– or –

http://jaylake.livejournal.com/1656682.html

Funny you mention Scalzi – this year I read “Old Man’s War” by John Scalzi and loved it! I first downloaded it from the TOR website when they were doing their free book a week promo, and scanned the first chapter, HAD to know what happened next, so bought the print version for ease and enjoyment of reading. Love the concept, love the execution, and for me, a non-SF reader, that’s a miracle!

Alison Goodman’s “The Two Pearls of Wisdom” – technically a YA book but exploring some fascinating elements of power and gender, this book sucked me in from the first word and spat me out at the end wrung out and delighted.

“Tender Morsels” by Margo Lanagan – horrifying, gruesome, weird and superbly executed. Take your Grimm fairytales and turn them on their heads.

Lois McMaster Bujold – anything by :) Read a couple of her books this year and was impressed by all. I have been reading in her SF world, and again, as a non-SF reader usually, impressed!

There have been loads more, but when I saw this, those sprang to mind :)