The Quasi-Official February Book Reading Game

[Geoffrey]

Don't feel bad. I did have it on my list. If it hadn't been for this I would have never gotten to it. Even though I didn't enjoy it much, I'm glad I read it. At least now I know I'm not a Gaiman fan and don't have to wonder anymore.

So, you're saying I should be your selector next month to ensure you have the opportunity to read more Gaiman?   

[Fuzzy Dunlop]

good to know you would have spent the money on it anyway..heres to a better book in March

[Luvmy4brats]

So, you're saying I should be your selector next month to ensure you have the opportunity to read more Gaiman?   

Do I have to add that to my deal-breakers???

No Gaiman and Geoffrey can't pick my books... 

[Geemont]

I just got tired of what seems to be a common technique/theme/motif in fantasy these days: some overwhelming evil/bad thing that threatens everyone, several different and separated characters who presumably will somehow be involved in dealing with the main challenge....

That is one of the reasons I don't read much in the genre.  Too much of it is too much alike, but that said, a fantasy novel without the overwhelming evil or dark overlord would be like a science fiction novel without space ships or aliens.  Good novels can be written without them, but the troupes are so easy to fall into that many authors just use them without thinking.

[nogdog~6op6ou]

That is one of the reasons I don't read much in the genre.  Too much of it is too much alike, but that said, a fantasy novel without the overwhelming evil or dark overlord would be like a science fiction novel without space ships or aliens.  Good novels can be written without them, but the troupes are so easy to fall into that many authors just use them without thinking.

It's not the overwhelming evil antagonist that bothers me (though I think you could have a perfectly fine fantasy novel with a moderately whelming local evil, it just wouldn't be an epic fantasy ) so much as it is the multiple characters and sub-plots that I find irritating. Maybe it's just as I get older I don't want to have to work so hard remembering names, who was plotting to do what to whom, etc., etc., all while the big evil gets more and more powerful while all the other characters squabble amongst themselves.

[Susan in VA]

Done.  A bit later than expected, but it's been a busy past week, almost no reading time.


NogDog...  I may never forgive you...  your recommendation has added several dozen books to my TBR list. 


Thanks for a good read.   The total lack of any connection to reality was perfect for this week.   

[nogdog~6op6ou]

Done.  A bit later than expected, but it's been a busy past week, almost no reading time.


NogDog...  I may never forgive you...  your recommendation has added several dozen books to my TBR list. 


Thanks for a good read.   The total lack of any connection to reality was perfect for this week.   

Glad you enjoyed it. Whenever life gets a bit much for me, Pratchett is my go-to author to lift my spirits. I just started re-reading Making Money this week, and it's kind of scary now realizing how applicable it is to the financial melt-down that happened in reality a year or so after it was published.

[Geoffrey]

Done.  A bit later than expected, but it's been a busy past week, almost no reading time.


NogDog...  I may never forgive you...  your recommendation has added several dozen books to my TBR list. 


Thanks for a good read.   The total lack of any connection to reality was perfect for this week.   

For your next Pratchett, I suggest you try Wyrd Sisters.  You really need to meet Granny Weatherwax, Margrat Garlick and Nanny Ogg.

[Figment]

Or how about Mort, containing as it does the immortal line: "I don't know about you, but I could murder a curry."  (Or, perhaps more correctly:  "I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I COULD MURDER A CURRY.")

Don't get us started on Terry Pratchett.  This sort of stuff can continue all day... 

[nogdog~6op6ou]

For your next Pratchett, I suggest you try Wyrd Sisters.  You really need to meet Granny Weatherwax, Margrat Garlick and Nanny Ogg.

Well, she needs to read The Light Fantastic first, as it finishes the story begun in The Color of Magic. (Fortunately, they are the only two DW books so closely entangled.) While Granny and Nanny are near the top of my list, my personal favorite is the Sam Vimes / City Watch series (starting with Guards! Guards!).

Oh, and the Librarian. *Ook!*

[Susan in VA]

Yes, I found the three or four KB threads dealing with his books, and have been trying to determine the best order to read them in.  (I checked online first, but the various sites don't all agree, so I figured KB could give me the real scoop.  )   If only there were a way to identify the order once they're on the Kindle. 

I also read his Wiki-bio.  He has a greenhouse full of carnivorous plants.  I like this guy....  (Before I neglected my garden after DD was born, I used to have a corner with a Poison Garden....  all the plants that at some time in history have been thought of as poisonous.  Except for potatoes.)

[akagriff]

Malweth,  did you finish the Gargoyle?  I'm looking forward to hearing what you thought of the selection.

[Figment]

Malweth,  did you finish the Gargoyle?  I'm looking forward to hearing what you thought of the selection.

1.  I am not Malweth.

2.  I didn't officially participate in the February Reading Game (did, however, use it to access a great number of book recommendations.

That said:  I read The Gargoyle late last year and loved, loved, loved it.  (I know it was late last year, because I chased around to about four bookstores locating copies of it to give as holiday gifts.)  What a truly wonderful book!!!