I want to read something that will draw me in without bumming me out, that will amuse me but not ask too much of me.
I really enjoyed the Felix Castor novels by Mike Carey. Even though they had a certain darkness, I felt like the fantasy setting helped distance me from it. On the other hand, I stopped reading A Game of Thrones because it was too relentlessly bleak.
I picked up a couple Anita Blake novels and found the writing so painfully bad I couldn’t keep reading.
I tried the first two Harry Dresden novels, but the second one left me unsatisfied - if you’re a fan, do you find that the series improved as it went on?
I’ve tried to like the Discworld novels, but I just can’t. I feel bad because I like Pratchett as a person, I loved Good Omens, and I’m just the demographic for the books, but I find them blah.
I usually read fantasy, sci-fi, and horror. But I’m also something of a Janeite. I’d also go for a good mystery, but there are so many out there that seem squarely aimed at women who find The View high intellectual conversation - I don’t want to just grab something off the shelf.
Whatcha got for me? I’m heading out to the bookstore shortly, and will check in on my phone. Thanks!