what book should I read next?

[such_heights]

I have a bunch of shiny-looking books to dive into now that I've finished my Masters and actually have time to read novels again. These are all sitting on my to-read shelf: what should I read first?

In the case of Left Hand of Darkness it's sort of a reread - I skim-read it very quickly for a book group once but honestly couldn't tell you much about the second half of the book and need to rectify this.

Poll #8022

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 49

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What should I read next?

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The Left Hand of Darkness - Ursula K. Le Guin
23 (46.9%)

Swordspoint - Ellen Kushner
18 (36.7%)

The Persian Boy - Mary Renault
12 (24.5%)

Spirit - Gwyneth Jones
1 (2.0%)

Elaboration in comments welcome!

Also, heads up: the next London Collectormania is the first weekend of October and has a bunch of cool people as guests. Including Arthur Darvill, Alex Kingston, Caitlin Blackwood, Eve Myles, Joe Flanigan, Evanna Lynch, Diana Rigg, John Hurt and Armin Shimmerman. Full list and other details here. This is ameliorating my happy envy at reading all of your awesome Dragon*Con reports. That and having just booked tickets to see Arthur's Doctor Faustus at the Globe next week. \o/

Comments

[tellitslant]

Raar, I can't decide whether or not to come to Collectormania. So much to do... but so many awesome people to see!

Also, I am not voting, but the only one of those books I vaguely remember is Swordspoint, and I thiiiiink it was good... *g*

[such_heights]

You know the power of Alex Kingston and her magic hair compels you! Not to mention it would be great to see you. :D

[just_ann_now]

*waves from lurkdom to beg you to read Swordspoint and bend your mighty ficwriting talents in that direction* (I think you might enjoy the sequel, The Privilege of the Sword as well.)

[aoftheis]

I second this! I think you'd love Swordspoint, and then love The Privilege of the Sword even more. They're -- I think you'd call it a fantasy of manners? Swordspoint is slashy but ultimately about men's stories; in Privilege the female character(s) is/are central, and it's femslashy. There need to be more novels like it.

[walkthegale]

This! I actually read Privilege first, and vastly prefer it to Swordspoint, but it does contain massive spoilers for Swordspoint, so you're probably best off reading them in the right order. ;)

[contrarywise]

The only one of the four I haven't read is "Spirit", and I can happily recommend all of the others. I lean more towards the first two because I've read them more recently. Also, Swordspoint has two good sequel novels and several short stories in the same series/world, so if you like it, there's plenty more to enjoy after.

[glass_icarus]

My votes are mood-dependent! *g* If you want awesome SF with mind-bendy gender stuff next, go for Left Hand of Darkness; if you are more in the mood for a slash/snark/politics trifecta, go for Swordspoint. (Cannot speak for The Persian Boy, as I am inevitably/eternally? in a LA LA LA THERE WILL BE NO BREAKING OF MY ALEXANDER/HEPHAISTION OTP mood post-Fire From Heaven... but I did enjoy Fire From Heaven!)

[miarrow]

I love Left Hand of Darkness. If I felt emotionally ready, I would be rereading it right now. Although I am glad to see Swordspoint leading the way, I had that on my to-read list.

[vom_marlowe]

That Le Guin changed my life.

[schemingreader]

All the interesting stuff is in the second half of the LeGuin book.

Swordspoint was great as I recall.

I think you should read all of them.

[noldo]

Left Hand is great and probably deserves the reread! I admit I didn't actually like Swordspoint, but I think I'm in a very small minority on that, so make of't what you will.

[out_there]

I admit I didn't actually like Swordspoint, but I think I'm in a very small minority on that, so make of't what you will.

I'm glad I'm not the only one. It's one of the few books I remember being actively disappointed by the end (disappointed in the "why did I bother to finish reading this?" way). Usually, if I don't really like a book I just don't remember it, but that one actually stands out in my mind.

Also, Left Hand is an awesome, smart, interesting book. You can't beat a book that has interesting characters, plot and world-building -- and makes you stop and think about your own assumptions of the world.

[glinda]

My voting is biased because I've only read Left Hand of Darkness but it is rather good so you should definitely read it properly, also it's quite short so it's a good way to get back into novel reading if you've been out of it for a while.

However, I hear conflicting reports on Swordspoint so I'm looking forward to hearing what you think about it.

[oparu]

RORY and RIVER.

are you going? I'm going. please say your going. I think you did say you're going...

YAY!!!

[such_heights]

I totally am, yes! :D Are you working this one or going just for fun?

[oparu]

I'm thinking about working, but they have more volunteers then they need. So I may go for fun instead. Could be nice to just queue... eithet way, I shall be there.

[lokifan]

Swordspoint! Then tell us what you think, I'm trying to decide whether to read it.

[fallingtowers]

I'd suggest Privilege of the Sword - the loose sequel to Swordspoint, which I enjoyed a lot more than the first one. I feel a bit guilty for not appreciating Swordspoint as a swashbuckling adventure with canonically queer heroes a lot more, but PotS has a girl! With a sword! And I'm easy like that. :)