"Witches" - pale beneath the blue

Okay, I drink like a girl, I read like a girl.  I like it though.  I can't help it.  Horror/fantasy/sci-fi/romance is my bag. 

Here are some of my favorites:

Kim Harrison

My new ultimate favorite.  I was originally intruiged because she bases her novels in Cincinnati and the content was right up my alley, but you put that together with one of the most inspiring imaginations I've read in a while and you have one of the best series ever.  I'm pacing myself and only finished with the second book in the series.  Although, I don't know if I will be able to contain myself.

Laurell K. Hamilton

Wasn't a big fan early on in the Anita Blake series, but after reading the first few it got really good.  I couldn't wait to read the next one.  Very addicting.  I found that even though I wasn't overwhelmed by Guilty Pleasures, I couldn't wait to read the next story.  I enjoyed the Merry Gentry series more from the get go, but now I'm not enjoying it as much as Anita Blake.  I got annoyed with Anita because she wouldn't accept magic stuff at first, but now it's all good.  I like Merry because she did, but now it's just about doing it all the time.  I like a good sex scene, but geez, give a girl a breather!

Update: I'm currently reading Mistral's Kiss and I'm seriously sick of all the sex.  There has to be a story still left in these books somewhere.  If something interesting doesn't happen soon I'm so done with these books.

Charlaine Harris

The vamp series is just as it says, "A Southern Vampire Novel".  Usually found in the mystery section and a nice balance of real life vs. the supernatural.  Vamps names are things like "Bill" and "Eric".  Really good murder mysteries as well.

Kelley Armstong

Her characters are awesome!  I'm even more impressed with these books than I thought I would be.  The first two books are about Werewolves, then the next three are Witches, but they all still intermingle with each other.  It's good readin' I tell ya!

Anne Rice

Now there's a shocker.  The thing about Anne Rice though is that some books are more difficult than others.  While enjoyed the first few in her vampire series, I really enjoyed The Witching Hour much more.  The thrid book in the Witching Hour serious (Taltos, I beileve?), kind of creeped me out with all the dolls though.  The first one was the best.  I didn't manage to keep up very good with this series, but maybe one day I will return.  i just rebought The Witching Hour and plan on a good re-read soon.

Clive Barker

Although I haven't really read any of his adult books.  I've read The Thief of Always, Abarat and a few other exerpts.  I've greatly enjoyed his imagination.  I look forward to getting caught up with all of my other nonsense to give his horror novels a go.

C.S. Lewis

The Chronicles of Narnia.  Need I say more.  My dad used to read me this series (in the proper order mind you) when I was a kid.  I forcd my father to take me to the movie when it came out as well.  I had looked very forward to watching the BBC version to find it was much like a PBS special with some of the ugliest children I have ever seen.  Everything else just needs to be written in English quite frankly.  I enjoy apologetics, but he is too much of an artist with is words (to be kind) for it to not give me a headache.

Mark Z. Danielewski

Just for kicks one day, go into a bookstore and pick up House of Leaves and just thumb through it for kicks.  If you don't buy it just from that, then I can't help you.  I am fortunate enough to own an autographed copy of this book.  His new book, Only Revolutions comes out on September 12.  I can't wait!

 J.M. Barrie

Oh, come on.  It doesn't get better than Peter Pan.  It just doesn't.

L. Frank Baum

Some of my favorite literature of all times.  I have several copies of this book and artwork.  Also, you should look at Robert Sabuda's pop-up book.  If you don't know who Robert Sabuda is, you should be shot.  I can't list him with my author's because the man is a genius artist.

Madeleine L'Engle

A Wrinkle in Time series are some of my earliest fantasy memories.  Another series my dad used to read to me.  I'm waiting for the movie of this as well.

J.K. Rowling

Okay, cliche, cliche, cliche.... Never wanted to get all caught up in this too much and I don't, but the stories are quite good and easy to read.  You can get through the books rather quickly.  I used to read them while boring my pants off cashiering at Border's.

Lewis Carroll

Simply put.... Alice in Wonderland.  Any man that strung out on hallucinogens and still able to come up with a creative novel is alright by me.  Again, there is a marvelous Robert Sabuda version of this book as well.

Michael Ende

I kid you not, The Neverending Story is one of the best books I ever read.  I read most of it on a bus for 46 hours on my way to Phoenix to meet, Ed, the boy who ignored me all week after I took a bus 46 hours to see him and then never bothered to write or call again.  Fuck him.  The great part about this, is if you have only seen the movie, the book doesn't stop there.  You get to the end of the movie part of the book and there is still about 2/3 of the book left.  Wonderful, marvelous, can't say enough.