Writing doesn’t happen in a vacuum. When I first started writing, I worried about whether I would unconsciously copy the things I read, but it turns out to be just the opposite. Taking in media in any form allows the brain to riff off different ideas, and the neurons playing on something new makes everything better.
Anyhow, here are some things I’ve been checking out lately…
Written
Adventures in the Liaden Universe by Steve Miller and Sharon Lee — This is some of my favorite space opera ever, and there are dozens of novels and novellas following the characters. (And the authors are still adding to the series!) Reading these books is like taking your brain on a spa day, except without the part where strangers are touching you.
The Eye of the Gods by Odette C. Bell — More space opera! And episode one is free, so check this out if this is your genre.
The Boy from the Woods by Harlan Coben — Everybody’s heard of Harlan Coben, right? He’s a thriller writer whose books are in every airport. Somehow, I’ve never read anything by him. And this book is very readable, with likable characters. But… there are some technical tricks being used to obfuscate the fact that the plot is really thin. Plus, everyone gets hit by the “happily ever after” wand in the last chapter. So, it’s not a bad book, but it kind of feels like a lazy book.
Fool Me Once by Harlan Coben — This one I got from the library, just to see if all his books are like the last one. Meh. So far, I’m not totally loving it, but I haven’t abandoned it yet, either. Jury’s still out.
Romance Your Brand: Building a Marketable Genre Fiction Series by Zoe York — In case the title didn’t give it away, this is a writing craft book. Lots of good information here, and if I followed it more faithfully, I’d be rich and famous (or at least higher on the lists).
Audio
Killing Gravity by Corey J. White — Apparently I’ve been on a space opera kick lately. I loved this book, and the narration is excellent.
Six Wakes by Mur Lafferty — Confession time: I originally started this (last year? the year before?) in written form and got to a point where I just bounced off it because I didn’t care about any of the characters. And I nearly did the same thing with the audio version, but I kept going and I’m glad I did. This book is pretty amazing.
Network Effect by Martha Wells — The Murderbot Diaries are my “middle of the night when my brain won’t shut up” audiobooks. I’ve listened to this book enough times that I can drift off in the middle of any part and know exactly what’s going on when I next pick it up.
Watching
White Collar — Yes, this series has been out for a few years. But I like the episodic format with almost no violence.
The Rockford Files — Yes, the show from the 70s. Lots of driving. OMG, so much driving. I find it helpful to keep hitting the “fast forward 10 seconds” button in the car chases. Also, the men look even older than they really were (tanning + smoking really did a number on their skin), so Rockford hitting on all the women just seems vaguely creepy. Anyhow, it reminded me of my childhood in the hideous area near Los Angeles. I’m not sure that’s really a recommendation.
Random Cactus Picture
