My Favorite books of 2019
I made it an extra effort this last year to read more fiction and I had some wonderful adventures in these books. Here are my favorites. I also don’t do these lists for Amazon commissions so I do not included any links. Heck fight the big retailers and order them local, use the library or use Indie Bound
Replay - Ken Grimwood
Ken’s 1986 masterpiece is an amazing discussion of life choices and possibles. Imagine dying over and over and getting extra chances to see how your choices make a difference in your life.
Then it Fell Apart - Moby
Mobys sequel to his fantastic book Porcelain is just as amazing. His journey of what happened after “Play” became one of the biggest records in the world. Its depraved and insightful and fascinating. You should read Porcelain and then this.
The Institute - Stephen King
King rarely has a bad book and this is no exception. Although I do already miss the tie in’s to the Mercedes trilogy, this book stands alone and is weird and fantastic.
Why We Sleep - Matthew Walker
As a life long sufferer of sleep issues this book was a godsend. This is also the book that inspired Thom Yorkes Anima album.
Flow My Tears, The Policeman Said. - Phillip K. Dick
Philip K. Dick was the first Sci Fi author I fell in love with. I read “Radio Free Albemuth” in highschool and it blew my mind. This book is strange to say the least. Its an easy and fun read about an pop star wakes up to a world where he doesn’t exist.
Dark Tower 5,6 and 7 - Stephen King
I finished the Dark Tower series this year and holy crap what an amazing journey. Personally I liked the Dark Tower series better than “Lord of the Rings”. Its also cool to see how Stephen King interweaves his other stories to be part of the Dark Tower. The first book is a bit rough around the edges but by book two and three you will be hooked.
King’s X The Oral History - Greg Prato
One of my favorite bands of all time, it was amazing to read about how the different albums came to be. The book is well written and designed. A must have if you are a fan at all.
The Music Lesson - Victor Wooten
Arguably the best living bass player, his take on groove and music as a whole changing my own bass playing for the better. A must read if you are any kind of musician.
Authentic Southwestern Cooking - Lynn Nusom
I saw this book at a tourist stop in Albuquerque this year after eating amazing local roadside food. It’s well written and easy to follow. A good introduction to cooking that cuisine.
The Great Train Robbery - Michael Crichton
This was the first Crichton book I ever read and it was great. His attention to detail is spectacular and his characters are incredibly engaging.
On the Road - Jack Kerouac
This was also and author first. I had never read Kerouac before. This summer I had to travel to San Fransisco and my friend convinced me to go to the Beatnik museum. That visit inspired me to start reading this book that night in my hotel. Its a wonderful story about nothing really, but you can’t stop reading!
The Shining - Stephen King
I was trying to finish this and “Doctor Sleep” before the film came out but I only got through this. There is an element of madness to King’s earlier works when he was writing them on coke, I think he is a far better writer now sober. There is a lot of charm to his earlier works and this is book is a perfect example.
Weatherbone - Shoshana Sumrall Frerking
I may be a bit biased as this book takes place in the town I live in, but it is a well written unique story. Angels, Magic and down home cooking. Don’t miss this one!
Telling Lies for Fun & Profit Lawrence Block
This book inspired to me to finish my own book. Great advice for all levels of writers!
The War of Art Steven Pressfield
If this book doesn’t inspire you to create nothing will. A must read for any creative person.
Those are my favorites from this last year. I am trying to read 30% more this next year so I will look back on this and see how I did.