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kmusser Here's what I've read since the beginning of the year, in roughly the order I read it.
Xenogenesis Trilogy by Octavia Butler
I think Octavia Butler is a very underrated author. This series is excellent. About a humanity that is on the verge of extinction and can only survive by interbreeding with an alien species. An interesting exploration of what it means to be human.
Endless Knights by Neil Gaiman
Yay! New stories about the Endless!
The book contains 7 graphic short stories, one for each of the Endless. All are interesting and beautifully drawn.
Still as short stories they don't have the depth that the original Sandman offers and might be confusing for folks that haven't read the rest of Sandman.
Obsidian Butterfly and Narcissus in Chains by Laurell Hamilton
Two of lasts books from the Anita Blakes series. A nice mix of mystery, supernatural, and eroticism. The latter books in the series tend to have more eroticism at the expense of mystery. I like the exploration of poly issues, but don't think the writing is as good as the earlier books.
Quicksilver by Neal Stephenson
I think I need to read this again before I know what to make of it, but I liked it. It is very different than Stephenson's other books.
It's huge, it rambles, it wonderfully evokes the Baroque era. The depth of the book can be a little overwhelming, this is definitely a book that you are meant to sink into. The writing style reminds of Umberto Eco, so if you like that you're likely to like this.
Don't Panic by Neil Gaiman
An biography of Douglas Adams. Wonderfully written. If you're a fan of Adams definitely worth reading.
Dark Materials Trilogy by Philip Pullman
A fantasy series about a teenager that gets caught up in a religious war that crosses multiple worlds. Well written, much "darker" than most fantasy aimed at teenagers. Touches on interesting spiritual issues and definitely has a question authority bent to it.
Glory Road by Robert Heinlein
Mostly forgettable, if you've read much other Heinlein this will come across as very cliche.
Secret Voyage of Sir Francis Drake by Samuel Bawlf
Mentioned earlier http://www.livejournal.com/users/kmusser/45952.html
The Southern Vampire Series by Charlaine Harris
Very similar to the Anita Blake series only set in the rural South. The actual plotlines between these and the Anita Blake books are almost interchangable - but these have a much more folksy feel to them rather than Anita's urban grittiness.
Kushiel's Dart & Kushiel's Chosen by Jacqueline Carey
Wow. These are great. Big juicy books full of action, political intrigue and eroticism. While you'll find them in the fantasy section, the fantasy element is pretty slim and I think they'd appeal to folks that aren't into fantasy. There is a heavy BDSM element to them, so if reading about such things squicks you then you may want to skip it, otherwise highly recommended.
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
A good, well written story, but I fail to see what all the fuss is about. About a teenager that survives being adrift at sea with a bengal tiger as his companion.
Dark Tower Series by Stephen King
With all the excitement of Stephen King finally finishing this series I thought I'd give it try. Never read them when they first came out. So far have read the first two books. I think it's great and am looking forward to reading the rest of them. The series is definitely fantasy, not horror, though admittedly very dark fantasy. About the last Gunslinger and his quest. Has an existentialist feel to it so far and the setting is like the Deadlands RPG.
Angelica by Sharon Shinn
Decent, but not nearly as good as the first book in the series. This one sort of had a "more of the same" feel to it.
The first book: Archangel is one of those books that I recommend to everyone - a great mix of fantasy and romance.
Eragon by Christopher Paolini
Currently reading, so far so good. Better than average standard fantasy fare, similar in style to the Harry Potter books.
Le Morte D'Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory
Re-reading this, I don't know why, just a need to say wroth more often I guess.
To be read on the Australia trip:
Pattern Recognition by William Gibson
Baudolino by Umberto Eco
Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto Eco (a re-read, this is one of my all-time favorites)
Edited: now with more vampire books.
Xenogenesis Trilogy by Octavia Butler
I think Octavia Butler is a very underrated author. This series is excellent. About a humanity that is on the verge of extinction and can only survive by interbreeding with an alien species. An interesting exploration of what it means to be human.
Endless Knights by Neil Gaiman
Yay! New stories about the Endless!
The book contains 7 graphic short stories, one for each of the Endless. All are interesting and beautifully drawn.
Still as short stories they don't have the depth that the original Sandman offers and might be confusing for folks that haven't read the rest of Sandman.
Obsidian Butterfly and Narcissus in Chains by Laurell Hamilton
Two of lasts books from the Anita Blakes series. A nice mix of mystery, supernatural, and eroticism. The latter books in the series tend to have more eroticism at the expense of mystery. I like the exploration of poly issues, but don't think the writing is as good as the earlier books.
Quicksilver by Neal Stephenson
I think I need to read this again before I know what to make of it, but I liked it. It is very different than Stephenson's other books.
It's huge, it rambles, it wonderfully evokes the Baroque era. The depth of the book can be a little overwhelming, this is definitely a book that you are meant to sink into. The writing style reminds of Umberto Eco, so if you like that you're likely to like this.
Don't Panic by Neil Gaiman
An biography of Douglas Adams. Wonderfully written. If you're a fan of Adams definitely worth reading.
Dark Materials Trilogy by Philip Pullman
A fantasy series about a teenager that gets caught up in a religious war that crosses multiple worlds. Well written, much "darker" than most fantasy aimed at teenagers. Touches on interesting spiritual issues and definitely has a question authority bent to it.
Glory Road by Robert Heinlein
Mostly forgettable, if you've read much other Heinlein this will come across as very cliche.
Secret Voyage of Sir Francis Drake by Samuel Bawlf
Mentioned earlier http://www.livejournal.com/users/kmusser/45952.html
The Southern Vampire Series by Charlaine Harris
Very similar to the Anita Blake series only set in the rural South. The actual plotlines between these and the Anita Blake books are almost interchangable - but these have a much more folksy feel to them rather than Anita's urban grittiness.
Kushiel's Dart & Kushiel's Chosen by Jacqueline Carey
Wow. These are great. Big juicy books full of action, political intrigue and eroticism. While you'll find them in the fantasy section, the fantasy element is pretty slim and I think they'd appeal to folks that aren't into fantasy. There is a heavy BDSM element to them, so if reading about such things squicks you then you may want to skip it, otherwise highly recommended.
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
A good, well written story, but I fail to see what all the fuss is about. About a teenager that survives being adrift at sea with a bengal tiger as his companion.
Dark Tower Series by Stephen King
With all the excitement of Stephen King finally finishing this series I thought I'd give it try. Never read them when they first came out. So far have read the first two books. I think it's great and am looking forward to reading the rest of them. The series is definitely fantasy, not horror, though admittedly very dark fantasy. About the last Gunslinger and his quest. Has an existentialist feel to it so far and the setting is like the Deadlands RPG.
Angelica by Sharon Shinn
Decent, but not nearly as good as the first book in the series. This one sort of had a "more of the same" feel to it.
The first book: Archangel is one of those books that I recommend to everyone - a great mix of fantasy and romance.
Eragon by Christopher Paolini
Currently reading, so far so good. Better than average standard fantasy fare, similar in style to the Harry Potter books.
Le Morte D'Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory
Re-reading this, I don't know why, just a need to say wroth more often I guess.
To be read on the Australia trip:
Pattern Recognition by William Gibson
Baudolino by Umberto Eco
Foucault's Pendulum by Umberto Eco (a re-read, this is one of my all-time favorites)
Edited: now with more vampire books.
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Books!
Date: 1 Apr 2004 07:37 (UTC)What did you think of the last Anita Blake book? I know you've finished that one. :)
Re: Books!
Date: 1 Apr 2004 09:17 (UTC)Life of Pi
Date: 1 Apr 2004 21:50 (UTC)Hee.