Blu Gilliand

6. The Dark Tower 1: The Gunslinger by @stephenking.bsky.social

If you've been on the fence about picking up my latest novel, please do so now. It's seeing some buzz on YouTube and I need as much momentum as possible. Thank you!

Cover of The Gunslinger by Stephen King

Pretty cool that the day I start my third journey along the Path of the Beam is the day we get confirmation of Other Worlds Than These.

5. Blue City by Ross Macdonald

It definitely moved fast for a big book. My favorite of his so far!

4. The Knives by Ed Brubaker and @seanphillips.bsky.social

3. House of Smoke by John T. Edge

2. Everybody Wants to Rule the World by @aceatkins.bsky.social

Books I Read in 2026: A Thread

1. King Sorrow by @joe-hill.bsky.social

38. Deadly Welcome by John D. Macdonald

Alex Doyle, who left his hometown under a cloud of scandal, is sent back to entice another man to return to work on an important project. Doyle encounters local thugs while trying to complete his mission and solve a related murder. Good, straightforward work.

37. Stuntman by Hal Needham

Like sitting at a bar with an old stuntman while he shares story after story about his days crashing cars, jumping off buildings, and getting blown up. You suspect there may be some, uh, embellishments here and there, but mostly you just sit back and enjoy the ride.

36. The Mistress in Black by Rosemary Timperley via @biblioasis.bsky.social

My last read in this year’s set of Seth’s Christmas Ghost Stories. Nice little read that doesn’t rise above your basic “haunted building” story, but that’s okay because it’s a tasty bit of comfort food.

35. Lady Ferry by Sarah Orne Jewett via @biblioasis.bsky.social

A young girl sent to live with her aunt and uncle while her parents travel abroad comes face-to-face with a family legend —- a woman who may be immortal, or who may be mad. A sweet, melancholy story about the power of myth and death.

34. Lucky’s Grove by H. Russell Wakefield via @biblioasis.bsky.social

Part of the annual “Seth’s Christmas Ghost Stories Series.” A Christmas tree is dug out of the ground on a hallowed plot of land, and odd events escalate, leading to a fiery and frightening conclusion. Chilling and fun.

33. Grifter’s Game by Lawrence Block from @hardcasecrime.bsky.social

A man who uses women for a living gets used himself, leading him deep into a world of heroin and murder. It’s a fairly breezy read, especially considering the scenario, that takes a pitch-black turn at the end.

32. Hard to Handle by @stevegorman.bsky.social and @stevenhyden.bsky.social

Drummer Steve Gorman steers us through the sometimes calm, sometimes cataclysmic waters of life in The Black Crowes. What could have been…

31. The Gutter and the Grave by Ed McBain (from @hardcasecrime.bsky.social)

Matt Cordell is dragged off a park bench and into an escalating series of murders and lies. A gritty piece of storytelling and thoroughly enjoyable.

30. 361 by Donald E. Westlake (from @hardcasecrime.bsky.social)

Short, sharp piece of crime fiction from an absolute master. A young man, freshly discharged from the military, gets a shocking reintroduction to civilian life, leading to a twisty path of revenge. Great, absorbing read.

29. Leviathan by Robert McCammon

The Matthew Corbett series is wrapped up with an intense thrill ride of an adventure, capped off with a heartfelt, note-perfect ending. Satisfying in every way. A tip of the tricorn hat to Mr. McCammon for this brilliant, enthralling series.

28. Seven Shades of Evil by Robert McCammon (@robertmccammon.com)

Set of short stories taking place in various spots in the Matthew Corbett timeline. Highlight is “Wandering Mary,” a gothic mystery with a possible haunting, windswept cliffs, secret exhumations, and so much more.

27. The King of Shadows by Robert McCammon (@robertmccammon.com)

Matthew and company inch closer to completing their quest for a supernatural artifact, but are sidetracked by an island that may be paradise, or may be the threshold of Hell. Lots of intrigue & some insight into two familiar villains.

26. Hatchet Girls by @joerlansdale.bsky.social

Hap and Leonard’s latest adventure is filled with typical Joe Lansdale raucousness —- there’s a meth-crazed hog, y’all —- and tinged with melancholy and a little sadness. An altogether enjoyable entry in the long-running series.

25. Cardinal Black by Robert McCammon (@robertmccammon.com)

Matthews’s side-quest to help his friends Hudson and Berry leads him straight into the proverbial wretched hive of scum and villainy. Bloodshed abounds and the pace is unrelenting. Sets the stage for the multi-volume end to the series.

24. Fletch and the Man Who by Gregory McDonald

Tells of Fletch’s time as press secretary for a leading presidential candidate —- a hard enough job as it is, made even harder when someone begins murdering women at every campaign stop. A fun, immersive read.

23. Freedom of the Mask by Robert McCammon (@robertmccammon.com)

The Matthew Corbett series is full steam ahead at this point. Mask begins with Corbett in a predicament, and ends with him on a mission. Features my favorite Corbett villain so far: Mother Deare. Long, but well-paced and fun.

22. Lay Your Armor Down by Michael Farris Smith

Two criminals, a tough, untethered woman, and a mysterious child who may or may not have powers beyond comprehension. Smith’s voice is unique and uniquely Southern, and this gothic tale from @littlebrown.bsky.social drips with dread and atmosphere.

21. The River of Souls by @robertmccammon.com

Fastest-paced entry in the Matthew Corbett series so far. An action-filled chase down a dangerous river filled with, and surrounded by, hungry gators, savage hunters, and deranged panthers, among other dangers. Fun read with a hell of a cliffhanger.

20. Bodock: Stories by Robert Busby (@robertbusbywrites.bsky.social) via @hubcitypress.bsky.social

Tales centered around the fictional town of Bodock and the real Mid-South Ice Storm of 1994. Busby writes characters with depth and warmth and examines hard truths with empathy, compassion and grit.

19. The Providence Rider by Robert McCammon (@robertmccammon.com)

Still reeling from his encounter with a vicious serial killer, Matthew Corbett is drawn into the web of his greatest enemy, Professor Fell. Brutally violent and action-packed entry in the excellent Corbett series.

18. The Mystery of the Crooked Man by Tom Spencer (@tellmelieslater.bsky.social)

The tale of Agatha Dorn, an archivist who discovers a lost manuscript from a beloved mystery writer. She enjoys minor fame & distinction until doubt is cast on her discovery & people start dying. Fun, refreshing read.