After finishing Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, I felt a bit let down because there won't be any more, except in fan fiction. I've been looking around to find other books that are "readalikes" or at least bear some similarity to the Potter books. Another blogger had recommended Jim Butcher's Harry Dresden series about a wizard private detective. I got the first one in that series and, while an engaging enough read to make me want to read more, it doesn't really have the same feel as the HP books.
I've scoured several sites where recommendations are given to Harry Potter fans looking for something new, but similar to read. As one who had not read much fantasy previous to the Potter books, I found these lists quite useful. After reading several such lists, I went to Amazon to read plot descriptions and made a list of the ones that seemed most promising.
One newer series that sounded interesting involves modern day Americans who are "half bloods"; the children of Greek gods and mortals. While the books are intended for teen readers, what I read of the plot descriptions indicate they might be worth reading for adults, as the Potter books were. I ordered the first in that series at the bookstore and if it proves to be as interesting as it looks, I'll read the other two currently available.
I also took the list I'd made to the used bookstore, and found a copy of "Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell" by Susanna Clarke in new condition. This is a one-off novel for adults about two wizards at the beginning of the 19th century. It's a thick book with small print, so it should keep me busy for awhile. If anyone has read this one, I'd be curious to hear what you think.
On the non-fiction front, I was reading an essay at Alternet that was an interview with Mike Jones, the male escort who outed the antigay evangelist Ted Haggard. Jones mentioned his new book, "I Had to Say Something", which tells about his relationship with Haggard and why he outed him. It sounds interesting, so I'll see if my library has it the next time I'm up there. To read the Jones Alternet interview, click here.
Later this month, I'm going to attend the "Really Good, Really Big, Really Cheap Book Sale", which is an annual mega book sale of used books of all types, put on by a group that promotes adult literacy in order to raise money for its efforts. I'd first heard about it last summer after the fact and made plans then not to miss it this year. The sale is held in a closed-down mall and will have over a hundred thousand books available at yard sale prices. I intend to make a list of books to look for so I can stock up on books properly.
I'm not much of a bookworm, am I?
If you have any book recommendations, feel free to list them in the comment section.
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