So, the theme for this week is “whatcha readin’?”
Now, I know all my Novelty Girls have vastly different tastes in genres, and I wanted to take a moment to highlight that and say what we’ve all read in the last few months that we really liked. Hey, it might give you some good summer reading options.
Without further ado, here are a few of my recent faves:
Grimspace by Ann Aguirre
Dragging out my lurv of science fiction, here’s a little fun. I admit it, I totally picked this book up for it’s cover and was surprised to find it written in first person. You get more of that in fantasy and urban fantasy than science fiction, but I thought Aguirre really pulled it off. Definitely willing to read more of her work.
Darkling by Yasmine Galenorn
While this one is billed as paranormal romance, it’s really an urban fantasy. This one ties up the Sisters of the Moon trilogy (though I’ve heard Galenorn might be writing more). I liked this series, though I have to say my absolute favorite of the three was the second one–Changeling. Another book I picked up because the cover was pretty and liked the premise. The whole series had nice covers. Yeah, I’m a cover lover. I admit it. The pretty-shinies draw me in.
Best of Cover Wagon Women, edited by Kenneth L. Holmes & Michael L. Tate
Yeah, yeah…mock me if you must. I have a degree in history, so I like the occasional non-fiction (and I obviously did not pick this one for the cover). This one is diaries, letters, and journals of women who went across the plains. It has a real look at what women’s lives were like, so if you’re writing a western, it could be good research. Unlike the original 11 volume set, this one is condensed into one easy to read book. I liked it, so there!
And I have these in my To Be Read pile, but they have the most gorgeous covers evah, so I had to show them! I love Gena Showalter’s work, so I’m sure they’ll rock!
July 7th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
I’ve been reading Nalini’s books, started Ice this morning. Not sure what will come up next.
July 7th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
I’ve heard those are good, but haven’t picked them up yet. Let me know if it’s good!
July 7th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
I loved THE DARKEST KISS…The other two not as much. But Anya is my favorite heroine. I adored her.
I never know what I’ll read next–I have books in every room and it really depends on if I want dark and sexy or light and romantic. I also pepper in a lot of YA because I write YA, so duh. I just stared Meg Cabot’s THE MEDIATOR series for outside and am about to begin a Kresley Cole book on my ebookwise reader.
July 7th, 2008 at 1:09 pm
I love Gena longtime. And Nalini’s books are so good.
I have Galenorn’s books on my TBR Mountain, but the first was too close to stories I’m already writing and I didn’t want to confuse my own worldbuilding. (they’re very different in tone, though)
I’m looking forward to Friday’s post…I have a lot of new-to-me-authors I’ve picked up recently, and a lot of my old faves. Not to mention my rapidly growing auto-buy list…
July 7th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
Oh, I loved Grimspace and it’s not a sub-genre I read at all. I won that book in a contest, but I have to say I’m buying the next one.
July 7th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
I’m just finishing Island Of the Sequined Love Nun (Christopher Moore) and a friend handed me A Dirty Job (Christopher Moore) and The Thirteenth Tale (Diane Setterfield.)
July 7th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Actually, it was talking to you about your new books that inspired this theme, Dayna!
Okay, I’m TOTALLY cracking up at “Island Of the Sequined Love Nun” as a title. Priceless!
July 7th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
Thanks for the mention. Glad you liked it!
Melissa, the interesting thing about the Jax books… people who don’t read SF at all enjoy it, and one reader coined a term… she calls it “Futuristic Urban Fantasy”, which I think rocks. (And is quite applicable.)
July 7th, 2008 at 7:55 pm
I think Futuristic Urban Fantasy perfectly describes the genre and the FEEL of the book. Thanks for the great read, Ann!
July 8th, 2008 at 2:32 am
I loved Nalini’s books, Crys. I’m going to see if I can find her latest, Mine to Possess came out earlier this year. I was worried world building would be similar to others and it totally wasn’t. If you like paranormal at all, you’ll like these.
July 8th, 2008 at 2:34 am
Oh, forgot, I just started Dragon Heat by Allyson James. Not overwhelmed but willing to finish it. I understand the next in the series is better.
July 12th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
Oh goodness I know. I love “covers.” Again…I’m not a urban fantasy reader but Yasmine and Gena’s covers are awesome!!! You guys are really trying to turn me. I’m going to have to pick one up.