Hmm, This Is a Serious Debate

[coprime]

I finished Kushiel's Scion yesterday and find myself in the really weird position of not having a book I'm currently reading. Normally, I've got bookmarks stuck in five books at least. And, okay, I'm reading both Mathematical Magpie and The Mauritius Command but those don't count because I'm taking my time on the former and don't yet have the book that comes after the later. (I have problems reading books in series where I know there's a book after my current one but I don't own it. I don't need to read the next one immediately, but I get antsy about not having it available at my beck and call.)

Which leaves the problem of what book (or books more likely) I should pick up. I've only read about half the novels I normally do this year because work makes it difficult, and I don't want to choose the wrong book. It's a lot of pressure made worse by having lots of choices.

The Adventures of Captain Hatteras - Jules Verne
+ Verne (who's my favorite author ever)
+ adventures
- takes place in the Arctic and will probably make me feel cold
- slow reading

The Begum's Millions - Jules Verne
+ Verne
+ looks (to me) hilarious
- slow reading

Blood from a Stone - Donna Leon
+ takes place in Italy
+ mystery
+/- no sci-fi or fantasy elements

Dark Light - Jayne Castle
+ romance
+ with psychics
+ on an alien planet
+ Castle is generally solid
- am in a bit of an off period in regards to romance novels

The Golden Volcano - Jules Verne
+ Verne
+ gold rush era
+ adventures
- slow reading

Jingo - Terry Pratchett
+ Discworld is always fun
+ could continue making my way through the series

Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal - Christopher Moore
+ looks hilarious
+ could totally call this "Christmas reading" since it's about Jesus

The Lighthouse at the End of the World - Jules Verne
+ Verne
- slow reading
- Magellania also took place at the end of the world

Personal Demon - Kelley Armstrong
+ adore this series
+ romance
+ Lucas will probably show up
+ neat paranormal elements

The Silent World - Jacques Cousteau
+ oceanic exploration
+/- not sure if I'm in the mood for non-fiction
+/- but then I so rarely read non-fiction it might make a nice change of pace

Snake Agent - Liz Williams
+ takes place in Singapore
+ mystery
+ interesting supernatural aspect
+ discovered via yuletide, which is often a good source for shiny fandoms to love

The Titan's Curse - Rick Riordan
+ Greek mythology
+ fun series
+ quick read
- will have no more of the series to read until The Battle of the Labyrinth comes out in paperback

Uncharted Territory - Connie Willis
+ sci-fi
+ looks hilarious
+ romance
+ short read
+ keep meaning to read more by Willis

I think Snake Agent's winning so far, but then I look at one of the others and that one looks really good too. I thought making a pro/con list for each book would help because there'd be one that I'd just go on and on about and so that one would be the obvious choice. But no.

Comments

[delurker.livejournal.com]

Dark Light - Jayne Castle
Ooh, I didn't know she had a new one out.
/is unhelpful

[coprime]

I only found out about it because I saw it in the bookstore (and then bought it). I was able to resist the temptation of the new Patti O'Shea and Linnea Sinclair novels I saw, but futuristic psychics on an alien world? It's too fantastic not to get.

...I think I have talked myself into my next book, so you were helpful. \o/

[delurker.livejournal.com]

uturistic psychics on an alien world? It's too fantastic not to get.
So true! And I love the dust bunnies. ♥

[coprime]

I've started reading, and it's a marriage of convenience story. Also, the heroine dresses her dust bunny up in Elvis outfits. Fantastic.

[glenraven.livejournal.com]

my votes are for:

Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal - Christopher Moore

Personal Demon - Kelley Armstrong

or
The Titan's Curse - Rick Riordan

[coprime]

I already started Dark Light, but that shouldn't take more than a couple days. And I think you're right about what should be next -- all three of those, mwahahaha.