I’m asking for your help again, friendly TTers! This week I’m listing some books I have bought or otherwise acquired but haven’t got round to reading yet. Do any of you know any of these? Can you recommend any, or warn me against any? All comments of all kinds will be most gratefully received.
13 Books from my TBR shelf
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Congo by MICHAEL CRICHTON Some of Crichton’s books have been very enjoyable, while others fall a bit flat. This one, bought in a charity thrift store a few weeks ago, is one of his earlier novels (1980). Until I saw it on sale, I had never heard of it.
Killshot by ELMORE LEONARD The blurb on the back cover doesn’t really say what this is about, but since Leonard is a well known crime writer, I assume it’s a crime story. I have never read any of his books before so I bought this to see what he’s like.
No Time For Goodbye by LINWOOD BARCLAY I’ve heard good reports about this book. Someone wakes up to find their whole family gone, or something similar. It sounds very undemanding and rather enjoyable.
Lisey’s Story by STEPHEN KING Gosh, he does churn them out! Who is Lisey, and what does she have to say that fills 500+ pages?
Making History by STEPHEN FRY I must say, I have enjoyed everything I have read so far by S. Fry. He manages to write novels in a way that makes it seem almost effortless. Even the cover of this one is very intriguing.
Dating Is Murder by HARLEY JANE KOZAK I think this is a humorous novel about a young single, going through the dating mill and getting caught up in a police investigation along the way. The author is apparently an actress but I haven’t ever heard of her.
Come Niniveh, Come Tyre by ALAN DRURY I’ve had this book for ages and ages. I can’t think why I haven’t got round to reading it yet. It’s by the author of Advise and Consent, and I think it’s about an attack on Washington.
A Fine Balance by ROHINTON MISTRY This is one of those books that keeps showing up on people’s lists of books they have enjoyed. I bought it on impulse a couple of years ago and since then it has sat unread on my shelves. The size of it s pretty daunting. Is this one of those oh-so-worthy books that is all very praiseworthy but not very enjoyable? I see it’s recommended by Oprah’s Book Club, whatever that may be. Like I care what some daytime TV hostess thinks.
Missing Justice by ALFAIR BURKE Bought from the paperback stand at the supermarket. About a female Deputy D.A. No doubt she is feisty, plucky, persistent, making a success of herself in a man’s world etc. etc.
The Old Limey by H. W. CROCKER III No, this isn’t about me. The character is a retired general in the British Army in America and I’m rather afraid this may be one of those stories about an Englishmen lost and confused in the US, of the kind that was done to death ages ago.
Just One Look by HARLAN COBEN I’ve only read one book by this writer (Promise Me) and quite liked it. So far I haven’t read this one. My wife did and pronounced it boring. Was she right?
Hollywood Station by JOSEPH WAMBAUGH The former LAPD officer who gave us The New Centurions, The Onion Field and many other police stories. I suppose the title tells us all we need to know before we read it.
This Other Eden by BEN ELTON I don’t enjoy Ben Elton’s stand up comedy routines, but I do enjoy his comedy writing, especially the brilliant Blackadder, so I thought I’d give one of his books a try.
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How many will you have read by the end of summer I like to do 6-8 in the summer:)
Posted by: marcia @joyismygoal in TX | May 06, 2009 at 09:31 PM
I haven't read any of these! I think you should read "The Old Limey" though :-)
Posted by: Janet | May 06, 2009 at 10:03 PM
Never heard of any except 3: Congo, Lisey's Story, and Making History, which are also all on my TBR incidentally. =) I've never read Stephen Fry, but I've heard so much, I thought I should give his books a try.
Posted by: Betty | May 06, 2009 at 10:04 PM
Look slike you're going to be a busy boy. Enjoy! Happy T13!
Posted by: Adelle Laudan | May 06, 2009 at 10:11 PM
Hollywood Station and Lisey's Story are also on my TBR shelf. Happy TT!
Posted by: Journeywoman | May 06, 2009 at 10:33 PM
Wow. I haven't read any of these. I'm curious about Congo. I saw the movie back when it was in theaters & actually watched it again recently.
I have a feeling that it doesn't do the book justice.
Posted by: Rasmenia | May 07, 2009 at 01:21 AM
Besides Michael Crichton and Stephen King the other authors are unknown to me. Maybe they are not translated into french and english books are hard to find!
Posted by: Gattina | May 07, 2009 at 01:29 AM
Finally some books I can relate to! ;-)
Lisey's Story - one of his better ones, but certainly not his best. Could have been a good 100 pages shorter.
A Fine Balance - read that a while ago, didn't really enjoy it, I think I didn't even finish it, but not because it was bad, I guess I'm just not the right reader for it.
Making History - that was my first Stephen Fry and I loved it. It's still my favorite among his books.
Haven't read any of the others, but I just received Chrichton's "Prey" and am planning to read that next (after I finish my current reads).
Posted by: samulli | May 07, 2009 at 03:39 AM
I disagree with your wife. I liked "Just One Look", but then I read Harlan Coben's books. My favorite one is "No Second Chance." And I love all the stories about Myron and Win.
Posted by: Brenda ND | May 07, 2009 at 09:14 AM
Sorry I can't help - I haven't read any of these. Let us know how they turn out though. Happy TT!
Posted by: Sue | May 07, 2009 at 09:31 AM
Looks like an interesting selection. I haven't read any of them so I can offer no advise but be sure and update us if you find onne that is particularly good.
Posted by: Debbie | May 07, 2009 at 10:45 AM
I'm afraid I can't help you out. I haven't read any of these, but I'm sure you'll get some good reading time out of at least some of them. Happy TT!
Posted by: Rikki | May 07, 2009 at 11:24 AM
"Congo" is excellent! Beware, the movie sucked ass, but the book was great!
And just about anything by Joseph Wambaugh is definitely worth reading.
Might I also suggest book by Ben Rehder.
OMFG, he is absolutely hifuckinglarious!! And a Texas dude, at that...
:)
Posted by: Hill | May 07, 2009 at 12:02 PM
I thought "Congo" was very good, written when Crichton's books were still good. The movie was disappointing.
Posted by: Jen @ StuffJenSays | May 07, 2009 at 12:16 PM
I haven't read any but Lisey's Story, which I read as a book on tape (back to back with Bag of Bones- which was also very good) I'm a Stephen King fan though, so tend to be somewhat easily impressed.
You had mentioned Bernard Cornwell on my blog, I liked Stonehenge but loved The Archers Tale.
Posted by: Becky68 | May 07, 2009 at 12:37 PM
Of course the Old Limey isn't you. You aren't old.
Posted by: Alice Audrey | May 07, 2009 at 02:11 PM
I haven't read any of them, though I did have someone write a review of Lisey's Story for me back when I ran thebookstacks.com. http://www.thebookstacks.com/guest-review-lisey%E2%80%99s-story/
Posted by: Celticlibrarian | May 07, 2009 at 08:29 PM
I agree with Hill - Congo the movie did indeed suck ass. I have never read Chrichton but would like to. Here's hoping it was just a case of Hollywood screwing up a great book.
Posted by: Bumbles | May 07, 2009 at 09:27 PM
I liked "A Fine Balance" a lot :)
Cheers!
Posted by: Milan - zzz | May 08, 2009 at 06:31 AM
I'm sorry, i'm no help, I don't recognize any of these books.
Posted by: mitchypoo | May 08, 2009 at 01:01 PM
I'd go with the Harley Jane Kozak book. I've never read her writing, but I know something of her bio. She was a moderately successful actress who gave it up to be an author, I'd be curious to see her style, and whether the career switch was wife for her.
Posted by: The Gal Herself | May 08, 2009 at 04:16 PM
Linwood Barclay's book looks good to me...it has been recommended a couple of times by my librarian friends so it's on my list...I'll let you know when I've read it. I have a feeling I've read him before...am sure I have in fact, but can't recall which book it was. I should keep a 'book list' like my father did...one list of 'have read' and one of 'must read'.
I like Harlan Coben too. I like anything that's gory and frightening basically, the more so the better. I wonder what that says about me?
Bella :)
Posted by: bellamocha | May 08, 2009 at 11:05 PM
Without a single reservation, I pick A Fine Balance. I've read it twice and love everything about it. I know its size is daunting, but once you get caught up in the characters, relationships and situations, you will forget the number of pages.
Congo was from Michael Crichton's earlier years when his books were not glorified screenplay outlines.
Posted by: di | May 09, 2009 at 03:38 AM
I read Congo decades ago so am somewhat afraid to trust my own judgement, but did love it back then. The movie was horrific, btw.
I enjoyed the Linwood Barclay and found myself comparing him to Harlen Coben (though not quite as smooth).
And speaking of Coben, you listed the one book of his I haven't read. Do let me know if it's worth it ;)
Posted by: Wylie | May 16, 2009 at 08:15 AM