Thursday, July 15, 2010

Books I Love

I've written about this before, but I get into reading streaks. Sometimes I read a ton of books in a row where I get to page 50 and I put it down. Sometimes I get on a streak where I read like 8 good books in a row and I'm not going to make a bad choice.

I'm on a good streak right now. Here are four books I've read recently that I loved:

A COOL BREEZE ON THE UNDERGROUND (Don Winslow): Coming soon from Busted Flush Press! I I blurbed this book recently, and I mean every word I say! A great PI novel, with a smooth voice. Just a lot of fun. I tore through this book in a few days, and I don't read that fast anymore.

61 HOURS (Lee Child): I have a good history with the Reacher novels. DIE TRYING may remain my favorite, along with GONE TOMORROW, which has got me too freaked out to get on the subway. 61 HOURS is another good one. Reacher ends up in a small town trying to protect a woman who may testify in a trial. The plot of this book whizzes along, taking the reader with it. And the end is a pure cliffhanger. Great summer read.

SAVAGES (Don Winslow): Two Winslow books in this close a stretch? Yes. SAVAGES is that good. A novel about two drug dealers and their girlfriend who get too far in. That's the easy summary of this book, but it has to be read to be believed. The style is the draw here, with quick wit, scenes written as a screenplay. Winslow does his best to emulate and pass some of the modern crime writers and does. If this is not his best book, it's damn close.

SO COLD THE RIVER (Michael Koryta): A lot of people are saying this is a huge departure for Koryta. I disagree. Not a PI novel, but definitely crime. The twist is Koryta takes the "sins of the past" and puts a supernatural twist on it. Definitely a book worth reading and a step up for, Michael. His best novel, hands down. Go out and read this.

THE DEPUTY (Victor Gischler): I'm only 70 pages into this book, but the voice is compelling. I haven't been able to put this down, which is killing me, because I have my own writing to do. Can't wait to see what happens next. Here's Weddle's review.

5 comments:

Jen Forbus said...

Oooo, I'm familiar with a number of those and definitely agree they are great. I love when I get on those good streaks, but then anxiously anticipate the book that breaks the streak. Ultimately it comes along.

Graham Powell said...

I tend to find a writer I like - usually from years ago - and read as much of their stuff as I can get my hands on. Right now it's "A.A. Fair" (Erle Stanley Gardner) and the Donald Lam/Bertha Cool series. So far I've read 6 books in 16 days.

Victor Gischler said...

I made the list! Sweet!

Let's hope page 70 on still holds your attention.

VG

Gerry Skoyles said...

Interesting list - and comments. Wonder where my new novel, Pursuit To Paradise, would slot in?

Dave White said...

Victor, 175 pages in and still loving it!