Picking the next read [1]

As an avid reader, the process of picking the next read is somewhat ritualistic. A perfect blend of the unknown and giddy excitement. Browsing my bookshelves, running a hand over the new and well-worn spines or swiping through my kindle - it's an enjoyable process that never tires. 

So, how do I pick my next read? What pulls me down that dark path towards the back alleys of crime fiction or the fantastical landscapes of far away imagined worlds? Truth is, I often don't know. There's no rhyme nor reason to my choice of reads.

My regular It's Monday! What Are You Reading post shapes my reading week though it's not set in stone. 

In order to find some method to the madness, I thought I'd take a look at the books that came into contention for my latest read, having recently finished a re-read of AMERICAN SKIN by Ken Bruen.

The books:

  

  

Quite a diverse mix but true to my eclectic taste in fiction. 

THE GUARDS was very tempting - I've read this at least twice before and am keen to re-read the Jack Taylor books before next years' GREEN HELL.

I've been big into Star Wars recently, and am super excited about the new movie following the teaser trailer, hence THE LAST COMMAND making the list.

Ray Banks just felt like a good fit timing wise given the Dec release of the Blasted Heath publication.

SEAL OF THE WORM won out - basically because my pre-order of the perfect paperback edition arrived recently and this is the final book in the 10 book Shadows of the Apt series. 

To be honest, either of the above would've been great to delve into, however I think the timing was just right for SEAL OF THE WORM and a change of pace from noir to fantasy. It's also not that far removed genre-wise from the sci-fi other worldly books I've recently read in A CONFUSION OF PRINCES and SEVERANCE.