I got this idea from Patti. Here’s ten of my favorite reads from 2016, in no particular
order other than the one I read them in.
David Gemmell, Sword
in the Storm. It had been a while since I’d read any Gemmell and I’m glad I’ve
still got quite a few of his books on my TBR shelves. This is the first book in
his 4-book Rigante series of Heroic Fantasy tales.
James Oliver Curwood, The
Bear. I love good animal stories.
This isn’t just about the bear of the title but is also about a man who
discovers more in nature than just the need to master it.
Robert Heinlein, The
Puppet Masters. I should have read this a long time ago. Very pulpy, from
an older era, but I loved the heck out of it.
Bruce Boston and Alessandro Manzetti, Sacrificial Nights. A collaborative poetry collection. Rich in
ideas, with Incredible imagery.
Tim Marquitz, Prey.
I don’t read as much horror fiction as I used to but this one hooked me.
Graphic stuff with many memorable scenes.
Bobbie Brown, Dirty
Rocker Boys. I make no secret of my enjoyment of 80s Hair Metal. This book
is by Bobbie Brown, a video vixen of the time who married Jani Lane of Warrant.
This was quite funny in a lot of places.
Holling Clancy Holling, Minn
of the Mississippi. My favorite childhood book was Pagoo, by this author.
Only as an adult did I discover that Holling had written other books. I ordered
this. I’m certainly much older than the target audience for this but I loved
it.
Garnett Elliott, CarnosaurWeekend. Just about everything you need in a pulp story. Fun stuff.
David Cranmer, Torn and Frayed (Drifter Detective #7). The latest installment in the Drifter
Detective series. Cranmer does noir right.
Alex Haley, Roots.
Another one I probably should have read years ago but didn’t. I found it nearly
a masterpiece. I got very involved with these characters.
Have read ROOTS but a lifetime ago.
ReplyDeleteGood list.
ReplyDeleteI think my favorite read of this year is the one I am finishing up now, HEAD GAMES by Craig McDonald. Noir/pulp craziness about a (fictional) screenwriter and his adventure with Pancho Villa's head and all the people who want it for money & more.
Patti, I very much liked it
ReplyDeletePaul, that sounds good
Thanks for the mini reviews, Charles. Wishing you good reading in the new year
ReplyDeleteI read The Puppet Masters in the early 80s and reread it for the first time this past summer. Thoroughly enjoyed it, but as you said, it was from a different time.
ReplyDeleteI need to read more of the Drifter Detective novels. I really liked the first one.
I think the best book I read this year was A Brilliant Death by Robin Yocum. It's a combination coming of age and mystery with some nice twists.
Cloudia, you know I love talkin' books
ReplyDeleteKeith, Robin Yocum. Got to have a look for that one. Always looking for good new writers I don't know
Good idea but I would have to remember what I read... Bear sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteSage. It was, and is based in part on actual experiences of the author, who was a big hunter that turned into a major conservationist
ReplyDeleteHeinlin and Haley, read both of them a while back when recreational reading was a way of life. It seems to me I remember someone saying your TBR pile is never getting any smaller but like an old man, its waistline is ever expanding. You have a retirement plan in place I assume?
ReplyDeleteVery kind words, Charles. And just what I needed to hear tonight. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteMark, yes, I'd put my TBR pile on a diet but where's the fun in that. I figure eventually the house will collapse under the weight of all my books and bury me too deep to be found. There's my retirement plan.
ReplyDeleteDavid, good stuff!
You read some fine books, Charles. I have been meaning to read Alex Haley's "Roots" too, so I'll take this as a welcome reminder.
ReplyDeleteYou can't go wrong with Heinlein. THE PUPPET MASTERS is a fun read. Heinlein's short stories from that era are pretty good, too!
ReplyDeleteCharles, what a fine lit! I read the Heinlein when I was in high school, loved it. Haven't returned to it.
ReplyDeleteMany other good things there, but what really caught my eye, is Holling Clancy Holling's Minn of the Mississippi. It's a fine story, and the side illustrations are fantastic. I have read all of Holling's books. In addition to Minn, I particularly love Paddle to the Sea and the difficult to find Tree In the Trail. All of the books are well worth reading! Really wonderful!
Thank you for the excellent list, Charles ~ and Happy New Year 2017 ~ may sanity help guide us through a madding time . . . !
ReplyDeletePrashant, it's long but is a surprisingly quick read, I thought.
ReplyDeleteGeorge, after Puppet masters, Farmer in the sky is about the only thing from him that I haven't read yet.
Richard, Minn is written in the same style as Pagoo, which I loved so much. I loved the little illustrations and the extra little details connected to them.
Erik, would be nice to have some sanity!
Charles, that's some pretty nice company to be mentioned in! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteGarnett, good story!
ReplyDeleteQuite a few good ideas for my TBR shelves, Charles! Never went wrong with one of your recommendations. I'll make "Carnosaur Weekend" my next Kindle purchase.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year and all the best!