Best mysteries of 2008
Here's how I picture fellow blogger Oline Cogdill of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel: On New Year's Eve, she sits in a room surrounded by piles of mystery novels, pots of coffee and a laptop. When midnight comes, she plunges into a months-long reading marathon, barely stopping to eat meals, open mail or feed pets.
How else can you explain her ability to read 250 mystery novels in 2008 -- and blog about most of them? She claims that's not a lot, compared to the 1,500 mysteries published each year. But to me, she's the Cal Ripken of readers. Here are Oline's favorites from 2008:
1. The Finder by Colin Harrison. A scheme to steal paperwork erupts into a perceptive thriller about New York life.
2. Envy the Night by Michael Koryta. The legacy of violence, the relationships of parents and adult children and the futility of revenge make for an action-packed story.
3. Exit Music by Ian Rankin. The perfect send-off for Scottish cop John Rebus who's retiring at age 60, but refuses to go gently.
Here's the full list (not all 250, just her favorites).
Comments
How many books do you estimate you and Nancy read in a year?
Posted by: Darlene | December 30, 2008 5:11 PM
Darlene, I'm afraid to answer this. If the number is too low, I will be fired for posing as book blogger; if it's too high, I will be fired for neglecting my other editing duties.
I've never kept count, but I plan to in 2009 -- if only to track different genres. I'd guess I average about a book a week -- of course many of those are in the original Greek or Latin. :)
Posted by: Dave | December 30, 2008 5:23 PM
I'd say I read about a book a week. Which is too much, isn't it? Oh well.
Posted by: Nancy | December 30, 2008 6:16 PM
I read 148 books this year and hope to finish Fermin before midnight tomorrow.
Oline Cogdill makes me feel like I'm a slacker.
Posted by: Kelly | December 30, 2008 10:00 PM
Very funny, Dave, but I will spend New Year's Eve at the theater dressed to the nines. Though I may read a book today. I don't watch much television, seldom go to movies, etc. But I do have a life. Several days this past year I literally read two books in one day. Not every day, but some days, yeah. But compared to some of my friends, that's an average year. Unlike most years, not every novel I read this year was for a review. Happy New Year to all and happy reading.
Posted by: Oline | December 31, 2008 9:11 AM
Dave, unlike you I didn't read any Latin or Greek this year which is why I estimate I read about a hundred books. I did read one book in French and I re-read A Brief History of Time which should count as two books at least.
Posted by: Darlene | December 31, 2008 10:37 AM