I mainly read crime fiction - you may have noticed! But Why?
I think it's because they have a proper ending and don't make me cry. I prefer police procedural and nothing too cosy or psychological. Quite choosy really. I abandon anything that I don't like quite quickly and love to find a good author that I've not read before who has already written several books.
One good thing that has happened is the reprinting of books from the 40's, 50s and 60's by publishers like British Library Crime Classics. So many authors wrote good stories that were lost and never reprinted at the time.
Below is my 'Emergency Supply' of crime fiction on my shelves. These are in case I run out of library books or I need something that I know can be read without great mental effort!
I long ago decided not to tackle anything 'heavy', classic, highbrow etc - I can't be bothered to improve my knowledge even though some people class crime as light and easy reading- it suits me.
Hope the mobile library will bring me another good collection of mainly crime fiction next week.
Back Tomorrow
My first mother in law was adamant that people shouldn't read anything until they had read what she considered to be "proper books" because of this she spent 12 years reading the same book. I think it might have been Gormenghast. But as she never grasped the plot, I'm not sure. Like you I enjoy crime fiction, I also enjoy fantasy novels.
ReplyDelete12 years reading the same book is just plain weird!
DeleteI'm quite new to your blog so not sure what kind of writers you like but some of the crime writers I really like are Michael Connely, Lee child, Lynda La Plante and Anne Cleeve. I bought four new books last week as my Christmas present from my husband, I'm very thoughtful like that I try to save him the stress of what to buy me, anyway I bought a Ken Follett love his books, a Linda La Plante a Phillipa Gregory, I like her Tudor books and a Jeffery Archer so I have a very eclectic taste But like you if it doesn't grab me in the first 20 pages I give up and move on. I like John Grisham too. From Shirley.
ReplyDeleteWelcome to the blog.
DeleteIf you click on the Books Read Pages you will see everything I've read for many years back!!
Crime fiction books are my favourite although I also like books set during WW2. I don't mind certain cosy crime, I have just finished my 4th Stephanie Austin book, all set in the Ashburton area, but they are more chick lit really.
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy your library hauls and reviews.
I'm going to try another Stephanie Austin but the one I read was a bit cosy.
DeleteI like police procedural too and am currently bingeing on audio books of Val McDermid’s Detective Karen Pirie series. Having very late nights !!
ReplyDeleteMargaret from New Zealand
I read one Karen Pirie and then forgot to look for more - although perhaps that would spoil them when they are on TV
DeleteI like well written crime novels which are not really light reading. I just don’t read them in bed now as they put me off my sleep. Catriona
ReplyDeleteI never read in bed - too cold and arm-aching!
DeleteI read a lot of different types of book but crime is my favourite genre. I particularly like historical crime novels, whether that is a novel written in the 1920's or a modern novel set in a particular historical era. I like trying to work out 'whodunnit' and I find a story much more satisfying to read if it doesn't involve modern technology. I don't like gory stuff either. I can do without nightmares!
ReplyDeleteI always plan to read more non-fiction but then prefer crime
DeleteHello Sue,
ReplyDeleteWell, the library bus should be constantly weighed down with Crime Fiction as the cry from nearly every publisher is for Crime Fiction submissions. So, you are clearly not alone in the reading public.
One of us reads CF and one of us does not, so that neatly balances out our bookshelves. Whatever Ian Rankin has written has been read and a good number of Michael Connolly and Val McDermid. Something to try if you have not already ventured there.
I'm glad publishers are looking out for more crime to publish
DeleteIn agreement with so many of these comments. Currently working through Louise Penny 'Gamache' series. Waiting for book #8 which is on reserve from the library
ReplyDeleteI'm going to try Louise Penny again - have failed in the past - don't know why
DeleteA lot of these comments chime with me, too. I'm currently reading the Joy Ellis Jackman and Evans series.
ReplyDeleteI've read a few Joy Ellis but found them all much of a muchness.
DeleteI am a great reader of Ann Cleeves, also watched all the Vera series on Britbox. As I belong to a book club, not every book is of my choosing, so lasts month's choice was Orwell's 1984. Wow! Now we are reading Honeybee Democracy - a fascinating look into the lives and habits of bees. I do like Elizabeth George and Louise Penny. I love a book with some "meat" in its plot, cannot abide frou-frous romances. My theory is every good story needs a really good villain in it to challenge the hero.
ReplyDeleteI just read the latest Ann Cleeves - The Killing Stones - it was excellent
DeleteOne of my favorite podcasts is Shedunnit, which is all about crime fiction. I've found some new to me writers through it.
ReplyDeleteI must try that
DeleteWell missing 'c' and going right to 't' Sue. Elly Griffith's Midwinter Spirits is on ITVX television, three episodes.
ReplyDeleteEdit. or Midwinter of the Spirits.
DeleteOh - good - will search that out - thank you
DeleteI don't think crime writing is always light or easy. It's a puzzle and yes, they can be entertaining you have to think if you want to play along and try to solve it -- maybe even before the author spells it out. Like you, I lean more toward the procedural rather than the renegade antique store owner who solves it herself or with the help of the cute policeman who is aggravated with her. That's too "Hallmark" for me. I love the British Library series. They aren't all winners or my cuppa but I like the period and some of the writers have become favorites.
ReplyDeleteWith some BLCC you can understand why they were never reprinted! But others are excellent
DeleteI enjoy crime and mystery fiction too. I'm always glad when you recommend one that you have enjoyed and I can get it here at my library. Another blog recommended How to Solve your own Murder by Kristen Perrin and I really enjoyed it. Now I am reading her second in the series called How to seal your own Fate...
ReplyDeleteLibrary have this, I'll reserve it asap
DeleteI'm definitely NOT coming to yours for Christmas ... there seem to be a lot of murders planned!!
ReplyDeleteI have just finished a brilliant book, murder and mystery. I thought I had solved it two thirds in and then everything changed - twice. Good stuff and a brilliant ending. Now I don't know what to read next!! I find it hard to follow a really good book, perhaps I'll be grabbing a cookbook, no murders there. :-)
That's why I like library books as it limits what I can read next to another library book rather than having to choose from 100's
DeleteI love a good crime novel, though I try to read other things too. I like some variety! Some UK crime/thriller books I liked recently were "Black Thorn" by Sarah Hilary and "Haven't They Grown" by Sophie Hannah. And I like authors Michael Connelly and Tana French, and I LOVED "Dry" by Jane Harper (Australian).
ReplyDelete