# Next books to read. **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 3, 2012, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-books-to-read/642883 "2012-12-03T18:45:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2012, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-books-to-read/642883/1 "2012-12-03T18:45:47Z")
So I’m almost finished with the last paperback _Dresden Files_ book, and I recently finished _A Feast for Crows_. I’m looking for a new series, or maybe just a new novel for my escapist reading. It should be reasonably well written and exciting, with a lot of action and some fantastic content. Science fiction is fine, but I’m looking for more action and less thought provoking speculation, though some of that is fine. Straightforward non-supernatural or SF thrillers are good too. Any suggestions? Just FTR Game of Thrones What I liked: It’s very well written. No clunky passages, no sentences that made me cringe. reasonably well developed characters, and an unpredictable, cliche free plot. What I didn’t: Lots of rambling storylines that go nowhere. Obviously I haven’t read the ending, but right now it seems like the whole thing could have been a trilogy. AlsoEveryone you care about dies Dresden Files What I liked: Fun trashy entertainment. Butcher can write an action scene that rocks. There are Scary Monsters, and a rich if somewhat haphazard universe. What I didn’t: It’s kind of…cheesy, isn’t it? Some of the writing drifts into being just too arch and snarky, though usually Butcher redeems himself in the action sequences. Also it really is trashy, not that there’s anything wrong with that! ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2012, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-books-to-read/642883/2 "2012-12-03T19:07:31Z")
I’d recommend the Felix Castor books by Mike Carey, starting with [The Devil You Know](http://www.amazon.com/The-Devil-Know-Mike-Carey/dp/B005Q6D2O4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1354561619&sr=8-3&keywords=the+devil+you+know). They are, to me, a more intense, more British, version of The Dresden Files. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2012, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-books-to-read/642883/3 "2012-12-03T19:11:43Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > I’d recommend the Felix Castor books by Mike Carey, starting with [The Devil You Know](http://www.amazon.com/The-Devil-Know-Mike-Carey/dp/B005Q6D2O4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1354561619&sr=8-3&keywords=the+devil+you+know). > > They are, to me, a more intense, more British, version of The Dresden Files. Wow, that is definitely going on the short list! Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2012, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-books-to-read/642883/4 "2012-12-03T19:44:40Z")
For a reasonably well-written, actiony SF novel, maybe [Valor’s Choice](http://www.amazon.com/Valors-Choice-Valor-Novel-Tanya/dp/0886778964/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354563679&sr=8-1&keywords=valor%27s+choice), by Tanya Huff. It’s got a military setting, lots of battles as far as I remember. It’s the first in a series of, I think, six books, but I have only read the first one. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-books-to-read/642883/5 "2012-12-04T17:25:53Z")
My one allotted bump, and another thank you to jsgoddess. I’ve also been checking out the recommendation thread compendium, which is awesome. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2012, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-books-to-read/642883/6 "2012-12-04T23:49:56Z")
I can’t explain exactly why, but I think Clive Barker’s Weaveworld is a fascinating book. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-books-to-read/642883/7 "2012-12-05T04:34:13Z")
Benedict Jacka has started a series based on the character of Alex Verus. Verus is a magician/investigator like Harry Dresden. There are three books in the series so far: _Fated_, _Cursed_, and _Taken_. I’ve only read the first one but it was pretty good. Another possibility is Justin Gustainis’s Occult Crime Unit Investigation books. They’re about Sgt Stan Markowski of the Supernatural Crimes Squad of the Scranton PD. The series is based on the idea that supernatural beings like vampires, werewolves, wizards, etc are living openly in human society and special police units have been set up to deal with crimes related to them. There are two books in the series so far: _Hard Spell_ and _Evil Dark_. ---
**Author:** ![wonderlust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonderlust/32/7237_2.png) [@wonderlust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonderlust)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-books-to-read/642883/8 "2012-12-05T05:12:42Z")
You might enjoy the wicked good pulp-noir supernatural/horror novels by Charlie Huston, beginning with [Already Dead](http://www.amazon.com/Already-Dead-Joe-Pitt-Novel/dp/034547824X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354684044&sr=8-1&keywords=already+dead). His writing style is direct, the books are short, and his hip take on conventions pulls no punches. He also has a hard-boiled series if you like him. ---
**Author:** ![wonderlust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonderlust/32/7237_2.png) [@wonderlust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonderlust)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-books-to-read/642883/9 "2012-12-05T05:19:30Z")
Additionally, you might like Ilona Andrews’ Kate Daniels series, starting with [Magic Bites](http://www.amazon.com/Magic-Bites-Special-First-Daniels/dp/0425264203/ref=sr_1_5?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1354684576&sr=1-5&keywords=ilona+andrews). A good friend of mine folowed Dresden with this series, and highly recommends it. He says the world is fascinating, and the characters are great. (I missed the edit window.) ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 7:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-books-to-read/642883/10 "2012-12-05T07:07:19Z")
Thanks to all. I liked Weaveworld, **bobot** , so long ago that I’ve forgotten it. Might be time to check it out again. I met Clive Barker at a club in the 80s. He drew a picture on the back of my leather jacket and signed it. I wonder if it would be worth anything. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-books-to-read/642883/11 "2012-12-05T14:04:01Z")
If you enjoyed the fun trashiness of the Dresden Files, you might enjoy the \*Sandman Slim \*books. They’re ultra-violent, ultra-dark, hardboiled, supernatural, neo-noir books. I really enjoyed them all. [Here is a review](http://boingboing.net/2009/07/24/kadreys-sandman-slim.html) of the first one. It was Boing Boing’s review of the second novel in the series that got me reading them, but there are a few minor spoilers in that one. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-books-to-read/642883/12 "2012-12-05T14:14:59Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > I’d recommend the Felix Castor books by Mike Carey, starting with [The Devil You Know](http://www.amazon.com/The-Devil-Know-Mike-Carey/dp/B005Q6D2O4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1354561619&sr=8-3&keywords=the+devil+you+know). > > They are, to me, a more intense, more British, version of The Dresden Files. Thanks for the recommendation. I just checked with my library’s digital lending program and they have a copy available. I love the internet. I love it so much. edit: Damnit. It’s an audiobook. Their regular version is currently checked out and I had to go on a waiting list. ☹ ☹ ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Tanaqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3bc359/32.png) [@Tanaqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tanaqui)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 3:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-books-to-read/642883/13 "2012-12-05T15:07:00Z")
On a similar vein as the Dresden books, I really enjoy an occasional infusion of some noir-esque urban fiction in the form of Simon R. Green [Nightside](http://www.amazon.com/Something-Nightside-Book-1/dp/0441010652/ref=la_B001I9VY9I_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1354719279&sr=1-4)series. They’re silly and short, but (at least the first few, that I’ve read) have been great fun. Then, of course, there is the classic fantasy noir of [Glen Cook](http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Silver-Blues-Garrett-P-I/dp/0451450701/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354719764&sr=8-1&keywords=Sweet+Silver+Blues), whom Jim Baker was almost certainly inspired by. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-books-to-read/642883/14 "2012-12-05T16:00:43Z")
> [@Tanaqui](#): > > Then, of course, there is the classic fantasy noir of [Glen Cook](http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Silver-Blues-Garrett-P-I/dp/0451450701/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354719764&sr=8-1&keywords=Sweet+Silver+Blues), whom Jim Baker was almost certainly inspired by. Or [Randall Garrett](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_Darcy_(omnibus)), who probably inspired Cook. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2012, 11:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-books-to-read/642883/15 "2012-12-05T23:08:30Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Benedict Jacka has started a series based on the character of Alex Verus. Verus is a magician/investigator like Harry Dresden. There are three books in the series so far: _Fated_, _Cursed_, and _Taken_. I’ve only read the first one but it was pretty good. > > Another possibility is Justin Gustainis’s Occult Crime Unit Investigation books. They’re about Sgt Stan Markowski of the Supernatural Crimes Squad of the Scranton PD. The series is based on the idea that supernatural beings like vampires, werewolves, wizards, etc are living openly in human society and special police units have been set up to deal with crimes related to them. There are two books in the series so far: _Hard Spell_ and _Evil Dark_. I enjoyed Jacka’s stuff and just about the same time I discovered him I also discovered [Peter Grant](http://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Riot-Ben-Aaronovitch/dp/034552425X/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1354748475&sr=1-4&keywords=Peter+Grant), who has a series that I feel falls within the genre. One of the things that hooked me: in Jacka’s first novel he does a shout-out to Butcher. It was fun. (And I’ve read every one of Cook’s.) I also like the [Iron Druid](http://www.amazon.com/Hounded-Iron-Druid-Chronicles-Book/dp/0345522478/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1354748441&sr=8-4&keywords=iron+druid) series. Lastly, even though it isn’t in the same genre, I will strongly recommend Butcher’s other series, \*The Codex Alera \*which I really enjoyed. The first one was very slow and I almost put it down, but once I got through it, I liked the others very much. There is a fun little anecdote about it. [Youtube video.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylKRYe0ZWHo) ---
**Author:** ![lisiate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f05b48/32.png) [@lisiate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisiate)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2012, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-books-to-read/642883/16 "2012-12-06T01:38:38Z")
High on action, low on fantasy? How about Bernard Cornwell’s _[Warlord Chronicles](http://www.amazon.com/The-Winter-King-Arthur-Books/dp/0312156960/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1354756866&sr=8-8&keywords=bernard+cornwell)_. It’s Arthur, but in a more grounded way than every other version I’ve read. Cornwell’s my go to author for this kind of thing. His \*Saxon Tales \*are also good (although I’ve only read the first 3 of the 7 out so far) as is the _Grail Quest_ trilogy. While Cornwell’s better known for his Sharpe series I prefer his more recent work set in the dark ages. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2012, 1:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-books-to-read/642883/17 "2012-12-06T01:39:45Z")
> [@Larry\_Borgia](#): > > Thanks to all. > > I liked Weaveworld, **bobot** , so long ago that I’ve forgotten it. Might be time to check it out again. I met Clive Barker at a club in the 80s. He drew a picture on the back of my leather jacket and signed it. I wonder if it would be worth anything. I’m sure it is, but I would hang on to that if I were you! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2012, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-books-to-read/642883/18 "2012-12-06T03:50:54Z")
> [@Johnny\_Bravo](#): > > Thanks for the recommendation. I just checked with my library’s digital lending program and they have a copy available. > > I love the internet. > > I love it so much. > > edit: Damnit. It’s an audiobook. Their regular version is currently checked out and I had to go on a waiting list. > > ☹ ☹ ☹ Now I feel all responsible for that. Sorry. ☹ 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2012, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-books-to-read/642883/19 "2012-12-06T04:07:53Z")
You might like [Mistborn](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mistborn) and sequels; plenty of action and very well written. > [@Khadaji](#): > > I also like the [Iron Druid](http://www.amazon.com/Hounded-Iron-Druid-Chronicles-Book/dp/0345522478/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1354748441&sr=8-4&keywords=iron+druid) series. Ha, beat me to it; I was going to recommend that. It reminded me a lot of the Dresden series. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2012, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-books-to-read/642883/20 "2012-12-06T17:18:07Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > I’m sure it is, but I would hang on to that if I were you! > 🙂 I’ll hang on to it. I doubt I could even prove it was his artwork and signature, unless I write to him and he remembers an evening 25 years ago. I’m not wearing it though. I think I’m a little old and paunchy to wear my going out clothes from my 20s. Thanks again to everyone for your responses. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/next-books-to-read/642883.md?page=2)