I don't see any Guy Gavriel Kay in the books you list, so perhaps that would be something new for you. We are going to start with the discussion of his Lions of Al-Rassan on Thursday (but no worries about the time, we intend to try a different way of doing things so that you can easily join in weeks later, as you may have seen in Rebekah's announcement). I'm currently reading it myself, and it's very good.
Kay's books, other than his first series, the Fionavar Tapestry, which is very classic Tolkienesque high fantasy, are generally somewhere halfway between historical fiction and fantasy. In this case, the book is inspired by the Spanish hero known as El Cid, and the environment he lived in - a medieval Spain divided between Muslims and Christians, sometimes tolerant of each other and of their respective Jewish minorities, sometimes not so much. You don't need to know the history or El Cid to appreciate the book, though. Kay can be a tad pompous and dramatic, but it usually does work, his story is engaging and his characters have depth, and he is excellent at capturing the atmosphere and feel of the place he describes.
As for other books, maybe you could say a bit more about what you enjoy in books, and what you dislike - what turned you off Martin, for instance?
Kay's books, other than his first series, the Fionavar Tapestry, which is very classic Tolkienesque high fantasy, are generally somewhere halfway between historical fiction and fantasy. In this case, the book is inspired by the Spanish hero known as El Cid, and the environment he lived in - a medieval Spain divided between Muslims and Christians, sometimes tolerant of each other and of their respective Jewish minorities, sometimes not so much. You don't need to know the history or El Cid to appreciate the book, though. Kay can be a tad pompous and dramatic, but it usually does work, his story is engaging and his characters have depth, and he is excellent at capturing the atmosphere and feel of the place he describes.
As for other books, maybe you could say a bit more about what you enjoy in books, and what you dislike - what turned you off Martin, for instance?
I just checked my local library's online catalog and it looks like it's checked in right now. After I register for classes tomorrow I'll check it out. Thanks for the suggestion.
Things I like in a book? A good story, good drama (not drama for the sake of drama though), and cool action scenes. If it's fantasy a good well thought out magic system. Other than that I can't think of much that a book needs to keep my attention.
Kirk: Spock, you want to know something? Everybody’s human.
Spock: I find that remark…insulting.
Spock: I find that remark…insulting.
Reading Suggestions?
16/11/2010 10:15:31 PM
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Call me an opportunist, but this seems like a good moment to recommend our upcoming Book Club book.
16/11/2010 10:40:08 PM
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Agreed. And you should listen to me, because I gave up on Martin at about the same point. *NM*
16/11/2010 10:50:03 PM
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What I like
16/11/2010 11:39:17 PM
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How about trying some Robert Stanek? *NM*
16/11/2010 11:01:43 PM
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*cough*
17/11/2010 01:08:12 AM
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It had been a while since you'd mentioned it... admirable self-restraint, really. *NM*
17/11/2010 01:22:30 AM
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I'll have you know I sent my copy of Harkaway off with a rafonaut just the other day. *NM*
17/11/2010 06:12:18 PM
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Re: I'll have you know I sent my copy of Harkaway off with a rafonaut just the other day.
17/11/2010 10:58:13 PM
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