It’s pay day tomorrow and, as I’m still slightly adrift of making my first million, it’s the most eagerly awaited day of the month. Even better, it’s the weekend. We are planning a family day out, weather conditions permitting, but before then I’m looking forward to purchasing a few more books on my Kindle Fire. I think I have a book buying addiction but there are worse things to be addicted to; like heroin and er….stuff like that.
My favourite genre is fantasy. I was raised on J.R.R.Tolkien and my favourite read of the year, to date, has been ‘The Grey Bastards,’ by Jonathan French. It’s like ‘Sons of Anarchy’ but instead of biker gangs it’s half orcs patrolling border wastelands on giant hogs, protecting the kingdom from all sorts of nasty creatures. The sequel is out in the autumn and I, for one, cannot wait. Huzzah.
I’m also a fan of psychological thrillers, the darker the better, and anything where things are not as they seem. ‘Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine,’ by Gail Honeyman was my 2018 book of the year by a country mile. Anything a la ‘Gone Girl’ or ‘Girl on a Train.’ The word ‘Girl’ doesn’t necessarily have to be in the title but twists and turns a plenty are essential in order to get my reading juices flowing.
So….leave your recommendations below. They don’t have to be household names as there are so many good authors out there who deserve much more recognition than they receive. And don’t forget, I’ve written a book as well! My supernatural urban fantasy, ‘The Kirkwood Scott Chronicles: Skelly’s Square,’ is now available to purchase on Amazon in e book and paperback format. Just click the link below to find out more.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/KIRKWOOD-SCOTT-CHRONICLES-Skellys-Square-ebook/dp/B07V6HVLQV
Black Thoughts 
Does it have to be fiction? I have come across a few good ones in my day, but mostly I read non-fiction as I enjoy true stories I can research further. I find psychological memoirs to be great page turners. That said, I recommend anything by Terri Cheney for a quick captivating read.
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No, it doesn’t necessarily have to be fiction. Thank you for the recommendation.
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Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive is an AMAZING fatnasy series, up there with Tolkien. I definitely recommend that one! For a psychological thriller, The Poet by Michael Connelly is dark, mysterious, and has a sequel too.
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Thank you Peter. That could be the one for me 👍🏻
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Allow me to shamelessly promote my own series. New book out this fall, so it’s a good time to catch up.
thefensk.com
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Thank you. I’m learning fast there nothing like a bit of selfless self promotion 🙂
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Talk about a psychological thriller…An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen (there goes ‘girl’ again) was a recent winner for me. Also, The One by John Marrs, which I think you’ll really enjoy. And anything by Peter Swanson.
Enjoy whatever you choose!
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Thank you for the recommendations, which I especially value, as your probably the most well read blogger on WordPress 🙂
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Is it imperative that it is fiction? I’ve been plotting through the Lion of Munster: The Bishop Who Roared Against the Nazis by Daniel Utrecht and I am enjoying it immensely. That doesn’t on its own mean you’d enjoy it, but based on what I read you write here, I think you’ll find the boom particularly good as well.
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No, it doesn’t have to be fiction. Thank you for the recommendations 🙂
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The Malazan Book of the Fallen series by Steven Erikson is *amazing* but it can also get really dark and brutal at times.
Louise Penny is my favorite mystery author, start with Still Life and go from there, though each of her books can stand alone.
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I’m okay with dark and brutal. Thank you 😊
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Have you read Terry Pratchett?
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No, I’ve never read any of his books.
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Can I recommend my book, Perfect Love? It’s available on Kindle and KDP Select, and there’s quite a bit of psychology that’s explored in it. And lots of Christian inspiration too. I’d love your thoughts if you ever read it.
Cheers, Ufuomaee
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Thank you for the recommendation 😆
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Chris D’Lacey has written the Last Dragon Chronicles and the Erth Dragon novels. They are my two favourite fantasy series
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I haven’t heard of either of them. Thank you for the recommendations.
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I really can’t think of anything…
https://tinyurl.com/yxuro5r8
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tl;dr If you commit to giving a review, I’m happy to gift you the book(s) of your choice.
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Thank you 😊
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Ever hear of Jerzy Kosinski? He wrote an existentialist thriller titled Cockpit in the 60s or 70s. It’s about having control over your life, to rather a sick extreme. It makes you think 🤔.
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Have you read Lev Grossman’s “‘The Magicians” series? It’s excellent
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No. Thank you Becca. I’ll have a look at it 🙂
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The tv show is excellent too! One of the rare occasions the show might actually be better than the book.
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You may have already spent your book money, but I really liked the Divergent series by Veronica Roth and my husband has read all 15 of The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. I am on book 3. I also enjoyed The Hunger Games. The movies were good, but the books were better. (As usual.) Fantasy isn’t my favorite genre, but I try to diversify, and I like a well-crafted tale in any genre. Ed recommends the Callahan Chronicles by Spider Robinson.
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I’ve read The Hunger Games & Divergent books. Thanks to you and Ed for your recommendations 🙂
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I was recently introduced to the writings of Joe Hill, who happens to be Steven King’s son. I read and highly recommend The Fireman. It is a thrill-a-minute fantasy. I put it on a par with Skelly’s Square, which I will be reviewing for Amazon just as soon as I finish (it is fabulous so far)
Blessings,
Chuck
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Thank you Chuck. I’ll be sure to check out that author. I’m so pleased hear you are enjoying Skelly’s Square 🙏🏻😊
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I highly recommend The Wife Between Us, by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekannen. Delicious twists aplenty, and i ots of suspense!
And anything by Tana French, especially The Trespasser. All of her Dublin Murder Squad books are fantastic.
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The wife between us is a true page turner 👏👏. My recent read of The Woman in the Window was a spectacular ride too! It’s end wasn’t a cliffhanger and had a genuine message too! In fantasy I’ve recently got American gods and good omens which I can’t wait to read!
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Thank you very much for all the great recommendations 🙂
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Ooooooh so many good recommendations. Thank you very much 😊
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Well if I didn’t know what to read before…I’ve got a whole host of options NOW! Haha thanks for making thsi post as I’m also a fellow fantasy genre lover so these are all helpful for me and others.
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You’re very welcome. Don’t forget to add my new novel to your reading list as well 😊
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Oh i’m intrigued. I’ll be sure to look into The Kirkwood Scott Chronicles: Skelly’s Square.
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Thank you. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts 🙂
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You’ve plenty of recommendations; but I was thinking, when I read your title, ‘The only thing I’ve just read is Eleanor Ooliphant and that was set in Scotland so I thought of Stephen, but I’m not sure he LIKES that type of book…’ 😀
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Eleanor Oliphant was my favourite read of 2018. I loved it .
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I literally finished listening yesterday. Still processing.
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*I’m
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I always recommend “Grand and Humble” by Brent Hartinger. It’s a short read (YA) but I was amazed by it 😀
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Thank you for the recommendation 👍🏻
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Lisa stone! All of her books are fab! stalker, the darkness within and her newest one the doctor! All great books!
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Thank you for the recommendation, Carol Anne.
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