January/February 2010 **Results are In****

[Chris]

Hey everyone. It's that time again already, if you can believe it. Where has the year gone?

It's time to start taking nominations for our first official 2010 read, the January General Fantasy read. We'll read in January, then discuss in February.

I'll take nominations thru November 14, then set up a poll. Please include the title and author for your nominations, along with a brief bit on why you chose the selection.

We'll be taking nominations for a General Fantasy book only this time. The next GoodRead Author poll will be held next month, as we will be doing that every other month now.

Thanks for reading, and hope to see some great nominations here!

[Laurel]

I'm going to nominate The Book of Jhereg by Steven Brust. I recently read Brokedown Palace for another group, and was amazed at the quality of his writing. I became interested in reading more of his work, and Jhereg just sounds like a classic fantasy romp starring Han Solo with a dragon in his pocket - too fun!

[Peregrine]

Well, I was going to nominate a title, but The Book of Jhereg sounds too good to miss. I'll save mine for another time.

[Jeanne]

I'd like to nominate Servant of a Dark God by John Brown, he's a new author published by Tor Books and this is the first of a new series that looks quite promising!

[Sarah]

I'm going to nominate The Last Light of the Sun by Guy Gavriel Kay.
We've never had anything by Kay on the group reads here, I think it would be nice to try some new direction, the more historical epic type.

[Landon]

I would like to nominate Lord Foul's Bane book 1 of the Thomas Covenent, The Unbeliever series.

[Jeanne]

We've had many nominations of Kay's works, Sarah. He's one of my favorite authors!

[Jeanne]

Landon wrote: "I would like to nominate Lord Foul's Bane book 1 of the Thomas Covenent, The Unbeliever series."

Landon, it really helps if you use the "add book/author" link above the entry box for comments so people can click on the title and read a synopsis. Is this the book you intended to nominate??

Lord Foul's Bane by Stephen R. Donaldson

[Landon]

Yeah, I apologize I'm new, didn't even see that there...

But to add a description:


Its the story of a leper who knows that leprosy is the rot of the body, and eventual rot of the brain. Therefore when he hits his head and is suddenly taken to a fantasy world where people worship him, he refuses to believe so, as that would be giving in to his condition.

Its a very interesting play on fantasy/anti-hero with a Tolkienesqe fantasy world. The author's parents were actually missionaries who were around leprosy a lot, so his knowledge of the condition is very well written.

[Robin]

I'd like to nominate: Storm Front by Jim Butcher

[Cameron]

How about A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin. It's surprising that this book hasn't already been selected.

[Elise]

Cameron wrote: "How about A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin. It's surprising that this book hasn't already been selected."

I would second that one. :)

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon]

Because I'm a sucker for losing, I'll renominate On Stranger Tides by Tim Powers again, because it looks like a fun adventure book, and because it appears to be a stand-alone and I'm loathe to get into any new sprawling series right now.

[Chris]

I'll be taking nominations thru tomorrow, then setting up a poll.

Here's what we have so far:

Jhereg by Steven Brust
Servant of a Dark God by John Brown
The Last Light of the Sun by Guy Gavriel Kay
Lord Foul's Bane by Stephen R. Donaldson
Storm Front by Jim Butcher
A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
On Stranger Tides by Tim Powers

This is an awesome list so far. Even if we don't get more nominations, I'm going to have trouble picking just one to vote for. I can honestly say I'd be happy with any of these books winning....

[Sandi]

I want to read "On Stranger Tides".

[Jeanne]

I've already read all but three of these so I hope one of those 3 win!

[Christiane]

I vote for Storm Front, by Jim Butcher.

[Chris]

Okay, nominations are now closed. The poll is up, and will run until the 24th.

Go vote here:

http://www.goodreads.com/poll/show/25...

[Laura]

Landon wrote: "Yeah, I apologize I'm new, didn't even see that there...

But to add a description:


Its the story of a leper who knows that leprosy is the rot of the body, and eventual rot of the brain. There..."


I SECOND THIS!

[Chris]

We have a winner....

A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin

[[deleted user]]

Great selection. It is a novel i have wanted to discuss for some time.

[colleen the convivial curmudgeon]

Blech... not a series I'm interested in. Then again, the discussion of 'The Blade Itself' has intrigued me enough to consider giving it a chance, so maybe this'll change my mind, too.

[Jon]

Agreed, blackrose. I've already read A Game of Thrones and didn't care for it.

No worries, I have plenty of other books to read. :)

[Chris]

AGoT seems to be a book that one either loves or doesn't care for at all. I'm in the first category. I've read it twice so far.....

[Elise]

Looking forward to this discussion. I loved Game of Thrones. :)

[Ridan]

I'm with Jon and Blackrose - I really didn't like Game of Thrones. Won't be reading it again but may participate in the discussion.

Susan.

[Michael]

I guess I'll toss Storm Constantine's Wraeththu in to the hat. These books have been around for a while, with newer histories released later. Not for everyone, but unquestionably a completely new concept, something quite difficult to achieve in our beloved genre. If not for discussion, check them out as an interesting read.