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Christopher’s Year In Books

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Christy

1,194 books | 35 friends

Autumn

194 books | 14 friends

Angela Rhudy

1,061 books | 207 friends

Dan

1,347 books | 240 friends

Will Mitchell

1,513 books | 171 friends

Dawne Mccurry

2,293 books | 100 friends

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1,581 books | 107 friends

Lela Johnson

519 books | 56 friends

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Christopher Swann

Goodreads Author

Born

in The United States

Website

http://christopherswann.com

Twitter

swannyauthor

Genre

Fiction, Mystery, Thriller

Member Since

May 2008

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/christopherswann

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Christopher Swann is an award-winning, bestselling novelist and high school English teacher. He earned his Ph.D. in creative writing from Georgia State University. He has been a Townsend Prize finalist, longlisted for the Southern Book Prize, and a Georgia Author of the Year winner. He lives with his wife and two sons in Atlanta, where he is the English department chair at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School.

He is the author of five novels:
Shadow of the Lions (2017)
Never Turn Back (2020)
A Fire in the Night (2021)
Never Go Home (2022)
Never Back Down (2023)

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Christopher Swann’s books

Average rating: 3.78 · 4,982 ratings · 815 reviews · 13 distinct works • Similar authors

	Shadow of the Lions 3.61 avg rating — 2,187 ratings — published 2017	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	A Fire in the Night 4.03 avg rating — 1,275 ratings — published 2021 — 7 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Never Turn Back (Faulkner Family, #1) 3.81 avg rating — 1,071 ratings — published 2020 — 9 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Never Go Home (Faulkner Family #2) 3.82 avg rating — 329 ratings — published 2022 — 7 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Never Back Down (Faulkner Family #3) 3.90 avg rating — 117 ratings — published 2023 — 6 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The History of Oilfield Diving: An Industrial Adventure 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Marguerite Explorer 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Never Back Down: Library Edition by Christopher Swann (Goodreads Author), Joshilyn Jackson (Goodreads Author) (narrator) 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Never Back Down: Faulkner Family Thriller, Book 3 by Christopher Swann (Goodreads Author), Joshilyn Jackson (Goodreads Author) (Narrator) 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	The global FX industry: Coping with consolidation 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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Christopher Swann's Blog: Christopher Swann

October Travels

Here's where I am heading this month with Shadow of the Lions. Come on out and say hi.

Tuesday, Oct. 10 - Garden District Book Shop in New Orleans

Wednesday, Oct. 11 - Page and Palette in Fairhope, AL

Thursday, Oct. 12 - Bayside Academy in Fairhope, AL

Friday, Oct. 13 - Southern Festival of Books in Nashville

Tuesday, Oct 24 - Indian River Literary Society in Vero Beach, FL

More details at: christo Read more of this blog post »

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Published on October 10, 2017 05:19 • Tags: christopher-swann, october, shadow-of-the-lions

Series by Christopher Swann

Faulkner Family (3 books)
by

Christopher Swann (Goodreads Author)

3.82 avg rating — 1,517 ratings

Christopher is Currently Reading

Christopher Swann is currently reading

The Doorman

by Chris Pavone (Goodreads Author)

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Sep 29, 2025 08:40PM

Christopher Swann is currently reading

Something Wicked This Way Comes (Green Town, #2)

by Ray Bradbury

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Jul 21, 2025 08:22PM

Christopher Swann is currently reading

Juliet: The Life and Afterlives of Shakespeare's First Tragic Heroine

by Sophie Duncan (Goodreads Author)

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Jul 21, 2025 08:21PM

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Christopher’s Recent Updates

Christopher Swann entered a giveaway See How They Fall by Rachel Paris (Goodreads Author) 2 copies available, ends on October 20, 2025 Enter to win »
Oct 07, 2025 03:19AM · like · see giveaway · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of See How They Fall by Rachel Paris. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — See How They Fall by Rachel Paris <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Christopher Swann entered a giveaway Missing Sister by Joshilyn Jackson (Goodreads Author) 25 copies available, ends on October 20, 2025 Enter to win »
Oct 06, 2025 03:28AM · like · see giveaway
Christopher Swann started reading The Doorman by Chris Pavone (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Sep 29, 2025 08:40PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Doorman by Chris Pavone. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Doorman by Chris Pavone <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Christopher Swann finished reading First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston (Goodreads Author) Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee in Readers' Favorite Mystery & Thriller, Readers' Favorite Audiobook	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Sep 29, 2025 08:40PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Christopher Swann started reading First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston (Goodreads Author) Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee in Readers' Favorite Mystery & Thriller, Readers' Favorite Audiobook	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Sep 19, 2025 09:19PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Christopher Swann finished reading Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Sep 19, 2025 09:18PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Christopher Swann rated a book really liked it Sheepdogs by Elliot Ackerman (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Sep 14, 2025 09:15PM · 1 like · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Sheepdogs by Elliot Ackerman. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Sheepdogs by Elliot Ackerman <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Christopher Swann started reading Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Sep 14, 2025 07:55PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Christopher Swann started reading Sheepdogs by Elliot Ackerman (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Sep 07, 2025 08:25PM · like · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Sheepdogs by Elliot Ackerman. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Sheepdogs by Elliot Ackerman <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Christopher Swann rated a book really liked it Black House (The Talisman, #2) by Stephen King (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Maybe 4.25. Takes a while to get going, but once it does, as usual, you are in for a ride.
Sep 07, 2025 10:36AM · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Black House by Stephen King. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Black House by Stephen King <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">

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Quotes by Christopher Swann (?)

“Love can be a hell of a draw, the emotional holy grail. But love also exposes our flaws, can even draw out the worst in us. People want to perform heroic deeds, commit flagrantly dramatic acts for love. What they don't realize is that the daily grind is what is required. Instead of a single extraordinary act--slaying the dragon, throwing yourself in front of a bus--it is the repetition of small gestures over a course of years that makes love work.”
― Christopher Swann, Shadow of the Lions

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Topics Mentioning This Author

topics	posts	views	last activity
Reading with Style: FA 2017 Completed Tasks	1001	114	Nov 30, 2017 09:00PM
The Seasonal Read...: Completed Tasks: PLEASE DO NOT DELETE ANY POST IN THIS THREAD	2639	786	Nov 30, 2017 09:01PM
The Seasonal Read...: Completed Tasks: PLEASE DO NOT DELETE ANY POST IN THIS THREAD	4046	367	Nov 30, 2018 09:27PM
2025 Reading Chal...: Susan C's 100 book challenge for 2018	96	156	Jan 01, 2019 03:52PM
Busy as a Bee Books: Book News: 10/06/20	4	6	Oct 07, 2020 07:31PM
Aussie Readers: October 2020 Challenge - A Breath of Fresh Air!	160	150	Nov 03, 2020 04:25PM
NetGalley Readers: Just Requested and Recently Approved	10684	1894	Dec 23, 2020 02:01PM
The Mystery, Crim...: * Currently Reading? Just Finished? 2020	2984	943	Dec 31, 2020 09:26AM

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Christopher’s Quotes

“No! Try not. Do, or do not. There is no try.”
― George Lucas, The Star Wars Trilogy

1084 likes

“Pirates could happen to anyone.”
― Tom Stoppard, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead

177 likes

“First, I'm going to give you all the Copperfield crap, and I'm not going to apologize for any of it, not one paragraph, so if you're not interested in how I came to see the future, or how I came to understand that the biggest truth in my life was a lie, or, for that matter, how I parlayed my distaste for hot dogs into an '84 RX-7 and a new self-concept, do us both a favor, and just stop now.”
― Jonathan Evison, All About Lulu

tags: evison, lulu, opening-lines

4 likes

“He piled upon the whale's white hump the sum of all the general rage and hate felt by his whole race from Adam down; and then, as if his chest had been a mortar, he burst his hot heart's shell upon it.”
― Herman Melville, Moby-Dick or, The Whale

57 likes

“I would always rather be happy than dignified.”
― Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre

10620 likes

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Christopher’s Friend Comments

Comments (showing 1-2) post a comment »

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message 2: by Christopher

Mar 16, 2009 07:53PM

Maureen wrote: "hey swanny:

i'm determined to read a martin cruz smith this year: tell me which one to try, please?

thanks

mo"

If you've never read anything by him, read "Gorky Park" first so you can meet Arkady Renko...then read "Polar Star" immediately afterwards. I still remember seeing "Polar Star" in the bookstore--I guess it was like I had thought Raymond Chandler had only written "The Big Sleep" and then one day finding "Farewell, My Lovely" in a bookstore window. "Polar Star" is one of the best things Smith has written.

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message 1: by Maureen

Mar 16, 2009 06:58PM

hey swanny:

i'm determined to read a martin cruz smith this year: tell me which one to try, please?

thanks

mo

reply | flag

Christopher’s Year In Books

Christopher Swann’s Followers (328)

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Christopher Swann

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