Went on a mini-spending spree this past week, what with the birthday donations and a bit of disposable income. Picked up some very cool books, games, and discs, including...
I had to exercise some extreme restraint at the cd shop... impulses wanted me to grab the new Laika, the Replacements collection, Ryan Adams, East River Pipe, Mojave 3, and the Pieces of April soundtrack (new Magnetic Fields songs!). Damn you, self-control!
Phillip Pullman: Lyra's Oxford - A short story follow-up to the epic His Dark Materials trilogy. I bought this last Friday and just plain inhaled it ... Pullman never fails to pull me in, even with a shorter amount of time in which to do it. A small but beautifully bound book with excellent wood block illustrations by John Lawrence. More, please. For a timely taste of his writing, check out this piece he wrote last week for the New York Times called "Why I Don't Believe In Ghosts".
The Creation Records Story: My Magpie Eyes Are Hungry for the Prize - The history of one of my favorite labels. Creation captain Alan McGee gave the world releases from the likes Ride, My Bloody Valentine, House of Love, Jesus & Mary Chain, the Boo Radleys... all legendary in their own rights, all worshipped by me to varying degrees. Can't wait to read the story behind the rise and fade.
Robert B. Parker: Shrink Rap - Boston-based mystery author Parker releases waaaay too many books for me to keep shelling out for hardcovers, so I've tested my patience and held out for paperback only. This latest one is a Sunny Randall story, and will be a welcome quick 'n easy read after trudging through the most recent Robert Jordan.
Simpsons Hit & Run - My limited collection of X-Box games grows by three, one of which is this Simpsons title that surprisingly does not suck. It's basically a bloodless, brighter GTA3, and I'm loving it. A storyline from the show writers, original dialogue from the cast, tons of vehicles (Mr Plow!), and most of Springfield layed out for you to explore. Last night I climbed up to an old Monorail station, jumped into the banged up, abadoned front car, and jumped the track to cruise through the Springfield streets. Fun stuff, and I've barely begun.
Buffy: Chaos Bleeds - I think I'm pretty close to finishing up the original Buffy X-Box game, so I bought the new one to have it on deck. Considering my new Simpsons H&R habit, and my hope to one day finish Vice City, this one may have to wait awhile.
Solider of Fortune 2: Double Helix - I'm a sucker for a good first-person shooter, but haven't really tried one on the X-Box yet (I'm a converted consoler, former PC-only guy). This one sounds like a good start, although considering Killian's stellar recommendation for Call of Duty, and the in-progress Medal of Honor: Breakthrough expansion pack, I might be back on the PC very soon. Considering that XIII is out in a couple weeks, and the Midway Arcade Treasures Collection (20 games for 20 bucks! Gauntlet! Spy Hunter! Joust! Sinistar! Marble Madness! Gah!) soon after, I'd better double-time it. Those might have to go on the Christmas list.
I toldja I bought a bunch of stuff. Now it's a matter of finding the time to play / listen / read it all. Something's gotta give, and it just might end up being sleep-time.
So, what have you picked up lately that you're just loving? Any great books, games, or discs? Hmmmm?
