Nominations for the March/April 2016 group read are now open: Scandinavian crime fiction, mystery or thrillers:

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

It is time again to nominate another book for the next group read. The theme this month is Scandinavian crime fiction/mystery/thrillers. I'm providing a list of authors you may not nominate, since we've read them in the past, but there are plenty of other authors out there from which to choose.

The list:

Jussi Adler-Olsen
Jo Nesbo
Camilla Lackberg
Arnaldur Indridason
Stieg Larsson
Henning Mankell

A word or two about nominations and voting:

1. As has been the case for as long as I can remember, if your nomination wins the poll vote, you will be the discussion leader. Do NOT nominate a book if you do not wish to be the moderator.

2. When a book gets to the poll, please please please do not vote on it if you have no intention of reading it. This month's selections are a good example of why -- very few people who voted actually showed up for the discussions. That is extremely unfair to the people who voted for the next two books on the poll. Bottom line: If you don't want to read it, don't vote for it.

3. This is not the place for authors to promote their own work.

4. If the book is in a series, it might be wise to start with book #1 rather than somewhere mid-series.

All right then, I think we're covered. Have fun, and pick some good books!

[sonya]

The girl with the dragon tattoo

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Sonya wrote: "The girl with the dragon tattoo"

It's by Stieg Larsson -- do you want to make another selection??

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

If you need help getting past the big names in Scandinavian crime that we've already read,

Denmark : http://www.stopyourekillingme.com/Loc...

Norway: http://www.stopyourekillingme.com/Loc...

Sweden: http://www.stopyourekillingme.com/Loc...

Finland: http://www.stopyourekillingme.com/Loc...

[Tracie]

I'm traveling alone by Samuel Bjork

[Sheila]

I've got a question about this leading discussion thing. How does that work exactly? I haven't been active in the group but would like to be more so but I have never led a discussion before and find that somewhat intimidating. Also does the book need to be first in the series?

I would like to nominate 1222 by Anne Holt

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Trae wrote: "I'm traveling alone by Samuel Bjork"

I'm Traveling Alone

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Sheila wrote: "I've got a question about this leading discussion thing. How does that work exactly? I haven't been active in the group but would like to be more so but I have never led a discussion before and fin..."

Two things:

1. 1222 is #8 -- can you nominate the first book instead, since this is a series?

2. Being a discussion leader isn't like running a book group. You don't have to come in with a list of questions or topics. Normally that person comes in, introduces himself/herself, maybe comments on what other readers have posted, makes sure people are being courteous or not leaking spoilers, that sort of thing. It is really just someone who can keep the discussion going as people are reading.

[Sheila]

Thanks Nancy. I better withdraw my nomination. Sorry

[Alex]

The dogs of Riga

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Alex wrote: "The dogs of Riga"

The Dogs of Riga is by Henning Mankell, who is on the list of authors not to nominate, so can you try another author?

[Helen]

I am currently reading a book by Asa Larsson. It is the first in the Rebecka Martinsson series and it won a Sweden’s Best First Crime Novel Award.

So I recommend Sun Storm by Asa Larsson .

[Suzy]

I nominate Detective Inspector Huss by Helen Tursten. Takes place in Goteborg, Sweden - I've wanted to read this for a while!

[Suzy]

On another note, I like that we're nominating books with a geographical focus!

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Suzy wrote: "On another note, I like that we're nominating books with a geographical focus!"

It's good to branch out once in a while.

[Margaret]

How about Echoes from the Dead by Johan Theorin

[Suzy]

Nancy wrote: "Suzy wrote: "On another note, I like that we're nominating books with a geographical focus!"

It's good to branch out once in a while."

I like that it creates a focus. Thanks for the links to Stop You're Killing Me. I'll add the one for Iceland. http://www.stopyourekillingme.com/Loc...

[Sherrie]

I nominate The Boy in the Suitcase by Lene Kaaberbøl. My library actually has the book!

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Suzy wrote: "Nancy wrote: "Suzy wrote: "On another note, I like that we're nominating books with a geographical focus!"

It's good to branch out once in a while."

I like that it creates a focus. Thanks for the..."

LOL -- I spaced on Iceland! Thanks.

[Suzy]

Sherrie wrote: "I nominate The Boy in the Suitcase by Lene Kaaberbøl. My library actually has the book!"

I really liked that book - almost nominated it :)

[Saeed]

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson

[Mihail]

So I think it's time to make a rule: "Before you nominate something, read message no.1"

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Mihail wrote: "So I think it's time to make a rule: "Before you nominate something, read message no.1""

Actually, in this case, read the paragraph before rule #1!

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Sherrie wrote: "I nominate The Boy in the Suitcase by Lene Kaaberbøl. My library actually has the book!"

The Boy in the Suitcase

[Priyanka]

I would like to nominate " Journey under the midnight sun" by Keigo Higashino

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

This month is crime from Scandinavia, although I will keep Japan in mind for the future.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

So far:

1. I'm Traveling Alone, by Samuel Bjork
2. Sun Storm, by Asa Larsson
3. Detective Inspector Huss, by Helene Tursten
4. Echoes from the Dead, by Johan Theorin
5. The Boy in the Suitcase, by Lena Kaaberbol
6. Broken, by Karin Fossum
7. Unwanted, by Kristina Ohlsson
8. One, Two ... He Is Coming For You, by Willow Rose
9. Helsinki Homicide: Darling, by Jarko Sippila
10. Cold Hearts, by Gunnar Staalesen.

[Harold]

Interesting category. I'll nominate Broken by Karin Fossum

[Autumn]

Unwanted by Kristina Ohlsson

[Nai]

One, Two ... He Is Coming For You by Willow Rose

[Sofie]

Great theme. I've never read Scandinavian mystery, so I am eagar to start.

[Gisela]

Sherrie wrote: "I nominate The Boy in the Suitcase by Lene Kaaberbøl. My library actually has the book!"
Good idea, on my to-read list for a long time.

[Gisela]

How about Helsinki Homicide: Darling. Another one which has lingered on my to-read list far too long and sounds interesting. First in a series!

[Merissa]

Hi. I'm new to a book group. Is there a length of time one needs to read the book? Thanks,

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Merissa wrote: "Hi. I'm new to a book group. Is there a length of time one needs to read the book? Thanks,"

No time limit, really -- we leave the discussion threads open all of the time.

[Merissa]

Nancy wrote: "Merissa wrote: "Hi. I'm new to a book group. Is there a length of time one needs to read the book? Thanks,"

No time limit, really -- we leave the discussion threads open all of the time."
Thanks, Nancy!

[Ron]

Cold Hearts by Gunnar Staalesen

[Niyati]

Nemesis - Jo Nesbø

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Niyati wrote: "Nemesis - Jo Nesbø"

Nesbo's on the don't-choose-from list. Sorry, Niyati.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Just an FYI, and a reminder: here are the authors that you should avoid this time around while nominating:

Jussi Adler-Olsen
Jo Nesbo
Camilla Lackberg
Arnaldur Indridason
Stieg Larsson
Henning Mankell

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

All righty, we have ten nominations and that is a nice number to take to the poll. So I think we'll stop there, and I'll make the poll ready for voting tomorrow.

Thank you for your suggestions!!