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I love both Poe and Dante, but don't enjoy Pearl.

@Miriam re: Bull. I love faeries, so that wasn't it. I think, mostly, I just didn't like the constant descriptions of playing music. Even as a sort of musician, it didn't jive with me. As for time periods - I'm flexible. Right now I'm on a sort of historical/Victoriana kick, but my mood'll shift. Reading up on 'Bone Dance' sort of reminded me of Transmetropolitan Vol. 1 Back on the Street - a sort of cyberpunk, dystopian comic chock-full of political and social satire, which also addresses a variety of identity issues.

@Libby: I'd never heard of The Meaning of Night, but I just read the summary and it sounds awesome. It sounds like just what I'm looking for right now!

Never read Night Watch. Saw the movie, and totally wasn't able to follow it. I've heard the books are better, but never got around to it.

Ugh - all these awesome to-reads now. Makes it kind of harder to slog through the rest of The Naming...

Well, let's see...

I flew through books 2 and 3 of Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn series at the end of May and beginning of June. I just got done with The Diving Bell and the Butterfly for a quick read, and I'm back at the Dresden Files with book 2, Fool Moon. After that, I have a marketing book I should be reading, then I don't really know. Butcher will only take me until Saturday at the most, so any good ideas would be appreciated. I'm not sure what I'm totally in the mood for at the moment.

I hate it when I don't know what I want to read next!!! Maybe I'll pick up this month's book club read for something different.

I definitely need to get into Butcher's Dresden series at some point - I hear such great things about it.

I do enjoy the Dresden series, and I liked how the mythology, so to speak, and characters got more complex and intertwined as the series progresses - but I think it's a fair warning that it does get rather formulaic. It might not be so bad if you don't read, like, 8 of them back to back like I did...

For those who like Dresden, I also recommend the Nightside series by Simon R. Green, which is very similar in plot/tone, but also a bit quicker/easier fare. (A bit darker in tone, perhaps.) But they suffer from the formula problem, as well.

In other news, I ordered 'The Meaning of Night' from amazon, but I probably won't get it 'til Monday, so I might go to the bookstore and nab House of Mystery Vol. 2 Love Stories For Dead People to tide me over a bit, since I think I'll finish 'The Naming' sometime tomorrow.

@blackrose. No, Bone Dance doesn't have all the music descriptions, but if you are on a historical kick you might prefer Bull's Territory which is set in the Old West. Also fun is Martha Wells' The Death of the Necromancer which is in a fantasy world pretty heavily based on turn-of-the-century Vienna. Galen Beckett's The Magicians and Mrs. Quent is interesting but you'd have to quite like Austen and the Brontes or you'd get impatient waiting for the plot to advance.

I liked the Nightside series, too, but lost track of the order of the books. People who like that or Dresden Files might also like Liz Williams' Snake Agent A Detective Inspector Chen Novel, it is kind of similar but with a more eastern setting and mythology.

Miriam wrote: "@blackrose. No, Bone Dance doesn't have all the music descriptions, but if you are on a historical kick you might prefer Bull's Territory which is set in the Old West. Also fun is Mart..."

I would strongly second that The Death of the Necromancer is brilliant. The characterization was breath stopping, and the plot, quite tightly woven.

In my experience of Emma Bull, she never writes the same book twice. That trips some readers, who love one title, then get boggled as she covers completely new ground, with style shift and different emphasis at her next take. She does standalones, with no common theme running through her various plots and settings. She's a careful worker, not prolific, since a tremendous amount of thought and polish goes into everything she does. You absolutely know, with her stuff, you aren't going formulaic. War for the Oaks was done so far ahead of the Urban Fantasy curve, it was stratospheric, at that time. She, and Charles de Lint were the fore-runners, quickly followed by Megan Lindholm (a.k.a. Robin Hobb) with Wizard of the Pigeons.

I think War for the Oaks might have been the first fantasy novel I read with a contemporary setting, after scores of dragons-elves-wizards genre fantasies. I was only ten or so when it came out but I remember thinking it was amazing, and being disappointed when I couldn't find anything similar. I think I was introduced to deLint (Yarrow) by asking a bookstore employee for a read-alike.

blackrose wrote: ordered 'The Meaning of Night' from amazon

Can't wait to hear what you think on this one - its been on my "to read" shelf for a bit

I just read the first chapter of Nyphron Rising by Michael Sullivan. As I really enjoyed The Crown Conspiracy and absolutely loved Avempartha, the first and second books in the Riyria Revelations, I am anxiously awaiting the third book. As I had hoped, this book looks to be equally wonderful. It is clear from the sample, first chapter that Sullivan’s main characters are now fully developed, but remain complex and intriguing. The chapter pulls you directly into the plot which is already in full swing. The style is concise and flowing at the same time; a perfect blend that allows for the tension of the scene while exploring the main character’s underlying emotions. This is a promising start to what I’m sure will be another great book from Michael Sullivan.

Glad you liked it Libby!! For those who want to read the first chapter you can find it

And you can now add Nyphron Rising to your bookshelves:

Nyphron Rising

It feels like I haven't had time for reading in weeks! Thankfully, the school year is winding down and I can get to the huge stack of books I have waiting for me!


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There will be many an afternoon spent at the park or on the beach!

I've been on a bit of a SF streak, recently.

Nice set of books Laurel....

I'm actually in Hero of Ages now and really liking it.

Avempartha ..... Well I don't think I have to tell you my opinons on that one ;-) but seriously...I'm really happy with how it came out - especially since at one time it was the "weak" link in the series and now people are saying how much they like it - makes all the editing work really worth it.

Dragonflight -- I read this month and was really looking forward to - but ultimately...I don't know I was just not enthralled.

The Graveyard Book! My copy finally came!

Thanks Robin! I'm pretty jived about diving into that pile, especially Avempartha! i'll be pre-ordering Nyphron Rising soon.

Miriam, I really enjoyed The Graveyard Book - hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Blackrose, I agree with those who recommended Territory by Emma Bull. It was a very interesting read.

I'm seeing someone who is a huge Robert Jordan fan, and re-reads every book in order before a new one comes out. So, I'll most likely try to finish off the series as well at some point. I have 3 more to go...

At the moment I'm reading stories from the Better Off Undead anthology, the Missing! anthology from Echelon Press (unfortunately I can't pull up a link to it) and one of several books I found at my library on Gilbert & Sullivan.

Laurel wrote: "It feels like I haven't had time for reading in weeks! Thankfully, the school year is winding down and I can get to the huge stack of books I have waiting for me!

Nice list :)

My schedule is going to more open in the next few weeks so I'm taking the opportunity to read The Iron Tower Omnibus. I liked Dennis L. McKiernan other work and this is his first series.

Loving Graveyard Book so far! Before it showed up I was in the middle of Dead To Me by Anton Strout, which is a fun story but not great writing. Very much in the vein of Jim Butcher.

I'm currently setting aside The Curse of the Mistwraith for now. Not that I'm not enjoying it, it's just kinda slow right now. Not sure if I will manage to finish it before discussion, but we'll see.

Now I'm reading Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson. So far it is great. I might even like it better than the Mistborn trilogy. Seems faster paced than those too.

On the sci-fi front I've started Iron Sunrise, sequel to Singularity Sky by Charles Stross. Here's another author I want to get more books of. :)

Other books I have plans to get into in the next couple of months

Assassin's Apprentice
Lirael Daughter of the Clayr
A Clash of Kings (maybe)

I have just finished the Wars of Light and Shadow series and cannot wait for the next book. I am reading The Redemption of Althulus at the minute which I really enjoy and am going to read the Orcs trilogy next

I'm currently reading Dune and 1776. I'm enjoying both of them very much.

I have a pretty big pile of books in my to-read pile (as well as some on order from Amazon), so I'm not totally sure what I'm reading next.

Dropping everything to curl up and read Naamah's Kiss and Elantrisis laying around my room. Also looking at Sanderson's new book, Warbreaker, what are people's opinion on this one?

Allison wrote: "Can you read Kushiel's Dart and just stop there? I think it looks really good, but I don't particularly want to be sucked in to another series."

I third (or fourth?) the yes, in theory, you can read just the first book. The main plot is wrapped up at the end of the story and there is a year or so hiatus for the characters between the first and second books. However, I also agree with everyone else and the once you start you probably won't want to stop with just one. Carey's books are very much like potatoe chips. Speaking of potatoe chips...

I’m reading my first Tom Holt book � Divine Comedies Here Comes the Sun and Odds and Gods I was pretty excited when I came across this author in the bookstore because his wry observations about everyday life and imaginative plots reminded me of Terry Pratchett, my all time favorite author. However, while Holt has creative and funny out-of-the-ordinary ideas, he lacks Pratchett’s ability to write great characters. So far I’m getting a kick out of the general plot structure but the characters are flat. It reads more like an outline for a great novel. It’s missing the “meat�. I’m going to stick with this and read the second novel in the omnibus as well hoping it gets better. Anyone familiar with this author? Opinions of his work?

I've read Flying Dutch, pretty good, but not up to Pratchett and his footnotes, or even John Morressy. But I wouldn't say the characters were flat, so that may be a criticism of a particular book rather than his work as a whole. Or Flying Dutch may be his best novel, I don't know.

@ Marc - thanks for the feedback. I try to read at least two works by an author before making a decision. Odds and Gods is the second novel in the omnibus and its gotten better reviews.

I've not read John Morressy either so I'll try him. What work do you suggest to start with?

A Voice for Princess
The Questing of Kedrigern
Kedrigern in Wanderland
Kedrigern and the Charming Couple
A Remembrance for Kedrigern

I would also greatly recommend the Yurt books by C. Dale Brittain. Not comedy but humorous, with a strong story.

Jo wrote: "... Also looking at Sanderson's new book, Warbreaker, what are people's opinion on this one?"

I really enjoyed it. Great system, great characters, great story! I think I liked Elantris and Mistborn more, but that shouldn't mean much because I adored those books.

Jo wrote: "Dropping everything to curl up and read Naamah's Kiss and Elantrisis laying around my room. Also looking at Sanderson's new book, Warbreaker, what are peo..."

I just got the copy of Naamah's Kiss that I won through First Reads. It'll be next on my list, once I finish the three books I'm actively reading.

I just started Daughter of the Blood, and I'm very intrigued so far. I can't say I love it yet because its still confusing, but I'm definitely interested to see where it goes.

SO far i've read Rides a Dread Legion, What on Earth Happened?... in Brief The Planet, Life and People from the Big Bang to the Present Day and Dark Calling but dont know what to read next...

Shannon wrote: "Jo wrote: "... Also looking at Sanderson's new book, Warbreaker, what are people's opinion on this one?"

I really enjoyed it. Great system, great characters, great story! I think ..."

Thanks for the review, since I dropped Elantris for Naamah's Kiss I will go back and read that before Warbreaker.

Sandi wrote: "Jo wrote: "Dropping everything to curl up and read Naamah's Kiss and Elantrisis laying around my room. Also looking at Sanderson's new book, Warbreaker, w..."

I just finished Naamah's Kissand really enjoyed it!

Over the weekend, I finished Curse of the Mistwraith, Firestorm of Dragons and The Big Sleep.

Not sure where I'm going next. I may attempt another quick read, probably Starship Troopers before tackling Warbreaker while on a business trip.

@Blackrose - Transmetropolitan! You mention Transmetropolitan in relation to anything, and my ears prick up. XD I believe I'll be checking that out.

@Libby - I agree -- I read a Tom Holt some time ago (the one with Beowulf, I think) and now I don't remember any of the characters at all. Just a vague sort of plot outline with a chuckle here and there.

I've just finished reading Nick Harkaway's The Gone-
Away World. It's one of the smartest, funniest, wisest, and most beautifully absurd books I've read in a long while (also, how could you lose with a hero named Gonzo?). I'm going to miss reading this book for the first time.

Grr. The Gone-Away World is on a short but vexing list of books that I had started reading but had someone else borrow (or take) before I could finish.

Currently I'm reading Jane Eyre, Jamaica Inn, Beyond the Shadows and Kindred. Enjoying all of them!

@ Kettricken - that's a fun batch of books. I've got Jamaica Inn on my to-read shelf. I recently read and LOVED Rebecca.

'Rebecca' is an awesome book! I'll let you know what I thought of Jamaica Inn.

Isn't it - I'm sorry I didn't read it earlier in life. Looking forward to you thoughts on Jamaica Inn.

Read all the dresdens. :( now I'm waiting impatiently for the next.

Reading How To Make Monsters, in horror. In fantasy I'm looking for dark fantasy/comedy books

Susie - if you wouldn't mind a slightly irreverant YA book, then The Black Tattoo is a darkly humorous fantasy book. I don't hear it mentioned a lot, but I really liked it.

I'm urrently re-reading the Belgarion series of books by David Eddings. Then I'll re-read of The Curse of the Mistwraith (or at least do a skim-through, if that's even possible).

I'm most of the way through Gene Wolfe's An Evil Guest and it is fairly interesting, although not what I expected. Certainly not a typical sf/f.

I am back to doing heavy rotation reading across genres, so I probably won't finish much in June. The fantasy that I have my eyes set on now though are A Game of Thrones by George RR Martin,The Words of Making by David Forbes, Conqueror's Moon by Julian May, Shaman's Crossing by Robin Hobb, and A Darkness Forged in Fire by Chris Evans. And I am still reading Curse the Dawn by Karen Chance. I am never bored. :-)

I am reading The Sorceress and the Cygnet by Patricia A. McKillip...then when I'm done I will read Les Miserables and not because I have too.... =P

I am new here, and fairly new to goodreads. From what I have seen so far, I am addicted to this site already.

I am reading Kevin J. Anderson's The Edge of the World. Just reaching page 200 and hope to be able to read the Assassin's Apprentice with the group next month.

Rereading The Idylls of the Queen A Tale of Queen Guenevere now that I finally obtained a copy of the reissue. It is primarily a mystery based on a story from Mallory, but does have some magic as well.