My Favorite Books
To make a list of my favorite books complete, I have to start at the beginning. I was not too fond of reading in kindergarten and did not pick up a book for fun until about the fifth grade. I listed some early gems to provide a perspective into my twisted mind. Side note: I do not expect you to look up these ancient titles and click “buy it now.”
My first favorite book was The New Adventures of The Mad Scientists Club by Bertrand Brinley. It was about a bunch of kids who had adventures with loose technology tie-ins. I must have read that book ten times. I still have my beat-up copy and looked it over for this article. The author had a basic writing style with great story techniques. Perfect for a kid learning how to read.
In junior high, I read Lightning in His Hand, the Life Story of Nikola Tesla by Inez Hunt. Tesla was a fantastic man, and I wanted to know everything about my hero. I still have the book, and I glanced at a few pages. The content surprised me because the author glorified the man rather than presenting the facts. I was also surprised that the copyright date was 1964. The writing was basic, but this story was perfect for a kid who wanted to learn about his hero.
There were, of course, the Hardy Boys series and a book titled, Torpedo Run by Robb White. These were available at our local library, along with other kids’ books. I had another favorite that I am struggling to remember the title. It was about two boys taking a white-water rafting raft trip down the Grand Canyon. One boy was named Crowbar. I wanted to have an adventure like that. Friends like that as well…
In high school, I enrolled in advanced English classes and got into the classics. Jack London! What an author. I loved White Fang and Call of the Wild. Another favorite book was A Bell for Adano by John Hersey. This was the first book that got me hooked on excellent writing. Then there was Earnest Hemingway, For Whom The Bell Tolls and Old Man And The Sea. What an author! His words had so much depth and perspective.
Notably missing from this newfound reading experience was science fiction. At that point in my life, I had no interest, but that changed when a friend loaned me his copy of Hitchhiker’s Guide to The Galaxy. I was hooked and read everything by Douglas Adams. Then I branched out into other science fiction, but non-fiction was notably missing from this early list. To me, reading about actual events was not fun. Also, non-fiction books for kids were not popular.
I did not have time to read in college because it was study or perish. While I took several English classes (I have an English minor) they were less advanced than my high school classes. In fact, I re-read many books. Alright, truth. Sometimes I did not re-read them. I still had the same high school write-ups/reports and tweaked them to fit what my college professors asked for. Based on my fellow students, East Coast schools were much stronger in math but weaker in English.
After college, reading held no interest for me. Libraries have fallen out of favor, and books cost money. Bookstores do not refund your money if you like a book. How rude!
Two events changed the course of my reading. Bang! The internet. Cheap books! Free books!!! Online reviews! Wow! The problem was that reading a long book on a computer screen was difficult. Then came book e-readers—a perfect combination. I began reading A LOT. I was finishing 1-2 books a week. I even set up a stand for my Paperwhite Kindle and a carefully positioned reading lamp to comfortably read in bed. I expanded into every conceivable topic and read every night. It was a whole new world of story and knowledge.
Not you know my twisted history and here are my most enjoyable books:
One day, I was talking to my friend Dave about books. He was an avid reader and mentioned The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. (I did not know who he was.) The story blew me away. The Graveyard Book is probably the best book I have ever read. I instantly dived into Neil’s books and read every scrap I could find. Neverwhere, an astounding work. So over-the-top and completely creative. What a fantastic author. Neil, if you read this, please write a sequel to The Graveyard Book.
I had always known that Tom Clancy wrote great spy stories. However, I thought his books were too complex to understand or read. After two years of hardcore reading, I felt I was at the reading level where I could attempt one of his works. I downloaded The Hunt for the Red October. What a brilliant book, and to my surprise, it was not as difficult as I had imagined. I liked the premise behind his stories and the prominent characters. My only complaint was that Tom Clancy jumped around too much, even within paragraphs. I eagerly awaited his subsequent work, and suddenly, Tom Clancy passed away—a sad day. The new guy that “writes in the Tom Clancy universe” does not have the gift. Bummer.
I discovered the John Wells spy novel series by Alex Berenson. In many ways, I like Alex’s books much more than Tom Clancy’s. His stories are personal, believable, and have realistic plots. I cannot wait until his next book. On a side note, his books inspired me to write my third book, Cable Ties.
I randomly came across The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. What a fantastic book, and all of his other books were outstanding.
Another talented author is Homer Hickam. I loved the Rocket Boys series. What an amazing life he led—a superb storyteller.
The rest of the books I wanted to mention were one-hit wonders. I wouldn’t say I liked the other books by that author.
700 Sundays by Billy Crystal. He led an extraordinary life and had wonderful stories. I truly felt like I was in the same room with Billy as he told me his life story.
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. A very intense, creative book that gave me a lot to think about.
Guns Up! by Johnnie Clark. It is a fantastic description of being a soldier in Vietnam. Excellent characters and writing. Again, a lot to think about.
One Survivor by Marcus Luttrell. I like good stories about great people. This book was no exception, and I enjoyed every word. However, I’m learning that some facts were “stretched.” Still a good read.
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. A sincere and personal story. Life was difficult back then, and this book is a stark reminder. A popular book and a great read.
Escape From Camp 14 by Blaine Harden. This book contains an astounding story of survival in a horrible place. North Korea is a stain on our great world, and we must do more to help the people there. A painful but good read.
Catch Me If You Can by Frank Abagnale. A great storybook about an audacious conman. His words had such personality, and he led a fantastic life.
Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson. This book blew me away. It had the most complex story I have ever read. Simply astounding. The problem is that Neal took this theme too far in his next books. They were too complex, and I could not untangle the plot enough to enjoy the story. Perhaps if his later works came with a guide, I might have gotten into them.
Digital Apollo by D. Mindell. The Apollo program was the genesis of modern embedded computing. This book is a fascinating account of this early effort. It touches on every aspect of how big projects come together. This intriguing read left a big impression.
Failure Is Not an Option by Gene Kranz. This book is in the same vein as Digital Apollo. The difference is that this story is focused on management.
Mao's Great Famine by Frank Dikotter. This book is a detailed study of the largest failure ever. Over 30 million people lost their lives to multiple artificial catastrophes. These people needed a voice, and we need to understand the past so that we do not repeat it. This read was painful but essential.
The Mosquito Coast by Paul Theroux. This book is hilarious, and it made me ask: Is he that smart or that crazy? Such a splendid book. The movie was not great as it failed to capture the book’s crazy spirit.
Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern. This book made me laugh out loud so many times. What a brilliant account of a person who does not care about what anybody else thinks.
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes by Caitlin Doughty. The neat thing about books is they can transport you anywhere. I did not know what goes on in a funeral home. This book brings readers to a fascinating place and is a great story about someone finding herself.
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig. This book is a complete enigma. It was simple yet astounding. Superb characters that did little. This book should be required reading, but to understand why, you must read it yourself. Best title ever!
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. This book was as inspiring as it was depressing. A fascinating story about a wonderful man. This book was the most emotional story I ever read.
A Writer at War by Vasily Grossman (Antony Beevor). I struggled to ask myself if I should include this book. It was an extremely tough read. People can be over-the-top cruel, and the wreckage they leave behind will forever haunt us. A paragraph in this book is a stark reminder of just how much evil can exist on this earth. I think about this paragraph occasionally, and I choose not to share the details because this list should be fun.
Books do not have to be epic to be great. They can be harsh, thought-provoking, and confrontational. A Writer at War gave me a lot to think about in a bad way. I enjoyed it for the same reason I enjoy eating sour candy. Do I recommend you read it? I am unsure, but it is a story that must be told.
And finally, Interviewing Immortality by well… Me. Is this a shameless plug? Perhaps. I have read my story at least 50 times during my self-edits. I wrestled with each word and made many changes. I went to bed thinking of the characters and woke up thinking about the plot. It was a struggle, a joy, a failure, a pain, a success, a chore, and an inspiration.
So why do I include my book? After all the blood, sweat, and tears that went into creating a book worthy of putting on the market, I still like the story. My characters are honest, and they go on a true journey. My words have heart, and the plot still captures my interest. I want to know what happens next in their lives. Now, here is the real question. Would I like to buy this book at a bookstore? At full price? Without a refund? Is this truly the type of story I would like to read?
I have considered this story for over 20 years, and it never got boring. The answer is a definite yes. This story is precisely the type I enjoy. I believe the unique story premise firmly stands on its own. I also like the characters. They have their own agenda, flaws, and mysteries. At the same time, they amaze and surprise.
It’s funny. Just last night, I was writing the third book in the series, Saving Immortality, and I had to look at Interviewing Immortality to ensure I had a correct fact. As I searched, I began reading. While I have almost memorized every word, I still wanted to read the next paragraph. The story still intrigues me. No, this is not a shameless promotion. I think that I would enjoy this reading this book if I was transported to a reality where I knew nothing about it. I would be excited to read the sequel and see what other books were in the works. Bill Conrad could be my new favorite author. (Alright, truth. Even I have to admit that that last sentence was a shameless plug. Let’s hope he is not one hit author.)
I enjoyed about 100 other books but did not feel they needed to be included. So little time. The question is: What does my favorite selection of books say about me? I have many interests and specific story tastes. For example, I would not read a book just to read. It needs to be something specific to attract my attention. A lot of my life is like that. No gray areas. I suppose the characters I write about also do not have gray areas. That is probably why I enjoy reading my works.
You’re the best -Bill
August 08, 2018 Updated July 15, 2023
My first favorite book was The New Adventures of The Mad Scientists Club by Bertrand Brinley. It was about a bunch of kids who had adventures with loose technology tie-ins. I must have read that book ten times. I still have my beat-up copy and looked it over for this article. The author had a basic writing style with great story techniques. Perfect for a kid learning how to read.
In junior high, I read Lightning in His Hand, the Life Story of Nikola Tesla by Inez Hunt. Tesla was a fantastic man, and I wanted to know everything about my hero. I still have the book, and I glanced at a few pages. The content surprised me because the author glorified the man rather than presenting the facts. I was also surprised that the copyright date was 1964. The writing was basic, but this story was perfect for a kid who wanted to learn about his hero.
There were, of course, the Hardy Boys series and a book titled, Torpedo Run by Robb White. These were available at our local library, along with other kids’ books. I had another favorite that I am struggling to remember the title. It was about two boys taking a white-water rafting raft trip down the Grand Canyon. One boy was named Crowbar. I wanted to have an adventure like that. Friends like that as well…
In high school, I enrolled in advanced English classes and got into the classics. Jack London! What an author. I loved White Fang and Call of the Wild. Another favorite book was A Bell for Adano by John Hersey. This was the first book that got me hooked on excellent writing. Then there was Earnest Hemingway, For Whom The Bell Tolls and Old Man And The Sea. What an author! His words had so much depth and perspective.
Notably missing from this newfound reading experience was science fiction. At that point in my life, I had no interest, but that changed when a friend loaned me his copy of Hitchhiker’s Guide to The Galaxy. I was hooked and read everything by Douglas Adams. Then I branched out into other science fiction, but non-fiction was notably missing from this early list. To me, reading about actual events was not fun. Also, non-fiction books for kids were not popular.
I did not have time to read in college because it was study or perish. While I took several English classes (I have an English minor) they were less advanced than my high school classes. In fact, I re-read many books. Alright, truth. Sometimes I did not re-read them. I still had the same high school write-ups/reports and tweaked them to fit what my college professors asked for. Based on my fellow students, East Coast schools were much stronger in math but weaker in English.
After college, reading held no interest for me. Libraries have fallen out of favor, and books cost money. Bookstores do not refund your money if you like a book. How rude!
Two events changed the course of my reading. Bang! The internet. Cheap books! Free books!!! Online reviews! Wow! The problem was that reading a long book on a computer screen was difficult. Then came book e-readers—a perfect combination. I began reading A LOT. I was finishing 1-2 books a week. I even set up a stand for my Paperwhite Kindle and a carefully positioned reading lamp to comfortably read in bed. I expanded into every conceivable topic and read every night. It was a whole new world of story and knowledge.
Not you know my twisted history and here are my most enjoyable books:
One day, I was talking to my friend Dave about books. He was an avid reader and mentioned The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman. (I did not know who he was.) The story blew me away. The Graveyard Book is probably the best book I have ever read. I instantly dived into Neil’s books and read every scrap I could find. Neverwhere, an astounding work. So over-the-top and completely creative. What a fantastic author. Neil, if you read this, please write a sequel to The Graveyard Book.
I had always known that Tom Clancy wrote great spy stories. However, I thought his books were too complex to understand or read. After two years of hardcore reading, I felt I was at the reading level where I could attempt one of his works. I downloaded The Hunt for the Red October. What a brilliant book, and to my surprise, it was not as difficult as I had imagined. I liked the premise behind his stories and the prominent characters. My only complaint was that Tom Clancy jumped around too much, even within paragraphs. I eagerly awaited his subsequent work, and suddenly, Tom Clancy passed away—a sad day. The new guy that “writes in the Tom Clancy universe” does not have the gift. Bummer.
I discovered the John Wells spy novel series by Alex Berenson. In many ways, I like Alex’s books much more than Tom Clancy’s. His stories are personal, believable, and have realistic plots. I cannot wait until his next book. On a side note, his books inspired me to write my third book, Cable Ties.
I randomly came across The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. What a fantastic book, and all of his other books were outstanding.
Another talented author is Homer Hickam. I loved the Rocket Boys series. What an amazing life he led—a superb storyteller.
The rest of the books I wanted to mention were one-hit wonders. I wouldn’t say I liked the other books by that author.
700 Sundays by Billy Crystal. He led an extraordinary life and had wonderful stories. I truly felt like I was in the same room with Billy as he told me his life story.
Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card. A very intense, creative book that gave me a lot to think about.
Guns Up! by Johnnie Clark. It is a fantastic description of being a soldier in Vietnam. Excellent characters and writing. Again, a lot to think about.
One Survivor by Marcus Luttrell. I like good stories about great people. This book was no exception, and I enjoyed every word. However, I’m learning that some facts were “stretched.” Still a good read.
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand. A sincere and personal story. Life was difficult back then, and this book is a stark reminder. A popular book and a great read.
Escape From Camp 14 by Blaine Harden. This book contains an astounding story of survival in a horrible place. North Korea is a stain on our great world, and we must do more to help the people there. A painful but good read.
Catch Me If You Can by Frank Abagnale. A great storybook about an audacious conman. His words had such personality, and he led a fantastic life.
Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson. This book blew me away. It had the most complex story I have ever read. Simply astounding. The problem is that Neal took this theme too far in his next books. They were too complex, and I could not untangle the plot enough to enjoy the story. Perhaps if his later works came with a guide, I might have gotten into them.
Digital Apollo by D. Mindell. The Apollo program was the genesis of modern embedded computing. This book is a fascinating account of this early effort. It touches on every aspect of how big projects come together. This intriguing read left a big impression.
Failure Is Not an Option by Gene Kranz. This book is in the same vein as Digital Apollo. The difference is that this story is focused on management.
Mao's Great Famine by Frank Dikotter. This book is a detailed study of the largest failure ever. Over 30 million people lost their lives to multiple artificial catastrophes. These people needed a voice, and we need to understand the past so that we do not repeat it. This read was painful but essential.
The Mosquito Coast by Paul Theroux. This book is hilarious, and it made me ask: Is he that smart or that crazy? Such a splendid book. The movie was not great as it failed to capture the book’s crazy spirit.
Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern. This book made me laugh out loud so many times. What a brilliant account of a person who does not care about what anybody else thinks.
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes by Caitlin Doughty. The neat thing about books is they can transport you anywhere. I did not know what goes on in a funeral home. This book brings readers to a fascinating place and is a great story about someone finding herself.
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig. This book is a complete enigma. It was simple yet astounding. Superb characters that did little. This book should be required reading, but to understand why, you must read it yourself. Best title ever!
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. This book was as inspiring as it was depressing. A fascinating story about a wonderful man. This book was the most emotional story I ever read.
A Writer at War by Vasily Grossman (Antony Beevor). I struggled to ask myself if I should include this book. It was an extremely tough read. People can be over-the-top cruel, and the wreckage they leave behind will forever haunt us. A paragraph in this book is a stark reminder of just how much evil can exist on this earth. I think about this paragraph occasionally, and I choose not to share the details because this list should be fun.
Books do not have to be epic to be great. They can be harsh, thought-provoking, and confrontational. A Writer at War gave me a lot to think about in a bad way. I enjoyed it for the same reason I enjoy eating sour candy. Do I recommend you read it? I am unsure, but it is a story that must be told.
And finally, Interviewing Immortality by well… Me. Is this a shameless plug? Perhaps. I have read my story at least 50 times during my self-edits. I wrestled with each word and made many changes. I went to bed thinking of the characters and woke up thinking about the plot. It was a struggle, a joy, a failure, a pain, a success, a chore, and an inspiration.
So why do I include my book? After all the blood, sweat, and tears that went into creating a book worthy of putting on the market, I still like the story. My characters are honest, and they go on a true journey. My words have heart, and the plot still captures my interest. I want to know what happens next in their lives. Now, here is the real question. Would I like to buy this book at a bookstore? At full price? Without a refund? Is this truly the type of story I would like to read?
I have considered this story for over 20 years, and it never got boring. The answer is a definite yes. This story is precisely the type I enjoy. I believe the unique story premise firmly stands on its own. I also like the characters. They have their own agenda, flaws, and mysteries. At the same time, they amaze and surprise.
It’s funny. Just last night, I was writing the third book in the series, Saving Immortality, and I had to look at Interviewing Immortality to ensure I had a correct fact. As I searched, I began reading. While I have almost memorized every word, I still wanted to read the next paragraph. The story still intrigues me. No, this is not a shameless promotion. I think that I would enjoy this reading this book if I was transported to a reality where I knew nothing about it. I would be excited to read the sequel and see what other books were in the works. Bill Conrad could be my new favorite author. (Alright, truth. Even I have to admit that that last sentence was a shameless plug. Let’s hope he is not one hit author.)
I enjoyed about 100 other books but did not feel they needed to be included. So little time. The question is: What does my favorite selection of books say about me? I have many interests and specific story tastes. For example, I would not read a book just to read. It needs to be something specific to attract my attention. A lot of my life is like that. No gray areas. I suppose the characters I write about also do not have gray areas. That is probably why I enjoy reading my works.
You’re the best -Bill
August 08, 2018 Updated July 15, 2023
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