Joy to the world
Some of the books I've read in the last year that have made me happy:
1610: A SUNDIAL IN A GRAVE, by Mary Gentle. Alternative historical fiction. Sexy, magnificently characterized, the best swordfight scenes in the business. Ought to appeal to people who liked SWORDSPOINT, but I think it's even better. I learned from this book how much I suck -- er, besides that, I took joy in learning that someone shares some of my squids -- er, I mean, someone is writing stuff that is similar enough to some of mine, despite being much better, that it gives me hope that mine will find an audience as well.
FIRETHORN, by Sarah Micklem. A first novel, secondworld fantasy. Traditional fantasy, but with a nice, engaging, 'small story' voice that is a nice contrast to the superepics that are more common. Anytime someone publishes a good first novel, I think, 'That could be me next time! Yay!' Might appeal to Bradley fans, but maybe to Martin readers as well.
THE ROPE EATER, by Ben Jones. Historical fiction about Arctic exploration. Creepy, dark, and a great unreliable narrator -- I can never read too many of them because I'm trying to learn to write them. Smart historical fiction! yay! Owen Parry is another author to look at for a well-done unreliable narrator.
BRIGHT STARRY BANNER, by Alden Carter. The best new Civil War novel I read this year. Well-researched, exciting, inventive. Most similar to UNTO THIS HOUR, but a little more twisted (yes, apparently that's possible). I love to see good Civil War novels get published, and not just because I'm trying to sell one just now.
TALES OF PAIN AND WONDER, by Caitlin Kiernan. Oh, can she write. She has a capacity for language use that sends chills down my spine, and it shows to its best advantage in short stories (although I liked LOW RED MOON and THRESHOLD a lot too). This is a collection of short stories, and if you like to read good short fiction, this is where it's at.
The existence of these works in my world makes me happy.
1610: A SUNDIAL IN A GRAVE, by Mary Gentle. Alternative historical fiction. Sexy, magnificently characterized, the best swordfight scenes in the business. Ought to appeal to people who liked SWORDSPOINT, but I think it's even better. I learned from this book how much I suck -- er, besides that, I took joy in learning that someone shares some of my squids -- er, I mean, someone is writing stuff that is similar enough to some of mine, despite being much better, that it gives me hope that mine will find an audience as well.
FIRETHORN, by Sarah Micklem. A first novel, secondworld fantasy. Traditional fantasy, but with a nice, engaging, 'small story' voice that is a nice contrast to the superepics that are more common. Anytime someone publishes a good first novel, I think, 'That could be me next time! Yay!' Might appeal to Bradley fans, but maybe to Martin readers as well.
THE ROPE EATER, by Ben Jones. Historical fiction about Arctic exploration. Creepy, dark, and a great unreliable narrator -- I can never read too many of them because I'm trying to learn to write them. Smart historical fiction! yay! Owen Parry is another author to look at for a well-done unreliable narrator.
BRIGHT STARRY BANNER, by Alden Carter. The best new Civil War novel I read this year. Well-researched, exciting, inventive. Most similar to UNTO THIS HOUR, but a little more twisted (yes, apparently that's possible). I love to see good Civil War novels get published, and not just because I'm trying to sell one just now.
TALES OF PAIN AND WONDER, by Caitlin Kiernan. Oh, can she write. She has a capacity for language use that sends chills down my spine, and it shows to its best advantage in short stories (although I liked LOW RED MOON and THRESHOLD a lot too). This is a collection of short stories, and if you like to read good short fiction, this is where it's at.
The existence of these works in my world makes me happy.
posted by Kyri at 10:00 PM
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