My toxic trait is I like to buy dense, esoteric non-fiction books at the bookstore, tell myself I'm going to read them, and then put them down halfway through because I've lost interest.
I want to do a complete 180 and pick something that is the exact opposite of what I would normally read. Lately, I have been watching "manly-man" movies that I ordinarily would never watch (The Northman, The Departed, The Mummy). Think movies that aren't objectively good (The Departed is objectively good), but they are just fun watches. I want something like that in book for. Something full of testosterone-fueled action and is a true page turner.
I've recently watched the TV series for The Lincoln Laywer and The Last Kingdom. Something like that would be good, but not those particular series. Either a fast-paced thriller like The Lincoln Lawyer or a bloody historical fiction story like The Last Kingdom.
by CaroleKann
21 Comments
John Krakauer might scratch that itch
You are looking for Jack Reacher.
The Lincoln Lawyer is based on Michael Connelly’s books. You could also try Daniel Silva’s Gabriel Allon series or Shogun by James Clavell.
The Last Kingdom is based on a book series as you probably know, I haven’t read all of them yet but the ones I have read were quite good and the combat scenes are really well-written.
Been a while since I read this book but I think it fits what you’re looking for perfectly – Juggernaut by Adam Baker. Mercenaries looking for Saddam’s gold in Iraq, 2005, that have to fight off zombies among other things.
The Thousand Crimes of Ming Tsu by Tom Lin is a bloody, supernatural/surrealist Western and it’s awesome!
Both of those series are based on books, so your answer is right there. Check out books by those authors if you enjoy that kind of action and subject, although you could stay pretty content with Cornwell. I think the Last Kingdom series is over a dozen books.
I enjoy all of a Michael Connolly’s books. I prefer the Bosch books over the Mickey Haller ones.
>a bloody historical fiction story like The Last Kingdom.
The TV show was based on a 13 book series (also sometimes called The Saxon Tales, by Bernard Cornwell) that is a great read. Imo the author is very concise so the books were a breeze and a joy to read (for me at least). The author is a historian so it’s a neat perspective, and the versions of the books I read had a little section where the author explains which parts were real and which were totally made up.
The Moonshine Wars by Elmore Leonard, seems that it might fit the bill.
The Culture novels by Iain M Banks (especially Use of Weapons).
The Witcher books by Sapkowski.
The Gentleman Bastard sequence by Scott Lynch.
The Hap and Leonard series by Joe Lansdale.
I would suggest the following authors, some have a more “manly” tone than others, but many of their works are men of action.
James Clavell, Ernest Hemingway, John Steinbeck, Bernard Cornwell, James Michener, Michael Crichton, Leon Uris
{{Heroes Die}}
“Familiaris” by David Wroblewski. A lot of aspects to this book. Hard to generalize the book into a genre. It’s lengthy. It will make you reflect on your own life at various points. It’s a generational, character-driven story that when it’s done, you realize it was ultimately a “true love story”, not to be confused with a “romance book”.
May not be exactly a “masculine” book but there are a good number of male characters, one of which you will be able to relate to on one level or another.
Highly recommend the audiobook and the hardcover.
Perhaps Cormac McCarthy for you: *The Crossing*, or *Blood Meridian* maybe.
Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames is a great action-fantasy in the mood of The Expendables. A band of “too old for this” mercenary style monster hunters needs to get the team back together for a rescue mission.
There are many best sellers from the 1980s that meet this description. Tom Clancy, Robert Ludlum, John LaCarre, John Grisham – all great, many of their works already listed here. My favorite from the time is Michael Crichton.
Any Jack Reacher novel by Lee Child
(It doesn’t matter which, they’re non linear)
Death Benefits by Thomas Perry
Try “The Revenant” by Michael Punke (the movie is based on it). Pete Heller’s latest “Burn” is a short read about two hiking buddies who realize the world went to pot while they were in the woods, and how they survive to get home. Stephen King’s books like “The Long Walk” or “The Green Mile” might scratch that itch, too.
Joe Abercrombie’s The First Law series
I mean.. idk if this considered masculine, but I’m reading the Dungeon crawler carl series and loving it. I recommend it to everyone. Its just a ton of fun.
Tier 1 by Andrew & Wilson (whole series is great). Tier 1 operators who shoot up the bad guys. Well written for this particular genre. Authors were actually operators (or adjacent)
Jo Nesbo