Future Reading (Part Deux)

In yesterday's entry, I highlighted two of my Individual Challenges for 2017, Mysteries (Cops vs Sleuths), and provided some ideas of what I might read in those sub-genres for the last 3 months of 2017. Today, I'll cover three more genres; Horror, Science Fiction (SciFi) and Fantasy.

Horror

My plan for the year was to read 5 books in this category. Of the three books that I highlighted as possibles, I have read two so far. I plan to read the remaining book in October. In fact, since October is Halloween month, I plan to read as many horror books as I can; one of the 4 that I usually have on the go. The remaining book is -

1. Gaston Leroux - The Phantom of the Opera (1911). The synopsis can be found if you click on 'three' above and then scroll down to horror.







Possible other books were listed in a previous BLog.

Fantasy

Like Horror and SciFi, I plan to read 5 books at least in this category. So far I've read 3 and am currently reading my fourth. I've read two of the three proposed books so far. The remaining book is -

1. Rick Riordan - The Lightning Thief (Percy Jackson #1 - 2005). The synopsis can be found if you click on 'three' above.

Possible other books might include -

1. Patrick Rothfuss - The Name of the Wind (Kingkiller Chronicle #1).







"I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kings. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep. You may have heard of me.

So begins a tale unequalled in fantasy literature - the story of a hero told in his own voice. It is a tale of sorrow, a tale of survival, a tale of one man's search for meaning in his universe, and how that search, and the indomitable will that drove it, gave birth to a legend."

2. Charlaine Harris - Day Shift (Midnight, Texas #2).

"The #1 "New York Times" bestselling author of the Sookie Stackhouse novels returns to the one-stoplight town from 'Midnight Crossroad,' a place where no one is quite what they seem. There is no such thing as bad publicity, except in Midnight, Texas, where the residents like to keep to themselves. When psychic Manfred Bernardo finds himself embroiled in a scandal and hounded by the press after one of his regular clients dies during a reading, he turns to enigmatic, beautiful, and dangerous Olivia Charity for help. Somehow he knows that the mysterious Olivia can get things back to normal. As normal as things get in Midnight."

Science Fiction

I have read quite a few Science Fiction stories this past year. My initial 12 + 4 Reading Group challenge was all Science Fiction novels. Click on 12 + 4 if you'd like to see what I have read. I also had hoped to read 5 more as part of my Individual challenge. I have read 2 books in this genre so far. I have read one of the three proposed books so far, that being The Martian by Andy Weir (excellent book and now that I've finally seen it, excellent movie.) 

I hope to read the other two proposed books as well. The synopses for these books can be read if you click on 'three' above.

1. Dmitri Glukhovsky - Metro 2033 (2007).

2. Ursula K. LeGuin - The Beginning Place (1980).








Possible other selections might include -

1. Orson Scott Card - Ender's Game (Ender Saga #1).

"Andrew "Ender" Wiggin thinks he is playing computer simulated war games; he is, in fact, engaged in something far more desperate. The result of genetic experimentation, Ender may be the military genius Earth desperately needs in a war against an alien enemy seeking to destroy all human life. The only way to find out is to throw Ender into ever harsher training, to chip away and find the diamond inside, or destroy him utterly. Ender Wiggin is six years old when it begins. He will grow up fast.




But Ender is not the only result of the experiment. The war with the Buggers has been raging for a hundred years, and the quest for the perfect general has been underway almost as long. Ender's two older siblings, Peter and Valentine, are every bit as unusual as he is, but in very different ways. While Peter was too uncontrollably violent, Valentine very nearly lacks the capability for violence altogether. Neither was found suitable for the military's purpose. But they are driven by their jealousy of Ender, and by their inbred drive for power. Peter seeks to control the political process, to become a ruler. Valentine's abilities turn more toward the subtle control of the beliefs of commoner and elite alike, through powerfully convincing essays. Hiding their youth and identities behind the anonymity of the computer networks, these two begin working together to shape the destiny of Earth - an Earth that has no future at all if their brother Ender fails."

2. Madeline Ashby - Company Town. 

"Meet Hwa. One of the few in her community to forego bio-engineered enhancements, she’s the last truly organic person left on the rig. But she’s an expert in the arts of self-defence, and she’s been charged with training the Family’s youngest, who has been receiving death threats – seemingly from another timeline. Meanwhile, a series of interconnected murders threatens the city’s stability – serial killer? Or something much, much worse...?"
  
I'll continue this with my next BLog entry. I hope you're enjoying or maybe getting some good book ideas.