Read any good books lately?

[Lady Whimsy]

After finishing the Firebringer re-read, I've been a bit stumped on something new and exciting to read. Anyone one have any suggestions? I tend to dabble hear and there, so will take on just about anything, so long as it is well written, has a decent plot, and ends well (nothing worse in life then the book you've eaten for the past 300 pages to suddenly and inexplicably end horribly!)

Of course, I do have a penchant for sci-fi/fantasy, but I'm very picky about it, since so much of it is horribly, horribly written, or downright pretentious. (I should also point out that some of my least favorite books are also sci-fi/fantasy, because for some reason there tends to be no middle ground, lol) I'd desperately love to find a new fantasy series to sink my teeth into, but I have to admit I've had my heart broken too many times by something that just fell apart midway through I'm a little weary to bite again

Yeah, I'm one of those people who gets angry and starts yelling at characters if they start being stupid, for no apparent reason, and with no explanation or resolution by then end of the book I'm a fun reader

I haven't read something truly wonderful in a long time, but this probably has to do with my not being in school any more, and not having daily access to a library I miss reading, lol. I miss being mesmerized by a good book. The last truly great book I read was probably over a year ago. (I think it might have been a kids book, too, heheh) Anyone have suggestions that will make me fall in love with reading all over again? ;D

Feel free to discuss your favorite books at length. Probably should refrain from spoilers, not that I'm a person who minds them (I admit it, I also tend to read the last few pages first, *just to make sure*) What are you reading right now?

Lady Whimsy ~

[Delicious]

To make better recommendations, I need a bit more to go on than just "Firebringer" hehe.

I'm a huge reader. The first things that came to my new apt are my books. And I have enough of them that I could probably get rid of all my furniture and then re-create them out of my literature. Not that I would, of course. They're too pretty to muck with. XD

Mostly into Sci-Fi/Fantasy as well - although I'll dabble outside of it occasionally. I like a decent plot, but mostly I want characters that leap out of the page. I do, however, have a penchant for YA Lit, mostly because eventually that's what I see myself writing. (I hope. XD) I also occasionally read stuff I KNOW is awful, because it makes me laugh. Take - for example, the Twilight Books. I haven't laughed so hard reading those (and associated recaps) in a long, long time.

Uhm. Recently though, reading Sharon Shinn and her new Twelve Houses series. They're not QUITE as tight as I'd like, but I enjoy them immensely regardless.


If you're okay with a little creepy/titillating (as in, bit of horror - but not overly much - and definitely some sex, albeit not overdone like say ... Laura K Hamilton, and romantic elements) I'd highly recommend Talyn by Holly Lisle. Some damn vivid world-building/characters in that one. Similar in vein, if not in plot, I'd recommend Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey. The rest in the series are fun to read, but don't pack nearly as much punch as that first one ... at all.

Also, not sure how much you are into Sci Fi, but egads - I absolutely ADORE Lois McMaster Bujold's "Miles" Series. Not all of the stories that center around him are awesome, but she breathes REAL life into the character/worlds etc. and it's just exceedingly intense. I started, actually, almost at the end with "A Civil Campaign" out of happenstance, and then had to track down the rest of'em. You can start pretty much anywhere in the series - and it's more of a story that happens to have sci-fi elements more than a sci-fi story. If that makes any sense.

Hrm. Good for a laugh? I'd recommend Dealing with Dragons (it's for a younger audience, but still worth it) by Patricia C Wrede, Dark Lord of Derkholm by Diana Wynne Jones, or most things by John Moore.

Then there's always Ratha's Creature (and associated books) that have been re-published due to Warriors fame, but are so. much. better. (No offense to those who like Warriors, but it rubs me very much the wrong way).

Gah - I have SO MANY MORE, but I am currently at work (hence the RP delay, sorry folks. D:) and most of my books are packed up now anyways. Especially my favorites. I'll try and think on it a little while longer, though.

- Del

[Lady Whimsy]

Hehe... well, actually... the Firebringers was probably a bad example. Because while I did enjoy them, they certainly wouldn't be my most-favorite unicorn story, or something to base a literary persuasion on. Then again, I'm not sure what story that would be; most unicorn tales... stink o.O So are most books about magical horses and and the like (tried reading a slew of Mercedes Lackey Valdemar series, without conviction; I think it's usually the cover art that gets me to try those!) It's so... discouraging )

I seem to be a very hit-and-miss reader. Maybe I ask too much of books, lol. I'll find a book I love, then go back and try to find others by that author only to be left wanting. Mists of Avalon is a good example of that; I finally read it after avoiding the book on account that the recommendation came from some who'd also steered me at work of Guy Gavriel Kay (The Fionavar Tapestry), which I hated. But Mists was enthralling, I stayed up one whole night reading; afterwards I tried several other Marion Zimmer Bradley but never was again quite swept away... *sighs*

I do appreciate humour. Hence my soft spot for the Peir Anthony's Xanth novels (at least the first ten or so; later the series really falls apart) and Good Omens is of course a classic required on every bookshelf. *G* And I enjoy a good laugh with Peter David, whether he's writing for ST:TNG or Marvel Comics. *snuggles her X-Factors*

Never did read The Warriors, but mostly because I avoid anything with a lot of hype. But I love animal stories. I grew up with E.B White and Dick King-Smith, adored the Rats of NIMH and Watership Downs; recently did read the Silverwing trilogy, but felt it lost something on the last book. Raven Quest was another recent read, and that one I enjoyed fully.

Then there are all those exulted classics of Scifi/Fantasy I *don't* like, and weird looks when I say I'm not a fan of the Dragon Riders of Pern, or Narnia (I read this series when I was young, it bored me to tears, with the exception of A Horse and his Boy, but that could have just been my juvenilety at the time). And.... Tolkien. Honestly. I made it through the Hobbit, and I've tried reading LOTR on numerous occasions... but... have never made it beyond the first hundred pages... I dunno. I feel awful about it, but I did really try...

I read other books too... and I do enjoy those aimed at a younger audience. I find... people are more... thoughtful?... when they write for youth, perhaps. It almost feels like they put more effort, sometimes (surely you know the "effortless" books of which I speak, lol) Though in recent years I've found that genre to have exploded too, filled with bright, shiny series books and pulp fiction that used to be reserved for hapless adults. A little disheartening, and so much junk to have to sift through...

Also, I do like happy endings I may be a total suck, I just feel terribly horrible by sad endings and will actually mourn for months after the unacceptable death of a good character. This doesn't mean I won't read dark books of destruction and mayhem - quite the opposite. But I want it to mean something. No horror for the sake of horror, but if it has a purpose... like Fairy Tales, I guess. Often harsh, but at the same time... mesmerizing, and fitting somehow. Harmonious.

Heck, I really will try anything, but I do tend to get bored by books about people living ordinary lives, putting up with ordinary problems, discovering unremarkable things about themselves that makes them... ordinary. You know. Usually they're the books listed as "profound" and "though-provoking" by the critics and go on to win awards. Everybody likes them, because everyone can relate to them. Blargh.

I think I like fantasy because of the adventure, and, at core, many of them are a philosophical exploration personified. Maybe they take place in a miraculous world with incredible beasts, but often I find they are more truthful and revealing about the human condition then any those honorable books of more respected genres

Lady Whimsy ~

[Admin]

Well, I just finished reading the Illiad and the Odessey, both of which had been sitting on my shelf waiting to be read for at least a year. I enjoyed them very much, although if i had to choose I prefered the Odessey to the Illiad. But both very good. I'm now reading a Douglas Adams book. Dirk Gently's Detective....something er other I forget its upstairs!

Apparently Bruce Coville finally wrote the third Unicorn book in his Unicorn Chronicles which i've been waiting to read since I was.....13, so nearly 12 years ago now >.< and I have that sitting around here to read next. Then I believe I'm going to read Les Miserables, which has also been sitting here since last Christmas waiting for me to have time to pick it up.

[Admin]

Did you say you wanted me to get started on my faveourite books?

[Delicious]

Ha! You know - amusingly enough, I know of Peter David, but not through the same channels. I happened across him for his modern King Author stories - which were a decent hoot. (My ex loved Sir Apropos of Nothing trilogy as well - but that one and I didn't QUITE mesh). Hehe.

And always - Lady E. Book talk is always oh-so-much fun. ^^

Also, completely on board with the happy vs. unhappy endings. There are several books out there that I loved while I was reading them - and then ... death doom destruction at the end. Simply devestating. Definitely have been torn up for weeks before because of the death of one or more favourite characters of mine. Although, honestly ... have also gotten fairly moody when I've finished a particularly good series and know there is nothing else coming. (Robin Hobb's Fool's series - for instance. It took me a lot to get into at first, but once there - was all in, and the finish was so ... real? With what felt like unended ties, and the author's determination that she'd be writing no more on them just set me all out of sorts for many days.)

Recently - however - accidentally happened on QUITE a good book. called 'The Name of the Wind' by Patrick Rothfuss. If you can bull your way through the first chapter or so - it picks up good momentum and just ... a really good read. Granted, perhaps you want to wait a while to pick it up, it apparently is part of a series and the next one isn't due out til April 2009. It kept me up reading _way_ past my bedtime.

Then, of course - another Thirteenth House book by Sharon Shinn - bit ... predictable this last one, but still well drawn characters. I enjoyed it.

Bruce Coville - I've never read his unicorn series (I'll have to pick that up) - but I do remember his Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher book (and one about a girl and a toad). Definitely one of the first books that made me extra starry eyed about the whole magic and dragons thing. Hee.