preferences

I like making recommendations. I enjoy being able to figure out what sort of books and/or movies and/or games people like, so I can point them in the right direction for more of them. (I should so go back to school to be a librarian. dang. I never put it like that before.) While I do not have the most discriminating tastes, I can usually tell if something will be enjoyable for someone else.

So even though I've repeatedly set aside five hours to watch Colin Firth get his shirt wet, am half in love with Cordelia Naismith and Aral Vorkosigan, am strangely worried about the possibility of Evil Giraffes, and can reload a game multiple times to make sure I've gotten the most adorable romance dialogue ever, doesn't mean I think these things will entertain anyone else.

While I, for example, have read eleven Honor Harrington books, and love Nimitz and his person to pieces, I told my mother not to read them, as she would have to throw the book across the room and into the wall to express her probable disgust with some of the plotting and character development.

There are, however, a few things on which I have absolutely no perspective whatsoever.

My children are adorable. (You'll just have to take my word on this one, as I'd feel weird sending their pictures all over the internet. Pretend you're my friend and you can see them on Facebook someday if I ever get around to uploading them.)

Raphael Sbarge has, quite possibly, the sexiest voice on the planet. Go play KoTOR or Mass Effect if you don't believe me. Or even watch the episode of Avatar that he's in. Though your kid might think you're weird if you giggle delightedly at the scholar's voice. What, I don't speak from experience or anything... o_0;;

And Patricia Briggs has a new book coming out today, Silver Borne, which everyone should buy and read. Now. And then buy and read the entire Mercy Thompson series all over again, cause it is just that awesome.

Just to illustrate the point yet again:

I am a rabid BioWare fangirl. I write fanfiction about their games. They are beautiful, and engaging, and the only video games I would even consider pre-ordering. (I even got the Collector's Edition of Dragon Age cause it is just that pretty.) However, I would never recommend any of their games to my husband, as his response to all the dialogue would be something similar to: "if I wanted to do that much reading, I'd open a book".

I will recommend Patricia Briggs to anyone I meet who can say their alphabet. I'm sure there is some reason why someone, somewhere, wouldn't love her books, but I can't tell you what it is. I can't grasp it in the slightest. They have action! Adventure! Consistent world-building without being obnoxious about it! The characters are vibrant and engaging, the plots are entertaining, and the writing is clean and appropriately emotional. She is freakin' perfect.

Ok, so she's not really perfect, no one's perfect, and I'd probably make her really uncomfortable with my gushing if she saw this, but I can't help it! Her books make me happy. I have read every single book that's in print, and I like them all. The few I don't own are because I am waiting for the hardcover reissues. (I don't normally even buy hardcover! I make due with libraries, and I wait for cheaper editions. Well, except for the Harry Potter books. I bought those hardcover. And Gaiman.)

I am a better reviewer for Neil Gaiman, tbh, for all he is the rock-star of the geek-literary world, cause despite being a fan, I can see why some people may not be engaged by his writing. Can't do that for Briggs. Tell me you don't like her stuff, and I'll ask why you haven't read any yet. So go on, go read her stuff. And if you don't like them, I promise I'll listen. I'm sure you won't make much sense though. ^_~