Number 1: 'Butter' by Asako Yuzuki

MAN can I not get my mind off of it. The way characters change and grow, how they realize what sort of people they are, and how it all fits in our modern world. It's length, while daunting, is totally worth the excellent read!

Number 2: 'Babel' by R.F. Kuang

Something I like about R.F. Kuangs writing is that you get half-way through the book and go 'Surely this is it?' and yet once you reach the end you smack yourself for not realizing the obvious conclusion. 'Babel' is no exception, and certainly worth a go.

Number 3: 'Piranesi' by Susanna Clarke

What can I say about 'Piranesi' that hasn't already? It's hard to really explain why it is so captivating. Clarke does an excellent job of making you care about the world Piranesi lives in, that when the plot starts you almost miss it. Short and sweet.

Number 4: 'Butcher's Crossing' by John Williams

Often compared to 'Blood Meridian' and not without reason, this western is a really confronting and violent look at the brutality of an industrialized world. Each gun shot feels impactful, each dead animal tragic. A solid read throughout and through.

Number 5: 'The Martian' by Andy Weir

You just have to keep reading this one. It fully grasps the idea of suspenseful story telling: Not 'Do they get home', but 'HOW DO they get home'? Every problem is solved with a satisfying solution, and the comedy throughout is hilarious.

A lot of what I read was good, so here are some Honorable Mentions:
- 'The Great When' by Alan Moore
- 'War and Peace' by Leo Tolstoy
- 'Nova Vita Protocol Series' by Kristyn Merbeth (and sequels)
- 'Journey to the West' by Wu Cheng'en
- 'Stoner' by John Williams

I should start by saying that this is not a list of books released this year, just the ones I read. I'm also mostly covering fiction. I may cover non-fiction in a later thread.

Now anyway, let's go!

(Actually joined in September but this is my first post!)

Isabella and Wendy lead the way to the treasure. But will it be worth it? Find out in the finale of my short story series 'Murky Waters'!

#writers #authors #shortstories #pirates
cheesmanchronicles.com/2025/09/22/m...

Isabella and Wendy lead the way to the treasure. But will it be worth it? Find out in the finale of my short story series 'Murky Waters'!

#writers #authors #shortstories #pirates
cheesmanchronicles.com/2025/09/22/m...

Isabella's been caught, how will she escape her old Captain Matchstick? Find out in the new part of my short story series 'Murky Waters'!

#writers #authors #shortstories #pirates
cheesmanchronicles.com/2025/09/08/m...

Isabella's been caught, how will she escape her old Captain Matchstick? Find out in the new part of my short story series 'Murky Waters'!

#writers #authors #shortstories #pirates
cheesmanchronicles.com/2025/09/08/m...