All posts by Carl V. Anderson

book news

2011: A Year in Review

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“What a miracle it is that out of these small, flat, rigid squares of paper unfolds world after world after world, worlds that sing to you, comfort and quiet or excite you.

Books help us understand who we are and how we are to behave. They show us what community and friendship mean; they show us how to live and die.”

— Anne Lamott


One of the highlights of the act of blogging is engaging in year end discussions on favorite books, films, television shows and games consumed over the course of the year. And here at Stainless Steel Droppings I aim to please by giving you a clear and *cough* concise review of the stories that have engaged my imagination throughout the year. In the interest of bringing you the very best, I have spent much of the last few weeks sequestered with my crack research team revisiting 2011.

The results have now been delivered and I am excited to share with you, in no particular order, my favorites in 2011. If title is underlined it is an indication of the presence of a review that you may access by clicking on said title.

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With Firm Resolve

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New Year’s Day: Now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual.

~Mark Twain

Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man.

~Benjamin Franklin


Glasses have been raised, lips have been kissed, the ball has dropped and the confetti of the past year lies desolate on the floor, waiting to be swept out with the old. Ask not for whom the bells tolls, 2011, it tolls for thee. With fanfare or without we have all passed together into the year 2012.

Some would have us believe that this is it for us, that our scheduled 366 day year will be cut short by a few days when the world ends. Piffle.

Stranger things have happened, to be sure, but my suspicions–and my hopes–lean towards those predictions being false and I predict we will find ourselves wishing one another a “Happy New Year” at this same Bat-time on this same Bat-channel* in 2013. In many ways I believe 2012 will be a rough year the world over. But I also believe that 2012 has the potential to deliver little joys and profound wonders if we resolve to lay hold of them.

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Book Reviews, Science Fiction

The Positronic Man ~Isaac Asimov

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The Three Laws of Robotics

1. A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
2. A robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
3. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Laws.

It is the late 21st century and Gerald Martin, Chairman of the Science and Technology Committee, has taken the bold step of procuring a robot servant for his home, a prospect that is still too frightening for the general public. Designated NDR-113 by the manufacturer, United Stated Robots and Mechanical Men, the robot soon comes to be known as “Andrew” courtesy of Gerald Martin’s youngest daughter. Mr. Martin’s situation is doubly unique for he has purchased his robot rather than leasing it. This rare allowance by USRMM will soon become a very critical distinction, for Andrew is not a typical robot. The generalized pathways of his positronic brain are beginning to function in ways unforeseen by his creators. Andrew exhibits creativity and artistic talent. Andrew experiences feelings. Andrew is fond of the various members of the Martin family. And soon Andrew begins to wonder just what it means to actually be human.

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Art/Photography, book news, Fantasy, Science Fiction

Favorite Science Fiction and Fantasy Covers of 2011

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(Picture of one of my favorite illustrators, Frank Frazetta. Photo Credit)

For much of my blogging life I have tried to maintain a commitment to not only discuss books but also to showcase artists past and present whose work I admire. While I have gotten away from that to some degree over the years (need to fix that!) one of my annual pleasures is sharing the book cover illustrations that I found most exciting from science fiction and fantasy books published in 2011. This is in no way meant to be an exhaustive list and I understand that we all have different tastes. I am well aware of the fact that I am not a definitive authority on what is “best”, I simply know what I like and venture to explain why I like it. Book covers draw me to books, it is as simple as that. Even when it comes to reading authors whose work I have previously enjoyed, I will go out of my way to find a cover that attracts my eye if more than one cover is available. This is especially true with science fiction classics.

Here then are the book covers that I’ve liked best from what was published in the United States this year. Rather than grouping them in any special order, I chose to display them in order of publication, from the beginning of 2011 through the end. Special thanks go out to Locus Magazine online for their annual posting of the covers and artists of genre-related material, to SF Signal for their Cover Art Smackdowns, and also to Fantasy Book Critic for their monthly spotlight posts, which provided a clear, concise format for me to review this year’s releases.

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book news, Film, Gaming, Music

December Loot

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(Image Credit)

I sincerely hope that this post-Christmas morning finds you in possession of tokens of affection from those you love that reflect your passions and interests. Though it came as no surprise that books and dvds were a big part of my Christmas, it was no less of a pleasure or surprise to see what arrived. In addition to gifts from Santa and family and friends, I acquired some pre-Christmas loot of my own throughout the month that I have not yet shared. I will keep the commentary brief and (with few exceptions) will not be mentioning how various items came into my possession.

Those who were so sweetly generous have been thanked and I will be able to retain the mystery of just how naughty I was this Christmas season in purchasing things for myself. 🙂

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