Two-part query

[mrissa]

So, if an American SF geek was to find herself in London:

1) Where should she go to buy British SF novels? It doesn't have to be a genre-specialty bookstore -- I just don't want to walk into the equivalent of an airport bookshop and say, "Oh, look, they've got a quarter of the Terry Pratchett we've got at home and some Dan freaking Brown novels," and walk out again.
2) What's out in the UK but not (or not yet) in the US that she should look for? (Speculative fiction in particular, but other genres welcome with some kind of description of what, exactly, it is I'd be dealing with. Er, she'd be dealing with.)

Comments

[rysmiel.livejournal.com]

Iain Banks. Most bookshops of any size will have most of his stuff. For you, I'd particularly recommend The Crow Road of the mainstream and Against a Dark Background and Use of Weapons of the SF. I love The Wasp Factory beyond reason but I suspect it might be too close to horror for you.

Ian McDonald. I believe Desolation Road had a reprint within the past couple of years, so you may well be able to get hold of a copy. Do so. Also, you need to read Sacrifice of Fools.

[oracne.livejournal.com]

I second the rec for Iain Banks. You can get a lot of his stuff over here, but there's probably something new.

I've enjoyed stuff by Ian Watson but don't know what he has out right now.

[markgritter.livejournal.com]

I'm the Iain Banks fan in this household (I win because Marissa can't stand Feersum Endjinn.) We have AaDB and UoW, and I think The Wasp Factory.

I can't get The Algebraist from Amazon at the moment, though.

[chance88088.livejournal.com]

hmmm amazon uk? because they sent it to me.

[mrissa.livejournal.com]

But I suspect it might be too close to horror for you.

I confirm your suspicions.