tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post491534220570235937..comments2024-02-22T17:59:50.213-05:00Comments on in so many words...: Top Ten Books I'd Recommend to a Non-Mystery reader.Yvettehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-67100414576388328162012-06-27T21:39:32.104-04:002012-06-27T21:39:32.104-04:00No problem, Yvette. I know how it is:).No problem, Yvette. I know how it is:).neerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01986509319841061021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-57891569920985755202012-06-27T13:47:50.753-04:002012-06-27T13:47:50.753-04:00No, it just means you haven't had the time. :)...No, it just means you haven't had the time. :)<br /><br />Sorry I'm so late in posting a reply - I overlooked it and well, you know how it is.Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-9857829234206991522012-01-31T20:51:21.429-05:002012-01-31T20:51:21.429-05:00Though I am a mystery/thriller fan, I've read ...Though I am a mystery/thriller fan, I've read only (gasp!) one book from this list. Shows how lacking has been my reading.neerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01986509319841061021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-69057969852964941902012-01-21T11:40:38.586-05:002012-01-21T11:40:38.586-05:00Kathy if you check on my left side bar, scroll dow...Kathy if you check on my left side bar, scroll down a bit, you'll find a Nero Wolfe box. You can link to most of my Nero Wolfe posts from that. You should be able to find the short stories I recommended. <br /><br />I love that you love my WOMAN IN WHITE review. I kind of like it too. It was SO much fun to write.<br /><br />If you go to the search box at the very bottom of the blog, just type in the name of the book and maybe 'review' and it should turn up at the top of the blog. :)Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-71023492930863007922012-01-20T23:21:04.790-05:002012-01-20T23:21:04.790-05:00And as I repeat continually, that review of The Wo...And as I repeat continually, that review of The Woman in White should be reposted and linked to other websites. It should be nominated for a Vintage award.<br /><br />I have to reread it. <br /><br />Will send it to a friend to read it if I can find it. <br /><br />Also, you have said that any of the Wolfe short story books are good. Do you recommend any or should I just find what I can?kathy d.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-51968530507043453242012-01-19T12:38:40.822-05:002012-01-19T12:38:40.822-05:00Meant to add: Don't forget to let me know how ...Meant to add: Don't forget to let me know how you like HEIGHTS. I think it is a very underrated motion picture. :)Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-65130207264144578712012-01-19T12:38:06.458-05:002012-01-19T12:38:06.458-05:00It's the world of Wolfe and Archie that most a...It's the world of Wolfe and Archie that most attracts me when I'm in the mood to visit. <br /><br />Nobody has Stout's talent. That's just a given.Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-81352315378407076602012-01-18T20:55:28.577-05:002012-01-18T20:55:28.577-05:00Right, a touch of genius, not godliness.
Your blo...Right, a touch of genius, not godliness.<br /><br />Your blog got me restarted on the Wolfegang. And I really do think I'm suffering from withdrawal from not having read a book about the "genius" for months.<br /><br />It's just how many books can one read when the TBR mountain keeps growing? And then there are movies!<br /><br />I just got Heights from the library, among others.<br /><br />One aside I could make is that many writers today don't have Stout's writing talent, so violence and gore and body counts take center stage. Ugh!<br /><br />I did read the Mary Russell book you list here. I like the series.kathy d.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-73871349713346119182012-01-18T20:24:04.342-05:002012-01-18T20:24:04.342-05:00Kathy, I agree with you completely. You know how m...Kathy, I agree with you completely. You know how much I love the Wolfe books. <br /><br />Wit, style and talent, that's all you need. Oh, and a touch of genius too.Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-60405544272145483302012-01-18T19:59:44.400-05:002012-01-18T19:59:44.400-05:00I waited years to read THE WOMAN IN WHITE and once...I waited years to read THE WOMAN IN WHITE and once I did I wondered why I'd waited. It's fabulous!<br /><br />Let us know how you like INSTRUMENTS OF DARKNESS! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that after all my hoopla, you will like it. <br /><br />Otherwise I'm going to be very verklempt.Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-45013158321723617032012-01-18T19:16:17.662-05:002012-01-18T19:16:17.662-05:00My library trip yesterday was a success and I now ...My library trip yesterday was a success and I now have <i>Instruments of Darkness</i> in my grubby little hands. So excited!<br /><br />Great list! <i>The Daughter of Time</i> and <i>The Scarlet Pimpernel</i> are two of my all-time favorites and <i>The Woman in White</i> is on my to-read-very-soon list.Lauren Hairstonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18037717621464819611noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-91319443453534649262012-01-18T19:10:13.293-05:002012-01-18T19:10:13.293-05:00I think that anyone reading about the Wolfegang wi...I think that anyone reading about the Wolfegang will be pulled into reading mysteries. There is no blood and gore nor gratuitous violence. That is great wit and often, wonderful writing.<br /><br />As a teen-ager these were among my first mysteries. I appreciate them more now, the wonderful sarcasm and repartee.<br /><br />I just wrote a post on another blog about how good mystery writing does NOT require blood and guts and violence described on the pages, and that there are many series, including Rex Stout's, that have stood the test of time, without those elements.<br /><br />The requirements are good writing, interesting plots and characters, deductive reasoning and a logical conclusion. Wit doesn't hurt either!<br /><br />"Archie, I am a genius, not a good," is a classic line. So is "I have a feel for phenomena!"<br /><br />These books have lasted almost 80 years. That says a lot. So glad this website caused me to refind them. Come to think of it, I'm suffering from a lack of Wolfism lately, must remedy that.kathy d.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-54259158702307401152012-01-18T10:17:23.390-05:002012-01-18T10:17:23.390-05:00I am probably one of the world's biggest Dick ...I am probably one of the world's biggest Dick Francis fans. I read almost every single book he ever wrote, except for maybe the last couple or so.<br /><br />COME TO GRIEF is a classic far as I'm concerned. <br /><br />Oh I write about Jasper Fforde all the time. I've read eveything he ever wrote as well. :)<br /><br />LOST IN A GOOD BOOK<br />WELL OF LOST PLOTS<br />SOMETHING ROTTEN<br /><br />My three Fforde faves.<br /><br />I also enjoyed SHADES OF GREY which is the first book in separate series.Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-75928990834361795162012-01-18T00:26:34.200-05:002012-01-18T00:26:34.200-05:00Nice list, Yvette! I was pleasantly surprised to f...Nice list, Yvette! I was pleasantly surprised to find Dick Francis make the list. I read his novels in college, though I don't recall having read COME TO GRIEF. Collins' WOMAN IN WHITE was both intriguing and engrossing as I remember, and ahead of its time. Having acquired Jasper Fforde's ONE OF OUR THURSDAYS IS MISSING recently, I Googled your blog for a review and came up with one in April 2011. I think you've written about Fforde's books on more than one occasion.Prashant C. Trikannadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16079354501998741758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-19014472893519971592012-01-17T23:06:44.949-05:002012-01-17T23:06:44.949-05:00Yvette: Thanks for the explanation. I knew they we...Yvette: Thanks for the explanation. I knew they were not chosen at random.Bill Selneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17268006369157307593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-2136276978835736582012-01-17T21:01:49.033-05:002012-01-17T21:01:49.033-05:00M.M. Oh I envy you reading them for the first time...M.M. Oh I envy you reading them for the first time. :)<br /><br />But I'll bet once you finish you'll want to reread them in the future. Wolfe and Archie get under your skin. <br /><br />I think you might try COME TO GRIEF by Dick Francis from this list. First, I mean. I have a feeling you'd like it.<br /><br />Depending how you feel about Holmes, you might enjoy THE BEEKEEPER'S APPRENTICE very much.<br /><br />THE DAUGHTER OF TIME is another one I think you might like.<br /><br />Then you might try Josephine Tey's BRAT FARRAR as well. Didn't add it to the list but I might have.Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-78166630718459059702012-01-17T20:58:31.871-05:002012-01-17T20:58:31.871-05:00Bill, here's my thinking:
I figured there mig...Bill, here's my thinking:<br /><br />I figured there might be sci-fi readers who didn't read mysteries so I included a couple for them.<br /><br />Then I included a couple of literary type for those inclined to sneer at genre.<br /><br />A couple of historicals too for those who appreciate them.<br /><br />You'll notice I included no hard-boiled and no real whodunits because I think non-mystery readers would want to be eased into that. I figured once they realize that there are all sorts of mysteries - they're not all the same - they might want to delve further.<br /><br />And too, THE BEEKEEPER'S APPRENTICE is a curious manuscript because it's partitioned more like a series of short stories which tie up at the end. <br /><br />Toe in the water, so to speak.<br /><br />I hope that answers your question, Bill.Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-88950714353773772362012-01-17T20:54:38.612-05:002012-01-17T20:54:38.612-05:00Kathy: I don't think either will qualify for V...Kathy: I don't think either will qualify for Vintage. It's the year they were copyrighted that counts.<br /><br />But read 'em anyway. They're terrific books.Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-46505239397645848762012-01-17T20:45:56.477-05:002012-01-17T20:45:56.477-05:00I'll put these on my reading list. Still work...I'll put these on my reading list. Still working my way through the Nero Wolfe mysteries at present, thanks to you. I've been reading them in order. Up to 1949 now, <i>The Second Confession</i>.Mythical Monkeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11330587602682498820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-60811630924957390072012-01-17T20:19:30.710-05:002012-01-17T20:19:30.710-05:00Yvette: You have an eclectic list. I am curious as...Yvette: You have an eclectic list. I am curious as to your criteria for interesting the non-mystery non-thriller reader.Bill Selneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17268006369157307593noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-46742046756905389612012-01-17T19:17:18.466-05:002012-01-17T19:17:18.466-05:00The Grainger and the Robertson pique my fancy.
Do...The Grainger and the Robertson pique my fancy.<br /><br />Does 1953 as a setting count as historical or vintage? (I've got to think about challenges.)<br /><br />Your lists are always interesting.kathy d.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-28554027446593812922012-01-17T18:53:52.402-05:002012-01-17T18:53:52.402-05:00Pat: I'm always at a loss for words when bad t...Pat: I'm always at a loss for words when bad things happen to people I like. So you're very welcome if anything I said helped in any small measure.<br /><br />Back to the subject at hand: these are good books if you're just looking to wet your toe in the mystery genre. :)Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-27115851190379376442012-01-17T18:42:35.704-05:002012-01-17T18:42:35.704-05:00I'm not an avid mystery reader so I enjoyed se...I'm not an avid mystery reader so I enjoyed seeing the books you recommend, Yvette. Your descriptions peeked my interest in quite a few.<br /><br />~~~~~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~~~<br /><br />Thanks so much for your words of condolence--they were greatly appreciated.Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoritihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08922525910685129822noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-67039098737503954582012-01-17T17:45:03.075-05:002012-01-17T17:45:03.075-05:00Thanks.
Two good ones, Mystica. :)Thanks.<br /><br />Two good ones, Mystica. :)Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3185294584889963228.post-77113420002141894632012-01-17T16:57:22.321-05:002012-01-17T16:57:22.321-05:00I like the list. The Tey and Grainger books are th...I like the list. The Tey and Grainger books are the ones on my list.Mysticahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10941269615559681014noreply@blogger.com