In which I ask you to RECOMMEND A BOOK.
This time, with a small caveat:
Rec a book you do not think we’ve read. A book that’s something of an underdog — a fringe case, a book you want everyone to read but none of your friends have ever actually opened.
Also, the larger caveat applies, and I wish I didn’t have to give it, buuuuut:
Do not recommend your own book.
Because ew. Why would you do that?
Share the book-love. Don’t book-masturbate on us.
Oooh, one final caveat:
Recommend one book only, please and thank you.
jjtoner says:
Red Island by Martin MacDermot. Irish noir at its best and a brilliant self-published debut novel. http://www.amazon.com/Red-Island-Martin-MacDermot-ebook/dp/B008CNJE86/
August 10, 2015 — 3:10 AM
Tom Moore Jr says:
Veronica by Nicholas Christopher. A magic (magic-magic not sleight of hand) murder mystery set in New York City.
August 10, 2015 — 3:15 AM
W.R.Gingell says:
A Cluster Of Separate Sparks by Joan Aiken. Probably my all time favourite of her books: also known as The Butterfly Picnic. Wonderful characters with a Agatha Christie/Noir type feel.
August 10, 2015 — 3:16 AM
PD says:
Will the boat sink the water? By Chen Guidi and Wu Chuntao. Banned in China but an underground modern classic, the authors investigate what life is really like for those who don’t live in cities, post Mao. Real-life dystopia and incredibly powerful.
August 10, 2015 — 3:22 AM
moteridgerider says:
He takes years to write his books, agonizing over every word and redrafting to the nth degree, but he produces some finely polished, noir diamonds. I’m talking about Craig Clevenger. You can do no wrong by reading ‘The contortionist’s handbook.’
August 10, 2015 — 3:28 AM
wagnerel says:
Dust and Light by Carol Berg. Love her writing, her world, and her characters.
August 10, 2015 — 4:03 AM
JE says:
An often overlooked oldie: The Architect of Sleep, Steven Boyett. Fascinating world building. It should have been the first of a series, but stands alone well.
August 10, 2015 — 4:15 AM
pwodoom says:
+1 for this.
August 10, 2015 — 10:19 AM
Adam Brodie says:
The Seasons of Trouble by Rohini Mohan. Non-fiction biography of two Sri Lankan Tamils caught up in the aftermath of their government’s defeat of the Tamil Tigers. Provides a horrifying window into what happens after an insurgency is defeated, and, in a timely fashion, also provides a view on the world of people smuggling and the absolute necessity of asylum.
August 10, 2015 — 4:40 AM
Jemima Pett says:
Apocalypse Weird: Reversal by Jennifer Ellis. It was thanks to your genre mash-ups I discovered I liked Weird, Chuck! It’s proper scifi too.
August 10, 2015 — 4:46 AM
theskeletonjournal says:
The Bone People by Keri Hulme or Emphyrio by Jack Vance.
August 10, 2015 — 5:31 AM
totiltwithwindmills says:
Caterpillar by Ashlyn Forge. Given the length of the story, it has some amazing sci-fi worldbuilding. Most of my friends would never pick it up though cause it’s m/m erotic romance yet it’s a beautiful story in a gorgeous world. There’s two other books in the series, but I haven’t read them just yet.
August 10, 2015 — 5:50 AM
Vanessa says:
By Annie Beth Donahue (Queens Univ grad) – children’s fiction: Anna Brown and The Missing Uniforms: A Wheelchair Basketball Mystery (Volume 1)
August 10, 2015 — 6:05 AM
Adrian J Walker says:
I, Lucifer by Glen Duncan. Amazing voice.
August 10, 2015 — 6:05 AM
SamKD says:
Glen Duncan rocks.
August 10, 2015 — 1:46 PM
Mikey Campling says:
“The Snow Spider” Trilogy by Jenny Nimmo. Magic but not the namby pamby magic of Rowling. Here’s my video review if that’s allowed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdicGCwhxUI
August 10, 2015 — 7:14 AM
AurorA Dimitre (@32AurorA05) says:
Brutal Youth by Anthony Breznican – basically, The Chocolate War except without chocolate, twice as long, more intense, and like ten times more depressing. So like if you merged The Chocolate War and Beyond the Chocolate War and then got rid of all of the chocolate.
August 10, 2015 — 7:20 AM
M Andrew Patterson says:
Not sure if you’ll take self-pubbed, but Chameleon by KT Hanna is pretty awesome book. Scifi, hybrid alien metal death machines and psionic assassins. Also, well edited.
August 10, 2015 — 7:22 AM
Zach says:
The God of War by Marisa Silver. A great coming-of-age book.
August 10, 2015 — 7:24 AM
Linda Poitevin says:
Nigh, by Marie Bilodeau. A story of the fairie apocalypse, because “Once upon a time, there were no more happy endings…” You’ll never look at fairy tales the same way again. O.o http://www.amazon.com/Nigh-Book-1-Marie-Bilodeau-ebook/dp/B00SAB09FM/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1439206214&sr=8-2&keywords=nigh
August 10, 2015 — 7:31 AM
Len Berry says:
MAD SKILLS by Walter Greatshell. It’s a solid science fiction novel, but it also has a few interesting twists on pop culture and the concept of human weapons.
August 10, 2015 — 7:38 AM
Laura J. Quinn says:
This might be out of the ordinary, but I’m going to rec something non-fiction.
If you’re not UBER-squeamish, check out Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach.
One: It’s super educational (you know, if you’ve ever been curious about all the crazy shit we do with corpses. It’s not just anatomy labs, guys.)
Two: She’s grade-A HILARIOUS. She somehow manages to crack wise all over the place, without ever being disrespectful to the recently (or not so recently) deceased.
Three: Not a “story” in the traditional sense, since it’s trying to teach us something about an industry (kind of like a textbook). BUT, Roach has great command of narrative flow. She’s clear, she’s clever, it’s a pleasure to read about all the unpleasantness.
Then again, seeing as I’ve worked with my share of dead bodies, I might just be a little biased.
Either way, give it a go. You’ll learn something and I promise you’ll be entertained.
August 10, 2015 — 8:07 AM
Meredith says:
Actually I picked this up in a museum bookshop during a family disagreement to annoy my grandmother, and it turned out to be a really enjoyable book.
August 10, 2015 — 8:57 AM
Annie Howland says:
Holy coincidence, Batman! My copy of STIFF arrived in the post yesterday! Looks very fun and informative, too! Can’t wait to take it as waiting room material for my doctor’s appointment today 😉
August 10, 2015 — 9:51 AM
Elsa H says:
I read Stiff for school several years back, SO GOOD.
August 10, 2015 — 1:50 PM
Heather says:
I read Roach’s work on a coworker’s recommendation and I love her nonfiction books. Her humor reminds me of different characters on T.V. shows over the years.
August 13, 2015 — 6:47 PM
Angela says:
Yes! I love Mary Roach. If you liked this I would highly suggest Smoke Gets in Your Eyes by Caitlin Doughty. Also not for the squeamish, but fascinating stuff. Also check out her youtube series. She is a member (and founder, if I’m not mistaken) of The Order of the Good Death. She is brilliant and funny and on my list of Favorite People That I’ve Never Met. And yes, that list exists.
August 13, 2015 — 6:56 PM
mrsbongle says:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Little-Book-Happiness-Janet-Parfitt-ebook/dp/B013LUOABA/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1439209814&sr=8-1&keywords=the+little+book+of+happiness+janet+parfitt
I recommend this book because it shows you how anybody can be happy with a few simple steps. And I also recommend it because I wrote it and its great!
August 10, 2015 — 8:31 AM
kdmccrite2 says:
Imagine if Jesus had been born a black, illegitimate child in the South during the Great Depression. No, it’s not religious. And it’s fascinating with all the elements of a true Southern gothic novel. Bayou Jesus, by M.G. Miller.
August 10, 2015 — 8:43 AM
Paz Spera says:
I’m sold!
August 10, 2015 — 1:53 PM
Christopher Robin Negelein says:
I’m going to slide to the left a little and recommend a graphic novel, “The Mouse Templar.” It’s at times fairy tale, mythic, and a second-world fantasy story, all with mice. Man, rats can be total eastwards!
August 10, 2015 — 8:46 AM
Sarah says:
Vermilion by Molly Tanzer; A weird west gunslinger novel with Chinese magic and culture and a very, very unique voice and cast. I’m dying for another book in this world. Not to mention a beautiful cover.
August 10, 2015 — 8:47 AM
Aliette de Bodard says:
Kari Sperring “The Grass King’s Concubine”, which is a deft story of a magical otherworld fallen into ruin, and of the woman who tries to make it come alive again. It’s got sharp details, a vividly drawn world, and magic that feels both wondrous and scary at the same time (the best kind!).
August 10, 2015 — 8:56 AM
Paul Weimer says:
THE SKY PEOPLE (and its sequel IN THE COURTS OF THE CRIMSON KINGS) by SM Stirling.
A duology of novels, the Lords of Creation. Over the last 70 million years, an unknown set of aliens have been terraforming Mars and Venus. By the time of the 1980’s, both Mars and Venus are understood to be inhabited–by human descended people, by dinosaurs, by stranger things. Both the US and the USSR ramp up their manned space programs to go meet the neighbors.
Planetary Romance action goodness. These books are fun as hell.
August 10, 2015 — 8:58 AM
Adrian Tchakovsky says:
Have you read Breed by KT Davies, from Fox Spirit? Awesome, very funny, rogue fantasy.
August 10, 2015 — 8:59 AM
Shecky (@SheckyX) says:
BLOOD FOR THE SUN by Errick Nunnally. Urban fantasy, yes; werewolves and vampires, sure…but this ain’t your daddy’s werewolf. The main character, Alexander, is a werewolf of both African and First Nations extraction. He has an adopted daughter who is a vampire. And he has lived so long that he has developed the werewolf equivalent to Alzheimer’s.
August 10, 2015 — 9:00 AM
janinmi says:
Seconding. Definitely worth reading!
August 12, 2015 — 12:33 PM
A Citizen of the World says:
Kendare Blake’s ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD is my pick – it’s a great supernatural YA read that’s less popular than it should be.
August 10, 2015 — 9:01 AM
Annie Howland says:
Totally agree!
August 10, 2015 — 9:52 AM
Elsa H says:
YES.
August 10, 2015 — 1:50 PM
Drew says:
BEYOND REDEMPTION by Michael Fletcher. Debut novel, far as I can tell, in a world where insanity gives rise to terrible powers–if one can harness one’s madness, they can become unstoppable…until their delusions overwhelm them. Story is that several characters are all fighting over an improbable McGuffin which has the power to change the world profoundly. Who will win? A really strong book.
August 10, 2015 — 9:02 AM
moozuba says:
Bridge of Birds by Barry Hughart. I read it quite by accident and fell in love with it, but none of my friends (or family) will give it a fair hearing. It’s a mystery set in ancient China with the feel of being thrust into a fairy tale. Rife with humor and memorable characters, it’s a fast, fun read. I hope you check it out!
Note: The original is out of print, but can be found in the compilation “Chronicles of Master Li and Number Ten Ox.”
August 10, 2015 — 9:03 AM
Stephen Geigen-Miller says:
I love that book so much. No other novel has even made me both weep and literally laugh out loud. Oh, and although it is indeed out of print, the Del Rey edition is pretty easy to find second-hand.
August 10, 2015 — 4:21 PM
Braccia says:
The Shattered Sea Series by Joe Abercrombie. Book #1 Half a King is fab.
August 10, 2015 — 9:06 AM
Selfmanic says:
Solitaire by Kelly Eskridge
August 10, 2015 — 9:07 AM
Susanna Shore says:
Radiant by Karina Sumner-Smith, the first book in Towers Trilogy. It’s young adult fantasy with a female lead who isn’t your average special-one called to save the world. Interesting world-building with magic as a currency – actual and political. There’s no compulsory romance in the first book, but instead a strong friendship between two girls, one of whom is in fact a ghost. I found it an interesting start for a series.
August 10, 2015 — 9:07 AM
Christopher Kubasik (@MakerCK) says:
The King’s Indian, by John Gardner
(Maybe you’ve read it! I don’t know!)
http://www.amazon.com/The-Kings-Indian-Stories-Tales/dp/0394492218
A collection of tales and stories that have stayed with me — often more for the tone and the feeling than anything to do with plot — since I first read the book years and years ago.
That said, the tale “John Napper Sailing Through the Universe” became a touchstone for me, helping me through my depression of my youth. Vital, in fact, for me finding my way in the world.
August 10, 2015 — 9:07 AM
Lena Coakley says:
Best thing I’ve read all year in any genre: CUCKOO SONG by Frances Hardinge, a creepy YA fantasy. Not exactly an underdog as it is up for a British Fantasy Award but I hadn’t heard much about it.
August 10, 2015 — 9:08 AM
W.R.Gingell says:
Yes. One of the best. Anything by Francis Hardinge, actually.
August 10, 2015 — 9:10 PM
crossedstars says:
Karen Russel’s Swamplandia! I’m not going to tell you anything else, you just have to read it.
August 10, 2015 — 9:08 AM
Kay Camden says:
Warchild by Karin Lowachee. One of my top ten favs. Masterful writing and worldbuilding. Spaceships, martial arts, and revenge.From page one it will get a clutch on your heart and won’t let go until you read the final page.
August 10, 2015 — 9:10 AM
Ann Parker says:
Kevin and I in India by Frank Kusy
August 10, 2015 — 9:12 AM
Anton says:
The Fur Hat by Vladimir Voinovich. It perfectly captures the weirdness of being a writer, and especially being a writer in the strange years of the early Soviet Union. Voinovich is really damn funny.
August 10, 2015 — 9:15 AM
lauriegienapp says:
14, by Peter Clines. I’m not sure why, but I can’t find anyone else who’s read this. It’s urban, it’s supernatural, it’s well written.
August 10, 2015 — 9:15 AM
Tom Moore Jr says:
Ooh, I listened to it on audio, great story. I loved the slow build-up of weirdness.
August 11, 2015 — 12:59 AM
Liberty says:
Too Loud a Solitude by Bohumil Hrabal.
August 10, 2015 — 9:18 AM
Andrew says:
Releases August 13th:
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
The book was originally Kickstarted before she signed with Hodder and it is one of the best sci-fi books I have ever ever ever read.
It follows the crew of a ship on their year long voyage to construct a wormhole highway and along the way they fall in love, get robbed, meet a slew of interesting people both human and alien. It’s so damn lovely. It’s like an unexpected second season of Firefly but everything isn’t terrible for them.
Just…sigh…I can’t do it enough justice. Read it.
August 10, 2015 — 9:19 AM
Dann Albright says:
Apocalypticon by Clayton Smith. It’s a post-apocalyptic parody full of dark humor, but it’s really full of emotion as well. It caught me totally off guard; it’s really quirky, really fun, a great look at post-apocalyptic literature, and, when all is said and done, very heartfelt. A fascinating combination that I haven’t found anywhere else.
August 10, 2015 — 9:19 AM
Oden says:
DESERT OF SOULS by Howard Andrew Jones. Fantasy fans are always clamoring for fiction with a non-Western European setting . . . here you go. Jones brings 8th century Baghdad to life and weaves a story of mystery and foul sorcery, to boot. Well worth a look: http://www.amazon.com/Desert-Souls-Howard-Andrew-Jones/dp/B007K4IA10
August 10, 2015 — 9:20 AM
Isa McLaren (@IWMcLaren) says:
Bad Monkeys by Matt Ruff. Psychological thriller. I discovered it in my books while packing. I don’t remember buying it, but based on the cover, I can see why I did. Had to force myself to put it down to do other things like eat and sleep and unpack.
August 10, 2015 — 9:22 AM
Kelley Barnes says:
If you want to look at non-fiction try Shadows in the Vineyard by Maximillian Potter, it starts as a heist book, telling the true story of the 2010 plot to poison the vineyard which makes the most expensive wine in the world.
August 10, 2015 — 9:22 AM
Dr. Nate Harada says:
I Am Not A Serial Killer by Dan Wells. Got me some weird looks in the staff room at the office and no one else wanted to read it, but *I* enjoyed it.
http://www.amazon.com/Serial-Killer-John-Cleaver-Book-ebook/dp/B003DX0HYU/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1439212987&sr=1-1&keywords=i+am+not+a+serial+killer
August 10, 2015 — 9:24 AM
jack lee taylor says:
Okay. That’s it. I’ve listened to 10 seasons of Writing Excuses and have yet to read this book. I’m getting a copy NOW.
August 11, 2015 — 11:24 AM
Heather says:
I picked this up on a whim in my first year or two of college partly because I loved the title and partly because I had JUST been discussing serial killers and sociopaths with my mother not ten minutes before I saw the cover. I fell in love with it and got my best friend addicted. She’s currently reading book four and it’s one of the next ones I’m reading. Either the next book or the one after the next book. It wasn’t until years later that I found the Writing Excuses podcast and now it feels like the books they recommend are either ones I’m reading, have read, or have recently heard about if not ones I’m debating reading.
August 13, 2015 — 6:52 PM
richarddansky says:
Paul Tremblay’s A Head Full Of Ghosts. A chilling take on possession, or maybe just modern pop culture…
August 10, 2015 — 9:28 AM
terribleminds says:
Fucking amazing, that one.
August 10, 2015 — 9:33 AM
Zig Zag Claybourne says:
I’m jonesing bigtime on Patty Templeton’s THERE IS NO LOVELY END. American Gothic with a Wild West sensibility, imagination up the wazoo, and a writing style sharp enough to slice steel.
August 10, 2015 — 9:28 AM