Joshua P. Simon - The Accidental Author

I’ve posted a few times about how busy this year has been for me and so it is no surprise that for the first time in a few years I didn’t reach my goal of reading at least 50 books. The past few years I’ve gone well over that goal, but this year I probably won’t crack 40. Admittedly, a part of that is not only being busier with work and other responsibilities, but also I picked a few duds that I either didn’t finish, or simply took a long time to get through.

Anyway, my top ten below were all great reads and in every instance was one I couldn’t wait to get back to. Highly recommended.

10. Orson Scott Card – Ender’s Game

Lived up to the hype. I also read Speaker of the Dead which I greatly enjoyed, but this one was slightly more up my alley.


9. Terry Pratchett – Reaper Man


One of Pratchett’s better books that I’ve read so far. Still a little less than a third through his massive catalog.


8. Joe Abercrombie – Red Country

Awesome book. One of my favorite authors. Loved the setting and also the continuation of a great character from earlier books.


7. Robin Hobb – Assassin’s Quest

Don’t know why I only recently read this series, but I’m glad I finally did. I enjoyed it so much I’m currently reading the The Tawny Man trilogy as well.


6. Robin Hobb – Royal Assassin

The best of the first trilogy, IMO. The first book was interesting, but pretty slow at first, really only grabbing me until around the 60% mark. Royal Assassin had me hooked from the very beginning.


5. Tim O’Brien – The Things They Carried

Sobering stories that show the side of war rarely discussed in fiction or even in real life.


4. Matthew Stover – Caine’s Law

This whole series dominates the top of my list. Another author like Robin Hobb I wished I would have read sooner. Stover is now a fav of mine and Caine might be the baddest man I’ve ever read in fiction.


3. Matthew Stover – Caine Black Knife


2. Matthew Stover – Heroes Die


1. Matthew Stover – Blade of Tyshalle

Though I love the first book in the series quite a bit, this one was so different and interesting that it edged out Heroes Die for me.

So, what great books have you read this year?

That time of the year again . . . my top five albums released in 2015. This was probably the hardest list I’ve done since I started my blog. I could honestly shuffle most of these albums around depending on the day and my mood (except my number one). I mean that in a good way as they are really solid releases.

HONORABLE MENTION:
The Winery Dogs – Hot Streak


5. Trivium – Silence in the Snow


4. Armored Saint – Win Hands Down


3. Iron Maiden – The Book of Souls


2. Nightrage – The Puritan


1. Clutch – Psychic Warfare

It’s not all Rock/Metal here. The original is great, but this is one of the few cases where I prefer the cover.

Captain Love


The Bridge


The Lamb

The new Clutch album is awesome (naturally). Already one of my favorites.

X-Ray Visions


Son of Virginia

While the manuscript is with my editor, I thought I'd reveal the cover for the third book in The Tyrus Chronicle, Resurrected Soldiers.

The illlustration is by Mario Teodosio. You can see his other work here. As usual, the cover design is by my wife.

A description and release date are forthcoming, but my goal is a late December release.

Let me know your thoughts on the cover!

A very underrated band from the punk/glam era that few people ever talk about. Trash is a particular favorite of mine.

Personality Crisis (Live)


Trash (Live)