Up today, it’s the ace writer Charlie Wade. I’ve been a fan of Charlie’s for a few years now, first discovering his short stories. He has translated his talent and skill with the short form into novels, with The Bailout (one of my favourite self-published novels – and I’m still desperate for a sequel) and Seven Daze (out from Caffeine Nights). An excellent writer, destined for much bigger things, here he chooses his top 5 reads of 2013…

Top 5 Reads of 2013 by Charlie Wade

A few recent books and two oldies from Stephen King. The last year I’ve read more than probably any other year since my youth. Seems the more I write, the more I read. As I’m not the fastest reader either, my TBR list is constantly growing. Hopefully by this time next year it’ll be smaller and I’d have got to most of the books from this year that I want to read. In no particular order…

Ian Rankin – The Impossible Dead

The second Malcolm Fox novel was a massive improvement on the first (and that was pretty good too.) The character of Malcolm Fox shouldn’t work, he doesn’t drink, smoke – for all purposes he’s normal. A boring, normal detective who investigates other detectives. Yet it works so well. Maybe Ian Rankin could actually make a shopping list a bestseller.

Robert Llewellyn – News From Gardenia

As a Dystopia fan, I thought I’d hop the fence and try Utopian fiction. The first in a series, it quickly became apparent to me that not only is Robert Llewellyn a good writer but also one man’s utopia is another’s dystopia. I also like the ethos around Unbound books, it captures the spirit of independance that is at the forefront of the publishing industry this decade. Maybe the book was a too short. As the series involves different utopias, I feel this particular one needed more depth. Overall a good read.

Stephen King – From a Buick 8

This, (and many others such as Desperation), is the reason I keep reading Stephen King. It almost reads like a camp-fire tale or Halloween scare story. A Buick rolls up to a petrol pump, the driver wanders off never to be seen again, and the local law enforcers keep the car in a shed. Pretty standard fare, except the car boot is some kind of gateway to another dimension.

A real page turner where the suspense builds, you’re left wanting not only more of the story but more of the characters’ lives. I’d have been happy to read another thousand pages of back-story about the town created and the people there.

Stories for Homes – Various

Charity Anthologies have been thin on the ground this year (hint, hint Luca). This is not only for a great cause but also has great stories in too.

Stephen King – Wizard and Glass

I read the Dark Tower series this year and although I struggled with the last two books, I think it’s a great way to spend six months (or six weeks if you can read quickly). Wizard and Glass includes a four hundred page flashback, which I doubt any other author but Stephen King could get away with. Possibly one of his best books.

Charlie Wade can be found here - http://batteriesarentincluded.blogspot.co.uk/