A request...

[prisoner_24601]

Since I seem to be stuck in a reading rut, I thought I'd ask you all to recommend some books for me. At the moment, I'm having a rather difficult time finding books that look interesting enough to bother reading. I'm right in the middle of reading Jingo by Terry Pratchett and The Hallowed Hunt by Lois McMaster Bujold, and while I love both of these authors to death (Bujold is one of my all time favorites for her Vorkosigan series), these two particular books aren't doing a hell of a lot for me. I'm kind of stalled out reading them (I've taken to re-reading both the Dresdon Files books and the Miles Vorkosigan books instead of finishing them), but every time I go to the bookstore and browse I can't seem to find anything that captures my attention.

So I'm turning to you all for help. Recommend a couple of books for me (and when you do so, tell me why you like the book). I'm pretty open to any genre or style, although I do admit that while I'm a sucker for a good romance, I detest 99% of romance novels out there. I also am not a big fan of most fantasy books (because seriously, if it has hot elves in it, I instantly tune out), but have enjoyed the occasional fantasy novel. Non fiction is also fair game, even though I tend not to read much, but I suspect that there are some seriously interesting books out there. Comic books are also fair game as well, although I like to read things in the trade paperback format and finished story arcs.

I very much like books that are *different* from the norm, or take an old, worn out idea and do something new with it.

Comments

[xenzen.livejournal.com]

I can understand your feelings about Hallowed Hunt, it's one of the more... grotesque/visceral books I think Bujold's ever written. Not surprising, maybe, when the main god in that book is of war and the hunt, neither of which is for the squeamish. Great (if bloody) imagery, though.

I know these're by Pratchett, but it's a totally different theme/voice sorta thing from the Discworld series. Try Only You Can Save Mankind (set in our world, 21st century) and the Wee Free Men series (Discworld), which starts with Wee Free Men and has a second book called A Hat Full of Sky.

There're prolly excerpts on the Harper Collins website. They're more children's/young adult books, so there's little of the usual Vimes cynicism/innuendos/satire you may be tiring of in Jingo. Pratchett pokes all sorts of fun into the old 'wicked witch'/fairy tales theme in the Wee Free Men series, and the gaming industry in the Johnny book. I found them a refreshing change, anyway. Maybe when Eric grows up, you'll be reading these to him. :)

The Deed of Paksenarrion (omnibus that collects the trilogy) by Elizabeth Moon is one of my favorite books. Okay, it does have elves (and dwarves) in it, but not the cutesy-wutesy ones with wings types. Mostly it's about a sheepfarmer's daughter who doesn't exhibit OMG sparkleponyprincess unicorn healing touch powers right at the get-go. Not to say she does (or doesn't) do this later, but it's quite believable as she progresses through life as a common soldier recruit, battle against pretty ordinary foes, etc. You have no trouble believing this, an ordinary person, can overcome life's obstacles. If you don't want to spring for the omnibus, flip through the first book, maybe, at the bookstore (Sheepfarmer's Daughter).

[foxfire74.livejournal.com]

I will love Elizabeth Moon forever for the way she opens The Deed of Paksenarrion...Mean Evil Oppressive Father stomps and says "You WILL marry so-and-so, or you'll never sleep under my roof again!" And Paks agrees with him and sails out the door...no angst, no OMGGrrrl!Power, just goes. One of my favorite story moments of all time.