The Pop Tart

I haven't posted in a bit. Sorry about that. I'd like to say that I've been too busy doing the holiday thing, but truly, not so much. Thought I'd post about what I've been reading lately as a change of pace. I am a librarian after all. Books have to factor in this blog somewhere.

I've been on a bit of a paranormal kick lately. As a pre-teen and young teen I read a lot of fantasy novels. As an adult traditional fantasy - wizards, dragons, quests to save the world - just doesn't appeal anymore. I still like science fiction but lately I've been getting my otherworldly kicks from paranormal fiction featuring kick-ass heroines. Werewolves and vampires and djinn, oh my.

If you're a fan of Buffy then you should definitely check out Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn. Originally released as a novella and recently expanded into a full-length novel, Kitty is a kick. Kitty Norville is a DJ in Denver. She's also a reluctant werewolf, turned against her will. While she struggles for a "normal" life Kitty accidentally starts a national phenomenon on the radio with a joke. Suddenly she has people calling from all over the country claiming to have the same problem she does - they're something more then human - and the powers that be don't like the attention.

Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison is a grittier take. Rachel Morgan has decided to set up her own investigation service. Problem is her former employers aren't happy she left. Now with werewolves and demons on her tail, Rachel will be lucky to survive the week. Set in an alternative version of Cincinnati where supernatural beings are part of the fabric of life, this is just the kind of Urban Fantasy I've been loving lately. If you like this one then don't miss the Weather Warden series by Rachel Caine either.

What appeals with all of these is the tough female outsiders who star. Maybe if I'd had been a Veronica, I'd be battling the undead too.