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.
elctrcrngr says:
S.A. Hunt’s latest, Malus Domesticus. Witches and witch hunter, his prose is like, you just can’t stop eating. I can’t wait to get my hands on some more of his work.
August 10, 2015 — 9:34 AM
Mikel Strom says:
The Fury of Blacky Jaguar, by Angel Luis Colón. It’s a barnburner pulp novella that barrels along like its brakes were cut.
August 10, 2015 — 9:42 AM
James R. Tuck says:
Heartily recommend this too! Damn good.
August 12, 2015 — 1:54 AM
tuppencecowley says:
Body Politic, by Paul Johnston. Noir murder mystery set in totalitarian alt-Edinburgh, Scotland. I can’t remember where I stumbled on it, only that I’ve never met anyone else who’s read it, and that’s a complete travesty. I couldn’t put it down.
August 10, 2015 — 9:42 AM
Heather says:
Not sure if it’s been mentioned, but Gail Carriger’s Soulless. Steampunk, Vampires and Werewolves, and a main character who has no soul and who negates the excess soul of the undead. (she has a whole science set up for this Victorian era saga.) The first book, Soulless is a bit of a romance, but you won’t go wrong reading this humorous series.
August 10, 2015 — 9:44 AM
Heather says:
This is such a good book. It took me two tries to get into it and I then got two friends hooked on the series. I loaned my copy of book one and they were upset I didn’t have any of the others. 😀
August 13, 2015 — 6:54 PM
Annie Howland says:
14 by Peter Cline. Because mutant cockroaches, amiright?
August 10, 2015 — 9:55 AM
Mark says:
Angel Falls by Chantal Noordeloos. It’s an awesome ghost story.
August 10, 2015 — 10:02 AM
Mark Lewis says:
Change that to Angel Manor, not Angel Falls. THat’s the location of the book. D’OH! *LOL*
August 10, 2015 — 9:10 PM
redheadedfemme says:
Seconding the love for Naomi Novik’s “Uprooted.” I’m about halfway through it now, and it’s just fantastic.
August 10, 2015 — 10:05 AM
Adrian Bedford says:
TRUCKSONG, by Australian author Andrew Macrae. Published by Twelfth Planet Press. Future, post-collapse desert Australia, but with cyborg trucks tooling about. Tribes of scattered humans trying to survive, and remember how the world used to be. A boy who meets a girl, but loses the girl to a truck. His epic quest to get her back. Kind of MAD MAX meets THE ROAD. Mythic, even poetic at times. Vivid. Its own language. Trucks having sex with each other. And I’m not even kidding. Most original Oz sf novel I’ve read in ahes. Get some! 🙂
August 10, 2015 — 10:06 AM
Fred G. Yost says:
Only one? … Ok. Only one. This is tough. I’ve actually written, deleted, and rewritten this post two or three times, trying to choose. I think I’m going to finally stick with The Golem and The Jinni by Helene Wecker. There’s action, adventure, romance, friendship, and the melding of two fish-out-of-water stories set in 1899 New York. It hit a lot of the same points with me as Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, though they are two very different books.
August 10, 2015 — 10:07 AM
lkeke35 says:
Loved The Golem and the Jinni. One of my favorite books last year.
August 10, 2015 — 1:02 PM
Daina says:
the Wooden Sea by Jonathan Carroll. It’s liking biting into a habanero chocolate covered frozen banana while sitting on the front yard curb after a rainstorm.
August 10, 2015 — 10:08 AM
Michael Robinson says:
Out of Position by Kyell Gold. Yes, it’s gay furry romance, but it’s really good.
August 10, 2015 — 10:09 AM
D.R.Sylvester says:
That is the best sentence I’ve read all day
August 10, 2015 — 10:52 PM
Wilmar Luna (@WilmarLuna) says:
If any of you readers like military aviation, especially navy fighter pilots landing on a pitch black carrier deck with only a few lights and their guts to guide them to safety. Then I absolutely MUST recommend Raven One by Captain Kevin Miller (Ret).
I had just come off from reading some truly boring Tom Clancy stuff but Raven One has been super suspenseful and exciting. The prose is enjoyable and though the military jargon is a bit heavy handed, they do include a useful glossary to keep track of what they’re saying.
Highly, highly recommend this book and it’s the only one from this author so far.
August 10, 2015 — 10:14 AM
Timothy (Tim) Riecker says:
Overdraft: The Orion Offensive by John Jackson Miller. Such a fun read! John Jackson Miller has a great writing style which really shines in this book. Being originally written as a Kindle serial, it is a quick read with a fast pace. That said, it has excellent beginnings of character development which I hope will be further developed in additional books. The premise of the book is unique, unlike other sci-fi out there. There are sub-plots and side bars which are hilarious, poking fun at our own pop culture and even at the roots of sci-fi itself. That said, JJM created his own future for our Earth, making unique adaptations to technology and science which contribute to an outstanding landscape for the characters and the story.
I was first introduced to JJM through his Star Wars novels but I encourage everyone to pick up Overdraft: The Orion Offensive. Oh, and mine is autographed by JJM himself!
August 10, 2015 — 10:21 AM
pwodoom says:
The Secret Life of Lobsters byTrevor Corson. Well written and very interesting especially to a land locked desert rat.
August 10, 2015 — 10:23 AM
Jen says:
The Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo (Shadow and Bone; Siege and Storm; Ruin and Rising.) It’s a YA series set in a Russian-esque world where magic is making way for technology–much to the chagrin of the magic users. Folklore, magic, monsters, romance–these books have it all.
August 10, 2015 — 10:34 AM
Karen Lynne Klink says:
War by Sebastian Junger. Nonfiction. I don’t think you will be able to put it down once you start.
August 10, 2015 — 10:48 AM
Samantha Bryant (@mirymom1) says:
Sip of Fear by Brian Rush. It’s a contemporary fantasy novel about a bio-mage who has to keep himself alive long enough to solve the mystery of the Shadow and what the next step will be for the Illuminated. It’s a little outside my usual genre preferences, but still really pulled me in and had me engaged and rooting for the main character who was portrayed with depth and realism. Great read.
August 10, 2015 — 11:01 AM
Kim Thornton says:
Seconding the Golem and the Jinni. It stayed in my mind long after I read it.
August 10, 2015 — 11:03 AM
Andrew Leon Hudson says:
“Choke on Your Lies” by Anthony Neil Smith. Came for the un-not-buyable title, stayed for the writing: it’s a grotty contemporary response to Nero Wolfe-style mysteries, but very contemporary, very grotty… lovely.
August 10, 2015 — 11:05 AM
Anthony says:
Read it. Loved it. Not even a huge fan of crime fiction. It was good!
August 10, 2015 — 12:16 PM
James R. Tuck says:
Two big thumbs up! Anthony Neil Smith is a total badass. Read all his stuff.
August 12, 2015 — 1:36 AM
Jeff P. says:
One?! OK, I can do this.
City of Diamond, by Jane Emerson (aka Doris Egan).
Loved it when I first read it, love it anew each time I pick it up. One of those books where you shake your fist at the lack of a sequel, mind you (can’t fault her, she’s doing what she wants and writing great TV).
Well worth tracking down, and much obliged for the opportunity to bring her some new readers
August 10, 2015 — 11:09 AM
Michanne says:
Walking to Gatlinburg – Howard Frank Mosher
TOTAL unexpected BLISS!
August 10, 2015 — 11:14 AM
Joe H. says:
The Shattered World by Michael Reaves. 1980s fantasy with some great characters and world-building.
August 10, 2015 — 11:18 AM
conniecockrell says:
I’m currently reading Nevada Barr, a mystery writer. I’m on the second book of her Anna Pigeon mystery, A Superior Death. The first book, The Track of the Cat, I was hooked. Love this series!
August 10, 2015 — 11:25 AM
Ken says:
The Devil All the Time by Donald Ray Pollock. In the backwoods a man’s wife is dying, no matter how much he prays or sacrifices animals at his “prayer log.” His son is cast into a world filled with tough circumstances, strange characters (a spider eating preacher, Ohio’s version of Bonnie and Clyde) and few friends. For strong prose the book read fast and left me searching for more of his work. I feel like he is a mix of two of my favorite authors – Joe Lansdale and Ernest Hemmigway, but don’t take my word for it go grab you some Pollock.
August 10, 2015 — 11:25 AM
William Nicholson says:
Doomsday Book by Connie Willis. Many will have read it, those who haven’t yet discovered Willis are in for a real treat. Youthful time traveler historian stuck in the Middle Ages. Characterization share strong. Reconstruction of this dead time is grittily real.
August 10, 2015 — 11:26 AM
Genevieve Mckay says:
Another Kind of Cowboy by Susan Juby. A young boy struggles to find his identity in small town Canada. Packed with memorable characters, wry humor and, of course, horses.
August 10, 2015 — 11:28 AM
gally1971 says:
“Thor” by Wayne Smith. One of my all-time favorite werewolf stories. I really, really wish this book was still in print because I would make everyone read it. The story is told by Thor, the German Shephard who watches over the family who is threatened by the werewolf. Thor is the only one who recognizes the threat and watching as the poor dog struggles between conflicting desires to protect his family and obey his master’s rules to never attack is fascinating. There was a horrible, horrible movie made based on this book (“Bad Moon”). Please, please do not watch this movie. Just read the book.
August 10, 2015 — 11:36 AM
SusanShahani says:
” WHIPLASH” By Denis O’Neill
This is a great book about reflections of Dartmouth college days with a Vietnam war looming in the backdrop – receiving a diploma and a draft # and no where to hide.
August 10, 2015 — 11:43 AM
Christine says:
Puttering About in a small Land by Philip k Dick. Not science fiction I thought it was a pretty brutal dissection of marriage and I guess our inability to grow up and face our lives. It’s subtle. Which is so interesting for a Dick book. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puttering_About_in_a_Small_Land
August 10, 2015 — 11:51 AM
jmvandenberg says:
I have no idea if this is a well-known book or not, but it is the best book I’ve read in 2015 in any genre. Empire of Dust by Jacey Bedford is a fast paced, complex sci-fi novel. Humans now travel across the galaxy thanks to gates, but it takes platinum to run the gates, so the most powerful groups are the corporations who control the platinum. In their mind platinum is more valuable than human life. The main characters of the story don’t happen to agree and are willing to put their own lives at risk to stop the corporations from destroying a colony that had the misfortune of building on a planet with platinum. I lost a lot of sleep reading this book and am counting down the days until I can read the sequel.
August 10, 2015 — 12:03 PM
Anthony says:
Warship by Joshua Dalzelle. It’s fairly new. It’s a sci-fi story about an aging destroyer. In general the story is fairly trope tastic, but has enough twists to make it fun, startng with the fact that Humanity has been at peace for 250 years and thus no one has any combat experience. Fun characters, an attempt at being “hard” sci fi that I’m not knowledgable enough to know the accuracy of, but was fun, and an engaging plotline with enough threats from all over to keep you hooked.
August 10, 2015 — 12:20 PM
Bryan says:
This is an older book (2006) but I don’t think it got very wide circulation at the time? I ended up stumbling over it at the library, and despite the cover, title, and classification gave it a chance, and was glad that I did: “Resenting the Hero” by Moira J. Moore. It came out in fantasy/romance line, but forget that part — it is simply a good read, with strong characters, interesting world building, and a very smooth flow. Whenever our host here starts talking about character agency, this is one of the books that comes to my mind. Not deep or world changing, but a good read.
August 10, 2015 — 12:22 PM
Leif Husselbee says:
Reading a book now about relationships and mid life crisis’. Definitely worth a read by a Syracuse author named David J. Figura called “So What Are The Guys Doing?”
August 10, 2015 — 12:26 PM
miceala says:
ROSEHEAD by Ksenia Anske. It’s a book that’s been translated into English from what I believe was originally Russian, and while occasionally some of the phrasing could have used a second editorial pass, all in all, the book is EFFING BRILLIANT. Think urban fantasy but more… suburban fantasy. The book is pretty much from the perspective of Lilith, a pre-teen girl who may or may not have anxiety and/or ADD and/or some other mental health problem, but you’re never really sure what’s actually supernatural and happening and what might just be a bad dream or a panic attack (the experience of which the book does a brilliant job of conveying), but you’re always left wanting to believe Lilith because she’s more often than not right at least in part about what’s happening. Even if believing Lilith might not be the… sanest… thing to do.
As for the overarching plot, here’s the book jacket:
“Misunderstood and overmedicated, twelve-year-old Lilith Bloom finds the prospect of a grand family reunion decidedly dull… That is, until she discovers that the rose garden surrounding her grandfather’s Berlin mansion is, well, completely and utterly carnivorous. Armed with Panther, her talking pet whippet, and the help of the mute boy next door, Lilith must unravel the secrets behind the mysterious estate, all while her family remains gloriously unaware that they are about to be devoured.”
August 10, 2015 — 12:27 PM
Jaime says:
I just read Mark Edwards Follow You Home (found it searching on Kindle for something creepy) and it was way better than I was expecting it to be. That’s always a nice surprise. It starts on a train through Romania and takes off from there. Funny since the book I read right before it was The Girl on the Train. Maybe I’m on a train kick. Thanks to everyone here for your suggestions here – I now have a whole list of books to search for!
August 10, 2015 — 12:28 PM
Leslie Aguillard says:
Ishmael by Daniel Quinn (followed by sequels My Ismael and The story of B)
August 10, 2015 — 12:35 PM
Catherine M. Wilson says:
The First Noble Truth by C. Lynn Murphy. A novel about an American woman and a Japanese woman. Beautifully written and quite profound.
August 10, 2015 — 12:36 PM
Dan says:
The Fortunate Fall by Raphael Carter. Early Gibson/Stephenson style cyberpunk tech, nineties gloom. I don’t remember much (I think I read it 20 years ago) except that it left an impression on me. Female protagonist who’s a reporter with implants for cameras (I could be wrong about the cameras)
August 10, 2015 — 12:47 PM
Robin Claire says:
THE SILVER CROWN by Robert C. O’Brien (who also wrote Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH) I read this book as a child and LOVED IT. There is a strong minded heroine and this Artful Dodger type of boy, a mind control machine and of course, a silver crown. The book has many mature themes (for instance the heroine witnesses a murder) and It is quite scary. This book stuck with me and I would talk about it to everyone, but it disappeared and I began to think I had imagined the book. While in a used bookstore in my twenties I came across an old beat up paperback version. You would have thought I had found a $100 dollar bill.
It is now back in print. If you go to Amazon and read the reviews you will see others who were also manically searching for this book from their youth.
August 10, 2015 — 12:55 PM
penultimus says:
The Innovators by Walter Isaacson. He’s written excellent biographies of Steve Jobs, Einstein, and Ben Franklin. Here, Isaacson provides a history of the computer age and the characters — and collaboration — that led to breakthrough innovations.
August 10, 2015 — 1:04 PM
Lynn Reynolds says:
Wylding Hall by Elizabeth Hand. Creepy haunted English manor house hosts early 1970’s Folk Rock musicians making an album. Badness ensues. It’s like Fairport Convention goes to Hill House and meets H.P. Lovecraft. Weird, disturbing imagery that lingers in your mind well after you’re done reading.
August 10, 2015 — 1:21 PM
Rosanne Catalano says:
A JOURNEY OF LOVE by Joseph J Mazzella (who also wrote WALKING THE PATH OF LOVE). Joseph has been writing inspirational stories for newspapers and online for over 20 years yet none of my family or friends have heard of him or even read him yet. His two books are actually collections of his many short stories in which he shares the love, learning, experiences, and wisdom he has gained over the years with his readers. Joseph has 2 sons who have Autism and he shares his and his ex-wife’s struggles, joy, and love raising sons with a neurological illness.
August 10, 2015 — 1:28 PM
Kyra Dune says:
Hotel Apocalypse: The Complete Collection by Bennett Gavrish. Post Apocalyptic Science Fiction. I really loved this book. I enjoyed the characters and the story. It was interesting to me how they all lived in this sort of hotel type structure with a really rigid caste system. I was captivated right from the start.
August 10, 2015 — 1:35 PM
SamKD says:
The Good Son by Michael Gruber.
Mother is kidnapped by terrorists so son must rescue her. Straightforward, right? Not when Mom is an American Jungian therapist with a checkered past who married a Pakistani lawyer and raised Son in Lahore where he had wild youthful times before being taken to the USA and eventually becoming a soldier. Layered influences on strong characters make it entertaining, thought-provoking and witty with something to delight or piss off (or both) everyone you know.
August 10, 2015 — 1:40 PM
Elsa H says:
A Song for Arbonne by Guy Gavriel Kay.
If you haven’t read this work of alternate history writing, you should. If you love Game of Thrones, you should read this because it is similar in flavor, but I believe better written.
Political intrigue, troubadors, and inclusive sexuality.
This is one of the books that made me want to be a writer, because it made me cry. So hard to do, and so beautifully done in this book.
August 10, 2015 — 1:49 PM
captaintemerity says:
I’m about 80% through “Vermillion” by Molly Tanzer from Word Horde.
Gender-fluid protagonist. Some ghost busting. A bit of a western. some steampunk thrown in. Takes a few surprising turns (to me at least). Definitely in love with the story and Lou, the lead, so depending on how it ends, I’m hoping there will be more of her.
August 10, 2015 — 1:51 PM
Paz Spera says:
My Life in the Bush of Ghosts by Amos Tutuola. Magic and a lost boy in Africa. It’s a strange and beautiful book
August 10, 2015 — 1:58 PM
dangerdean says:
Hard Core Logo, by Michael Turner. It isn’t (exactly) a novel, but tells the story of a once great Vancouver punk band that reunites for a final, acoustic, reunion tour. The story is told in poems, interview transcripts, gig posters, set lists and diary entries. Bruce McDonald made an excellent movie based on this book, but the experience is just not the same.
August 10, 2015 — 2:01 PM
Dani Alexis says:
Mirror Project, by Michael Monje. Probably the least-read of Michael’s books but also my favorite, because SENTIENT AI.
August 10, 2015 — 2:03 PM
Puck says:
I’ve only been recommended this book a couple of times, but I just read it and it’s incredible: The Word for World is Forest by Ursula LeGuin. I guess it’s one of her less famous books, but its emotional impact is equal to her most famous works.
August 10, 2015 — 2:13 PM
janinmi says:
This story pretty much spoiled the movie “Avatar” (Sigourney Weaver et al) for me. ‘Sokay, though, I’d rather read Le Guin again any time. 🙂
August 12, 2015 — 12:48 PM