I haven’t managed to do much reading this year, mainly because I’ve had a very hard time finding books (new or old) that excite and satisfy me. I re-read an old favorite (Taltos, by Steven Brust) and one of last year’s acquisitions (The Paper Magician, by Charlie Holmberg), and while they were marginally satisfying, I’ve really craved new material. But so many of the new books I’ve tried have disappointed me. Swordpoint by Ellen Kushner seemed popular with a lot of people, but I ended up turned off by it; the pace was a bit slow for my taste, plus I had difficulty liking some of the main characters, given the way they behaved. Add in an abrupt ending and I found myself wondering why everyone thought it was such an amazing book.
Speaking of abrupt endings, you should avoid The Falconer by Elizabeth May like the plague. I thought I would love that book, but it concluded with no resolution whatsoever, as if you would turn the next page and continue the climatic scene… only there was no next page, no continuation, no real ending at all. I’ve never wanted to throw a book against a wall before, but this one left me that frustrated and annoyed. I will not buy the next volume, or anything else by Ms. May, ever.
But there is some light at the end of the tunnel. I recently won two new books in separate contests, and I feel like I’ve finally found some books worth my time. I just finished reading The Mad Apprentice by Django Wexler, and despite not being in the target age group, I enjoyed it thoroughly. (Check out my Goodreads review if you want more details.) I’m now partway through Loose Changeling by A.G. Stewart, and I’m finding it fun and compelling; I’d gotten burned out on urban fantasy, but I’m pleased to find that this one doesn’t fall prey to the tropes that drove me away from the genre.
So that’s the state of my bookshelves at the moment! Please use the comment section to let me know what you’re reading these days. Whatever it is, I hope it’s something you enjoy.
