New Favorite: No one actually advised me to read Nathan Lowell’s Quarter Share, but I began hearing people talk about it on Twitter (if you want to follow me on Twitter, I’m mightymur). Once podcaster and editor David Moldawer mentioned that he had never thought he could be so entertained by someone making coffee in space, I knew I had to check it out. As a former barista I love good coffee, and I love good description in general. It’s not something I do a lot of when I write, and when someone writes some deep description involving food, I could read it all day. (Although not open media, if you like horror/SF I recommend Robin McKinley’s Sunshine for good baking porn. And vampires.)

Lowell’s story of a boy named Ishmael whose mother’s untimely death forces him to get a job on a starship instead of going to University is strangely compelling. As I mentioned, his descriptions are engrossing, and his characters are well rounded. I found myself caring for Ishmael and his friend Pip rather quickly, and rooting for them. Unlike most space adventures, this is a trader story that happens in space: no aliens, no space battles, no airlock openings. The book lacks a bit in conflict, and I found myself thinking that Lowell had built a detailed RPG world that I wanted to create my own stories and conflicts within. Still, even without considerable conflict, the characters and the strength of the writing style kept me going through Quarter Share and its sequel, Half Share. Will be listening to the last of the trilogy, Full Share, soon.

Lowell’s Official Site — Quarter Share at Podiobooks.com —

Old Favorite: Tracy Hickman decided to podcast his out of print book, The Immortals, as the 10-year anniversary of its publication. Hickman is best known for his traditional fantasy stories, but The Immortals is a futuristic post-AIDS story where sick citizens are considered “pre-deceased” and put in camps in order to “wait for a
cure.” It’s horrifying and moving and clever and reminds us what actually makes people immortal. It also reminds us that Hickman is a master. Hickman describes this as a “cautionary tale” which makes it all the more frightening. Honestly speaking, a book this powerful is usually not my escapist-loving preference, but it’s incredible and I would recommend it to anyone.

Dragonhearth Productions — The Immortals on Podiobooks.com –

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