Such a disappointing year in the number of books I was able to read this year. However, I was not disappointed with the quality nor some new discoveries.
To begin with, you can see the list of books I have read in 2008 here. [updated on 12.31.08]
Overall I was satisfied with what I was able to read, though the numbers weren’t up to my standard I set for myself. But what I lacked in numbers I made up for in quality and some pleasant surprises this past year.
The pleasant surprises consisted of finding new authors that I had never read and coming across almost an entire new genre that I had only really heard about.
Tim Powers was one author find of mine that I am very happy to have figured out. I know I was later to the party with Powers but at least I have now read him. Which is always better than not reading such a gifted author.
For some reason I had purchased The Anubis Gates on a whim. I read the first few chapters and put it down to pick up some other books. I returned to it and immersed myself in the book. Powers is a great author and I only hope he increases his output since it seems he isn’t that prolific of an author. Though that might be a good ting.
Associated with Powers is James Blaylock. I have only read a short by him and I can tell that I am going to enjoy his novels. So much so that I have already purchased a few and cant’ wait to dive in.
Once again picking a book up on a whim lead me to a wonderful author. Jay Lake’s Mainspring caught my attention because of the incredible cover art (yes I get taken in my cool cover art). Not to mention my newly acquired interest in steampunk lead me to picking it up. You can read my review that I linked to. I think Lake is another author I plan on following for the near future.
Along with these authors I came across slipstream via an anthology released by Tachyon Publications. Actually, because of Tachyon’s great anthologies, Feeling Very Strange: The Slipstream Anthology
I was introduced to a number of authors that I had never read before but will soon remedy in 2009. People say that the anthology is dead. I say the anthology, next to free online fiction, is the best place to find new-to-you authors without a huge risk of buying a novel. (Of course, the anthologies have to be good anthologies.)
Tachyon is a new publisher to me and I am happy that I ran across their anthologies and in 2009 I might be picking up a few more of their publications.
Finding these new authors and publishers has allowed me to expand me reading and experience more diverse styles, genres, and themes. Which in turn inspired me to expand HFNN to Weird Fiction News and diversify my coverage of all of weird fiction and not just horror. Which is a good thing.
After reflecting on the past year in reading I can’t be that hard on myself for the number of books I read. It was all quality which makes up for the quantity and it opened up more avenues of literary exploration for me.
In 2009 I hope to increase the number of books but I hope not to sacrifice quality. I hope I can discover newer authors and works like I did this year since I can consider 2008 a banner year in that regard. I have already mapped out three projects that I am excited to get through. Already I have begun Project: Dresser Overflow. My numbers should increase come this time next year.
Overall, I would recommend every book that I read this year. Without hesitation. And I think there is a wide range of subjects that everyone can find something they might enjoy.
Trackbacks /
Pingbacks