My inevitable response to The Guardian’s click-bait list is this list of a randomised 100 novels I have purchased online, read and enjoyed in the years since I had Gmail and used Amazon – as it was the easiest way to search.
I’ve tried to only include one book from any series I devoured (and that is a regular pathway for my reading – so not all of the Expanse, Spenser PI etc) and had to remember reading them!
Pretty light on women writers which is a weakness I know and it is safe to say that Literature A level and degree didn’t provide me a particularly refined ‘palette’.
- The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=The+Windup+Girl+Paolo+Bacigalupi&i=stripbooks - Gone, Baby, Gone by Dennis Lehane
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Gone+Baby+Gone+Dennis+Lehane&i=stripbooks - Gangsterland by Tod Goldberg
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Gangsterland+Tod+Goldberg&i=stripbooks - The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=The+Great+Gatsby+F+Scott+Fitzgerald&i=stripbooks - Dead I Well May Be by Adrian McKinty
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Dead+I+Well+May+Be+Adrian+McKinty&i=stripbooks - Slow Horses by Mick Herron
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Slow+Horses+Mick+Herron&i=stripbooks - Robopocalypse by Daniel H. Wilson
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Robopocalypse+Daniel+H+Wilson&i=stripbooks - Blacktop Wasteland by S. A. Cosby
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Blacktop+Wasteland+SA+Cosby&i=stripbooks - The Quantum Thief by Hannu Rajaniemi
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=The+Quantum+Thief+Hannu+Rajaniemi&i=stripbooks - The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=The+Long+Way+to+a+Small+Angry+Planet+Becky+Chambers&i=stripbooks - Painted Ladies by Robert B. Parker
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Painted+Ladies+Robert+B+Parker&i=stripbooks - Sourdough by Robin Sloan
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Sourdough+Robin+Sloan&i=stripbooks - Guns of Brixton by Mark Timlin
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Guns+of+Brixton+Mark+Timlin&i=stripbooks - The Damned Utd by David Peace
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=The+Damned+Utd+David+Peace&i=stripbooks - Futuristic Violence and Fancy Suits by David Wong
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Futuristic+Violence+and+Fancy+Suits+David+Wong&i=stripbooks - Seveneves by Neal Stephenson
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Seveneves+Neal+Stephenson&i=stripbooks - The Ranger by Ace Atkins
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=The+Ranger+Ace+Atkins&i=stripbooks - The Given Day by Dennis Lehane
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=The+Given+Day+Dennis+Lehane&i=stripbooks - Embassytown by China Miéville
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Embassytown+China+Mieville&i=stripbooks - Razor Girl by Carl Hiaasen
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Razor+Girl+Carl+Hiaasen&i=stripbooks - The Peripheral by William Gibson
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=The+Peripheral+William+Gibson&i=stripbooks - Leviathan Wakes by James S. A. Corey
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Leviathan+Wakes+James+SA+Corey&i=stripbooks - Quarry by Max Allan Collins
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Quarry+Max+Allan+Collins&i=stripbooks - The Fortress of Solitude by Jonathan Lethem
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=The+Fortress+of+Solitude+Jonathan+Lethem&i=stripbooks - This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=This+is+How+You+Lose+the+Time+War&i=stripbooks - Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Jonathan+Strange+and+Mr+Norrell+Susanna+Clarke&i=stripbooks - Children of Time by Adrian Tchaikovsky
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Children+of+Time+Adrian+Tchaikovsky&i=stripbooks - King Suckerman by George Pelecanos
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=King+Suckerman+George+Pelecanos&i=stripbooks - Chicago: A Novel by David Mamet
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Chicago+Novel+David+Mamet&i=stripbooks - The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=The+Murderbot+Diaries+Martha+Wells&i=stripbooks - The Power of the Dog by Don Winslow
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=The+Power+of+the+Dog+Don+Winslow&i=stripbooks - Station Eleven by Emily St John Mandel
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Station+Eleven+Emily+St+John+Mandel&i=stripbooks - Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Ancillary+Justice+Ann+Leckie&i=stripbooks - The Cold Cold Ground by Adrian McKinty
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=The+Cold+Cold+Ground+Adrian+McKinty&i=stripbooks - American Tabloid by James Ellroy
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=American+Tabloid+James+Ellroy&i=stripbooks - Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Ready+Player+One+Ernest+Cline&i=stripbooks - The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=The+Ministry+for+the+Future+Kim+Stanley+Robinson&i=stripbooks - Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Daisy+Jones+and+The+Six+Taylor+Jenkins+Reid&i=stripbooks - Fletch by Gregory Mcdonald
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Fletch+Gregory+Mcdonald&i=stripbooks - Dune by Frank Herbert
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Dune+Frank+Herbert&i=stripbooks - The Atrocity Archives by Charles Stross
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=The+Atrocity+Archives+Charles+Stross&i=stripbooks - Cry Pilot by Joel Dane
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Cry+Pilot+Joel+Dane&i=stripbooks - The Black Echo by Michael Connelly
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=The+Black+Echo+Michael+Connelly&i=stripbooks - Donnybrook by Frank Bill
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Donnybrook+Frank+Bill&i=stripbooks - Divorcing Jack by Bateman
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Divorcing+Jack+Colin+Bateman&i=stripbooks - Kung Fu by Ryan Gattis
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Kung+Fu+Ryan+Gattis&i=stripbooks - Fire Sale: V.I. Warshawski by Sara Paretsky
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Fire+Sale+Warshawski+Sara+Paretsky&i=stripbooks - L. A. Requiem by Robert Crais
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=LA+Requiem+Robert+Crais&i=stripbooks - Galveston by Nic Pizzolatto
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Galveston+Nic+Pizzolatto&i=stripbooks - The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay by Michael Chabon
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=The+Amazing+Adventures+of+Kavalier+and+Clay+Michael+Chabon&i=stripbooks - The Calculating Stars by Mary Robinette Kowal
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=The+Calculating+Stars+Mary+Robinette+Kowal&i=stripbooks - Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Project+Hail+Mary+Andy+Weir&i=stripbooks - Savage Season by Joe R. Lansdale
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Savage+Season+Joe+R+Lansdale&i=stripbooks - A Violent Masterpiece by Jordan Harper
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=A+Violent+Masterpiece+Jordan+Harper&i=stripbooks - The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=The+Sisters+Brothers+Patrick+deWitt&i=stripbooks - Death by Hollywood by Steven Bochco
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Death+by+Hollywood+Steven+Bochco&i=stripbooks - Country of the Bad Wolfes by James Carlos Blake
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Country+of+the+Bad+Wolfes+James+Carlos+Blake&i=stripbooks - True Detective (Nathan Heller) by Max Allan Collins
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=True+Detective+Nathan+Heller+Max+Allan+Collins&i=stripbooks - It’s Superman!: A Novel by Tom De Haven
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=It%27s+Superman+Novel+Tom+De+Haven&i=stripbooks - Wool by Hugh Howey
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Wool+Hugh+Howey&i=stripbooks - Appaloosa (Virgil Cole & Everett Hitch) by Robert B. Parker
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Appaloosa+Virgil+Cole+Robert+B+Parker&i=stripbooks - Red Moon by Kim Stanley Robinson
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Red+Moon+Kim+Stanley+Robinson&i=stripbooks - The Water Knife by Paolo Bacigalupi
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=The+Water+Knife+Paolo+Bacigalupi&i=stripbooks - Reamde by Neal Stephenson
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Reamde+Neal+Stephenson&i=stripbooks - Road Dogs by Elmore Leonard
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Road+Dogs+Elmore+Leonard&i=stripbooks - Redshirts by John Scalzi
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Redshirts+John+Scalzi&i=stripbooks - The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=The+Hunger+Games+Suzanne+Collins&i=stripbooks - JPod by Douglas Coupland
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=JPod+Douglas+Coupland&i=stripbooks - I, Sniper by Stephen Hunter
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=I+Sniper+Stephen+Hunter&i=stripbooks - The Girl With All The Gifts by M. R. Carey
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=The+Girl+With+All+The+Gifts+MR+Carey&i=stripbooks - The Long Fall by Walter Mosley
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=The+Long+Fall+Walter+Mosley&i=stripbooks - Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Tomorrow+and+Tomorrow+and+Tomorrow+Gabrielle+Zevin&i=stripbooks - A Red Death by Walter Mosley
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=A+Red+Death+Walter+Mosley&i=stripbooks - Win by Harlan Coben
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Win+Harlan+Coben&i=stripbooks - King Con by Stephen J. Cannell
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=King+Con+Stephen+J+Cannell&i=stripbooks - Foundation by Isaac Asimov
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Foundation+Isaac+Asimov&i=stripbooks - The Mimicking of Known Successes by Malka Older
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=The+Mimicking+of+Known+Successes+Malka+Older&i=stripbooks - Jade City by Fonda Lee
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Jade+City+Fonda+Lee&i=stripbooks - Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Sandman+Slim+Richard+Kadrey&i=stripbooks - City on Fire by Don Winslow
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=City+on+Fire+Don+Winslow&i=stripbooks - Storm Front by Jim Butcher
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Storm+Front+Jim+Butcher+Dresden&i=stripbooks - Summerland by Hannu Rajaniemi
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Summerland+Hannu+Rajaniemi&i=stripbooks - Everybody Knows by Jordan Harper
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Everybody+Knows+Jordan+Harper&i=stripbooks - The City We Became by N. K. Jemisin
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=The+City+We+Became+NK+Jemisin&i=stripbooks - All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=All+the+Pretty+Horses+Cormac+McCarthy&i=stripbooks - Caught Stealing by Charlie Huston
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Caught+Stealing+Charlie+Huston&i=stripbooks - Tom & Lucky (and George & Cokey Flo) by C. Joseph Greaves
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Tom+and+Lucky+C+Joseph+Greaves&i=stripbooks - King Sorrow by Joe Hill
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=King+Sorrow+Joe+Hill&i=stripbooks - Gangland by Chuck Hogan
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Gangland+Chuck+Hogan&i=stripbooks - The Verifiers by Jane Pek
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=The+Verifiers+Jane+Pek&i=stripbooks - Strip For Murder by Max Allan Collins
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Strip+For+Murder+Max+Allan+Collins&i=stripbooks - Consider Phlebas by Iain M. Banks
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Consider+Phlebas+Iain+M+Banks&i=stripbooks - Old Man’s War by John Scalzi
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Old+Man%27s+War+John+Scalzi&i=stripbooks - Once Upon a Time in Hollywood by Quentin Tarantino
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Once+Upon+a+Time+in+Hollywood+Quentin+Tarantino&i=stripbooks - The Martian by Andy Weir
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=The+Martian+Andy+Weir&i=stripbooks - Miami Blues by Charles Willeford
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Miami+Blues+Charles+Willeford&i=stripbooks - Mr Penumbra’s 24-hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Mr+Penumbra%27s+24-hour+Bookstore+Robin+Sloan&i=stripbooks - Drayton and Mackenzie by Alexander Starritt
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Drayton+and+Mackenzie+Alexander+Starritt&i=stripbooks - Starter Villain by John Scalzi
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Starter+Villain+John+Scalzi&i=stripbooks - The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=The+Kaiju+Preservation+Society+John+Scalzi&i=stripbooks
Digital by Default 
3 responses to “100 novels (of limited literary value)”
Hi Jukesie,
Interesting list – read a few, and will put a few on my list to view.
I do enjoy reading your musings, and share a some of the work stuff with ONS colleagues.
If I may, a shout out for Bookshop.org – can support local book shops. https://uk.bookshop.org/
And I’m sure this hasn’t passed you by, but just in case: https://nation.cymru/culture/major-graffiti-and-hip-hop-festival-comes-to-wales/
Hoping your recovery continues.
Steve Vickers
Sent from Outlook for Androidhttps://aka.ms/AAb9ysg
I tried to do the links with Bookshop but I couldn’t automate it – so had to fall back to Amazon
That’s a fair shout- thank you – may have a look at that.
Regards Steve
Sent from Outlook for Androidhttps://aka.ms/AAb9ysg