Kevin's Watch

Not 30mins ago I bought Zindell's Broken God, and H.G. Wells' A Modern Utopia.

At long, long last, my Amazon order (the first one, a few weeks ago) has dispatched. My books will be here in a few days.

I just bought Zelazny's "Lord of Light" and also "Suldrun's Garden" which is the first book of Jack Vance's Lyonesse triology of which I already have the 2nd and 3rd installments.

I haven't read much of a mention of Vance so I'm wondering if anyone has read anything of his and can offer an opinion.

Went into town today to waste some free time, and found myself doing what seems to be becoming a bad habit of mine - buying books.

King Rat - China Miéville
Fevre Dream - George RR Martin
The Once and Future King - T.H. White

Since I'm not even sure I'll like the last one, I'm beginning to think I should take up visiting libraries instead of stores.

Murrin wrote:...
The Once and Future King - T.H. White

Since I'm not even sure I'll like the last one, I'm beginning to think I should take up visiting libraries instead of stores.

I remember reading the once and future king in my early teens and it has served as my basis for my fascination with the Arthurian legends ever since .

Though I have not read it again since then (reading other Arthurian legend books instead such as the excellent Crystal Cave and Mists of Avalon series) - I still highly recommend it and plan on having my children read in it when they come to age.

Those are 3 really solid purchases IMHO Murrin.

On my amazon wish list is:
The Atlas of the Land
A Game of Thrones
A Dark Tower concordance volume II

Today I discovered two reasonble used-book stall in Victoria Market (this is the first time I've found even a hint of second-hand books in Nottingham city). I bought The Business by Iain Banks, because it sounded interesting, and the first Wheel of Time book, since it's one of the many series I've been meaning to read for years.

Just ordered Book of the New Sun and the Gormenghast trilogy from Amazon.

We seem to be reading a lot of the same stuff recently, Encryptic.

My copy of The Healthy Dead arrived today. I've also added Night of Knives to my next amazon order.

I found a hardback copy of the 5th Earthsea novel on remainder for $4, and an autographed pb of Ellen Kushner's Thomas the Rhymer, which I remember reading back when it was part of Windling & Datlow's Fairy Tales Series, but apparently gave away for some reason.

Bostonians: Porter Square Books in Cambridge is a lovely little new indie bookstore, started by a pack of disgruntled Concord Bookshop employees; I highly recommend it.

Encryptic wrote:Just ordered Book of the New Sun and the Gormenghast trilogy from Amazon.

I'm in the process of reading the Gormenghast novels (nearly finished the first, Titus Groan) and I'm thoroughly enjoying them so far. I've never read anything else quite like it.

Gormenghast is in my next order, which'll get here mid-june (gives me time to read the ones I've already got). I've heard a lot of praise for the series, but also that the third isn't as good as the first two.

That's what my girlfriend tells me too. The first two are set within Gormenghast itself, but apparently the third is set in the outside world and is almost science fiction compared with the sinister gothic style of the previous books.

Agree. Part of what makes it so marvelous is seeing the flaws, and realizing that in spite of them, Gormenghast is one of the greatest fantasies ever. If you're enjoying it, then I can't recommend The Worm Ouroborus by E. R. Eddison enough. It's also flawed, but magnificent. Add it to your lists! Add it now!

Myste wrote:I was in NYC this weekend and went to The Strand! 18 miles of books! <drool, slobber, etc.>

Myste, is this a place we should plan on going to in the New York get-together this summer? Directions, please?

Murrin, I love Martin's Fevre Dream.

duchess of malfi wrote:... is this a place we should plan on going to in the New York get-together this summer? Directions, please?

Definely a NY landmark for book lovers. When I lived in Manhattan I always made a point of passing by there when in the area. And the "Forbidden Planet" bookstore across the street (hopefully it is still there) was also a great place for fantasy/sci-fi books...

12th and Broadway, near Union Square - a great part of town to wander around in and explore, no matter what.

It's still there, Vector--very very addictive, but more given over to stuff than books. The stuff is great, though, whether you're a genuine collector or a goofball fangirl/boy like me.

Duchess, I pmed you the only directions I know, which are on the subway, from the Port Authority.

duchess of malfi wrote:

Myste wrote:I was in NYC this weekend and went to The Strand! 18 miles of books! <drool, slobber, etc.>

Myste, is this a place we should plan on going to in the New York get-together this summer? Directions, please?

Murrin, I love Martin's Fevre Dream.

Fevre Dream is a masterpiece.

Gormenghast IMHO is arguably the best work in the genre.

Gormenghast is in my next order, which'll get here mid-june (gives me time to read the ones I've already got). I've heard a lot of praise for the series, but also that the third isn't as good as the first two.

Regardin the third book in Gormenghast , the different tone and the admittedly lack of quality in comaprison to the prior 2 novels is due to it being largely written from Mervyn Peake's notes, as he was suffering both mentally and physically at this time in his life he suffered from Parkinson's disease and a until later in life the dormant Encephalitis Lethargica (sleeping sickness). That said the first two books, are IMHO, if such a thing exists, THE two masterpieces of the genre.

Boy in the Darkness, a novella also is Gormenghast related and appeared in an anthology entitled Somewhere, Never

Fevre Dream is a masterpiece

It's very good, and Subeterannean Press is producing a limited editon which can be read about HERE