Last night, after waffling around for quite a while, I signed up for Lani/Lucy's Discovery class. This morning I got a welcome email with one pre-class homework assignment: read. (I knew there was a reason I liked her!) I never need an excuse to Read All The Things-- I spend a good chunk of my free time doing that anyway. But this time I'm a little stumped and could use some recommendations.
The details are still a little fuzzy to me (which is why this class is perfect timing), but I know I want to set my story in Texas somewhere in the 1830's-1901. A lot of cool stuff happened here in those years. You know what else those years roughly represent? The Victorian era. Steampunk! Which is perfect for my story, since there is some time travel going on.
This is where you come in. I've read a little steampunk, but not a lot. Can you make some recommendations? What is good? I like some romance in my stories, anything from a slow growing tension over several books in a series to hanky panky on the first page. But I don't have to have romance as long as the story is well told and exciting. I just want to get a feel for what's happening in the genre.
If you've read any of my other posts, you know I'm up to my eyebrows in moving right now. So I really need books that are available in e-format. Books that might be available from Overdrive would be great, because my library has an excellent subscription with them. And I have some credit built up at Amazon, so books available for the Kindle would be good, too.
If you don't have any steampunk recommendations, what have you read and loved lately? My tastes are fairly eclectic. It all mixes around in the soup pot in my brain, and you never know what group of disparate things will spark off each other and create a new story idea, or take an old story in a totally new direction.
Hey Becks,
ReplyDeleteWhilst Im not heavily into the Steampunk genre, if you can get your hands on them the Pax Britannia series is pretty good (theres one Zorro type tale and the others are set in England with an omnibus released shortly which will be value for money.) If you want to watch a film perhaps try Wild Wild West or try and catch Warehouse 13 which has tons of Steampunk items within.
Oooohhh and have a look at Steampunk computers etc, theres some real beauties out there that might pique your interest.
Hello
ReplyDeleteI suggest classics like Jules Verne (notably this one : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_in_the_20th_Century) or HG Wells.
Another French author P. Pevel (Les Enchantements d'Ambremer - not sure there's a translation of this one)
I don't know from steampunk (okay, the extent of my knowledge is that I recognized it was a real word). Great books lately? Lots!
ReplyDeleteGreen Angel & Green Witch, both by Alice Hoffman
Made in the USA by Billie Letts
The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton (a reread but still awesome)
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett (ditto reread)
Recently read the Luxe series by Anna Godberson set in NY in 1900 very lush and romantic.
Currently reading The Glassblower of Murano and it's good.
The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen
Enjoy reading it can be sooo relaxing! It'll give you a little mental escape from the moving.
Oooh ooh OOH! Everyone is peeing their pants with glee (and they are right to because it is YAY!) over this new series by Gail Carriger - Soulless, Changeless, and Blameless.
ReplyDeleteVictoriana + Weres and Vamps + Steampunkish things + Romance = OMGWIN.
http://gailcarriger.com/
I think this is set in a alternate time and place, so not quite Victorian, and the authors call it "Gaslamp Fantasy" rather than steampunk, but the comic Girl Genius is super faboo. ("Adventure! Romance! Mad Science!") Best of all it's free online: http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20021104
They've been writing a while, so this may eat a bit of your time, but it will be worth it.
The other thing I think of is not at all steampunk, but fits the time period and has adventure and romance and mystery - Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody mysteries. Try Crocodile on the Sandbank, and see if it rings your bell.
Well, balls on me for not html-ing the links.
ReplyDeleteTrying again:
Gail Carriger
Girl Genius
Amelia Peabody
Now I will be in spam comment jail for using too many links!
Becky, I apologize that I have no steampunk suggestions for you. My reading lately consists of a list of 10 books (reading randomly depending on my mood), here's a few although they're probably not what you're looking for. Bobby & Jackie, by C. David Heymann, 'By Blood We Live, An Anthology Edited by John Joseph Adams, and Writing Great Books for Young Adults, by Regina Brooks.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your blog this week ;)
I just finished Changeless yesterday. Gah! A certain character, who shall remain nameless so that I don't spoil anything for anyone, needs a good smack upside his or her head. And I foresee a major, painful problem in the future that none of the characters seem to have snapped to yet. But it's gonna be ugly. Can't wait for the next book!
ReplyDeleteBecky, I loved the blurb you put on my blog. It was a nice little insight into you as a person. It was fresh and honest. I loved the Gilda Radner quote...quite funny! Made me laugh. You've obviously got a great sense of humor too!
ReplyDeleteThanks! :)
OK, I don't know about steampunk, but I just finished an amazing southern gothic YA (no vampires, just cool paranormal) - it's called Beautiful Creatures and I downloaded the audio from iTunes. It was really great, and fun to listen to while traveling.
ReplyDeleteOh, yeah. I read Beautiful Creatures earlier this year. The sequel, Beautiful Darkness, comes out in October. I'm definitely looking forward to that one.
ReplyDeleteI've never read steampunk before, but Katie MacAlister's Steamed is billed as a steampunk romance. It's on my TBR list.
ReplyDeleteI'll second Lora's recommendation of The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen. Allen's first two books are just as good - Garden Spells and The Sugar Queen.
I saw in a previous post that you've read JR Ward's BRB series. I just read them this summer, and oh my - I'm in love. I'm currently waiting for Lover Mine from the library, and it's killing me!
I've also started her new Fallen Angels Series. Can't wait for Crave to come out this fall.
I see you're a member of Good Reads. You could try trolling their member groups for suggestions. Shelfari might also be a good place to look for recommendations.
Sorry I couldn't be more help. Good luck! I'm so jealous that you're taking Lani's class. Hope you have loads of fun. :)
~Cat
I have no idea what steampunk really is...I don't think I've ever read anything that falls into that category but I can recommend a few romance authors who are must reads
ReplyDeleteKresley Cole
Rhyannon Byrd
Lara Adrian
D.B. Reynolds
Veronica Wolff
I could go on and on...but these ones should keep you busy for a while...enjoy!
Gail Carriger is amazing and her website (www.gailcarriger.com , I think) also has a link to 20 "classic" older and more modern steampunk works. Seriously loved Gail Carriger's first two parasol books.
ReplyDeleteI'm just breaking into the whole steampunk genre too, but Cassandra Clare, author of the YA series The Mortal Instruments, has the first book her prequel triology coming out in less than two weeks, and its steampunk -- Clockwork Angel. If you like YA urban fantasy, this author is a must.
ReplyDeleteI have a couple of Cherie Priest's books but have only had time to read one but it was good.
ReplyDeleteI don't have an account here so I'm posting Anonymously but I'm Geri C over at Lucy March's place.
I've heard great things about Boneshaker though I haven't had the chance to read it yet myself. Scott Westerfeld's Leviathan was fabulous, and I have a steampunk (partially set in Texas) coming out in February, but I don't think that will help you much.
ReplyDeleteIf you can get your hands on a copy of Briscoe County Jr. on DVD or something, that was very steampunkish (though it is TV rather than reading).
Ciar Cullen just put out a steampunk with Decadent, and I believe there might be one or two others there. I thought Carina Press had some, but they might not be out yet.
Good luck!