Recommended Reading

Looking for some good fiction? Or something to inspire your next fantasy or sci-fi project? I’ve got you covered.

World-Building Fodder

An Edible History of Humanity by Tom Standage
The entire history of humanity (more or less) told through the lens of food. How does the availability or scarcity of food alter the course of history? How can switching from wheat to potatoes transform a society? Everyone has to eat, and what we eat may have more history to it than we realize.

Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari
If you’re writing an in-depth history of your world, right back to the origins of civilization, “Sapiens” is a must-read. It traces the journey of humanity from our evolutionary past to the cultural intricacies of our present, outlining the major historical twists and turns we took along the way. The author does a particularly good job of showing the path of consequence and how one development leads into another, while also acknowledging the randomness sometimes at play in determining which philosophy or culture group becomes ascendant.

Fun Fiction

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
An orc adventurer tires of fighting monsters and decides to open the first café the city of Thune has ever seen. While the tagline describes it as “a novel of high fantasy and low stakes”, I was deeply concerned with the success of Viv’s café, and I suspect you will be, too. Read at your favorite local espresso joint for extra vibes.

Writing About Writing

Romancing the Beat by Gwen Hayes
The definitive guide to romance plot structure. If you’re struggling to make your romantic plots or subplots compelling, this book can help troubleshoot. It outlines all the main beats of a satisfying romance and explains why they matter. Lest you fear things get too formulaic, the author does dedicate space to talking about how you can vary these beats and mix them up without losing their most important features. Even if you want to do something different with your romance, this compact book will teach you the “rules” so you can break them effectively.

Writing into the Dark by Dean Wesley Smith
“A guide to writing without an outline” may sound like a contradiction, but in a world where plotting is the norm, a book like this can help you break from limiting beliefs and try something new. With advice on how to combat the twin dragons of self-doubt and writer’s block, this book will have you re-thinking how you’ll write your next novel.