My top reads of 2014.

Okay, I did not bother to check release dates. So, if these titles are a couple of years old, hey...I didn't pick them up until THIS year. Therefore, they are MY top reads of the year. Sorry I am late, but Monday was a busy day.

I have to say that I do not read nearly enough. However, I still make time because I believe in my heart that you have to be an avid reader to be a good writer. As for worries that perhaps my mind will absorb some idea or another and forge it in to something of my own...I got news for ya, there is nothing original left under the sun. Most of us in the zombie genre HAVE to give props to Romero. He is the guy who got this snowball rolling downhill. I have enough faith in my own ability to create something that is unique and mine. So, that is enough of that. Let's talk about books.

Odium by Claire Riley.

"Where Claire really shines is in her descriptive ability. She paints a world that you can see, hear, and smell. Her ability to describe is an example that teachers could use in a writing class. She does not go overboard, but finds the "sweet spot" of description. And trust me, it is just as easy to go overboard as it is to be to vague. Claire C. Riley is a name you need to add to your list. She may very well be the best writer you have never heard of...but need to." (From my review of this title.)

If you have not jumped on this bandwagon yet, it is not too late.

Return of the Night of the Walking Dead by Manuel deSade

"This is hilarious. The writer did an exceptional job of spoofing the Indie Zombie book scene. If you have read OR WRITTEN a zombie story, you must read this. It has some vulgar language, but it all fits perfectly. Everything from crappy editing to weak character development is made fum of in this neat package."

If you write in the zombie genre and have a sense of humor, you will totally dig this. If you READ zombie fiction, then you will get EVERY SINGLE JOKE, and probably laugh a lot harder than some of the authors in the genre who might feel this hits too close to home.

Dead Trees by Eli Constant

"One thing that makes this book stand out is a strong female protagonist. SO often this genre is dominated by uber-military MacGyver types that have all the answers and can get out of every scrape. Elise is a mother simply trying her best to keep her daughter's alive, and while she does "hook up" with Jason, you get the impression that she can do with or without him just fine."

This was a great year for female horror authors. My reading selection did not intentionally skew towards female authors, it just sort of ended up that way. There is something visceral in female horror authors when it comes to description. They give you details that assault all of the senses and pull you deep into a story in a special way.

You Have to Fucking Eat by Adam Mansbach

"Overall, this is a fun little story that will probably cause a few people to get bent out of shape, but who cares! Sometimes you just need a good laugh. This fits the bill. Stop being so PC and serious."

Short and funny, and the audio version is narrated by Bryan Cranston (Walter White to Breaking Bad fans!)

Everything I Never Told You: A novel by Celeste Ng

"A wonderful story that also shows how far we have come and have yet to come when race is considered in the shaping of this nation."

Way outside of my normal reading list. This was a gripping story.

Survival by Rhonda Hopkins

"I was fortunate to be able to read this tale prior to release. The bottom line is that this is hands down my favorite read so far in 2014. Short story or not, this tale will stick with you. This story opens with a punch in the throat and has you gasping until the last words on the page fade as you turn off your Kindle.

It can be a challenge to really offer up characters with depth that you care about in a short story, yet Rhonda Hopkins does just that. And you will experience a roller coaster of emotions throughout. It matters very little if you are a fan of the zombie genre, this is a story that will pull you in and refuse to let go.

So do yourself a favor...read this gem and then tell a friend."

This was my favorite read of the year. I felt fortunate to be one of the early readers This is a real treat, and if you have not grabbed your copy yet, you are missing out on something VERY special.

Why are people dumping ice water on their heads!?

Unless you have been living under a rock, you have been seeing all these people, famous and not-so-famous, dumping buckets of ice water on their heads. You may be wondering why? Simple, it is to raise money and awareness for ALS. For those not exactly sure what that is (c'mon, admit it...there are a few of you {me} who did not know exactly what ALS is besides just some disease), I have provided you with that information below.

From Wikipedia: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)—also referred to as motor neurone disease (MND), Charcot disease, and, in the United States, Lou Gehrig's disease—is a neurodegenerative disease with various causes. ALS is characterised by muscle spasticity, rapidly progressive weakness due to muscle atrophy, and difficulty in speaking (dysarthria), swallowing (dysphagia), and breathing (dyspnea). ALS is the most common of the five motor neuron diseases.

In the U.S., more than 5,600 are diagnosed every year, and up to 30,000 Americans are currently affected. ALS is responsible for 2 deaths per 100,000 people.^[1]

Median survival time from onset to death is 39 months, and only 4% survive longer than 10 years, although rare cases survive 50 years or more. Most die from respiratory failure, usually within three to five years from onset of symptoms.

Now, for what you came to see...

However, in addition to the challenge, I have also sent my own donation of $100 and ask that each of you reading this send just $5. If you do so, and then email me at twbrown.maydecpub@gmail.com, I will give you the choice of any of my audible titles OR the epub or MOBI (depending on your ereader device) in my library. Yep, I will be taking you at your word.

Also, wish me luck. Saturday I will be running in a half-marathon (13+ mile obstacle course that starts with a half mile swim) called Inferno. This is my longest distance to date.

Good things...

After you have checked out stuff here, go see what my friend Claire Riley has going on. She has a big event planned that starts on Wednesday. So head over and find out how you can get TONS OF FREE STUFF!!!

The Horror Thriller Event link.

I think I had something planned...but I forgot what it was somewhere along the line. I was going to put some people on blast...really give my "two cents" on things. Only, somewhere along the way, this weekend, I just got into a really laid back and peaceful mood. So now, I just want to share a little "Top 10" list of simple things that make me happy.

I won't bother putting them in order, because that order could change in the blink of an eye.

So, here they are:

1. Buffalo Wing flavored Tabasco Sauce,
2. Seeing a new review for one of my books.
3. An out-of-the-blue message from my daughter.
4. Sunday mornings with my wife...just relaxing and being together.
5. Another KISS or zombie themed toy or trinket for my office.
6. An email from a total stranger who just found my books and really enjoyed them.
7. Finishing an editing project.
8. A hug from Aoife, my Border Collie. (Seriously, she gives hugs. If you ask for one, she ducks her head under your chin and cuddles in real close...yep, it is amazingly cute.)
9. Opening Day of the NFL season. (Yes, I love the whole season, but Opening Day is like Christmas and New Year's Day all rolled in to one for me.)
10. A 1970s-era VW Bus. (That is my "dream" car and I hope to have one soon!)

So, there it is. Just a few things that make me smile. Join me Wednesday for my Short Attention Span Theater, and stay tuned for  my upcoming take on the audio book this Friday.