Other Stuff I've Been Reading

One of these is dated, but here are some books I've read in the last year.

Dickson, Gordon R. Wolfling. 1985 (original copyright 1968). Baen. New York.

The High-born ruled a thousand worlds. A hundred years in our future, the first expedition from Earth reaches Alpha Centauri only to discover a vast human empire, long-established and sternly ruled by the aristocratic High-born. In a stroke Earth becomes merely another primitive outpost, its people dubbed "wolflings" by the rulers of the Throne World.
Painstakingly chosen and meticulously trained, Jim Keil was sent merely to observe conditions on the Throne World. The High-born would consider him no more than a diversion ... until Keil cast away his orders from Earth and proved a Wolfling indeed.

Colbert, Curt. Sayonaraville. 2003. UglyTown. Los Angeles.

Welcome to Seattle. Who chopped off insurance agent Henry Jamison's head with a samurai sword? While trying to figure this out, Seattle private eye Jake Rossiter also has to deal with his recently promoted junior partner -- Miss Jenkins -- who is about to take on the Hashimoto family as clients for her first official case. As the clues and danger mount, Rossiter and Miss Jenkins take more twists and turns than a coaster at Playland! Welcome to Sayonaraville.

Vinge, Vernor. A Fire Upon the Deep. 1992. Tor. New York.

"Fleeing a menace of galactic proportions, a spaceship crashes on an unfamiliar world, leaving the survivors--a pair of children--to the not-so-tender mercies of a medieval, lupine race. Responding to the crippled ship's distress signal, a rescue mission races against time to retrieve the children and recover the weapon they need to prevent the universe from being forever changed. Against a background depicting a space-time continuum stratified into 'zones of thought,' the author has created a rarity--a unique blend of hard science, high drama, and superb story-telling." -- Library Journal

Card, Orson Scott. Enchantment. 1999. DelRay. New York.

The moment young Ivan stumbled upon a clearing in the dense Carpathian forest, his life was forever changed. Atop a pedestal encircled by fallen leaves, the beautiful princess Katerina lay as still as death--while a malevolent presence stirred in the hidden depths below.

Now, years later, Ivan is compelled to return. He finds the clearing just as he left it. This time he does not run...

This is a story to which I continually return and enjoy immensely with each reading.