The British Fantasy Society Forum

[Leemanchee]

I have just finished 'The Lost World' by Michael Crichton. I absolutely loved it. Having been into Dino's since I was fives years old, this was right up my street. He blends action and description really well. It flowed well and had some very clever and interesting theories in. Much advised.

I have started and put down Stephen Kings 'Duma Key'. I have to say it started to get bogged down with unnecessary detail and lost any excitement that was building. I much prefer a shorter book full of action and less detail if it helps the story move.

I have since picked up Stephanie Meyer's 'The Host'. It has started out a little confusing in places, but has slowly gathered some pace and direction. It took about eight chapters before the story moved on, which almost resulted in me giving up on that. Thats said it's a great concept and an unusual take on an invasion of the body snatchers theme, even if it does contradict itself. The alien race in question are peaceful and aren't capable of bad emotions (yet they invaded Earth and took it's people as hosts), it's a long book, and I'm yet to see where it's heading, not sure if that's a good thing or not.

[Andrew Hook]

Just finished "One" by Conrad Williams which I thought was excellent. Superbly realised, rich characterisation, and thought-provoking.

[Karen Stevens]

I've just finished 'Skarlet' by Thomas Emson, an excellent vampire novel (set in London rather than America for once, hurrah!). If you prefer your bloodsuckers to be vicious, violent predators rather than Byronic anti-heroes or angst ridden immortals I recommend you check it out.

[ElspethCooper]

I am renewing my acquaintance with Robert Holdstock's Mythago Wood books, currently about half-way through Lavondyss.

Also started Robyn Young's Brethren a few weeks ago but can't seem to get into it.

[Stephen Theaker]

I've been reading a couple of books from the Baen free library, David Drake's The Sea Hag and Keith Laumer's Retief. I couldn't say either of them have been brilliant, but they were entertaining enough.

[Colin (Black Abyss)]

Australian Ghost Stories (the new Wordsworth collection), of course I have been standing on me head to get the full effect

[David A. Riley]

May shock some people and appal others: Charlaine Harris's Dead Until Dark.

[Selina]

May shock some people and appal others: Charlaine Harris's Dead Until Dark.

I really enjoy the Sookie Stackhouse books, was a fan way before True Blood came out. I also read many other paranormal romance/supernatural detective type books too.

Not reading any fantasy at the mo, but recently finished Little Brother by Cory Doctorow, which was a very good near future novel. Some of the tech stuff could be a little info dumpy, but other than that a stonking read, which made me want to protect all my privacy rights etc from now on!

[JohanFundin]

ROSEMARY'S BABY (Ira Levin, 1967)
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Roman Polanski's first Hollywood film, the enormously successful Rosemary's Baby (1968), had a major influence on the development of 1970s horror film. Just until now I had never read the novel that Polanski adapted for the big screen. 60 pages into it, I enjoy it a lot.

Three years after Ira Levin's death in 2007, I've taken the opportunity to check out the author's early work. Recently I read his great sci-fi suspense novel THE STEPFORD WIVES (adapted for the big screen twice).
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"Every novel Levin has ever written has been a marvel of plotting. He is the Swiss watchmaker of the suspense novel."

- Stephen King

[David A. Riley]

May shock some people and appal others: Charlaine Harris's Dead Until Dark.

I really enjoy the Sookie Stackhouse books, was a fan way before True Blood came out. I also read many other paranormal romance/supernatural detective type books too.

Not reading any fantasy at the mo, but recently finished Little Brother by Cory Doctorow, which was a very good near future novel. Some of the tech stuff could be a little info dumpy, but other than that a stonking read, which made me want to protect all my privacy rights etc from now on!

The book reads well so far. I like the TV series, though I missed the last few. Catching up on DVD. The new series seems to be shaping up well too.

David

[Stephen Theaker]

I've been reading a couple more of Murray Leinster's short novels, The Pirates of Zan and Gateway to Elsewhere. Very pithy and sardonic. Both were enjoyable without being as good as his best work. A lot of his work is falling out of copyright in the States, so I think he may well have an It's a Wonderful Life-style boost to his reputation and readership over the coming years.

[Craig Herbertson]

Reading for about the seventh time, Mistress of Mistresses, Eddison

[Greg James]

Just finished reading Mark Samuels's The White Hands and Other Weird Tales. Very impressive and inspiring stuff.

[Paul Woodward]

Just started to read the Windup Girl.  Its a bit slow but its very detailed and is offering unusual narrative angles.
I'm surprised Locus have it as a first novel, in the blurb mention is made of 2 previous books in the same milleau Calorie Man and Yellow Card Man? Neither of which I have read mind you.

[John Forth]

Just finished reading Mark Samuels's The White Hands and Other Weird Tales. Very impressive and inspiring stuff.

Yes, I've got a copy of that in the 'to read' pile and will no doubt get to it shortly. In the meantime, I've just finished Ellen Datlow's Lovecraft Unbound anthology which was a bit patchy. There's some good stuff in there though. Caitlin Kiernan's Houses Under the Sea was a particular favourite.

Next up, a change of pace with David Simon's Homicide: Life on the Killing Streets, and after that probably The Sundial by Shirley Jackson.