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ATDrake · 01-15-2011, 09:59 PM

The Baen Free Library has some nice light reads. They might not all be to your taste, but certainly the price will be right.

My favourites of the ones I've tried are:

Rick Cook's Wizard's Bane and The Wizardry Compiled: programmers get kidnapped to a world where "computer wizard" isn't just a phrase. Openly a comedy series, though of the fish-out-of-water light adventure type rather than the more parodic funny-books sort.

Lois McMaster Bujold's The Warrior's Apprentice. Some serious moments, but mainly a fast-paced, fun, well-written action-adventure tale that's fairly light and breezy, especially compared to the rest of the Vorkosigan series.

Mercedes Lackey's The Lark and the Wren, a mostly light-hearted coming-of-age story about a girl with a strong musical gift who's unappreciated in her home village. A bit of tragedy to go with the triumph, but overall it's an easy read with a touch of humour. Warning for occasional teen angstiness, although compared to some of Lackey's other protagonists, this one doesn't whine so much.

Holly Lisle's Sympathy for the Devil: an impulsive prayer releases demons from Hell into North Carolina so that the damned souls in their charge get a chance at being reformed and saved. Very spoofy and only middling quality at best, but some fun moments if you think it might be your thing.

Actually, Lisle's other Free Library book, Fire in the Mist, is much better, but may not suit your criteria, since there's a war going on inside it. But aside from that, it actually is a fairly fun light read, and the heroine has a refreshing sense of the absurdity of her situation.

For the same reason, Rosemary Edghill's The Warslayer may or may not suit, since it might be considered a bit of a downer in places. But it's got a Xena-spoof actress kidnapped to another world to save it for the folks who think she really is her character, and a fake episode guide for the fake show in the back, so what's not to love?

Also, a Tor.com short story available in downloadable e-reader friendly format: Charles Stross' Overtime, part of his Laundry series, which will make you look with new and horrified understanding at those collectible Santa Cthulhu plushies that Toy Vault used to make.

01-15-2011, 09:59 PM	#2
ATDrake Wizzard Posts: 11,517 Karma: 33048258 Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Roundworld Device: Kindle 2 International, Sony PRS-T1, BlackBerry PlayBook, Acer Iconia	The Baen Free Library has some nice light reads. They might not all be to your taste, but certainly the price will be right. My favourites of the ones I've tried are: Rick Cook's Wizard's Bane and The Wizardry Compiled: programmers get kidnapped to a world where "computer wizard" isn't just a phrase. Openly a comedy series, though of the fish-out-of-water light adventure type rather than the more parodic funny-books sort. Lois McMaster Bujold's The Warrior's Apprentice. Some serious moments, but mainly a fast-paced, fun, well-written action-adventure tale that's fairly light and breezy, especially compared to the rest of the Vorkosigan series. Mercedes Lackey's The Lark and the Wren, a mostly light-hearted coming-of-age story about a girl with a strong musical gift who's unappreciated in her home village. A bit of tragedy to go with the triumph, but overall it's an easy read with a touch of humour. Warning for occasional teen angstiness, although compared to some of Lackey's other protagonists, this one doesn't whine so much. Holly Lisle's Sympathy for the Devil: an impulsive prayer releases demons from Hell into North Carolina so that the damned souls in their charge get a chance at being reformed and saved. Very spoofy and only middling quality at best, but some fun moments if you think it might be your thing. Actually, Lisle's other Free Library book, Fire in the Mist, is much better, but may not suit your criteria, since there's a war going on inside it. But aside from that, it actually is a fairly fun light read, and the heroine has a refreshing sense of the absurdity of her situation. For the same reason, Rosemary Edghill's The Warslayer may or may not suit, since it might be considered a bit of a downer in places. But it's got a Xena-spoof actress kidnapped to another world to save it for the folks who think she really is her character, and a fake episode guide for the fake show in the back, so what's not to love? Also, a Tor.com short story available in downloadable e-reader friendly format: Charles Stross' Overtime, part of his Laundry series, which will make you look with new and horrified understanding at those collectible Santa Cthulhu plushies that Toy Vault used to make.