The Tops in the Books I've Read in 2011

I've gone back through my reading list to culled out the "CREME DE LA CREME" for me so far this year. In no particular order or genre, I give you my five-star books (out of the 76 total read):

NOTE: Your mileage may vary.

1. Kate Vaiden by Reynolds Price (Literary)

2. Hombre by Elmore Leonard (Western)

3. Winter's Bone by Daniel Woodrell (Noir)

4. Snow Angels by James Thompson (Hardboiled Crime)

5. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey (Literary)

6. Coldest Mile by Tom Piccirilli (Noir)

7. The Ghosts of Belfast by Stuart Neville (Hardboiled Crime)

I did the math, and 9% of the books I've selected have resulted in five-star reads. That means I read ten books before I run across one that exceptionally shines. I guess that makes the wait all the more exciting when I do find the gem.

Happy reading!

By Ed Lynskey
Twitter: @edlynskey
Author of Lake Charles
"Nice addition to anyone’s summer beach reading schedule."
Florida Times-Union
Ed Lynskey
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Published on August 05, 2011 11:58 Tags: reading, top-books
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message 1: by Randy (new)

Randy Hombre is the only one I've read(not this year). I do have The Coldest Mile and The Cold Spot in my TBR pile(I say as I glance fearfully up at the teetering mass).


message 2: by Mohammed (new)

Mohammed  Abdikhader  Firdhiye James Thompson isnt Jim Thompson ? I dont know that title or think the more known Thompson wrote anything but Noir. Wonderful list of books you read. Coldest Mile was one of my fav reads of last year. Winter's Bone, Ghost of Belfast are high on my to read list.


Here is my Best reads in 2011 at-least so far:


1. Butcher's Moon by Richard Stark (Noir)

2. The Dirdir by Jack Vance (Science Fantasy)

3. Journal of the Gun Years by Richard Matheson (Western)

4. Ticket to the Boneyard by Lawrence Block (Hardboiled PI)

5. Ghosts by Henrik Ibsen (classic play)

6. Black Man by Richard Morgan (Science Fiction)

7. Pop. 1280 by Jim Thompson (Noir)

8. The Sign of four by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (Classic Detective)

9. Faded Sun Omnibus by CJ. Cherryh (Science Fiction)

10. Commodore Hornblower by C.S Forester ( Historical Fiction)


message 3: by Ed (new)

Ed Mohammed wrote: "James Thompson isnt Jim Thompson ? I dont know that title or think the more known Thompson wrote anything but Noir. Wonderful list of books you read. Coldest Mile was one of my fav reads of las..."

Hi Mohammed, No, James Thompson isn't that Jim Thompson. Richard Stark and Lawrence Block I've read. I believe I've read Jack Vance and of course Jim Thompson but not your noted book. Great list. Thanks for sharing it with me. I think I'll try Richard Morgan sometime.


message 4: by Mohammed (new)

Mohammed  Abdikhader  Firdhiye Yeah Jim Thompson has many rated noir novels that its hard to read them all. I have not read as many as i would like. James Thompson thing confused me because i saw Getaway film where he wrote the script, was listed under the name James Thompson.

You will like Richard Morgan novel, its Hardboiled PI/SF hybrid. Think Matt Scudder/Spade type hero 500 years in the future. Morgan SF books are often crime thriller of sorts.

Which Vance have you read ? His mystery novels?


message 5: by Ed (new)

Ed Mohammed wrote: "Yeah Jim Thompson has many rated noir novels that its hard to read them all. I have not read as many as i would like. James Thompson thing confused me because i saw Getaway film where he wrote th..."

Goodreads had to remind me of the Vance title. I read Big Planet but I don't remember too much about it.


message 6: by Mohammed (new)

Mohammed  Abdikhader  Firdhiye Him i would have guessed one of his mystery titles since he won Edgar for one of them. Big Planet i havent read either. Its one of his few books that isnt in print.


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