Haven’t read any of those. Have read most of the Hammett in other editions. My favorites would have to be Two Kinds of Truth by Michael Connelly, The Force by Don Winslow, New York 2140 by Kim Stanley Robinson and Prussian Blue by Philip Kerr. Haven’t read much non-fiction this year.
I liked PAPERBACKS FROM HELL too, and even though I did not read the Continental Op collection, I’ve read all the books and stories.
I haven’t checked the list yet, but like Steve I’d have Connelly at the top of the favorites list – TWO KINDS OF TRUTH and THE LATE SHOW are the two that immediately come to mind.
Non fiction – SHalom Auslander’s FORESKIN’S LAMENT: A Memoir made me laugh. I also liked Ann Hood’s MORNINGSTAR: GROWING UP WITH BOOKS.
Some of the fiction:
Jodi Taylor – JUST ONE DAMNED THING AFTER ANOTHER
Jane Harper – THE DRY
Richard Bradford – RED SKY AT MORNING
Joseph Haywood – HIGHER GROUND (ss)
Philip Roth – NEMESIS
Edward D. Hoch – ALL BUT IMPOSSIBLE (ss)
Marcus Sakey – AFTERLIFE
Craig Johnson – THE WESTERN STAR
Darryl Ponicsan – THE LAST DETAIL and LAST FLAG FLYING
The Dry (Harper), In a Lonely Place (Hughes), The Marsh King’s Daughter (Dionne), The Secrets They Keep (Robotham), Give Me Your Hand (Abbott), Sunburn (Lippman), Hunger (Gay) Hillbilly Elegy (Vance).
TRAVELS WITH CHARLIE (Steinbeck), CANOEING WITH THE CREE (Reasoner), DISH SERVED COLD (Johnson), ANOTHER MAN’S MOCCASINS (Johnson), MORNINGSTAR: GROWING UP WITH BOOKS (Hood), HOLMES FOR THE HOLIDAYS (Ed. by Perry – reread), THE RED NOTEBOOK (Laurain), IN THE LABYRINTH OF DRAKES (Brennan), AVENGERS OF THE MOON (Steele). That last one may have been 2016, not sure. I read a bunch of other stuff, of course, but those stick in my mind right now.
The Force by Don Winslow was the only novel to receive four stars from me this year. As for authors I read for the first time, Before the Fall by Noah Hawley and The Homeplace by Kevin Wolf rated *** 1/2 stars. I also read Peter Robinsson for the first time this year and don’t know why I waited so long. As for non-fiction Draft #4 by John McPhee and Terror in the City of Champions by Tom Stanton were the best along with an older book titled In Search of Willie Morris by Larry L. King.
Kent, what an excellent list of books! THE FORCE garnered rave reviews. I’ve read several Peter Robinson’s Inspector Banks mysteries and liked them. You can’t go wrong with John McPhee!
I’ve already started Wild Things, and that Great Jazz and Pop Vocal Albums sounds like it right up my alley. I keep seeing references to Paperbacks from Hell that make me want to read it even though I’m not a fan of horror. And I used to read Hammett. We have a lot of overlapping interests.
Jim, I really enjoy your blog because you and I share similar reading interests (and attitudes!). I highly recommend PAPERBACKS FROM HELL. Great covers, great commentary! And THE BIG BOOK OF THE CONTINENTAL OP collects all of Hammett’s wonderful stories in that series. Marvelous book!
Haven’t read any of those. Have read most of the Hammett in other editions. My favorites would have to be Two Kinds of Truth by Michael Connelly, The Force by Don Winslow, New York 2140 by Kim Stanley Robinson and Prussian Blue by Philip Kerr. Haven’t read much non-fiction this year.
Steve, I have the Connelly, Winslow, Robinson, and Kerr books. Finding time to read them is another matter!
Hey, you’re retired now, you should have plenty of time!
Rick, so many books…so little time.
My favorite book will always be the one in my hands.
Jerry, I love your attitude! Yet, I have 11 library books out right now. Yikes!
I liked PAPERBACKS FROM HELL too, and even though I did not read the Continental Op collection, I’ve read all the books and stories.
I haven’t checked the list yet, but like Steve I’d have Connelly at the top of the favorites list – TWO KINDS OF TRUTH and THE LATE SHOW are the two that immediately come to mind.
Non fiction – SHalom Auslander’s FORESKIN’S LAMENT: A Memoir made me laugh. I also liked Ann Hood’s MORNINGSTAR: GROWING UP WITH BOOKS.
Some of the fiction:
Jodi Taylor – JUST ONE DAMNED THING AFTER ANOTHER
Jane Harper – THE DRY
Richard Bradford – RED SKY AT MORNING
Joseph Haywood – HIGHER GROUND (ss)
Philip Roth – NEMESIS
Edward D. Hoch – ALL BUT IMPOSSIBLE (ss)
Marcus Sakey – AFTERLIFE
Craig Johnson – THE WESTERN STAR
Darryl Ponicsan – THE LAST DETAIL and LAST FLAG FLYING
Jeff, I’ve read ALL BUT IMPOSSIBLE as well as a handful of Edward D. Hoch collections. Great stuff!
The Dry (Harper), In a Lonely Place (Hughes), The Marsh King’s Daughter (Dionne), The Secrets They Keep (Robotham), Give Me Your Hand (Abbott), Sunburn (Lippman), Hunger (Gay) Hillbilly Elegy (Vance).
Patti, HILLBILLY ELEGY became popular once Trump became President.
TRAVELS WITH CHARLIE (Steinbeck), CANOEING WITH THE CREE (Reasoner), DISH SERVED COLD (Johnson), ANOTHER MAN’S MOCCASINS (Johnson), MORNINGSTAR: GROWING UP WITH BOOKS (Hood), HOLMES FOR THE HOLIDAYS (Ed. by Perry – reread), THE RED NOTEBOOK (Laurain), IN THE LABYRINTH OF DRAKES (Brennan), AVENGERS OF THE MOON (Steele). That last one may have been 2016, not sure. I read a bunch of other stuff, of course, but those stick in my mind right now.
All but 3 of those were from the library.
Rick, I am using the Library more in retirement…yet Diane says I’m buying more books! Yikes!
Rick, I bought AVENGERS OF THE MOON on your recommendation…but I haven’t got around to reading it yet.
The Force by Don Winslow was the only novel to receive four stars from me this year. As for authors I read for the first time, Before the Fall by Noah Hawley and The Homeplace by Kevin Wolf rated *** 1/2 stars. I also read Peter Robinsson for the first time this year and don’t know why I waited so long. As for non-fiction Draft #4 by John McPhee and Terror in the City of Champions by Tom Stanton were the best along with an older book titled In Search of Willie Morris by Larry L. King.
Kent, what an excellent list of books! THE FORCE garnered rave reviews. I’ve read several Peter Robinson’s Inspector Banks mysteries and liked them. You can’t go wrong with John McPhee!
I’ve already started Wild Things, and that Great Jazz and Pop Vocal Albums sounds like it right up my alley. I keep seeing references to Paperbacks from Hell that make me want to read it even though I’m not a fan of horror. And I used to read Hammett. We have a lot of overlapping interests.
Jim, I really enjoy your blog because you and I share similar reading interests (and attitudes!). I highly recommend PAPERBACKS FROM HELL. Great covers, great commentary! And THE BIG BOOK OF THE CONTINENTAL OP collects all of Hammett’s wonderful stories in that series. Marvelous book!