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talkstowolvesWelcome to the first installation of the GeekDame’s Guide to Holiday Gift-Giving for the Discerning Geek! Today, we are focusing on BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS and what you should be giving the bookish geeks in your life.
For the purposes of this post, I should specify that we mean SFF geeks! If they are biology geeks or computer geeks or immunology geeks, they may look at you funny upon receipt of the following volumes. Well, the immunology geeks would probably find Mira Grant’s work quite engaging. But still. SFF geeks. Get it? Got it. Good.
URBAN FANTASY FOR THE ONES WHO READ FAST OR DON’T FEAR COMMITMENT:
The October Daye Series by Seanan McGuire.
This series represents some of the best urban fantasy around, starring a changeling private detective in San Francisco. I know that sounds pretty textbook, but Seanan McGuire will blow you away with the depth and breadth of her worldbuilding – the urban isn’t just window-dressing in this urban fantasy – while also treating you to flawed characters who actually grow and change from adventure to adventure, leaving you very invested and heartbroken at the inevitable tragedies. Nothing is black and white, Toby is an excellently wry narrator, and there are plenty of laughs among the gasps, shrieks, and occasional tears.
There are currently five books out, but the first three should be enough to get your giftee hooked and they can spend their ubiquitous holiday gift cards on Late Eclipses and One Salt Sea.
Purchase @ Amazon: Rosemary and Rue
The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher.
I’m well aware that actually giving the entire extant series to someone might break the bank, and that’s why I recommend the more moderate first four volumes. Yeah, you heard me: four. I say this because the first book is absolutely not representative of the series, but a necessary evil to introduce you to Harry Dresden and get you rolling in his world.
The Dresden Files series is for anyone who enjoys fundamentally flawed characters trying to do their best, becoming progressively more badass, and building complex relationships along the way. It’s also for anyone who enjoys the more horror-oriented urban fantasy, along with messy mysteries. I’m nine books in and loving it more with each subsequent volume.
Purchase @ Amazon: Storm Front
(I did a video review of the first eight books, but it has spoilers. You’ve been warned.)
FANTASY FOR THE ONES WHO DON’T FEAR COMMITMENT AND WANT SOMETHING TO SAVOR FOR YEARS, THE MORE THE BETTER, NO SERIOUSLY:
The Discworld series by Sir Terry Pratchett.
The Discworld series is a brilliant institution of SFF satire – incredibly humorous, and both lightly and seriously critical of an incredible bevy of tropes from the mystery genre to rock ‘n’ roll to the press (and more!), with fathoms-deep thoughts and wise observations on the nature of humanity, family, storytelling, and – seriously – more. With ubiquitous footnotes as humorous as the text itself, and unforgettable recurring characters in the witches of Lancre, the City Watch, Death himself (and so on!), I want Discworld to last forever, and am sad that it must eventually be a finite collection. Start your giftee out with The Colour of Magic, The Light Fantastic, and Equal Rites this holiday season.
Purchase @ Amazon: The Color of Magic
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