Mondays are once again Novel Magic Mondays in Sorchia’s Universe. Keep any eye out for paranormal romance, magically delicious mysteries, chilling thrillers, and other books about things that go bump in the night.
I may grab a spot occasionally, but most of the books you’ll read about on Novel Magic Mondays are written by talented authors from all over the world.
You can look at past Novel Magic posts by selecting Novel Magic in the Find More Great Posts category widget on the right side of this page.
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Let’s Get This Party Started
To get Novel Magic rolling, let me share a few titles and authors I’ve read lately and can heartily recommend.
I read A Lot: new books by authors I’ve never heard of before, old favorites, cereal boxes and all the stickers on cars, trucks, billboards, road signs, etc. I don’t know how people who don’t read for fun exist, honestly.
At the moment, I read mostly on my Kindle so the books mentioned here are e-books though they may also be available in paperback. As soon as I get some reading glasses that work, I have a stack of real books to get into and you’ll be hearing about those when I do.
Sorchia’s Kindle Library Selections
Terry Pratchett
All of Pratchett’s stuff is funny and strangely prescient but most recently I read Equal Rites. So funny and with world building that runs through a lengthy series. Fantasy about Disc world and the inhabitants of such a place. Equal Rites is about Granny Weatherwax and her adopted sort of apprentice and their travels and travails. Very much like Douglas Adams Hitchhikers Guide but with fantasy instead of science fiction.
Nelson DeMille
I’ve read a number of DeMille’s books and not all are military fiction. This one– The Deserter written with Alex DeMille–is similar to Tom Clancy’s stuff.
The Deserter is about the pursuit of a deserter from the U.S. Army in the days of the Afghanistan war. The MCs follow a lead to Venezuela where they find a country in chaos after political upheaval. Engrossing, bloody, and intricately plotted, The Deserter explores the realities of war and its devastating effects on the world, the country, the leaders, and most disturbingly on those who serve in the military.
Donald Westlake
Bank Shot and The Busy Body though I would recommend anything written by Westlake.
Westlake has been a favorite of mine for decades. Sadly, he has passed away, but his books definitely live on. In his early books, he specialized in heists—intricately planned escapades incorporating a cast of characters who often manage to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Set in New York in the recent past, these are books about mugs and their efforts to become swells. I’d recommend any of the John Dortmunder books especially. Westlake’s later books became darker, but no less great.
Tony Wirt—Just Stay Away
This one disturbed me more than usual. It’s about a strange boy and the MCs descent into near madness because of him. Can’t tell you anymore—just that it is a slow burn. A modern thriller about a writer, so ……
Freida McFadden
I’ve read several of Freida’s and will read more as I find them. Most recently– The Housemaid and The Housemaid’s Secret.
This woman is a genius at building suspense. People die and people get their comeuppances and people sometimes get away with murder. The books of hers that I’ve read are addictive and will keep you reading well into the wee hours to see how the MC gets out of the mess she’s gotten herself into. Just very well-written thrillers.
Nick Spalding—most recently Old Boys
Nick Spalding is a British author who writes tales of modern life in England and the pitfalls therein. Some of his stuff is a bit gross—in a funny way like toilet humor which I usually don’t enjoy but somehow, I find his stuff hilarious—and some get deep into English slang so if you are an American, be prepared. I laugh until I cry at most of his books. They almost always have a bit of a moral though sometimes he’s a little heavy-handed. Still great for a light, funny diversion.
These are just a sample of the humongous library my poor little Kindle contains. I know I sometimes have a hard time deciding which book to grab. So many books and so little time. Plus, I know how hard authors work and how little they sometimes get for that work. These authors have fulfilled the highest role of a writer—as stolen from M.C. Beaton, they’ve given me “a good time on a bad day” and I’m very grateful for that.
Do you have authors and books you can recommend? I’d love to add to my list. Leave us your suggestions in Comments. I can hear my Kindle groaning at the thought.
