Words are inadequate

how much the books released depends on the major book chains.

Suck. I'd probably have discovered this for myself in another couple months working at Walden's, but still. Suck.

I read the China Meilville book. Interesting, fun for a while, but the ending did nothing for me.

Which? I've heard that King Rat (a Pied Piper story) was really good, and Perdido Street Station and his most recent were only okay.

gave up on Pullman after dragging my way through the first book.

You have no idea how happy it makes me that it's not just me. :)

Try looking at the small publishers.

*nod* ibooks, a division of Simon & Schuster, is reprinting all of the Wild Cards anthologies, and a lot of Zelazny and Bester.
*checks Meisha Merlin website* Ooh! Kedrigern! Way cool! Also Asprin reprints... very neat.