I think I've asked this on the boards before, but is Dean Koontz any good? If so, what are some of his best books?
I've read a few Koontz, but I'm not a super-fan. They all kind of seem the same to me, so it's good when I want to read one of his, I know what to expect. Out of the ones I've read (Phantoms, Tick Tock, 77 Shadow Street, Lightning, Darkfall), Phantoms is my favorite. Good mystery and a good page-turner. I think you might like Lightning, though.
A NEW GAME BEGINS
Then you explore Joe Lansdale's body of work...it's unconstrained by label or genre, but is uniformly excellent.
I really do like to test out all types of genres, whether it be sci-fi, suspense, adventure, romance, etc. If it's written well and sucks me in, I don't care what category it's in.
I like early/mid Koontz: Strangers, Phantoms, Watchers, Lightning, Midnight, Twilight Eyes, and the Odd series.
I see Koontz being mentioned but no one brought up Robin Cook yet. Some good stuff from him, like Coma.
That cover brings back many memories for me. It was a big book back in the day and that UK paperback was everywhere.
Definitely a change up from King, but Max Allan Collins is probably my favorite author. If you like private detective books based around real events, check out his Nate Heller series. Over the years he's been involved with Frank Nitti, Huey Long, Marilyn Monroe, the Kennedys, etc. He does a really good job of weaving real-life figures into his fiction.
If you like Fantasy, try The Wayfarer Redemption series by Sara Douglass (just the 1st three)
Also I recommend all three novels by Gillian Flynn. (Not fantasy)
Donna Tartt only has three as well.. great storyteller.
Speaking of authors of three(s) try all three of Khaled Hosseini.
“The battle between good and evil is endlessly fascinating because we are participants every day.” - Stephen King
Some classics also should be mentioned: Theodore Dreiser, Sinclair Lewis, Booth Tarkington, F. Scott Fitzgerald, John Steinbeck, William Faulkner, Vladimir Nabokov.
Little By Little was so damned good that I had to start a book review blog to write about it. I've shut it down a long ago because people kept asking me to review their self-published wet dream attempts at writing but that's a different story.
Any of his books are a good start, really. He was nice enough to inscribe and mail me most of his in-print books.
Another former Bad Moon Books writer I like a lot is Gene O'Neill. Like Little, he's not hyped and there's not much talk about him but his output is consistent in both quality and quantity.
Now that I think of it, most of the Bad Moon Books roster is solid.
+1. Lansdale is versatile and entertaining.
Dan Simmons is very good and makes you work for it.
Carl Hiaasen and Tim Dorsey are purveyors of humorous thrillers.
For my money John Sandford (Lucas Davenport "Prey" series and Virgil Flowers novels) is the most consistent and enjoyable author I read.
And no one mentioned George RR Martin? Hmm. I'll throw in Neal Stephenson and Ken Liu. I like his Dandelion Dynasty series so far.
I grew up loving Frank W Dixon... wonder if anyone here knows right off who that even is. haha Anyways, now a days, I read so many different authors. Dan Simonds is for sure one of my new favs. Thanks to the guys n gals here I have really opened up my eyes to so many other good authors!
HELP ME FIND
Insomnia #459
ANY S/L #459
Amanda, how about Shirley Jackson? In these two years I've read her two big novels - twice each - and her two collections - twice each. She is incredible. I can't imagine a finer writing; subtle, witty, refined and disturbing on some level few writers can reach.
Ask not what bears can do for you, but what you can do for bears. (razz)
When one is in agreement with bears one is always correct. (mae)
bears are back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Haunting of Hill House is a legitimately disturbing book. I had heard much praise for it but I had seen the movie (original and remake). I like the movie (original) but was not blown away by it. It's good but not great in my opinion. I gave the book a try and it deserves it's reputation. A deeply unsettling and upsetting masterpiece. I'm always reminding myself to read more of her.
I loved the The Haunting from 1963. One of my favourite book to film adaptations. I haven't seen the 1999 since it came out, at the time I don't remember enjoying it, but I was pretty young then.
Also worth a read, and viewing, is Richard Matheson's Hell House. Kind of a re-imagining of Jackson's story. Both film and book are great.