It’s been a busy year, and it’s interesting to see that I thought my fantasy trilogy would be releasable last year. As of now, book 1 is complete and in proofreading, book 2 is at the editor, and I’m amid writing book 3, which, when finished, will be the longest novel I’ve written. I had some audacious goals last year, but I took something of an interesting right turn in my reading. Without further ado, let me highlight some of the memorable reads!

Nonfiction:

I’ve extolled on how much I enjoy Craig Symonds historical accounts, delving into many aspects of World War II, so it’s no surprised that I enjoyed this ‘war biography’ of Admiral Chester Nimitz. It’s an absolutely engrossing read of how Nimitz navigated military and political waters while driving the war effort in the Pacific theater. If you’re a fan of military non-fiction and biographies, this is a perfect blend of both.

It’s no secret that since the age of five, sitting within my first indoor theater, I’ve been a fan of Star Wars. While I’m deeply disappointed in the current state of Star Wars (more on that in another lengthy post coming up), I continue to devour reading about the creation of the original movies. I’ve read all J. W. Rinzler’s ‘Making of’ for the Original Trilogy, but this book delves deeper into more interviews and exhaustively goes through the interactions of the movie scripts. It’s enjoyable to look back and see Lucas’ creative process and how he developed the story. If you love Star Wars and the creative process, you’ll love this book. Bonus: the audiobook narrator is a voice actor who nails Lucas’ voice.

Fiction:

I read this novel as a bit of a study in pain and loss for my work, and I found it moving and absorbing. If you are going through the loss of a parent or a loved one, you may find this novel cathartic.

After several years of reading, I finally finished Iain Banks’ Culture series, and I have to say that Hydrogen Sonata feels like it is both peak Banks and peak Culture story-telling. As much as I loved Look to Windward, this book takes science fiction into interesting head spaces for me. Read this if you enjoy science fiction that feels absolutely unique with pitch perfect humor at points.

I’m a fan of Tad Williams. Specifically, I love his fantasy, and even more specifically, I love his world of Osten Ard. Mr. Willams wrote a sequel trilogy, and in true Tad Williams fashion, it’s a four book trilogy. I am intensely disappointed that the incomparable Michael Whelan did not make the last two novel covers, but that only takes away from the visual enjoyment I have with these tomes. I have the last volume in my hands (along with a novella that needs to be read beforehand) to savor the last dregs of a story, the world, and characters I’ve deeply enjoyed. If you love epic fantasy, Tolkien level of lore, and the slow burn story telling that has you on the edge of your seat as you watch the choreography play out, this is a series for you. Better yet, go back to the beginning and treat yourself to Memory, Sorrow, and Thorn. You won’t regret living in this world.

On the science fiction side, I don’t think I can recommend Jeffery H. Haskel enough as an excellent balance of gripping characters and action. Read this is you enjoy a perfect blend of space fleet and space marine military science fiction. Take a look at what I wrote back in January 2023. Book 6 (A Grimm Decision) is out, and it’s definitely on my TBR pile.

As always, I enjoyed something about the books I’ve read, and I’ve read some moving nonfiction and fiction, from William Shatner’s To Boldy Go: Reflections on a Life of Awe and Wonder, Matthew Perry’s struggle in Friends, Lovers, and Big Terrible Thing, Scott Moon’s Homeworld Lost series to Rhett C. Bruno & Jaime Castle’s Vein Pursuits.

Here are my goals for 2024 (referring to last year’s goals):

Read 92 books in 2023. I read 89 books in 2023, but a lot of that was delving into a genre I have touched little for the last decade or so—comic books. Since my daughter’s interest in manga has skyrocketed, I’m reading some of her books, going over some old ground I enjoyed at her age, and treading into some unfamiliar territory with select new material.

Read at least 20 Indie books. I got closer this year at 16 books. I should continue this trend to break over 20 and increase this as I find more independent authors whose work I enjoy.

Read more fantasy series. I didn’t touch one Malazan Book of the Fallen this year, though I read most of Tad Willams’ new series. This is an ongoing process.

Read classics. I started out this direction but veered into other genres, but I still find reading classics an enjoyable experience. Rather than trying to consume every bit, I’ll try to read two plays by Shakespeare and two works by Hemingway.

That’s all I have and here’s the rest of what I’ve read in 2023. I’m rewriting the last novel of my fantasy trilogy, which should be off to the editor and beta readers by the end of spring. If you’re interested in the journey, let me know. Got a great fantasy series for me? Hit me up! Tell me what you’re reading by commenting on this blog or just by hitting reply.