I haven't read any thrillers--it's one of the most popular fiction genres, but it never seemed like these were books for me. But, since becoming an adult, I've started enjoying Law & Order, mystery books, and some thrillers on film, at the same time that I started reading more pop fiction, so I figured it is past time to give them a go.
Also, in my efforts to understand appeal, I think it is smarter to focus on a genre rather than jumping around as I've been doing. I was going to try to make up a Thriller 101 list, but I also found the Thriller & Suspense Challenge 2010 for some communal motivation. It requires reading 12 thrillers in 2010. Here are the sources I've compiled to get book suggestions for where to start.
- Wake County Public Library's list of recommended suspenseful thrillers
- Huffington Post's "State of the Crime Novel" asks critics to list the best veteran and up-and-coming crime novelists
- Library Journal's list of Best Thrillers of 2009
- The Reader's Advisor Blog "Under the Radar: Best Thrillers of 2009"
Seems like Lisa Gardner's The Neighbor and Michael Connelly's The Scarecrow are on almost all these lists.
Hi Anna, welcome to the Thriller & Suspense challenge. I hope this challenge motivates you to read more in this genre as there are some real gems. Have fun and good luck :)
ReplyDeleteAlso just found this list of Publishers Weekly's best of 2009 Crime/Thriller/Suspense
ReplyDeleteCrime/Suspense/Thriller:
The Scarecrow by Michael Connelly
Dark Places by Gillian Flynn
Ravens by George Dawes Green
Nemesis by Jo Nesbø
Drood by Dan Simmons
From http://mysteryreadersinc.blogspot.com/2009/12/best-of-2009-mystery-lists.html
Another list. Food in crime fiction from the Williamsburg Regional Library blog: http://bfgb.wordpress.com/2010/01/02/the-book-report-great-food-in-crime-fiction/
ReplyDelete