Alyriel

SBemu

If you've never read any of Bank's scifi you're missing out. I love the Culture series, always full of big ideas. Player of Games or Surface Detail are good ones to start with. Although my favorite Banks is the non-culture Against a Dark Background.

Im rereading Wise Man's Fear now, there's alot of nuance and oblique hints at the present and "Kote" that you miss the first time around. I also got started on the Lymond Chronicles, Dorothy Dunnett (recommended by a friend). Its a little hard keeping the characters and history straight, not to mention all of Lymond's multilingual literary references, but still very enjoyable. Very eagerly awaiting: A Memory of Light, and River of Stars.

I had to quit halfway through last year. Hopefully in for the full month this time.

Everyone, Joss Whedon included, is entitled to their opinion. They also have the right to express that opinion. Just irks me sometimes when those in the acting profession, or others like Joss or Bruce Springsteen, who naturally can access a larger audience, have the hubris to believe that their fame endows their political opinions with some extra gravity.

Precisely.

He should stick to what he's good at.