I’ve seen several folks do a top
books of 2014 blog. Thought I might do something similar. Here’s ten books I
really enjoyed this year. Because they are so different in tone and genre, I
can’t really rate them as #1, 2, etc. They’re just works I liked a lot. Each
was memorable for one reason or another. I didn't include links to Amazon and Barnes & Noble but all are available there.
The Hunter:
First in the Parker series by Richard Stark (Donald Westlake). A stripped
down, noir tale. No wasted motion, no wasted words, no wasted description. A
quick read
Elak
of Atlantis, by Henry
Kuttner, An anthology of Kuttner’s
early work. Contains four Elak of Atlantis stories, plus two Prince Raynor
tales. The tales combine the eldritch elements from Lovecraft with the action adventure
work of Robert E. Howard. This makes for a fine pairing.
Spawn of Dyscrasia,
by S.E. Lindberg. an entertaining
fantasy novel that—I would argue—rises to the level of art. Incredible world
building.
Animals, by John Skipp and Craig Spector. I've
read about everything from this pair of writers. Their work is gory and not always
quite PC but it has power and drama.
The Measure of a Man, by Shauna Roberts. A combination of fantasy, science fiction and horror. A lot of action and adventure.
----
----
.
Wow. Charles, thanks for the nod.
ReplyDeleteCharles, I'm honored that you liked "The Measure of a Man" enough to include it on your favorites list. You just made my week!
ReplyDeleteTy, no prob.
ReplyDeleteShauna, good stuff!
What an interesting variety! I'm on the trail of the Braun and the Stark (well, I will be as soon as I get through the football frenzy in the next few days).
ReplyDeleteFrom the Redneck Riviera, I extend to you and your legions of blogging friends, Happy New Year!
I'm going to have to hunt some of these down. Thanks for the list.
ReplyDeleteMy reading habits are more toward non-fiction, although those sound like interesting titles.
ReplyDeleteGreat cover on Reasoner's novel. Thx for the list.
ReplyDeleteI am always curious what others are reading even if it isn't anything like the books I'm reading--interesting mix there, Charles. Happy New Year
ReplyDeleteA fine list, and I'm proud and honored to be included.
ReplyDeleteNeed to get on some of these. I do have THE HUNTER>.
ReplyDeleteThank you, my friend! Happy New Year to you and Lana!
ReplyDeleteR.T., back at you!. I tend to read all over the map.
ReplyDeleteKeith, good stuff. Thanks, man.
X. Dell, I read a fair amount of NF but it seldom makes my favorite reads lists.
Ron, yeah, I love it.
Sage, I tend to read a bit of everything.
James, very good story.
Patti, after I read the Hunter I went and bout the next ten in the series.
Bernard, and to you, man.
Charles et al, pls note my changing blog address.
ReplyDeleteNice list, Charles. Variety and choice.
ReplyDeleteI need to read more Kuttner, I've only read two short stories yet.
ReplyDeleteCharles, are you ever going to read a Jodi Picoult? Teehee!
ReplyDeleteCool, man ~ thanks for the recs ~ and Happy 2015 ~> !!!
ReplyDeleteCharles, the works of Richard Stark, Henry Kuttner, and Matt Braun are on my list of authors to read. I read two fine stories by James Reasoner last year and intend to read his long novels in 2015.
ReplyDeleteAnimals was porn with gore? ;)
ReplyDeleteR.T., ?
ReplyDeleteOscar, I do like variety.
David, they're good.
Jodi, possibly, one of these days
Erik, back at you.
Prashant, you've got some fun ahead!
Riot Kitty, there's a fair amount of sex in Animals but it seemed to fit the plot.
R. T. sez . . . change of address here:
ReplyDeletehttp://beyondeastrod.blogspot.com/
Crimes and Detectives, Inc is going into suspended animation for a while. My limited energies and my more limited mental abilities are being redirected at Beyond Eastrod. Let's just call the change of address decision a New Year's epiphany.
My but we read different things, although I do occasionally read biographies of outlaws--Doc Holiday for example. He was from Georgia, I believe it was. John Wesley Hardin was another interesting fellow to read about, but Bonnie and Clyde were the best of all. Currently, I'm reading "The Red Badge of Courage" for the first time in 50 years and really enjoying it. I'm also reading a biography of Stephen Crane.
ReplyDeletenice...i dont know that i have read much of any of these...so thanks for the intel....i could use some after christmas money to load up on a few...
ReplyDeleteR.T., thanks for the heads up.
ReplyDeleteSnowbrush, I tend to read a little bit of everything. But my favorites are usually fiction. Red Badge of Courage was a good book, though I probably read it myself 30 or so years ago now.
Brian, unfortunately, with insurance going up I don't know that I'll have a lot of post Christmas money. Sigh.