THE WIZEGUY: Literary Plenty (Fall Edition)

Over summer, publishers gave readers a bookstore’s worth of authors performing in multiple arenas…thrillers, coming-of-age, biography and memoir, adventure, historical fiction, travel, true crime and more. In the $22.5 billion book industry, fall is when half the year’s book sales occur. This year, reader word-of-mouth and industry buzz herald one of the most impressive fall-release parties we’ve seen. Get your e-readers and tablets warmed up. Make room on those night stands and coffee tables as it’s time to turn the page from summer “beach reading”.

Here a few titles that I recommend, but by all means…let me know what you are reading. what novels are you excited for in the last months of 2013.

Frozen: Heart Of Dread, Book One

By Melissa de la Cruz & Michael Johnston (Putnam Juvenile)

I really like the premise of this novel. In Frozen, a series of environmental disasters lead to a new ice age, plus the emergence of some mythological creatures. Think of it as a dystopian road trip mixed with pirates and dragons. Or a satirical, fantasy that is deliciously frigid with a dangerously addicting plot. Melissa de la Cruz has a smooth, readable style and her characters are pretty charming. The romance was rote but sweet. At the same time, there are some clever, memorable moments, like inventive lining for jackets in a world where supplies are short. It’s a quick, fun read and throwing in some traditional fantasy tropes livens up the dystopian trappings.

Man Made Boy

by Jon Skovron (Viking Penguin)

It seems that classic retellings are everywhere, I do love a good retelling especially one that is loosely based or like this one. Man Made Boy is a fantastic coming of age story, an enjoyable Munsters meets Tom Sawyer adventure, and outstanding monster mash up. One that is stitched together in a fantastic humorous, sometimes poignant, package. Skovron’s third novel follows the tale of the 17-year-old son of The Bride and The Monster from Mary Shelley’s famed novel, but places them into a modern setting, complete with a diverse cast of mythological characters from all over literary and oral story telling traditions. The novel is a great read and you will enjoy the time with the text, regardless of your opinions on the monster genre. Buy it and enjoy the ride.

Omens

By Kelley Armstrong (Dutton)

The best part of reading Omens is the never-knowing aspect. Just when I think I had the story all figured out, it went in a completely different direction. IMO, it’s a suspense/thriller under the guise of a paranormal book. Or vice versa. I’m not exactly sure how to describe the designation exactly and that’s a good thing. Personally, the amalgam of genres works well for me because I’m a fan of both and to say the least, it makes quite an original novel that might just defy categorization. Book one of the Cainsville series is the tip of an iceberg of a huge, engrossing world that is just waiting to be born and it looks like an awesome world. One filled with faeries and brownies and fey, etc., and at the heart of it? A well-written main character in the process of growing up and discovering herself, surrounded by interesting characters with major depth that has, so-far, only been alluded to. Page-turning, rich in suspense, impeccable character development and amazing world building. I’m excited to see where this one goes. 

-Dagobot

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