I want, I want, I want

I went through a phase for a while where I was having a really hard time finding anything to get interested in ... this happens to me sometimes. I don't like the look of any of the books I've brought home, I can't get interested in the online discussions about books, and even books by authors I KNOW I love just don't sound quite right to me. About the only thing I've read for a two or three month period was manga.

But I decided I had to get back into my favorite thing, and amazingly I got lucky and found a couple of great books that have me excited about reading again. The only problem is that some of the books I really want to read RIGHT NOW aren't out yet. But I want them NOW! *whines*


Valley of the Soulby Tamara Siler Jones
Spectra, 31 October 2006
Jones' blend of fantasy and mystery is really perfect. Not so much fantasy that you feel you have to have a dictionary for all the places, people, and concepts shown within, and not so much mystery that the world-building and characters seem perfunctory. I love this series, and the unique and fascinating hero that Jones' writes about.


Angel in a Red Dress
by Judith Ivory
Avon, 1 October 2006
I know I am far from the only person who loves Judith Ivory, but she is the author of one of my absolute favorite romance books (Black Silk, not the typically-favorite Beast). She is a very talented writer who I can only be grateful that she writes historical romances when they are waning and so many authors seem to be leaving for greener pastures.


Blood Bound
by Patricia Briggs
Ace, 30 January 2007
Still a long wait for this one. I loved Moon Called, and I feel like I've been waiting for this forever, even though I know it's only been a few months.


Demon Angel
by Meljean Brook
Berkley, 2 January 2007
Brook's short story in the anthology Hot Spell was the best in the bunch, and really showcased the potential she has as a storyteller, and world-builder, and she has a great blog too.


Grave Surprise
by Charlaine Harris
Berkley, 26 September
I know most everyone is familiar with Harris' Sookie Stackhouse series, and I've enjoyed it too, but I actually liked the first of her new series, Grave Sight, more than Sookie. I guess for me, I found Harper to be more of a relatable character than Sookie, and I enjoyed her relationship with her brother, and her reticence and her feeling of responsibility to her "gift."


New Moon
by Stephanie Meyer
Megan Tingly, August 2006
I know there were many people online who enjoyed Twilight (and if you haven't read the version of the first chapter from Edward's point of view that is at her website, go there now). It's really an incredibly good, suspenseful, romantic book that is a great young adult novel and transcends the label at the same time. I've been recommending it to young people and adults alike.

Irony

Is it just me, or does it seem ironic (irritating? unsurprising?) that the authors come out of the woodwork to jump into discussions like this or this, but when a discussion like this comes up they are nowhere to be found? Right now there are 62 comments on that last post, and not one by a recognizable, New York-published author (and you know they all saw it and the other posts circulating in the blogosphere).

Oh wait, I know why they're not there. Because the first "discussion" was about a meanie reader beating up on the poor author. But the new "discussion" is just about the unimportant issue of inclusion/exclusion in romanceland and who deserves to be part of the "in crowd" and they all really don't want to be the last-kid-picked-for-the-kickball-team. I've realized it now -- for most authors, an internet presence is either 1 - marketing to readers or 2 - networking with other authors. It's all mercenary.