The Vetali's Gift, a Tantric Buddhist Vampire Romance.
I had a shiver of "Xena, Warrior Princess" mashup anticipation when I came across this, via Buddhist Geeks.
The Disclaimer: "This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of characters to persons living, dead, or in-between is probably intentional, but not to be taken seriously.
"This novel is for entertainment purposes only. Obviously you should not assume that anything on a web site with a name like “Buddhism for Vampires” is religiously or historically accurate.
"Do not try this at home. The stunts in this story were performed by highly-trained Buddhist professionals, under carefully controlled conditions. Attempts to imitate them may result in injury or undeath."
And the Acknowledgments: "Should any actual Buddhism be found in this book, it is thanks to my teachers, particularly Ngak’chang Rinpoche and Khandro Déchen. They are, of course, not responsible for my monstrous distortions (intentional and otherwise) of the precious Dharma."
And people think Buddhism is for wimps. Hah.
The author, by the way, is one David Chapman, who writes and speaks on Buddhism as it is shaking out and waking up in the wild, wild West.
Thursday, December 29, 2011
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Somewhere on the Misty Mountain
... is my junior-high memory of reading "The Hobbit."
Of course by now everyone knows that Peter Jackson's movie (or at least Part I of it) will be out a year from now (those evil marketers, dangling this in front of all the fans!).
Now, "The Hobbit" was not one of my favorite-ever reads. I kept waiting for the "good part" that my friend had promised me when she loaned me the book. I turned the last page and wondered what the "good part" had been, and why did I miss it.
Looking at this trailer, I cannot for the life of me remember what the journey into Mirkwood was for, or who was along besides Gandalf and Bilbo. All that really stuck with me was Bilbo getting the Elven short sword, and naming it Sting (couldn't listen to the Police, ever, without remembering that). And that there was a dragon named Smaug.
And, of course, the REAL delight - Bilbo finding the Ring, meeting Gollum, and the riddle game.
"What hassss it got in its pocketssssessss?"
The "Hobbit" trailer sets up the Company, but not the Quest. And it emphasizes the discovery of the Ring. So I guess they figure a good portion of their audience is pretty much in my position.
For the record, I did swing passionately through the LOTR books during high school! So I'm not a total jerk.
Of course by now everyone knows that Peter Jackson's movie (or at least Part I of it) will be out a year from now (those evil marketers, dangling this in front of all the fans!).
Now, "The Hobbit" was not one of my favorite-ever reads. I kept waiting for the "good part" that my friend had promised me when she loaned me the book. I turned the last page and wondered what the "good part" had been, and why did I miss it.
Looking at this trailer, I cannot for the life of me remember what the journey into Mirkwood was for, or who was along besides Gandalf and Bilbo. All that really stuck with me was Bilbo getting the Elven short sword, and naming it Sting (couldn't listen to the Police, ever, without remembering that). And that there was a dragon named Smaug.
And, of course, the REAL delight - Bilbo finding the Ring, meeting Gollum, and the riddle game.
"What hassss it got in its pocketssssessss?"
The "Hobbit" trailer sets up the Company, but not the Quest. And it emphasizes the discovery of the Ring. So I guess they figure a good portion of their audience is pretty much in my position.
For the record, I did swing passionately through the LOTR books during high school! So I'm not a total jerk.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Love Letter from Genre to Literature
... cuz you know they just can't quit each other.
I love that Horror and Fanfic write their own letters in the comment thread.
Commenter at 7:56 pm 12/14/2011 says, "The important distinction among books is well-written and poorly-written. [Philip K.] Dick et al. have been adopted into the wider canon because they can write well."
I just picked up the recent literary best-seller Her Fearful Symmetry, and it is a flat-out ghost story -- definitely well-written.
And this gets us to the question, Just what does "well-written" mean, anyway? Page-turner? Rich use of language? Surprising ideas and/or emotions embedded in the action, descriptions, and dialogue? Plot and character developments that startle but feel organic? Authentic "voice" in the narration and dialogue? The sense of a world? I've picked up "best-sellers," even stuff from Oprah's book club, that had at best two of these elements.
In the news, we lost Russell Hoban last week and now Vaclav Havel. I has a sad about that.
More happily, the local indie book store has sold out of Yu: A Ross Lamos Mystery, and will be ordering more for me to sign -- because friends who recieved my e-mail realized that they want to give the book as a gift!
Yay!
I love that Horror and Fanfic write their own letters in the comment thread.
Commenter at 7:56 pm 12/14/2011 says, "The important distinction among books is well-written and poorly-written. [Philip K.] Dick et al. have been adopted into the wider canon because they can write well."
I just picked up the recent literary best-seller Her Fearful Symmetry, and it is a flat-out ghost story -- definitely well-written.
And this gets us to the question, Just what does "well-written" mean, anyway? Page-turner? Rich use of language? Surprising ideas and/or emotions embedded in the action, descriptions, and dialogue? Plot and character developments that startle but feel organic? Authentic "voice" in the narration and dialogue? The sense of a world? I've picked up "best-sellers," even stuff from Oprah's book club, that had at best two of these elements.
In the news, we lost Russell Hoban last week and now Vaclav Havel. I has a sad about that.
More happily, the local indie book store has sold out of Yu: A Ross Lamos Mystery, and will be ordering more for me to sign -- because friends who recieved my e-mail realized that they want to give the book as a gift!
Yay!
Thursday, December 15, 2011
This Holiday Season, Give the Gift of ... SLEEPLESS NIGHTS!
YÜ: A ROSS LAMOS MYSTERY
Better Than Coffee! Available to all e-Readers at SMASHWORDS.COM ...
Or, support any independent bookstore in the USA by going to INDIEBOUND.ORG and using their awesome ordering system!
“It seemed you were writing about me and, actually, a number of people I know.… The result was that I put in a few sleepless nights as I read "Yu" from cover to cover.” – Mark F, Denver CO
“Going to sleep without knowing the outcome of Ross Lamos's circumstances was unthinkable.” -- Kristine Smith, Author, Serval Son: Spots and Stripes Forever
“The story was intriguing and each chapter had a hook that kept you from putting it down.” – Amazon reviewer
“It so exciting that I did not want to stop reading. I had to find out what happened with Ross Lamos, his special gift, and his connection with the Jade owners. ... Ancient Chinese art and a smart mystery mixed with Buddhist wisdom make a soul rewarding read. Don't miss it. I will read it again. “—Amazon reviewer
"I started to read it like a book ... then I inhaled it like some kind of addiction.” – Don S, Seattle
“The blend of contemporary times and ancient China mingling back and forth with different tempo and pacing was masterful. Learning about swords and Buddhist dogma, the marketing of provenances dotted the stories of dating and intrigue of ancient royalty power grabs. All that and more kept you riveting to the page. There is something for everyone in these tales and more than one surprise ending. A great summer beach read or by the fireplace or late nights of unable- to -put -the- book -down bed reading.” – Amazon reviewer
“I loved this book and it was a breath of fresh air. The historical elements were done well and the contemporary parts of the tale were woven in seamlessly.” – Dhympna DuMaurier, blogger, Culinary Carnivale
“The author delicately weaves the past and present stories together, enticing the reader into this mystery, giving only glimpses of the whole, until it all comes together in a shocking and unpredictable ending. It left me stunned.” – Alan Chin, Author, Island Song
“A Ross Lamos series holds the promise of both past and present, sexuality and spirituality, coming together in a way that heals and reveals reality at its deepest, while giving the reader the pleasure of a page-turning mystery. So I look forward to more books in this promised series.” – Mark Horn, blogger, Another Queer Jewish Buddhist
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