Annual list of the novels, audio books, graphic novels, and trades I read—as I go.

Not since freshman year of high school had I read this rough and unique POV tale of life in the Gold Rush Yukon as Buck struggles free from the trappings of modern life.

Nothing has inspired AND shamed me as a writer and a runner than this book.

A well-done psychological goor graphic novel that grapples with the power of internal and external self-image.

Nothing more to say than, a benchmark that inspired so many tales in the genre. It was long past time I read this.

While familiar with much of Mr Pressfield's creative manifesto through articles and podcasts, I found reading the entire collection empowering—and it's a super quick read.

I've admired Paul's, KANE series from afar, so when I spotted this on the shelf of my LCS, I snapped it up. It's an enjoyable teen superhero origin story with as many questions as fun character and action bits.

This one came recommended as companion book to my own novel, and damn, they would make for a great pairing. This one blossoms into a grand interstellar conflict that resolves in an unexpected sacrifice.

This massive, non-stop, action-packed expression of the author's passion for comics took years to make, and packs three-hundred-plus pages with love, betrayal, and dozens of double-page spreads.

Following a quick choice to put aside my SFF trilogy, and begin the first draft of a mystery, this was the first book I devoured as I wrote. Le Careé was an author I'd wanted to read for a while, and I'm glad I had the "excuse." He displays masterful control of the form and crystalline prose. I will return to this literary world, but start at the beginning.

The first book of a science fiction fantasy adventure trilogy that springs from the grounds of this fertile genre, and comic masters like Ottomo and Mœbius. I can't wait to read the next installment!

The second book in this trilogy. Bendis and Araújo pull off a tightening-in on the characters, yet pull-back and show more of the story world. Hard to put down between the unfolding story and breathtaking art.

The Monster Society of Evil is a modernized primer, to introduce any young reader to the world of Shazam!

I'm a sucker for high-paced page turners and my first visit into mister Connelly's LA, did not disappoint. Detective Renée Ballard is a strong protagonist who navigates the turbulent waters of LAPD politics with a moral compass and instinct to deliver justice.

A deeply ambitious work where a protagonist struggles backwards and forward. Elevated cartoon strip page designs bend and stretch into elaborate spreads of labyrinthine complexity, that reflect psychological & emotional struggles.

A father and son scrape out an existence in a dying world of unknown creation—walking through the cold gray toward an undefined hope. The prose is stripped bare as the ashen wasteland of the book.

A veiled epistolary mystery filled with sumptuous prose about two pathologically selfish people, who get what they deserve.

An agenda-less lead living in a "colorful" New Jersey, filled with all the crime, oddities, and personalities that would make Carl Hiaasen smile. Auto lovers beware.

The ultimate mash-up, not only in genre, but, layout, and artistic style. A glorious adventure through a familiar and mysterious world, in one hardcover edition.

First in the Renee Ballard line-up, and a fitting start for this surfing LAPD detective. For Ballard, the late show bleeds into the day, and she puts everything on the line for the victims, to the point of becoming one.

A rich and informative memoir about the author and people outside the spotlight. Mr Finnegan’s impact on the world in and out of the ocean is inspirational. This is an unvarnished love letter to the next great wave.

A western comic that kicks over the social apple cart in this remote patch of fictional 1875 Texas. While players have roles, the author shifts them against type, to bloody effect, as the artist's bold use of black set upon a fauvist palette amplifies this tale.

Book three in the Discworld, and the introduction of the Witches. A wealth of hilarious characterization and brilliant twists packed into this cozy fantasy series.

A deadly neighborhood mystery, filled with a wealth of honest characters, that digs deep and uncovers more than the town can handle. Come for the murder, stay for playgroup, and lunch buffet.

A dark tale of nature versus nurture, and jazz. Can we escape out fate, or are we destined to compete the circle? And, how real are our inner demons? This comic team tackles these heavy subjects with beautiful words and images.

Book two in the verbose series of cosmo-political evolution. Is fate or behavior the enemy?

The '80s toy/cartoon sensations are back, again, in a grittier world with stakes, and non-robotic vans. While the Autobots' deadly plight is the story's engine, the human characters are its heart.

Metal, monsters, mayhem, and meaning! A heart warming/breaking tale, packed full of passion and hope in the face of hopelessness. An amazing first-time art collaboration.

A painfully prescient, post-pandemic, near-future mystery packed with familiar detective novel vibes, but sealed in plastic and steel.

The most accessible treatise on the often befuddling subject. Unlike a dry rules and regulation manual, this is a witty and memorable read. One that shall remain within arm's reach from now on. A must for writers and editors.

This timeless DC title, filled my childhood with possibility, then—through high school and college—taught me about darkness and betrayal. They return in a lively, but epic tale of pantheon proportions.

With myriad craft books on writing, drawing, storytelling, inking, lettering, and coloring comics that date back to the '70s, none have tackled the invisible art of editing. Bond and co., built a manual to be read, dogeared, and on-hand for—not only editors—but all comic creators.

A fascinating sociological and historical study of macro behavior, and a sobering look at each generation’s role. A near fantastic book, filled with hard to shake Nostradamus-like predictions written in the mid-'90s.

A rich and humorous tale, anchored in familial identity, yet a challenge to convention at nearly every turn. As much a modern classic, as an unvarnished reflection of an fully-expressed Americana.

A joyous telling of this intergalactic tale in iambic pentameter. Each character comes alive in a new, yet familiar, way. The beauty of the form asks the reader to envision this live, on stage.

Though I've read and re-read this book since the '70s, when I heard Andy Serkis narrated the unabridged Lord of the Rings, I bought the audio series. Sheer magic. If you LOVE the books, this is a must-listen.

Connelly's separate series police-detectives unite to stoke the faint embers of a cold case that ignites one of the best partnerships.

A new type of superhero, birthed from the spirit of Jack Kirby, set in familiar unreality of European comics, and crafted by Pope's humanist hand and heart. Sure to be a curled and dogeared favorite for a few generations.

Nobody, and no extremity is safe in this post-apocalyptic/kaiju/superhero/psycho-urban fantasy, told in pure grimdark fashion. A cult favorite in the making. Considering the cult is anyone who reads this.