MY TEN FAVORITE BOOKS by William Bruce
The issue that I, and my generation, face when it comes to reading, is competition with the plethora of other entertainment options available. Despite this I always find myself coming back around to books. Going months without touching a book, only to power through five novels in a single month, despite a busy school schedule. Taking into account the rise of easy-to-access audiobooks, reading—or perhaps “experiencing” books has become an even bigger part of my life when it comes to my choices for entertainment. All that aside, here is a list of my ten favorite books, in no particular order, that I have enjoyed over my massive twenty-three-year lifespan.
1. Nineteen-Eighty-Four by George Orwell
George Orwell pioneered the Dystopian Fiction genre with Nineteen-Eighty-Four. The novel tells the story of Winston; a man born and raised under an oppressive authoritarian regime in an alternate version of 1984 London. Despite being published in 1949 the novel not only serves as a psychologically thrilling dystopian drama but also a cautionary tale of authoritarianism that remains relevant to this day. Which is exactly why I like it so much.
2. Metro 2033 by Dmitry Glukhovsky
Set in the metro tunnels of post-apocalyptic Moscow, twenty years after a nuclear war devastated the world, Metro 2033 is a twist on the post-apocalyptic genre. In a world where the stations are the cities, and the tunnels between them are the highways, Artyom, a twenty-four-year-old resident of the station “Exhibition” must brave mutants, radiation, supernatural anomalies, and the most dangerous thing of all, his fellow man, in order to save what’s left of humanity. Metro does many things right, but what it excels at is tension, and building a world that makes you want to know more.
3. The Hitchhikers Guide to The Galaxy by Douglas Adams
To lighten the list from dystopia and apocalypse now seems the time to throw in the light-hearted absurdity of The Hitchhikers Guide to The Galaxy. Douglas Adams creates a fantastical science fiction comedy, where everything makes sense in the most nonsensical way possible. The absurd is commonplace in a world where planets are destroyed to make way for space highways, and aliens are defeated through the power of bad poetry. There is nothing quite like a Douglas Adams story so do yourself a favor and read it. DON’T PANIC, and be sure to remember your towel.
4. Old Man’s War by John Scalzi
On a more serious note, Old Man’s War is a military science fiction story set in Earth’s not-too-distant future, in a galaxy widely populated with hostile alien races. Humanity has colonized other worlds, but colonization is dangerous in a galaxy with so much competition for life-sustaining planets. Enter the Colonial Defense Forces, the military branch of the secretive Colonial Union. Upon reaching the age of seventy-five years old, citizens of first-world nations on Earth are given the option to enlist in the CDF, become “young” again, and fight to protect the colonies of the Colonial Union. An exciting action-packed military science fiction thriller that twists genre stereotypes and conventions and leaves you wanting more.
5. Golden Son by Pierce Brown
The second book in the Red Rising Trilogy. Golden Son is a science fiction story set in a distant future where a regimented Darwinian society is characterized by a color-coded caste system. “Golds” at the top, and “Reds” at the bottom. A world heavily inspired by the likes of Dune, with just a dash of Roman society thrown on top. Golden Son and the Red Rising Trilogy is perhaps the best example, I’ve ever read, of a first-person perspective that doesn’t fatigue the reader with “I” every other sentence. Anyone that seeks to write in the first-person perspective should absolutely read Pierce Brown.
6. The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski
The Last Wish is an anthology of short stories, in Andrzej Sapkowski’s Witcher Series, that introduce the main characters, and provide background about the world. A brilliant move when creating a fantasy series like The Witcher. This allows readers an introduction to The Witcher Universe and opens the door to better enjoy the full-length novels that came after. The depth and richness of the anthology, and its sequel Sword of Destiny, are very instructive for short story writers.
7. Patient Zero by Jonathan Maberry
When a terrorist organization seeks to unleash a terrifying bioweapon on the world that turns people into zombies, Joe Ledger, a Baltimore PD detective turned Department of Military Science Operative, must hunt them down and put a stop to their plans. Grounded in the real world with just a touch of pseudo-science, The entire Joe Ledger Series is a testament to how good weird science thrillers can be. Jonathan Maberry is a master of the fight scene. Writers of any genre can learn from Maberry how to pace and construct a thrilling, visceral, tension-filled, and realistic fight scene.
8. The Adventures of Tom Stranger Interdimensional Insurance Agent by Larry Correia
The only entry on this list that is only available via audiobook, The Adventures of Tom Stranger Interdimensional Insurance Agent is a relatively short listen, that fans of Douglas Adams will enjoy. This high-octane romp through dimensions, sees Tom Stranger and his Intern Jimmy save various parallel dimensions and even our own from certain doom—all in the name of exceptional customer service. Larry Correia creates a fun, silly, and action-packed multiverse that leaves you laughing.
9. Redshirts by John Scalzi
Redshirts always get killed on away missions. At least that’s the joke with the original series of Star Trek. Redshirts plays on that very premise as we follow Andrew Dahl, a new ensign aboard the Intrepid, a starship tasked with pretty much the same role as the USS Enterprise. Dahl and his companions must survive crazy dangerous scenarios on an almost weekly basis. The longer this goes on the more Dahl and his friends realize that something isn’t quite normal with The Intrepid, and it seems the members of the bridge crew are the only ones who don’t seem to notice the high mortality rates among new ensigns. Scalzi capitalizes on an old trope from Star Trek and creates a fun, albeit meta, story that answers the question of what happens when the Redshirts are the main characters.
10. Halo: The Fall of Reach by Eric Nylund
In the year 2552 Humanity is at war with The Covenant, a theocratic, multispecies empire that threatens the very survival of the human race. Humanity has spread to the stars but after thirty years of war, humanity is on the brink of destruction as The Covenant destroys world after world. Enter the Spartans. Genetically modified, and chemically augmented super soldiers, and the only weapon humanity has that can consistently claim victory over The Covenant. Eric Nylund tells a story that spans over thirty years and sets up the origin of the Spartans. As a massive Halo fan, I have to include my favorite Halo book on this list. No other reason necessary.
