75 Books...More or Less! discussion

1. I didn't know who to root for in this book, and apparently, neither did John Grisham. A good quick read, I'm glad I read it, but I was expecting something more related to the legal aspect of student loans. As it is, the loan debt spurs our (anti) heroes into action, but in a different direction. Nice read though...

Welcome back, Drew!

2. Choke bu Chuck Palahniuk. I picked this up in the local used bookstore because I really enjoyed Fight Club, which I just read last month. I like this one just OK. It is certainly original, the beginning really drew me in, but I found that the middle really dragged. Plenty of laughs and some things to think about....

Drew wrote: "2. Choke bu Chuck Palahniuk. I picked this up in the local used bookstore because I really enjoyed Fight Club, which I just read last month. I like this one just OK. It is certainly original, the b..."

Palahniuk is not for everyone! Like me. He's not for me. lol.

3.
From my review on the book's Goodreads page:

This was incredibly disappointing. I had high hopes because I really enjoyed the previous collection based on the Hopper paintings but this anthology fails to deliver.
If you pick up this book, read the introduction carefully. I read it quickly, then re-read it when I was finished the book. In the second reading, it was clear that L. Block is telling us that stories that are written quickly, as a favor, and as readers, we can infer that we may not be reading their best work. Cheers to S. King and others who said up front that they didn't have the time to contribute to this anthology, in fact, they were probably saying they don't have time to do it well (my assumption, and if true, good for them).
But as I was reading, I did find one great story, written by David Morrell. This story is why I would give the anthology two stars instead of one. As noted in the introduction, this is a story written in 1988, and actually won an award at the time. Morrell is a fine writer, but it is also clear that he wasn't rushed when he wrote this.
I like the concept and I hope if they ever do something like this again, the publishers will take their time and give the authors time to do it well.

Elyse wrote: "Drew wrote: "2. Choke bu Chuck Palahniuk. I picked this up in the local used bookstore because I really enjoyed Fight Club, which I just read last month. I like this one just OK. It is certainly or..."
Yes, I like the world that Palahniuk is trying to create, but some of the scenes just take left turns that are neither interesting or important to the plot or character development.

4. Two Kinds of Truth I'm a fan of the Harry Bosch novels, but maybe time to retire him? The character in this is same as ever, but the plots are thin and don't really relate to each other. Definitely worth the read though, the final courtroom scene (yes, Mickey's there) was very good.
Usually when I'm reading multiple books, one of them takes off and I put the others aside while I tear through it. I thought that would happen with this, but it didn't. I think that describes it well, it's a good book by an author you like, but I'd be surprised if anyone described it as a page turner.

5. The Woman in the Window Annie said it best in her thread, Wow! At first, it wasn't what I expected, but I liked it a lot. Then there was a twist, and I really liked that. Then another, followed by more. Each chapter drew me in further and further. I want to say so much, but I don't want to spoil a thing. Believe the hype, it's good!

Elyse wrote: "Drew wrote: "2. Choke bu Chuck Palahniuk. I picked this up in the local used bookstore because I really enjoyed Fight Club, which I just read last month. I like this one just OK. It is certainly or..."

He is not for me either Elyse!!! Kudos to all who CAN read him!

Drew wrote: "5. The Woman in the Window Annie said it best in her thread, Wow! At first, it wasn't what I expected, but I liked it a lot. Then there w..."

I may have to add this to my list...I keep hearing good things about it.

6. The Bomb Maker I've read a lot of Thomas Perry and this doesn't disappoint. In this one, he really gets into the head of the Bomb Maker - he must have done a lot of research and it shows. This would make a great episode of "The Blacklist" which is meant as a compliment.

Dawn Michelle wrote: "Drew wrote: "5. The Woman in the Window Annie said it best in her thread, Wow! At first, it wasn't what I expected, but I liked it a lot...."

I'm on the library wait list!

7. The Two Faces of January I like to read Patricia Highsmith's work, but this won't rank among my favorites. You expect dark plots and characters and don't expect happy endings, but this one just sort of hit a wall half way through and limped to an unsatisfying ending. I can't believe they made it a movie, and it's on my Amazon Prime list, but I don't know if I'll commit the two hours...

8. Coffin Scarcely Used A delightful read, originally published in the 1950's, quirky cast of characters and understated British humor. If you're looking for something to breeze through and get a few chuckles, this fits the bill.

9. Bump in the Night . Second in the series. Delightful read, set in a town with lots of quirky characters.

10. Hopjoy Was Here Netgalley introduced me to the series now I’m set on reading them all.

11. Not That I Could Tell Another Netgalley find. Nice twist on a well-used theme.

12. Lonelyheart 4122

13. Charity Ends at Home

14. The Escape Artist I really like this book! It's got an interesting plot (although I'm still not exactly sure what the cover-up entailed, not a spoiler), and a main character who has a job as government mortician. It has a few twists which I didn't see coming, it's well written and I highly recommend it.

Drew wrote: "14. The Escape Artist I really like this book! It's got an interesting plot (although I'm still not exactly sure what the cover-up entailed, no..."

A book about a mortician? Yes please!

15. Hardcore Twenty-Four For me, reading Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series is like going to our favorite restaurant. I'm pretty sure I know what I'm going to get, and I'm sure I'm going to like it. Yes, the plot's ridiculous. So were the first 23 in the series! Read it for the laughs...

Drew wrote: "15. Hardcore Twenty-Four For me, reading Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series is like going to our favorite restaurant. I'm pretty sure I..."

EXACTLY!! I get a little miffed at people when they have read many books in the series and they put down the writing. I don't get it, these books are just fun and entertaining. Yes, some are better than others.

16. Bring Me Back
READ THIS BOOK!
Those of you who liked Woman in the Window will also like this. I received a copy from NetGalley and it is fantastic.
I want to say so much, but don't want to risk any spoilers. Sorry to be so effusive, but it's really that good.
Here's the review I just posted on the book's Goodreads page:

First and foremost, avoid any and all spoilers before you read this book. Avoid plot summaries and synopses, just read it and read it soon. And don’t you dare jump to the last page, the final sentence will hit you had.
In my opinion, this is far and away B. A. Paris’s best book to date, and is the early front runner for my vote for any book of the year lists. The writing is tight and fast paced, the narration is authentic and the plot is a page turner.
Anyone who likes a psychological thriller that plays with your mind as much as it does the characters’ minds, anyone who just likes good writing, and anyone who enjoys a book that keeps them from doing anything else until it’s finished should put this on their must read list. I know I’ll read it again, I just wish I could read it again for the first time!

Drew wrote: "16. Bring Me Back
READ THIS BOOK!
Those of you who liked Woman in the Window will also like this. I received a copy from NetGalley and it is fantas..."

I can't wait to get my hands on this one!

17. Ohio Starts really slow, and with an unlikeable character and story line, but each successive section is engaging. A mystery within a mystery unfolds at the end, definitely worth reading, just plow through the first section.

18. The Naked Nuns Flaxborough mystery series, I get these from NetGalley. The plot's the weakest in the series, but the characters are witty and there are quite a few laughs.

Drew wrote: "18. The Naked Nuns Flaxborough mystery series, I get these from NetGalley. The plot's the weakest in the series, but the characters are witty and ..."

Well, the title certainly made me snicker!

19. Believe Me A very good psychological thriller by the author of "The Girl Before." I loved it. There are a few "that could never happen moments" and those don't bother me, but if you're a reader who is bothered by those, you might not like this as much. I couldn't put it down, lots of twists right to the end.

I keep waiting for my library to get this!

Drew wrote: "19. Believe Me A very good psychological thriller by the author of "The Girl Before." I loved it. There are a few "that could never happen moments" an..."

Looks so good!

20. A Measure of Darkness Received an advance copy from NetGalley. I like this book and recommend it, the lead character is a coroner who gets over involved in some cases, and there's the side story of his personal life. Nothing earthshaking in terms of new characters or plotlines, but this father and son writing team do a great job. I loved their Golem books, if you haven't read those yet, give them a look. I used to be a fan of Jonathan Kellerman's Alex Delaware series, but it lost steam and I stopped reading those. These co-authored books have a renewed energy to them which I really like. Delaware has a cameo in this book, btw.

So, here's a funny anecdote some some of you who also accumulate books will appreciate. As I was reading this book, it slowly came apparent that it's the second in a series (don't worry, it's a great stand-alone book). I looked up on Amazon and saw that sure enough, Crime Scene is the first in the series. I almost ordered it for my Kindle but I thought I'd look at one thing first. Yup, I downloaded a copy several months ago and there it is on my summer reading list, I just forgot it was there and haven't got that far on the list yet. I did bump it up, I'm looking forward to more of these characters.

21. In the Galway Silence Classic Jack Taylor. Nothing particularly new in this installment, but I like the series and it's much better than last year's release (Chosts of Galway).

22. A Pleasure and a Calling I found this on a list of books with creepy neighbors - it's a realtor who keeps, and uses, a copy of the key to every property he's shown or sold. Some visits he makes are innocuous, but not all. Extremely well written book.

23. One Man's Meat

Drew wrote: "22. A Pleasure and a Calling I found this on a list of books with creepy neighbors - it's a realtor who keeps, and uses, a copy of the k..."

Oooh sounds really good and eerie!

24. Blue Murder

25. The Guilty Dead I received an advance review copy from NetGalley, I really enjoy the Monkeewrench series and it didn't disappoint. There's more of the crime itself, and Gino and Magozzi unraveling a complicated plot and uncovering family secrets than of the Monkeewrench gang in this one. They're in there though, and this one is so well developed that I didn't mind at all.

26. The Death of Mrs. Westaway Very good book, my favorite by Ruth Ware.

Drew wrote: "26. The Death of Mrs. Westaway Very good book, my favorite by Ruth Ware."

Nice! I recently read The Woman in Cabin 10 and really liked it. I also recently picked up In a Dark, Dark Wood at a library book sale!

Elyse wrote: "Drew wrote: "26. The Death of Mrs. Westaway Very good book, my favorite by Ruth Ware."

Nice! I recently read [book:The Woman in Cabin..."

I think you'll like Dark Dark Wood, I was hooked on her writing after reading that one.

Drew wrote: "I think you'll like Dark Dark Wood, I was hooked on her writing after reading that one..."

Cool, I'm trying to get to it soon.

27. Plaster Sinners Weakest entry in a light enjoyable series. Other reviewers liked it, but I couldn't get into it.

28. Hockey 365: A Piece of Hockey History For Every Day

29. The Outsider

Drew wrote: "29. The Outsider"

Did you enjoy it?

Yes I did. I didn’t know that one of the characters from his last trilogy was going to appear. The plot was a bit of a rehash of an earlier plot but with a unique slant. One of my favorite things about Stephen King is how much I get to know the characters. Of course he’s known for horror, but his characters are always well developed and interesting.

Drew wrote: "Yes I did. I didn’t know that one of the characters from his last trilogy was going to appear. The plot was a bit of a rehash of an earlier plot but with a unique slant. One of my favorite things a..."

Yeah I haven't read the Finder's Keepers trilogy yet so that kind of got spoiled for me. Now they're calling The Outsider Finder's Keepers #4. Had I known that at release date, I wouldn't have read it yet! lol. It was a very bizarre book. It was pretty straightforward and interesting for the first half. Then it got really weird. But hey, King. lol

30. Feared by Lisa Scottolini. Let me count the ways I did not like this book... I have read a few of her books and remember enjoying most of them, but there's a reason I stopped reading the Rosato and DeNunzio series. I received the ARC from NetGalley to give the series another shot, poor decision. First off, not a spoiler, the book opens with a "reverse discrimination" case against the firm. Not to play the role of overzealous linguist, but reverse discrimination is not a real legal term, it's either discrimination or it's not, even if men are being discriminated against. And since men under a certain age are not considered a "protected class" in the eyes of the law, it's highly doubtful that the case would have had legs. But I read Stephen King, so I can suspend disbelief with the best of them. What I cannot suspend is my distaste for the overdone cliches of all the characters in the book - the hard-boiled DeNunzio who shows no emotion at all, the lawyer who is breaking the mold just because she has pink hair, the only thing that really gets mentioned about her doing different from the corporate norm, and our hero, Mary, the daughter of the stereotypical Philly Italian family that dotes on her, argues over who will watch her baby when it's born, the father who is hard of hearing and all his dialog is ALL CAPS to remind us, all the adult male friends are named "Tony" of course. And then the villain in this novel is actually named Machiavelli, I'm guessing Lucifer or Satan don't sound Italian enough...
And the ending is outrageous, out of the blue and unsatisfying. Other than that... I know Evanovich walks that path a bit, but she's clearly writing for humor, this one, I don't know...

I know this series has lots of loyal readers, and I know I read a lot of things people don't like too, (I read all the Lucas Davenport novels even though they're becoming all the same, how many serial killers can there be in Minnesota?) but I hope this is a safe place to vent on this one... If you're a fan of the series, you're likely getting what you expect, if not, then pick up another of Scottolini's books, there are a lot of better ones out there.

Drew wrote: "30. Feared by Lisa Scottolini. Let me count the ways I did not like this book... I have read a few of her books and remember enjoying most of them, but there's a reason I stopped reading the Rosato..."

Wow you've got some strong feelings about this book. lol. I haven't read any books by her.