I’ve known for quite a while that the main reason my book backlog is growing (other than “I keep buying books”) is the same device I draw my cartoons on.
The iPad’s always ready to offer me a quick distracting endorphin hit: check my feeds! watch a BSG video! play one more of the billion Wordle clones out there!
It’s especially bad when I’m reading an e-book on it, what with notifications popping up — few of them worthy of my attention, but all of them stealing it.
Still, I have a few in my queue that I’m really excited about. I just finished Mick Napier’s Improvise. Scene from the inside out, and started Tom Blank’s The Principles of Comedy Improv. Next up in fiction is Lake of Souls, a collection of Ann Leckie’s short stories, and then Samantha Harvey’s Orbital (which I think will be my first time reading a Booker Prize-winner — don’t judge me).
Three addictive writers who will further ruin your life.
Tanith Lee. "Kill The Dead" and "Night's Master." She basically created the whole weird fantasy genre. Neil Gaiman stole most of his best ideas from her.
Alan Furst. "Dark Voyage" and "Night Soldiers." Spy stories set in the late 1930's to mid 1940s. One great thing about him is his characters. The young Bulgarian fisherman is nothing like the Dutch sea captain.
Donald Westlake/Richard Stark. "The Hot Rock" and "The Hunter." Harlan Ellison called Westlake the best American writer.
Saving this comment.
Don't get me started...I love to suggest books to people.
Got anything of the hopepunk or adjacent variety? Not too cheery or cozy, though.
EDIT sorry, I guess I just got you started, which is specifically what you requested I not do.
TIL.
I guess that a good book in that genre would be "Lord Of Light" by Roger Zelazny. Centuries after the colony ship arrived on the distant planet, humanity is still in the Bronze Age. This is because the ship's crew used their advanced technology to make themselves into literal gods. They are nearly immortal and wield a variety of powers, from controlling fire to creating illusions and beyond. One of the crew decides it's time for a change, so he starts a religious war.
I've heard of this author, but never read anything of theirs. Thanks for the recco - I'll check it out!
EDIT oh hell ya it's from the late 60s, I'm so in