These are my picks for the top five fiction books I read this year:
5 - This Is How You Lose The Time War by Amal El-Mohtar, Max Gladstone
I got this book recommendation from the 5 Bullet Friday email that Tim Ferriss puts out each week. He basically said “go read it and the less you know going in the better”, so I went and got it and dove in. I suggest you do the same, but for those of you who need to know some stuff before committing, here’s a basic overview. It is Red vs Blue; tech vs bio; the network vs the biome; in a time war. The story bounces all over time and is told in snapshots and letters between the soldiers on opposing sides so the letters have to be encoded. It’s creative, clever, and different. It evolves and grows as you get into the characters and the plot. Just go read it and don’t quit till you get at least 30 pages in. I swear it settles in.
This book is for sci-fi fans, and time-soldiers, and adventurers, and letter readers.
(Rated R, Score 9/10, ebook, audiobook read by Cynthia Farrell, 4:15)
4. The Murderbot Diaries starting with All Systems Red (Murderbot Diaries Book 1) by Martha Wells
Murderbot is a human/machine hybrid in charge of security for a survey team on a distant planet. It struggles with human interactions/emotions, preferring the humans in its’ charge to perceive him as a robot rather than a person. Murderbot has to step up its security game once its team is attacked by violent predators on the planet, then by an unknown, rogue team of surveyors with hacked security bots. The bad guys wipe out a different survey team and try to hijack Murderbot when it investigates the other team’s habitat. Murderbot’s team rescues him and together they work their way off of the planet to safety. Thanks, Lucas, for the recommendation. Now I need to find the prequel to learn how Murderbot got that nickname.
This book is for sci-fi fans and socially awkward humans.
(Rated PG-13, Score 7/10, audiobook read by Kevin R. Free, 3:17)
3 - Little Lord Fauntleroy by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Cedric Errol is a clever, kind, thoughtful boy of seven years who steals your heart in this funny little story. Cedric lives in New York with his widow mother. He spends his time with a bootblack and a grocery store owner talking politics and life and generally being a typical grade-school boy. His world gets flipped when his uncles die and Cedric becomes the heir to the Earl of Dorincourt (inheriting the title Lord Fauntleroy). The old Earl is a miserable, cranky, mean, old man before the little boy melts his heart. This is a story of how kindness, generosity, and selflessness can restore broken relationships and people. I can see many of the qualities of Cedric in my seven-year-old Jet, and I hope to encourage him to be brave, generous, and kind like Cedric. Thanks, Mom, for the recommendation.
This book is for anyone in need of a cheerful boost or a good laugh.
(Rated G, Score 9/10, ebook and audiobook read by Virginia Leishman, 6:17)
2- Ballistic by Mark Greaney (Gray Man #3)
The Gray Man is being hunted. The CIA, Russians, and quite a few other acronyms are after him. He dodges a kill team in South America and is making his way back north when he learns about the passing of an old friend in Mexico. Court stops by the grave of Eddie Gamboa (who saved Court’s life several years earlier) in Mexico to pay his respects. At the grave, Court meets Eddie’s pregnant wife who is in a war with the Mexican drug-lord Daniel de la Rocha. Court steps in and does his best to protect Eddie’s family against multiple attacks by the assassins of Daniel de la Rocha, the crazy drug lord who killed Eddie. De la Rocha’s men capture the Gray Man and Laura, Eddie’s little sister, but with the help of the CIA, Court escapes. Then Court goes ballistic on de la Rocha’s operations. Court attacks the operation at all levels- bankers, money launderers, drug distribution, drug manufacturing, and crooked cops. Court costs de la Rocha millions upon millions of dollars in a few days causing an eventual show-down with the mad drug lord. This is a crazy intense story from start to finish; it is not for snowflakes. Knowing a little Spanish helps.
This book is for action junkies, thriller fans, and outlaws.
(Rated R, Score 9/10, audiobook read by Jay Snyder, 14:09)
1 - Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
This is an amazing adventure story with loads of sciencey bits. Most of the fun of reading this book is not knowing how the plot will develop. I will not spoil the plot here, but if you aren't into surprises I have written a separate plot summary with spoilers HERE. The story starts with the main character waking up with no idea what's going on, or where he is. He doesn't even immediately remember his name. Gradually, Dr. Ryland Grace recovers his memories and "sciences" his way through his adventure. This book is a lot like the author's previous book, The Martian, (which I highly recommend) however in this story the bad language is dialed way back. My math, science, engineer, computer, space, and physics people will love this book. Weir touches on other themes in the book like redemption, resilience, language, bio responsibility, survival, bureaucracy, and more. This one will leave you with lots to ponder.
This book is for survivors, students, and environmentalists.
(Rated PG/PG-13, Score 9/10, audiobook read by Ray Porter, 16:10)
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