This is another dual blog post with Rooting Branches. You can find her blog here. We were supposed to both post this on Sunday, but i’m awful and thus, didn’t. But I digress. In this one we predict which books we want to read this year that we’re certain we’re going to love and thus, give five stars to. The rules for this are that it has to already been on our To Be Read (TBR) list and we can’t have read it before. I decided to try, keyword try, to limit the number of books in series on this list because that’s kind of an easy out. If I loved the first book in the series, chances are I’ll love the second. So let’s not wait any longer and get on with the list.
1. Dragon Teeth by Michael Crichton
Michael Crichton is best known for writing Jurassic Park and The Lost World. He was arguably one of the most prolific Science Fiction and Thriller writers even today. He’s also responsible for shows and movies like Twister, Westworld, and ER. I’ve never read a book of his that I hated so I’m positive I’ll love this one. Crichton passed away in 2008 and since then three novels were found. Pirate Latitudes, Micro, and Dragon Teeth.
This book is a step away from what he’s best known for but it’s still in his wheelhouse. Dragon Teeth is about a young student from Yale who gets caught in the middle of a war between two world-renowned paleontologists and must survive in the Wild West after being stranded by paleontologist Othniel Charles Marsh because Marsh thinks William Johnson, the kid, is a spy for his rival.
While it may not be as gripping of a premise as Jurassic Park, or Congo. I know I’ll love this book because of Crichton’s amazing storytelling skills and the fact that I’ve loved everything I’ve ever read by him. So that’s why it’s first on my list.
2. A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers.
I almost consider this cheating. Becky Chambers’s first book The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet, is on the short list of my favorite books of all time and it may even be my favorite Sci-fi book (the jury is still out on that one). This is the second book in The Wayfarers series so I know it will take place in the same universe. Since it’s a universe I already love, this book is a shoo-in for a surefire five star book.
3. Elantris by Brandon Sanderson
I know. I’m terrible. I call myself a fan of his but I haven’t read what is considered to be his masterpiece. I have never read something by Brandon Sanderson that I haven’t loved and this, being considered one of his best, is a sure-fire five star book.
4. Space Opera by Catherynne M. Valente
Let’s turn a blind eye to the fact that Catherynne’s parents can’t spell and instead turn to the fact that this book sounds awesome. Every cycle (however long that is) there’s a Metagalactic Grand Prix which is part gladiatorial contest, part beauty pageant, part concert extravaganza, and part continuation of a historic war. Human kind is finally part of the galactic community and must compete. Earth picks a one hit wonder band from London to represent them. The fate of the species rest on their ability to rock.
Come on. Do I need to say anything else? What’s not to love?
5. Final Girls by Riley Sager
Riley Sager is an author I was introduced to earlier this year when I read his follow-up to Final Girls called The Last Time I Lied. The only thing the two books have in common are that they’re both mystery/thrillers, they have female main characters, and there are horror elements in them. This book is about a girl who survives a massacre and inexplicably joins a group called the Final Girls. Girls who survived horror movie situations. One day, one by one, they start dying and Quincy, the latest member of the group, must find out what’s killing them before it comes for her.
That sounds bad ass. I already know I like Riley Sager’s writing. I ate up The Last Time I Lied faster than Johnny 5.
6. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
This is one of Anne’s favorite books and I trust her judgement. She knows what kind of books I like. I know she’d never have recommended it to me if she didn’t think I’d like it. Let’s be honest. It’s nerve racking giving one of your favorite books to someone to read. What if they don’t like it? But I’m certain I’ll love this book.
The Nightingale is a WWII historical fiction novel that follows the story of two sisters. One is a mother and a wife. Her husband is part of the fight on the front lines and she is in German occupied France and must do what she can to protect her child. Her sister is a rebellious and reckless eighteen year old who finds herself as part of the resistance and in more danger than she’s ever been in before.
This sounds like a winner to me.
Those are the only books I can think of, thus far, but as a true reader I’m always adding books my TBR. That means sooner or later I’ll have another collection of possible five star reads for your reading pleasure.
Once again, don’t forget to check out Anne’s version of this very blog which she was good about and posted on the day we said we’d post it. You can find that here.