Group Read Books - 2016

[Sandi]

Ann wrote: "Sandi: I just wanted to mention that you had a home run list of books from your post back on January 1st. They didn't all become group read books, but I read each of them with the exception of soon to be rectified Steve Hamilton book coming up soon, so wanted to thank you for recommended them! "

I've read all but The Widow and The Second Life of Nick Mason and will read them both soon. I'm so glad we have such great resources on the net that alert us to new and interesting crime reads. I was just going over my old book reading lists and remember when the only ways I found new book info were the local paper and Entertainment Weekly magazine and neither really had much crime fiction listed. I can tell exactly when I found the Mystery/Thriller board on AOL because I had never heard of such great authors as John Sandford, Robert Crais, Michael Connelly, Dennis Lehane, Harlan Coben, and Laura Lippman.

[Ann]

Sandi: The AOL Mystery Thriller book board was a turning point for me too, the wealth of great authors revealed to be such interesting people and with such talent were great influences and my reading choices and to be read piles were transformed.
Social media eighteen years ago was quite different, but discussing good books and favorite authors is on the list right behind reading as a favorite pass time for me still.
I still remember the days when a browsing trip to the library was the main way I picked out new books and it worked well for following prolific authors and backlist titles; but getting new releases was a cballenge until holds were allowed and requestable online coinciding around the same time.
I did pick up an unfamiliar author on a browsing trip, the memory is vivid as I spotted a book, Interview with the Vampire, just sitting on the shelf. What a ride that choice turned into.

[Ann]

Status checking in mid year we have four Group Read books overlapping so we should have a little something for everyone.
From Papa King to son of Stephen: Joe Hill the thriller lovers have End of Watch and The Fireman Trilogy ending The City of Mirrors and favorite author Steve Hamilton's new book for July - The Second Life of Nick Mason

[Ann]

Two books from favorite authors are coming in August 2016 -
Monkeewrench #7 - The Sixth Idea and
Tana French's Murder squad book 6 The Trespasser.
Anyone interested in a group read - and are there any other suggestions?

[Sherry]

Ann wrote: "Two books from favorite authors are coming in August 2016 -
Monkeewrench #7 - The Sixth Idea and
Tana French's Murder squad book 6 The Trespasser.
Anyone intereste..."

yes to both. :)

[BarryP]

I have the Monkeewrench book on order.

[Carol/Bonadie]

Ann wrote: "Two books from favorite authors are coming in August 2016 -
Monkeewrench #7 - The Sixth Idea and
Tana French's Murder squad book 6 The Trespasser.
Anyone intereste..."

I haven't kept up with the Monkeewrench series but you all go ahead. Definitely interested in Tana French, of course!

[Ann]

Thanks, I am eager to read both myself! It looks like the Tana French book is only releasing in the UK in August, October for the US so I won't add The Trespasser for a group read until the US publication date.
I will update the books to be read bookshelf with Monkeewrench. I usually gallop right through those quickly so maybe I will make a few less segments than some of the longer books have had.

[Dawn]

I need to still read Off the Grid in the Monkeewrench series...how did I miss that. Hoping I remember enough to jump back into this series.

[Ann]

Dawn: The Monkeewrench books are usually released pretty far apart, I know what you mean about remembering previous books, but they usually grab me right back into them.
Dawn wrote: "I need to still read Off the Grid in the Monkeewrench series...how did I miss that. Hoping I remember enough to jump back into this series."

[Anne]

Having trouble finding the August read (P. J. Tracy) even for pre-order:(

[Ann]

Anne: My library does have The Sixth Idea on pre-order, but just recently. Audible has an audio version ready for pre-order; but only print or Kindle at the library right now. I am hoping for an Overdrive audio closer to release date. Their books are so far apart perhaps the popular interest hasn't built up to increase purchases.
Anne wrote: "Having trouble finding the August read (P. J. Tracy) even for pre-order:("

[Ann]

Greetings! We have at least a couple of open slots to round out the Group Read books. Please let us know if you would like to nominate a book or two.
September is Blackout this is a standalone.
October is the new Tana French The Trespasser.
French's books do feature recurring characters, someone on the sidelines will often star in a new book.
That leaves November and December plus potentially layering one or more in. Suggestions wecome! Thanks!
Here's a link to nominate:
https://www.goodreads.com/group/books...

[Melodie]

Grisham has a new one coming out that looks good!

[Sandi]

One of my favorites, Michael Robotham has a stand alone out, Life or Death, that has been nominated for all the top mystery awards and won the 2015 Gold Dagger.

[Ann]

Sandi:
I just got notice that the new Robatham book Life or Death is waiting for me on Overdrive!

[Ann]

I'll have to look up the new Grisham Melodie!

[Ann]

Ok here are some candidates. I added one already to the September Group Reading;
Surrender, New York
and we could add the other two, we've enjoyed discussing Grisham in the past and the Robotham looks very good. Are there any others?

Life or Death is available now and could be a good counterpoint to the Nick Mason story of a man released early from prison. This man vanished the day before his scheduled release. A candidate for late Sep- Oct?
The Whistler (Grisham's new book) would be possible for Nov-Dec with a 10/25 release date

[Carol/Bonadie]

That sounds fine, Ann. Not sure i will read Life or Death, but I will read Surrender and Whistler.

[Russ]

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "That sounds fine, Ann. Not sure i will read Life or Death, but I will read Surrender and Whistler."

I think I'm in the same boat as Carol. I read the Kindle sample for Life or Death and it wasn't for me. But Grisham is always readable, so I'm penciling in The Whistler!

[Ann]

Russ: I heard a negative comment about the narration of Life Or Death so I am on the fence myself.

[Sandi]

Ann wrote: "Russ: I heard a negative comment about the narration of Life Or Death so I am on the fence myself."

Maybe we better pick another book.

I am still waiting on some sort of copy of Surrender, New York to become available from the library but should be good on both The Trespasser and The Whistler since I requested them for purchase on Overdrive and should be at the top of the list when they come out.

[Donnajo]

Maybe I will be able to squeeze in when it is time for grishan.

[Sherry]

i can't keep up with all the books, but i'm in for the grisham. :)

[Ann]

Sandi: I listen to just about every book I read, so the negative comment about the narration gives me pause, but the nominations for awards are still a plus. I am going to sample Life or Death and see. Let's not give up on it yet.
Surrender, New York is very good!

Sandi wrote: "Maybe we better pick another book.
I am still waiting on some sort of copy of Surrender, New York..."
Ann wrote: "Russ: I heard a negative comment about the narration of Life Or Death so I am on the fence myself.

[Ann]

An update regarding the narration of Michael Robotham's Life or Death; I am listening now and it isn't an issue. I don't even recall where I saw someone didn't like it. :)

[Ann]

What a stellar set of group read books we read in 2016! While we set out to read one per month we ended up with fifteen books due to overlapping schedules and books added because we just had to read them.
2017 is off to a great start with several books slotted for the first few months. We look forward to everyone who reads one of these books joining in on the discussions.
You can view the 2016 shelf here with links to the activity and comments for each book:
https://www.goodreads.com/group/books...

[Russ]

Ann wrote: "What a stellar set of group read books we read in 2016! While we set out to read one per month we ended up with fifteen books due to overlapping schedules and books added because we just had to rea..."

Ditto, Ann. I'm really glad I got on Goodreads and joined this group. A fun year indeed! Thank you for your leadership. :)

[Ann]

Russ: Kind words, thanks! We are lucky you joined our group and enjoy your contributions very much!
Russ wrote: "
Ditto, Ann. I'm really glad I got on Goodreads and joined this group. A fun year indeed! Thank you for your leadership. :)