I’ve decided that I need to start reading more books outside of romance. This has been building in me for a while. I still love my favorite authors and occasionally grab new authors, but I think I’m ready for more.
I’m not into biographies or historical text. I’m looking for fiction. That said, I don’t really want women’s fiction, fantasy (unless it’s urban) or chicklit. (I know, I know, I’m picky and being incredibly biased.) I’m looking for a lot of action/adventure in the story. It can be scary (as long as I can sleep with the lights off at night) or funny. I don’t really care. Just don’t kill off the protag in the end. 
I want a good story.
This is where you all come in. *g* Can anyone recommend a good book that fits the above criteria? I’m desperate.
January 15th, 2006
“Talyn” by Holly Lisle
by EJ January 16th, 2006 at 6:57 am“Last Girl Dancing” by Holly Lisle
“Ghosts In The Snow” by Tamara Siler Jones
Thank you, EJ. I have Last Girl Dancing in my TBR pile. I’ll have to pull it out.
by Jordan January 16th, 2006 at 8:40 amI’m interested in everyone else’s answer to this. I’m a read-a-holic and like almost every genre except horror - which means I can’t sleep with the lights off at night
by Tina Gerow January 16th, 2006 at 8:55 amOh, gosh. I still mostly read romance, but I have read George R. R. Martin’s A GAME OF THRONES. Only a 1000 page book. Jeez. But I enjoyed it. I loved Diana Gabaldon’s OUTLANDER which she says she doesn’t think is a romance. I loved this book called THE STERKARM HANDSHAKE and now A STERKARM KISS is out and I have it to read. TSH will teach you the most amazing way to torture your readers at the end. Aaaagghhhhh. But I thought it was fabulous. Most of my non-romance reading is YA, which is often some of the best writing you’ll ever find.
by Cheyenne McCray January 16th, 2006 at 9:43 amTHE PREY by Allison Brennan
by Sylvia Day January 16th, 2006 at 9:52 amWell, it’s not action/adventure, but Thomas H. Cook is an excellent mystery writer. He won the Edgar for THE CHATHAM(sp?)SCHOOL AFFAIR. But INTSRUMENTS OF NIGHT is my favorite. He’s very intense - he used to write true crime so he knows how to get inside the head of a killer. I don’t care for his early work though.
by Eve January 16th, 2006 at 10:41 amDennis Lehane’s Patrick/Angie series, and Lee Child - EXCELLENT Series. Also, try Greg Rucka. Fantastic!
by Trace January 16th, 2006 at 11:52 amHave you read the Jim Butcher Harry Dresden series? Urban fantasy.
by Becca Furrow January 16th, 2006 at 12:06 pmFor action and adventure, I love Lois McMaster Bujold’s Vorkosigan series. You can start with Shards of Honor and Barrayar, or start with The Warrior’s Apprentice. Fantastic reading. David Drake’s Hammer’s Slammers series is also wonderful. And a favorite, Harry Harrison’s Stainless Steel Rat series. For standalone, Harrison’s Technicolor Time Machine is hysterical. (All SF, but you just said no fantasy so I’m assuming SF’s okay.) If you were open to fantasy, I’d recommend the Dragon Knight series by Gordon Dickson (beginning with The Dragon and The George). And I suppose you already know about Barsoom. Good old Edgar Rice Burroughs!
by Charlene January 16th, 2006 at 1:02 pmAnything by Stuart Woods is doing it for me in a big way these days. I started with his most recent “Two Dollar Bill” and now I’m reading his back list. Also Robert B. Parker. I just started reading outside of the romance genre and it’s been a real shot in the arm for me as a writer (and reader). Not that I’m giving up my romances.
by Beth Ciotta January 16th, 2006 at 1:11 pmTina, I’ve grabbed several horror novels lately and they haven’t been scary at all. I didn’t realize there are different types of horror. There’s the Shining version, where you’re lucky if you can ever look down an empty hotel hall without seeing dead twins *ggg* and the psychological horror, which gives you a lot to think about, but doesn’t scare you.
by Jordan January 16th, 2006 at 3:06 pmChey, It would probably take me two years to read a thousand page book. I read so dang slow. I really need to pick up more YA novels. I don’t intend to write them, but they do seem very imaginative. Thanks!
by Jordan January 16th, 2006 at 3:08 pmThanks Syl. That book has been getting a lot of buzz.
by Jordan January 16th, 2006 at 3:09 pmThanks Eve! Outside of Sherlock Holmes I haven’t read many mysteries…which is strange because I watch a ton on television.
by Jordan January 16th, 2006 at 3:10 pmBecca, I am currently reading Storm Front by Butcher and an Ian Rankin novel. I am enjoying Butcher’s book. He has a really good first person voice.
by Jordan January 16th, 2006 at 3:11 pmWow Charlene, you are wealth of info!
Thanks for all the recommended reads. You are correct in assuming sci-fi is acceptable. 
I’m embarrassed to say I’ve never heard of Barsoom.
by Jordan January 16th, 2006 at 3:14 pmThanks Trace! What genre are you talking about? Which books would you recommend? I am such a goob. I just found a Rucka book in my TBR pile. Doh!
by Jordan January 16th, 2006 at 3:17 pmBeth, I’m hoping the same thing happens to me when I start reading some of these books. I just picked Two Dollar Bill up today thanks to the write up you did on your blog the other week.
I may have Parker on ebook. I have to check.
by Jordan January 16th, 2006 at 3:21 pmFor action and adventure I like anything by the British author Jack Higgins. For mysteries with a bit of action, there’s Dick Francis. But American mystery authors I like include Sue Grafton, Patricia Cornwall and Laura Lippman.
by Diane January 17th, 2006 at 5:51 amCrapola………my reply didn’t show up. I think I screwed up last night.
I”m pretty useless helpwise. I’ve been picking up a lot of mainstream fiction and women’s fic (not romance). Anyway I LURVE David Baldacci’s The Winner ( I think that’s the name of it–it’s a few years old). I checked out Lee Child–he writes in first person. I ended up getting a newer book because the 1st person in the older books totally didn’t work for me.
by cece January 17th, 2006 at 7:54 amDiane, Thanks! I’ll definitely take a look at Jack Higgins and Dick Francis. I haven’t read either one, but I have heard of them.
I tried Sue Grafton, but had a hard time getting into her first person voice. I’m going to try her again, since I have a few of her books. My mom loves her stuff. (Well her and Patricia Cornwall.)
by Jordan January 17th, 2006 at 9:44 amThanks Cece! I’ll look up Baldacci! It’s funny how important first person voice is to reading enjoyment. My dh loves stories written in first person. I don’t mind them…as long as the voice clicks with me. (Which makes me wonder why in the hell I’m trying to write a 1st person POV book. Shaking head.)
by Jordan January 17th, 2006 at 9:46 amAnything written by Martin Cruz Smith’s Arkady Renko series (I think the correct order is Gorky Park, Red Square, Havana Bay, Wolves Eat Dogs.) Like Thomas Harris, but without the shock-value gore or the veiled misogyny.
by PBW January 17th, 2006 at 10:07 amUgh, the Dragon burped. That first line should read “Anything by Martin Cruz Smith, but especially the Arkady Renko series…”
by PBW January 17th, 2006 at 10:09 amEve, I just read an excerpt of Instruments of Night on Amazon. WOW! Talk about terrific writing.
by Jordan January 17th, 2006 at 10:38 amThanks PBW! I added Gorky Park to my list. It’s funny, I used to know a Russian rock band by that name. They were nice people.
by Jordan January 17th, 2006 at 10:48 amI just want to thank everyone for all their suggestions. I’m looking so forward to checking all these books out. I’ve read excerpts of most and truly enjoyed them. As Beth said, I think reading these books will be a real shot in the arm. Thank you!
by Jordan January 17th, 2006 at 10:50 amThat’s what I love about Thomas H. Cook, his writing is so descriptive, so … amazing? Even that’s not the right word. My second favorite is BREAKHEART HILL, followed by EVIDENCE OF BLOOD. THE CHATHAM SCHOOL AFFAIR, the Edgar winner for best novel, is really number 4 or 5 on my list of his books. I would actually recommend INSTRUMENTS OF NIGHT to anyone thinking about writing a mystery. It will blow away your whole concept of what mysteries are about.
by Eve January 17th, 2006 at 11:04 amEve, I was genuinely ‘wowed’ by the excerpt. I think because writing description is one of my trouble areas. So when someone does it so ‘effortlessly’ (wg), it makes me sit up and take notice.
by Jordan January 17th, 2006 at 11:16 amWell here’s where it stands so far. I own A Gentleman’s Game by Greg Rucka, Last Girl Dancing by Holly Lisle, Two Dollar Bill by Stuart Woods, Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin (Dh had it. Who knew? *g*), Storm Front by Jim Butcher, possibly Barsoom by Edgar Rice Burroughs, A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton, and a Patricia Cornwell novel that I can’t remember the title of.
We (royal ‘we’ meaning dh) think we might have a few of the Stainless Steel Rat books and Gorky Park. Must check the garage. If not, I will be grabbing them.
So far this is my ‘new’ shopping list. *g* I plan to pick up Ghosts in the Snow by Tamara Jones because the elements incorporated sound fantastic. I’m also going to grab Straight and Forfeit by Dick Francis. ‘Straight’ has incredible opening sentences and every review talks about the writer’s skill. I’m going to pick up Eye of the Storm and On Dangerous Ground by Jack Higgins, Killing Floor by Lee Child, The Winner by David Baldacci, Instruments of Night by Thomas Cook and probably Cordella’s Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold.
I think that should get me started. (wg)
by Jordan January 17th, 2006 at 11:45 amKelley Armstrong’s books, Kim Harrison’s books, LA Banks is good, Tami Hoag is good if you’re looking for mystery and chills, Richard Layman if you’re looking for something crazy and off the wall. Bite is one of my favorite books! Chuck Palanik (sp?) if you’re looking for something even crazier….
by Vivi Anna January 17th, 2006 at 1:01 pmVivi Anna, I have most of Kelley Armstrong’s books, three of Kim Harrison’s Dead Witch titles, and two LA Banks books. I haven’t ever read Tammy Hoag. I’ll definitely check out Laymon. Thanks for the suggestions.
by Jordan January 17th, 2006 at 1:35 pmWell, glad to be of service, ma’am. I hope you enjoy them. Of special note by Jack Higgins, try and pick up The Eagle Has Landed, then the sequel, The Eagle Has Flown. The other great story by him was A Prayer Before Dying - one of my favourite films too.
by Diane January 17th, 2006 at 2:11 pmDennis Lehanes ‘A Drink Before the War’, ‘Darkness Take my Hand’ ‘Prayers for Rain’ ‘Sacred’ ‘and Gone Baby Gone’
And Lee Child’s books all have the same character, Jack Reacher
by Trace January 17th, 2006 at 2:48 pmThanks Diane! I had two other books on my list for him, but I’ll check those out too.
by Jordan January 17th, 2006 at 2:57 pmThanks Trace! I was wondering which one to take a look at. *g*
by Jordan January 17th, 2006 at 2:57 pmLet me know what you think of Thomas Cook.
by Eve January 17th, 2006 at 3:13 pmEve, I definitely will.
by Jordan January 17th, 2006 at 3:16 pmWell, it sounds like you already have a full plate. However, Lillith Saintcrow has highly recommended Arturo Perez-Reverte (I hope I spelled that right!) and he does sound interesting and different. Specifically, she mentioned The Flanders Panel and Queen of the South. But he has a new series with a swordsman that sounds good.
by sandy l January 17th, 2006 at 3:20 pmSandy, The Flanders Panel sounds really interesting. Thanks for the tips!
by Jordan January 17th, 2006 at 3:57 pmJordan, anything by Greg Rucka is awesome. I loved Fistful of Rain and Shooting at Midnight. Fantastic!
by Trace January 18th, 2006 at 8:51 amGreat topic Jordan…thanks everyone for the ideas…my TBR pile is small right now.
by CJ January 18th, 2006 at 8:53 amErica Spindler writes chilling RS. I thought her Bong Cold was especially good. Dana Stabenow has two mystery series set in Alaska. Her Kate Shugat series is loaded with action–I haven’t been able to pinpoint the bad guy in her stories yet. Lisa Gardner writes edge-of-the-seat suspense, too. Her The Third Victim has stuck with me for a long time.
by Jan January 18th, 2006 at 8:54 amDamn, woman. Not used to you being behind in your posts! Where the hell are you?
by Cheyenne McCray January 18th, 2006 at 9:32 amTrace, Thanks for the heads up on those books. If I like A Gentleman’s Game, then I’ll definitely buy more of his work.
by Jordan January 18th, 2006 at 10:34 amCJ, My TBR pile is already enormous, but it’s about to get much bigger. *ggg*
by Jordan January 18th, 2006 at 10:34 amThanks Jan! I’ll check out Dana Stabenow. For now, I’m going to stay away from the romance for a while…other than in my writing.
by Jordan January 18th, 2006 at 10:36 amChey, LOL! I think the word I’m looking for is BURIED. *ggg*
by Jordan January 18th, 2006 at 10:38 amLisa Gardner is an auto-buy for me….her newer books are *very* light on romance (IMO about 85/15 with suspense on the heavy side) but the last one was *very* heavy on research detail. Kinda turned me off a bit but she’s still an auto-buy =)
by cece January 18th, 2006 at 3:03 pmCece, My mom loves Lisa Gardner. I think she’s going to continue to keep the romance to a minimum as she moves into full on suspense. It seems like her writing is going through an evolution.
by Jordan January 19th, 2006 at 10:51 amI like Patricia Lewin (suspense), David Morrell (suspense), Matthew Reilly (adventure fiction, Barry Eisler (suspense) and Lian Hearn (fantasy set in feudal Japan), to name just a few. LOL.
With Jack Higgins, I strongly suggest starting with one of the Sean Dillon books. I think Thunderpoint is the first one.
by May January 19th, 2006 at 8:50 pmThanks May! I’ll definitely check those out. I think my dh just read Lian Hearn. I’m not positive, but that sounds like the book he finished. I picked up Jack Higgins’ On Dangerous Ground, which does have Sean Dillon.
by Jordan January 20th, 2006 at 5:12 pm