book. I really liked the writing on this one. Again, maybe not so desperately in love with the book, but I'd like to see what she does next.



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