Member: GirlMisanthrope

I'm all mental thumbs, still figuring out how to use LibraryThing for instance. Got an email directing me your way although not exactly certain how that happened. As a consequence I'm adding a couple of books tho my bedside table from your list. FYI, I've retire from nursing and authoring now. Who knows, you might like one of my efforts. Number three is approaching completion. Happy reading! Thomas

posted by ElTomaso at 11:56 pm (EST) on Aug 22, 2013

Sorry I am so slow to respond. It's been a busy and stressful spring! Here are my recommendations in no particular order:

Carol Severance: 1 science fiction novel and a fantasy trilogy--all based on Polynesian culture, all great

Judith Tarr writes historical fantasy, and at least one is set in a more Middle Eastern theme: A Wind in Cairo.

Jo Clayton has written buckets of fantasy and science fiction. While often her protagonists are white, not always, especially in spin-off novels. She always does tremendous world-building modeling on just about every culture out there, and her books are always an exploration of oppression and politics from the local to the global scale. She also always prominently features artisans, not just swashbucklers and nobility and has a lot of class commentary built into her works.

Laurie J Marks has written a fantasy trilogy with a theme that is entirely about racism and the potential for genocide or at least intergenerational conflict, but it's entirely nonhumans. I think they're fantastic.

Ursula LeGuin I think has some good representations. It's been a while since I have read much of her stuff. But her classic Wizard of Eathsea trilogy intentionally featured brown, not white people, and she was pissed about the whitewashing when they produced it for television. She's very much a writer exploring social themes, but I think has spent more effort on gender issues and the nature of society than race per se. She's written various fantasy and science fiction books, and all of them challenge the assumptions of the status quo.

Andre Norton's fantasies tend to lean toward the white European model, but they always feature strong women, and her science fiction was some of the earliest to include various minorities, such as The Sioux Spaceman. Mind you, her work is dated and geared predominantly to a boyish crowd (strictly G to PG ratings). The science fiction tends to ignore the possibility of women with a few notable exceptions, but fantasy leans heavily toward women. She also has a line of children's science fiction that featured a little black girl (and a white boy, but he wasn't the center of the story)--Star Ka'at.

I like Barry Hughart's fantasy trilogy about "Ancient China that never was." Sadly, the first, Bridge of Birds is so much easier to find than the follow-ups. Took me years to track them down once I figured out they existed.

Raymond Feist drew upon Japanese culture for his Daughter of the Empire spin-offs from the successful Magician series. And while they feature a woman and are interesting enough that I hunted them down again recently, they tend to reek of a certain colonial arrogant smugness about decadent and corrupt eastern civilization being influenced by so-called barbarians to institute justice and constitutional rights, or something along those lines.

A more recent author is Patricia Briggs, who features Native American protagonists, at least in name if not in culture. I like her books, but have mixed feelings. They're problematic in a few ways.

Eileen Wilks seems like a good possibility. I've read only a novella so far, but I liked it well enough that I may seek out more. Another Native American protagonist.

Check out the whole series of feminist fairy tale anthologies edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling.

Also, the Dark Matter anthologies edited by Sheree R Thomas, featuring all writers of the African Diaspora, a mixed bag of fantasy, science fiction, essays, poetry, etc. Many grappling with racism, others drawing from non-European mythical/cultural milieus.

If you also want science fiction recommendations:
The Starbridge books initiated and edited by A. C. Crispin are designed to be inclusive not just in terms of race and gender, but also abilities and perceived disabilities.

And Vonda McIntyre's Dreamsnake is a classic. One of the earliest feminist novels I read, though I didn't realize it at the time.

Eleanor Arnason is a more recent author who's done some really interesting writing on gender roles and sexuality in a science fiction context featuring aliens, with some great satire of human cultures.

Phyllis Gottlieb has some interesting and bizarre science fiction that features a whole range of people of all types.

Not surprisingly, the list skews heavily to female authors, since most white men generally don't need to think about writing about anything other than white men. But some of the more promising are Vernor Vinge, James H. Schmitz, and occasionally Alan Dean Foster.

As you can see, a lot of my recommendations are very dated. I've picked up a book by N. K. Jemison but haven't gotten around to reading it yet.

Good resources for potentially interesting books:
John Scalzi's Whatever blog features The Big Idea posts allows authors to talk about their books, and many sound interesting and different.

Here's a list:
http://theangryblackwoman.com/2010/11/15/speculative-fiction-lovers-check-out-my...

And another:
http://www.tor.com/blogs/2009/08/making-lists-mindblowing-sf-by-women-and-people...

All of that should last you a while. I haven't followed up on those lists because I am still trying to knock down the TBR piles at home and the books loaned to me already.

posted by justchris at 6:21 pm (EST) on May 26, 2013

Thank you for the kind words about my review of Atrix Wolfe. Have you had luck finding more inclusive fantasy? Are you interested in recommendations? Just let me know. And feel free to scroll through my reviews. An analysis of fictional representation and inclusiveness is pretty standard for me now.

posted by justchris at 2:53 pm (EST) on Mar 14, 2013

Thrilled to hear you like them! Happy reading :D

posted by Aula at 4:02 pm (EST) on Dec 14, 2012

Sure!
It's The Poulsbo Book Stop, and we're right in beautiful downtown Poulsbo, WA. Just take the Bainbridge Ferry from Seattle, and follow the highway until you get to Hostmark (there's a Chevron on the right hand corner). Turn left on Hostmark and head down the hill. The road curves to the right and becomes Front Street, and you're in downtown Poulsbo.
Then just go through town until you see the big intersection (big being a relative term here) and we're over there on your right-hand side.

posted by groovykinda at 7:08 pm (EST) on Dec 1, 2012

I know what you mean with the tbr pile. I think mine has reached about the 5 year mark and that's if I stopped adding to it (not gonna happen). Maybe time for a clearout.

posted by AHS-Wolfy at 6:03 am (EST) on Jun 3, 2012

Hi,

Thanks for the interesting libraries add. It's not really a feature I've used as yet but I do appreciate it if somebody adds mine.

Regards,
Dave.

posted by AHS-Wolfy at 5:50 am (EST) on Jun 2, 2012

I just wanted to leave you a personal note and say thank you for doing such a great job with my Santa Thing! I was in North Carolina (I live in Texas) for Christmas with my family and I just now got to open my package. The librarian at the school I work at was just talking to me about The Book Thief so I was really excited when I saw that. The others look just as interesting. I hope that you had a wonderful holiday season and got some good books yourself! I also hope you start off with a great 2012 reading list and continue to fill those bookshelves, as I'm going to catch up to you very soon :)

Brandy

posted by missbrandysue at 11:13 pm (EST) on Jan 4, 2012

The directions say a cup a day is appropriate for Tiger Lilly too, because she is an adult cat. Thanks for the link. Banfield Pet Hospital has always been great with Tiger Lilly, but they've recently had a turn over in staffing, and I'm not impressed with the new crew.

posted by millhold at 11:06 am (EST) on Oct 25, 2011

GirlMisanthrope--- Here's another possibility for you: Catheryanne M. Valente's

"The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland In A Ship Of Her Own Making"

I find the title alone charming enough, (there's a whole range of metaphor & attitude summed up at one go!)

& several folk whose judgments I value are enthusiastic about this book. I've yet to read it, but plan to do so. Enjoy.

All The Best, "j.a.lesen"

posted by j.a.lesen at 1:43 pm (EST) on Aug 10, 2011

GirlMisanthrope--- Hello again! I've just been reading LT member "CatyM"'s review of "Are Women Human?" by Dorothy Sayers (a book you might well enjoy), and CatyM included a quote from Sayers which I thought might amuse you:

"I am occasionally desired by . . . the editors of magazines to say something about the writing of detective fiction from 'the whoman's point of view'. To such demands one can only say, 'Go away and don't be silly. You might as well ask what is the female angle on an equilateral triangle".

(In case you're wondering, Sayers' answer to the rhetorical question "Are Women Human?" is a rousing---and witty---"Yes"!)

Here's hoping you are enjoying Florence King, a kindred spirit, to you, methinks!

Until next time, I wish you

All The Best,

---"j.a.lesen'

posted by j.a.lesen at 7:05 pm (EST) on Jul 14, 2011

GirlMisanthrope--- Thanks for your reply. Florence King's "Reflections In A Jaundiced Eye" (Essays), & "Confessions Of A Failed Southern Lady" (Memoir Disguised As Fiction---or Vice-Versa) both also might tickle your funnybone (I'm pretty sure you have one, but I am extrapolating!)

Also, James Marcus Bach's "Secrets Of A Buccaneer Scholar" (about highly autonomous self-learning, by Richard Bach's second son) may help you get a firmer grip on where you are going in life. Though, truth be told, I surmise you have a better grasp on that than you yet realize, or admit. In any event, I wish you well in your life's adventures. All The Best, ---"J.A.Lesen"

posted by j.a.lesen at 7:10 pm (EST) on Jun 24, 2011

GirlMisanthrope--- Given your LT username, you might enjoy Florence King's "With Charity Toward None: A Fond Look At Misanthropy"; it's one of my wife's favorite books. Enjoy.
All The Best,
"J.A.Lesen"

posted by j.a.lesen at 4:48 pm (EST) on Jun 24, 2011

I was stalkingishly reading some of your reviews and thought I'd rec to you a new romance/steampunk called The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook, because I think it would match your taste. (I discovered it myself via the "Smart Bitches Trashy Books" review site) My tags for it include alternate-victoriana and romance, but it also has kraken, airships, empire - as in: England has just got out from being colonised from the east - racial tension, zombies and drawing room comedy and people who have been bio-engineered like borg. A huge mix and the kickoff of a new series. The world building is wonderful.

It has a big buzz going with reviewage online and I hope you can borrow it off a friend or a library, but I do think it's worth a go.

And, god, I need to write a review of it here somewhere. rats.

posted by nessreader at 3:57 pm (EST) on Dec 4, 2010

How did you like The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen. It's in my to read list.

posted by mgauna at 7:43 am (EST) on Nov 30, 2010

Thank you for adding my books as interesting. Looking at your collection - I really like your tags by the way - it's reminded me that I must go looking for the St Germain books for myself. Last time I was hunting them they were (a) madly out of print and (b) it was for a vampire-mad friend anyhow. But I loved the ancient rome one I sneak-read before passing him and several of the settings look fab. More expense and fuller shelves - it will be your fault. :)

posted by nessreader at 1:46 pm (EST) on Nov 29, 2010

Hi, I was just checking out your profile because of your response to my post on werewolf books. I thought I might find some other stuff I might want to read. Then I saw your profile picture. That cat could be mine's twin. It's too cute.

posted by Rubita12 at 7:57 pm (EST) on Oct 6, 2010

Thanks for the comment!! And I have never struggled with character names like I struggled with the Steig Larsson books!! Whew!

posted by Jenners26 at 12:18 pm (EST) on Aug 11, 2010

Ok, I can now tell you that Papercraft is an amazing book - the art inside is just extraordinary - everything from paper sculpture to silhouettes to altered books and quite incredible gallery installations. Worth the cost. I ordered mine direct from amazon.uk after waiting months for amazon here in the us to get another copy.

Cindy

posted by malinablue at 12:28 pm (EST) on Mar 31, 2010

Hi, I have a copy of Papercraft on the way from Amazon.uk (I got tired of waiting for amazon here to get more in stock). So I can tell you what it's like when it gets here in about a week. I tend to add new books when I order them. If I don't, I often forget to do it when they arrive. I did look up the book in images on google and was able to see a few pages of it and it looked really nice. So my expectations are high.

cindy

posted by malinablue at 6:45 pm (EST) on Mar 23, 2010

I got The Sword of Wellerand and Other Stories from Project Gutenberg, which inspired me to buy The King of Elfland's Daughter (as promoted by Neil Gaiman)

It is a very peculiar author, in that almost everything is in the style. It is a bit like these hugely overwritten fin de siècle novels, where nothing much happens, but language counts for everything. Yet the stylistic means are very different: the English is a rather stilted and archaic, with lots of formulae and repetition. If you don't get caught up in the atmosphere, you'll find these the most boring books ever.

posted by CharlesFerdinand at 3:37 am (EST) on Feb 20, 2010

Hi, In the group "Cats,book..." in the thread "semi feral older..." you mentioned you use
feline pheromones for a Bully. What do you do? How can it help? My MAD MAX just wants to play with the old lady and rushes at her which frightens her - ears back and hissing and hiding.
I have noticed he sniffs where she has been sitting and does that strange open mouth sniffing (forgotten the name) It was her house for 15 years and then this LARGE young blow-in male moves in.
She just wishes he would disappear.

Thanks for any ideas, Guido.

posted by guido47 at 8:18 am (EST) on Jan 21, 2010

I feel slightly stupid now. Why didn't I think of checking your library here on LT and look at your ratings?

posted by CharlesFerdinand at 4:56 pm (EST) on Nov 11, 2009

You really have a TBR pile? In my case it would be dangerous and disheartening.

Failing Darren Shan, any suggestions for steampunk? I know nothing at all about steampunk novels.

posted by CharlesFerdinand at 2:11 pm (EST) on Nov 10, 2009

Seven for a Secret isn't my copy; it's a public library copy. 'Twas sitting on the shelf when I walked by. If it's just a matter of reading it (as opposed to owning it) you may be able to get a copy via ILL.

posted by sanguinity at 9:19 am (EST) on Oct 28, 2009

Try Nina Kiriki Hoffman's "Spirits That Walk in Shadow" and Ryk Spoor 's "Digital Knight".

posted by infiniteletters at 9:38 am (EST) on Sep 25, 2009

So I hadn't logged into my LibraryThing account in like five months, but thanks for your comment from way back then. Glad to know you enjoyed the review.

posted by Mr_Blithe at 10:12 pm (EST) on Sep 8, 2009

Oh the humanity

posted by CharlesFerdinand at 3:24 am (EST) on Aug 11, 2009

You're kidding, right? You've got to be kidding.

posted by CharlesFerdinand at 5:19 am (EST) on Aug 9, 2009

Mr.Darcy, Vampyre ???

Jesus Christ on a bike!

posted by CharlesFerdinand at 6:24 am (EST) on Aug 8, 2009

Thanks, it works for me. Although I wonder if people think I mean "books that kick ass" (which I don't) instead of "books in which there is ass kicking" (which I do)

posted by Phantasma at 11:46 am (EST) on Jul 22, 2009

Glad you like my library, I see we have tastes in common. Am now into Haruki Murakami and am working my way through his novels. Anything you've read lately you'd recommend?

posted by fanakapan at 4:56 am (EST) on Jul 18, 2009

Hey! We have 29 books in common! I love the Charlaine Harris books...so addicting. And Jane Austen is, of course, a must. Not only do we have books in common, but I live in the Pacific Northwest too! I marked your library as interesting. Take care!

posted by BooksToLove at 2:11 am (EST) on Mar 10, 2009

Sunshine sounds very cool and intersting. I just put it on my BookMooch wishlist - we'll see how long it takes for a copy to pop up.

Yes, we have many animals. I even like Jeremy, although I don't particularly like feeding him crickets - meal worms I can handle, but crickets are just a bit much for me.

If it were up to my 15-year old daughter, we'd also have a ball python and a dachshund. Fortunately, it's not - I told her she could get as many animals as she wanted when she gets her own apartment. We just started boarding a horse for a friend of friend, so now we're up to 3 and at barn and pasture capacity. Skip is a 13-year old gelding paint. He's very sweet. He can't be out in the sun too much - he gets sunburned! So we're going to have to put him out at night as it gets more spring-and-summer like out here.

One of my kitties, Merlin, is sitting between me and the keyboard right now and purring her heart out. She's 12 1/2 and very sweet.

karenmarie

posted by karenmarie at 9:18 pm (EST) on Mar 9, 2009

Hey GirlMisanthrope:

Thanks for flagging my library as interesting! Looks like we've got a lot in common - vampires, Bryson, Jane Austen, Charlaine Harris, and, of course cats. 130 books in common.

See you around!

karenmarie

posted by karenmarie at 9:01 pm (EST) on Mar 9, 2009

Thank you so much! I often find it difficult to write reviews about books I truly love, because I fear nothing will do them justice. In this case, I just HAD to. It was that good. I, too, hope many more people will read the book. I think everyone should.

posted by jhedlund at 10:33 pm (EST) on Jan 5, 2009

I used to finish all books no matter what. Then I realized that life is to short to read bad books...so now I tend to only read as much as I can tolerate. Sometimes I'll go back to a book later on to see if its improved...but most often I try to get it out of my house and off my shelf as soon as possible because its unworthy. lol

posted by Irisheyz77 at 8:18 am (EST) on Nov 14, 2007

'Inner Kid'. Must be one of the best tags ever.

posted by CharlesFerdinand at 6:03 am (EST) on Oct 26, 2007

Greetings! I like your library, plus we have some books in common.

CHEERS!

posted by artgirl74 at 7:36 pm (EST) on Oct 17, 2007

I know what you mean about dealing with people. I used to work with horses and miss them terribly, but not horse people - ugh. My current job is heavy on dealing with the public. I like people, but in small doses. One of the appeals of becoming a librarian - depending on specialization - would be decreased public interaction. wahoo!
Thanks for the recommendation! I haven’t heard of it either, but it sounds good. I’ll check it out. It makes me think of Forever by Pete Hamill(?) which I read a while ago. It was about a man who was immortal as long as he stayed on the island of Manhattan, so things repeated for him in ways and it covered history of NYC too. I bought it at an airport desperate for something to read and never expected to like it as much as I did.
I just finished The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde. I’ve had it for a while, and started it once and wasn’t into it, but it was good this time around. If you haven't read the plot is kind of comedy/fantasy/mystery - kind of reminded me of a literary version of Douglas Adams or Christopher Moore, if you’ve ever read their stuff. Before that I read Garden Secrets by Sara Addison Allen which is still in hardback. I read it in a day and really liked it - magic realism about two sisters with interesting/subtle powers. It reminded me a lot of an Alice Hoffman novel. Hope you enjoy!
Amy

posted by plumdream at 4:02 pm (EST) on Oct 9, 2007

Hope you don’t mind I put you on my interesting libraries list - we have lots of books in common! I’m excited about going back to school, but definitely not looking forward to more student loans. If I go full time it can be done in 1 year, I can work part-time and it’ll help a little. I’m aware of little job growth, but I work as an arts administrator now where there’s no growth and even fewer opportunities, so even though its risky I feel I’m at least moving in the right direction. Botanical Literature is dreamy. I'm jealous. In Pittsburgh at Carnegie Mellon U there is an amazing library of botanical illustrations. I'm sure those librarians are holding on to their jobs. Funny, but your job sounds great too - I daydream about working with animals again.

posted by plumdream at 2:25 pm (EST) on Oct 5, 2007

I'm a bit tag crazy, but it *is* how I think about my books! I'm glad you found some new things to read -- I'd love to hear what you think of anything you pick up! Also, the cat kills me with cute!

posted by unabridgedchick at 9:53 am (EST) on Apr 2, 2007