The start of the New Year is always a time for lists, the best of or the worst of whatever. I thought it would be appropriate to continue the practice I started last year: the Top 5 favorite books I read during the previous year. I have to admit the number is much lower than usual – only 24 novels or non-fiction works – but I had a productive year writing, so I will take that tradeoff.
My list is purely subjective and based solely on my opinion, so it doesn’t mean one book was artistically better than another or that it was a bigger seller. Or that it was even released during the past year. It just means I enjoyed it a little more than other things I read.
So here goes:
Number 5 –
Golden Prey by John Sandford
Sandford rarely disappoints, and this was another enjoyable installment in the long-running Lucas Davenport series. A prolific author and journalist, I am amazed at how he can keep the storyline fresh and exciting each time out, but he does. A testament to his talent, I would say. This is the 27th Davenport novel, and the character is still going strong.
Number 4 –
Dagger 22 by Michael Golembesky
This non-fiction work picks up where Golembesky’s “Level Zero Heroes” left off with his fellow US Marine Corps Special Operations fighters in Afghanistan during the spring of 2010. Golembesky brilliantly combines pulse-racing battle drama and tension with frustrating political gamesmanship that left me – the father of a Marine combat veteran – impressed with the warrior ethos of these fighters and pissed off at the self-serving actions of our politicians and their military lackeys.
Number 3 –
Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King
I have always been a fan of King and his storytelling abilities (Salem’s Lot, his second published novel, remains one of my all-time faves), and this was another of his examinations of the horrors within the human mind, which is truly scary stuff. I know this effort is from several years back, but to me, the prolific-writing King seems to have gotten his muse back after a few years of hits and misses.
Number 2 –
Wool by Hugh Howey
I finally got around to purchasing and reading the highly-acclaimed post-apocalyptic thriller and now wonder why it took me so long. Howey creates an incredible visionary and dark and claustrophobic world, and he serves up plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing until the very end – and keeps you wondering even then. The first installment of a trilogy, this was a truly enjoyable read. And, yes, ultimately all the questions are answered.
Number 1 –
Escape Clause by John Sandford
As much as I enjoy Sandford’s Lucas Davenport lineup, I have grown to like his Virgil Flowers series even more, and this effort was no different. The book is number nine that features Flowers, who is often mentioned and sometimes shows up in the Davenport series, as the main character, and it doesn’t disappoint. It includes all the Sandford trademarks – a tight plot, fast pace, and crackling dialogue – and was damn hard to put down. Because of Sandford’s writing skill, Flowers is the kind of guy you’d want to have a beer with but would hate to have on your tail. ... See more
