Even though now it seems like 2014 and December are long gone, I also like to keep a record of what I have read in each month ... so here's my list for December:
December Heat by Luiz Alfredo Garcia-Roza
The Ghosts of Belfast by Stuart Neville
A Late Phoenix by Catherine Aird
Rest You Merry by Charlotte MacLeod
The Darkest Hour by Katherine Howell
Firecrest by Victor Canning
Holiday Homicide by Rufus King
Salvation of a Saint by Keigo Higashino
The Teleportation Accident by Ned Beauman
The Crime Fiction Pick of the Month meme is hosted at Mysteries in Paradise. You can go HERE to see other posts and choices for favorite crime fiction reads.
Most of the books I read last month were very good, so again it is hard to pick a favorite. I think I will split my choice between December Heat by Garcia-Roza and The Ghosts of Belfast by Neville. Both books were fairly dark, but they were different from most crime fiction I read and they are both set in locales I am unfamiliar with.
18 comments:
TracyK: You had a strong month of reading to close the year. It was better than mine. I concur with you finding The Ghosts of Belfast a memorable book though not a book to read if you are feeling down.
Bill, that is a good way to put it. Ghosts of Belfast was memorable and I got a lot out of reading it. But not uplifting at all.
Tracy, I usually review fewer books than I read, mainly because I have neither the time nor the inclination. I prefer reviewing forgotten or overlooked novels and novellas.
Hi, Really great effort. Everyone must read this article. Thanks for sharing.
I do like those Irish writers.
You had a fine month, Tracy! I'm impressed as always with the variety and the types of crime fiction you read. Can't argue with your choice of the Neville either. Actually, he's one author I'd like to spotlight sometime soon - I appreciate the reminder!
3 on your list I want to read, Canning, Garcia-Roza and Neville. Glad you had a decent end to the year. I feel exactly the same as you about jotting something down about everything I read, irrespective of length. I took a couple of weeks off, so I'm 10 December books behind as a result! I might be caught up by the end of February!
Prashant, maybe someday I may have to lower my goals to read all the fiction (at a minimum) that I read... but for now I will keep trying. I just wish I could write more concisely sometimes. Or write mini-reviews.
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.
Patti, there are a few I want to get to... Declan Hughes, Gene Kerrigan. My husband likes Brian McGilloway.
Margot, I would love to hear your thoughts on Neville.
I know what you mean, Col. I feel like I am doomed to never catch up. I have a huge backlog of posts I want to do. It is good to have goals, though.
You've reminded me that I really want to re-visit Garcia-Roza - I've only read one of his books (I think the one that comes immediately after this in the series) but I really liked it - I love discovering new authors but I hate that I sometimes never manage to get back to them.
I decided to give up on all the reviews I never wrote in 2014 when the calendar ticked over. It was quite liberating. Though I am determined not to allow that to happen again - I find the act of reviewing a book makes a big difference in my memory of it down the track. Some books I read without reviewing last year are barely memorable at all to me now :(
Gene Kerrigan is pretty good. I read The Rage and loved it. I need to get to Garcia-Roza one day next year...speaking of Irish writers, have you read Tana French yet? She should definitely be on your list. I haven't enjoyed her last two books but that hasn't put me off reading her. I loved Faithful Place and In the Woods (her first book).
Bernadette, I hope you do get back to Garcia-Roza, I find him entertaining and different. Unfortunately I also have way to many authors I read one book by and never returned to.
I cannot quite define why I want to review every book, but remembering my reaction to it (and some of the plot) is part of it. Also because writing a review makes me think more about why I liked it (or did not). Otherwise after a while it is just a nebulous memory.
Keishon, Gene Kerrigan is one of those that I buy the book, then let it sit. I think I even have two of his, so I hope I do like his writing. Looking forward to checking it out.
I have read Tana French... the first in the series, and I have more in the series to read. I really liked the first one too.
Sometimes I feel I should review everything, and sometimes I waver on that. I agree with Bernadette though - it's really useful for memory purposes and for keeping records. I like the way your December list features so many seasonal titles.
Moira, I guess I will have to slow down my reading of fiction books (a good suggestion from my husband) so that I can catch up. I could shorten the reviews and the time I spend on them, but the research into more about a book or an author is part of the fun of it all.
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