I've been reading (and listening) to a lot of books of late. Here are some to share with you"

Officer-Cadet, by Rick Shelley (1998): A young cadet on his first tour faces a not-very-mysteriously-motivated civil conflict. Slogging ensues. Unlike most military SF, this tale has neither moral quandaries, exciting tech, bloody melodrama, nor philosophical musings. Or, for that matter, interesting characters, compelling plotting, or much reason to finish it, let alone pick up the succeeding editions of the Dirigent Mercenary Corps series. Not bad, just numbingly pedestrian and routine in both tone and story.

Serenity, by Keith R.A. DeCandido (based on the screenplay by, duh, Joss Whedon) (2005): A decent, but almost blandly faithful, rendition of the screenplay (for the upcoming movie) in novel form. For three-quarters of the book, the only differences between the two are the insertion here of scenes (from the TV show) of the Battle of Serenity Valley, and Simon trying to convince his parents that something is wrong with River, and even that is played with very straightforwardly.

The problem is, with an adaptation of a movie like this, what the fans (or even the interested) want is something that provides some extra depth, added details, background from Joss translated into novel form, whatever. Instead, we get something that neither adds to nor detracts from the movie—the screenplay without the visuals, which ends up making it fairly ho-hum. Even in the last quarter, when we begin to get some perspective work, the book remains fairly unilluminating.

My recommendation? Purchase.

Serenity: The Official Visual Companion, by Joss Whedon (Intro.) (2005): Ah. Truly sweet. A lengthy intro from Joss about the making of the movie and the Firefly universe, followed by the screenplay (including a few deleted scenes), all interlaced with numerous gorgeous color shots. A wonderful book for anyone with interest in the movie, or the 'Verse.

Three for the Chair, by Rex Stout (1957): Three "fish out of water" Nero Wolfe tales, each having to do with an occasion that brings Wolfe out of his comfortable brownstone and out to the scene of the (eventual) crime. The individual stories are fine ones, but the combination robs the oddity of ... well, its oddity. Still, a decent Wolfe book is always worth it, and I've begun rereading my fairly extensive collection of them as "comfort food." Good stuff.

The Crystal Gryphon, by Andre Norton (1972): One of Norton's finest fantasy novels, from her Witch World/High Hallack series. Having read this when it was new and I was young, I may have "impressed" on it like a baby chick, but this tale of the war- and magic-crossed protagonists, one a noble maiden who seeks her independence, the other the magically mutated scion of another duchy, still resonates with me. How they face prejudice, betrayal, war, and other Shakespearean-class plot complications continues to appeal.

I recently purchased a second-hand hardcover edition of this, to make up for my worn-to-falling-apart paperback. It's a pity it's out of print.