Monday, May 29, 2017

20 Books of Summer 2017


This year I was reminded of 20 Books of Summer by Nancy at NancyElin, whose list is here. The originator of the challenge is Cathy at 746 Books. Check out Cathy's list for more information.

For the 20 Books of Summer challenge I am choosing twenty books to read between June 1st and September 3rd, 2017. There are options for 15 books or 10 books for those who don't want to commit to 20.

And this is my list:
  • The Fashion in Shrouds by Margery Allingham (1938)
  • Murder Begins at Home by Delano Ames (1949)
  • Track of the Cat by Nevada Barr (1993)
  • The Emperor's Snuff-Box by John Dickson Carr  (1942)
  • Red Bones by Ann Cleeves (2009)
  • The Black Ice by Michael Connelly (1993)
  • Evil at the Root by Bill Crider (1990)

  • Crooked Heart by Lissa Evans (2009)
  • City of Dragons by Kelli Stanley (2010)
  • Dr. No by Ian Fleming (1958)
  • Malicious Intent by Kathryn Fox (2004)
  • Dead Skip by Joe Gores (1972)
  • Bodies Are Where You Find Them by Brett Halliday (1941)
  • The Distant Echo by Val McDermid (2003)
  • Vanishing Act by Thomas Perry (1994)
  • Deep Water by Christine Poulson (2016)
  • Busman's Honeymoon by Dorothy Sayers (1937) 
  • New Orleans Mourning by Julie Smith (1990)
  • The Man with the Getaway Face by Richard Stark (1963)
  • Brothers, Keepers by Donald E. Westlake (1975)





32 comments:

pattinase (abbott) said...

I wish I could be so organized!

TracyK said...

It is more that I really like making lists, Patti. I have three times this many books that I would like to read this summer ...

Rick Robinson said...

What a great list! I tried this a few years ago, and didn't come near to keeping on track. Is this also the order you intend to read them? Did you use any criteria in choosing?

Shalet Jimmy said...

Thanks for the list. "Murder Begins at Home" by Delano Ames (1949) - The title is very captivating. Maybe, I should include this on my reading list.

Sergio (Tipping My Fedora) said...

I have read about a third of these and they were all great so I think you've got a lot to look forward to here Tracy :)

Anonymous said...

These look great, Tracy. You have a nice variety of different sorts of crime fiction, too - impressive. I look forward to your reviews,

Peggy Ann said...

Great list, Tracy. Should I or shouldn't I join in? I should!

TracyK said...

Thanks, Rick. I did this last Summer and did read almost all of the books on the list, so I have high hopes for this time. The list was originally in order by author so I would not list one twice, but I don't think that is true on the final list. I will be reading the Richard Stark book very soon for the Heist / Bank Robbers theme at Patti's blog at end of June. Other than that, I will hop around on the list. My only criteria were books I had been intending to read for months and not getting to and / or on my TBR pile for a while.

TracyK said...

Shalet Jimmy, I read the book preceding Murder Begins at Home which is She Shall Have Murder. I loved that book, so I hope I like the 2nd book in the series as well.

TracyK said...

I am looking forward to all of them, Sergio. I hope that they meet my expectations. I did put a book by John Dickson Carr to make sure I finally read one of his books.

TracyK said...

I was happy with the variety in the list, Margot. And I got in some more vintage crime fiction too, which I have read less of in the last two months or so.

TracyK said...

I see that you have already joined in, Peggy, and I am glad.

NancyElin said...

Super List! So glad you are joining #20BooksOfSummer.
Your selections are an insipration for this non-CF reader.
I will add these books to my to-read list. After my 20 classics....20 CF!

Katrina said...

I've only read two by Delano Ames, but not the one on your list, I really enjoyed the ones I have read but it's not easy to find his books here. I'm tempted by all your vintage crime books, the only one I have read is Busman's Honeymoon. If I can get organised I will join in too.

TracyK said...

I am glad I joined in also, Nancy, and you were my inspiration to try it again. This is a varied list so I am sure you would enjoy some books on this list.

TracyK said...

Katrina, I have read both the Allingham book and Busman's Honeymoon before, but I am rereading some vintage books this year. I recently got a copy of the movie based on Busman's Honeymoon and I want to reread the book first. I have a hard time getting some of Delano Ames' books too.

col2910 said...

I've read a couple of these - Stark and Michael Connelly and have a few more on the pile. Thanks for the Joe Gores reminder, I still haven't got to him yet. I'm tempted to go look up the Westlake, but I really don't need it.

TracyK said...

Neither one of us needs any more books, Col. I have been buying an obscene number of books so far this year. Glen too, he buys more of the heavy art or photography books.

NancyElin said...

I'm including your list on my blogpost....lots of CF fans would love to see it!

n@ncy said...

I just had to SHARE your CF inspiration summer books!
Here is the blogpost:
https://nancyelin.wordpress.com/2017/05/31/great-lists-tracy-brona-and-cleo-20booksofsummer/

TracyK said...

Thanks, Nancy. I enjoyed checking out the other two blogs you featured there too.

Anonymous said...

A great list! Thanks ao much for joining in. Here's to a summer of great reading.

TracyK said...

Thanks for stopping by, Cathy. I did this last year (without linking up) and I am looking forward to all the good books.

Anonymous said...

What a great list! I have two huge TBR lists, one on each computer, and I keep adding to them. But I have priorities.

I promised myself that I'd read some non-mysteries this year and I must do that this summer. And I'm getting books from the library as they're available, so I have to wait for several.

Your list is such a mixture of vintage and fairly recent that I smiled as I read it. I have read some of the more contemporary books: Barr, Stanley, Perry, Smith. But a few others I have on my TBR list are here, too.

I don't know when I'll ever have time to even make a dent in these lists. I seem to be reading slowly these days, but the news gets me on TV, online and in print -- but the way things are going I should just bury my head in books.

TracyK said...

I am very happy with my list of books, Kathy, but I probably should have included some non-mysteries. I seem to be reading more lately, and I am definitely avoiding the news, in any format. Unfortunately I miss some important news that way, or hear it late.

Anonymous said...

I am pulled magnetically back to see the news no matter what I pledge to myself, and I must read my daily New York Times. Then I look at headlines online of several ezines and newspapers.

I should just read and avoid it as it all just gives me a headache and I wish I was in Fiji.

Clothes In Books said...

A great list,you will enjoy them, and look forward to reading your reviews. I have read some of them, and am off to look up a couple more.

TracyK said...

My husband and son read the news online and the LA Times, but my son can handle it, my husband gets overwrought at times. I get my news secondhand from them. The situation changes so fast I can't keep up with it.

TracyK said...

Moira, the Delano Ames book, Murder Begins at Home, is the one you sent me and is the only one that was on last summer's list that I did not get to. I will definitely read it this summer.

n@ncy said...

Tracy, I have just been at your blog....searching for a crime fiction book.
I'm replacing the 'Books I Dread' with a list of Books I'm looking forward to. (blogpost will be ready soon...)
Question: What would you recommend ....
just number them from 1- 6 in the order you think is must read....
D. Sayers - Agatha Christie - Ed McBain
Elmore Leonard - Len Deighton - Le Carré
I 'm curious what will be your nr 1!

TracyK said...

That is an interesting question, Nancy. I don't know that I can weigh in on Elmore Leonard, I have not read any of his books. (And I have been planning to read some books by hime for years.) He is a very good choice though, for gritty crime fiction.... but I suspect with humor too.

For the others I would say: Le Carré #1, Len Deighton, Agatha Christie, Ed McBain, and D. Sayers #5.

I definitely see Le Carré as a must read, at least to see if you like his style. Deighton is one of my favorite authors. Christie has many charms but there is a lot of variability in her writing. McBain writes in a very straightforward way and tells a good story. I like Sayers less than I did when I was younger, although I really enjoyed Strong Poison when I reread it. Just finished Busman's Honeymoon and was not so happy with that one.

n@ncy said...

Oh, thanks for you comments...
I will add some of your suggestions to my CF choices.
I'm so glad to 'get rid of' my 'books I dread' list!
My new blogpost will be available tomorrow or Saturday!
Thx