You like Star Trek, right? Yeah. Do you like to read? If you do, you're going to love these. If you don't, well, you'd better learn to like it, 'cause otherwise you'll be really sorry to be missing such great stuff.

Reading is fun. Reading Star Trek is better!

So here's a review of some of the Star Trek-related books I've read up to now. (For more info on the books, go to www.amazon.com, they've got 'em all)

• Film Novelizations
• TOS Episodes Novelizations
• Pocketbook Novels *recently published*
• Coffee-Table Books & Encyclopedias

A short word about the films' novelizations:
I've read most of them, and they're generally okay.
I'd even venture to say that 'ST I: The [Slow-] Motion Picture' novel is better than the film, which IMHO can't be too difficult. But then the author had to work on a pretty crappy storyline, so- well done, man. Incidentally, the author is Gene Roddenberry himself. Trying to clean up the mess, I'd say.
'ST III: Search for Spock' is better too; it has the enormous advantage of elaborating on the relationship between David Marcus and Saavik, and it doesn't show rocks wiggling down the edges of cliffs. ;-)
Anyway, some people like 'em and some people don't, so I guess it's up to you. I've found that I liked the books better when I thought the film was crap (in other words, the odd-numbered ones).

A shorter word about the TOS episodes' novelizations:
I've read the '25th Anniversary Edition' omnibus volumes 2 and 3 (seasons 2&3) of James Blish's novelizations of the TOS episodes, as well as a couple of episodes from the first season, by the same author. They're pretty good, really, as James Blish happens to be a decent writer; so if you want to brush up on your TOS trivia without sitting through the whole 75 hours of it (a little less but I'm trying to sound dramatic, though that can be fun in its own way), I do recommend the novelizations, for casual reading especially.

The Pocketbook Novels:
*This* is the interesting stuff. Especially the most recent. Have a look:

	Q-Space: The first of a trilogy featuring the eponymous omnipotent. It's definitely good Trek; throughout the whole book you feel like you're watching a classic Q episode but it's on paper instead of on your screen. The dialogue is delightfully up to specs and the characters are true to the show... Even Barclay's nicely rendered, you can just *see* him fumbling around and reddening from embarrassement. And it's really faithful to the timeline; we even get treated to Mrs. Q and little q's antics (takes a bit after his dad)! Just a little comment... there *is* such a thing as making too many references to episodes. But all in all, it's fantastic
	New Frontier This is the famous new series, 'New Frontier', that was actually thought by fandom to be the introduction for the next TV adventure. Nope, said the producers; but fans like myself can always draw comfort from the thought that author Peter David has set on paper the scene for a new ship's continuing mission into a... well, a new frontier, with a promising future. All in all a good yarn, interesting characters, a faithful (and amusing) rendering of the Trek universe, and since P.D. isn't half bad a writer, it makes for an enjoyable read. Too bad the plot gets a bit thin at times, and the stories are a bit short: I read numbers 2 and 3 in an afternoon. But I had lots of fun! Lots of humorous, almost spoofy bits!
	Invasion "Invasion" is a storyline, divided in four volumes, that spans the four series, with each crew fighting a different incarnation of the recurrent menace of the 'Furies', an alien race seeking revenge and threatening to enslave the quadrant with its victims' worst terrors and nightmares. Some very competent writers got together here to compose a thrilling epic that you just can't put down; it's got everything a fan (like me) likes! Just a little regret, though, that Captain Picard didn't have a more active part; but then again I'm very partial to him so it's probably just me. And the bit with Janeway and her hairpin justs makes up for everything...
	Spectre On the whole I guess it's pretty much okay, what with the mirror Spock and all, but it lacks drive, y'know? At times the pulse is a little weak. And by the second chapter I was already getting tired of Kirk's constant (overdone) introspection. Also, the Janeway character was a total mess; you just don't buy it one minute. Furthermore, I'd like to say that I'm annoyed when Shatner is listed as the author when it's obvious he didn't actually pen the thing (thank god- I like him as Kirk but that's about it); everyone knows it's a strategy to get fans to BUY. Well, *I* actually *hesitate* to buy when it says 'A novel by William Shatner'. Go figure. One favorable comment: the picture of Picard on the cover is great.
	The Galactic Whirlpool Oh, this one just won't do. I know it's an old one; I took it as an example of the abundant, if often crappy, 'literature' that's been poured upon us since the show snowballed into the success we know. It could have been a reasonably palatable sci-fi story on its own, with its own characters and all, but as a part of the Star Trek universe it just doesn't fit in (besides, Kirk doesn't even cop off; it's some unknown redshirt who gets the alien girl!). I don't like being so negative, but... stay off this one.

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Coffee-Table Books & Encyclopedias:
Some cool stuff here as well. My favorites:

	The Completely Useless Unauthorized Star Trek Encyclopedia Oooooh, I just LOVED this. It's a parody of the usual fact files/ encyclopedias/ trivia compendiums on the subject; and it's written by a pair of witty, sarcastic brits who obviously get a kick from throwing rocks at sad pathetic Trekkies like myself. The result is simply hilarious. A must. (hell, it's even got an entry for banana split...)
	Q's Guide to the Continuum Very original, in the format you could imagine for our favorite omnipotent being's galactic Guinness Book, crossed with the Oscars ceremony, all presented like a travelling circus. Funny, filled with absolutely uninteresting, trivial, yet amusing facts and their corresponding illustrations; well done. Useless, but good to have around. After all, you never know when a mad omnipotent entity is going to pop you a quiz about the continuum with humanity's fate hanging in the balance...
	The Continuing Mission A cool guide to the whole Next Gen phenomenon, with behind-the-scenes details, histories and photos as well as concept drawings, models and script excerpts. An essential item for the TNG fan; and besides, you can't see it on the image here, but the cover has a texture (and a great photo of the cast) that is simply to die for. I wouldn't give mine away for the world. ( Hey, I got it for my birthday from my best friends. Talk about good taste in gifts...)
And here are those that look good but I haven't got the funds for at this time, so if you're ifeeling generous...

That's all for now, folks, but I do intend to expand my repertoire in the weeks to come...
Feedback is always welcome at gegge@nirvanet.net.