Love the first two and a half His Dark Materials books (also, how cool is that title????). I didn't care for the ultimate end.

JZ, FWIW I don't think the Kushiel series has jumped the shark yet, though the first book of the second trilogy is the weakest to date.

As for Laurel K. Hamilton, I gave up on her ages ago, but I'm always amused by the regular sputtering indignation of those who wish they could quit her, but can't quite bring themselves to do so.

Thats cuz they are all copying Tolkien... including Star Wars!

O_A speaks words of wisdom, and you people who find Tolkien dull are ded to me. DED!

Must find copies of LotR in house. Will memorize In Moria, in Khazad-Dun this time. We will, my precious, we will.

is DED to connie. is sad.

It has been quite interesting following the discussions here; funereal, religion, fantasy books I could never quite get into...

I so do not want to work tomorrow. I'd rather read books! Also, I need to find the Christmas Cheer for my eggnog.

Brenda, I do agree with you. I loved the first book, but I was so irritated by the time I was done with #3 that I can't like the first book so much anymore. Normally I can just cut it off, but Pullman retroactively tainted himself in my eyes.

I read so little anymore, and so little fantasy. I think the last thing I read and enjoyed enough to keep was the Hallowed Hunt stuff from Bujold. Orson Scott Card pissed me off, and Octavia Butler died (how thoughtless!) and Brust isn't churning them out like he should be, and what's Emma Bull done for me lately?

I, uh, used to have a really really teeny amount of space to cover in a bookstore to see if any new books from "my" authors were out.

I'm tempted to reread McAffrey and Zimmer Bradley, and I know that doesn't end well.

I was less irritated by book #3 and more surprised. Like "You went there? Really?"

I think that Silver Chair, Horse and His Boy, Last Battle seems like a reasonable order for the rest. Except that that only one I can find right now is Horse and His Boy.

Hil, Horse and His Boy takes place during the Reign of the Four Kings and Queens, i.e. Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy, so it is of an early era in Narnia. Silver Chair takes place chronologically after Dawn Treader, and before Last Battle. So if I might suggest it, go for Horse and His Boy next.

As for my faith, I fear that too many of the churches and Christians I grew up around have become enamored of either Tashlan or a donkey in an lion's suit. I won't worship either, but I haven't entirely given up on Aslan, either. I'm just not sure I know what the real Lion looks like. I miss the spiritual community of going to church, but I don't miss the willful ignorance and hatred parading as love.

P.S. Jen, thank you for the corset comments. I have passed them along.

I miss the spiritual community of going to church, but I don't miss the willful ignorance and hatred parading as love.

I was less irritated by book #3 and more surprised. Like "You went there? Really?"

I felt he was going there, and my disgust just kept growing as he kept going. It was just so...

Man, that's like when Sheri Tepper went off the rails and soured me on her perfectly cromulent YA stuff.

Plei, if you see this, insent to your mohmlet at gmail account.