How do you decide what to read next? What comes into consideration? Having just finished Christine Falls, a book I liked as a novel but not as much as a crime novel, I don't want to pitch headlong into something too similar. Having just finished The Wire, I don't want to read something about urban decay.These are the top three books on my TBR pile. Well, Lush Life wasn't up there but it's a library book and I only have two weeks to read it. I've started the Chabon book three times and something puts me off each time--even though I liked The Wonder Boys and The Mysteries of Pittsburgh. The Willeford book has extremely small print which can also put me off. But I love his books and would probably force my eyes through it.
Maybe I'll just read blogs. Oh, yeah, that's one reason why people aren't reading books anymore so I'd better make a choice.
14 comments:
When the new Price novel hits every five years or so, I just drop whatever else I'm reading at the time and dive in. Been a must-read for me since Clockers.
He does it all, doesn't he?
Although you don't have any in your pile, I like to alternate between novels and short stories. So, after every novel I'll read three to five short stories. It seems I appreciate both formats more when I do it that way.
It seems like all three books you've chosen have great merit, however, like Neil, Price is one of those authors I read the second I get my hands on his latest book. Loren Estleman is another. So is James Crumley, although his books are so few and far between.
I tend to shy away from reading stuff to similar as well, but every know and then I get on a kick and read several works by one author in a row.
Oh, I am always reading short stories but I never read volume straight through. Right now I am reading Carver stories again and Hell of a Woman.
I am trying not to read every Willeford in a row. I still have half of him to go, thank God.
Since I get most of my books from the library, and am usually on a wait list, I tend to read them in the order I come up on the list.
Re: my physical TBR pile, I'll pick up whatever on top, skim the first few lines, if it's interesting, I'll give it a try, if not I leave it for "later." I do like to try to mix it up and not read two similar genre books in row.
"Christine Falls" I'm with you. Did not think it worked very well as a crime book. Too much emphasis on character backstory, and not enough mystery/suspense.
Exactly right, Josephine. And since I can't post spoilers I won't go into what I though was unfair play with clues.
I scan the first lines too. Sometimes they don't speak to me until I've tried multiple times. And often never.
What about going back to the classics? I recently read Anatomy of a Murder and had a ball. I finished the Long Embrace this week and it has me yearning for some Chandler.
Choosing what to read next is one of the great dilemmas. I agree with you, varying the diet is good. By the way, I think The Silver Swan is better than Christine Falls. Also, perhaps, better as a crime novel.
My reading group takes care of my classical needs usually. We've read To Kill a Mickingbird and A Thousand Years of solitude this year. But Anatomy of a Murder is such a good idea. Love that movie too.
I already have the Silver Swan on my library queue. I'm still interested in Quirke and always in Ireland.
I'm so there with you on the Chabon book.
I just started The Terror...by somebody or other....it's horror and it was recommended by Alex Sokoloff...and it's *nothing* like anything I usually read and perhaps that's why I'm enjoying it so much - it feels like sneaking a slice of cake :)
You know The Terror sounds just about right now. Thanks.
A HUNDRED YEARS OF SOLITUDE uncut! You know, I have a copy of the novel ANATOMY OF A MURDER kicking aroun somewhere (probably in storage), but never got very far with it...always liked the film most for Stewart and Ellington.
It's one of the many books I may have read but may not have. Usually I'm more sure if I've seen a movie or not. Don't know why.
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