Recently read

Apparently I haven't posted about books I've read since 9 March. I have now delayed so long that I'm not certain in which order I read these books, and I'm not absolutely certain that I haven't reviewed one or two of them before. I might have missed a book or two, but probably not: I could find these books because I haven't put them away. (I just put away A Mercy by Toni Morrison, which I reviewed on 31 December 2010, and Tolkien's Hobbit, which I reviewed 9 March.)

Of course, I've now spent the better part of two hours digging up the books, writing the reviews, and making appropriate links, so I remember why I don't review books very often. (See my OCD and CDO icons on my userpic page.)

I try to keep spoilers to a minimum in the main post and note spoilers so that readers can avoid them.

( Dracula )

If you haven't read the real novel, I recommend it. I'm not much into horror, which you won't believe after I've finished this entry, but it's true—I've had to walk away from Harlan Ellison. (I didn't walk away from "For I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream," which I still regret.)


( Pratchett's Equal Rites )

I haven't yet met a Discworld novel I wouldn't recommend.


( Gaiman's Stardust )

I don't really recommend it. Read Anansi Boys instead.


( Pratchett's Witches Abroad )

I repeat: I haven't yet met a Discworld novel I wouldn't recommend.

( Atwood's Year of the Flood )

Edited: If you like postapocalyptic fare, you might want to read this series. Or you might not. I was thinking my own negative feelings about the book were mostly related to my general avoidance of postapocalyptic fiction, but my first two responses suggest that other weaknesses bothered other people as much or more as they bothered me.

( Stross's Atrocity Archives )

If you're at all into horror, you should read this book. If you have to deal with large government bureaucracies, you also might want to read this book.

Recently read

Apparently I haven't posted about books I've read since 9 March. I have now delayed so long that I'm not certain in which order I read these books, and I'm not absolutely certain that I haven't reviewed one or two of them before. I might have missed a book or two, but probably not: I could find these books because I haven't put them away. (I just put away A Mercy by Toni Morrison, which I reviewed on 31 December 2010, and Tolkien's Hobbit, which I reviewed 9 March.)

Of course, I've now spent the better part of two hours digging up the books, writing the reviews, and making appropriate links, so I remember why I don't review books very often. (See my OCD and CDO icons on my userpic page.)

I try to keep spoilers to a minimum in the main post and note spoilers so that readers can avoid them.

( Dracula )

If you haven't read the real novel, I recommend it. I'm not much into horror, which you won't believe after I've finished this entry, but it's true—I've had to walk away from Harlan Ellison. (I didn't walk away from "For I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream," which I still regret.)


( Pratchett's Equal Rites )

I haven't yet met a Discworld novel I wouldn't recommend.


( Gaiman's Stardust )

I don't really recommend it. Read Anansi Boys instead.


( Pratchett's Witches Abroad )

I repeat: I haven't yet met a Discworld novel I wouldn't recommend.

( Atwood's Year of the Flood )

Edited: If you like postapocalyptic fare, you might want to read this series. Or you might not. I was thinking my own negative feelings about the book were mostly related to my general avoidance of postapocalyptic fiction, but my first two responses suggest that other weaknesses bothered other people as much or more as they bothered me.

( Stross's Atrocity Archives )

If you're at all into horror, you should read this book. If you have to deal with large government bureaucracies, you also might want to read this book.