The Grand Illusion
For quite a number of reasons, I haven’t been doing as much pleasure reading in the last few months, but I finally got around to Valiant Dust, by Richard Baker, the first book in a trilogy, and I found it both engrossing, and very true to life (possibly because Baker definitely portrays the inside of the Naval “culture” all too accurately). I’m halfway through the second book, and it’s (so far) at least equally good. The third book has been turned in, but has not seen print yet. I also found, in a strange way, Labyrinth Lost, by Zoraida Cordova, interesting and absorbing.
Then there are my two “binge reading” series, both of which are fun, at least for me, the Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch and The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman. As I’ve said before, I’ve also read several other books, some even praised, that just didn’t interest or captivate me.
Thank you very much for mentioning books that you’ve liked recently. While I’d already heard good things about the Rivers of London series, I was unaware of the other works you named. I’m always on the lookout for fun series and for good military fiction (science fiction or otherwise), so I hope to try several of these over the summer. Thank you again.
I will have to check out some of Richard Baker’s books. Your comment about how he portrays the inside of the Naval “culture”, piqued my interest. I had the good fortune of knowing Edward L. Beach, Jr. and helping him with his PC’s for 20+ years before his death, but have enjoyed reading all his books, as well as listening to his anecdotes about his time in the Navy. Ned’s writings always carried the feel of someone who knew their subject first hand, which he did. He had served 3 missions in the Sea of Japan during WW II, and circumnavigated the globe as Captain of the Triton. His passing less than two months after I moved from Maryland to California saddened me greatly, but I still have all of his books. Many of the anecdotes he told me during my visits are contained in his book “Salt and Steel: Reflections of a Submariner”. Right now though, I am re-reading all your books in my Kindle collection. I enjoy them just as much on re-readings, and have probably gone through the entire collection at least 3 or 4 times now.
I’m now four books into the Rivers of London series that you mentioned above, and enjoying it very much. You also mentioned The Invisible Library series, and, in a different post, Richard Baker’s Breaker of Empires series…. Are there other series that you’ve liked and would recommend?
I think I’ve pretty much mentioned the series I’d recommend. If, in the meantime, I come up with others, I will mention them.
Thank you!