September Monthly Book List
I've been doing a fair amount of reading this month.
September:
Beast Master's Ark by Andre Norton and Lynn McConchie
Science Fiction
This one really should have been on last months list as I finished it on Aug. 31st but I'd already posted the list by that time. It's a good story and a good introduction to the series.
Beast Master by Andre Norton
Science Fiction
The first book in the
Beast Master series, it came out in 1959 and is still a great read. On the other hand, the cover has no relationship to the book, showing a man fighting a gigantic neon green T-Rex.
Lord of Thunder by Andre Norton
Science Fiction
The sequel to
Beast Master. It's an interesting story which sets the
Beast Master books in the same world as the Free Trader and other books. There's one issue with creating a massive universe from these references though. In
Plague Ship, it's clear that people were still able to live on Terra in some areas. In the
Beast Master books, Terra is said to be completely uninhabitable. Also interesting in this book is the presence of advertising. There are two stiff, glossy pages advertising cigarettes and drinks inserted into the book.
On Basilisk Station by David Weber
Science Fiction
This is the first book in the
Honor Harrington series, and they're all good reads. Both sides of the conflict are equally well set up and characterized. Sometimes I think Weber goes into the political situations in a bit too much detail, but the books do make sense. Admittedly, reading off of the CD that came with
War of Honor means that I tend to skim more than read in some parts though, but I still count this.
Archform: Beauty by L.E. Modessit
Science Fiction
Another great science fiction novel. I'm really not sure how to describe this one. Perhaps 'character driven'? It follows five different characters through a crime/mystery and connects them all together. Modessit's books make you think about issues, and this one looks at art and advertising.
The Honor of the Queen by David Weber
Science Fiction
The second of the
Honor Harrington books, this sets up many of the situations within the series as it introduces the Graysons. On the other hand, were it not listed as the second, I would have expected at least one book between
On Basilisk Station and this one as there seems to have been a lot that happened offstage before this one started.
The Short Victorious War by David Weber
Science Fiction
The third in the series, the story continues and the situations heat up.
The Lady by Anne McCaffrey
Fiction
This is a wonderful story of family set in Ireland of the 1970's. In some ways this goes with McCaffrey's other non-sf works and could be seen as a romance, but too much of the book is seen from the girl's eyes. When I bought the book, I was attracted to it because of the horse element of the story, as I hadn't read anything by Anne McCaffrey other than her science fiction (the Pern books and her other series').
Field of Dishonor by David Weber
Science Fiction
It should be clear by now that I'm running through the series. I admit to skimming parts, which is easier to do with the books on the computer, and I don't always want to read the Havenite government perspectives. However, that is more of an issue for the other books. This one runs more to Honor's personal life and problems, bringing back issues from the previous books.
Flag in Exile by David Weber
Science Fiction
The war with Haven is heating up. This book begins mere months after the end of Field of Dishonor.
The Octagonal Raven by L. E. Modesitt
Science Fiction
As with
Archform: Beauty, this book looks at freedom, advertising and the media. However, where the other book is through the perspective of five characters, this one is from just the one perspective but it's an interesting mix of past and present for the first half and the present and the character's notes as well as 'journal articles' for the second.
Honor Among Enemies by David Weber
Science Fiction
Back in Manticoran uniform, and the story continues.
Crusade by David Weber and Steve White
Science Fiction
I'm not sure of the other books in the series, aside from the sequels
The Shiva Option and
Insurrection. I'm inclined to think there is a book that comes before this one as well. I don't generally like political scenes in novels, but this book has two of the best that I've read, with Anderson's speeches.
The Adept by Katherine Kurtz and Deborah Turner Harris
Fantasy
This book is obviously the beginning of the series, as the storyline doesn't wrap up at all by the end. One of my favourite series, which I hope will be continued beyond the five books it currently has.
The Adept: Lodge of the Lynx by Katherine Kurts and Deborah Turner Harris
Fantasy
The sequel to
The Adept. This book winds up nearly all the plot elements left hanging in the first book.
September:
Beast Master's Ark by Andre Norton and Lynn McConchie
Science Fiction
This one really should have been on last months list as I finished it on Aug. 31st but I'd already posted the list by that time. It's a good story and a good introduction to the series.
Beast Master by Andre Norton
Science Fiction
The first book in the
Beast Master series, it came out in 1959 and is still a great read. On the other hand, the cover has no relationship to the book, showing a man fighting a gigantic neon green T-Rex.
Lord of Thunder by Andre Norton
Science Fiction
The sequel to
Beast Master. It's an interesting story which sets the
Beast Master books in the same world as the Free Trader and other books. There's one issue with creating a massive universe from these references though. In
Plague Ship, it's clear that people were still able to live on Terra in some areas. In the
Beast Master books, Terra is said to be completely uninhabitable. Also interesting in this book is the presence of advertising. There are two stiff, glossy pages advertising cigarettes and drinks inserted into the book.
On Basilisk Station by David Weber
Science Fiction
This is the first book in the
Honor Harrington series, and they're all good reads. Both sides of the conflict are equally well set up and characterized. Sometimes I think Weber goes into the political situations in a bit too much detail, but the books do make sense. Admittedly, reading off of the CD that came with
War of Honor means that I tend to skim more than read in some parts though, but I still count this.
Archform: Beauty by L.E. Modessit
Science Fiction
Another great science fiction novel. I'm really not sure how to describe this one. Perhaps 'character driven'? It follows five different characters through a crime/mystery and connects them all together. Modessit's books make you think about issues, and this one looks at art and advertising.
The Honor of the Queen by David Weber
Science Fiction
The second of the
Honor Harrington books, this sets up many of the situations within the series as it introduces the Graysons. On the other hand, were it not listed as the second, I would have expected at least one book between
On Basilisk Station and this one as there seems to have been a lot that happened offstage before this one started.
The Short Victorious War by David Weber
Science Fiction
The third in the series, the story continues and the situations heat up.
The Lady by Anne McCaffrey
Fiction
This is a wonderful story of family set in Ireland of the 1970's. In some ways this goes with McCaffrey's other non-sf works and could be seen as a romance, but too much of the book is seen from the girl's eyes. When I bought the book, I was attracted to it because of the horse element of the story, as I hadn't read anything by Anne McCaffrey other than her science fiction (the Pern books and her other series').
Field of Dishonor by David Weber
Science Fiction
It should be clear by now that I'm running through the series. I admit to skimming parts, which is easier to do with the books on the computer, and I don't always want to read the Havenite government perspectives. However, that is more of an issue for the other books. This one runs more to Honor's personal life and problems, bringing back issues from the previous books.
Flag in Exile by David Weber
Science Fiction
The war with Haven is heating up. This book begins mere months after the end of Field of Dishonor.
The Octagonal Raven by L. E. Modesitt
Science Fiction
As with
Archform: Beauty, this book looks at freedom, advertising and the media. However, where the other book is through the perspective of five characters, this one is from just the one perspective but it's an interesting mix of past and present for the first half and the present and the character's notes as well as 'journal articles' for the second.
Honor Among Enemies by David Weber
Science Fiction
Back in Manticoran uniform, and the story continues.
Crusade by David Weber and Steve White
Science Fiction
I'm not sure of the other books in the series, aside from the sequels
The Shiva Option and
Insurrection. I'm inclined to think there is a book that comes before this one as well. I don't generally like political scenes in novels, but this book has two of the best that I've read, with Anderson's speeches.
The Adept by Katherine Kurtz and Deborah Turner Harris
Fantasy
This book is obviously the beginning of the series, as the storyline doesn't wrap up at all by the end. One of my favourite series, which I hope will be continued beyond the five books it currently has.
The Adept: Lodge of the Lynx by Katherine Kurts and Deborah Turner Harris
Fantasy
The sequel to
The Adept. This book winds up nearly all the plot elements left hanging in the first book.