Bona Fide: Weekly Roundup #23

This is my third weekly roundup. Since I started it seems like the weeks fly by, faster and faster. I had to divide up my my spare time this week -- the time that I selfishly reserve for life's little pleasures -- between reading Nights of Villjamur by Mark Charan Newton (currently halfway through), playing ANNO for Wii (which I praised in my last roundup) and following all the blogs I like (only 581 open items left in my google reader....). Anyway I found some interesting topics which I would like to present to you now, and I am sure you will enjoy!

AUTHORS

I think most of you read this sad news on other blogs like Thephen Hunt's SF Crowsnest fantasy author David Eddings passed away on 2nd of June. If you want to get more information please visit Jack's David & Leigh Eddings site.

BOOKS

In 2008 I read a provocative, fast paced story that is set in a Victorian-type world. Any clue which book I'm talking about? To be fair, I guess it is not enough information. Let me solve the riddle for you: The Court of the Air by Stephen Hunt. I enjoyed it and this review by The Book Swede lets you know why. And for all fans of book trailers: Just watch the The Court of The Air mini movie below:



Fortunately Stephen Hunt is still working on books featuring the same world:
The Kingdom Beyond the Waves was released in 2008. Sadly, the book is still on my shelf - unread - but I can offer you a review and Q&A. The Rise of the Iron Moon paperback will be released in September 2009. This week we know learned title of the fourth book, which will be released in 2010: Secrets of the Fire Sea
I spoke about Nights of Villjamur by Mark Charan Newton in the opening of this roundup.
There was/is significant hype around this book. What I have read so it so far is superb, but I don't want to jump the gun before I have finished reading it. Instead you get links to 13 reviews. Some call it overkill, I call it... weeeeee: Strange Horizons, King of the Nerds!!!, The Wertzone, Dave Brendon's Fantasy & SCI-FI Weblog, Nextread, SFFWORLD, Graeme's Fantasy Book Review, A Dribble of Ink, Neth Space, Speculative Horizons, The Truth About Books, Geek Planet Online, SCI-FI-LONDON. Wait, you say you want more information about the author!? Then read the interview at Falcata Times.
I have a profound interest in Steampunk. Therefore, I follow several steampunk blogs pretty regularly. There are a lot of people who wear steampunk fashion, decorate their homes with steampunk furniture and so on. The choices are endless. What I missed so far is a good Steampunk cookbook. But here is the solution and it's for free. Follow steampunk cookbook link and you can download the book in PDF format for free. The recipes are not guaranteed not to explode (wrap you mind around that double negative).

BLOGOSPHERE

Once in a while I stumble on blogs or websites which have absolutely nothing to do with books. Today I would like to recommend WebUrbanist and WebEcoist. Visit them and I promise you, it will be time well spent.

Do you like beer? Doesn't matter whether you like it or not. Have you seen The History of Beer Cans? Have a look. you won't regret it. What do you do with your old beer cans? Here is an alternative: Creative Ways to give old Beer Cans New Life. Somewhat related and a fairly equal time-sink, I respectfully present 176 Great Geek Approaches to Desgin, Art & Technology.
Thanks to Aidan from A Dribble of Ink who posted about a new blog. Aaah, I hear you mutter: "New blog! New blog!? There are hundereds of new blogs every day! Phaw..." But I promise you that Science Fiction and Fantasy Ethies is really something special. If you like the blog you are reading give this new blog a try.
Are you interested in book blogs rankings? Then you should have a look at INVESP blog-rank.

MOVIES

I like Sci-Fi movies combined with action. If you like them too, you should mark the 25th of September 2009 in your calendar. This is the official release date of SURROGATES. Watch the mouth watering trailer below:



Do you know Green Lantern? I must admit I didn't. Luckily Fabio Fernandes who runs Post-Weird Thoughts posted a fan trailer for the Green Lantern movie which will be released somewhere in 2010.



QUOTES

I love quotes. That means from now on I will "torture" you with quotes which I like or which I find impressive or which just put a smile on my face. And this is my quote of the week:

"Never argue with idiots
They will you bring down to their level
and beat you with experience"
- unknown -

Hope you enjoyed this roundup. Let me know what you think!