by Jason Joyner | Jan 4, 2010 | Blog, books, reading, top books
Ah, that time of year. What books stood out in 2009? I didn’t read nearly as many books in ’09 as I did in ’08. I read 44 books in ’08, but I didn’t have 4 kids for most of the year, and I rode the bus to work all the time. Almost an hour both ways makes for good reading time.
The following are all books released in ’09. I have a couple of other comments on books not from last year at the end.
5. Through the Fire by Shawn Grady. This impressive debut from a former firefighter weaves a tale of revenge and finding oneself through the haze of smoke and embers.
4. Cyndere’s Midnight by Jeffrey Overstreet. The second strand in the Auralia thread, this fantasy series continues with lyrical writing, wounded characters trying to reach for nobility, and a little more action than the first book. This is a stand-out series in Christian fiction, and I’m looking forward to further strands.
3. Blaggard’s Moon by George Bryan Polivka. Polivka has created a rich fantasy world rich in pirate-y tales. Moon is a prequel of sorts to his Trophy Chase trilogy, but stands on its own with humor and a heart-felt story of two lost souls intertwining, along with colorful buccaneer commentary!
2. Try Fear by James Scott Bell. The third installment of Bell’s legal thrillers starring smart (and smart-mouthed Ty Buchanan) continues the fast paced, zig-zagging, and humorous prose which Bell has about mastered. I don’t know if this series is going to continue, but I certainly hope it is. The last 3 years now he’s held down my #2 spot for favorite books.
1. Pirate Hunter by Tom Morrisey. Yes, this blog has a soft spot for anything related to pirates, but that doesn’t explain the allure of this book. Morrisey wrote two stories in one, bouncing between the tale of a freed slave in the 1700s and a modern setting of shipwreck diving. He is an adventure aficianado, so his books have great detail, but his characters make the books so compelling. Tom Morrisey doesn’t get enough credit in the CBA, and this is a shame.
—
The top three books were almost interchangeable, and there were a couple of near misses for the list as well:
Exposure by Brandilyn Collins wins the most exasperating award for spinning my head around with the twist at the end.
North! Or Be Eaten by Andrew Peterson wins for best title (and there’s a pirate!).
Curse of the Spider King by Wayne Thomas Batson and Christopher Hopper gets best cover and best blurb by a 7 year old.
Bust of the year:
I’ve heard so much about Flannery O’Conner, how a Christian writer has to read her books. I read Wise Blood recently, and only finished it to try and figure out “why.” I’ve never read a more pointless, bizarre book. I must not be sophisticated enough…
Tune in tomorrow for my favorite book (that’s not new) I read in ’09, by my favorite author!
—
by Jason Joyner | Jan 4, 2010 | Blog, books, reading, top books
Ah, that time of year. What books stood out in 2009? I didn’t read nearly as many books in ’09 as I did in ’08. I read 44 books in ’08, but I didn’t have 4 kids for most of the year, and I rode the bus to work all the time. Almost an hour both ways makes for good reading time.
The following are all books released in ’09. I have a couple of other comments on books not from last year at the end.
5. Through the Fire by Shawn Grady. This impressive debut from a former firefighter weaves a tale of revenge and finding oneself through the haze of smoke and embers.
4. Cyndere’s Midnight by Jeffrey Overstreet. The second strand in the Auralia thread, this fantasy series continues with lyrical writing, wounded characters trying to reach for nobility, and a little more action than the first book. This is a stand-out series in Christian fiction, and I’m looking forward to further strands.
3. Blaggard’s Moon by George Bryan Polivka. Polivka has created a rich fantasy world rich in pirate-y tales. Moon is a prequel of sorts to his Trophy Chase trilogy, but stands on its own with humor and a heart-felt story of two lost souls intertwining, along with colorful buccaneer commentary!
2. Try Fear by James Scott Bell. The third installment of Bell’s legal thrillers starring smart (and smart-mouthed Ty Buchanan) continues the fast paced, zig-zagging, and humorous prose which Bell has about mastered. I don’t know if this series is going to continue, but I certainly hope it is. The last 3 years now he’s held down my #2 spot for favorite books.
1. Pirate Hunter by Tom Morrisey. Yes, this blog has a soft spot for anything related to pirates, but that doesn’t explain the allure of this book. Morrisey wrote two stories in one, bouncing between the tale of a freed slave in the 1700s and a modern setting of shipwreck diving. He is an adventure aficianado, so his books have great detail, but his characters make the books so compelling. Tom Morrisey doesn’t get enough credit in the CBA, and this is a shame.
—
The top three books were almost interchangeable, and there were a couple of near misses for the list as well:
Exposure by Brandilyn Collins wins the most exasperating award for spinning my head around with the twist at the end.
North! Or Be Eaten by Andrew Peterson wins for best title (and there’s a pirate!).
Curse of the Spider King by Wayne Thomas Batson and Christopher Hopper gets best cover and best blurb by a 7 year old.
Bust of the year:
I’ve heard so much about Flannery O’Conner, how a Christian writer has to read her books. I read Wise Blood recently, and only finished it to try and figure out “why.” I’ve never read a more pointless, bizarre book. I must not be sophisticated enough…
Tune in tomorrow for my favorite book (that’s not new) I read in ’09, by my favorite author!
—
by Jason Joyner | Dec 29, 2009 | Blog, CSFF, Digital Dragon Magazine, links
Do you have a hankering for hearty tales? Do you fear a lack of family values in your fantasy fiction? Well, look no further.
The CSFF (Christian Sci-fi and Fantasy) tour is having as our last feature for 2009 The Digital Dragon Magazine. The tour is a little discombobulated this month, as our fearless leader, Becky Miller, has a busted computer, so we don’t have our typical list of participants. However, that doesn’t take away from a quality feature.
Digital Dragon Magazine has a specific mission:
To seek out quality, family-friendly speculative and fantasy fiction, to find new talent in these genres and present that talent to a new, growing audience.
It started in June of 2009, with monthly issues featuring short stories, reviews, author interviews, and discussions about speculative fiction. The Vault page shows the quality art submissions they have had for their covers. Pretty impressive visuals for a brand new project.
I’d like to specifically highlight some stories from my comrades in the CSFF Tour.
Angel Wings by Fred Warren was developed from a flash fiction story he wrote. It is a poignant look at the future and some things, like teenagers, that won’t change much in the future.
The Seeker by Brandon Barr is an imaginative tale of an intergalactic creature that is picked up in camouflage form by a young school girl. Her empathy brings provides the way to healing for our mysterious seeker.
Second Site by Grace Bridges uses a little word play and an unexpected twist when a problem student visits his professor.
I haven’t read all that Digital Dragon has to offer, but many of the features that are easy reads that provoke some thought into life. The stories have little weaknesses, but overall they are entertaining enough, and perhaps important in the Digital Age, short enough to capture our short attention spans. The site specializes in stories less than 1500 words, so it is more of a fiction morsel to snack on rather than a full meal deal.
Usually I end with a list of participants. Like I said, I don’t have an official list, but I’m posting the “usual subjects” where you have a fair chance of finding more on Digital Dragon Magazine. Since it is during the holidays there might not be as much as usual, but I know that Fred Warren has a couple of posts on it.
—
by Jason Joyner | Dec 29, 2009 | Blog, CSFF, Digital Dragon Magazine, links
Do you have a hankering for hearty tales? Do you fear a lack of family values in your fantasy fiction? Well, look no further.
The CSFF (Christian Sci-fi and Fantasy) tour is having as our last feature for 2009 The Digital Dragon Magazine. The tour is a little discombobulated this month, as our fearless leader, Becky Miller, has a busted computer, so we don’t have our typical list of participants. However, that doesn’t take away from a quality feature.
Digital Dragon Magazine has a specific mission:
To seek out quality, family-friendly speculative and fantasy fiction, to find new talent in these genres and present that talent to a new, growing audience.
It started in June of 2009, with monthly issues featuring short stories, reviews, author interviews, and discussions about speculative fiction. The Vault page shows the quality art submissions they have had for their covers. Pretty impressive visuals for a brand new project.
I’d like to specifically highlight some stories from my comrades in the CSFF Tour.
Angel Wings by Fred Warren was developed from a flash fiction story he wrote. It is a poignant look at the future and some things, like teenagers, that won’t change much in the future.
The Seeker by Brandon Barr is an imaginative tale of an intergalactic creature that is picked up in camouflage form by a young school girl. Her empathy brings provides the way to healing for our mysterious seeker.
Second Site by Grace Bridges uses a little word play and an unexpected twist when a problem student visits his professor.
I haven’t read all that Digital Dragon has to offer, but many of the features that are easy reads that provoke some thought into life. The stories have little weaknesses, but overall they are entertaining enough, and perhaps important in the Digital Age, short enough to capture our short attention spans. The site specializes in stories less than 1500 words, so it is more of a fiction morsel to snack on rather than a full meal deal.
Usually I end with a list of participants. Like I said, I don’t have an official list, but I’m posting the “usual subjects” where you have a fair chance of finding more on Digital Dragon Magazine. Since it is during the holidays there might not be as much as usual, but I know that Fred Warren has a couple of posts on it.
—
by Jason Joyner | Dec 25, 2009 | Blog, Christmas
O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O’er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
by Jason Joyner | Dec 25, 2009 | Blog, Christmas
O Holy Night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour’s birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining.
Till He appeared and the Spirit felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.
Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
O night divine, the night when Christ was born;
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
O night, O Holy Night , O night divine!
Led by the light of faith serenely beaming,
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand.
O’er the world a star is sweetly gleaming,
Now come the wisemen from out of the Orient land.
The King of kings lay thus lowly manger;
In all our trials born to be our friends.
He knows our need, our weakness is no stranger,
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Behold your King! Before him lowly bend!
Truly He taught us to love one another,
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains he shall break, for the slave is our brother.
And in his name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
With all our hearts we praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! Then ever, ever praise we,
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
His power and glory ever more proclaim!
