July's Jubilant Joust At New Books

[murphy]

Just finished Strip Tease which another look at the wild, whacky, wonderful world of Carl Hiaasen. It wasn't as funny as some of his other books. Now reading the Grantville Gazette III, an anthology of the world of 1632.

[GOLLUM]

Originally Posted by Connavar

What kind of SFF writer is Ryman ? I have stories of him in my Mammoth book of Best fantasy. The guy is in great company with REH,Vance,Leiber,Meritt,George Macdonald etc

I also saw a book of his in Fantasy Masterworks.

I've got some of Ryman's work including Was (Masterwork) a kind of homage to Wizard Of Oz but very movingly written. I also have a copy of King's Last Song set in Cambodia. Not read it yet but sounds good. He writes SF and Fantasy.

[Durandal]

Still working my way through Lankhmar. Since last I posted in this thread, I've finished off Swords in the Mist and Swords Against Wizardry, and am on to Swords of Lankhmar.

It's been a mostly fun ride, though there are definitely ups and downs in terms of my enjoyment, as one would expect with a series of stories, novellas and such written over a 40-year period.

The one I'm reading now is actually the only full-length novel in the series. I'm liking it quite a bit. However, the best story I've read so far is "Ill Met in Lankhmar," back in the first book...

[murphy]

Now reading Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin. It's a medieval mystery and caught me up right from the start. Very, very good.

[pyan]

Well, I finally got to the end of Robin Hobb's Fitz/Fool/Liveships trilogies...Good stuff.

Felt I needed a break from fantasy , so I've started State of Fear, by Michael Crichton.

[Hilarious Joke]

Fair enough, Pyan, but remember, Robin Hobb's Shaman's Crossing is also very good.

[pyan]

Oh, I don't doubt it...but I always try to take a short rest after reading a long story like that, sort of to digest it properly, if you know what I mean....

[Hilarious Joke]

Actually, I know exactly what you mean. Definitely requires a break.

[HoopyFrood]

Lords and Ladies - Terry Pratchett

[TheEndIsNigh]

Originally Posted by pyan

Well, I finally got to the end of Robin Hobb's Fitz/Fool/Liveships trilogies...Good stuff.

Felt I needed a break from fantasy , so I've started State of Fear, by Michael Crichton.

Not all in one lump I hope. If so, let me shake you by the hand Gunga Din.

(that'll test 'em)

[jezelf]

I'm still reading the other three I mentioned last month, but just added another.

The Illustrated Encyclopaedia of Arthurian Legends by John Matthews and Ronan Coghlan (Paperback - 2002)
Another book I've had for years. I was just browsing through it and some of the entries inspired ideas, so I started it from the beginning...I really need to read one book at a time!

[iansales]

Just started Fifty Degrees Below by Kim Stanley Robinson.

[DeepThought]

Just about to leave on a two-week trip. Taking with me; Tolkien: A Biography by Michael White and The Book of Imaginary Beings by Jorge Luis Borges. Both thin volumes, so hopefully, I'll be able to get through them before I get back. Bye for now.


Cheers, DeepThought

[pyan]

Originally Posted by TheEndIsNigh

Not all in one lump I hope.

Yep...Assassin's Apprentice started May 30th, finished Fool's Fate July 6th....

[woodsman]

Dune - Frank Herbert thought this was pretty good, although its seems more like fantasy than SF. Still, glad I read it must try and pick up the sequels.