So yesterday on BART, I suddenly came to the end of Bowl of Heaven by Larry Niven and Gregory Benford.
I say suddenly because as I read the last page there was a very clumsy segue from what the captain of the orbiting ship is thinking about the giant structure his crew has been exploring and a page telling me the title of the next book.
Now, it was no surprise at about two-thirds progress that the book wasn't going to resolve, but I expected some kind of stressful event at the end. Some minor revelation that would engender some anticipation on the part of the reader. Instead the last four chapters are perspectives from the two exploring ground crews, a perspective from the aliens, and then a brief chapter from the captain.
I've read almost everything Larry Niven has written including all of the Ringworld series, and Niven knows how to wrap up a story. Even ones that you can anticipate as having sequels he wraps up the small threads leaving the big thread dangling, and usually will give a little cliffhanger. I can only guess that this is Benford's writing style, since I've only read anthologies that he has been editor for.
So now I move on to some different things. I've started Jim Gaffigan's Dad is Fat which has already been very fun and entertaining, and might last me through tonight. It's fast and funny, but it's a comedian's book, so it's not very deep. And if you haven't heard or seen his stand-up, you really need to.
After this book... I'm just not sure.Perhaps I'll read Discworld again. Pratchett has said that the 40th book of the Discworld series is coming out in October. I could easily be through the other books and short-stories by then. I might even have time to read the fourth installment of the Science of Discworld.
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