Mystery/Thriller Reading Friends discussion

Ann's Determination List
For 2019 I am going to attempt to list mostly print books for the top 10 and one a month if possible,

Books 1-10.
1. The Reckoning by John Grisham I would not have expected to list a group read book or a Grisham novel, but this one seemed to be out of reach for over two months. Between less than glowing reviews, the incredibly long hold lists at the library and a full slate of tbr books it seemed I would miss my first group read discussion. I'm glad I read it though it was seriously depressing.

2. IQ This is a determination book because i had backburnered it (using the glossary term coined years ago and recently unearthed in Carol's MT glossary posts.) I am very glad I persevered and read it.

3. Cemetery Road a print book happily purchased at a book event when Greg Iles came to town. Read April 21.

4. Ghettoside: A True Story of Murder in America print, though a library book. I'm listing this one because it's non fiction and I need to read more non fiction.

5. The Devil's Highway: A True Story This book was an audio, also non fiction and the details of what it is like for unprepared to attempt to cross this extremely hot desert were difficult to read but terribly important to know.

6. The Ghosts of Eden Park: The Bootleg King, the Women Who Pursued Him, and the Murder That Shocked Jazz-Age America i listened to the audio and found it enjoyable, also bought the hardback, a signed copy which I skimmed through as I listened so can "sort-of" count it as print too. Lol. Read Dec-2019

7. Reality is Not What it Seems by Carlo Rovelli fascinating
I may buy a print copy. Read 13-Dec-2019

8. The Darkest Time of Night by Jeremy Finley. Print owned and finally finished 15-Dec-2019 after putting aside for a while.

9. The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley finished late December 2019, a decent book, well plotted but annoying characters (I'm tired of mean girls) and the switches in point of view chapters meant I lost focus regularly - hence a determination list candidate!

10.

BONUS CATEGORIES

11. A new author's first book (could be also a new to you author that you haven't read before) The Winter Sister by Megan Collins. Collins is an editor and has published in print and online journals. This is her debut novel. I read it in print March 10.

12. A book set in a different country than you live in. The Lost Man Jane Harper's Australian books took me to the Outback and I loved it! Read February 10.

13. A book that is a different genre than your usual reading books
poetry! If They Come for Us read May 4

14. A book from a series you haven't completed yet Rogue Protocol novellas really, the Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells are light fun reads (robot / AI)

15. A book from a series you haven't completed yet The Lost Queen Signe Pike
book one of a trilogy

16. A book that comes out in 2019. Paper Son -- with several options, I decided to go with favorite author S.J. Rozan's newest entry in the Lydia Chin / Bill Smith series that was highly anticipated and terrific! Read 09-Jul-2019

17. A book that was recommended to you. Sea of Rust by C. Robert Cargill Double recommended by Dan in AZ when he mentioned it on a monthly list in 2018 and Les who read it in 2019 and reminded me it was on my TBR list.

18. A book you meant to read in 2018 but never got around to it. Transcription Kate Atkinson is a favorite author and you don't just casually listen to her books which are intricate and transport the reader into another era.

19. A book that came out before you were born.
I finally decided on Double Indemnity after Russ recommended it... I had started several "before I was born" books that didn't stick at first, but I'll probably read later. Read 18-Aug-2019
18/19 over all; 5 in print!!

Ann wrote: "Ann's Determination List
For 2019 I am going to attempt to list mostly print books for the top 10 and one a month if possible."

Good way to get the print TBR down a little, Ann. It’s so much easier to read on a Kindle that it’s become my go-to, leaving my physical books languishing (and I do keep buying them!). Your proclivity for audios leaves your print collection even more neglected, I imagine.

Jan O’IntuitiveCat: Correct! my print collection is severely neglected. Audiobooks are a factor for two reasons; I need audiobooks for my sanity and commute and ~because my eyes are usually too tired for print reading after work screen time~
While off for several days in a row for the holidays I discovered I can comfortably read print books when my eyes are rested. That’s another goal (method to reduce work screen time tbd ...) :)

Here’s a link, Ann, to the results of The Great American Read. It may help with your choice of books, especially a book before you were born.

https://www.pbs.org/the-great-america...

Thanks Geri! I googled top books by year to get some ideas and then searched for audio books at the library. I've got three I am considering A Kiss Before Dying, your selection ( The Picture of Dorian Gray) and an Isaac Asimov. Not sure yet.
Geri wrote: "Here’s a link, Ann, to the results of The Great American Read. It may help with your choice of books, especially a book before you were born.

https://www.pbs.org/the-great-america..."

I'm going to jot down a few books that may make it on my determination list this year.... but might not. They will be a combination of owned books or audible titles and in several cases have been on prior failed lists. Lol.
One is The Chemist by Stephenie Meyer, a book i have had in my audible library now for two years.

Ann wrote: "One is The Chemist by Stephenie Meyer, a book i have had in my audible library now for two years."

Ann, is this a new series by the author of the vampire books?

Yes, Jan - a stand-alone book (as far as I know, not a series) by the author of the Twilight Vampire series. I bought it, hope to read it and wanted a reminder. :)

Ann wrote: "Ann's Determination List
For 2019 I am going to attempt to list mostly print books for the top 10 and one a month if possible,
"

I like that goal, and it would be even better if I could pick from my physical TBR.

I feel much the same about print vs. audio. My shelves of unread print books are groaning, but I find that I'm reading/listening to far more audio books. Although I no longer have a long commute, I listen while I'm doing housework, shoveling (I live in a small village near Buffalo NY), or driving around doing errands. I've decided to use this challenge to force myself to use my time more efficiently so that I will have more time to read print!

Barbara: I love my audio books! May we both find more time for print reading! Several series books that I listen to just aren't the same in print. I need those voices in my head.
It's hard when a favorite narrator retires or passes away.

Barbara wrote: "I feel much the same about print vs. audio. My shelves of unread print books are groaning, but I find that I'm reading/listening to far more audio books. Although I no longer have a long commute, I..."

My number 11, a new author's first book is by Megan Collins whose debut novel is The Winter Sister.
I like reading debut novels. I don't think I knew all the secrets from the beginning, but I suspected a big one so spent the majority of the novel watching the tip of that iceberg melt deeper into the hidden ice. Pain, guilt, secrets and the impact are the focus in the aftermath of knowing, loving, losing the winter sister.
I read this in print from a library hardcover.

Determined to fill in this year's determination list I added some today.
My goal to read more print books led me to list Cemetery Road (I did listen and read the print book to fully immerse in this group read by favorite authorGreg Iles.

Transcription made my list for a book i meant to read in 2018. Kate Atkinson is a must read but my mood wasn't ready in 2018 when i finally got my turn at the library. Well worth the wait to listen in 2019.

Good for you.

I'm not getting much traction with my print books, but have added a few details and completed the "bonus" section with the book published before I was born. (Double Indemnity which proved to be a very good choice. My father was a big reader, mostly westerns, but I feel fairly confident he would have read James M. Cain too. I like thinking that.

Ann wrote: "For 2019 I am going to attempt to list mostly print books for the top 10 and one a month if possible."

I've listed two more. In addition to being determined to read some of my print books, I'm also reading more non fiction which led me to read and list The Devil's Highway: A True Story and Ghettoside: A True Story of Murder in America

I greatly admire both authors who have devoted years to extensive research on difficult situations and subjects. Neither of them shied away from exposing the facts and human toll in their books.
Jill Leovy brought Michael Connelly to mind with his Harry Bosch books. Her real life LA homicide detectives in Ghettoside: A True Story of Murder in America were cut from the same mold.

Luis Alberto Urrea has provided nightmare inducing details in The Devil's Highway: A True Story that need to be known as we struggle with immigration policy.

Ann wrote: "I'm not getting much traction with my print books, but have added a few details and completed the "bonus" section with the book published before I was born. (Double Indemnity which pro..."

good for you, Ann! I hope you enjoyed DI. Was it dated?

Carol: Thanks! Was Double Indemnity dated? I suppose the answer is yes, and no.
The story was classic, very well paced and with some nice twists.
It was shorter in length than I expected, however I remember mystery thriller books in the 70's seemed shorter than today too. An example would be Marcia Muller's Sharon McCone series - a similar length.
The insurance business was different but similar.
I expected attitudes about women would be dated and they were. :)

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "good for you, Ann! I hope you enjoyed DI. Was it dated?
Ann wrote: "....Completed the "bonus" section with the book published before I was born: Double Indemnity..."

I've got thirty two days and five books to go. I'm not sure if I'll make it but at least have started one of the five needed.
I plan to read by the end of the year:

The Ghosts of Eden Park: The Bootleg King, the Women Who Pursued Him, and the Murder That Shocked Jazz-Age America audio, and I am determined to read this group read book. I haven't skipped one yet.

The Darkest Time of Night print so fits, I started it months ago and it got a little weird and set it aside. It's time.

The other three, will have to see.....

One of my determination plans is complete - I've finished The Ghosts of Eden Park: The Bootleg King, the Women Who Pursued Him, and the Murder That Shocked Jazz-Age America! It was good to listen to and harder to crack in print.
Four more to go!.....

WTG Ann. I’m sure you can do it.

Two left now, I am on a roll LOL …. and if I don't finish the last two for 2019, then some of the ones I want to read will make it on 2020's list as a start. That of course is a tradition for me of sorts - I seem to always have books that push over to the following year that are "hope to read soon" tbr books.

I just (finally) finished a book by a local TV personality, The Darkest Time of Night by Jeremy Finley. I had picked up his debut novel while at Parnassus books for a Lisa Scottoline book event in August 2018 and started reading it right away. I bogged down when some of the revelations about what was probably happening didn't match my current mood and it languished in the tbr pile for over a year before this list got me to pick it back up and finish in a couple of sittings.
I also grabbed an audio from the library to finish a book I started in library print and was enjoying but never seems to make traction... Reality is Not What it Seems Now I want a print copy of my own.. perhaps Kindle.
Progress!

Well done!

Yay you can do it. I only need one but I just can get it done.

Ann wrote: "Two left now, I am on a roll LOL …. and if I don't finish the last two for 2019, then some of the ones I want to read will make it on 2020's list as a start. That of course is a tradition for me..."

LOL, Barbara will get full tutelage in some of our proud D-List traditions between now and January! The most tenacious tradition, Barbara, is “It’s your list, do it any way you like!” Like you, I enjoy checking things off a list and that’s always my prime motivation for getting through my Determination List.

Ann, I want to point out that if you don’t finish your final two books, then your list will consist of 17 books, a most traditional number!

I’ve started my last book, Lust, Chaos, War, and Fate - Greek Mythology: Timeless Tales from the Ancients. I’ve never liked reading mythology so I’ve procrastinated all year on this one. But it’s surprisingly easy to read and it’s short, so I’ll make it.

I also want to make time in these last ten days of the year, to finish listening to Riding the Elephant: A Memoir of Altercations, Humiliations, Hallucinations, and Observations which I’ve been “currently” reading since July. I used to listen to podcasts and audiobooks while I worked at my desk after school. Since retirement I haven’t succeeded in establishing any new habits of ear-reading. But I like to start the New Year with a clean reading slate, so I may (gasp!) just sit down and listen to it.

I’ve already started making my 2020 list. I decided to read full-sized hardcovers from my print TBR, thinking it would clear a lot of space. I gathered 17 books, put them in my bookcase headboard (where I keep my DL books), and, pooh, discovered that it really didn’t make a gigantic difference in space. The books that were already in my headboard (because my DL this year was all Kindle books) fit into the cleared TBR shelf with little to no net space gain. Still double-stacked. Still stray TBR stacks around the house. One of my New Year’s resolutions again, like Donna Jo and Barb, will be to read print books at least until I can eliminate the extraneous stacks and double-stacking. Only it always turns out it’s just easier to read on my Kindle.

It occurs to me that I should have written all of this on my own Determination List thread to bump it out to the visible list, but. . .oh well.

Jan all good words. I know you enjoy the number. I hope you reach it. This year. If you still want that one in 2020 you can continue with it. But I hope you decide to add to your list with us. It will be 20 for 2020. But hey we did from beginning call some of the list bonus. You have to work with what is best for you and more important have fun.

Jan O’Cat: Thanks for the tip that not reading my last two challenge books would leave me with 17. (The most traditional number)
I still remember the year my carefully curated stack of seventeen was disrupted by a well meaning visitor who wanted to borrow some of them; “oh the horror”. Hahaha. Good for you knowing your 2020 planned books already!
At this point anything I finish will be a Determination book. I’m sort of kidding, but I am having trouble finding time to focus on my reading even though I am enjoying my current Kindle book and just getting into an audio. I had to take three print books back to the library unread.
OMalleycat wrote: "Ann, I want to point out that if you don’t finish your final two books, then your list will consist of 17 books, a most traditional number!


Ann wrote: "Two left now, I am on a roll LOL …. and if I don't finish the last two for 2019, then some of the ones I want to read will make it on 2020's list as a start. That of course is a traditi..."

Ann, you should just go over your books read list and use something you read already to fill in.

DonnaJo: I did that!! ;) but nothing else jumped out at me to qualify. I did add my latest audio, because I would have dropped it otherwise; so 18 of 19 for me!

The Hunting Party ended up being a decent book but I had to force myself to not drop it and pick up something more to my mood and with more likable characters.

Donnajo wrote: "Ann, you should just go over your books read list and use something you read already to fill in."

You can do it, Ann! 4 days and 1 book. Piece of cake!

Hope you find your last one. Time for a short freebie on keeping kindle.

OMalleycat wrote: "Ann wrote: "Two left now, I am on a roll LOL …. and if I don't finish the last two for 2019, then some of the ones I want to read will make it on 2020's list as a start. That of course is a traditi..."

Jan, it I were you I'd be tempted to get on Kindle some of the books stacking up around me, so as to get rid of them and kill two birds with one stone. But there is an added cost of course.

Thanks all for the encouragement! I think I am too enamored of Elton John’s Me to stop and find another print book, and it is too good to rush. Ms. O’Cat you will most likely love it too! Warm up those Elton John songs to accompany you and jump in!

Elton John's book is certainly going to be a 2020 read for me! I love him!!!

Carol/Bonadie wrote: “ Jan, it I were you I'd be tempted to get on Kindle some of the books stacking up around me, so as to get rid of them and kill two birds with one stone. But there is an added cost of course. ..."

Carol, we think alike, however much that may frighten you. Some years ago I replaced some of my print TBR with Kindle editions. Mostly it was the usual suspects: hefty books that are more comfortable to read as ebooks or old paperbacks so fragile that I wouldn’t have dared read them in print. My print TBR is now at an irreducible minimum—books I still want to read so they won’t be weeded, but which I don’t want to pay to replace them with a Kindle edition.

The real problem is that I also work the same system in reverse. When there’s a book that I want but the Kindle price is exorbitant (unrealistically, I still consider more than $9.99 too much), I look for used print books instead. If I find one that costs substantially less even with postage, I buy it and add it to my TBR which thus remains ever replenished.

Really it’s a sickness, isn’t it? I’m over there on another thread complaining about Blood Orange’s main character’s addictive behavior and inability to make changes. But here I am, slowly being buried in books.

Jan O'Cat: It's a good problem (being addicted to books). I'll be heading over to the discussion threads to complain about Alison's addictions too very soon.

OMalleycat wrote: "Really it’s a sickness, isn’t it? I’m over there on another thread complaining about Blood Orange’s main character’s addictive behavior and inability to make changes. But here I am, slowly being buried in books
"