by Jay Wilburn
One of my favorite things is giving book recommendation. It helps the readers, it helps the authors, and maybe makes the world a better place, especially in these times of uncertainty. Looking over the last month, I did a non-scientific survey of all the books I shared on Twitter, in private messages, through e-mail, by text, in person, and everywhere else. From that, I organized the ten books I recommended the most regardless of genre.
This is not to say other books weren’t as good or that these authors don’t have more books just as good or better than these. As I tried to match readers’ interests to a recommendation, these are the books that came up the most often in the past month. A different set of readers will probably create different recommendations in the coming month.
These books appealed to a number of readers for different reasons and as such, I think you might like them, too.
If you wish to contact me regarding checking out something you’ve written or want me to look at an advanced copy for review, feel free to touch base with me. If we are not already connected online, use the contact form on this website.
10
Sanctum of the Waterhorse by Ashley Elise Davis
I stumbled across this novel recently. It is complex and layered. There is a wide cast of characters. It’s a fascinating story that blends mythology, horror, and more. There’s one other novel on this list that uses mythology as well. Readers are expressing interest in these types of stories. Davis employs less well-known mythological elements for her story in an expert way. I look forward to seeing more from this author.
9
Blacktop Wasteland by S.A. Cosby
This book is up for preorder. I got an advance copy and it is worth the preorder. S.A. Cosby is the best new voice in crime fiction. He’s the one to watch. If you’re not sure about committing to a preorder, I recommend you pick up My Darkest Prayer by this same author. That will sell this new coming book better than anything I could say.
8
Catcoin by Frank J. Edler
This book is a little different. That should go without saying when Edler is the author. In a weird and wonderful way, he retells the history of cryptocurrency in a world where cats become money. We follow one of these cats through this trend in a story too strange and funny to be fiction.
7
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
This story is more literary and contemporary than others on this list. It’s light and funny. Good story about friendship. This may be a little too cute for some readers, but a lot of readers enjoy it. For people looking for quirky characters and a feel-good story, this book works.
6
Full Brutal by Kristopher Triana
This title serves as its own warning and promise for the reader. It won the Splatterpunk Award for best novel. There are no half measures with the story or the characters. It rakes away the barriers between us and the raw violence of reality. We recognize all these people and places only to horrified by what they are capable of. Triana has staked his claim as a leading voice in extreme horror.
5
White Fire by Brian Keene
This book came up into the recommendations fast and furious recently. Readers were requesting books to help them process what’s going on with the global pandemic. I’m wary of the kinds and the volume of pandemic books that will be coming out in the near future. There are a handful from the past that are excellent. White Fire is the one I recommend for people looking for a great one. Brian Keene understands how to communicate the gritty reality of characters struggling to survive.
4
Lovely War by Julie Berry
This recent release is something special. I love books that blend genres. There are a narrow few that do so well. There are even fewer that accomplish something amazing outside the boundaries of multiple genres. This story set during the World Wars includes elements of a period piece, a war story, romance, and Greek gods. It’s seamless. Every element is used to full effect without getting in the way of the story.
3
The Darla Decker Diaries series by Jessica McHugh
This young adult series follows a young girl through the real and funny adventures of growing up. As with all of McHugh’s stories, she is direct, unflinching, uniquely humorous, and an expert with drawing the reader into the story with the flow of her words. There are some strong topics touched on through the course of the stories, so it is firmly categorized as young adult over a younger middle grades novel. The first book is Darla Decker Hates to Wait.
2
Spooky Basement: Welcome to the Monsteropolis by Clay Astroman
This story is wild and unhinged in the most pleasant and wonderful of ways. It explores the concept of “Pump.” This story is amped and exciting from cover to cover. It reads like a cartoon adventure for adults who believe every other book isn’t quite crazy enough. If you’re looking for a book to take you to another world, this story will do it.
1
Resisting Madness by Wesley Southard
This is a high point for Southard at this moment in his writing career. A great novella and excellent short stories from end to end. This digs into your mind, your fears, and your sense of balance. If you need to be sold on Southard as an author, I think this is the gateway into becoming a lifelong fan.
Check out any one of these books and add them to your To-Be-Read pile beside your bed or wherever you stack up books to be consumed. Enjoy!
If you read all these and want even more, you might consider the Maidens of Zombie Kingdom young adult fantasy trilogy out now. If you need something free, contact me and I can email you either Lake Scatter Wood Tales book 1 for elementary and middle school readers or my short story collection Beautiful Darkness for adult readers.
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