Summer is for the non-fiction birds.
This canary has gone off the reservation. Over the last few months, I’ve been off the radar, munching my way through the nonfiction selection of my local library. It’s been a bit of an adventure, but, as the summer winds down, I’m finding myself drifting back to my usual reading roosts in fantasy and science fiction.
But here are some of the highlights from my nonfiction adventures:
The Book Canaries 
I’ve been listening more than “reading”, but via Audible I’m on the last Game of Thrones book, and before that read the Emperor’s Edge series by Lindsay Buroker (which I enjoyed very much!).
I also have a couple Game of Thrones books on audio! I took one look at the hrs and haven’t nerved myself up to committing. I also have the whole series as ebooks, so it’s really about time for me to just do it.
Did you enjoy them? I haven’t heard of Emperor’s Edge, – I’ll put it on my list.
I am thoroughly enjoying GoT. I also watched the HBO series and it hasn’t strayed too far from the book. My commute to work is almost 2 hrs one way, so I mostly listen while driving. But I also listen while cleaning house or exercising, so I go through them faster than I’d have thought. I think you’ll like Emperor’s Edge! It is a self-pubbed work, but it’s very well done. The first one or two are free on Podiobooks if you’ve ever used them for audio books.
Welcome back! Have missed you while you were gone.
I’ve been sticking with fiction so far. Have tried a little YA to see if I could find a love for that umbrella, but so far no go (a little like, even that a bit shaky, though). Read some more Joe Abercrombie and strengthened my enjoyment of his writing. Tried a little Western by Eric Bahle and found some potential. Tried a space opera by Dean Lombardo and found a lot to think about. Read a classic Fantasy/Romance by C. N. Lesley and was pretty happy with that experience.
Am learning that I am a true fanstasy/sci-fi fan, but I’m always on the prowl for “something different” – something that really makes me fall in love with a book. The closest I’ve come in the last couple of years was “The Black Prism” by Brent Weeks and, of course, Abercrombie’s work (looking forward to him storming the YA scene).
I have plans to delve into some non-fiction when time permits. Would like to get into History from various cultures – especially ones that had women at the head of their armed forces.
I’ve missed being online and I look forward to catching up with everything that’s been happening while I’ve been a non-fiction-reading vegetable. :3
I keep seeing Brent Weeks’ name around, often accompanied by mixed reviews! Do you think The Black Prism is a good start if I wanna try his writing?
Which book by CN Lesley? I’m always on the lookout for some nice fantasy/romance.
Yes, I think The Black Prism would be the place to start – I preferred it to The Night Angel series, which TBP spurred me to read. He’s not perfect, but he’s a pretty clever storyteller on the whole.
The CN Lesley was “Darkspire Reaches”. I found the opening a little draggy – all the world-building/scene-setting didn’t let me totally settle into the plot right away, but once I clicked to the plan, it was a nice read.