The new AMP bookstore looks great! I especially like the selection of non-fiction you've included!

For myself, I'd also like to see more fiction represented. I'm curious to know what "metaphysical" fiction the community here is reading. I know AMP members are into fantasy, horror, sorcery, etc, but what books are on everyone's bookshelf?

Recently I've been plowing through Jim Butcher's "Dresden Files" series (the books that inspired the the Sci-fi Channel tv show) featuring wizard PI Harry Dresden. I also really enjoy Mike Mignola's "Hellboy" comic book series. Both series offset the horror with humor (Dresden and Hellboy are both working-joe characters in an otherwise strange world), and feature episodic adventures within a greater, mysterious mythology (Dresden and Hellboy are both trying to understand and overcome their past).

For anyone who is interested, I recommend starting "The Dresden Files" at the beginning. The books are each numbered, and "Storm Front" is the first. You can also read a short story prequel to the series -- titled "Restoration of Faith" -- for free at Jim Butcher's website:

www.jim-butcher.com/books/dresden/restoration/

There's another short story, "Vignette," available there that has no specific time frame within the series. And personally I think it's a better intro to the series than "Restoration"...

www.jim-butcher.com/books/dresden/vignette/


Mike Mignola's "Hellboy" comic books are also numbered according to the reading order. However, I recommend starting with books 3 & 4, "The Chained Coffin and Other Stories" and "The Right Hand of Doom." These are short story collections rather than "graphic novels," and give the reader a chance to experience some of the most entertaining and eccentric adventures of Hellboy without dropping them head-first into the full mythology (but make no mistake, the mythology -- including an explanation of Hellboys love of pancakes -- IS explored).

After reading these two books, it's safe to go back to the beginning and read book 1, "Seed of Destruction." This is the book that informs the plot of the first Hellboy movie (starring Ron Perlman). Be warned, "Seed" is probably the weakest book in the series. Mignola hadn't yet hit his stride (it's the only book he worked on with a co-author). But from here on all the books in the series are highly entertaining, full of surprises, humor, and horror in the Lovecraftian vein.

Check them out and let me know what you think! And, somebody, tell me what you're reading!

Well, there is some fiction on the second page of the Book Store, but you are right, for the amount of fiction I read and have read there should be A LOT more. Right now I'm rereading a teen favorite of mine, the Myth Adventures series by Robert Asprin, back when it was good, before his "issue" and 10 year hiatus... during a CLIFFHANGER! AAARRRRGGGGHHHHH!

Most of what I've been reading lately doesn't quite fit the tone of the site - Lots of Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter; Poison Elves; and other such stuff. Lots of fun but not very serious. Glad to hear about Harry Dresden, I loved the SciFi series. I'll have to borrow them from you sometime.

Well, it seems like the forum is the perfect place to discuss books that are "Lots of fun but not very serious," and stuff that doesn't necessarily fit in at the AMP bookstore.

I have been reading some Robert E. Howard / early sword & sorcery from the 1920s-30s lately, and will probably post a comment on it at some point. It's fascinating stuff (particularly from an pop culture etymology perspective), but hardly "enlightening" in the way of Carolyn Myss. Definitely more suited to forum discussion.

Thanks for posting about Robert Asprin. I had never heard of him OR MythAdventures before, so after I read you post I looked him up on Dr. Google. It sounds like a very interesting series.

I was going to lament the evil genius of writing a cliffhanger ending and then not publishing another book in the series for 10 years... UNTIL I read online that Asprin stopped publishing because of problems with the IRS (apparently, they get 100% of the income from books he authors alone -- now THAT'S evil).

Also, MythAdventures was illustrated by Phil Foglio, who is a favorite artist of mine. If you have never read his "Girl Genius" series of comic books, you should run out and find some. They are delightful and hilarious. They fit into a genre that is not so much "Steam Punk" as, say, "Steam Epic & Romance." And they are full of dastardly villains and talking cats -- as all fantasy should be.

Lastly, I believe that you recommended the "Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter" series to me several years ago (I'll have to re-investigate), but I have never heard of Poison Elves. What's that?

Foglio's Comic of Myth Adventures One is what got me into the series, the extras and background in every illustration are amazing. I'll have to show it to you some time.

Speaking of Steam Punk, have you seen the Mac mod? http://steampunkworkshop.com/daveveloz.shtml

Poison Elves is a semi goth sword and slash comic that is surprisingly well written. I've been trying to get my hands on book 10, but when I have money Amazon is out of stock. Soon.

I've been really disappointed with the Myth books since Asprin got back to the series, a lot of the depth and character development seems to have gone away leaving the main characters feeling rather thin.

breeamal wrote:
I've been really disappointed with the Myth books since Asprin got back to the series, a lot of the depth and character development seems to have gone away leaving the main characters feeling rather thin.

You know, I think if you follow an author long enough you're bound to have that experience. Most writers aren't capable of sustained brilliance.

That Steam Punk site was fantastic! What neat designs! The computer monitor reminds me of the old 1970s set for the TARDIS control room on Doctor Who:

Cool Tardis. You MUST start watching the new series. Catherine Tate is the best of the new companions. She makes me cry and laugh every episode.