Choose for Me: Oldest Booki n My TBR pile

[Carol/Bonadie]

I have to choose a book to meet this category on the 2023 Determination List Challenge.

I've gone through some of my stacks and need help choosing between the following:

Then Came Violence by John Ball.
By Chester Himes The Crazy Kill by Chester Himes.
He Who Hesitates by Ed McBain.
One L: The Turbulent True Story of a First Year at Harvard Law School by Scott Turow.
For Special Services by John Gardner. (James Bond)

These are legit old books from my TBR stacks-- some of the pages are beginning to yellow. But I'm determined to read something in this category next to check it off my list, and I've held onto all of them bec I want to read them. I decided not to try to find the absolute oldest book I own (or book with the earliest publication date).

Thoughts?

[Ann]

Wow Carol, what a group - no wonder you can’t decide. Let me think on this question a bit.

[Sandi]

I have read He Who Hesitates and while it is a part of the 87th precinct series the usual characters do not have a lot of page time.

I always meant to read One L: The Turbulent True Story of a First Year at Harvard Law School but have never got around to it. Overdrive has the audio verison so I might check it out.

[Ann]

Carol, knowing your RIO habits, I suppose you have read the first five Virgil Tibbs books, so I choose John Dudley Ball's Then Came Violence. I could also choose One L: The Turbulent True Story of a First Year at Harvard Law School which sounds fascinating.
There is a good case for all of them as you pointed out.

[Carol/Bonadie]

Ann wrote: "Carol, knowing your RIO habits, I suppose you have read the first five Virgil Tibbs books, so I choose John Dudley Ball's Then Came Violence. I could also choose [boo..."

LOL Ann you know me too well. However, I have not read the first 5 VT books; i grabbed the first of the 5 off the shelf and was too lazy to check the order. I will do that now. So it looks like one vote for Virgil Tubbs and 2 (maybe for One-L). Let's see if anyone weighs in.

[Carol/Bonadie]

Sandi wrote: "I have read He Who Hesitates and while it is a part of the 87th precinct series the usual characters do not have a lot of page time.

I always meant to read [book:One L: The Turbulent..."

Sandi, I wondered about that. I've read maybe one of the 87th precinct series but didn't see any familiar names in the plot summary.

[Donnajo]

I never read any of them nor the author's maybe one of scott's books long ago. The ratings from what I can tell are missed mostly lower Scott's sounds interesting but so does Then Came Violence. So I would say either of those. sorry. I guess it is a decision whether you want to read the books before in the series or not. I know how us read in order gals go but lately if I have a freebie whatever at times I'm not going back to find past books so I've been known to kind of read out of order. So if you want to make believe you don't know there are previous books LOL. just read the one you have.

[Ann]

I like that DJ! Just use make believe to get yourself ready to read out of order. I’m sure Carol will jump right on that! ;) it works for me, read what’s in front of you!

[Carol/Bonadie]

Just checking back here. I did decide to go for One L: The Turbulent True Story of a First Year at Harvard Law School although I haven't done more that crack the cover yet. I got diverted by our group read Small Mercies which I had an ARC of. Almost done so it's up next.

[Ann]

Carol, looks like a very good choice. I sampled the audio and am tempted myself!

[Carol/Bonadie]

I started reading One L at 8:30 last night and 3 hours later (okay, I did drift off for a minute) was still reading. I marvel at how Scott Turow could keep detailed journal entries all while he was studying hard his first year in law school. He really takes you inside, though. It's fascinating. Will be a quick read I'm sure, I can't wait to pick it up again tonight.

[Ann]

Carol oh, that sounds terrific. Good to know! And if I get to it this year it can be my determination 'someone recommended' book.

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "I started reading One L at 8:30 last night and 3 hours later (okay, I did drift off for a minute) was still reading. I marvel at how Scott Turow could keep detailed journal entries all while he was..."

[Carol/Bonadie]

Ann wrote: "Carol oh, that sounds terrific. Good to know! And if I get to it this year it can be my determination 'someone recommended' book.

Carol/Bonadie wrote: "I started reading One L at 8:30 last night ..."

There you go! And if you don't get to it this year, next year it can be your book you meant to get to last year, LOL.

[Ann]

You know me too well Carol! Two shots at the determination list!