Ready to Become a Fan of... Jo Walton

Ready to Become a Fan of... focuses on those authors new and old whose works I have every intention of eventually reading, but haven't been able to devote the time to just yet. By discussing authors and their works that I'm sure I'll love, given the chance, hopefully I can be more easily compelled to take the next step in not simply acquiring one of their books, but actually take the time to read it.
 
This month I'm putting on record that I am ready to become a fan of Jo Walton.
 
About the author:
Jo Walton has published twelve novels, three poetry collections and an essay collection. She won the John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer in 2002, the World Fantasy Award in 2004 for Tooth and Claw, and the Hugo and Nebula awards in 2012 for Among Others. (Source)

Work I'm most looking forward to reading:

Among Others

Raised by a half-mad mother who dabbled in magic, Morwenna Phelps found refuge in two worlds. As a child growing up in Wales, she played among the spirits who made their homes in industrial ruins. But her mind found freedom and promise in the science fiction novels that were her closest companions. Then her mother tried to bend the spirits to dark ends, and Mori was forced to confront her in a magical battle that left her crippled--and her twin sister dead. (WorldCat)





Why This Author & This Work:
The short answer to this question is that I've heard good things about Walton, I own a Kindle edition of this book, and I want to make an effort to start reading more books on my Kindle. I recently decided to publicly shame myself into e-reading more by making a Goodreads list of all my purchased but unread ebooks, which helped me remember I had purchased Among Others.

The longer answer has to do with the fact that recently I've been craving more literary adult novels. I'm not quite at the point of YA or children's lit burnout (hopefully that never happens!), but I have been gravitating towards sophisticated books written for an older, more mature audience. I've decided that, as much as possible, I should embrace my cravings for specific types of stories. After all, I want view reading as both a hobby and a passion, but never as an obligation (with the exception of school and work books, of course).

I believe that Among Others is Walton's most well-known book, and certainly her most critically acclaimed, having won both the Hugo and Nebula Awards. And with the recent publication of The Just City, I figured it was time to finally familiarize myself with Walton's stories.

For those of you who've already read some of Jo Walton's works, I'd appreciate hearing what you think about them. For those who also haven't read her works yet, let me know what's been holding you back!

Ready to Become a Fan of... is an original feature of Late Nights with Good Books.