Books for throwing against the wall

[newredshoes]

mithrigil, I know we had discussed me sending you The Kingdom of Ohio when I was done, but I'm not sure I can, in good conscience, inflict this novel on anybody, even if it was theoretically about the New York subway system. Here is the train of my Goodreads review, in three parts:

Comments

[cajun_chick411]

--quietly throws into the library return pile--

[newredshoes]

God. Just. It's a promising concept, but the execution is. I just want to claw my face off. And mail it to this author, to convey my deep disappointment in this novel. I want those hours back. BUDDY, THAT IS NOT HOW WOMEN BEHAVE.

[cajun_chick411]

I was thinking... potentially a Historical fiction, New York, steampunk-esque story judging by the back flap. I guess not.

As for recs... I'm considering reading The 19th Wife, just finished My Name Is Memory (which was excellent until the last two pages which was kind of frustrating...), and I'm about to read various Lincoln Conspirator nonfiction while also making my way through the Percy Jackson series for fun.

If you want something quick and amazing you should try and get your hands on Chew, which is a TPB, BUT one of the more original things I've read in ages. It takes place in a world where chicken has been criminalised because of a brief bird flu epidemic, and the FDA is the equivalent to real life Homeland Security. The hero, Tony Chu, gets psychic impressions from the food he eats... except for beets. It's well written and funny and I wanted to read it before Showtime gets their hands on it.

[newredshoes]

I've read the first... two trades of Chew, and enjoyed it! I'll look up the others, thanks!

(And yeah. I was imagining something more magical realism-y, and instead I just got a lot of mopey, uncommunicative manpain and dewey-eyed, fragile version Manic Pixie Dream Girl.)

[tricksterquinn]

I recently reread Dreamsnake, by Vonda McIntyre, because I continue to think that book is just amazing. Such worldbuilding without spending any time on exposition! I'm not saying it's perfect, but it's a book I put down and wish she'd returned to that world and/or that someone would write an epic fanfic sequel just because it's fascinating

[newredshoes]

Oooh, this is a good list. I am forcing myself not to go to any more bookstores for a long, long time, so I'll see how much love CPL is willing to give me. :) Thank you!

(And oh. Oh yes, that one. ♥)

[tricksterquinn]

Ugh. Having gone off on Firethorn, now I am THINKING about it. I think the worst thing about that book is how it was ACTUALLY DAMAGING to my psyche in a way which left marks. Seriously. WARNINGS, PEOPLE.

I could make you a list of things I love which exist on the internets, if you'd like...

(If you want to talk about that one, I pretty much think I would like to talk about that one for ALL OF TIME OH MAN.)

(though trying to share it with the boyfriend did get us into a bit of a theological fight last week, oi.)

[newredshoes]

I think I'm looking more for books than for links (although if you ever wind up sharing them, I'd be curious to see), but I appreciate the offer. :)

[ceitfianna]

I remember reading The Iowa Baseball Confederacy years ago, its not a good book at all.

Anything by Kij Johnson is amazing, The Fox Woman or Fudoki, fantastic books that I just couldn't put down. They're set in Japan and mix shapeshifting with stories of strong women trying to find their way.

[newredshoes]

As I look up the books, it turns out I read The Fox Woman a long time ago! I remember that cover, and I remember enjoying the books. I'll look up Fudoki, thanks!

[ceitfianna]

Fudoki is wonderful and a bit more fairy tale like. I read it first and then The Fox Woman and I keep recommending them whenever I get the chance.

[liangzhu]

Random person here... I've been looking for new books to read too, and love Japan and folkloric shapeshifters, especially kitsune, so thank you for this rec!

[joaniechachi]

Have I recommended the Mistborn trilogy by Brandon Sanderson? It's excellent. I love the style of magic he created for the world! And the characters are quite enjoyable too. He also just (er, last summer) published a massive tome called "The Way of Kings" which is the first of a series; it was a slightly slow start but by the end I was dying of curiosity about what comes next.

Also, Patrick Rothfuss just put out the second of his three Kvothe books. The first is "The Name of The Wind" and the second is "The Wise Man's Fear". I'm re-reading the first before I dive into the second. This man, he TELLS STORIES. I mean, he just. As you so eloquently would put it, UNF. :) Read them!

Also also: big JPG of an Ira Glass quotation

Love and puppies for you, E!

[newredshoes]

J, you come bearing win! As always. This should no longer surprise me. <33333

And ha, I like how nicely Ira Glass is putting it. You're frustrated because you're awesome! Who doesn't like to hear that?

[joaniechachi]

*grins* Oh, and I should mention pretty much anything by Robin McKinley. I don't think I've ever read anything less than "pretty good" by her, and I especially love "The Blue Sword" and "The Hero and the Crown" (which share a mythology) and "Sunshine" (which is completely different). The first two are definitely among my comfort books, and the third is creeping in that direction.

[newredshoes]

A friend thrust Sunshine at me and pretty much insisted I read it, which I did, and enjoyed it! It's good to be reminded of these authors you always mean to pick up again.

[chanter_greenie]

*adds the offending book in qustion to the not reading list, which is still significantly shorter than the reading list*

I second the Mistborn Trilogy, oh my goodness. I'll also add a vote for Madeleine L'Engle's A Swiftly Tilting Planet, Diane Duane's Wizards At War, or Spider Robinson's Callahan's Crosstime Salloon (the omnibus of the first three novels, not just the first as a stand-alone)... or for all three at once, why not? I know the first two suggestions are technically YA fiction, but they're two of my ever-reliable reads. I need to be in a certain mood to read A Swiftly Tilting Planet, but when I am, oh gosh. That's *magical*. Callahan's is just a blast, for all the darker elements and true philosophy mixed in with the hilarity. Once in a while that philosophy will override the narrative, but not so horribly that it ruins a good story, and that tendency gets better as things move on.

[newredshoes]

I am a huge fan of YA, and the Callahan's books look very Milliways-y and fun! Thanks so much for the recs. :)