This weird shapeless anxiety mugged me yesterday and today. I feel really uneasy and unsettled and I can’t figure out why. I’ve gone through all of the common culprits and so far got nothing. On top of it, I broke my dragon, a necklace Gordon and the kids bought for me, and that just sucked all over.
I’m sitting here in my anxious apathy and can’t concentrate for long then ten minutes at a time. I took yesterday off. I might take today off too. I’ve discovered Farscape and it is awesome.
Tried to read a fantasy book today. I loved bits of it, but it was kind of like digging for gems in a Smoky Mountain tourist mine: there were garnets, rubies, and sapphires in there, but I had to sift through a lot of worldbuilding and boring things to get there and I found myself first skimming sections and then skipping ahead. Once you do that, the book is over.
So what good books have you read lately? Anything to recommend?
when I’m anxious I want a lighter read – I LOVE “Dead to Me” by Anton Stout for that. These ladies describe it better than me…
“Simon Canderous is a reformed thief and a psychometrist. By turns despondent over his luck with the ladies (not always living) and his struggle with the hierarchy of his mysterious department (not always truthful), Simon’s life veers from crisis to crisis. Following Simon’s adventures is like being the pinball in an especially antic game, but it’s well worth the wear and tear.”
–Charlaine Harris
“Part Ghostbusters, part Men-in-Black, Strout’s debut is both dark and funny, with quirky characters, an eminently likable protagonist, and the comfortable, familiar voice of a close friend. His mix of (mostly) secret bureaucratic bickering and offbeat action shows New York like we’ve never seen it before. Make room on the shelf, ‘cause you’re going to want to keep this one!”
-Rachel Vincent, author of Stray and Rogue
huh hit send too quick, I was going to add, for slightly darker I really enjoy the Leandros series by Rob Thurman and sort of in between Karen Chance’s series, especially her new spin off “Midnight’s Daughter”
Two weeks ago I started a reading marathon I read all of Devon Monks books on the Allie Beckstorm series. Magic to the Bone, Magic In the Blood, Magic in the Shadows and Magic on the storm. Now I’m stuck in suspension until November to find out what happens. Will Allie save Zayvion or will they both die? Can’t wait I also couldn’t seem to put the books down. The funny thing way they weren’t the series I thought I was buying but they were fantastic anyway. Once I realized I didn’t have the series I was after things were ok I kept trying to figure out where Zayvion came into the picture and when would Curran show up? Yea got the wrong series and as soon as I figured that out I was good although that ment I had to get the other series to read next. Last week I got the books I really was trying to get yup you got it yours. I got all four Ilona Andrews books – Magic Bites, Magic Burns, Magic Strikes, and Magic Bleeds and read till I was done. They were fantastic and funny as hell. I caught my self reading certain parts out loud to my son and his wife and they laughed as well. I can’t wait until the next one, so please Ilona tell me the next book will be coming out soon. The great thing is I’m not stuck wondering if Kate or Curran will make it only how they will deal with the next set of problems and what those problems will be.
Oh I forgot to add I would love to see and buy a Tee shirt with Kate and Curran (in beast form) on it with the quote “Here Kitty, Kitty, Kitty. I have to agree that was one of my favorite quotes once I read the books.
Patricia Briggs is great – about as good as you, but in a different way – her more recent series has been kind of silly, but every one of her older books is awesome. Try ‘Dragon’s Bones’, and ‘Dragon’s Blood’, and ‘Hobbs Bargain’, and the ‘Raven’s Strike’ series.
And, yeah – Farscape is the awesomest show ever – I was totally crushed when they canceled it..
You’ve covered all the good authors but you missed
Marth Wells, she’s great.
Dick Francis mysteries, does great research
Tamora Pierce very good YA Author
Rick Riordan Very good YA author
Oh- also ‘Cyteen’ and ‘Regenesis’ – not fantasy, sci-fi, but still totally awesome.
Melissa Leister -Natasha Carmichael Series is AMAZING. I stumbled onto the first book by acccident and was completely blown away. I now have all of them on my kindle and looking forward to the next.
I’d like to put in Wen Spencer’s Tinker series. Another vote for Michelle Sagara’s Chronicles of Elantra series and Linnea Sinclair. I fall back to the old school fantasy when I tire of, dare I say it, authors in the romance genre pushed by deadlines to put any ol’ thing out before their head bursts in agony. Elizabeth Moon and her Paksennarrion books, Lackey, McCaffrey.
TA Pratt’s Marlaverse is great fun as well and pokes some twisty turn “but but she’s not good!” main character ways that is a nice deviation from the HEA Miss-goodness-and-spunk heroine theme many authors choose to go with.
Crazy good books you have a 0.03% chance of not having already read:
Patricia Briggs–anything
Chloe Neill–Chicagoland Vamps
Anne Bishop–Black Jewels trilogy
As for tv shows, I’m so excited you’ve never watched Farscape before. It gets better and better. And then a little bit better. Then you’ll be crushed by the 4th season cancellation and hasty movie wrap-up. Still, though. Worth the pain.
Other tv shows you might like:
Anything involving Joss Whedon (so I’m a cliche. sue me.)
-Buffy, Angel, Firefly, Dollhouse, Dr. Horrible’s Sing-A-Long Blog
Battlestar Galactica (though you may want to skip the series finale and imagine one yourself. The finale is as terrible as the series is mindblowingly amazing).
Caprica (this one hasn’t had a huge fanbase, but I think the ideas it brings to the table are worthy of a second look, and there’s an element of cruelty in some of the relationships that’s pretty rare on network tv, and I’m not talking CW-esque angsty)
Veronica Mars (this isn’t scifi or fantasy, but you gotta love the heroine–sharp, funny, witty, and the Logan/Veronica romance/hostility is one of the most interesting relationships in the history of television, and, as is sadly rare in the era of reality television and tween-targeted soaps, is never stupid, and never takes the watcher’s intelligence and beats it against a tree before throwing it off a cliff).
Roswell (maybe this is nostalgia speaking, and I would probably be embarrassed admitting to liking this show outside the anonymity of the internet, but it was occasionally fun and often touching, the characters and relationships were never neglected, there were some creative and original plot twists, particularly in season two, and damn it, I still like this show).
The 4400 (the relationships never 100% resonated with me, but it had some interesting ideas, and, well, Jordan Collier is so. very. pretty.)
Dexter (hated it when it first came out, as I felt it skirted the edge of emo, but the writing got better and the sharp dialogue, particularly from the sister, make it worth getting into)
Arrested Development (this is nowhere near what you’re asking for, but the sarcastic, subtle, and occasionally insolent sense of humor is right up your alley. Highlights include a family member who decides to be an analyst/therapist, and whose business card includes the title “analrapist.”)
Twin Peaks (I’m not even going to justify this with a description. There’s no way you haven’t seen it.)
That’s all I can think of right now. I hope it helps.
I just saw that someone mentioned Tamora Pierce. I haven’t read these books in forever, but they are delicious.
I couldn’t really get into the ones without romantic and/or deeply attached leading characters, but the Song of the Lioness Quartet was freaking brilliant.
Wow, I’m so late to the comments, there’s no way I’ll have the time to read them all, so I’m hoping these recs haven’t been covered and that you’ve calmed down a little from your anxiety…
If you’re keen on sinking your teeth into a fantasy, ‘The Madigal’ by Beverly MacDonald is an awesome read, and a stand alone which is quite rare for most of the fantasy I’ve been exposed to.
For a sci-fi kick, I’d recommend ‘The Doomsday Book’ by Connie Willis. It is the start of a series, but it can be read on its own. ‘To Say Nothing Of The Dog’ is the next one in the series and I think it’s most people’s favourite, but I prefer the first. ‘Blackout’, the third in the series was just released. These can all be read as stand alones.
For something completely different, give the Phryne Fischer series a go by Kerry Greenwood. Set in 1920′s Melbourne, these are mysteries straight up, no superntatural elements (that I’ve read so far). The first book is ‘Cocaine Blues’.
Anne Bishop- The Black Jewels Trilogy, Dreams Made Flesh, The Shadow Queen, and Shalador’s Lady. Didn’t really like Tangled Web
Jim Butcher- The Dresden Files. Not so fond of the Fury series.
Larissa Ione- Anything
Carolyn Jewel- Anything. She needs to write faster.
Charlaine Harris- Sookie Stackhouse series
Tanya Huff-Anything
Simon R. Green-Anything but the Nightside series especially.
Amber Benson- Death’s Daughter and Cats Paw. They were suprisingly good.
Julia Quinn-Anything
Katie MacAlister-Anything
Tamora Pierce-Anything but I’m waiting for Elkhound. I loved Terrier but Bloodhound was only okay
Stephanie Laurens-Anything
Lora Leigh-The Breeds series. I still haven’t forgiven her for Jonas yet.
Patricia Briggs-Anything but especially When Demons Walk. I loved it.
S. L. Viehl- Blade Dancer
Lois Bujold-Shards of Honor and Barrayar
C.E. Murphy-Anything.
Frank Herbert-DUNE
Mercedes Lackey- Valdemar series (Excepting the Owls trilogy), Elves series, 500 Kingdoms series, The Elemental Mages series, Diana Tregarde trilogy, Tiger Burning Bright, Firebird, the Jennifer Talldeer book
Rosemary Edgehill-Anything
Patricia Wrede-The Enchanted Forest Chronicles. I love this series (Well, books 1-3) with unholy love.
Gail Carriger-Anything. I love her books.
I forgot:
Gini Koch-Touched by and Alien
Karen Chance-Anything
Kim Harrison-Anything
Jaye Wells-Anything (I loved Red-Headed Stepchild)
Sorry you had one of those days! A really good read is Dorothy Dunnett’s 2 series set in 1400-1500′s europe: The “Lymond” series and “Niccolo” series- not sci-fi or fantasy but really excellent stories. I also would urge anything by Michelle Sagara West. Rob Thurman is also really really good.
How about Esther Friesner’s Chick in Chainmail series. John Levitt’s book Dog Days is a great book. Charles Stross’ The Atrocity Archives and The Jennifer Morgue are two of my favorites. GA Aiken’s Dragon Kin series is funny and unlike anything else. If you like thrillers, Carol O’Connell’s Mallory books are awesome and PJ Tracy’s Monkeewrench books are wonderful. Jack McDevitt writes a science fiction series about Priscilla Hutchins an interstellar pilot.
‘Green Rider’, ‘First Rider’s Call’, and ‘High King’s Tomb’, by Kristen Britain. Good tension, active plot, interesting world, terrific heroine, horses.
‘The Beekeeper’s Apprentice’ books, by Laurie R. King. To many good things to count about these books.
If you are looking for excellent fantasy, you might enjoy ‘The Curse of Chalion’ and ‘Paladin of Souls’ by Lois McMaster Bujold. The books share a world, but they are pretty much stand-alone, so you won’t have to commit to reading a series. The world-building is superb — very organic and subtle, with an original take on religion — but where Bujold really shines is characterization. Her characters are fully fleshed out and she excels at creating unusual heroes and heroines. I have very few auto-buys and Bujold is one of them, along with Terry Pratchett.
I could recommend just about anything by her, but the Chalion books are the ones that resonated the most with me, ‘Paladin of Souls’ in particular.
Well when I am not reading YOUR books ..ha ha ha .. I am reading Lilith Saintcrow ..Dante Valentine series. The Allie Beckstrom series by Devon Monk is awesome too. Happy reading = )
When is the Kate 5 book going to be released?
I’ve read a few good books lately. Julie James is amazing, and I just finished her latest. My favorite book this year so far is Bleeding Violet. That is one crazy-amazing book. It’s so interesting and different, I have a hard time recommending it. Good writing with words falling off the page and melting on my tongue would be Shadowed Summer (though the end let me down just a bit).
Those are just a few since you have a bunch of other recs. ^^
Ilona, welcome to the world of Farscape! Once it has you, it will never let you go. It is, indeed, amazing.
So, to change things up, I can recommend you a Russian language fantasy author that is pretty fantastic, her name is Olga Gromyko. As you are fluent in Russian you will be able to read her books; if you’re in a mood for something funny, try her Witch trilogy. Her writing is truly fantastic. If you want a short sample of what her writing is like, check out О бедном Кощее замолвите слово, it’s a shorter story. You can purchase her books here:
http://lib.aldebaran.ru/author/gromyko_olga/
and here is her website:
http://volha.ru/book/book.html#book10
Try a couple of the short stories on her site. In addition to writing humorous fantasy, she writes some serious pieces and poetry.
I go back to Lois McMaster Bujold’s 4 book series, The Sharing knife, in between my favorite author’s new releases. I don’t care how many times I’ve read the books they never get old. Patricia Brigg’s books as well, especially Hobb’s Bargain. Ann McCaffrey’s original Dragon Riders trilogy is wonderful. Lastly, Katherine Woodiwiss for some good ‘ole fashioned historical romance on occasion. In particular, Wolf and the Dove, Shanna, and Ashes in the Wind.
Well, there are already tons of recs, but I will through some more out there.
Patricia Briggs- yeah, I see others have mentioned her fabulousness. I actually started reading the Kate books after finishing the Mercy Thompson series and amazon did one of those “if you liked this, try this!” things
Jeaniene Frost- which of course you have read, I found her from reading your blog!
P.C. Cast- if I am looking for a good mix of romance with some fantastical elements. Not her YA series as much, but I loved her Goddess Summoning books and the Divine books (especially the first one). Goddess of Spring and Warrior Rising, as well as Divine by Mistake, are some of my favorites. I love the mixture of ancient mythology with a modern heroine.
Jane Lindskold- I started reading her Firekeeper Saga years ago, and still love them dearly. They are much more fantasy. Also, Brother to Dragons, Companion to Owls was very interesting.
Jean Auel- read her Earth’s Children series when I was like 13 and have always loved them
Mercedes Lackey- loved most of the Valdemar books, like getting lost in another world
Some YA that I still find enjoyable or has claimed my heart since I was young:
Suzanne Collins- The Hunger Games are absolutely amazing, read each one in a day, cannot wait for the third. Love love love.
Tamora Pierce- loved the Tortall books when I was younger and can still reread for fun
Artemis Fowl- loved the series since about 5th grade, can’t stop now
Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
Incarceron
Jellicoe Road
And of course, cannot leave off the incredible Harry Potter series I grew up with (pretty much made me the complete bookworm I am) and the Twilight Saga (yes I can hear the groans, some crazy fangirls can be a bit much. But I fell in love with the characters before it even became that well known, and I am standing by them!)
Oh, and The Host by Stephenie Meyer is one of my absolute favorites. I completely fell in love with it, and like she says, it is more Sci Fi for people who don’t like Sci Fi
There are many more, but I will wrap it up now!
haha, just looked at what I posted and realized I apparently cannot spell when trying to type quickly, and I through some recs instead of ‘throwing’ them, lol
also, forgot to add Dean Koontz, I loved his Odd Thomas books especially
and for YA, the Kristin Cashore books Graceling and Fire were pretty good, as well as the Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld.
Well…the Briggs Mercy Thompson series and the Andrews Kate series are the only two series I purchase anymore. The rest are too iffy to spend the money on these days. Mostly I’ll stop at the Wally World bookshelves, read the last few pages of a the old series I used to enjoy, catch up on who’s alive, who’s dead, and who’s still in love with who, and call it a day. There is one series that I have enjoyed, though, and that I didn’t see listed above…Jennifer Rardin’s Jaz Parks series. I’ll definitely get it from the library when the next one is published.
The last good book I read was Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl. Also Terrier (Audiobook) and Dragon Bones/Dragon Blood and the Mercy Thompson Series by Patricia Briggs; the Night Angel Triology by Brent Weeks.
I read the Black Jewels Trilogy a few years ago very often.
Last but not least: The Lord of the Rings by John Ronald Reuel Tolkien.