7 Favorite Books I Read in 2017

7 Favorite  Books  I  Read  In  2017


Every book is a new book if you haven't read it!  And so, let us begin.
"The Yard" - Alex Grecian (2012)
London, England, circa 1889, one year after Jack the Ripper had most of the city cowering at shadows and unexpected noises.  New murders are popping up and Scotland Yard has decided to hire a young detective to run a new team known as the, “Murder Squad.”  You can hear the clip-clop of horse carriages being pulled through the gas lit streets while reading this one.  Perfect novel for those cold, damp nights.
"Carrion Comfort"  --  Dan Simmons (1989)
This is a 700 page flibbityfloo.  There are a small number of these creepy people that need to feed on the human mind.  And in the process, they enjoy getting into the heads of others making them do...whatever they feel like making them do.  It's a fresh take on an old idea. An epic horror of flibbityfloo proportions.
"Pope Joan" — Donna Woolfolk Cross (1996)
Historical fiction of the Middle Ages. A time when only boys were allowed to read.  Joan discovers at a very early age that she is a quick learner, so when her brother is killed on his way to accept an offer from the church to continue his education...she disguises herself and...well...you get it.  This is great storytelling with vivid characters and intense drama.  I loved it and so will you.
"Under The Dome"  -  Stephen King (2009)
This was the longest book I read this year.  I had only the vaguest ideas about this SK doorstop.  A small town under a dome.  Now whadyagonnado?  This wasn't horror.  Not quite a thriller, either.  It's in that ball park, though.   Whatever you want to name it, it had plenty of the wonderful minutiae SK likes to sprinkle into his stories that kept me occupied, so I simply relaxed and enjoyed the ride. Good stuff.
"HHhH"  -  Laurent Binet (2010)
Reinhard Heydrich was nicknamed the “Butcher of Prague”...and for good reason.   He was coldblooded, extremely ambitious and one of the top men in Hitler's creepy little circle.  This is about the plot to assassinate Heydrich.  It's a thrilling read and surprisingly enjoyable for such a dark subject. The author also brings the reader into the process of..." what to leave in, what to leave out. (like the Bob Seger song)  Don't be put off by the topic.
"Americanah"  -  Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (2013)
Nothing to bite your nails about in this one.
Or cause your heart to AFib.
But this is a page-turner just the same.
The main character is so engaging, you just want to stay close.
It has a coming-of-age feel, but it's not. Not in the traditional sense.  We ride shotgun with this American Nigerian young woman while she discovers and weighs the cultural differences, both good and bad, and decides how she wants to exist in this world.  There is no way I can properly explain why the book is so enthralling.  But I know what I like and this one I highly recommend.

"House of Leaves" — Mark Z. Danielewski (2000)
Oh, no! Not another haunted house story.  Yep, but this one ranks right up there with the very best. An absolute page-turner. You almost feel like you're being watched while turning the pages.  And this story will stay with you long after you've put it away. That's good writing!








And once again,  "Every book is a new book if you haven't read it!"  Go out and get you one.

"I'm Reading A Book"  -  Julian Smith


Good stuff!

Casey Chambers
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