The Tokaido Road: A Novel of Feudal Japan by Lucia St. Clair Robson.
We love ancient Japan. ^_^ And although Lucia's style is dry (don't be afraid of 'ing' verbs, ona!) the characters are interesting. It's a good tub book, despite being hardcover. It seems to be out of print though (is copyrighted 1970-something) and we found our copy in a second hand-store. Don't go out of your way to find it, but if you happen across it, it's a light enough read.
Cryptonomicon: by Neal Stephenson. Don't believe the reviews that say it's wandering and over-stuffed with diatribes. Every little dissertation serves a purpose in expanding either the concepts of the story, or views of a character. We're not that familiar with WWII, so it was kind of slow going, but we certainly learned a lot along the way. ^_^
Snow Crash: by Neal Stephenson.
Given a choice between Neuromancer or Snow Crash, take Snow Crash. Cyberpunk with a twist - the way good cyberpunk should be!
Zodiac: The Eco Thriller: by Neal Stephenson. It is what the title says - an "eco-thriller." It's about one man's part in eco-terrorism, with Stephenson's special twist. Definately worth the read.
Diamond Age: by Neal Stephenson. Too many ideas that don't get enough attention or development in this one. It gets bogged down in the concept of the subtitle (A Young Lady's Illustrated Primer). Still, the nano-tech and the concept of the drummers are fascinating. If only he'd done more with the latter and less with the former.
Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency: by Douglas Adams. Also known as (at least to us) the "Richard's Couch" book. The couch isn't the point of the story by any means, but the convolutions his computer puts it through are hilarious. And having dealt with just such a couch in the hallway of a too-small apartment... well. ^^ Art imitates life imitates art?
The Long Dark Tea Time of the Soul: by Douglas Adams. AKA - Penguins in Sea Trunks! Not as funny, overall, as the first book (this is the sequel to the Holistic Detective Agency) but still worth the read.
Tea From an Empty Cup: by Pat Cardigan. We're always hesitant about trying new cyberpunk-ish authors, because we've been disappointed too many times. (Like "Cat's Paw" -- the main character seriously needed some sense slapped into him.) And we're not huge fans of William Gibson, despite his reputation, so his favourable review of Cardigan didn't post our confidence any. But we fell in love with the cover art ^_^; and bought it anyway. Some fascinating concepts are brought up, but never quite resolved. The book ends about where the book you really want to read should start. Still, not bad for a light read.
Neuromancer: by William Gibson. Ah, yes, the Gibsonian classic. We had to read it because it is The Thing, don't you know. But given that, sorry, Gibson doesn't know how to write a book ending. Great novel and then it just kind of fizzles out... like his muse gave him the cold shoulder the night of the deadline. :p Read it to be in the know, but know that it's not the be all and end all of Cyberpunk.
Sailing to Sarantium and Lord of Emperors: by Guy Gavriel Kay (GGK). Together they form the "Sarantine Mosaic," and they are a great work of beauty. If you can, get your hands on copies of the Canadian editions -- the covers are MUCH nicer. Can't say a lot about these books without either gushing, or giving away details, but we were moved, much more deeply than we have been by any books in a long while.
The Persian Boy: by Mary Renault.
The story of Alexander the Great's servant and lover, Bagoas. A great story of devotion, and it gives an interesting spin on Alexander's exploits if you're at all familiar with them from Arrian, Quintus Curtius Rufus, and... dang. Whoever the third major source is. Must look that up. >.<
Funeral Games: by Mary Renault.
Follows on from Alexander's death, and the chaos of his splintering empire. Haven't read all of this one yet (got sucked into the two books at the top of this page) but from the first few pages, it's a good read.
Lost Souls: by Poppy Z. Brite. Possibly the world's best erotic (and homoerotic) vampire novel that still maintains a complex and enjoyable plot, with characters you either love, or love to hate.
Drawing Blood: by Poppy Z. Brite. The most twisted, horrific, sexy as all hell (m/m), haunted house story I have ever read. *^_^*
On the Eve of Uncertain Tomorrows: by Neil Bissoondath. This is a collection of short stories by the Trinidad born Canadian Bissoondath. They're gritty, touching, disturbing, and fascinating. Well worth the read even if it requires long breaks between stories in order to absorb them.
