March has been a very, very good month for reading (unlike February, which had too many duds):

I decided to focus on fiction this month so only finished two nonfiction works: Joseph Williams' Style and Thomas Burns' Rome and the Barbarians.

Figures of Earth a Comedy of Appearances, James Branch Cabell - the best Cabell work I've read so far (4 stars)
The Born Queen, Greg Keyes - a decent wrap up of the series
The Third Man, Graham Greene - the author's novelization of his and Carol Reed's movie script
Strange Cargo, Jeffrey Barlough - third in The Western Lights series; not as grim as The House in the High Wood but a good entry in the series
Three Bags Full, Leonie Swann - the best sheep detective novel in the genre; great fun (4 stars)
The Lemon Table, Julian Barnes - fictive reflections about death; not as depressing as you might think
The Scarlet Pimpernel, Baroness Orczy

Next month I look forward to Liz Williams' Snake Agent: A Detective Inspector Chen Novel Detective Inspector Chen Novels - finally, one of my groups' monthly selections matches up with my reading schedule - Eve: A Novel of the First Woman, Elissa Elliot; King Jesus: A Novel, Robert Graves; and beginning to reread R. Scott Bakker's Prince of Nothing series in anticipation of The Judging Eye.

So I discovered someone new - I'm so excited!! I stumbled over...The Wheel of Nuldoid by Russ Woody. I read the first part from the Kindle download (via iphone - thank you MAC) It is charming. I've contacted the author to get a signed copy.

Good thing it wasn't in tyopology. :P
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I suffer from a rare disorder known as fat finger disease. My fingers are too short and fat to hit just one key at a time.

I guess I'm going to have to try The Book Thief, but I think I'll put it off for a while longer. My TBR pile just keep growing.

I recently read my first Murakami, The Wind-up Bird Chronicle, which was very interesting. It had the potential to be great but never quite made it. I also read The Sparrow, which is definitely worth reading. I think I'm going to try Clarke and Pohl'sThe Last Theorem next.

JuliAnna wrote: "Jon, I'll be interested in hearing what you think about both The Book Thief and Master and Commander..."

Can't tell you anything about Master and Commander but I did read an enjoy the Book Thief - but it is kind of heavy. I'm surprised actually that it is classified as YA.

Kevinalbee wrote: "I have a doctorate in audiology. working wiht people with hearing loss, balance disorders etc." emphasis added

Good thing it wasn't in tyopology. :P

I have a doctorate in audiology. working wiht people with hearing loss, balance disorders etc.

Kevinalbee wrote: "Having finally completed my doctorate I can read again in the last 3 weeks I have read about 15 books. In cluding the newest 1633: the dresdon incident, webers storm from the shadows, Robi Hobbs Ap..."

Congratulations, doctor! What's it in?

JuliAnna wrote: "Jon, I'll be interested in hearing what you think about both The Book Thief and Master and Commander. I'm oddly resistant to trying the first despite all the good things I have heard. And, I really..."

I'm nearly finished with the audiobook version of The Book Thief. It's very good.

I'm also finally reading Master and Commander and it's picking up speed now that I'm about 1/3 finished.

The only book I didn't get read this month was GK's Song for Arbonne but it will probably be the first one read in April.

Man I didn't get through nearly all I wanted to in March and it is winding up. A few of the books I wanted to read didn't come in yet from the library or some expired before I could get to them ;-( so I'll have move them to April. I also started a few "new titles"

Read:
The Lightning Thief
Harbinger of Doom
Avempartha
Alphabet of Thorn
A Dirty Job
The Reptile Room

Didn't get to:
I, Robot
Cloak of Magic
The Well of Ascension

Started:
Griffin's Shadow
World War Z An Oral History of the Zombie War
The Crown Conspiracy

Twilight series.
Twilight was good and I enjoyed it.
By the end of New Moon, I wanted to slap Bella for her selfishness. Just started Eclipse and she's still showing her selfishness and immaturity. I hope she grows up because I don't think I can stand another book with her the way she is right now.

Having finally completed my doctorate I can read again in the last 3 weeks I have read about 15 books. In cluding the newest 1633: the dresdon incident, webers storm from the shadows, Robi Hobbs Aprentice assasin, Briggs ravens shadow and ravens strike, and a small pile of pulps that have been siting on my bed side for over a year.

This is on top of working on painting a ceramic chess set and reintroducing myself to calculus.

who knew how much time I was using for course work.

Just finished To Say Nothing of the Dog (http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/435...) which was a great break from what I have been reading. Also read last week Alas, Babylon (http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/407...) which sparked a bit of discussion within my family.

The decision for the next read was difficult. I had planned on reading Master and Commander or A Song for Arbonne this month, but instead narrowed it down to either The Restorer or The Door Within. The latter won in the end. Since it's YA fiction, I should be done with it in a couple of days. It's been surprisingly good so far.

I'm most of the way through Midnight Mass by F. Paul Wilson and I'm really enjoying it. Quite the page-turner. The vamps in it follow traditional rules and are not romanticized in the least. Blood-thirsty and evil through and through!

It also distinguishes itself by having a priest as a main character.

Has anyone else read any of F. Paul Wilson's books?

Now that I'm done with "Dirty Jobs" I'm back to reading Alphabet of Thorns more - It is not "Grabbing" me but is beautifully written.

I recently started reading Gordon Dickson's Childe Cycle. I had read "Young Bleys" and "Other" years ago and didn't realize they were part of a larger series. Now that I have all of them, I'm reading them. Already read "Necromancer" and "Tactics of Mistake". Next up, "Dorsai"

I've also started Orson Scott Card's Tales of Alvin Maker. Got throug "Seventh Son" in one day (it's only 200 pages). Next up, "Red Prophet"

Sparhawk has been on my mind recently. I think it's time that I re-read David Eddings The Elenium and the Tamuli.

Thanks, Michelle. I'll see what my daughter thinks of the series. If she likes it, I'll definitely pursue it.

I like Morganville. She becomes truly involved with all the vamps and that's when it gets really interesting. The beginning of Glass House could be seen as a bit hokey, but the vamp characters are what I read it for. Once Clair gets properly entrenched, she's mentored by a mad vampire scientist and he's become my favorite character. Essentially, stick around until actual adults come into play.

I got a few pages into 'A Dirty Job' last night.

Has to be better than Glass Houses, Morganville Vampires #1 was. It's a shame but that story had a lot of potential. I got the feeling it was just tossed together, though. A little more thought & care would have made it pretty good. Has anyone read further into the series to see if the plot improved?

John:

Hmn, Dirty Job is tighter and funnier than Practical Demonkeeping. I like it much more.

That being said though, it's still a similar type of fantasy and humor as Demonkeeping. Long story short, very average Beta male Charlie Asher becomes Death, a soul collector. I loved Dirty Job. I liked Demonkeeping.

All I can say is that everyone I've suggested Dirty Job to has come back with a rave review and a smile on his face. I'd say give it a try!

I think you will love it Jim - it was a lot of fun.

I have "A Dirty Job" on my to-read pile. I almost picked up yesterday. After seeing this, I will tonight. Thanks.

Robin wrote: "Not sure this can be classified as Fantasy - but it does have some supernatural aspects to it so kind of speculative fiction. I just read Dirty Job by Christopher Mooore - it was hilarious!!

Re..."

Wow, definitely going to have to give it a try, then. Moore wrote Practical Demon Keeping, though, didn't he? And I wasn't a big fan of that one...

Dirty Job is fantastic! One of my favorites!

Lamb is also seriously hysterical. Actually, I love most everything Moore has written, with the exception of the two vampire books-Bloodsucking Fiends and You Suck.

It may be time for me to reread Dirty Job!

Not sure this can be classified as Fantasy - but it does have some supernatural aspects to it so kind of speculative fiction. I just read Dirty Job by Christopher Mooore - it was hilarious!!

Reminded me a great deal of Good Omens - if you liked Omens definitely give Dirty Job a try!

Kernos wrote: "This Mists of Avalon and its sequels fit in here too, though I consider these pure fantasy with Celtic (Arthurian) subject matter. ..."

I really have to get around to reading Mists some time. I keep getting distracted though.

John wrote: "Terence: Thanks for the recommendation. I'm enjoying Burning Bright so far. I'll search for the Empress of Earth series. Do you know what the first book is called?

Michelle: Thanks for t..."

I believe the first book is Five-Twelfths of Heaven.

Terence: Thanks for the recommendation. I'm enjoying Burning Bright so far. I'll search for the Empress of Earth series. Do you know what the first book is called?

Michelle: Thanks for the information. That actually sounds quite entertaining. I might have to pick it up.

"Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" features the original text of Jane Austen's beloved novel with all-new scenes of bone-crunching zombie action. As our story opens, a mysterious plague has fallen upon the quiet English village of Meryton—and the dead are returning to life! Feisty heroine Elizabeth Bennet is determined to wipe out the zombie menace, but she's soon distracted by the arrival of the haughty and arrogant Mr. Darcy. What ensues is a delightful comedy of manners with plenty of civilized sparring between the two young lovers—and even more violent sparring on the blood-soaked battlefield as Elizabeth wages war against hordes of flesh-eating undead."

They call it an expansion on the original.

As far as I can tell, John, it's the text of Pride and Prejudice. Then these people came in a threw in zombies all over the place, just to liven it up. I don't know how much of it is a rewrite...

That's the very basic of the basics on it.

John wrote: "I've temporarily given up on Snow Brother. I got about thirty pages in and it was miserable. I'm not sure if I wasn't in the right frame of mind or what, but I'm not going to torture myself..."

Melissa Scott was one of my favorite SF authors though I haven't seen anything from her for a long time. If you like Burning Bright you might want to try her Empress of Earth series, which are my favorites of her stuff.

Michelle M. wrote: "The Man with the Golden Torc was quite good...I'm off to read #2 in the series.

And I, too, want to read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. You know, some people are in quite an uproar over that ..."

Everyone's making me increasingly curious about this Zombie book... can anyone tell me just what it's about?

An excellent follow-up to Dalriada is Juliet Marillier's Bridei Chronicles which is about the resistance of Pictish Scotland to the Christian invasions from the south and from Éire.

Also the Pendragon Cycle by Stephen Lawhead starts after the Romans leave Britain and is about an effort of a group of people in Cornwall/Dobunnii lands to find order in chaos using the Arthurian legend as a basis. I love this series.

All of these are epic historical fantasies and faithful to current historical thinking about this troublesome period.

This Mists of Avalon and its sequels fit in here too, though I consider these pure fantasy with Celtic (Arthurian) subject matter.

Bill B.

The Man with the Golden Torc was quite good...I'm off to read #2 in the series.

And I, too, want to read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. You know, some people are in quite an uproar over that one. It's proving to make lots of people in literary circles angry!

I'm jealous Kernos! I've been wanting to read The Dalriada Trilogy for quite some time now. I'm not too big on romance, but as long as it's not overdone and graphic, I can deal with it. In some cases, I even like it. I'm glad it gets better.

I just started Twilight today.

I ordered Pride and Prejudice and Zombies!!! Let me know how it is - I'm so jealous you found it early. Enjoy!

Currently reading, not strictly SF/F:

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith (The Borders in my town accidentally shelved it early, so I grabbed a copy. Woot!)

The Inferno by Dante Alighieri

To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

I am currently reading The Dalriada Trilogy by Jules Watson

It is an historical fantasy series starting with Agricola trying to conquer the Scottish Highlands (Alba) during the late 1st century BCE. The 3rd book jumps 2 centuries during the reign of Valens shortly before the Romans abandon Britain and the chaos of the Dark Ages ensue.

It is a fantasy because of the magic used by the Priestesses (à la the Wiccan Earth Goddess) and the magic used by the Druid priestly class. Except for the Goddess which is pure fantasy and some names of the principals, the books rest on a firm current historical basis.

I did find the 1st Book The White Mare too romantic for my tastes. The last 2 are much better, IMO.

Bill B.

John wrote: "So, I just started Melissa Scott's Burning Bright today. Anyone ever read it? "

It has probably been a decade since I have read Melissa Scott, but I remember liking her, including "Burning Bright." As I recall, "Trouble and her Friends" was the novel of hers that I most enjoyed.

Last week, I read "Gravesight" and today I'm about halfway through "Grave Surprise" -- both by Charlaine Harris. On deck are "Peter Pan" (yes, the play) and Rabelais "Gargantua and Pantagruel." Should keep me busy for a bit.

I've been patient and waited for my library reserve on Jonathan Carroll's sThe Ghost in Love A Novel to come through, and it finally came yesterday. It's the first Carroll book that I didn't buy as soon as it came out. Sign o' the times. I'm putting everything else aside to read it.

Thanks, Jackie & Danielle. I think I'll start with Nightfall and see how it goes. Then, Foundation when I've managed to finish the series I'm currently working on!

His Foundation series is probably his most popular.
Foundation
Foundation and Empire
Second Foundation
Foundation's Edge
Foundation and Earth

Nightfall is a good place to start. Even though it's an easy read, I thought it was an exceptional novel.

My first Asimov book was Foundation, and I love that book. Though his short story collections are usually engaging too.

Nightfall sounds good too!

Thanks, Jackie!

Oddly enough, I still haven't read anything by Asimov yet. Where do you think is a good place to start?

I always like to ask fans which book they'd suggest as the "starter book" from a new-to-me author.

Michelle,
I am enjoying The Ugly Little Boy immensely, but I'm partial to Asimov. I haven't ever read anything by him that I didn't really enjoy. I like his style, intelligent and thought-provoking without coming off as superior. A down to earth kind of writing style. Always interesting. The co-author is Robert Silverberg and I've liked this team-up before with Nightfall, one of my all time favorite books.

I just finished Elantris, and its well worth the read. Equally as good as Mistborn.

I've temporarily given up on Snow Brother. I got about thirty pages in and it was miserable. I'm not sure if I wasn't in the right frame of mind or what, but I'm not going to torture myself. So, I just started Melissa Scott's Burning Bright today. Anyone ever read it?

Jackie, I just read the description on The Ugly Little Boy and it sounds really interesting. How are you liking it?

I finished Shadowbridge not too long ago and thought it would have benefited from being in a single volume with its sequel. From where the story left off, I wasn't intrigued enough to read on to Lord Tophet.

Just finished Coraline and what a creepy, inventive tale it is. I enjoyed it.

Now I'm in the early stages of The Man with the Golden Torc. Not sure how I feel about it yet! First person point of view...that always takes me a bit to get into. Basically, the lead is a James Bond of the supernatural world.