I've read most of the Vorkosigan books completely out of order (basically, in the order I found them.) They're all awesome, and readable without the others. They weren't written in chronological order either. So, basically... buy whatever you can get your hands on and read them in whatever order you want, is my suggestion.
As an additional suggestion, I just finished the entire "Twelve Houses" series by Sharon Shinn (the books that begin with
Mystic and Rider)
and loved them. They all have a romantic element - that's what she does - but there's also plenty of cool magic, swashbuckling, and political intrigue. In fact, I think that this series greatly improved her epic fantasy chops while sometimes
underselling
the romance. Which I was fine with.
I am sharing this with you because you will understand. I'm panicking because I'm only bringing 10 books for a 15 day cruise. I might have to buy some more tonight.
Vortex, each ship I have been on has a library with a variety of qualities of books. And also, there is often a book exchange box where people drop and pick up as necessary.
Vortex, each ship I have been on has a library with a variety of qualities of books.
I keep telling myself that, but the panic! What if I don't have anything to read? I won't have the internet! If I can't read, surf the web or watch TV, WHAT WILL I DO!?!?!?!?
I am sharing this with you because you will understand. I'm panicking because I'm only bringing 10 books for a 15 day cruise. I might have to buy some more tonight.
And this, right here, is why I love the Buffistas. My people! With their boobs of war!
Vortex, each ship I have been on has a library with a variety of qualities of books.
That's how I read...I forget. But I totally read a book that way! Maybe
Shadow of the Hegemon
? I may have brought that with me.
If I can't read, surf the web or watch TV, WHAT WILL I DO!?!?!?!?
Pick up cabanas boys for cheap sex and thrills?
Pick up cabanas boys for cheap sex and thrills?
What do you think this is, Hec, the Love Boat?
What do you think this is, Hec, the Love Boat?
When Vortex is aboard, every ship's the love boat, bay-bee!
I thought of some others that might be pretty available used. Here they are, in case you decide on emergency bookbuying today.
The three books by the tragically short-lived Sarah Caudwell, very funny mysteries about young barristers in London:
Thus Was Adonis Murdered
The Shortest Way to Hades
The Sybil In Her Grave
Dorothy Sayers, of course. The Harriet Vane books are better for being read in order:
Strong Poison, Have His Carcase, Gaudy Night
and
Busman's Honeymoon.
The rest of the Peter Wimsey books are pretty stand-alone
Ngaio Marsh: The Roderick Alleyn books are not particularly harmed by being read out of order. He gets a wife, he gets older and PC Whats-his-face continues to be a hypocondriac.
Sharyn McCrumb: The Ballad Books (
If Ever I Return, Pretty Peggy-O, The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter, She Walks These Hills, The Rosewood Casket, The Ballad of Frankie Silver...) have some common characters, but can easily be read out of order.
John D. MacDonald's Travis McGee novels
Robert B. Parker: The early Spenser novels (1979-1989) are excellent. They go downhill after that, plus there's the Susan Silberman factor.
Josephine Tey
I haven't read a lot of the mass-market thriller writers, but Tess Gerritsen and Iris Johansen are pretty readable.
I always recommend Jennifer Crusie and Connie Willis, except that Willis'
Passages
is not really a good choice for a cruise. It's about the Titanic.
