Feline Friday: Cats Who Read

One of the things I do when I get a book by a favorite author (besides jump up and down for joy) is post  a picture on Twitter. With a cat, because otherwise it's kind of boring. Here's a few of my recent "happy" reads.

I just got Jim Butcher's newest Harry Dresden book! I've been waiting for this one since the minute I finished the last one! YAY!

But I have to finish reading this first. (I know--no cat. Sorry.)

 Other things I've read this year (you'll see I love a wide variety of genres, from fantasy to paranormal romance to urban fantasy to woman's fiction to contemporary romance, plus a few not represented here). All these are by authors I like so much I buy (not just read) every book they put out.

And, of course, there was this :-)

 Now that I have a Kindle, it makes putting these pictures up a little more challenging at times. But when author (and Betty) Tawna Fenske put out a call for pictures of her newest release in the wild, I decided that Samhain would have to be wild enough.

Who are your favorite authors? What are you reading now?

Two Men I Love: Recommended Reading

A quick reminder: the next online witchcraft class, "Witchcraft on a Shoestring," starts next Monday, August 27th. Registration closes on the 26th at 6 PM EST, and the class is starting to fill up. I hope to see a few of you there Witchcraft/Writing Workshop blog

I have a stack of books I want to put up in a Recommended Reading post (long overdue), but I just finished reading two that particularly knocked my socks off, so I thought I'd put them up in one post right away, since they just came out.

I realized some time ago that I seem to read a lot more women authors than men. I've never counted, but I'm guessing it is at least 65/35...maybe more. I'm not sure why this is, really. I do have some male authors I have been reading for years, like the late Dick Francis (British mysteries) and the fabulous Jim Butcher (The Dresden Files). And then there are the two men I am currently madly in love with [don't tell their wives!]--

Alex Bledsoe and Jim C. Hines

If you are a regular reader here, you have probably seen me mention Alex before. I even put up a picture of Magic the Cat hogging the new book when it first arrived that blog post. He is an incredibly imaginative and original writer, with a number of different series out, but my favorite has always been his Eddie LeCrosse books. Eddie is a sword jockey--like a cross between a 50's private detective and a sword and sorcery hero. His adventures started with The Sword-Edged Blonde and continue with his 4th Eddie book, Wake of the Bloody Angel. There are pirates (including a mostly-retired pirate queen who is one of the best female protagonists I've seen in years), monsters, and mystery...as well as Eddie's unconventional and enduring love story. This was undeniably the best of them all: gripping, funny, and smart. You're going to want to read this book.

Jim C. Hines is another one with a couple of different series. I adored his Princess series, with kick-ass heroines based on fairy tale princesses like Snow White (but not like any Disney princess you've ever seen, I promise you!). He just started a new "Magic Ex Libris" series, beginning with LIBRIOMANCER in which the hero is a magic user and a librarian. Oh, man--you had me at librarian! This book sucked me in from the first page and didn't let go until I finally put it down at 2 in the morning. (*shakes fist at Jim*) This is another one that featured a female side-protagonist who was completely original, likeable, and fascinating. Hines creates an entire world of magical use involving books; it is unlike anything I've ever read before and will appeal to the reader-geek in everyone. I can't wait for the next book in this series, and to find out what happens with the...er...unconventional love affair that was revealed at the end of this one. I'd give this book six stars, if I could. 

So here are two more books I can recommend highly. What are you reading now that you recommend?

Must read books: WHEN GOOD WISHES GO BAD

I read a lot of books. a LOT of books, people. So when I put one down at the end of the story and say, "I have to tell everyone to get this book," you know that really means something.

I just finished reading Mindy Klasky's new book, WHEN GOOD WISHES GO BAD. It is the second in her genie series (the first, HOW NOT TO MAKE A WISH, was also spectacular), but it can easily be read as a stand-alone book.

This book knocked my socks off. Seriously. It is funny, charming, intelligent, and clever. And there's a genie. And theater. And a cute guy...

I've convinced the wonderful Mindy to come do a Q and A here next Tuesday. But in the meanwhile, run don't walk to buy this book!

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_6_10?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=when+good+wishes+go+bad&sprefix=When+good+