The Butcher's Bill: September Reads

Alec's Reads

All in all, a solid look at some recent titles in fantasy, with a notable title to be released in 2010, which I highly recommend. Once again, I am short on the science fiction this past month, and not for lack of trying. Good fantasy just seems to abound, whereas I feel I have already put a significant dent in the population of respectable scifi books. Oh well, maybe next month.

The Left Hand of God (2010), Paul Hoffman - 448 pages. [US][UK]

The Quiet War (2009), by Paul McAuley - 462 pages. [US][UK]

The Curse of the Mistwraith (1994), by Janny Wurtrz - 841 pages. [US][UK]

Warbreaker (2007), by Brandon Sanderson - 592 pages. [US][UK]

Mistborn: The Final Empire (2006), by Brandon Sanderson - 544 pages. [US][UK]

Mistborn: The Well of Ascension (2007), by Brandon Sanderson - 816 pages. [US][UK]

Mistborn: The Hero of Ages (2008), by Brandon Sanderson - 784 pages. [US][UK]

Average Pages Per Day: 129.83

Average Publication Date: 2006

Average Books Per Day: 0.23

Fantasy to Science Fiction Ratio: 6/1

Michael's Reads

Compared to August I doubled the number of books I read. I must admit I don't know how I managed this. That means for the everlasting fight between TBR pile and new books:

Books read = 6, new books bought = 5
Incredible! I reduced my TBR pile by one book !!

Again no science fiction novels on my list. But there is urban fantasy, steampunk, epic fantasy and mystery combined with science. Here we go:

The Loch by Steven Alten [US][UK] - 544 pages.

Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie [US][UK] - 560 pages.

Sturmwelten - Unter Schwarzen Segeln by Christoph Hardebusch [DE] - 528 pages.

The Drowning City by Amanda Downum [US][UK] - 384 pages.

Grave Peril (The Dresden Files, #3) by Jim Butcher (2001) [US][UK] - 378 pages.

The Osiris Ritual by George Mann (2009) [US][UK] - 416 pages.

Michael's Stats

Average Pages Per Day: 93.66.

Average Publication Date: 2007.

Average Books Per Day: 0.2.
Books in English: 5
Books in German: 1
Hard cover: 1

Mysteries unveiled: 1
Mummies unwrapped: 1

The Butcher's Bill: August Reads

Alec's Reads

This has been a heavily fantasy series centric month for me, but all in all of very high quality. Some old, some new, and a trashy science fiction book or two thrown in for kicks. Sadly, my to be read pile boasts few science fiction books, but I am working on that problem; I am still looking for military science fiction, so if you have any suggestions please leave a comment.

Gardens of the Moon (1999), by Steven Erikson. [US][UK] - 688 pages.

Deadhouse Gates (2000), by Steven Erikson. [US][UK] - 608 pages.

Black Sun Rising (1991), by C. S. Friedman. [US][UK] - 496 pages.

When True Night Falls (1993), by C. S. Friedman. [US][UK] - 560 pages.

Crown of Shadows (1995), by C. S. Friedman. [US][UK] - 525 pages.

The Witches of Karres (1966), James H. Schmitz. [US][UK] - 400 pages.

The Blade Itself (2006), by Joe Abercrombie. [US][UK] - 448 pages.

Before They Are Hanged (2007), by Joe Abercrombie. [US][UK] - 448 pages.

Last Argument of Kings (2008), by Joe Abercrombie. [US][UK] - 639 pages.

Death's Head: Day of the Damned (2009), by David Gunn. [US][UK] - 368 pages.

Best Served Cold (2009), by Joe Abercrombie. [US][UK] - 560 pages.

Alec's Stats

Average Pages Per Day: 192.

Average Publication Date: 1998.

Average Books Per Day: 0.33.

SF v F ratio: 2 / 9.

Children Saved from Flaming Car Wrecks: 17

Michael's Reads

Compared to Alec my list is very short. In August I returned to work after holiday and there has not much time left for reading. I finished three books and bought four books. That means only one more book for my TBR pile.

Human Nature: Pax Britannia Series (2008), by Jonathan Green. [US][UK] - 320 pages.

Bloodheir (2008), by Brian Ruckley. [US][UK] - 528 pages.

The Angel's Game (2008), by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. [US][UK] - 441 pages.

Michael's Stats

Average Pages Per Day: 42.23.

Average Publication Date: 2008.

Average Books Per Day: 0.09.