I didn’t buy many books at the World Fantasy Convention. Not my fault! All those free books, and I wanted to fit everything into my carry-on bag.
But that leaves me with quite a few books I want to buy in the near future, including:
FAIRIE WINTER, sequel to BONES OF FAIRIE, by Janni Lee Simner. I liked the first book, now I need to pick up the sequel.
DRINK, SLAY, LOVE, by Sarah Beth Durst, which was described as “vampire girl meets were-unicorn slayer boy”. Isn’t that hysterical? Love it! Gotta have a copy!
FOX AND PHOENIX, by Beth Bernobich, which I saw somebody reading and it looks really neat. Alternate China, so there’s a neat setting right there.
THE CRYSTAL THRONE, by Kathryn Sullivan, whom I spent time chatting with at the convention. There’s a sequel out, too, so I hope I love this one!
ASHFALL, by Mike Mullin, which is a YA post apocalyptic story that was recommended during a panel.
The Seven Realms series, by Cinda Williams Chima, also recommended, though I need to sort out which one is first in the series.
PROMISE OF THE WOLVES, by Dorothy Hearst, because I saw a card about the sequel. Only thing is, with wolves as the characters and a wolf protagonist? Well, my actual degree is in animal behavior, you know? If the author treats her wolves like furry humans, I will notice and then I will hate this book. So not sure. Usually I don’t much care for books with animal protagonists. Except WATERSHIP DOWN was so wonderful, so I know it can be done. And actually Felix Salton’s original BAMBI was excellent, too.
THE FREEDOM MAZE by Delia Sherman got a starred review from Kirkus and laudatory blurb from NK Jemisin, so it’s on my gotta-try-it list.
GIRL OF FIRE AND THORNS by Rae Carson, sounds great. Lots of excellent blurbs from writers I love.
AN INSTANCE OF THE FINGERPOST, by Iain Pears, which was very highly recommended by Emma Bull during a panel.
AMONG OTHERS, by Jo Walton, which must have been recommended by somebody, but I didn’t note who. Here’s what it says on Amazon, though: Startling, unusual, and yet irresistably readable, Among Others is at once the compelling story of a young woman struggling to escape a troubled childhood, a brilliant diary of first encounters with the great novels of modern fantasy and SF, and a spellbinding tale of escape from ancient enchantment. Doesn’t that sound great?
And last — but these were in no order of any kind —
DAUGHTER OF SMOKE AND BONE, by Laini Taylor. Looks wonderful — set in Prague, and I know Taylor can really write, too.
This is the sort of thing that keeps my TBR pile from noticeably diminishing.