Got any book/reading thoughts to share?

[Ann]

What about “book-drop” ? Could count for the feeling of your rating dropping a point( or more), and for dropping a physical book in your lap in surprise and dismay, and for deciding to drop a series or author.

[Ann]

If this is a duplicate post, so be it. I previously posted a suggestion: "book-drop"
Multiple applications: a drop in rating due to the ending pulling it down; the drop to your lap of a print book in disgust at the ending ; or the drop of a series or author due to the disappointment.

[BarryP]

Does not sound good enough for a book civilian.

[Ann]

Barry: are we book professionals?

Barry wrote: "Does not sound good enough for a book civilian."

[Sherry]

Ann wrote: "Barry: are we book professionals?

Barry wrote: "Does not sound good enough for a book civilian.""

well of course we are!

[BarryP]

I went back through our whole glossary. The closest I came were our references to throwing it against the wall.

[Carol/Bonadie]

Barry wrote: "Me too! Seems like there should be something. Or we can make something and lobby to get it in the dictionary."

I vote for this. sort of the opposite of "unputdownable." Except that deals with the feeling while reading the book. This is about the feeling of disappointment at the end. How about "ending letdown?" Not one word but...

[BarryP]

Nichterfüllung endung?

[Pat]

Review by Kathy Woods, Editor North County Daily Star

Story of a Stolen Girl by Pat Spencer
Story of a Stolen Girl by Pat Spencer is definitely a Best Selling Novel. This fictional, but real story for what is happening at this time, is full of horror, love, and bravery. Darby was kidnapped, drugged and trafficked to another country where she was enslaved like an animal.

Each chapter moved back and forth in time and location and in circumstances from daughter and mother as the investigation progressed each day through the help of the authorities.
Enslavement and fear engulfed them as Nina, Darby’s mom, searched for her daughter. Once she learned where her daughter was taken, thanks to the authorities, this mother risked her own life and willingly allowed herself to be kidnapped and trafficked to find her daughter.

“What would you do to rescue your child?”

I couldn’t put the book down until it was finished. I read it every minute I had available till the very end. Will she find her? Will she be rescued? Will they escape and make it home, ALIVE?

Thousands of boys and girls are taken every day. Some will never be found. Kidnapping and human trafficking is a billion-dollar business and the victims, if found, are scared forever.

Story of a Stolen Girl is available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble (online and signed copies in the Oceanside B&N). Learn more about human trafficking prevention and services to support survivors as well as more about this author at Pat’s website at patspencer.net and on FB.

Thank you, Pat Spencer for sharing your book. This MUST STOP! A must read for ALL!”

– Kathy Woods, Editor North County Daily Star

[BarryP]

Was I just hijacked?

[Ann]

Apparently!
Barry wrote: "Was I just hijacked?"

[Carol/Bonadie]

Barry wrote: "Was I just hijacked?"

I thought you were just showing off!

[Dan]

Hey guys!

Wasn't sure where to post this but I need some help!
Are any of you Dutch/Living in the Netherlands?
My friend lives over there & it is her Birthday next month! She loves reading & I want to get a book voucher sent but unsure what the best bookstores are nationally across the country?

I know Amsterdam has a Waterstones (& it is gorgeous, I have to say). However, she does not live there & I would prefer a more niche, local business for her to shop at. Any recommendations? With Covid I thought I would prepare early & hope whatever I send arrives in time.

Thank you. Any advice is welcome!

[Carol/Bonadie]

Boy Dan, I don't know if anyone here is Dutch or living in the Netherlands but I certainly hope so. A gift certificate to a local bookstore is a great present.

[BarryP]

This site showed up on Facebook:
https://thrillerfix.com/the-best-thri...
For once, a list of reader's choice that was all books I have actually read.

[Ann]

Barry: I was only 50%. Not unusual for me to have a chunk I haven't yet read. Billy Summers and False Witness were excellent choices.

Barry wrote: "This site showed up on Facebook:
https://thrillerfix.com/the-best-thri...
For once, a list of reader's choice that was all books I have actually read."

[Carol/Bonadie]

Out of 4 books? I've read Billy Summers, that's it.

[BarryP]

get hopping!

[Ann]

For fans of Andy Weir’s The Martian: This story made me smile! (Space Station tacos with fresh chile peppers grown on station!)
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/04/sc...

[Carol/Bonadie]

Progress, Ann!

[Jess]

I apologize if this isn't the place to add and it's not really a "Book Share" but I was thinking it would be something different - "Choose It For Me", where you choose a few novels off your "Want To Read" list and other members comment (choose) for you on what to read next.

[Carol/Bonadie]

Nope, Jess, you're right, this is not that but if you are interested in starting a thread like to see if others are interested you could do that, or Ann or I could.

[Jess]

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "Nope, Jess, you're right, this is not that but if you are interested in starting a thread like to see if others are interested you could do that, or Ann or I could."

Thanks Carol, I know that only "Admins" can post Group Discussion topic threads so I would be more comfortable if one of you could post it...I just didn't want to look as though I was overstepping. I could send one of you a message to show you how it would work.

[Ann]

Jess - ‘Choose for me’ sounds like a good idea! As Carol said, do let us know your thoughts for how it might look

[Jess]

Ann wrote: "Jess - ‘Choose for me’ sounds like a good idea! As Carol said, do let us know your thoughts for how it might look"

Thanks Ann, I'll give you a message this evening about it.

[BarryP]

Seems like something Johnny Carson did as Carnak the Magnificent

[Harrow]

Hi, can someone help find this mystery thriller book please
a couple invites their enemies and people who have wronged them to their wedding so they can kill them.
2021-2022 release maybe.

[Jess]

My local book club are getting some titles together for Halloween & Christmas. I'm thinking about also incorporating some "Cozy mysteries" if anyone has any ideas, please share them my way

[Jess]

You may be thinking of The Guest List by Lucy Foley.

Harrow wrote: "Hi, can someone help find this mystery thriller book please
a couple invites their enemies and people who have wronged them to their wedding so they can kill them.
2021-2022 release maybe."

[BarryP]

good news in Facebook:
Jay Hartigan
Will there be another Harry Bosch story?

Reply
1d

Michael Connelly Books
Jay Hartigan Yes, he’ll be in next year’s Mickey Haller book

[Ann]

Barry: that is good news!! (Harry Bosch)

[Sherry]

that is good news!

[Mary Jo]

It's wonderful news. Bosch and Haller: two of my favorite characters together again. Mary Jo

[BarryP]

From SYKM
Writing the Final Chapter for 2022: These are the writers listed on SYKM who died in 2022. As we observe their passing, let’s remember to also celebrate the pleasure they brought (and continue to bring) to countless readers. If you visit their pages, you may be inspired to read or reread one or more of their books.
Mary Daheim [1937-2022]
Ron Goulart [1933-2022]
Elizabeth Gunn [1927-2022]
J. Robert Janes [1935-2022]
Jack Higgins [1929-2022]
J.J. Lamb [1931-2022]
Michael Malone [1942-2022]
Javier Marías [1951-2022]
Peter Robinson [1950-2022]
Marcus Sedgwick [1968-2022]
Susie Steiner [1971-2022]
Richard Stevenson (Richard Lipez) [1938-2022]
Donald Thomas [1934-2022]
Stuart Woods [1938-2022]

[Ann]

Thanks Barry, I didn’t realize the passing of many of these authors.

[BarryP]

Harlan Coben will be at the Brookline Booksmith 3/20/23.

[Carol/Bonadie]

Barry wrote: "Harlan Coben will be at the Brookline Booksmith 3/20/23."

Ooh! Road trip anyone?

[Carol/Bonadie]

Barry wrote: "From SYKM
Writing the Final Chapter for 2022: These are the writers listed on SYKM who died in 2022. As we observe their passing, let’s remember to also celebrate the pleasure they brought (and co..."

Thanks for posting, Barry. Peter Robinson.... gone too soon.

[Whale]

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[GailW]

The Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books was this past Saturday. I was able to attend a panel which included Annette Dashofy, Nick Petrie, and Joseph Reid (aka Parker Adams). I had never heard of the two gentlemen before then and have since picked up the first book in their respective series. The session was very enjoyable. Happy to report that they "played" quite nicely together. (I've had some bad experiences with a few multi-author sessions in the past...)

[Dan in AZ]

I’ve read all of Petrie’s Peter Ash series and have enjoyed each book. His writing is consistent, and the subject and characters are of interest to me.

[Ann]

Gail - how fun! and speaking of fun, I went back and read some of the older (really old) posts in this thread and it was a hoot. Highly recommended for other 'long-time group members!

I love hearing authors talk about their work. I have seen a few panels where the structure stifled that a bit but never saw one with the participants not "playing nice" = good that the one you saw last weekend was the nicer sort of comradery.

Gail W wrote: "The Greater Pittsburgh Festival of Books was this past Saturday. I was able to attend a panel which included Annette Dashofy, Nick Petrie, and Joseph Reid (aka Parker Adams). I had never heard of t..."

[Arnold]

I would love to hear what other Mystery/Thriller fans think of this following comment.
What do Tom Clancy, Robert Ludlum, and Vince Flynn have in common? They were great spy thriller authors that created fascinating series. Unfortunately the other commonality is that other authors continued the series. The continuation of these series by new authors has been, in my opinion, a big disappointment. I believe that these authors would do better to create their own personalities and work with them. Trying to copy the work of giants never works.

[Ann]

Arnold: I haven't read many of the series books by Tom Clancy, Robert Ludlum, or Vince Flynn; nor those co-written by others. Two of the co-authors seem to have done quite well for themselves with stand-alone books and series. Kyle Mills is one, I have enjoyed several of his books and one (so far) Grey Man novel.
I suppose your question refers to the other co-authors whom I generally have never heard of. They don't seem to be getting much publicity unless, like Mills and Greaney they publish under their own banner.

[BarryP]

Co-authoring and ghost writing seem to have run rampant. The hardest of the balancing acts had been in the Robert Parker universe where multiple authors write multiple characters that were all connected by design by Parker. Jesse Stone in particular has had personality changes that challenged the series and the entire Spenser universe.
On your specific examples, Sherry and her bookstore hosted a talk by Mills just as he was taking over the Flynn series. I continued to read this and felt he did an honest job, though I did note some differences in tone. Ludlum on the other hand, was a unique voice, and I have stopped reading his series since it was too different form the aspects that originally appealed to me. Clancy I continue to read, he went to ghost writing long before he died, and his books have followed much the same path..Had he continued to write, I suspect he would have continued to grow as an author, but in passing, his books are somewhat formulaic.

[Sherry]

What do you think of the Lee Child/Andrew Grant pairing, Barry? I was totally underwhelmed by the first 3 books but didn't hate the 4th (the secret)- seemed like Grant (or andrew child lol) started to figure out how to write reacher.

[BarryP]

I've felt since the first pairing of the two that anybody could write the adventure nature of the books, the tough guy doing "right", but what made the series compelling was Reacher's character, and that seems locked up in Lee Child's writing of him. The series has improved since the first pairing, but it is not in the place that made it great.

[Sherry]

BarryP wrote: "I've felt since the first pairing of the two that anybody could write the adventure nature of the books, the tough guy doing "right", but what made the series compelling was Reacher's character, an..."

I agree, barry. i miss the "old" teacher and although andrew is getting better at writing him, he's not there yet and who knows if he ever will get there 100%?

[Ann]

Barry, Sherry, Arnold - good points, especially about the personality of the main characters often being hard to transfer to a co-author or complete hand-off to a new author,if even possible.

Sherry wrote: "I agree, barry. i miss the "old" teacher and although andrew is getting better at writing him, he's not there yet and who knows if he ever will get there 100%?"

BarryP wrote: "I've felt since the first pairing of the two that anybody could write the adventure nature of the books, the tough guy doing "right", but what made the series compelling was Reacher's character..."

[A.C.]

I want to thank those would read my novel, A NOIR STORY and posted a rating and a review. Of course the "5" scores are uplifting to my spirits, but even the low scores with their reviews are very helpful. You'll never know just how much an author appreciates your taking the time to read, rate and review their work. Thank you very much.