Another Japan reading poll

[kate_nepveu]

Here are the books that I am definitely taking to Japan:

• Scott Lynch, Red Seas Under Red Skies
• Kij Johnson, The Fox Woman and Fudoki
• R.H.P. Mason, A History of Japan
• Sei Shonagon, The Pillow Book

I am possibly bringing various John M. Ford books that I haven't read yet, in case that memorial panel actually happens—does anyone know if it's going to? If not, well, Ford is not my ideal vacation reading.

For the last half-dozen-ish slots, I find myself with a plethora of mass-market paperbacks, so, like everyone else: a poll!

Note: If a series is specified as "up to," include any comment on how many I should bring.

[Poll #1038918]

Comments

[schulman.livejournal.com]

Martha Wells' The Wizard Hunters is excellent -- consider having at least the second book with you too, though.

[thomasyan.livejournal.com]

I'm not familiar with the other books (hell, I'm not even familiar with many of the other authors), but the Chanur books are terrific, and the Dresden books are fun.

[montoya.livejournal.com]

Of the ones I've read, I'd say:

The Marks isn't all that great, and not really at all what I think of as vacation reading. It's all dark blood sex land king magic stuff, like that horrid Swordspoint non-sequel.

The Wells is very good; but be warned that the third volume gets bogged down and isn't as good as the first two.

The Flewelling is fun, basically a generic epic fantasy that happens to be more urban and civilized than most. It's not a complete book, though, but the first half of a two-book story. It's not great, but it's solidly decent.

[coffeeandink.livejournal.com]

Mostly I voted for books I know and like, but I voted for the Woodbury because I want someone I know to tell me whether it's good or not. :)

[desdenova.livejournal.com]

I voted for books I haven't read, but own, in the self-interest of finding out what somebody whose taste I trust thinks of them.

Of the books I have read, I liked Fire Logic, and found it to be really good for vacation reading: complex enough to be interesting but not so heavy as to harsh the vacation buzz.

Simon's Homicide is really good, but possibly too dark for vacation? It's been a while since I read it, so I don't remember it too clearly.

The Dresden books are fluffy and crack-like, but IMO they have some "skanky race issues" (as the kids say these days) which you might find off-putting in the wake of IBARW.

[rachelmanija.livejournal.com]

The Marks and Simon are good, but dark and somewhat dense; the Flewelling isn't terribly good, but it's fun; the Hambly is good, fast-paced, and fun though it has some dark moments; the Cherryh series is good, fun, and also dense. If you take them all, you'll have plenty of choices.

[marykaykare.livejournal.com]

The Tanya Huff books are a bit older and I think that's why they aren't getting votes. Because *I* think they're perfect for vacation and, as everyone knows, I am never wrong. Of course, you have to consider I adore everything Huff writes...

MKK

[khavrinen.livejournal.com]

A couple of tidbits that may or may not be helpful:

Although the first of the Quarters series stands alone fairly well, the second and third are, like the Flewelling, two halves of of two-book story arc. ( The fourth one is almost completely tangential -- as if she felt obligated to have four to go with the "quarters" theme -- so if you only have three you don't have worry about being left hanging. )

Stranger at the Wedding seems to be set in the same world as "The Windrose Chronicles" ( The Silent Tower, The Silicon Mage, and Dog Wizard ), but I don't think there were any character overlaps, though admittedly it's been about ten years since I read it so my recollection may not be that accurate.

[oyceter]

I voted for the Marks because they made me happy about SF/F for the first time in a long while, though like others say, I'm not sure if they're happy vacation reading. They don't depress me; Earth Logic actually makes me very quietly happy, but they're nice, solid books and not fast, fun skims.

I voted for the Shinn out of pure self-interest; I read a short story of hers set in that world, which I liked, but Shinn has historically had some gender issues for me (see: SAMARIA x1000).

[kgbooklog.livejournal.com]

I just finished the Lynch, and it has the same strengths and flaws of the first one, plus two completely worthless cliffhangers (it's really hard to convince a reader that the protagonist's life is in danger when you have a contract for five more books).

Fudoki I really liked, even though I can't describe it in any way that would make it sound like something I'd like.

I liked the Lindskold series, even though the author forgets some details at times. But it's complete at six books instead of never ending.

I liked the Marks, and have the third one on my to-read pile. But the first two make a complete story arc by themselves.

I read the first Huff book and it was okay, but not as good as her urban fantasies.

I really like Wells, but suggest you find Death of the Necromancer first if you can, since that deals with the heroine's family. This trilogy does have good stopping points between books, so not having the others isn't too bad.

I read the Hambly after it was mentioned in the Fantasy of Manners discussions, and it was pretty good (haven't read anything else by that author). I did find myself caring less about the heroine than her sister.

Butcher is fun and fast-paced.

[syfr.livejournal.com]

I voted for Chanur so I have someone to discuss it with. Besides, I like C.J. Cherryh's books a lot.