Though I'm not reading much generally at the moment, I do like cyberpunk (have you tried Richard Morgan and Jeff Noon?), and the richness and wonderfulness of China Mieville (particularly Perdido Street Station and The Scar). There was also a duo of books, "Ilium" and "Olympos" by Dan Simmons, which blew me away for the richness of the story and characterisation.
For shorts, I pick up the occasional anthology, like the "Year's Best..."
While I love fantasy, I find less and les that is actually worth wasting my eyesight on. *sigh* Recommendations?
Yep, Morgan's great, which is why I included him in the cyberpunk category even though he's a bit newer. I really thought Altered Carbon was excellent.
I haven't read Noon - what's he like?
Mieville is really good too. Hard to place. That contemporary category I made acts as a great catch-all. (laughs)
Thanks for the tip - I need to look for more ways to read short stories than just waiting for a fave author to put out a collection.
For fantasy, almost everything disappoints me anymore (including, overall, HP). The only thing I can really recommend is George R. R. Martin's Song of Fire and Ice series. This ain't for kiddies, but if you like Morgan, then I doubt that you'll be put off because it's a little dark and violent. There's also a series by someone else that's about dragons in Napoleon's time that people say is good, but I haven't read it.
*headdesk* That's what comes of reading fast with hordes of children shouting at me.... Inattention to detail!
I've only read one Jeff Noon - "Pollen" - it was odd and compelling. All about people turing into plants, as far as I remember. I keep meaning to read more.
I love GRRM - waiting anxiously for the next.
Oh - do you know Tad Williams? He wrote a trilogy of four books (family joke), "Otherland" which brilliantly blends sci-fi and fantasy. I've just seen from Amazon that he's got something new out. *happy dancing*
Great that you're already reading Fire and Ice! I've given up until it's done because I'm going to go back to the beginning and read straight through. I won't be able to keep it all straight any other way, it's so complex.
I have the first 2 Otherlands, and I really liked them (and much more than his straight fantasy). I need to try to pick up those last 2 - thanks for reminding me.
Have you ever read Ian McDonald? I usually find his stuff brill, and he's still putting things out.
Yes - I made up that New Space Opera category just for him and Iain M. Banks, who I also really recommend. Have you read his Culture books?
For Hamilton, his New Dawn series was amazing, but I haven't cared for anything else as much since. I just read 'Pandora's Star' and 'Judas Unchained' - they were good, but they could have been a lot tighter and punchier.
For shorts, I pick up the occasional anthology, like the "Year's Best..."
While I love fantasy, I find less and les that is actually worth wasting my eyesight on. *sigh* Recommendations?
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I haven't read Noon - what's he like?
Mieville is really good too. Hard to place. That contemporary category I made acts as a great catch-all. (laughs)
Thanks for the tip - I need to look for more ways to read short stories than just waiting for a fave author to put out a collection.
For fantasy, almost everything disappoints me anymore (including, overall, HP). The only thing I can really recommend is George R. R. Martin's Song of Fire and Ice series. This ain't for kiddies, but if you like Morgan, then I doubt that you'll be put off because it's a little dark and violent. There's also a series by someone else that's about dragons in Napoleon's time that people say is good, but I haven't read it.
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I've only read one Jeff Noon - "Pollen" - it was odd and compelling. All about people turing into plants, as far as I remember. I keep meaning to read more.
I love GRRM - waiting anxiously for the next.
Oh - do you know Tad Williams? He wrote a trilogy of four books (family joke), "Otherland" which brilliantly blends sci-fi and fantasy. I've just seen from Amazon that he's got something new out. *happy dancing*
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I'll look for the Noon book.
Great that you're already reading Fire and Ice! I've given up until it's done because I'm going to go back to the beginning and read straight through. I won't be able to keep it all straight any other way, it's so complex.
I have the first 2 Otherlands, and I really liked them (and much more than his straight fantasy). I need to try to pick up those last 2 - thanks for reminding me.
Have you ever read Ian McDonald? I usually find his stuff brill, and he's still putting things out.
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BTW, did you mention Peter F HAmilton? I got put off by his comma splicing, but I think I may try again. I like the occasional huge space opera.
Yes, GRRM needs re-reading. But I don't mind doing that - he's worth it.
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For Hamilton, his New Dawn series was amazing, but I haven't cared for anything else as much since. I just read 'Pandora's Star' and 'Judas Unchained' - they were good, but they could have been a lot tighter and punchier.
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