My back went out so its time to read!!! Whats your favorite fiction? Just one. I went to the books threads but seems everyone reads everything but fiction. Any good ones?.....Kirk

-- Anonymous, August 13, 2001

Answers

Fiction? Science Fiction? What writers have you liked so far? What kind of fiction do you like?

I have been re-reading 'Villians By Neccessity', by Eve Forward, her first novel. It's sort of a lampoon of the genre that has sprung up since the Trilogy of The Rings, told from the point of view of a band of Villians on a quest to save the world from being sublimated by the forces of Good. It's not deep reading, but it is amusing to those of us who have read just *one* too many of the formula books.

Also in the fantasy line is a heavy set of books (three so far, and going to be at least six total...but it's been a real page-turner!), is the Fire and Ice series by George R.R.Martin, which starts with 'A Game of Thrones'. At first you think it's going to be standard fantasy fare, but it reads far more like history. It's driving me crazy waiting for book #4, so maybe you don't want to get involved in something like that!

I periodically re-read Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 'Sherlock Holmes' stories and Kipling...

-- Anonymous, August 13, 2001

Wokini, by Billy Mills

-- Anonymous, August 13, 2001

Just one! sputter Just one!!! That's like sending Roseann Barr to a cheesecake factory and telling her that she can only have one slice!

How about just one author? Charles DeLint would be my vote. He takes traditional Celtic and Native American mythology and sets them in a modern setting. Check out "Jack of Kinrowan" (it's two books published under one cover so it counts as one book, right?). It's about the Seelie and Unseelie Courts (good fairies and bad fairies) running wild through the streets of modern-day Ottawa...imagine the Wild Hunt as a motorcycle gang!

Any other DeLint fans here? I want to live in Tamson House!!!!

-- Anonymous, August 13, 2001

Kirk, I'm with Sherri, I couldn't possibly tell you my favorite book, nor even my favorite author. I read LOTS -- fiction and non- fiction. I read while I eat my meals, I read when I take a break, I read myself to sleep, etc. What type of books do you like? Mysteries? Adventure? Thrillers? Sci-Fi or Fantasy?

Some of the authors I enjoy (in no particular order): Mary Stewart, Dick Francis, Martin Smith, George Martin (Julie mentioned him), Thomas Perry, Anne McCaffrey, Sheri Tepper (she MIGHT be my favorite author), Charles de Lint (if he doesn't shove her out of the way), and many, many more.

I am hoping to reread the American Frontier series written by Janice Holt Giles in the '50's and '60's -- several months ago I read The Kentuckians and Hannah Fowler, next is The Believers, but that's probably going to be in the fall. Right now I am re-reading The Dark Lord of Derkholm -- humorous fantasy novel (I bought a paperback copy, Julie).

Sheri, I am a fan of Charles de Lint's work -- not sure I'd want to live in Tamson House though . . . . My current favorite of his is Someplace to be Flying, and I really liked all his others set in Newford. I recently reread Svaha. I see he has Forests of the Heart out in paperback now, and a new hardcover, The Onion Girl, coming in October. [drool] Just looking at Amazon to make sure I got the titles correctly -- now I want to go to the beginning and read all the way through again! [sigh]

Surely, Sherri, you know about Emma Bull and Will Shetterly? How about Terri Windling? As far as I know, she only has one book (she is usually an editor of fantasy collections, and I think writes short stories that end up in fantasy collections). That book is The Wood Wife and I HIGHLY recommend it to you if you have not read it yet!

-- Anonymous, August 13, 2001

Kirk, Are you O.K.? Are you in pain? Love Tren

-- Anonymous, August 13, 2001

I knew you guys would'nt let me down! Thanks.

Joy I read all types of anything several times. I'm a mood reader tho. I get in the mood then just read a certain theme until I'm ready for something different. I average about a book every 2 weeks.

Trennie: Not to fear my back is smarter than my head. It knows when to quit! Bout 3 times a year it goes on a rest break. Never much pain but its like a band of muscles in my lower back just stop participating for about a week. Glad to see your back from your trip okay. Is your youngster glad to be home?...With love .....Kirk

-- Anonymous, August 13, 2001

Isn't it weird to be reading before you sleep and realize you've gone thru 3 pages without comprehending any of it.

You ever dream you are reading a book thats so incredibly profound that you must try to remember it only to be completely blank the next morning?...Kirk

-- Anonymous, August 13, 2001

Kirk, sorry to hear about your back problems. No fun!

As you know, I'm barely literate so I can't recommend anything to read (other than the Sot Weed Factor by John Barth, which will take you so long to read that you will be all healed up way before you finish!) so nothing to recommend.

Take good care and hope you are up and around soon.

-- Anonymous, August 13, 2001

I just read "Amost Adam" by Petru something. Archeologist/paleontologist stumbles upon an undiscovered group of "missing links" alive and well in remote africa. A pretty good read.

I also enjoy H Rider Haggard(early 20th century adventure author) and numerous others.

-- Anonymous, August 14, 2001

Anything by: Clay Harvey, John Sandford, Lawrence Sanders, Lawrence Block, Robert B. Parker, Robert Crais, Randy Wayne White (except the one with Havana in the title), Carl Hiassen, John D. MacDonald, Sue Grafton, Patricia Cornwell, Karen Kijewski, Dick Francis, and that's all I can think of right now without going downstairs except maybe Janet Evanovich - her's are hilarious.

What?! Me read fiction? To the tune of maybe 30 - 50 books a month in the winter, less when I'm busy in the garden and canning. Want me to mail you a couple of good ones, Kirk? Send me your snail mail addy and they'll be on the way. Get some rest, and hope your back feels better soon. Hugs to you....

-- Anonymous, August 14, 2001

"Farmer in the Sky" Robert A. Heinlein. Second favorite "Tunnel in the Sky " by the same author.

-- Anonymous, August 15, 2001

One of my favorites is "Cache Lake Country", by John Rowlands. It is about a man who moved to the Canadian Northwoods and built a cabin to live on the land. Lots of how to stuff and entertaining; I have reread it several times and even now have a hard time putting it down.

-- Anonymous, August 15, 2001