Whether you’ve found a way to escape literally or imaginatively from the Covid horrors of 2020, you might want to take a good book along! Today, I wanted to share a couple of my favorites with you. Actually, these aren’t favorite books, so much as favorite series. Because once you read one, you have to read them all. They’re like potato chips, that way.
I’ve been a voracious reader most of my life, and I’m old – yo – so one of the series that I absolutely adore is vintage, like me. I first discovered the Windrose Chronicles by Barbara Hambly in the late 80s when the fantasy genre was really hitting its stride. This series had a profound effect on my writing style. I studied it, like a textbook, while learning to write.
I read the third book, Dog Wizard, so much that it literally fell apart. If I could visit an imaginary location in any book, it would be the Citadel of Wizards from this series. But even more special than the awesome settings are the characters. If only I could meet Antryg Windrose in real life! We would make tortoise rubbings, and he would show me how to craft pinwheels. I love that guy!
My second favorite series is a more recent love affair: Lockwood and Co. by Jonathan Stroud. I discovered this one very much by accident when I was sitting in the waiting room of the doctor’s office one day. I was looking for something to read on my phone, and came across a free book I’d downloaded who-knows-how-long-ago.
Eh, I thought, might as well give it a shot. I just need something for a few minutes.
Many hours and five books later, I was still thirsting for more! The books scared the socks off me, because they’re all about ghosts, and I’m a rather sensitive reader – but I really COULD NOT STOP!
Each time I’d finish one of the books, I’d tell myself: That’s it. This is too scary. I’m not going to read the next one. A few days later, I’d be browsing Amazon, toying with plopping down more money for the next book in the series! Before I knew it, I was off on the next Lockwood adventure!
(As an aside, these images were some of my first attempts at creating #bookstagrams. I haven’t done one in awhile, but you can see more if you check out my Instagram account.)
I’ve very seldom had a series get its claws into me that hard, especially since I matured into a somewhat-jaded author who gets impatient with mediocre writing and has the willpower not to slog through an entire book I might not really like just to find out the ending. Lockwood and Co. was so well-written, so compelling, with such great characters, that all my willpower went flying out the window! It took me back to my teen years when I used to stay up all night in the summers just because I couldn’t put down the book.
If you like creepy, spine-tingling adventure, run out and grab this series! Just don’t read it late at night, in the dark, by yourself. (Speaking from experience here.)
By the way, I recently learned that Lockwood and Co. will soon be going into production as a Netflix series. 😍 I’d recommend reading the books first, as sometimes the best parts get messed up or left out altogether when good books make the leap to the silver screen (or, in this case, the flat screen).
There are lots and lots … and lots of books that I really enjoy. If you ever need a recommendation, please drop me a line! I’m happy to talk favorites, anytime!
Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the page above are "affiliate links," including Amazon Associate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. There will be no additional charge to you. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."