Hey guys,

I’m in the midst of moving into a two bedroom apartment with my girlfriend right now and most of my current residence is in boxes so I’ll have to keep this short.

Like nearly every writer, I read a lot. Right now, my reading choices are especially focused on top-notch writers so I thought I’d list them here and tell you why I’m reading them.

“The Road” by Cormac McCarthy. What can I say? This is the first even vaguely sci-fi novel to make Opera’s Book Club, which is where I want to be someday (get picked and you automatically sell 3 million books).

“Rainbow’s End” by Verner Vinge. Anyone know how to pronounce this guy’s name? I’m reading him because everybody I’ve met raves about him and he’s won two hugos. The main character in Rainbow’s End is definately NOT sympathetic, so it’s a good exercise in writing a story where everyone hates the protag but still wants to keep reading.

“The Scar” by China Mieville. I’m reading this because the guy’s prose is beautiful, and this is the area of my own writing that I feel could use the most improvement. It’s awfully slow going though. Note to self: Try to find that balance between good writing and good storytelling.

“Old Man’s War” by John Scalzi. The guy’s got a great blog and can promote the hell out of this one. I’m reading this so that if it comes up in conversation (and with the Whatever’s publicity machine in full tilt, it may well) I’ll know what I’m talking about. Scalzi’s book has great dialogue which is another skill I’m always trying to improve.

Best of the Year’s Best Sci-fiction and Fantasy (?) edited by Gardner Dozois. Sorry about the garbled title, the book is packed away cause of the move. This one is a no brainer. Since I’m focusing on the short fiction market right now I’d better read the best.

Best Sci-Fiction stories from 1924-1964 editing by Robert Silverberg (again garbled title). Same reasons as above. I notice it contains the story “Mimzy Were the Borogroves” which was just turned into the feature film “The Last Mimzy”. A lot of these stories are public domain. Coincedence?

That’s about it for me. What books are you reading and why? Shoot me a line!