Mystery/Thriller Reading Friends discussion
Miscellaneous Book Talk
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Got any book/reading thoughts to share?
For a very good cause! Thanks for sharing this!Barry wrote: "Harlan Coben
Bid to become a character in my next book -- and help support wounded veterans. All proceeds go to Homes For Our Troops to build specially adapted homes for severely injured post-9/11..."
Hello all!I need some help with my book challenge. Any suggestions for a good read published before 1961? Preferably one that I can get in ebook from my library. :)
Debbie wrote: "Hello all!I need some help with my book challenge. Any suggestions for a good read published before 1961? Preferably one that I can get in ebook from my library. :)"
Debbie, I know that lots of people search Google to come up with titles for this Determination category. You can try “books published before 1961” but I expect that’s too general and would churn up a lot of stuff to wade through. Since you’re on the cusp of two decades you might search for books from the 50’s. Try “bestsellers of the 1950’s” or “popular books of the 50’s.” Using Google, you can toggle back and forth to search your libraries until you find an interesting sounding title that’s available.
Aside from that, my immediate thought, if you haven’t already read it, was Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury. Published, I think, in the early 50’s. It’s a good book, beloved by readers, and frequently assigned in high school, so I’m assuming it would be library-available.
And if you want to go well back to before you were born there are the evergreen classics: Pride and Prejudice, Jane Eyre, a Dickens Charles.
I love the book challenges for sometimes forcing me outside my comfort zone!
Debbie I am struggling with this book on my list too. I need to go back six additional years for mine. I've borrowed a few and failed to engage with them. If i come up with some options I will let you know!I've generally decided to search top mystery thriller lists for ideas.
Debbie wrote: "Hello all!
I need some help with my book challenge. Any suggestions for a good read published before 1961? Preferably one that I can get in ebook from my library. :)"
OMalleycat wrote: "Debbie wrote: "Hello all!I need some help with my book challenge. Any suggestions for a good read published before 1961? Preferably one that I can get in ebook from my library. :)"
Debbie, I know..."
Thanks for the suggestions OMalley Cat! The Ray Bradbury book sounds familiar. I'm going to check it out. If not, I'll try the Google Search you suggested.
Ann wrote: "Debbie I am struggling with this book on my list too. I need to go back six additional years for mine. I've borrowed a few and failed to engage with them. If i come up with some options I will let ..."Thanks Ann! In the meantime, if I find something I'll let you know.
Ann wrote: ".I've generally decided to search top mystery thriller lists for ideas. .."Oh, that’s a good idea, Ann! Maybe an Agatha Christie that you haven’t ever gotten to, or Raymond Chandler, or Dashiell Hammett. Lots of good possibilities!
Russ wrote: "I recommend Double Indemnity."Good suggestion, Russ. I haven’t read any Cain but I’ve always meant to read Double Indemnity or The Postman Always Rings Twice. Hey, “a book you’ve meant to read” is (sort of) one of our challenge categories. Maybe I’ll put it in there next year.
Thanks Russ! Good suggestion. Russ wrote: "I recommend Double Indemnity."
Debbie wrote: "Hello all!I need some help with my book challenge. Any suggestions for a good read published before 1961? Preferably one that I can get in ebook from my library. :)"
Hi Debbie,
Agatha Christie is always a good bet. My favorite of all time is And Then There Were None if you haven't already read it. a classic "locked room" plot.
I am currently listening to another classic that has been on my list forever. It's The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins. Collins is described as a contemporary of Charles Dickens, and echoing his style (or maybe Dickens echoed his, I don't know) and I can see why. Very involved plot with many layers. When I first read the description I thought it was a ghost story, which is probably why I delayed reading it, but it is not at all. Don't know if it's your cup of tea, the language, customs and attitude (especially about the genders) is definitely of its time, but I am thoroughly enjoying it. It's long though; I'm listening and it's 20 CDs, which is a LOT!
Carol/Bonadie wrote: "Debbie wrote: "Hello all!I need some help with my book challenge. Any suggestions for a good read published before 1961? Preferably one that I can get in ebook from my library. :)"
Hi Debbie,
Ag..."
Thank you for the suggestions! I'm sure one of these will peak my interest.
Russ: I just finished and enjoyed Double Indemnity!!Ann wrote: "Thanks Russ! Good suggestion.
Russ wrote: "I recommend Double Indemnity.""
Good—glad you enjoyed! I love the writing style from back then. Have you seen the movie?
Russ: no, I haven't seen the movie (yet) will have to look for it! Russ wrote: "Good—glad you enjoyed! I love the writing style from back then. Have you seen the movie?"
Ann wrote: "Russ: no, I haven't seen the movie (yet) will have to look for it! Russ wrote: "Good—glad you enjoyed! I love the writing style from back then. Have you seen the movie?""
It's a must-see! I can't believe you haven't seen it!
I see Connelly is bringing back Jack McAvoy of The Poet.
Dan: I hadn’t seen that, how interesting! One of my favorites so I’m eager to see more of Jack McEvoy! Fair Warning May 2020. It's been ten plus years.
Dan in AZ wrote: "I see Connelly is bringing back Jack McAvoy of The Poet."wow! i didn't know that. can't wait for fair game to be released!
If you get an ARC, you won't have to.
Barry, that would be true (an arc) but I’m so much an audiobook reader, arc’s rarely fit in my reading schedule; the release date will likely be it for me. I’m ok with that. 😀 I have plenty of books 📚 to read between now and then.
Barry wrote: "If you get an ARC, you won't have to."I'm hoping! and you know if I do,I'll share it with you when i'm finished.
Connelly is definitely one of my A list writers. Over the years he has had many more hits than misses. I just finished the latest Ace Atkins Spenser book though, and felt that it did not measure up to th other work he has done. (I would have read it anyway)
Since we don't have a topic for books strewn all over the floor (unlike the topic of books flung against the wall), I have for years kep all of my paperback TBRs on racks on 2 of my basement doors. Yesterday the weight of the books not only pulled the door down,it physically broke 2 of the hinges, as in rending of metal. I remounted the door with 5 hinges, up from 3, and moved half the books to another rack. I'll also be giving more priority to my paperback TBR since my hardbound and kindle TBRs are very much under control.
Wow Barry! I know from moving that the weight of a box of paperback books is substantial, but to take a door down, yikes!! Several times I've loaded a big box with all the books that would fit and have been unable to lift it. Good reading ahead for you in case of power outages.
Barry wrote: "Since we don't have a topic for books strewn all over the floor (unlike the topic of books flung against the wall), I have for years kep all of my paperback TBRs on racks on 2 of my basement doors...."
My plan for when I am snowed in tomorrow.
Barry wrote: "Since we don't have a topic for books strewn all over the floor (unlike the topic of books flung against the wall), I have for years kep all of my paperback TBRs on racks on 2 of my basement doors...."WOW! barry. that's a good TBR stack. glad you were able to fix it.
I guess you could say Barry became “ unhinged.”
Dan: that seems entirely fair!Dan in AZ wrote: "I guess you could say Barry became “ unhinged.”"
Do other people anguish over the selection of their next book as much as I do? Unless I'm committed to something because of a group read, I often find myself struggling over which of the many books on my TBR shelves I will pick up next. The logical thing would be to go for books I already own, but I can waste ridiculous amounts of time scrolling through the lists, unable to settle on one. Fiction, non-fiction, crime novel, spiritual, contemporary, historical?? Which of these? And then I end up settling on something I don't already have (sometimes out of sheer perversity, I think).
Barbara: I would probably agonize over my choices too if not for my always full hold queue at the library keeping me in line.
Yes. Right now I should be reading my next arc and so far today been doing my journal paper stuff all morning and internet this afternoon and yes did 3 chapters durning lunch on audio. But without arcs I’m always what next book to read and even though I have so many unread books I still get from library which most of the time go back unread lately or sometimes read freebie Ebooks I need to get the print owned books down. But you should do the mason jar thing like I also do write a bunch of your to be read books on pieces of paper put them in mason jar or any type of fun thing and when you need a book pick from there. If you want also make a book shelf on goodreads with list.
Well, my problem resolved itself nicely today. I decided on Claire DeWitt and the City of the Dead, and I’m loving it. I think it would make this process less stressful for me if I sorted my TBR list into the same shelves as the books I’ve finished reading. Then my searching could be more focused, at least. I do like the mason jar idea, Donna Jo. Another approach to the dilemma - making it completely random.
I rarely have a problem choosing my next read. The only exception would be when I’ve read a really outstanding book and anything I consider for “next” seems lackluster by comparison. With my physical TBR I sometimes choose completely randomly—literally just grab a book off the shelf, the equivalent of Donnajo’s mason jar. With my Kindle TBR it’s a little more complicated because I’m choosing among many more books, but I usually keep at least a handful of books separated from the rest to be my next reads.
Sometimes I choose my next for a specific reason: a short easy read to fill a little time before appointment reads like our group books; something fluffy if I’ve just finished a book that was difficult in some way; a long nonfiction book if I’ve got a good chunk of time and attention to give to it.
I’m glad you found something good, Barbara. And Ann, I laughed out loud because your answer was so typically you!
Jan O’Cat, thinking that “handful” isn’t really the right way to describe a group of Kindle books
Jan, your comment about the reluctance to move on after finishing an especially good book struck home. For me it’s a cross between not wanting to break the spell of the special book, and wondering whether I should follow it up with a book of the same genre or switch to something completely different. I never lack for books I want to read. I guess I just have issues with selection and commitment. :-)
Barbara wrote: “For me it’s a cross between not wanting to break the spell of the special book, and wondering whether I should follow it up with a book of the same genre or switch to something completely different. "“Break the spell” is a good way to put it, Barbara. A good book draws me in to the point that I feel I’m living in its world. It takes a while after finishing it to stop thinking about the people and events of the story.
Stephen King’s The Stand in a new mini series adaptation and what a cast! https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.vani...
Ann wrote: "Stephen King’s The Stand in a new mini series adaptation and what a cast! https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.vani..."
Hmm. Don't know how I feel about this remake. The Stand is one of my all-time favorites, and the '80s miniseries was a classic. It also sounds like they've changed it up a bit, and changed the ending. Worst of all it's going to be airing on CBS All Access and I had *sworn* not to purchase any more streaming services. But I may have to get this for the time it takes me to work through the series; I can't possibly miss it! The cast *is* interesting, Ann.
I am not at all happy with everybody and their uncle expecting me to get their streaming service. CBS bothered me the most, since they seemed to be adding paid content that would have been free in the past. I'm not going for it, I don;t need Star Trek that badly.
Damn!! I didn't renew CBS All Access after Ed watched Picard. Wasn't going to for this until I saw who's playing Randall Flagg!!
Melodie: Exactly!!! Melodie wrote: "Damn!! I didn't renew CBS All Access after Ed watched Picard. Wasn't going to for this until I saw who's playing Randall Flagg!!"
James Hall has a new Thorn book coming out next week. I was under the impression he was done with Thorn. Should be interesting to see where he’s going with the series. Title: Bad Axe
I saw that and thought the same, but this series is called Thorn PI, so must be a completely different name.
Just read that the book has Thorn and Sugarman as characters. Available On July 4th on Kindle for $4.99
Dan: That's exciting news! Lol Barry! Dan in AZ wrote: "James Hall has a new Thorn book coming out next week. I was under the impression he was done with Thorn. Should be interesting to see where he’s going with the series. Title: Bad Axe"
Barry wrote: "Maybe he needed a new boat."
Asking for a friend on another forum:...Is there a specific word for the feeling of disappointment that comes with disliking the ending of a book?
Me too! Seems like there should be something. Or we can make something and lobby to get it in the dictionary.
Mystery/Thriller Reading Friends
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Bid to become a character in my next book -- and help support wounded veterans. All proceeds go to Homes For Our Troops to build specially adapted homes for severely injured post-9/11..."
Too rich for my blood, but what a great idea to raise funds!