Updating, for anyone who gives a poot.
Tried a few crime fiction novelists -- Larsson, Paterson, Ellroy, Nebso. All of them seemed to be good writers, but I'll have to leave this genre for later. My issue is that it focuses on the worst elements of humanity, and so it usually amplifies my cynical or mistrustful attitudes. I polished off a novel in this genre not long ago, so I'll have to wait for a while before I do another.
Tried a few science fiction novels -- Three Body Problem, Old Man's War, Illium. I didn't take to the first or third, but I enjoyed the second one. It was a light, entertaining read. The military SF stuff isn't really my style, but I needed something simple after the epic tome of Pillars of the Earth.
As far as fantasy, I tried Bujold but didn't like her writing style, seemed too affected, and the story focused too much on politics and royalty for my tastes. I sampled a little of Robin Hobb (Ship of Magic) and liked that better. It's on my shelf, waiting for the right time.
Ah, Lonesome Dove. I'm only 50 pages in or so, but I'm really liking it so far. I love the atmosphere and the characters, especially the main ones. McMurtry can really turn a phrase sometimes, and some of the lines are laugh out loud funny. I've never read a western before (well, not since Shane in college), but I may read more in this genre, if I continue to enjoy this one. It kind of surprised me, because I never thought I'd like a western. I think I had a prejudice against it, thought of it as redneck or something. But there's something here I like.