The Hugos, 2006

[Sigyn]

I haven't read Sandman.

That out of the way, my biggest recommendation for Gaiman is either Neverwhere or Anansi Boys, with Coraline as a third.  I hated American Gods (and I'm a big norse mythology fan) but I just could not get past the sexual content and language.  To be fair, I didn't end up finishing the book because I was so bothered by content and not drawn in at all by the characters.  If you are looking for a fun take on norse mythology, I'd recommend Eight Days of Luke by Diana Wynne Jones instead.

[Fellfrosch]

As long as we're recommending books and authors, my biggest find at Worldcon was Naomi Novik, author of a trilogy beginning with His Majesty's Dragon. It's a historical fantasy that essentially takes Master and Commander and adds dragons. Really excellent stuff.

[EUOL]

Arg!  Don't listen to him! She's an agent of the Scalzi.

[Skar]

Thanks for the recommendations.

[Bookstore Guy]

Just to get a reaction from EUOL -

I attended a meeting with Naomi Novik and was very impressed.  I even found out how she got a Stephen King cover quote.  Her book is quite entertaining.  

Old Man's War is a good novel, and I was impressed with Mr. Scalzi himself.

Could it be that Fell and myself have become agents of a dual Scalzi-Novik conspiracy?

[Goradel]

"-- Meeting Brandon Sanderson and his sneaky friends who got me to sign a piece of LEGO (the explanation for that will come at a later point, when I get pictures). This year was Brandon's first chance at the Campbell; I hope he gets another next year. His work certainly deserves it."

something I found at http://www.scalzi.com/whatever/

[Peter Ahlstrom]

John is not the only one waiting for pictures.

[Shrain]

Hmmm. Legos, eh? I am ... intrigued. Does this scrawled upon lego has something to do with this "Steveing" we keep hearing about??

Oh, and this was a cool excerpt from an earlier part of Scalzi's blog:

"Brandon Sanderson, the other first-year nominee, has made quite a splash."

[Bookstore Guy]

Legos...Scalzi...Steveing...I deny it all!!!!

[Shrain]

Hrm. That *almost* sounds like some unfortunate rich nerd's name.

Lego Scalzi Steveing. Poor bloke.

[The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers]

I was actually going to suggest that this isn't a particularly "brandon" topic but more of a "books" topic. But you're just talking silly, so I dont' care any mroe.

[EUOL]

Scalziiii!!!!!!!

Also,

Novik!!!!!  

Hum. Doesn't work as well.

[Peter Ahlstrom]

Is there a close-up pic of the Scalzi award? I can't see it very well in the pics I've seen.

[MsFish]

I sent the pics to EUOL last night, but here's the link:

http://s2.photobucket.com/albums/y45/RaisinFish/WorldCon06/

[Peter Ahlstrom]

Yes...I saw those pictures already. Thanks.

I'm interested in seeing a close-up of the award itself. It's hard to make out the details in those pictures.