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I'm cracking my sides and am feeling awful at the same time. I should like to report proudly that we were not the cause of the death of a turkey. But we had duck.
Janet wrote: "I'm cracking my sides and am feeling awful at the same time. I should like to report proudly that we were not the cause of the death of a turkey. But we had duck."Yep, no need to feel guilty about carving a duck! Hahaha...
Much as I enjoyed The Girl on the Train, I thought there were better options for Best Mystery.Also, Go Set A Watchman (though I haven't read yet) probably isn't really the best of the fiction nominees.
That being said, it's not really about what are the best books? It's about what are the most popular books.
I had two write-ins but only one made it. 
I think there were only about 4 or 5 that I had read. I really should work on reading more new releases.
Is the New York Times' The Best of 2015 list out yet? I always buy at least 1 from that one.
Kirsten *Dogs Welcome - People Tolerated" wrote: "I had two write-ins but only one made it. I think there were only about 4 or 5 that I had read. I really should work on re..."
Don't feel bad, most books I read are a year or more old.
"Don't let go of me, please." "I have to. Kneel down for a second. It'll be all right."
She let go and I reached to the far side of the dormer frame. Clutching it, I made my way past. Inside the room it was black, a swath of orange showing low. From the far side I reached to her and said, "Come on, grab my hand."
"Oh, my god. Here." She reached out and clutched me and made her way to her feet. The room brightened.
"Don't wait, Hannah. Come across now."
She was in front of the dormer when the glass fractured from the heat and thick brown smoke gushed out, enveloping her. She lost her balance and fell, screaming, landing in the alley with an unseen thump. She was quiet. I stared for a moment and then heard two more shots.
**Finishing this one tonight--breathless. Wish he (Tony Knighton)had more books out.**
http://www.amazon.com/Happy-Hour-Othe...
I don't understand. Why caused the room to brighten? LOL
I like a mix of older and new ones. I too tend to read about 3 in a series and then I look for variety. Will come back to the series after a while.
Yes, that's the one I was looking for. They also discuss this in the NY Times books weekly podcast. Thanks for finding it for me!
Mary wrote: "I tend to read in a series. I'll read a new book if its part of a series Im reading. I don't think about when it's written usually. I just read what I like. In fact, I really like older books."
The only series I have read every book in order so far and not tired is Rowling's Cormoran Strike series. I'm waiting for this year's book to come out in paperback because hardcover costs too much. I can see myself reading her every book in this series every year. She has been that good so far.
Janet, that series is only 3 books long!
I know, but it gets longer by one each year, right? LOL.
Hey, there's one I'm religious about reading that is going to be up to #42 next year.
Since some have brought up the process and manner in which they read, I'll give an example of how I go about it.I'll take John Lescroart: My sister in law gave me two books, The Oath and The Mercy Rule. I read those two, I then made a list of all the books Lescroart has written and started reading his book in order of publication date.
If it is a series, I'd read the one book I get first, then go back to the very first book in the series and start the series from the beginning; when I get to the book I originally read, I just read it again as part of the series.
Sorry if I confused anybody, ask me any questions you might have.
Warning: I am confused. :-)
I, on the other hand, research the reviews and pick about 3 most critically acclaimed books. If they are all about the same in reputation I pick 3 from about books 3 through 8 in the series. I generally know I want to look for variety and move onto a different author after reading about 3 books.
Janet wrote: "Who is that, Kirsten?"JD Robb's (Nora Robert) In Death series.
Kirsten *Dogs Welcome - People Tolerated" wrote: "Janet wrote: "Who is that, Kirsten?"JD Robb's (Nora Robert) In Death series."
Ah, yes. I think Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpatta series is also very long.
Actually, picking and choosing is why I do now. In my early days since a teenager I used to chase series. I read all the YA mysteries by Enid Blyton in full and read every Agatha Christie I could get my hands on. There was a time about 5 years ago I loved reading Michael Connelly. I have read 9 or 10 of his books.
I get my cozy fix now and then. I'm panicking with my Christmas presents list. I absolutely *have to* make all my major buys this coming weekend. Doing some shopping over the Internet as I write this.
How are y'all getting on with your Christmas lists?
Janet wrote: "I get my cozy fix now and then. I'm panicking with my Christmas presents list. I absolutely *have to* make all my major buys this coming weekend. Doing some shopping over the Internet as I write ..."
Don't remind me! I did half my shopping last month. (For the easy people.) This month'll be harder.
(My niece wants us to get rid of her downstairs neighbor for Christmas. Hmmmm.....)
I got done with my list last week from three different vendors. See, I already knew what to buy. My daughters gave me, about two weeks ago, the same thing they give me every year for Christmas: A list of what they want for Christmas.
Today I received the first package in the mail.
Kirsten *Dogs Welcome - People Tolerated" wrote: "Don't remind me! I did half my shopping last month. (For the easy people.) This month'll be harder.(My niece wants us to get rid of her downstairs neighbor for Christmas. Hmmmm.....)..."
We might have a Christmas mystery on our hands: The Case of the Disappearing Neighbour. LOL.
Chris wrote: "I got done with my list last week from three different vendors. See, I already knew what to buy. My daughters gave me, about two weeks ago, the same thing they give me every year for Christmas: A..."
I hope you daughters get you some nice ones too.
They've stopped giving me lists a long time ago because I completely ignore them and buy everybody books.
Janet wrote: "Chris wrote: "I got done with my list last week from three different vendors. See, I already knew what to buy. My daughters gave me, about two weeks ago, the same thing they give me every year fo..."
Well, if they are going to give me anything, I sure would like a book better than anything else.
Janet wrote: "Actually, picking and choosing is why I do now. In my early days since a teenager I used to chase series. I read all the YA mysteries by Enid Blyton in full and read every Agatha Christie I could g..."I agree, Janet. Michael Connelly is an excellent writer. One of my favorites.
Kirsten *Dogs Welcome - People Tolerated" wrote: "Much as I enjoyed The Girl on the Train, I thought there were better options for Best Mystery.Also, Go Set A Watchman (though I haven't read yet) probably isn't really the best of the fiction nom..."
That's so unfortunate, Kristen, because it should be all about great writing, not a popularity contest.
D.B. wrote: "I agree, Janet. Michael Connelly is an excellent writer. One of my favorites...."Well, I'm not as addicted to him now as I was about 5 years ago.
Nowadays I have taken to more literary British crime writers. I used to say Kate Atkinson was my favourite contemporary American crime writer until I found out she is actually British just the other day on here. LOL.
D.B. wrote: "That's so unfortunate, Kristen, because it should be all about great writing, not a popularity contest. ..."Well said. That is why I attach more weight to professional reviews from critics who are writers and editors like the reviews by the NY Times, The New Yorker, The Chicago Tribune, The Guardian, etc.
I pay less attention to the "popularity lists" compiled by mass votes run by Amazon or Goodreads.
Mary wrote: "Some of the best books I've read are the ones I randomly pull off the library shelf. But most are from GR recommendations. I love this site."Yes, I have found really superb books and fine authors from the discussions going on here.
I like to read a series straight through although more than once I've ended up inadvertantly picking up the second or third book first and then if I like it I go back and reread before moving forward.I am a fan of a lot of the older mysteries, too.
Debbie wrote: "I like to read a series straight through although more than once I've ended up inadvertantly picking up the second or third book first and then if I like it I go back and reread before moving forwa..."I like reads from 1970's on.
Hoping to make a major dent in my Christmas shopping list this weekend. Also I'm getting all the cards out bound to international destinations.My tree's going up tomorrow. Who has a tree up already?
Yes, it should, D.B. But I'm just saying it wasn't set up to judge the quality of the books, but the popularity amongst the Goodreads users. Now, if all the users had excellent taste, maybe other books would win. Imagine what would happen if you could only vote on books you've read and rated...
Lots of people do. They vote for books they'd like to read. I did that the first year. Last couple of years I only vote for things I know about. In fact,this year I had to do some write-ins.
Mary wrote: "I don't vote for books I haven't read but I bet some do. If so then the results are worthless, or off the mark."BINGO!!!
My tastes don't often align with what is popular. I find my tastes more and more aligned with critics' and book awards' choices, which are often departures from the popular of bestseller lists.
Tell me about it. My tastes almost always run counter to what is popular. Not always with the critics either.
Love your book-Christmas tree, Kirsten. :)
Isn't it cute? I found the pic on line. I didn't actually do it myself!
It really is fun. I was in Central London today and inside the shopping arcade of the Kings' Cross station there is a tree made up of entirely teddy bears and children's toys. Any child could win a teddy toy off the "tree" on Christmas day by donating to charity or doing some performance that would make others donate to charity. What a great idea, don't you think?
Mary wrote: "I just looked at my goodreads year of my books email. How fun! I saved it!"Didn't get this post, Mary. You have a year of books email?
Janet wrote: "It really is fun. I was in Central London today and inside the shopping arcade of the Kings' Cross station there is a tree made up of entirely teddy bears and children's toys. Any child could win a..."It does sound like a lot of fun. I wish I could go to London and see it for myself. Also a great idea to motivate others to donate to charity. I donate monthly to St. Jude Children's Hospital, and of course now for the holidays Toys for Tots.
I donate to the RSPCA and cat charities. I love spending time with my charity recipients. It is such good therapy.
Janet wrote: "I donate to the RSPCA and cat charities. i love spending time with my charity recipients. It is such good therapy."I agree, it gives me a sense of accomplishment also, but at the same time it makes me feel bad that I can't do more.
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Crime, Mysteries & Thrillers
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