I spent the first half of 2019 reading The Expanse. I think of it is as one giant book because I read them one after another until I ran out. Tiamat’s Wrath was released during my read, but the ninth and final book is yet to come. It was spectacular, and I can’t recommend it enough. I had watched the first three TV seasons in a week and needed more, so I started Leviathan Wakes on Christmas 2018 and didn’t stop reading until there were no more. I feel like I didn’t read that many books this year, but they were eight hefty books, so I guess my page count is probably about the same as normal.
In 2018, I read Chuck Wendig’s Blackbirds, because of his firing from Disney/Star Wars, etc. and thought I would try some others. I really like Blackbirds, so I read Zeroes. I thought it was fine, but nothing special. It had lots of characters and was confusing. I couldn’t get into it. There are a lot of sequels, so many others must like it, so don’t go by my opinion of it if you want to read it. I also read Wanderers because everyone raved about how it was epic and the best book of the year. It was fine too, but it’s a really long book and nothing much happens until you pass the halfway point. Nothing against Chuck, I love him on Twitter, but this book wasn’t for me. Again, many people raved about it (and are still raving about it), so don’t let my opinion stop you from reading it.
I read Peter Clines’ Dead Moon. It’s the third installment of the Threshold series (14 and The Fold are the other two). 14 is probably my favorite Peter Clines’ book. I also loved The Fold. I really liked Dead Moon too, but it’s different from his others (that I’ve read). It is horror set in sci-fi, but still good. I recommend the whole Threshold series.
Another sequel I read was The Vexed Generation by Scott Meyer. This is book 6 of the Magic 2.0 series. I love all six of them. I can’t wait for the next one.
The City in the Middle of the Night by Charlie Jane Anders was also really good. I don’t think I liked it as much as All the Birds in the Sky, but I still really like it, and would definitely recommend it.
I read (listened to) Alexander X because it was read by Wil Wheaton. It was fine. Lots of interesting stuff, but I’m not sure yet if I will read the sequels.
Most of what I read is Science Fiction, but I do make an effort to read other things. Since the Jojo Rabit movie was out (I have not seen it yet), I thought I would read the book it was based on, Caging Skies. It was sad and depressing, and the characters weren’t very likable, but I am glad I read it. It makes me want to go see the movie even more because there is no appropriate place in the entire book for the Monkee’s I’m a Believer. I need to see how a humorous take on the same subject could possibly be done.
I read Supermarket. It was a short read written by a rapper (and it has its own soundtrack). I’m not sure what I think about it. I hope this isn’t how people who read my books feel when they finish, but it was a New York Times bestseller. So, what do I know?
I also read 4 non-fiction books. Two were to help me become a better writer, Writing Great Fiction and How Great Science Fiction Works. They were both good. How Science Fiction Works was super interesting (if you like sci-fi). Anyone who likes Science Fiction should read it. If nothing else, it will greatly expand your To Read list.
Never Split the Difference was interesting. I don’t think I’m a better negotiator because I read it, but it is filled with interesting stories. Well worth the read.
I’m a huge fan of Babylon 5 as well as other J. Michael Straczynski creations. I was a little worried that a memoir from someone who created something I love wouldn’t be very interesting. I didn’t really know anything about him personally, but I do now. Becoming Super runs the gamut of emotions and is incredibly inspirational. I finished it and thought, Wow! I’m not sure that you even need to know anything about MJS or his works to benefit from reading it.
Fiction
– Caging Skies by Christine Leunens
– Alexander X: Battle for Forever Edward Savio
– The Vexed Generation: Magic 2.0 by Scott Meyer
– Supermarket by Bobby Hall
– Dead Moon by Peter Clines
– The City in the Middle of the Night by Charlie Jane Anders
– Zeroes: A Novel by Chuck Wendig
– Wanderers: A Novel by Chuck Wendig
– Leviathan Wakes (book 1) by James S. A. Corey
– Caliban’s War (book 2) by James S. A. Corey
– Abaddon’s Gate (book 3) by James S. A. Corey
– Cibola Burn (book 4) by James S. A. Corey
– Nemesis Games (book 5) by James S. A. Corey
– Babylon’s Ashes (book 6) by James S. A. Corey
– Persepolis Rising (book 7) by James S. A. Corey
– Tiamat’s Wrath (book 8) by James S. A. Corey
Non-Fiction
– Writing Great Fiction: Storytelling Tips and Techniques by James Hynes
– How Great Science Fiction Works by Gary K. Wolfe
– Becoming Superman: My Journey From Poverty to Hollywood by J. Michael Straczynski
– Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as if Your Life Depended on it by Chris Voss
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