I suppose it comes as no surprise that I prefer reading fantasy novels. Specifically, I like epic and series fantasy. That love affair started when I was about twelve, so that would be...add two...carry the one...twenty-three years ago. Twenty-three years in which I have concentrated heavily on the fantasy shelves. There are plenty of good and great fantasy series out there: Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time, Terry Brooks Shannara stuff, Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth--there are too many to enumerate here.
Lately, I've had the urge to explore, to experiment in other genres. I knew a long time ago that there were plenty of great books in other genres but I'd forgotten.
I have a few I'd like to mention here:
Seize the Night, Dean Koontz:
Wow, what descriptive writing. Each and every image he paints is absolutely the best possible image for that moment. The writing flows like water and the characters float on top. My favourite Dean Koontz book.
Over the Edge, Jonathan Kellerman:
Classic whodunit with a neat spin. Writing that evokes the old fashioned cop mysteries but somehow manages to avoid being cliched. A deeply involved mystery that had me guessing right up to the climax.
The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon, Stephen King:
I have a daughter only a little younger than the protagonist, Trisha. I kept wanting to put the book down because my heart was constantly in my throat, and yet the damned thing stayed glued to my hands until I read the last word. Damn you, Mr. King. Damn you!
The Name of the Wind, Patrick Rothfuss:
I know it's fantasy so I'm cheating. It's my blog. I can do that. I haven't read Wise Man's Fear yet but if it's half as good as The Name of the Wind, then it's still better than 90% of everything else out there. That book is the most beautifully written book I've ever had the honour to read. I don't even know where to begin extolling its virtues without sounding like Mr. Rothfuss's publisher paid me copious amounts of money. Mr. Rothfuss, thank you.
There have been many other good books that have kept me up past my bedtime, or gotten me in trouble with my lovely Cori--"Remi, where's the fire extinguisher?" "Hold on, hold on. I'm at a good part."--but these are the ones that stick out most in my head.
Happy reading!
So this is why your second book isn't out yet:p
ReplyDeleteI am glad to hear that you are enjoying my collection of everything that has print. Now stop reading other people's work and get back to your own.