My New Website!

OK, this is the project I've been working on ever since I made the mistake of asking for referrals to good science fiction and fantasy for Teens of Color.

Oh my goodness! There was some not-nice comments and one person even accused me of wanting NO White characters at all.

Wahhhht?

Are you kidding me? Are people really that threatened, that they can't share the future with Teens of Color? That all protagonists must be the traditional, stereotypical, White male hero? Really? REALLY?

So amid encouraging private messages and referrals from fellow writers, educators and parents, I took the info and started a website featuring short book reviews of science fiction and fantasy books with protagonists of Color. It's going to take a lot of work, but I've gotten a lot done already and went live because, well, I could work on it forever and it'll never be finished.

Alien Star Books, www.alienstarbooks.com, is all about reading!! I'm reading and reviewing as fast as I can so I can get short reviews of the books up ASAP. Next to the reviews, I have the book cover images that are also links to Amazon. (In the interests of disclosure, I DO get a couple of nickels if you order using my links.)

And before anyone goes off about the focus of the website, yes, there is an "Everybody Else" page that features good sci-fi/fantasy with protagonists that might be a clone, disabled, female, genderless, Gay or Lesbian or White. Why? Because my purpose is to INCLUDE, not exclude good books that are appropriate for teens and young adults, featuring characters that they can relate to. So yes, that includes Tolkien and Asimov and Bradley and Norton and all the other classic works.

I'd like to invite you to submit referrals to science fiction and fantasy books, including your own published works. But be warned, I will review the book and I reserve the right to speak my mind...

Rereading Alan Garner's Books

I've been rereading Alan Garner's books.

The Weirdstone of Brisingamen, Moon of Gomrath, The Owl Service, and Elidor.

I have to say, I've really enjoyed all except Elidor.

Yes, I know that's sacrilege to a fan of Garner's books. But Elidor feels like he just got tired and stopped writing. There's no finish, no conclusion, we're just left hanging at the end, wondering what happened in Elidor.

I hate it when that happens.

All of his other books are magical, well written, full of mystery and folklore. I love them.

But Elidor, alas, it's lacking.

Teachers, I'd add the other three to your reading list. They're great books for any fantasy fan.

Not Elidor.

Sorry.