As an avid lover of all things related to storytelling I admit I should be reading more. I’ve been writing on my own fiction so much over the past few years that I’ve been lucky if I can read a book a month. I’ve been collecting them, but haven’t been reading them. This is unacceptable. Writers need to read as much as they can get their hands on. I’ve decided I’m going to buckle down and start reading more this year. The following is a list of books I aim to complete before 2014 rolls around. I’m going to attempt to add more to this list, but for the moment I think the following will start me off nicely, and I will endeavor to read all of them by the end of May. I’ll try to have a full review out of each one as I read them for you all.
Currently re-reading American Gods by Neil Gaiman. Because, well, Neil Mother-Effing Gaiman. I read American Gods a long time ago and I remember thoroughly enjoying it. Now that there are talks of an HBO series in the works along with the possibility of more novels, I need to refresh my brain before I get all fan-girly up in this bitch later this year.
On Deck: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. I’ve heard whispers of this novel, but it was quite literally shoved at me last night while I was over at long-time friend’s house, Jeff Webb, who got all giddy at the idea of so many geeky pop culture references in the novel. After his review, he loaned me the book. Now I just have to make sure I don’t steal it from him…
I have been told by Corey that I don’t have a choice but to read The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie. I have a feeling I will be clawing my eyes out to get the remaining books in the series soon after I finish it.
I need to finish The Child Thief by Brom, and then pick up Krampus: The Yule Lord. I started Reading The Child Thief, then got distracted by something shiny. Also, Corey stole it from me and devoured it in a matter of days. This retelling of Peter Pan is dark and bloody. I can’t wait to sink my teeth back into it and immerse myself in Krampus soon after.
Dragon Soul and Steel Hands by Jaida Jones & Danielle Bennett (#3 and #4 in the Havemercy series). I started reading Dragon Soul about a year and a half ago, but one thing or another pulled me away from it and I was unable to get back into it. I loved Havemercy in so many squee-worthy ways after I picked it up on a whim at Barnes and Noble, and Shadow Magic captured my heart equally. I lent both of those books out and never got them back. I need to invest in a new set of all current novels, and catch up before another book in the series hits the shelves (If the authors decide to release a fifth).
An Abundance of Katherines by John Green is the only one of his novels I’ve yet to read. I started last year with The Fault in Our stars, and melted into a gooey mass of adoration and disdain for his ability to make me laugh and cry in the same paragraph. At one point in TFiOS I had to restrain myself from throwing the book across the room. Luckily, it was a signed copy, and I was fully capable of reining it in. From there I went down the list of his novels until now there is only one left.
Snow Crash by Neal Stephenson. Basically, cyber punk before cyber punk was a thing.
Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón. This Spanish-speaking author apparently weaves a glorious tale. A new friend of mine recommended it. He reads and speaks both languages. He assures me the translation is flawless and doesn’t lose its charm. I’ll be adding this one to my bookshelf as soon as possible.
What books have you read recently that you would recommend in a heartbeat? Those are the kinds of books I want to read. Recommend some for me to read this year and they could wind up on my list later in the year. The above runs the gamut from sci-fi, fantasy, young adult, steampunk, and general fiction. I am open to all of these genres and more.
Leave a comment and join the conversation!
Cheers,
Hoshi
Oh snow crash! I read that one years and years ago, I swear! If I remember correctly it was fantastic though.
On the list of books I need to read, Game of Thrones tops the list as I do eventually need to get it back to you! And of course a re-read of Gestalt so I can actually get a review done at some point lol. I keep meaning to re-start my blog too. I suppose book reviews might be a good place to start.
As far as books with some epically well done political landscapes and really unique magic use – I have 2 series for you from the same author Jane Lindskold.
The first is her Wolf series which starts with “Through Wolf’s Eyes” – it’s high fantasy with a fantastic look at monarchy politics near the death of a king with Firekeeper (a young girl raised by wolves who might have the most claim to follow the king to the throne) thrown into the mess to keep all of the other rivals on their toes. Magic, intelligent animals, civil war. It has basically everything you could want in a fantasy book I think!
The other series is her Thirteen Orphans series which starts with the book by the same title. It is one of the most unique twists on the 13 animal lore I’ve seen in a long time, complete with a Chinese flavored form of magic based around the game Majong. Very very cool world – I flew through the 1st three books and am totally bummed the next one isn’t out yet.
Awesome, thanks for the recommendations, love. They will be added to my list so I will try to read at least one of each this year and hopefully they’ll resonate with me. I need to finish reading Game of Thrones as well. I’d also love to have your review of Gestalt up. ^_^