What’s Next on the Reading List?
Although I don’t finish off books at quite the speed I did when I was a teenager, I still love to read good books. I’ve got around at least 100 books waiting on shelves, in boxes, in totes, and in stacks that are waiting to be read. There are some priorities in my list, though, that I’m trying to get to in the short term. Here’s an incomplete list.
- Foundation and Empire – Isaac Asimov
Over the years, I became quite a fan of Asimov. The funny thing is, I was a fan of his non-fiction. Not once during my heavy SF years did I read a single work of fiction by the man. Months ago, I finally grabbed a copy of Foundation from the bookstore and read it. I have to admit, it was pretty good. It wasn’t the BEST science-fiction I ever read by any means, but it was a quick and fun read. Now, if I can just find that hardcover trilogy I’ve got lying around somewhere, I’ll read the second book.
- High Druid of Shannara: Jarka Ruus – Terry Brooks
Next up in the Shannara series for me is this new book in a new trilogy. It’s been out for a while, but I have yet to see a copy of it in anything but a full-price bookstore. I’m waiting for this one to fall into my hands, and then it is likely to be immediately devoured, ruining any other plans for the next few days. If you like fantasy, and haven’t read a Shannara book, find a copy of the Sword of Shannara and get started.
- Dune: The Machine Crusade – Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson
Another one of those great SF works I never read when I was younger was the Dune series. As an adult, I’ve been reading them and enjoying them quite a bit. I’ve still got a couple books to go in the original series, but they’re not as high a priority in my list as the new prequels. Going back and reading the history of how things led up to the original Dune has turned out to be more enjoyable than reading the later Dune books. The Butlerian Jihad was a thrilling book to read, even more so than the great houses trilogy that came before. I’m hoping these guys keep up the great work. I haven’t got a copy of this one yet, but it’s another one that will force itself to the top of my list as soon as I do.
- Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers – J.R.R. Tolkien
That’s right, another of those great authors I never read back in the day was Tolkien. I’ve been fixing that problem, though, and have one book to go before my quest will be done. This book sits on my bedside table, waiting for me to act. Soon, soon.
- Executive Power – Vince Flynn
As an adult, I stopped reading as much science fiction. Most of the later SF had become unrealistic as modern technology advanced. I moved over to techno and political thrillers. A few years back, I discovered Vince Flynn’s first book, Term Limits. That’s one book worth a read if I’ve ever seen one. He’s continued to put out quality, exciting work. I’ve had a copy of this one for a while, and have kept it near the top of my list the whole time. Unfortunately, when I’m averaging a book read every couple of months at best, it’s easy to keep a book at #2 or #3 on my list for a while. Maybe I should just move this one to #1 and get it done, since it will read MUCH faster than The Two Towers.
- Smoke Screen – Kyle Mills
Reading the first two books by Mills got me hooked on his work. While I ran the bookstore, I had several mad customers who had gotten hooked on this author, but then found it impossible to find any more books by him. I just couldn’t keep them in stock. If I managed to get one of his books, it would sell immediately. Mills is the son of a retired FBI agent, and writes exciting books with characters you can get to know. I’ve seen copies of this book on the shelf, so I know it exists, but they dissapeared before I could get my hands on them. I’m still looking.
- The Teeth of the Tiger – Tom Clancy
I’ve had a copy of this in hardcover for a while. Unfortunately, I’m just not in good enough physical shape to read a Clancy book in hardcover. His prose is so dense, and detailed, and LONG that it takes a long time to read. Don’t get me wrong. I LOVE that he is so dense, detailed, and long. He covers a lot of bases, and writes a fine book. I do a lot of my reading in bed, though, and holding up a thick hardcover book for that long can be hard on the shoulders. When I get my hands on a softcover of this one, though…
Like I say, it’s an incomplete list. I’m still reading my Bible in One Year, and there are some non-fiction books I need to read. There are still some surprises to be found.
For instance, as I finished up this post, I looked over and saw a paperback of Foundation and Empire on the shelf. I forgot that I found it. I guess I know what’s next.
Did you enjoy this post? Why not leave a comment below and continue the conversation, or subscribe to my feed and get articles like this delivered automatically to your feed reader.
Comments
No comments yet.
Leave a comment