I feel like the title says it all.
Still! To clarify:
It’s time to talk about books you’re digging. So, your goal is to drop into the comments and give us one book — and I hate that I have to say this but not your own book — that you read this year and loved. And do tell us why you dug it, yeah? This can be new books from this year, but isn’t restricted to this particular slice of temporal pie.
I’ll offer up two books I just read —
The Incorruptibles by John Hornor Jacobs, and Authority, by Jeff Vandermeer. The former is a Gunslingery fantasy with demon-bound steamships and guns and bloodthirsty elves in an alternate version of America. It’s short, but richly-layered, and John’s writing is like quicksand: one step in and you’re already drawn down and trapped within the prose. The latter book is about a thousand miles from the former, but equally amazing. Authority is the follow-up to Annihilation, and does a great job at answering questions from the first book while introducing a multiplying rabbit litter of enigmas all its own. It is a masterpiece of creepy, queasy discomfort. Vandermeer wields unease like a weapon. His prose is dense, a thicket you sometimes need to chop through, but worth the effort.
And yes, I know I told you to recommend one book and I’m recommending two but IT’S MY BLOG I CAN VIOLATE THE RULES IF I WANT TO and also cry if I want to and also eat cake frosting with my fingers if I want to SHUT UP AND DON’T JUDGE ME.
See you in the comments, word-nerds.
Sebastian Peters (@SebThePeters) says:
Adam Christopher’s Hang Wire. Enraptured by it.
March 24, 2014 — 8:21 AM
Paul Weimer says:
I was lucky enough to get a proof copy of the Incorruptibles from the author himself, and finished it this weekend. I concur with everything you said. (and why doesn’t this have a US publisher already. Jeez)
The Enceladus Crisis by Mike Martinez is an excellent followup to his Alchemical/SF mashup The Daedalus Incident. A treasure planet type universe, with alchemical flying ships meets a 22nd century future of our own world. When worlds collide!
March 24, 2014 — 8:24 AM
terribleminds says:
Yes, INCORRUPTIBLES needs a US publisher stat. Stat! STAT.
Publishers: hurry up on that.
— c.
March 24, 2014 — 8:35 AM
Ainslie Paton (@AinsliePaton) says:
R Lee Smith, The Last Hour of the Gann. Epic love story between one crash landed earthling girl and one local planet lizard warrior. Yeah, sounds squicky. But it’s so cleverly not. Amazing world building, incredibly journey with part moral, social commentary, part religious upending. A whole bag of awesome.
March 24, 2014 — 8:27 AM
Kay Camden says:
Epic love story between what? I’m so on that. Going to check out now.
March 24, 2014 — 10:16 AM
Mr Urban Spaceman says:
Wolf Brother, by Michelle Paver (http://www.michellepaver.com/wolf-brother/) Umm, technically it’s been sitting on my shelf since I bought it years ago, but I needed to pass the time whilst I was giving blood, and since it was the thinnest book on my shelf (and conveniently fit into my handbag) I grabbed it and took it with me. Now I’m on to the second book in the series, The Spirit Walker, which is in my desk drawer at work. I like to read during my lunch hour.
S’pose I should say something about the book. It’s a teen/children’s book, but I quite like stories which look back to humanity’s early days, so who it’s aimed at doesn’t really bother me. The story follows Torak, a boy about to enter his early teens as he tries to fulfill a promise made to his dying father. Along the way he meets a wolf cub whose family has been killed by the glacial meltwater of a violent volcanic eruption, and Wolf serves as Torak’s guide as he attempts to reach the Spirit Mountain and vanquish the demon that killed his father.
Along the way they get captured, escape, meet some freaky characters, and generally get by by the skin of their teeth. I’ll probably purchase the rest of the books when I’ve finished with Spirit Walker, as I have about a dozen Christmas present book vouchers sitting on my desk from over the past years. Gotta spend ’em on something.
March 24, 2014 — 8:29 AM
Virginia says:
I just finished The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver. It came out round about 2008, I think. It was a book I did not want to end–fabulous. About a Mexican-American boy growing up in Mexico in the 20s & 30s, becomes cook for Lev Trotsky, Diego Rivera & Frida Kahlo, eventually moves to North Carolina and becomes a writer. Later on, he is indicted in the “Un-American Activities” trials of the late 40s, early 50s. Absolutely gripping, full of gorgeous writing, wonderful characters. Feeling bereft now that I’ve finished it as I still want more!
March 24, 2014 — 8:36 AM
ET (Liz) Crowe (@beerwencha2) says:
breaking some kind of genre barrier here I think but I read and cannot let go of Herman Koch’s The Dinner, which is set entirely at a social dinner shared between 2 couples at a fancy restaurant in Amsterdam wherein something god awful is revealed about what their kids have done. It’s in (fantastic) translation from the Dutch by Sam Garrett. I guess I prefer my horror within the minds of regular people who will go to amazing and bizarre lengths to “protect” the people they love. KILLER book. GREAT ending.
cheers
Liz
March 24, 2014 — 8:37 AM
Kay Camden says:
I loved The Dinner. I also hated it.
Which, I guess, is what makes it such a powerful book.
March 24, 2014 — 10:44 AM
Rob B says:
I’m going to have to go with ALPHA & OMEGA, the final volume of Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez’s LOCKE & KEY graphic novel series. This was the best thing I’ve read so far this year and a rare case of a “series finale” not only living up to the promises laid out before it, but surpassing them. I truly think this series belongs on the same shelf as Gaiman’s SANDMAN and any other landmark comic/graphic novel series.
March 24, 2014 — 8:38 AM
Peter Jones says:
Much as I would like to say “everything that Seanan McGuire ever wrote” (which is mostly what I’ve been reading so far this year) if I had to pick just one, I’d have to go with Feed, by Mira Grant. It kicks off the NewsFlesh trilogy, one of the best series of zombie-related books I’ve read. As with all good zombie tales, the zombies are mostly relegated to an omnipresent background threat. The beauty of these books, though, is that they are set 20 (30?) years after ‘The Rising’, and the details of both the virus itself (Kellis-Amberlee), where it came from and how it works, and what life looks like in a post-zombie-apocalypse world, have all been worked out in loving detail.
March 24, 2014 — 8:38 AM
SAM says:
Divergent. This is the first time I have read a book where I could go…oh! She is so totally me! I love this story, and no Im not rushing to the theater to see the movie.
March 24, 2014 — 8:38 AM
Heather says:
I was actually happily surprised by the movie. They don’t get to flesh out the friendships Tris has with her fellow transfers, but that’s my only “complaint”. I can’t wait to see what they do with Insurgent. If you haven’t finished the trilogy yet, do so immediately; each book just gets better.
March 24, 2014 — 9:23 AM
Terri says:
The movie is beautifully done and captures the themes of the book beautifully. I love the cast and the cinematography. They had to pare down the cast of supporting characters or else the movie would have been 5 hours long. They distilled it to the interplay between Tris and Four and it is electric. A few frills for the movie adaptation to get it into a crisp 3-act arc. Don’t miss seeing it on the big screen.
March 24, 2014 — 10:28 AM
Rio says:
I have to disagree. I thought that book was just plain dumb, and I don’t understand the concept at all. You can be selfless or kind, but you can’t be kind and selfless at the same time? You can be extremely brave, but you can’t be brave and overly intelligent? It just seems to me that a system like that would just set itself up for failure, and I’m getting tired of these dystopians that are just shallow backdrops for teen melodrama.
March 25, 2014 — 10:00 PM
SAM says:
They can be all of those things, but it’s whatever suited them best. I liked the book because it;s the first time I’ve actually gone—wow! Someone wrote a book and cast ME as the MC. I can see parts of every faction in me and I realized I would be considered Divergent too, even though as a mother I’ve become somewhat of a wimp. LOL
March 26, 2014 — 3:02 PM
Kait Nolan says:
I really really loved Brene Brown’s Daring Greatly, which I think is a fabulous read for anyone, but most especially for creative types, as to do what we do well, it involves embracing a certain level of vulnerability to achieve authenticity and connection with our audience.
March 24, 2014 — 8:38 AM
Olivia Kelly says:
I’ve only read a couple, much to my surprise when I went back to think about it. SHAME. But, far and away, is Jamie Wyman’s Wild Card. Gods and mythological creatures and magic and Las Vegas? Umm, YES PLEASE.
Also, The Shambling Guide to New York City by Mur Lafferty! <—-she says very, very quickly in a super sneaky way because who can chose only one book c'mon Chuck that's crazypants.
March 24, 2014 — 8:40 AM
terribleminds says:
Shambling Guide was a blast. I need to read the newest. You know, among the giant TBR pile that threatens to crush me and the whole family. I CANNOT READ FAST ENOUGH *sob*
March 24, 2014 — 8:42 AM
murgatroid98 says:
Yes! I read Wild Card. Love it! I want more from that universe.
March 24, 2014 — 6:00 PM
Andy says:
I read and loved Swedish author Karin Tidbeck’s short story collection “Jagannath”. It’s like nothing I have read before. Engrossing and haunting.
Here’s a link to my review on Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/591704746
March 24, 2014 — 8:43 AM
ATaylor says:
Oops, I read that as last year! Not 2014. My bad. Still a good book worth recommending.
March 24, 2014 — 8:47 AM
Ian says:
Lexicon by Max Barry. http://maxbarry.com/lexicon/ LOVED that book. Words as weapons! Don’t talk to that writer – she’s armed and dangerous…
March 24, 2014 — 8:45 AM
dakegra says:
Banished, by Liz de Jager. Absolute, unashamed gloriously good fun. Fabulous characters and a non-stop roller-coaster of a plot. Liz shifts effortlessly from action to humour and back again, with Fae princes, werewolves and assorted other beasties and creatures (not to mention the odd Elder God), all of which are there to help (or mostly hinder) our heroine Kit Blackhart along the way. Oh, and a dragon. 🙂
Classic girl-meets-boy-who-turns-out-to-be-a-Fae-prince. Cross Buffy with Harry Dresden, add a touch of Lovecraftian elder gods and simmer gently for 400 pages. Serve hot.
Oh, I also read something called ‘Blackbirds’ by Chuck.. something. It was pretty awesome too.
March 24, 2014 — 8:46 AM
Jacey Bedford says:
How to choose one when there were several standout books in 2013. Kari Sperring’s The Grass King’s Concubine, Liz Williams’ Snake Agent, Kevin Hearne’s Hounded, or Benedict Jacka’s Fated are all jostling for position, not to mention Joe Abercrombie’s Best Served Cold or all those George RR Martins gulped down quickly so I could get ahead of where the Game of Thrones TV series last finished. In the end I’ve plumped for Scott Lynch’s The Lies of Locke Lamora, possiblky because I read it at the end of the year so it’s fairly fresh in my mind. I found it thoroughly absorbing with interesting characters who are changed by events. It’s got great backstory, gradually revealed, and a twisty plot in the front-story leading to nail-biting tension. Highly recommended.
Trying not to give away too many spoilers we get to see the formation of the Gentlemen Bastards, a gang of young men devoted to the gentle art of thievery in a fantasy analogue of Venice. Locke Lamora is a cocky child, too clever for his own good, who grows up into a cocky Gentleman Bastard devising elaborate scams to part the rich from their money. The balance of power changes with the arrival of the Grey King and his powerful bondmage, a challenge to the Capa Barsavi and his stable rule of the underworld, and an even bigger challenge to Locke and his gang who, as it turns out, are still too clever for their own good. This builds from Locke’s early successes through setback upon setback. There are penalties and consequences for everyone, but a very satisfying conclusion kept me up reading way later than I should. I haven’t read the next two Gentleman Bastards books yet, but I’m looking forward to them (just as soon as I have a gap in my writing because I find it difficult to read fiction while working on my own first draft). I’m hoping that some story droplets not mopped up in the first book will soak into the pages of the next two.
March 24, 2014 — 8:48 AM
Jacey Bedford says:
Note I picked 2013 because, dammit, I’ve been writing in 2014 so barely read a couple of books so far.
March 24, 2014 — 8:51 AM
Annika says:
The Golem and the Djinni. Absolutely loved it.
March 24, 2014 — 8:48 AM
Georgia says:
I’ll second that. I loved that book.
March 24, 2014 — 8:53 AM
June says:
I loved that one too, but finished it in 2013. So, so good! I’ve recommended it to my Jewish women’s book club.
March 25, 2014 — 12:42 AM
Andrew says:
The SANDMAN SLIM books. Like Robert Crais smoking bits of Lovecraft’s brain.
March 24, 2014 — 8:51 AM
Georgia says:
I’ll second Lexicon by Max Barry because it was absolutely fascinating (but I read that last year so it doesn’t count, right? Right?)
Anyway, I really loved The Long War by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter (as well as its predecessor, The Long Earth). It kicked up my wanderlust and made me yearn for a pre-industrial Earth. It’s also enjoyable if you’re into natural history.
March 24, 2014 — 8:51 AM
Darien Gabriel (@DarienGabriel) says:
I enjoyed The Sanctuary and Eyes Wide Open by Ted Dekker. I also learned a lot about writing from your ebook 250 things every writer should know.
March 24, 2014 — 8:51 AM
ardenrr says:
If you haven’t read Skin yet by Dekker, I highly recommend it. One of my favorites of his!
March 24, 2014 — 4:43 PM
Kelli Nichols (@Oddiophile) says:
The Girl With All The Gifts by M.R. Carey. I listened to the audiobook (UK version) read by Finty Williams and it was just superb. I don’t have a lot of experience with the zombie/post-apocalyptic subgenre but Carey’s use of the inhuman to illuminate humanity was surprisingly layered and thought-provoking and the writing was downright beautiful at times. Add in an audiobook narration that melds perfectly with the text and I think I only came up for air once while listening.
March 24, 2014 — 8:51 AM
Veronica Sicoe says:
Barrayar by Lois McMaster Bujold. I adore her style & voice, so very clean and powerful. It’s really refreshing, compared to most other space operas with much denser prose and rambling subplots.
Barrayar is #2 in the Vorkosigan Saga, but it can be read as a standalone. Plot & characters are just great — intrigue, murder, mystery, the looming threat of war — all on a far-future human world that mixes medieval social structure with modern morals and futuristic hightech.
March 24, 2014 — 8:52 AM
Jacey Bedford says:
I’ve never met a Lois McMaster Bujold book that I didn’t like – science fiction or fantasy.
March 24, 2014 — 11:38 AM
June says:
Dirty Magic by Jaye Wells. It’s the first of hers I have read and I loved it. It was written so well that the story just pulled me along and I stayed up all night to read it. Just enough exposition of the characters’ pasts to give it depth without going off on tangents, and I really ended up caring about the characters. The kind of work where at no time do you see the man behind the curtain – the magic happens without the reader noticing the work that went into it.
March 24, 2014 — 8:56 AM
Arabella says:
The Evolution of Mara Dyer by Michelle Hodkin. I love her style of writing, her flawed, imperfect characters, and the amazing way she builds tension.
March 24, 2014 — 8:57 AM
tsouthcotte says:
Probability Angels by Joseph Devon. This book, and the sequel both kick ass. It is essentially about the beings who push us to greatness through the tragic and unfortunate parts of our life. More than that, it is about these beings coming to terms with their own existence and dealing with an internal threat that could destroy them all.
It’s some indie high brow pulp for ya’ll, and you should check it out.
March 24, 2014 — 8:58 AM
Elena Linville says:
I would recommend Midnight Riot by Ben Aaronovitch (http://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Riot-Ben-Aaronovitch/dp/034552425X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1395665679&sr=1-2&keywords=rivers+of+london+ben+aaronovitch). I loved the protagonist, and the dry humor, but especially the way the author makes London almost an active participant of the story. It’s a bit like if Harry Potter had grown up and wizened up a bit. I’m looking forward to digging into the next book in the series.
March 24, 2014 — 8:58 AM
emilywenstrom says:
The Lifeboat. The narrative of this story is brilliantly executed–clear and lovely, and yet even though the narrative is in first person you don’t know if the main character (or any of them) can be trusted. Excellent use of microcosm.
March 24, 2014 — 9:02 AM
Puck says:
I Didn’t Kill Your Cat and I Didn’t Steal Your Mermaid, both by R. Stim; yes that’s two books but they are both tiny children’s books so I figure they can count as one book. They’re very cute and also very realistic and I like the main character, Frankie, who is troubled and sweet and confused and occasionally very angry.
March 24, 2014 — 9:02 AM
mark matthews says:
I am reading KIN by Patrick Kealan Burke and so far, it is of the most intriquing horror novels I have ever read. Empathy for the monsters unlike any I have ever experienced, starts so far into the story that your brain comes up with about 200 pages of compelling backstory.
March 24, 2014 — 9:03 AM
Juan M says:
The Savage Detectives! This book was so good and different that it affected my health
March 24, 2014 — 9:05 AM
islandeditions says:
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion – a laugh-out-loud novel narrated by a socially inept and emotionally devoid genetics professor who will not admit to having Aspergers. After more than 20 years of dating disasters, he sets up The Wife Project in order to finally find a woman perfectly matched to him. Very well written and a totally engaging main character and story makes for a fast read. (Note: This is not chick-lit.)
March 24, 2014 — 9:06 AM
Heather says:
Seconded! Absolutely amazing book. I kept laughing out loud while waiting for classes to start. All the strange looks! But utterly worth it.
March 24, 2014 — 9:28 AM
kirabutler says:
The Croning by Laird Barron. He’s got a background in short story writing, and he took that expertise and shoved it into a horror novel that skips across decades. Mindblowing, beautifully written, and dark.
Beware of cults of the old Leech.
March 24, 2014 — 9:07 AM
Steve Kozeniewski says:
SKARSNIK by Guy Haley. One of the best books I’ve read in…ever.
March 24, 2014 — 9:11 AM
Andreah Grove says:
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater. Stiefvater’s writing is amazing-descriptive, lyrical, and she gives the reader small hints here and there on what’s going to happen next. I listened to it on audiobook for my commute to work, so the reader made a great impression too. What I loved most was that the reader isn’t really sure who the main character is, and it doesn’t seem important anyways. There’s something for everyone-mysticism, love, action, and a little bit of the creepy crawlies. The sequel is just as awesome.
March 24, 2014 — 9:14 AM
J.J says:
Seconded! I just finished it two days ago and I loved it. The cover art does it no favors, really, it’s a lot better than it looks. And I must read the sequel, which I didn’t even know existed until recently. I felt disappointed when this book ended, partly because it was like ‘Wait, what? Now what? You can’t end it there, there’s more story I want this book to be longer!’ *unintelligible noise* So yeah, go read it. And the relationships between the characters are actually explored, it isn’t a ‘OMG TRUE LOVE TO THE EXCLUSION OF EVERYTHING ELSE’ kind of thing.
March 25, 2014 — 11:12 AM
Michael Patrick Hicks says:
Bit of a tough question, but I’m going to throw out Daniel Price’s FLIGHT OF THE SILVERS, which was featured on this blog a few months back. It’s a terrific read that incorporates an alternate Earth with super-powered folks. I once said it’s a bit like X-Men meets Fringe, but that’s really just a heavily simplified summary and undeservedly glosses over lots of stuff. It’s a big book, but carries the weight well and moves along pretty damn fast, never quite feeling like the 600-page long opus it is. It’s also the start of a series and lays a lot of ground introducing us to the world, and I’m really excited to see what Price delivers in his next book.
March 24, 2014 — 9:18 AM
ardenrr says:
Reading it now and I love it!
March 24, 2014 — 4:44 PM
Michael Patrick Hicks says:
Glad to hear! I couldn’t put it down.
March 24, 2014 — 4:45 PM
Tammy Sparks says:
RED RISING by Pierce Brown. Gorgeous prose, a cool world, lots of humor and violence (but not too much) and it’s the start of a series, yay!
Also THE WEIRDNESS by Jeremy Bushnell. A hysterical story about a writer who makes a deal with the devil, but you know, things get…weird. I don’t know if people know about this book, but they should. Lots of insights into the mind of a writer who just wants to publish his book.
March 24, 2014 — 9:19 AM
Pat says:
“Cain’s Blood” by Geoffrey Girard.
An amazing combination of thriller, science fiction, and “faction”. Disturbing and thought-provoking. Definitely twisted. A modern day Frankenstein. I’ve been telling English and Science teachers at my 2 high schools about it, in addition to friends and family.
There is a companion YA book, as well. Kind of marketing genius, in addition to great word smithing! I hope to see more from this writer…
p.s. When i emailed the author to tell him how much I enjoyed the novel, he responded.
March 24, 2014 — 9:20 AM
Jon Rieley-Goddard says:
Oryx and Crake, The Year of the Flood, and MaddAddam, dystopian trilogy by Margaret Atwood, finished last fall. I am sampling dystopian literature and enjoying myself very much, which surprises me, since I would expect the end of things as we know them to be vastly otherwise. Also have read Hunger Games trilogy (good story, good writing) and the Divergent trilogy (good story, OK writing [but who swiped all the similes?]). Atwood has more weight, more intensity, more sheer inventiveness.
March 24, 2014 — 9:28 AM
Laura says:
The MaddAddam trilogy is one of my all-time faves. So so good.
March 24, 2014 — 3:51 PM
partlowspool says:
March has delivered some unique challenges this year, and I needed a laugh. So when “Banana Bamboozle” by Becky Clark came out, I jumped on it. Delightful. Captivating. Laugh out loud funny in parts, with two separate mysteries in the storyline. Plus, the book comes with the recipe for the epic Banana Bamboozle cocktail, plus THE most interesting Book Group Questions at the end that I’ve ever seen.
Because sometimes your psyche needs a balm rather than a challenge.
March 24, 2014 — 9:30 AM
donnaeve says:
GALVESTON by Nic Pizzolatto. I think I’d read anything by him since I was sucked into TRUE DETECTIVE after the first thirty seconds of that show. GALVESTON is about a shady guy named Roy Cady who works for an even shadier character, Stan Pitko. Roy is betrayed by Stan, and escapes, but in the process, he nabs a young woman who was on the scene. They head off to Galveston where they both try to figure out what went wrong in their lives and what they want. It’s not a happy book, but out of everything else I’ve read, it’s been the best so far.
March 24, 2014 — 9:30 AM
Tina says:
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman. I’ve read many of his books and none of them have touched me the way this one did. This brought tears to my eyes.
March 24, 2014 — 9:32 AM
springinkerl says:
It’s beautiful. Could become one of my “read every once in a while to retain my belief in the good in man” books.
March 24, 2014 — 9:58 AM
A Citizen of the World says:
“Divergent” by Veronica Roth is my surprise Read Of The Year So Far.
I started out reading it to prep for my tutoring classes (I was looking for something that would interest junior high schoolers in reading English books) and ended up devouring the book in one sitting. Great pacing and storytelling although sadly not quite original.
Now reading “Insurgent” and it’s nowhere as good as “Divergent”.
March 24, 2014 — 9:37 AM
Curtis Edmonds (@Curtis_Edmonds) says:
No one’s said THE MARTIAN, by Andy Weir yet! GOOD. It is MINE. HA HA HA HA HA HA HA.
March 24, 2014 — 9:40 AM
Baby June says:
I know it’s old, but I read “House of Leaves” and WOAH. That was pretty cool.
March 24, 2014 — 9:45 AM
Jessica Nelson says:
My favorite!
March 24, 2014 — 12:04 PM
Randy Charles says:
Defending Jacob by William Landay- a legal thriller that received a heap of awards and starred reviews from 2012. Perhaps, you’ve already read it and it was me who had been missing out. In the chance that you haven’t, please do. I’d love to discuss it with others.
Read my review here:
http://randy-charles.com/defending-jacob-review/
March 24, 2014 — 9:46 AM
Christin (@NerosLyre) says:
The Orphan-Master’s Son. I thought it was slow at first but the second part totally knocked me on my ass. It’s 1984 good.
March 24, 2014 — 9:50 AM
michellebark190 says:
Stay Away, by Dan Chaon. A collection of haunting short stories, all of them brilliant and creepy and guaranteed to keep you awake.
March 24, 2014 — 9:51 AM
Dan Thompson says:
_Owner’s Share_ by Nathan Lowell. It’s the culmination of a six-book series, and it paid off in all the ways I wanted it to. But obviously, if you’re going to start, go back to the beginning with _Quarter Share_.
March 24, 2014 — 9:56 AM
springinkerl says:
Read Anathem by Neal Stephenson for the second time. What can go wrong with a novel that develops from an entwicklungsroman to a road movie and further to a space opera? And it makes an excellent doorstopper.
March 24, 2014 — 10:02 AM
Captain Penelope says:
When China Ruled the Seas: The Treasure Fleet of the Dragon Throne by Louise Levathes; I haven’t finished reading it but it’s great.
It is nonfiction, but it is a really entertaining read so far. The subject itself–the Starfleet of the Ming dynasty that went on expeditions around South East and South Asia, and East Africa, for about the first 30 years of the 15th century–is cool enough by itself. But Levathes does a really good job of making it interesting and just enjoyable to read, WITH actual primary and secondary sources not just from China but from the places they visited too. which is not like more well known, less slightly less believable *cough cough Menzies* books about the Starfleet’s reach.
March 24, 2014 — 10:04 AM
Bess Gilmartin says:
Undead by Kristy McKay. Zombie YA. It’s funny and disgusting. I adored it!
March 24, 2014 — 10:13 AM
Bess Gilmartin says:
That’s Kirsty, not Kristy. Zombies have eaten my brain.
March 24, 2014 — 10:18 AM