Books

These are books that I’ve read and have loved.

I can’t get enough of Steampunk these days and Boneshaker is by far my favorite. The Iron Duke is also amazing–I’m just fascinated by the Horde and the bugs and the Blacksmith… Scott Westerfeld’s Leviathan and Behemoth are also incredible–but those are definitely for a younger age group. But the maps are brilliant. I could stare for hours at the maps. Just notice how the bear of Russia is descending upon the Austro-Hungarian Empire…

Also for a younger age group is The Bartimeaus Trilogy. They’re brilliant and enchanting. I love the point-of-view changes and I love Bartimeaus and his snarkiness and how he speaks in footnotes… I love the whole idea and how Nathaniel grows from an unbearable brat to an admirable and likable young man… In all honesty, I didn’t like the ending at first, but I eventually came around and realized it had to be that way. I’m just a sucker for the happy ending. Wait. Is that too much of a spoiler?

I have to mention Cornelia Funke, of course. The Inkheart Trilogy is one of my absolute favorites and for some reason I really love The Thief Lord. There’s something about Venice and abandoned movie theaters…

This series–the Fools Guild Mysteries–is just clever and brilliant and well-researched and funny…  They fit in with my whole original idea, but different enough that I didn’t feel inept. I have them in order (I think…).