What I'm reading
I'm dealing with some major head congestion but I'm slowly putting various things in motion. A big part of that has been more writing, I finished my 
ineedmyfics in a fandom I've never written for and started a few more fics including at least one in another new fandom. Not new to me, but new to my writing.
What I finished
Beautiful Secret by Christina Lauren, which I enjoyed. I liked that the hero was the one who needed to be taught how to enjoy himself and the conflicts and issues made sense. My main issue was it felt like the heroine didn't have as strong an emotional journey, hers was more dealing with making something that had been a fantasy, a reality and what it meant. A good and sexy read with some wonderfully intimate and funny scenes, an author who's contemporaries I might read more of.
A Red-Rose Chain by Seanan McGuire, the newest October Daye book. This is one that feels like its setting the stage but at the same time opening up the world. As always I love these books and this is one I look forward to rereading because its more about seeing what's going on and working to fix it instead of solving something. It also feels like a book with Toby embracing her role in a way she hasn't before and its great to see and I love all the background it provided. Its left me with questions, ideas and a lot to chew on.
What I'm currently reading
No Dark Place by Joan Wolf, a medieval set book that I'm not sure how to categorize. At times, it reminds me of the Cadfael books in terms of the research and there is a mystery, but the author didn't learn from Peters the lesson of showing the world versus telling. I've been moving slowly through this book because too many things get spelled out, taking their armor off every time they enter, commenting on the armor and who's overlord. Once or twice would be fine for setting the scene but there's too much explaining and it gets in the way. The characters and story are intriguing, the main character is a young man trying to find out where he fits on the cusp of the war between Stephen and Matilda and everyone wants to use him. Instead he's trying to understand where he came from, find a way to be with the woman he loves and deal with migraines. At this point, I have about a hundred pages left in the book, but I don't know when I'll read them. There isn't a huge pull for me in this book and I wish there was. Good historical fiction makes me happy and this is almost really good.
The Cestus Deception by Steven Barnes, this is a Star Wars Clone Wars' novel and I'm liking it. The author has a good feel for the world and I can so far picture it all happening during the animated series which I loved. It also stars Obi-Wan and Kit Fisto, I love both of them and its wonderful to see more of how they work together.
Chrysalis: Maria Sibylla Merian and the Secrets of Metamorphosis by Kim Todd is a fascinating book about a woman scientist who lived in the late 1600s. The author does a great job of showing how she fit into the world of science and commerce in her time and the art is beautiful. Smithsonian magazine just had an her as there's another book about her coming out this year. On their site, they have digital images of her art which I know I've seen on cards.
Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy: Four Women Undercover in the Civil War by Karen Abbott, this book got a lot of praise when it came out and it really deserves it. The book is fast moving, alternating between the four women, and showing how at times their stories intersect. Its a reminder of how small the United States can be sometimes and how brave, determined and horrible people can be. I also find Civil War history fascinating and this book does a great job of looking at women and the different kinds of home fronts.
What I'm reading next
I'm hoping to be able to get a copy of Bone Gap by Laura Ruby from the library. I've heard amazing things about this book and have wanted to read it since I heard about it at ALA Midwinter back in January. Recently its actually on the shelf at the library so I want to snag it. I might also read Only a Promise, the newest Survivor's Club novel by Mary Balogh.
This entry is also posted at http://ceitfianna.dreamwidth.org/446676.html. Please comment wherever you'd like.
ineedmyfics in a fandom I've never written for and started a few more fics including at least one in another new fandom. Not new to me, but new to my writing.
What I finished
Beautiful Secret by Christina Lauren, which I enjoyed. I liked that the hero was the one who needed to be taught how to enjoy himself and the conflicts and issues made sense. My main issue was it felt like the heroine didn't have as strong an emotional journey, hers was more dealing with making something that had been a fantasy, a reality and what it meant. A good and sexy read with some wonderfully intimate and funny scenes, an author who's contemporaries I might read more of.
A Red-Rose Chain by Seanan McGuire, the newest October Daye book. This is one that feels like its setting the stage but at the same time opening up the world. As always I love these books and this is one I look forward to rereading because its more about seeing what's going on and working to fix it instead of solving something. It also feels like a book with Toby embracing her role in a way she hasn't before and its great to see and I love all the background it provided. Its left me with questions, ideas and a lot to chew on.
What I'm currently reading
No Dark Place by Joan Wolf, a medieval set book that I'm not sure how to categorize. At times, it reminds me of the Cadfael books in terms of the research and there is a mystery, but the author didn't learn from Peters the lesson of showing the world versus telling. I've been moving slowly through this book because too many things get spelled out, taking their armor off every time they enter, commenting on the armor and who's overlord. Once or twice would be fine for setting the scene but there's too much explaining and it gets in the way. The characters and story are intriguing, the main character is a young man trying to find out where he fits on the cusp of the war between Stephen and Matilda and everyone wants to use him. Instead he's trying to understand where he came from, find a way to be with the woman he loves and deal with migraines. At this point, I have about a hundred pages left in the book, but I don't know when I'll read them. There isn't a huge pull for me in this book and I wish there was. Good historical fiction makes me happy and this is almost really good.
The Cestus Deception by Steven Barnes, this is a Star Wars Clone Wars' novel and I'm liking it. The author has a good feel for the world and I can so far picture it all happening during the animated series which I loved. It also stars Obi-Wan and Kit Fisto, I love both of them and its wonderful to see more of how they work together.
Chrysalis: Maria Sibylla Merian and the Secrets of Metamorphosis by Kim Todd is a fascinating book about a woman scientist who lived in the late 1600s. The author does a great job of showing how she fit into the world of science and commerce in her time and the art is beautiful. Smithsonian magazine just had an her as there's another book about her coming out this year. On their site, they have digital images of her art which I know I've seen on cards.
Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy: Four Women Undercover in the Civil War by Karen Abbott, this book got a lot of praise when it came out and it really deserves it. The book is fast moving, alternating between the four women, and showing how at times their stories intersect. Its a reminder of how small the United States can be sometimes and how brave, determined and horrible people can be. I also find Civil War history fascinating and this book does a great job of looking at women and the different kinds of home fronts.
What I'm reading next
I'm hoping to be able to get a copy of Bone Gap by Laura Ruby from the library. I've heard amazing things about this book and have wanted to read it since I heard about it at ALA Midwinter back in January. Recently its actually on the shelf at the library so I want to snag it. I might also read Only a Promise, the newest Survivor's Club novel by Mary Balogh.
This entry is also posted at http://ceitfianna.dreamwidth.org/446676.html. Please comment wherever you'd like.