Book suggestions and Energy Fair

[rensong]

Becca did this, so now I am. Anyone want to suggest books or series to read this summer? I'm a huge fan of sci fi/fantasy types, though I won't pass up a good mystery. Not so much when it comes to romances, so those would be something to avoid unless there is more plot then "Oh, pretty girl. I must have her!" followed by 300 pages of attempting

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[icepixie]

Returning the favor. ;)

I think you'd like Sarah Zettel's Isavalta series (first one is A Sorcerer's Treason). There is a romance in it, but it's more than balanced by the fantasy. I was intrigued because she uses Russian folklore as the basis of her world's magic, which is relatively unusual, and one of her characters hails from our world--Wisconsin, actually--circa 1854, before she gets caught up in the fantasy world.

I also like David Drake's Lt. Leary series (With the Lightnings is the first one). It's reminiscent of Hornblower and Patrick O'Brien's Aubrey/Maturin books, only, y'know, in space. And with a girl and a guy instead of two guys. It's published by Baen, and is typical of their military sci-fi, but along with ships and guns, there's also also an asexual librarian named Adele (she's the girl of the pairing). She has a tightly-controlled sociopathic servant, which makes for interesting times.

If you haven't read it yet, pick up Susanna Clarke's Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell. Wizards in England during the Napoleonic Wars. It's narrated by an academic, and has footnotes and tangents and other amusing bits of fake-academia. Clarke created a fascinating world in this one.

[rensong]

All of those sound like good reads, the first one especially (though I admit, the Wisconsin thing might make me a bit biased. I love my state, even if the rest of the world thinks we're morons who have suffered brain damage due to extreme cold. And that we talk like idiots, ala Fargo. And for the record, I have only ever met one person who sounds like that, and I've lived here all my life).

Thanks!