Recently, I discovered that logging my reading time and setting reading goals for myself led me to actually finishing books in a timely fashion. I struggle from the issue of wanting to read 8 books at once, so using some form of tracking to see how far I have to go, where I’m at in my goal, and what I’ve accomplished so far has been of immense use. I currently use The Story Graph, an app developed by a small team that has some robust analytics. You can follow me here.
With all that being said, I figured I’d offer some brief reviews on everything I’ve read this year (so far). I’m currently sitting at 29/40 for my goal, with three books in progress – The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold, Neuromancer by William Gibson, and The Dragonbone Chair by Tad Williams. After that, I’m sure I’ll find some good books to finish out the year.
Without further ado, here are my brief reviews of my 2026 books, in chronological order.
- Halo: The Fall of Reach by Eric Nylund
I decided to try and read every published Halo novel, and started off with the book that started them all – the tale of the creation of the SPARTAN-II program, the demise of the military stronghold world of Reach and the transition into one of the greatest stories told in gaming. Nylund has a great grip on pacing and action, and every individual story is fun to read and rich in detail. 4 war crimes to save the species out of 5.
- Halo: The Flood by William Dietz
When I read this one as a teenager, it wasn’t my favorite because I would have rather just played the game. On revisiting it, I thoroughly enjoyed Dietz’ characterization of the Marines stranded on the ring, as well as fleshing out some more of Master Chief’s story beyond the missions in the game. 4 overloaded reactor cores out of 5.
- Lies Weeping by Glen Cook
One of my favorite authors, Glen Cook revisits his seminal series about The Black Company in Lies Weeping, picking up the story 25 years after the last book, Soldiers Live, was published. A masterclass in point of view, Cook weaves the tale between Croaker as The Silent Watcher, as well as his adopted daughters Shukrat and Arkana. Each point of view has a distinct voice and character, and the chapters read as if they were truly diary entries/recordings in the Annals of the Company. Cook also performs what I can only describe as the greatest act of authorial swagger I’ve ever read. 5 flying carpet rides out of 5.
- Halo: First Strike by Eric Nylund
Bridging the gap between the ending of Halo: Combat Evolved and the start of Halo 2, First Strike reunites John-117, the Master Chief, with his Spartan teammates on Blue Team as they work to stop an invasion fleet mustering to assault Earth. We’re introduced to the Jiralhanae (Brutes), and Linda, the greatest sniper in science fiction, pulls off some of the most insanely cool shots I’ve ever read. Who hangs upside down from a cable in broad daylight shooting Banshees out of the sky? 4 assaults on the control room out of 5.
- Destination: Void by Frank Herbert
A lesser-known novel, a spaceship full of clones works to develop artificial intelligence on an shipboard computer. If they succeed, the ship explodes. If they fail, the ship explodes. Spoiler: they succeed and the ship doesn’t explode. A little too hard sci-fi for my liking, but I’ve heard the follow-up novels are a little less technically dense and jargon-y, so there’s hope yet. 2.5 artificial intelligences run amok out of 5.
- Pietr the Latvian by Georges Simenon
The literary introduction of Inspector Maigret, the French answer to any number of fictional detectives. Maigret is a fun character, and you could make the argument he’s a sort of proto-Jack Reacher, albeit without the violence. He’s persistent, an excellent investigator, and overall very competent. Simenon does quite a lot with very little – you really feel like you’re in Paris and other locales despite his spartan descriptions. 4 assumed identities out of 5.
- Sweet Silver Blues by Glen Cook
Another introduction of an investigator, this novel is the first in Cook’s Garrett P.I. series. Garrett is an able and tenacious detective working for the right price. Cook’s worldbuilding and setting of TunFaire, the large city where Garrett does much of his work, are top-notch. Garrett is the perfect blend of the best pulp fiction and noir detectives, and his compatriots whom he employs are a fun diversion. No crazy twists, but the book provides ample action and fun, with a colorful cast of characters. 5 Saucerhead Tharpes out of 5.
- The Late Monsieur Gallet by Georges Simenon
I’m sure there’s more about this novel that I liked, but I honestly don’t remember. Maigret is again enjoyable and Simenon’s prose, while spare, is serviceable. 3.5 stolen identities out of 5.
- The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie
Incredible characterization, and an excellent story. While the prose isn’t earth-shattering and the story isn’t anything crazy, the real way this novel shines is in the diverse and immensely enjoyable cast of characters. Sand dan Glokta is in competition for one of my favorite characters I’ve ever read. You have to be realistic about these things. 4.5 bodies found floating by the docks out of 5.
- Bitter Gold Hearts by Glen Cook
The second outing of Garrett, a convoluted tale of blackmail, kidnapping, and powers way beyond Garrett’s control. Recurring characters of Saucerhead Tharpe, Morley Dotes, The Dead Man, Dean, and others are fun, and Cook’s characteristic dialogue and everyman point of view is always a joy to read. “Hell called the proceedings to disorder” is among my favorite lines I’ve read this year. 4 Storm Wardens out of 5.
- Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie
Picking up on the tale of Logen Ninefingers and all the others, a story that fleshes out more of Logen, Bayaz, Glokta, and all the others, as well as the continued palace intrigue, war, and battles between powers. You can never have enough knives. 4.5 Named Men of the North out of 5.
- The Hanged Man of Saint-Pholien by Georges Simenon
Another outing of Maigret, we can aptly summarize this as a tale of man’s inhumanity to man, and the lengths we will go to protect our future from our past. Not my favorite, but not the worst. 3.5 college friends out of 5.
- Halo: The Ghosts of Onyx by Eric Nylund
One of the first Halo novels not featuring Master Chief at the center, we focus instead on one of his former teammates, a Spartan named Kurt who gets recruited to run the SPARTAN-III program. Catastrophic losses and incredible heroism bookend this novel, and Kurt goes down as one of the most badass Spartans in a universe chock-full of them. 4 shield worlds out of 5.
- The Last Argument of Kings by Joe Abercrombie
Bayaz is a real jerk. Logen is a painfully tragic character. Glokta remains devious, and the end of this trilogy lives up to the expectations. 4.5 instances of being locked in the Tower of the Maker out of 5.
- George Falls Through Time by Ryan Collett
Very much not my typical read, but a fascinating interpretation of St. George and the Dragon. Reading through the point of view of a gay character transported to the 1300s was fascinating, and overall the growth George goes through by the end of the novel is encouraging and hopeful. 3.5 time-traveling dragons out of 5.
- Hyperion by Dan Simmons
One of the greatest sci-fi novels ever written. Re-reading this as a father made the Scholar’s Tale so incredibly heartwrenching. I would go the lengths that Sol Weintraub did (and more) for Rachel. An incredible story. 5 descriptions of the sky as lapis lazuli out of 5.
- When McKinsey Comes to Town: The Hidden Influence of the World’s Most Powerful Consulting Firm by Walt Bogdanich and Michael Forsythe
Have you ever wondered why the United States sucks in a lot of ways? Look no further than consulting firm McKinsey. Boy oh boy this enlightened me and pissed me off. Especially the part about insurance. Oh, and their hand in getting Jamal Khashoggi assassinated and being on retainer for Mohammed bin Salman. 5 reasons to hate corporate greed out of 5.
- Of Monsters and Mainframes by Barbara Truelove
A pleasant surprise, this one was such a fun jaunt. The spaceship’s computer as a main character and narrator was a wonderful narrative device, and I really enjoyed the tale of redemption and revenge told over a series of years for both the ship and two of its earliest passengers. 4.5 vampire slayings out of 5.
- Poisoner in Chief: Sidney Gottlieb and the CIA Search for Mind Control by Stephen Kinzer
MK-ULTRA was a crime against humanity, and the CIA scientists involved had a catastrophically non-existent regard for human life. The United States’ complicity in harboring war criminals and using them for the same ends (e.g. Unit 731’s “experiments” on biological and chemical warfare) is reprehensible, and all of the suffering derived from these programs and men is incalculable. 4 ridiculous obsessions with LSD and mind control out of 5.
- The Fall of Hyperion by Dan Simmons
Expanding on Hyperion and continuing the tale, this follows a more traditional novel and narrative structure and is no less excellent for it. Some really fascinating ideas about artificial intelligence and an over-reliance on technology that is not easily understood, which have an amazing amount of relevance to the world today and were prescient for the 80s. 4.5 TechnoCores out of 5.
- Blood, Sweat & Chrome: The Wild and True Story of Mad Max: Fury Road by Kyle Buchanan
An absolutely wild ride through one of the most chaotic film productions ever made. George Miller is a visionary and a madman, and the level of camaraderie experienced through making this film is palpable through this book. 4 War Boys yelling WITNESS ME out of 5.
- The Stranger in the Woods: The Extraordinary Story of the Last True Hermit by Michael Finkel
Have you ever wanted to be alone so bad you lived in the woods for 20 years? Christopher Knight, aka the North Pond Hermit, did, and he ended up stealing from cabins and summer camps to do so. 3.5 retreats from society out of 5.
- Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman
Buehlman’s other books I’ve read, namely The Blacktongue Thief, have all been excellent. Between Two Fires is no exception. A riveting tale of redemption, honor, and doing the right thing even when there’s no reward. 5 surviving the Bubonic Plague and literal demons and devils out of 5
- The God is Not Willing by Steven Erikson
Erikson’s Malazan Book of the Fallen is my favorite series of all time, and the first entry in The Witness series lives up to the hype. Not as long or philosophically inclined as the original series or the Kharkanas prequel series, this book still manages to blend the action, excitement, compassion, and humor found throughout Erikson’s work. 5 looting tombs in the realm of Shadows out of 5
- Dreamsnake by Vonda N. McIntyre
An absolutely riveting tale of a post-apocalyptic Earth filled with people just trying to do their best. Snake’s work as a healer and her journey to help those who perhaps cannot help themselves, as well as the bonds she finds in this journey are immaculate. Snake’s travels and trials show the indomitable will of the human spirit and that the bonds between a found family can be greater than those of blood. 5 dreamsnakes out of 5.
- No Life Forsaken by Steven Erikson
The second book in the Witness series, and a completely new and fascinating cast of characters. The slightly insane sappers in the Marines, High Fist Arenfall, and the machinations of all the parties involved lead to an absolutely ripper of a book. 5 bhok’arala flinging feces out of 5.
- Cold Copper Tears by Glen Cook
Garrett’s third outing. Another book where the ending is not easily discovered, and the twists and turns keep you engaged throughout. You gotta love Garrett’s tenacity, even when he isn’t the brightest, strongest, or most charming. 4 missing religious relics out of 5.
- Old Tin Sorrows by Glen Cook
Garrett’s fourth adventure, and this one takes place in a sprawling country estate. Less of a locked room mystery than a “why-is-everyone-dying-at-this-mansion” tale of hidden malfeasance. An excellent twist and in keeping with Garrett’s code of moral justice. 4 ghostly apparitions out of 5.
- Going Postal by Terry Pratchett
What if a criminal sentenced to die is rescued only to spearhead the revival of that most noble of institutions – the post office? Moist von Lipwig is one of Pratchett’s finest characters, and his efforts to always go bigger and better are endearing and inspiring. An excellent entry point into Discworld, and a hilarious, page-turning read. I cranked through this in 4 days. 5 Postmasters bedecked in a golden suit and hat out of 5.
I’ll follow up with the final 11 books of my goal, as well as my favorite read of the year. Thanks for reading.
Nate Livsey 