What do I want to read?

[curtana]

Dear lovely readers: recommend some books to me, as my birthday's coming up and I want to add some new stuff to my Amazon wishlist. I like fantasy, both high and low, sci-fi as long as it's not excessively hard, understated horror (say, ghosts moreso than vampires), good historical fiction (bad ones make me scream and throw things), graphic novels

Comments

[burado]

Have you read any of John O'Brien's Master and Commander, etc. series? I don't know if you're into that, but I found it good historical fiction reading.

[curtana]

I've read the first three, and have the fourth waiting on my To Read shelf. I'm sure I'll pick up the others as I go along - thanks for the suggestion! :)

[atalanta]

"An Instance of the Fingerpost" by Iain Pears.
And the Aubrey/Maturin novels by Patrick O'Brian!

[atalanta]

Hehe - didn't even read the other comments first :)

[curtana]

I did read Fingerpost, but don't own it - I enjoyed it, though :) Thanks for the suggestions!

[atalanta]

How about 'Stories of your life" by Ted Chiang? Good sci-fi anthology.

[whatifoundthere]

Pssst. That link goes to your LJ reader's wishlist, not yours. I was all, "What? curtana wants a Coptic chrestomathy too?" :)

I have a book-review journal at tolle_lege which might give you some ideas. My favourite book of the past year, or maybe five years, is Donna Tartt's The Secret History, and it seems to me like something you'd enjoy too.

[curtana]

Hahah, I am ALL OVER that Coptic chrestomathy ;) Link should be fixed now.

I have heard only very good things about The Secret History, it sounds like something I should read. I will add it forthwith - thanks!

[pasley]

The Secret History is an amazing book!

[curtana]

Well, if you're offering... ;)

[velvetpage]

You can read my book!

With the obligatory plug over with - have you read the Dresden files? Best fantasy-cum-mystery novels out there. Also, Mary Jo Putney, a romance author favourite of mine, has been doing a series of historical fantasy books where quirky historical events were influenced by magic. "Kiss of Fate" was about the Jacobite rebellion. In addition to the carefully-researched history and deft use of magic to support what actually happened, there's some really steamy sex scenes involving men in kilts. She has yet to write anything I didn't enjoy, but I think that one would appeal to you most based on your stated preferences.

[curtana]

Thank you for the suggestions! I've not read any of the ones you mention, so I'll be sure and check them out :)