Books I Like

As of September, I've been trying to read a book a week or more. Having just got back from a 8-day vacation, I'm glad to say that I'm doing great (4 books finished during the trip). I thought it might help me update if I talk about what I'm reading, and especially what I'm enjoying.

Most recently, I finished Book 3 of Jim Butcher's Codex Alera series, and I really enjoyed it.

I enjoyed the first book enough to look around for the second book. I finished the second book and immediately (even though it was x-mas night) went online and put in an order for the third book. Now that's done, and I'm trying to decide if I want to buy the 4th in hardback.

I have enjoyed each book more than the book that's come before, which is not to say that the earlier novels are bad, but more that Butcher seems to grow stonger as he gets more immersed in his world. The first book was good, but not great. The third is great, and I had no issues with it. It was one of the few books that's made me actually cry out, excitedly, as a plot-twist was revealed.

The other series I've been enjoying (for years now) is Steven Brust's wonderful Vlad Taltos series. Recently, they've re-released the books in compendium, with 3 volumes that span 8 books. He has more books that get appended onto the end, and I recommend the series as a whole. Brust is one of the few modern writers that I find inspiring. His wit and skill with wordplay is something I greatly envy. He writes, I believe, what he enjoys. I envy that, and I emulate it.

Anyways, my brother bought me the 3 compendiums for x-mas, allowing me to catch the books I had missed (Yendi and Phoenix) while out of town.

Links To The Books:
Jim Butcher's Website: www.jim-butcher.com/
Codex Alera: http://www.jim-butcher.com/books/alera/
Book 1: http://www.jim-butcher.com/books/alera/1/
Book 2: http://www.jim-butcher.com/books/alera/2/
Book 3: http://www.jim-butcher.com/books/alera/3/

Steven Brust's Website: http://dreamcafe.com/
Vlad Taltos Series
Compendium 1: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0441006159
Compendium 2: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0441008941
Compendium 3: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0441010105

Alright, now it's bedtime.

Goodnight!
--J