Do you have similar broad tastes? Want to share reviews?

[Scott]

Hi--
I'd love to find more folks to share reviews with.  Send me an invite or let me know to add you if you're interested.

I have been on Goodreads for many years but have used it only sparingly. I love to write (Critter Chronicles books) and love to read. My reading tastes tend to be broad--I love a great story regardless of genre!--including the following:

** allegory or books with a lesson -- BRAVE NEW WORLD, ANIMAL FARM, LORD OF THE FLIES, etc

** history of the West, especially Montana-- Timothy Egan books, UNDAUNTED COURAGE, SEARCHING FOR YELLOWSTONE, etc; books by MT authors Alan Kesselheim, Gary Ferguson, and Russell Rowland

** science (many topics, mostly non-fiction but some fiction, as well) -- anything by David Quammen and similar (though there a few like DQ!); I just love writing that makes science understandable

** disease -- THE GREAT INFLUENZA, RABID etc; again, I just love writing that makes science, specifically  disease, understandable, Richard Preston

** true adventure, usually outdoors -- LOST CITY OF Z, SKELETONS OF THE ZAHARA, etc

** biography, history (many topics) -- pretty much anything by Walter Isaacson, Nathaniel Philbrick

** horror -- not often but yes a Stephen King (or similar) novel every once in a while

** crime/mystery -- from many authors, though an admitted love of audio books from James Patterson (and whoever his co-writer of the day is; the audio books almost always have great readers); also in non-fiction ala THE DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY

** fantasy -- not so much, though I am trying (have now read the HOBBIT, still saving THE HARRY POTTER series, admit to not dabbling into almost any of the many, many excellent indie writers)

** romance -- again, not so much (sorry!) but have read and enjoyed a novel or two from friend Rain Trueax 

** classics -- love DON QUIXOTE, MOBY DICK, Steinbeck, Hemmingway, and on and on!YA (I don't like this description since most YA books are for adults, as well, so it seems limiting to label them

** young adult (I don't like this description since most YA books are for adults, as well, so it seems limiting to label them YA...but that said....) -- STARGIRL, THE FAULT IN OUR STARS

** beautiful stories with a heart -- A MAN CALLED OVE, TO DANCE WITH THE WHITE DOG, THE ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN, etc


If any of these pathways are the same you march down in your reading, give me a shout! 

But even if not, have a great day, 
Scott Bischke
(Goodreads author)

[Jim]

I have posted 143 book reviews on Goodreads to-date. If you wish to see them, they may be accessed at:
goodreads.com/review/list/25554164?re...

[Scott]

Thanks Jim. I just gave you a follow (honored to have you do likewise). I love Mark Twain, too!

[Colleen]

Jim, also just gave you a follow. Please check out my books and website. Multiple genre self-published author. I reside in Durham, NC and now working on project of creative nonfiction, Ponzi scheme / financial planning. colleenbooks.com

[Colleen]

Scott, also placed you on my follow list. I've placed Trumplestilskin on my - to-read list. Follow me on colleenbooks.com, or sign up for my free bi-monthly newsletter. Congrats on all of your publications. Keep on writing!!

[Scott]

Hi Colleen, I added you as a follow and just bought your short story SHE KILLED MY DOG and downloaded it to my Kindle to read ahead, maybe while we're backpacking this weekend ... though I admit I have (gulp!) 3 books I am actively reading right now, and 10 books that I have started! Best and nice to know you, Scott

[Colleen]

Thanks, Scott. I think connecting w/others and staying active is more important than writing, so I hope you have a great weekend. My short story is a very quick read. Hope you get a little chuckle from it. Tackling creative non-fiction at the moment - finding it a mountain to climb.

[Scott]

Just keep writing, you'll get there!!

[Lynda]

Hi Scott,
Here’s my shout out to your invitation!
Although I am mostly a city person, I have traveled widely and due to unquenched curiosity share interest in several of the genres and categories that you mention:
I see that you mentioned the Lost City of Z by David Grann, (didn’t read but loved the film) and I truly enjoy stories of daring and adventure. Wager (also by Grann) is an astonishing account of a shipwreck like no other, and could also qualify – on many levels – as a lesson like Lord of the Flies. Except it’s true.
Regarding crime/mystery you might find the Bernie Gunther series by Philip Kerr worth reading. To me it is a perfect trifecta of genres: a murder mystery/police procedural; history – in that it is set within the government of Third Reich in Berlin in the run up to, during, and after World War II as seen through the eyes of a homicide detective and good-hearted but cynical mensch working in the famed Berlin homicide squad who must interact – often unwillingly – with the real-life players within Hitler’s inner circle; and above all it’s a series of political and psychological spy thrillers that spans a decade of the wholesale collapse of European society with travels to Nazi hotspots like Argentina, France, Austria, Switzerland. One note: for maximum enjoyment, read the series in the sequence it was written.
I agree that Devil in the White City was a brilliant piece of research – a deep look into the dark side of law enforcement of that era while contrasting how ordinary citizens came to Chicago to enjoy the World’s Fair oblivious to the terrifying serial crimes in their midst.
I also love biographies, and my tastes are wide in that genre. Most recently, I was so impressed by Varian Fry’s outstanding war memoir, Surrender On Demand, and Mystery: the Death and Life of Edgar Allan Poe, in which the author, while researching the mysterious death of the writer and poet, discovers and reveals so much more about the real life of this American legend.
Finally, one of my all-time favorite biographies is Caravaggio: A Life Sacred and Profane by Andrew Graham-Dixon. It’s a master class in the Renaissance world and art of Caravaggio. And using new forensic technology, the author solves the great mystery of the incredibly brilliant but bad-boy artist’s tragic last months.
Here’s to the written word -- a much better invention than sliced bread!
Looking forward to reading your TrumpelStiltskin.
Let me know your thoughts,
Lynda West

[Scott]

Great to hear from you Lynda. I added you as a follow, as well.

Your background sounds super interesting, and I am intrigued re your history in film production and how the SAG and writers' strikes might impacting you and/or friends.

Thank for all of you recommendations. Per those, I've added these titles (abbreviated) to my to read list:
* Wager
* Bernie Gunther#1
* The Poe biography (but did you mean the only one of that title I could find by Mark Dawidziak?)
* Caravaggio

I also signed up for the giveaway for your BRUTALLY FUNNY (who doesn't love a giveaway!) and have it on my too-read list, if I don't win.

Love that you have my short fable TRUMPELSTILTSKIN on your list. Quick and easy, and--of note--published *before* the results of the 2016 election were known. Like you, I have a Goodreads Giveaway going now til July31 for my newly published BAT CAVE, book2 of my Critter Chronicle series (allegories about key issues of our times: climate change, pandemics, immigration, politics, and more). Put in and see if you win! Or, if interested, let me know and I'd be happy to send you a copy.

Great to meet you via Goodreads, Lynda. Thanks again for all the recommendations!
Scott