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Books

Gate of Ivory by Doris Egan 
Description - Science Fiction, far future, fantasy (sort of). Theodora, a stranded myth and folklore student, is hired by the head of a merchant household to read tarot cards. Adventure ensues. 

The title refers to the ancient Greek legend that true prophetic dreams come through Gates of Horn, while false dreams come through Gates of Ivory. Ok, so I'm a geek, I love details like that. The story is told in the first person from Theodora's point of view. Theodora, named after the Byzantine Empress, is a hoot. She sounds just like a Literature/geek/myth archetype student ought to sound like. She's competent without being annoyingly over capable. She isn't beautiful. She's short. She gets cranky. She learns by study and by months of practice. She gets the job done. Ran Cormallon, her employer, comes off both attractive and acerbic. I love banter in my books. Doris Egan does an excellent job of creating a world culture that makes sense and isn't just retread history. A good solid read. Try with some Popcorn, a Gewurtraminer, a comfy couch, and a blanket. 

Lost and Found by Jayne Ann Krentz
Lost and Found coverDescription: Fiction, Romance, Contemporary. Cady and Mack pose as lovers and investigate the death of her great-aunt.

Lost and Found is a welcome return to the quality of books I expect from Krentz. Her last two contemporary romances disappointed me, but I'm happy I trudged ahead because her latest is as light, fun, and sexy as I could wish. The protagonists, Cady and Mack, are business acquaintances in the world of lost and stolen antiquities. They get a chance to become much better acquainted when Cady's great-aunt dies and leaves her in control of the family business. Cady suspects foul play and enlists Mack to help her investigate. Of course, they need to pose as lovers so her family will accept him and hijinks ensue. This is exactly the lazy-afternoon-in-front-of-the-fire type of book I love from Krentz. The mystery is fast-paced, the romance sizzles, and it wraps up neatly at the end of the book. Okay, this one wrapped up a bit too quickly for me, but that may be because I wanted to prolong my lazy afternoon feeling. I'd recommend this book as superior fluff - four out of five stars. 

Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs
Tarzan coverDescription: Fiction, Adventure, Historical. Tarzan is orphaned as an infant and raised by gorillas in the African jungle.

Odd as it may seem, this is one of those books that should be on everyone's must read list. In fact, I'd recommend reading the first 5 at least and picking and choosing from the other 19 as whimsy strikes. Tarzan may be viewed as just a simple ape man, but Burroughs was definitely over-educated. His use of multitudinous polysyllabic verbalizations to describe "man kills lion with knife" is truly breathtaking. His portrayal of the perfection of the human form that is Tarzan in an itty bitty loin cloth will leave you panting for more. This is one of the quintessential adventure novels with action and suspense on every page. Everyone already knows the story of Tarzan orphaned on the shores of Africa and raised by gorillas, but no adaptation can come close to the amazing vividness and complete lack of political correctness of the original. Besides which, the first eight books are out of copyright and therefore available free in a variety of formats on the internet. Book one follows Tarzan's adventures through birth, childhood among the apes, first contact with the white man (and the love of his life, Jane), and introduction to civilization. How he and Jane get together and many, many other adventures are covered in the other books. So go right now and get it if you haven't already - five out of five stars.

Really, Karen hasn't left me much to say, here and yet...I read all 24 books growing up. Devoured them whole. I could quote passages. I learned words like nadir and ruminate before age 10 because of Burroughs. So, yeah don't come for pc (there isn't any) but stay for the adventure. Burroughs knew how to write an edge of your seat adventure. And really, Tarzan is one of the seminal archetypes of our age.
 
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