It's like not having anything to wear, but worse!!

[colliemommie]

I have nothing to read. The shelves and shelves (and boxes) of books nonwithstanding. I staunchly maintain I have nothing to read.

Virginia Beach, for all its myriad and horrible faults, has a great public library system. So I have access to books, and actually just finished Golding's To the Ends of the Earth books and Elizabeth Howard's 4 Cazalet books. But now I am out of inspiration.

I would greatly appreciate any recommendations. I tend to lean toward science fiction and historical fiction (except for Philippa Gregory, who writes trash at the expense of history and defamed Catherine of Aragon, one of the Great Classy Ladies of History), also mysteries, biographies, and pretty much anything else. I have catholic (small c) tastes.

Thanks very much in advance!

Comments

[affreca.livejournal.com]

You may have already read these, but I have a few suggestions of decent books.

For historical fantasy, I love Judith Tarr, especially her Hound and Falcon trilogy and related Dagger and Cross/Alamut duology. Elves and the crusades, written by someone who knows her history.

I liked Freda Warrington's Court of the Midnight King. Also historical fantasy, though with a little metafiction/alternate reality.

Other historical, I recommend Barbara Hambly's Benjamin January series. It is a series of mysteries set in pre-Civil War New Orleans, with a free black man as the main character. Very nuanced views of race relations and class. Her fantasy is spotty (Dragonsbane good for balencing work and family for a female wizard, its sequels not as good).

[colliemommie.livejournal.com]

I've read Hambly, but not Tarr or Warrington. Thanks!