With the 30th anniversary of Jurassic Park (film) having just passed, I’ve had Michael Crichton on my mind. I was introduced to him with Prey in middle school (undoubtedly a little early for the material) and I consider his work to be hugely influential in my love for reading today.
Bearing in mind at the end there he got a bit controversial, I still love almost every Crichton book I’ve read and have a few cherished copies of Prey and Airframe in my collection (IMO an underrated title in his backlist).
Are you a Michael Crichton fan and if so which titles do you most enjoy? Who are some other pop fiction authors you enjoy or consider guilty pleasures?
I’ve not tried to get into any fantasy pulp fiction, but I have been on a big fantasy kick overall this year so I may have to check this out - thanks!
Oh, the deed of paksenarrion is a great choice if you’re looking for a good, easy-reading fantasy trilogy with a very satisfying arc. It basically reads like a very well made d&d campaign.
Whelp, as someone who is currently on a Baldur’s Gate binge, you’ve sold me - will add to my TBR!
oh yeah, you’re gonna like it then :D glad to share, it’s not high literature but it’s been one of my favourite comfort reads for many years.
I would second Deeds of Paksenarrion, especially if you like Baldur’s Gate. It captures the feel of a D&D-like world and plot very well (pseudo-medival world, dwarves/elves/orcs/etc, cults of evil gods, shining (stuck-up) paladin orders, farm girl who leaves home for adventure, so on and so forth), but Moon adds a level of depth and ethical nuance that is usually missing from such adventure/quest focused fantasy.
Elizabeth Moon in general is one of my go-to authors when I want a standard sci-fi or fantasy story that I know will be excellently executed, include interesting elements that set it apart and will not make my roll my eyes or hold my nose like a lot of older genre stuff does. She wrote a lot in both sci-fi and fantasy and was very consistent.