Finished a number of books so far... Since you mentioned him, Orson Scott Card's Empire - finally out on paperback.. yes OSC writes other things besides scifi. He has a great column on political issues. Basically the book is a what if there were a civil war in modern America and ends up a sorta action-thriller, blue states VS red states, extremism on both ends. He obviously points out the flaws in the liberal philosophy, but he doesn't believe in a strict conservative viewpoint either. His main point is that political extremism on both sides could end up in a war, where each side truly believes the other is "evil" Orson Scott Card's A War of Gifts - its a short novelle, usually I don't end up buying these (more $ than a softback for less material), but I like to support the author. It was nice to see Ender (as a child) doing his thing. For my Star Wars reading, Legacy of the Force: Fury - which I probably already mentioned somewhere, is more set up for the concluding books than anything else. Allston's character make some cameos, but the Solo-Skywalker clan is much more the focus of Legacy. Republic Commando: True Colors - a different vive than the last two RC books. Feels like it should close the trilogy out, but it doesn't satisfy me. The Golden Compass - yes I watched the movie. And the book is surprisingly similar, little cut out besides the more graphic bits. It doesn't end on the same point, but I expect they are leaving that for the sequel. Despite all the attention it has gotten from the religious groups, I don't see why it is so bad. But then I admit - I don't understand the whole issue with Harry Potter either.