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!
