James Talks (Mostly) Books

Thus far, I've been talking about books I already own that I need to read. As much as I want to focus on that, there are quite a few books out there that I very much want to get and read this year. These aren't new releases, rather books I just haven't gotten to yet. Some are from legends in their respective fields, some are from fave authors, and some just seem nifty.

1.  The Wide, Carnivorous Sky and Other Monstrous Geographies - John Langan  

    Just recently, I read Langan's The Fisherman, and was quite fond. Though I liked the book as a whole, the centerpiece story-within-a-story just floored me. As well, Langan's "Red Death" riff that I read in a Poe-inspired anthology was fantastic. As such,I want to get into more of his shorter works.

2.   Tigana - Guy Gavriel Kay  

    I read two of Kay's novels last year, and adored them. So I'm going to pick up at least this one in '17, possibly another as well.

3.   Assassin's Apprentice - Robin Hobb  

    Hobb is well-known and loved in the fantasy scene, and this is the first book in the trilogy that launched her over-arching world. I have a love-hate relationship with high fantasy, but this just sounds fun.

4.   The View from the Cheap Seats: Selected Nonfiction - Neil Gaiman  

I am a massive fan of Gaiman, have been since reading American Gods far too many years ago. Also, I dig pop-cult essays a la Hornby and Vowell. So this is a no-brainer.

5.   Invisible Ink: How 100 Great Authors Disappeared - Christopher Fowler  

    I dig books about books, and stories of near-success are often more fascinating than either pure success or failure. And, I like history.

6.   The Emperor and the Wolf: The Lives and Films of Akira Kurosawa and Toshiro Mifune - Stuart Galbraith,Stuart Galbraith IV  

    I love movies, how they're made, who makes them, the whole shebang. Also, I like exploring unfamiliar cultures. Mix two strong personalities with long, interesting careers, post-war economics and fears, and various technical and creative challenges... Dude, I am so there.

7.   The Cuckoo's Calling - Robert Galbraith  

    Like many people, I read and loved the Harry Potter series. Combine that with the fact that I am a long-time mystery fan, especially P.I. novels, as well as the general praise heaped upon this series, and it's surprising I haven't read  this yet. That changes this year.