My recent reading list (latest on top)

I will take this opportunity  to throw in a plug here for the Amazon Kindle.  I have forever been addicted to the idea of having my own books.  I rarely went to the library and borrowed from them.  Over the years I have collected and donated to various libraries hundreds of books from the entire spectrum of subjects and authors, well, now I don't have to anymore.  I don't have to store, pack, move, ship, donate or deal with the numerous volumes that I will certainly continue reading throughout my lifetime.  I was the happy recipient of an Amazon Kindle for this 2009 Christmas and I love it, love it, love it.  Really.

I have read all the reviews and product comparrisons, etc., etc.  I don't care that much about who made the thing or its nifty features.  The Kindle is easy to operate and easy to read.  I think that is all I expected.

Currently Reading (on my Kindle): 

Beyond the Shadows (Night Angel Trilogy) - Brent Weeks

Loving every minute of these ones.  Low Born child becomes world class assassin, and then some.

What I've read before this (worth mentioning) in the last couple of years

Twilight (series) - Stephanie Myers

WOW!  I loved these books.  Addicting Vampire/Werewolf love story takes numerous twists and turns. Now a major motion picture series... Maybe you've heard of it?

His Dark Materials - Phillip Pullman 

This trilogy begins with The Golden Compass, recently released as a major motion picture.

Wizard for Hire - Jim Butcher

The first three Harry Dresden stories by Jim Butcher

Wizards - Anthology

Fantasy stories, including one by our very own Mary Rosenblum.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

Review forthcoming...

Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein

My review of Stranger in a Strange Land is out to Strange Horizons for consideration.

Water Rites by Mary Rosenblum

Another outstanding--and very scary--effort by my writing idol.  A compilation of three short stories (formerly published in Asimov's) and previously published short novel called Drylands, this is the story of America's near future.  Focusing entirely on the issue of Global Warming and the terrible potential results of that phenomenon, Mary describes a nightmare scene where he who controls the water controls everything.  A must read on several levels.

The Magic Kingdom of Landover series by Terry Brooks

I re-read this series with a mind to learning certain style techniques from an acclaimed author.  I became disenchanted with Brooks after the third book of the Shannara series.  Landover is different, though.  I enjoyed the depth the author achieved through a relatively simple basic plot.  I aspire to that level of authoring capability.  I suggest Landover to any fantasy reader.

Horizons by Mary Rosenblum

I met Mary online after enrolling in the Long Ridge Writers Group course, Breaking into Print.  She runs the school's website and is tremendously devoted to elevating the writing craft of any and everyone who wants it.   Horizons takes us to the near- future earth where low-orbit platforms provide an escape from gravity and earth-side politics...or do they?  I Loved this book enough to compare it to my all-time favorite Sci-Fi book, Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card.  Ms. Rosenblum has taken her own advice with this one and scored a knockout.

Realms of Fantasy

Yes, I know it is a magazine...but I like it.  This print publication brings a diverse array of fantasy and science fiction short stories that holds us writers to a high standard.  I enjoy every issue.