Personal Log Stardate: 47006.8
So, I have plenty of time these days. With the Admiral blocking access to the Avenger (he wants me to study up more on the technical schematics), I don’t have much on my calendar.
As a result, I’ve been reviewing my personal library, rereading some of my favorites, and thus have come with my top ten authors:
10. Stralkith of Vulcan-not a terribly popular writer, especially among Vulcans. She lived more than 500 years ago, but her style seems contemporary. She wrote fiction, which is not very popular among Vulcans in general. Her novel The Winds off the Desert is a brilliant work filled with complex characters who struggle in a world of emotionless beings. They are the outcasts, but triumph, not through logic, but through their instincts and desire to survive. It is quite insightful into the Vulcan psyche.
9. e. e. cumming of Earth-strictly not a fiction writer but a poet; however, he is brilliant in taming language to his control. There’s something invigorating about his break-all-the-rules style. I feel him to be a kindred soul.
8. Neil Gaiman of Earth–one of the most brilliant writers of the early 21st century. His allusiveness to other elements of popular culture is both awe-inspiring and frustrating. Reading one of his books is a maddening process of researching his cultural allusions, but it is so satisfying to finally piece together what he is getting at. Good Omens is definitely my favorite work of his.
7. Oshihlov Ch’oqivet of Andor–an amazing author, one of the most popular among Andorains and non-Andorians alike. As with most culture phenomenons in Andorian society, it is unnecessarily complicated, but it’s the very complexity that makes her writing so great. It took me about 4 tries to make it through her masterpiece The Bluest Skin, but it the end it was definitely worth it.
6. Jeho Trendath of Bajor–Jeho is a new voice in the literary world of Bajor. I would love to meet him and talk shop. He really bridges the gap between Old Bajor and the new emerging Bajor. He honors the traditions of the past-unlike some modern authors who belittle them-and at the same time shows the future as hopeful and bright, not something to be feared. He only has published two novel so far–The Temple of the First Kai and Innocence of Tears. I can’t wait for his next–not sure when he’ll publish again or if he is even writing one.
5. Vaarbash Nic of Bajor-there’s nothing like an old classic. Vaarbash lived nearly a thousand years ago, but his writing is still popular and relevant. His work The Oracle from the River Town is still taught in schools and it an amazing read. It deals with the big questions of faith, love and following your pagh.
4. Alan Paton of Earth-a somewhat obscure author from the 20th century, but his novel Cry, the Beloved Country tells the story of country broken and unmendable. It echoes our plight under the Cardassians so significantly that it brought me to tears. His intricate story lines and complex characters make this a riveting read for anyone, but especially for Bajorans.
3. Charles Dickens of Earth-Dickens is such a crucial author for so many reasons. He was one of the first who wrote about the blight of the poor and whose protagonists were not necessarily part of the wealthy elite. He writes rich descriptions and wonderfully realistic characters that can not help but draw the reader in. His holiday classic A Christmas Carol is definitely my favorite.
2. Vedek Tremotel Gi’ of Bajor-another modern author. Her irreverent take on modern religious and monastic life has earned her some enemies among the Vedeks, but it has garnered her many more fans. Her book Your Pagh is Broken is definitely not being read schools–or at least taught in schools.
1. J.R.R. Tolkien of Earth-I could write an entire book on what is great about Tolkien. He is another 20th century author who lived through wars, economic depressions and tremendous social change and yet kept a hope-filled and positive tone to his writing. He is a creator of worlds so intricate that they are completely believable. I find I can go back to his writing time and time again and find something new and something ingenious.
Captain Faren Reon 