light fiction continues

[snugglekitty]

I read Wolf Who Rules by Wen Spencer this week. It was the sequel to the popularly acclaimed Tinker. The second book was not quite as good as the first, and you could seem some strong similarities in the way that the plot developed, but I still liked it a lot. Also, there were poly themes. Three stars.

Touch the Dark is a new offering in the genre of paperbacks with sexy girls and pentacles on the cover. You know, following in the footsteps of Anita Blake and all that. Unfortunately, this book wasn't "all that." I was disappointed by the use of famous historical figures as vampires (Louis-Cesar, Marlowe, scions of the Dracula family), the lack of humor, and the lack of anyone doing anything particularly noble. I will probably read the sequel to see if they improve, if one gets written. The writing style isn't bad. Two and a half stars.

Scott Westerfeld is really hard to stop reading! I got Pretties out of the library, and read it in one day. This sequel to Uglies delivers. It was just as engaging as the first book, with new characters, and new trials to overcome. Unfortunately, this one also had a cliffhanger ending. Thus, circumstances have forced me to request the final book of the trilogy, Specials, from the library. I am also seriously considering reading the other books Westerfeld has written. Four stars.



Lipstick Jihad by Azadeh Moaveni (I saw this on a summer reading list from the library, and thought it would be a good follow-on to Persepolis, and Iran is in the news these days.)
The New Topping Book by Dossie Easton and Janet Hardy (I really liked the original version of this book and still haven't gotten around to reading the new edition - until now. So far it doesn't seem much changed.)
The Tour by Bill Staines (My favorite folk artist - this is a memoir sort of book about his life on the road, divided between his most recent tour and his first few years as a musician.)
The Empire of Tea by Alan and Iris McFarlane (I don't know why this book is taking me so long to read - it's so neat!)
Through the Labyrinth by Hermann Kern (A birthday present from mrpet since I asked for a book on labyrinths.)

Right now, as you can probably tell, I'm finding nonfiction really attractive, but the weather and other things on my mind are making it hard to get through. Maybe this weekend I can push on through and finish a few of them - it gives me such a sense of satisfaction to complete nonfiction. Or I might just toss them by the wayside and read some of the new and tasty fiction I have out of the library. Kushiel's Scion and The Stolen Child are at the top of that pile.

Comments

[chienne-folle.livejournal.com]

I am also seriously considering reading the other books Westerfeld has written.

Have you read his Peeps? I enjoyed that one very much.

[lady-anemone.livejournal.com]

Nope, so far Uglies and Pretties are all that I have read of his work. I'm curious about the Midnighters series also. We'll see what happens...