Today is Talk Like a Pirate Day, arrrggghhh! So in true BookTrib fashion we must join the parade of buccaneers and peg legs with a bonus edition of “Jonesin’ For a Fix” for you, me buckos, featuring some of my favorite pirates (and non-pirates) in the Starz hit series, Black Sails. For those who aren’t familiar with the show, it follows the feared Captain Flint and his crew as well as some fictionalized pirates from history: Charles Vane (my personal favorite but sometimes a scurvy bilge rat) Jack Rackham, Anne Bonny and Benjamin Homigold.
The conclusion of Season One left me wanting more drama, more betrayal and more sea heists. Despite the sometimes graphic and harsh situations depicted, this show paints a realistic picture of pirates, sailing the high seas and taking what they want. The action takes place about 20 years before Treasure Island and during the Golden Age of Piracy—which leads me to my first book recommendation:
Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson
Are you looking for the adventure of a lifetime? Well look no further. I dare you to get lost in one of the most popular adventure tales of all time. It’s the 18th century and piracy is all the rage. (Side note: I would have liked to live a day as a pirate. Eye patches, man, they’re like the bowties of the 1800’s!) This book has everything you’ll need to keep your love of pirates alive while waiting for Season Two, “… and ye may lay to that, matey!” (Translation: I wouldn’t steer you wrong.) This book is actually a good prequel to Black Sails, there’s even a show being made about it, rumored to tie in with Starz hit new show.
To Sail a Darkling Sea by John Ringo
This book is a little different then the classic above. Why, you may ask. Well, this book is a sequel to Under a Graveyard Sky (you can check that one out in addition to this one, making this a combo recommendation) and it has to do with a family of survivors who are determined to fight back against a zombie plague that has abruptly decimated civilization. With human civilization at a BIG disadvantage these determined people hop on freighters searching for survivors. Everywhere they search for a potential hoard an untimely death lurks in every corner of the sea.
Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe
Now, I know this isn’t your typical pirate-related book, but I think I would be doing a disservice to you all if I only focused on traditional pirate novels. This story not only follows a great protagonist but shows his struggles after he’s shipwrecked and stranded on a deserted island. The obstacles he faces include a pretty gnarly account of being snagged up by pirates. Definitely It will get your brain excited for more of your favorite pirates.
I don’t know about you, but if Black Sails doesn’t come back soon I may have to go on my own voyage—to pillage the network that isn’t making the show fast enough. Arrrrggghhhh! Just kidding mateys, but seriously—read these books, catch up on Season One of Black Sails and hopefully you’ll be watching with me when Season Two premieres. I hope I’ll be watching Eleanor Guthrie trying to take back control of an island she used to have in the palm of her hand and the repercussion of Captain Flint doing those two REALLY, REALLY, I mean REALLY bad things that I will not name so I don’t spoil the fun for you lovely folk.
Now walk the plank, you scallywags! And I’ll see you for our regularly scheduled Jonesin’ Saturday morning.
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