5 fictional novels I wish I had written #MondayMusings

Dr Roshan Radhakrishnan
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Today's Blog-Tember challenge asks us to write on 5 books that impacted our lives. I wanted to do a slight spin on that question and so decided to talk about a different list of 5 books.

So many times, we come across a book that is so unique and awesome that we end up saying "If I could write a book someday, it would be like this."
The thing is when people ask you to make such lists, invariably we fall into the habit of quoting self help books, religious books or fictional classics... or the Fountainhead! The problem with these kinds of lists are that good fictional novels do not get their due.

So what I am looking for is purely modern (post World War 2 era) fictional books.
No self help books. Religious books are out as well (I can't compete with 420 crore and 10 Gods plus Radhe Maa. I just can't.)

Given these criteria, what would be the ideal 5 books you wish you had written?
Here are mine.


"Twisted" by Jeffrey Deaver - Well, it is no secret that all my published stories till date have been short stories. I personally feel I can do more justice to this segment rather than a full novel. I especially love the stories which provide a worthy twist in the tale (Jeffrey Archer's earlier anthologies and Stephen King's Night Shift come to mind) but if you asked me to pin one book down, it would probably be Jeffrey Deaver's Twisted. That author is simply brilliant with his Lincoln Rhyme series (Remember the Dental Washington - Angelina Jolie thriller, "The Bone Collector"? Well, there is a whole series of novels featuring those characters and they are just brilliant.)
And his first anthology series, Twisted, was a masterclass in deceiving the reader with each of his sixteen tales.

Fun Fact: If you like Twisted, rejoice. There was a sequel to this book titled (drum rollllllll) "More Twisted"!!




"Primal Fear" by William Diehl - While it is brilliant to be able to deliver a twist with the last line of a short story, how amazing is it when after 350 odd pages, you manage to stun the reader and deliver a twist with the very last line of an actual novel?! It has been nearly twenty years since I read the trial of Aaron Stampler and I still remember the last line even today. That is the genius of the author, William Diehl.

Fun fact: The Richard Gere movie based on the book starred a young Edward Norton in what would be a career making role.




"Every Dead Thing" by John Connolly - It might surprise people who know me but given a choice, if not an outright comedy I would look to write an atmospheric horror novel. For the latter, it would not be about the blood and gore so much as the pathos of the characters. And in my mind, no one has done that as commendably as John Connolly with his Charlie Parker series. I mean, My God! The themes of the novels can be so mortifying and harrowing for this tormented detective and yet, the author weaves his skill with the pen so magically that you find yourself marveling at the almost lyrical beauty of the imagery. He drags you into the darkness and does not let go, forcing you to feel the inner turmoil and torment of your protagonist as he tries to ward off evil, both within and without. And the crazy thing is - you do not want to leave either.

Fun fact: Every Dead Thing is the first of 8 Charlie Parker novels, all of which are rated 4 or above out of 5 on Goodreads (for good reason!)



"Ticktock" by Dean Koontz - This is written by horror maestro Dean Koontz but believe me, it is one of the most hilarious novels I ever read. It starts off innocuously enough with the immigrant protagonist - a detective novelist - calling his disapproving traditional Vietnamese mom to show off his new purchase, a brand new American car. How his world is turned around in the next few hours with the arrival of an eccentric yet adorable woman, a very weird dog, a chase unlike any you have ever read and oh yes, did I forget to mention, a rag doll monster is what forms the remainder of the tale. This is a horror author poking fun at his own parent genre and he does it so well, you feel like standing up and applauding between fits of giggles by the time the last chapter begins.

Fun fact: Dean Koontz admitted that he had written this screwball comedy to get rid of the hangover of one of his more intense books "Dark Rivers of the Heart".


"Love Story" by Eric Segal - If it came down to writing a love story, I don't see myself weaving any huge legendary saga spanning decades. No, I would love to just keep it short and sweet and hold on to the reader's interest by memorable moments and conversations within the story. Eric Segal's classic book did just that; a short (133 pages!) story with the focus revolving almost entirely around the two protagonists.

Fun fact: The movie was a huge hit back in the 70s'. And the theme song... oh my.



So that is it. My five.
What did you think of them? More importantly, what about you? If you had to choose five novels ( no classics/self-help/religious) that you wish you had written, which would they be?


 Authors note:
I am participating in NaBloPoMo. You can read more about it here and join in the fun yourself, adding your posts here. I am also participating in EverydayGyaan's September Blogging Challenge, WriteTribe's Monday Musings and Bailey Jean's Blog-Tember challenge. Do check them all out. So many inspiring themes to get you writing.

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35Comments

Let me know what you think.

  1. Jeffrey Deaver is an absolute favourite. I love his Lincoln Rhyme series. I like Dean Koontz language. But I read one of his books and didnt quite enjoy.
    Love Story is a favourite. I have the same cover book. Been with me since 1990 or so.

    I am also stealing the topic from you for my blog.

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  2. :-) Roshan, I am quite convinced you've got a few bestsellers in you. Your writing is fabulous and you have a wonderful sense of humor. I love your choice of books. Grab that pen and get started on the full-length novel, man!

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  3. Thank you, thank you! Except one I haven't read any of the books you mention here so I'll get on with these then...Added to my list already..And come out with that full fledged book by you already, I know it will be in someone else's list in the future for sure :)

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  4. Like Naba only love story I have read. And other twisted versions of your kinda writing I am yet to taste :P

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  5. This is really a wonderful list, I have read only Love Story and Twisted, will put the others also on my TBR :-))

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  6. such a wonderful list! I now have a few more books to read added to my list! :D
    My list would include a lot of Baldacchi's books, Jack Higgins and Steve Berry! :D

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  7. I'm sorry to report that I haven't read a single one of these! :)

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  8. Remember, I'd told you once that you should write a full length novel. Do it.

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  9. Oh, and out of this list, I've only read Love Story. I didn't like it much (not my kinda story), but I am sure you would have probably done a better job of it.

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  10. Aditi KaushivaOctober 08, 2015

    My TBR keeps increasing! Have only read Love Story!

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  11. Check out some of the others... a good Jeffrey Deaver mystery is worth its weight in gold

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  12. Not even "Love Story"? I thought everyone had read that one :)

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  13. Check out the follow up book - "More Twisted". He hasn't lost his edge one bit. And definitely try out William Diehl's "Primal Fear" too

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  14. I really wish I could... somehow I just don't see myself doing so.

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  15. Aww... thanks for the kind words. I don't know ya. I would definitely aim for something different if I wrote a whole novel...

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  16. haha... try them out. You will like them :)

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  17. Haha... flattery will get you everywhere... I think I would be able to manage only those kind of stories as far as romance is concerned... simple ones.

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  18. I had read Husband by Dean Koontz. Maybe, I should give him a second chance.

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  19. I wish I had your confidence about my writing skills :D

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  20. Dean koontz oscillates between some really lovely books ( Watchers, Phantom ) and some really clumsy ones :) His books have more heart, I feel, than other horror authors. They are humans trapped in bad situations often... and yes, there will usually be a Golden retriever somewhere in there :D

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  21. :) oh believe me.. I even have an awesome theme for my horror story that combines both horror and mystery. Sadly I just don't think I have the skills to execute it.

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  22. Sushmita MalakarOctober 08, 2015

    Oh, your love for horror! And yes, with every post of yours, I get to know you more. And that feeling is scary :P

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  23. Oh, that was a fun post to read Roshan! and that LOve Story music--- oh my - tear flow alarm!! And got some reading tips too- great - thanks:-)

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  24. I have read only Love Story from the above list, that was ages ago. :)

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  25. Surprised? I was too. But I couldn't make it past 15 pages! Perhaps I should try again. :)

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  26. Husband is not one of his finer works :) try "Watchers". Its quite popular. You will understand what I mean by a different style of horror.

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  27. Need to read the ones I haven't from your list :)

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  28. It isn't that bad... don't know how it is to read now. I am still thinking of my memory of it from over 16 years ago.

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  29. Yes, that theme music remains a classic to this day :)

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  30. Shubha AthavaleOctober 08, 2015

    Dear Doc, I want to thank you for posting about the 100 day happiness/gratitude journal. I followed it and yesterday was my 100th day, I am so much better for this and will continue to see all the good in my life. Thanks so much again. Shubha

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  31. Do check them out... trust me. They are worth it.

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  32. Gowthama RajaveluOctober 08, 2015

    Primal fear definitely creates a wow factor after completing. Others are quite a list to read. I have always been a great fan of your short stories and I am looking forward to your horror-mystery story.

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  33. I too read it back in school days. Remember being impressed by the simplicity

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  34. Thanks for this Shubha... on a day which had some bad news, your message was one of the few happy moments for me... my HappyDay moment :)

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  35. Aww... thanks. I really do have a concept in mind that I feel would work... I just don't have faith in my own skill to execute it. Short stories are fine but a whole novel just seems to be beyond me.

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