Rambling thoughts on writers
Well, today I was better able to at least hold a book. So I'm feeling a little better, less bitter. I am halfway through Magic in the Blood. I loaned my first Devon Monk book out to someone who lives out of town, and now I wish I had just kept it. (selfish, who me?) When I finished reading Magic to the Bone, I almost started reading it again. Ever feel like that? You enjoy reading a book so much, you really don't want to stop, even though you read the whole thing? Devon Monk's books make me feel like that. The problem is that once you finish reading a book that you enjoy so much like that, it's hard to find another book to measure up. There are a few authors that I know are going to give me an excellant read.
Those are just the writers that I've been reading for awhile (except for Devon Monk). There are some newer writers that I've enjoyed lately, like M.L.N.Hanover (Unclean Spirits), but I can't remember their names just now. Anytime I pick up a book by the above writers, I know I am in for a quality read. There is one debut author (in England) that has recently released a book called The Sweet Scent of Blood. I haven't read this book yet, it's not available in the United States yet, but her website spellcrackers.com/books.html (Suzanne McLeod) has an excerpt up of her first novel. I read the first chapter and I think this is going to be one of those really enjoyable books. She has her second novel (The Cold Kiss of Death) coming out soon also.
I used to feel like that about a certain other author, but not so much now. Now I just wait for her paperbacks to come out, and I'm not sure I will even buy them. I remember being so antsy to read her next book that I bought the hardback. I read it and then went huh? The first hardback that I bought of this particular author was a complete turnaround from the rest of her series. Then I bought the next book thinking, oh well, she'll get back on track...but it was even more ....confusing? vague? written by a totally different author?....who knows for sure...no one. Then I was foolish enough to buy one last hardback by her (yes...foolish)...but no more! She writes two series, and I am not buying another hardback by her. No-sir-ree! Might not even buy any of her books anymore. And she used to be a compelling read. She was never the greatest author, her first character was a little preachy and pompous, but her book-world was really interesting. Then she hit her second puberty, her two series seem to be blending together....ahhh, forget about it!
There are other authors that I enjoy enough to continue buying their hardbacks - cause I don't want to wait for the paperbacks. When I had a little more money, that was okay...but times are changing. I actually hate when publishers "reward" an authors loyal fans by switching from paperbacks to hardbacks. One author (and her publisher) now inserts short stories in the paperbacks that can only be read there, AFTER you have spent money buying her hardback! Which seems a hellofa way to reward a fan for buying the hardback. "Thanks for spending your cash on my hardback. Now if you want to read this short story, you'll have to buy the paperback version...of the book you in already have hardback!". Without buying the paperback, I'll never get the chance to read these short stories; unless I read them standing in the aisle in the bookstore - and I wouldn't want to buy a book that someone else has already handled long enough to read an entire short story. Doesn't seem entirely ethical to me. (mini-rant here) I've decided to go back to waiting for her paperbacks also. But the other authors, like Patricia Briggs, Charlaine Harris, Terry Pratchett, and Kelley Armstrong...as long as I can come up with the money, I'll invest in the hardbacks. Although it might be a moot point. Probably all I can afford soon will be used paperbacks....and there's nothing better than the smell of a new book. (is that weird?)
Oh well, I have to remember that I have my health, (sort of - okay, I'm alive!), a loving family, cute grandchildren and a cute little hell-puppy, the 8 pound terror...SkippyJon Jones!
- Devon Monk,
- Lilith Saintcrow,
- Terry Pratchett,
- Kim Harrison
- Patricia Briggs
- Ann Aguirre
- Vicki Pettersson
- Jackie Kessler
- Carrie Vaughn
- Christopher Moore
Those are just the writers that I've been reading for awhile (except for Devon Monk). There are some newer writers that I've enjoyed lately, like M.L.N.Hanover (Unclean Spirits), but I can't remember their names just now. Anytime I pick up a book by the above writers, I know I am in for a quality read. There is one debut author (in England) that has recently released a book called The Sweet Scent of Blood. I haven't read this book yet, it's not available in the United States yet, but her website spellcrackers.com/books.html (Suzanne McLeod) has an excerpt up of her first novel. I read the first chapter and I think this is going to be one of those really enjoyable books. She has her second novel (The Cold Kiss of Death) coming out soon also.
I used to feel like that about a certain other author, but not so much now. Now I just wait for her paperbacks to come out, and I'm not sure I will even buy them. I remember being so antsy to read her next book that I bought the hardback. I read it and then went huh? The first hardback that I bought of this particular author was a complete turnaround from the rest of her series. Then I bought the next book thinking, oh well, she'll get back on track...but it was even more ....confusing? vague? written by a totally different author?....who knows for sure...no one. Then I was foolish enough to buy one last hardback by her (yes...foolish)...but no more! She writes two series, and I am not buying another hardback by her. No-sir-ree! Might not even buy any of her books anymore. And she used to be a compelling read. She was never the greatest author, her first character was a little preachy and pompous, but her book-world was really interesting. Then she hit her second puberty, her two series seem to be blending together....ahhh, forget about it!
There are other authors that I enjoy enough to continue buying their hardbacks - cause I don't want to wait for the paperbacks. When I had a little more money, that was okay...but times are changing. I actually hate when publishers "reward" an authors loyal fans by switching from paperbacks to hardbacks. One author (and her publisher) now inserts short stories in the paperbacks that can only be read there, AFTER you have spent money buying her hardback! Which seems a hellofa way to reward a fan for buying the hardback. "Thanks for spending your cash on my hardback. Now if you want to read this short story, you'll have to buy the paperback version...of the book you in already have hardback!". Without buying the paperback, I'll never get the chance to read these short stories; unless I read them standing in the aisle in the bookstore - and I wouldn't want to buy a book that someone else has already handled long enough to read an entire short story. Doesn't seem entirely ethical to me. (mini-rant here) I've decided to go back to waiting for her paperbacks also. But the other authors, like Patricia Briggs, Charlaine Harris, Terry Pratchett, and Kelley Armstrong...as long as I can come up with the money, I'll invest in the hardbacks. Although it might be a moot point. Probably all I can afford soon will be used paperbacks....and there's nothing better than the smell of a new book. (is that weird?)
Oh well, I have to remember that I have my health, (sort of - okay, I'm alive!), a loving family, cute grandchildren and a cute little hell-puppy, the 8 pound terror...SkippyJon Jones!