Are you settled into the new year? You’ve scratched out the wrong date you put on some important document you needed to sign, dropped a new air filter into your HVAC, rewarded yourself with a semi-ridiculous purchase because you made it through the holidays? Good. Then now is the time to talk enjoyable reading for a little bit.

Over here at Paperback Pirates, we (I) enjoyed another good year of reading. There was less emphasis on volume and more of a follow-the-whims kind of vibe going. I think it served me well. Of the twenty-four books I read last year, here are five I can heartily recommend.

Born To Be Hanged by Keith Thomson

Obviously, we unashamedly endorse all things pirate here at Paperback Pirates. But I also happen to believe this book is uniquely fun. As I was reading it, my recurring experience was one of pure adventure. There’s princesses, gold, battle ships, fights with the Armada, you name it. For context, I started reading The Wager this year, a book I’m sure is good and will circle back around to finishing at some point, and it came nowhere near holding my attention like Born To Be Hanged. Five gold, silver, and pewter stars for this one.

The Honjin Murders by Seishi Yokomizo

Every once in a while it’s good to take a break from the heavy ideas and get some pure entertainment. This is the only one of Yokomizo’s books my local library has. It was on the book club table, a curated collection various groups are reading at any given time that is great for discovering new reads. The main character is essentially the Japanese Sherlock Holmes, iconoclastic and brilliant. While very entertaining, I must admit the crime is a little far-fetched and the narrator has a habit of directly telling the reader when he is borrowing stylistic devices from European writers (i.e. “you didn’t see this coming because I learned this trick from Agatha Christie”). I’ve never read anything like it.

Education of a Wandering Man by Louis L’Amour

As far as writing careers go, Louis L’Amour’s was one worth emulating. Perhaps the only thing more prolific than his writing was his reading. He kept detailed lists of what he read each year for from 1930-1935 and 1937. This lists alone are worth the price of admission. It’s also a great picture of a way of life for young men that has all but vanished in modern America. L’Amour spent his young adulthood traveling, working, and, of course, reading widely. If you like real life adventures and book discussions, this is for you.

The Hunters by James Salter

I discovered James Salter by way of Wright Thompson mentioning him in an interview. This was my first experience with him, and I enjoyed it immensely. It’s about fighter pilots during the Korean war and the egos and insecurities they carried. His style is excellent. He tells a tight story with psychological depth. His heroes tend to be deeply flawed but have a way of finding redemption. This one has some grit and sadness but also a glimmer of hope. Strongly recommend.

The Mythmakers by John Hendrix

I decided to quit being such a snob and give graphic novels a shot. They inject some pleasant variety into my literary diet. I found this one gave me something to think about in between reading sessions. It’s the story of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien’s friendship as told by a wizard and a lion, obviously. I learned a fair bit. The second half of the friendship was far more distant and cold than you often hear. But the light shines bright and hope for what friendships will be in eternity is a nice note to end on.

Honorable Mentions

The Last Ronin - Graphic novel about the last surviving ninja turtle

The Count of Monte Cristo and To Kill A Mockingbird - always recommended

The War of Art - Very short sections. A nice kick in the pants to start your writing session

Thank you so much for reading! Let me know if you have any recommendations in the comments.

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