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Top 25 countdown of 2019

#1 The Dresden Files

The Dresden Files
Get on Audible/Amazon

The Dresden Files
By: Jim Butcher
Narrated by: James Marsters

Book 1 – Storm Front
Book 2 – Fool Moon
Book 3 – Grave Peril
Book 4 – Summer Knight
Book 5 – Death Masks
Book 6 – Blood Rites
Book 7 – Dead Beat
Book 8 – Proven Guilty
Book 9 – White Night
Book 10 – Small Favor
Book 11 – Turn Coat
Book 12 – Changes
Book 13 – Ghost Story
Book 14 – Cold Days
Book 15 – Skin Game
Book 16 – Peace Talks (Release date July 17, 2020)

“My name is Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden. Conjure by it at your own risk. I’m a wizard. I work out of an office in midtown Chicago. As far as I know, I’m the only openly practicing professional wizard in the country. You can find me in the yellow pages, under ‘Wizards’. Believe it or not, I’m the only one there.”

The Dresden Files makes the #1 list this year. The main reason this series is number one is the fact that many friends have read or are in the middle of reading them. When you are able to talk to others about a series and get a social element out of it outside of the books it really takes things to a whole new level. During my second read though and speaking to others about it made me realize that this book above all others has given me the most enjoyment.

The story is very good and with so many books you get great character development of all the side characters in the story. There are 2 books I want to call out in this series though. Book 3 is when the story really starts picking up and you get into some of the deep story lines that impact the series. BOOK 12 Changes, may be one of the most intense books I have ever read. Jim Butcher has stated that this is the middle point in Harry Dresden’s story and I will just say the Changes is the only name fitting for this book. Narrator James Marsters (Spike from Buffy and Angel) is perfect for these books and really nails all of the character voices.

I really hope this post will lead others to try out this Urban Fantasy series and talk to me about it while you read through. Also planning on a book club party after Peace Talks comes out later this year. Fuego!

Jim Butcher and me at Phoenix Comic-con.
Categories
Top 25 countdown of 2019

#11 Magic 2.0

Magic 2.0
Get on Audible/Amazon

Magic 2.0
By: Scott Meyer
Narrated by: Luke Daniels

Book 1 – Off to be the Wizard
Book 2 – Spell or High Water
Book 3 – An Unwelcome Quest
Book 4 – Fight and Flight
Book 5 – Out of Spite, Out of Mind
Book 6 – The Vexed Generation

Get ready to work out your abs because this book is going to make you laugh. Luke Daniels does some of the best narrations of character voices I have ever heard, so much so I can’t imagine actually reading a hard copy of this book. Get the audio book and thank me later. The “magic” system in this book really is creative. This is a fantasy contemporary series and takes place in present time, but with a very easy to follow time travel element to it which makes it feel not fantasy, but it is fantasy. This is definitely a feel good read and would strongly recommend reading after you finish a long series epic fantasy series.

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Top 25 countdown of 2019

#14 Harry Potter

Harry Potter
Get on Audible/Amazon

Harry Potter
By: J.K. Rowling
Narrated by: Jim Dale

Book 1 – The Sorcerer’s Stone
Book 2 – The Chamber of Secrets
Book 3 – The Prisoner of Azkaban
Book 4 – The Goblet of Fire
Book 5 – The Order of the Phoenix
Book 6 – The Half-Blood Prince
Book 7 – The Deathly Hallows


This was the first book I ever read and was gifted to me by my friend Tony Hsu. I had never been interested in reading books and Tony gave book 1&2 to me and said “read this”. I did and instantly fell in love with all the characters. I have since listened to all the books as well this year and came to the conclusion that I like all of the supporting characters more than Harry Potter. My fondest memory is getting book 7 at midnight, reading for 3 hours, then going to work Friday at 6am with 2 hours of sleep. I proceeded to do nothing but read all weekend with the occasional food or sleep break determined to finish the book before work on Monday. Oh and if you think, eh I saw the movies, that is not good enough as the books as always are better than the movies.

Categories
Top 25 countdown of 2019

Starting my top 25 countdown

I have listened to over 160 books and accumulated over 2,300+ hours of listening time. I primarily focus on the fantasy and sci-fi genre. This December I will be doing a top 25 countdown of my favorite series’s ending with my #1 series on Christmas day. Look out at we take a wild ride though magical creatures, wizards, star ships, rogues, time travel, magic systems and Star Wars.