Sam’s Favorite Books

Found below are the books I’ve highlighted on my “Favorites” page since launching my site.

“Dark Age” by Pierce Brown

added may 18, 2020

Surprise, surprise, another book from my favorite series has made my recommendation list. Yes, “Dark Age” is the fifth book in Pierce Brown’s “Red Rising” saga, but I would never recommend it on the series’ basis alone. On the contrary, “Dark Age” reads unlike any book in the saga thus far. It’s brutally violent, brimming with haunting lore and showcases the horrors of war more so than any previous entry. But the brutality is not just for show, as it tests each main character’s limits and morality. The stakes for the sixth (and final?) book could not be higher, and I cannot wait for a release date.

“Recursion” by Blake Crouch

added july 20, 2019

Before “Recursion” came “Dark Matter.” Blake Crouch’s twisty science fiction thriller with a love story at its core is one of my all-time favorite books. Given the high bar set by “Dark Matter,” Crouch’s newest novel fortunately does not disappoint. It tackles memory instead of parallel universes and provides all of the thrills, twists and heart we’ve come to expect from a Crouch novel. “Dark Matter” may be superior, but “Recursion” is a time-bending trip that must be taken.

“Born to Run” by Christopher McDougall

Added April 8, 2019

This 10-year-old book is by no means new, but I’m glad I finally found it. Christopher McDougall’s half-personal, half-informative running tale is a joy to read, whether you like to run or not. It’s funny, exciting and takes many left turns into weird, fascinating tales from running legend. The characters are just as colorful as the prose, which makes the book a quick read. “Born to Run” made me love running more than ever before, and just like running itself, you should give this book a try.

“Iron Gold: A Red Rising Novel” by Pierce Brown

Added november 26, 2018

The “Red Rising” trilogy is my favorite book series of recent years. I love science fiction, so an epic space opera about overthrowing a caste system easily appealed to me. But when I heard author Pierce Brown was writing a sequel trilogy, I was skeptical. However, with a 10-year time jump and three new main characters, Brown proved there is plenty of story left to tell. “Iron Gold” continues what I love about the original series: complicated characters, gray morality and a central theme of what it means to be a good leader. Catch up on this amazing series.