Lots of Time to Read

Being ill and impending surgery looming, I find I have time to read.  In fact, read the other two Andrew Mayne books - 'Public Enemy Zero' and 'The Grendel's Shadow'.  Both were really good and was hoping he would write more.  Well, he just came out with 'The Chronological Man - The Martian Emperor'.  am into it but have not held my breath yet.  I guess if I am going to be incapacitated, I might as well take advantage of it.  

All for Kids?

Lately it seems the books that sound good to me turn out to be clones of "Twilight" and aimed at early teens.  I finally broke that jinx when I got "The Chronological Man - The Monster in the Mist" by Andrew Mayne.  Good steampunk, good mystery, and the price was right-zero.  I caught myself holding my breath.  Yep-I really liked the book.  I have just down-loaded two others by him.  I actually had to pay .99 for them.  Hope they are as good.  My Kindle has really spoiled me.  It is way too easy to download a book and have it right away.  Was really disheartened when I got a Kindle Fire and it caused migraines.  When I did some researching on the net, I found out I was not the only one.  I am returning mine since it is less than a month-actually only a week.  The person at Amazon said she had never heard of it causing migraines.  Hmmmmm.

Blood and Guts

A young woman at Ellsworth AFB recommended "The Dragon Delasangre" by Alan Troop. With dragons in it, I had to get it.  It started out interesting, but soon evolved into step-by-step details of gory activities.  I never finished it.  Maybe it was too realistic for me?  Anyway, I now know my threshold for gory details.

Pleasant Surprise

As I sell at military exchanges, I meet self-published authors that sell their books there.  Recently I purchased one by J. Daniel Stanfield called "Tales of the Faerevold Nil's Passage".  He categorized it as fantasy.  I was very pleasantly surprised when I started reading it.  It was well-written and really kept my interest.  I would call it sci-fi/fantasy as it seemed to have elements of both.  Nils goes into a parallel universe.  All I can say is if you like a good adventure, this is one.  He does slip a moral or two in there, but universal truths never hurt.

Old Friend or Boring

I can read some authors' books and feel like it is going back to an old friend while others I get tired of and it just seems like the same old thing.  Wonder what makes the difference.  Andre Norton's books are in the friend category.  I know I have read over a hundred of her books and will even re-read some, which I almost never do.  Where as Sue Grafton's alphabet novels were enjoyable at first but eventually I felt like they were the same old thing and quit reading the last one about half way through.  I just finished one of the Dragon Lance Chronicles Vol 3 Dragons of Spring Dawning.  It was enjoyable and had new adventures even though it was populated with characters I knew.  What is the difference?  Is it me or the authors?

Steampunk

Wow!  I have been on an orgy of reading steampunk books.  I am enthralled by the idea of steampunk and just love the imagination in most of that genera's books.  Started with "The Strange Case of Finley Jayne" by Kady Cross.  It was a free book on Amazon.  Then Daughter recommended "The Girl in theSteel Corset" by Kady Cross.  It was the next in the series and loved the book.  Then I read "Lady of Devices" by Shelley Adina.  Loved that book also.  Now, these are labeled Young Adult and I would agree but think all ages would enjoy them, but probably more so girls.  Then I read "Steam and Sorcery" by Cindy Pape.  Really some great steampunk and sci-fi in it, but definitely not for young adults.  There was more steam than just the machines.  I also loved the different take on Vampires and Werewolves.  Now last, and least, was "Scourge"  by David Burton.  I think this was aimed at younger than young adult and was just too simplistic.  I did not finish this book.  Okay,I am off to read the next steampunk I have been tempted by....

When to Quit a Book

Began reading a book called "Centaurs  (Parallel Worlds)".  The dialog was so stiff and preachy.  I stopped reading it before my usual stop of 1/4 of the book or 50 pages.  At that point, if I don't care how the book ends, it is not worth my time.  What other criteria have you used?  Well, I must confess, if I have paid for a book, I feel compelled to get my money's worth and read all of it.  Used to think if an author went to the trouble of writing the book, I should finish it. Too many good ones out there I want to read.

Start of Sci-Fi Reading

Was thinking about the books that hooked me on Sci-Fi.  Zenna Henderson's books on The People.  They are low key but had aliens in them.  She was the only Sci-Fi writer  'way back then'  that didn't use a male name.  Do you remember what author or book started you on the path to your favorite genre?

Ellsworth AFB Library

For anyone at Ellsworth AFB who wants free books, the library has a free book section that you can use.  These are the books I just donated:

The Dead House by Linda Fairstein
R is for Richochet by Sue Grafton
Dangerous Games by Lora Leigh
Initiation by Elizabeth JenkinsJohn Les
Brain Longevity by Dharma Khellsy, MD
Mrs Pollifax and the Secod Theif by Dorothy Gilman
Witch World by Andre Norton
Between Planets by Robert Heinlein
Riding the Rap by Elmore Leonard
Treasure Hunt by John Lescroart
The Phoenix Unchained by Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory

If this lists some books that it seems I may not read, that is correct.  These include the books that my husband has read.  That is not including all the Kindle books that we both read. 

Vampires

For some reason I seem to have been reading vampire books lately.  The two I enjoyed and finished are Moon Dance-Vampire for Hire #1 and Hard Spell-an Occult Crimes Unit Investigation.  Moon Dance is about a woman detective that was attacked and became a vampire.  Interesting view of what you would do if you became one.  The author thought of a lot of details that I had not considered.  One thing is that she must do her detective work at night.  It is a passably good mystery.  The second is written from a male policeman's perspective in a parallel contemporary world where 'Supes' Supernaturals are accepted by the population and there is a seperate police division to handle their crimes.  The mystery kept my interest and I liked the ending.  May have to get more books by these authors.

Price Limit

Several months-okay, maybe a year or so-ago Daughter told me "The Help" was a really good book.  I was too tight-wad to spring for the cost.  Now they have made a movie of it-aaaargh!  I know I cringe at paying more than a few dollars for a fiction book.  However, non-fiction books that I plan on keeping even though I have limited space, I will pay up to $35.00.  Why I came up with that limit I do not know.  Of course, trading books for free or second hand books for very little is one of my preferences.  Unless I count the free books I get on my Kindle.  Do you have limits?

Omniverous Reading

We all have our favorite genera that we read-mine being sci-fi and fantasy.  However, there are so many other types of books that I like-mysteries, positive attitude, new age, herbs, frugality, craft...  Are we all like that?  Is it the book-a-holic tendency to read whatever we can get our hands on-even if it is a cereal box?  That may be a cliche but there are grounds for thinking there may be a reason for it.

The Phoenix Unchained

To the brilliant young man at Malmstrom AFB who gave me this book-Thanks.  I really enjoyed it.  I have read other books by Mercedes Lackey. This one, however, is with James Mallory.  I was hooked when I saw the woman centaur on the cover.  Now if I could just read as fast and remember everything like the previous owner.

The Blue Sword

At Minot AFB a lovely young woman suggested "The Blue Sword" by Robin McKinley.  I loved it.  You do not realize at first that it is fantasy-or at least, I didn't.  I loved that the author added dimensions and careful hints to build to the final events and explanations.  Not just another coming of age novel.  The author is on my list of authors to watch for.

Beginnings

I love reading, especially dragon books and I love selling dragons.  As a full-time rv'er and a part-time vendor at military bases, I meet wonderful people who suggest books to me.  I rarely get the opportunity to tell them how much I enjoyed those books or find out if they liked the books I mentioned.  This is my way of connecting with new friends and my family all over the country.  For the two weeks I work out of 6, my postings will probably be non-existent, but that does not mean you can't leave comments for me.  Now-on to happy reading!