After Reads--Genre Author Recommendations

I love to share and recommend books, often saving paperbacks in order to give them to friends and family. My Dad gets all of the good mysteries (Michael Connelly, Daniel Silva) while my sister gets the book club novels (Them Bones, Saving CeeCee Honeycutt). Here are some of my favorite After Reads which are my author recommendations for when you’ve finished your favorite series and need a new author in a similar genre.

JK Rowling Author Matches to Rick Riordin and Jonathan Stroud

The Lightening Thief features Percy Jackson, a difficult child, one with ADHD who’s been kicked out of every school he’s attended. Now that he is eleven he starts seeing and dreaming odd things. With the gods speaking to Percy in dreams, Percy is soon immersed in another world, one that he never knew existed, that of the Greek gods. Percy will soon learn that he is a half-blood—the son of a God and a human. Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades are infighting and since Percy is a magnet for trouble, he is soon accused of stealing Zeus’ Lightning Bolt. This book was written and is classified for young adults, but if you like Harry Potter or know a bit about Greek mythology, you need to read the Percy Jackson series written by Rick Riordin.

In The Amulet of Samarkand, Nathaniel is a young apprentice magician with a grumpy Master who doesn’t recognize his student’s intelligence. Nathaniel knows much more than his Master would believe, even having learned how to summon a demon named Bartimaeus. The boy has soon charged Bartimaeus to retrieve the Amulet of Samarkand. Bartimaeus is a demon who must obey the boy, a defiant demon, and a dangerous demon, one whose mind constantly works to determine a way to kill the boy. Even as a demon, Bartimaeus is determined to survive, he wants to live, to be released from his service to the boy. Soon the demon and young magician unwillingly join forces to defend themselves against a greater evil. Before you think that this is too reminiscent of Harry Potter. No it is not! Magic is the only common denominator. The Amulet of Samarkand was written by Jonathan Stroud.

Elizabeth George compares to Louise Penny

Louise Penny outshines all contemporary mystery novelists, I simply adore her style! Penny’s mysteries are the greatest reads that you’ve been missing, there is a reason the she’s the winner of the New Blood Dagger Award. I find that Penny’s novels are reminiscent of Elizabeth George’s descriptive and deep British mysteries. Chief Inspector Armand Gamache is one of my favorite characters; I highly encourage you to get to know this warm and intelligent homicide Inspector. Still Life is Penny’s first Gamache novel set in the town of Three Pines, a sleepy town which is deeply disturbed when one of their own has been ruthlessly murdered. Jane Neal was an artist and her work is either horrific or genius depending on the viewer, there is no obvious reason for her death. Immerse yourself in this Three Pines mystery, the townspeople are so complex and real they will become your friends and neighbors.

When you are looking for that next great read, take a look at my After Read Selections and find your next author!