My Challenge: MikeBriggs

Read so far:
Next Michael Crichton
1824: The Arkansas War Eric Flint
Man in the Middle Brian Haig
True Detective Max Allan Collins
The Dark Wing Walter H. Hunt
The Hunters W.E.B. Griffin
The Cat Who Had 60 Whiskers Lilian Jackson Braun
The Girl With the Long Green Heart Lawrence Block
The Lasko Tangent Richard North Patterson
Planet of the Hairless Beach Apes Jim Toomey
Capitalism and Freedom Milton Friedman
Kiss Her Goodbye Allan Guthrie
High Profile Robert B. Parker
Sledge Hammer Walter Wager

14 books in 2 months (should get more read before end of Feb.). 84 books per year book pace. Already off target. :)

Pages read (as seen in another thread, apparently, that matters): 4581
Depending on the book, I appear to be on a 1.2 to 2.1 page per minute pace (only counting the time I spend reading).

Read one more than last year (92 vs. 91):

Read more than 1999 (highest total number of books read in 1999 - 135; at least recorded, and I didn't always record the books I've read - like textbooks, for some reason I tend to not record/note books I read for school):


I've also started a book journal blog (don't read unless you've already read the book, it's the place I put my notes as I read), and plan on trying to have something to put in the review box after each book is completed (book blog helps, if used, didn't use it for last book read; I've written "real" reviews before, but these are turning out to be synopsis, characters, and gut reaction without all the other information I normally add to reviews (like, say, a review beyond gut reaction)).

Oh, and I'm not currently reading anything. Haven't cracked open a book since Feb. 20, 2007, though I have been reading. Catching up on my magazines.

Might help keep track if I actually joined the group. Mission accomplished. I like accomplishing things. :)

Finally started a new book. On page 27 after 14.47 minutes reading.

Facing a choice between two books, a Sports Fiction book by an author I’ve read before, but didn’t particularly like (I’ve seen good reviews for the option book and thought I’d give the author another chance, only read 1 by him so far), and a Science Fiction, Military Fiction book by an author that I’ve never read before and have the impression that he hasn’t written any more books, I decided to catch up on my magazine reading. Then, today, I finally got around to reading another book. Picked the sports book up first, glanced at the first two lines, didn’t like the way they went and started the Science Fiction book. I’ve only read the prologue, so I do not know anything about the book (other than the book’s description, something about a Martian officer in the Earth space service facing some discrimination, and placed in a position near/on Mars when it revolts, or something like that), or if I will like it.

This is Drago’s First Novel. Never heard of the author, and never seen the book anywhere except at my library.

So Far: Prologue involved military unit on Phobos (near Mars) tracking some kind of killer “thing.” Private Manning killed. Then Lead Character Lt. Joseph Halavero killed by some snake thing that has the ability to change the shape of itself. Halavero’s last thought is that he is glad that his female sergeant finally called him by his first name (they were lovers when she was a private, and he was in officer candidate school). Ok, main lead character dead on a moon off Mars. Died in Moon Dust by Very Fast Giant Snake Thing (read something recently about how moon dust was speculated on by famous science fiction writer, but theory disproved).

Phobos by Ty Drago, First Novel

How did you enjoy Next? My husband (one of those non-readers) is a big Crichton fan and I am trying to figure out if he'll enjoy it.

Re message 4: I rated it higher than some of his books, but it had too many plots (dropped, or later merged), and too many different point of views to be as enjoyable as it could have been. Too long since I read it to really review it now: check out the review by KevinJoseph in another group. Basically agree with what he had to say, though I seem to have given the book a higher rating than Kevin Joseph.

- wait, non-reader? Does he like the Crichton movies then (I assume you mean films based on his novels instead of the one film (or was it more?) that he directed, and the films he wrote the screenplay for)? If that is what you mean, I would not recommend Next as an interduction to Crichton as a writer.

Phobos continued: Lt. Mike Brogue. Lead character. Martian native from a defunct colony. First Martian to be an officer in the Peacecorps (military), father was first Sergeant. Story (after the prologue) starts with Brogue defusing a dangerous hostage situation. Makes him a hero, and Mayor wants to use him to help defuse tensions (native Martians want their freedom from the corporation that runs Mars - only reason Mars colonies continue is the barsooium(sp?) that is stronger than any earth metal and either twice the radioactive deflector than lead, or almost the same as lead (don’t recall now). Brogue is a hothead.

Purists (some long word that boils down to purists): want to wipe out all Martians.
Fredomists: Want Mars to be free.

Alien Life: Apparently, like Total Recall, finding alien life (or artifacts as in Total Recall) will get Mars its freedom from the corporation (EED?) that runs Mars.

Does seem to be something of a continuation of Total Recall, even if only vaguely (and with limited memory of both the original Philip K. Dick short story, and film (film is different, but with similarities, than short story).

Oh, and an original to LT (since I forgot to include it in my reading blog): Drago is a lot more accomplished than I would expect for a first novel author. Very interesting book so far. If he keeps it up, I hope I find out he actually has written other books, that just do not show up on LT and in my local library's system.

Note to self: Googled Ty Drago. Found his biblio on Fantastic Fiction. It has one more book by Ty Drago, but lists it as a 2001 book, 2 years before his "first novel", as indicated by the book jacket, Phobos.

The Franklin Affair by Ty Drago. Historical Fiction (1776, France, Ben Franklin), and Spy fiction. Released 2001. Available used $18.34.

Re: Next and my non-reader husband

Although I classify him as a non-reader, he does occasionally pick up a book - he has read most of Crichton's novels. He likes the "science" aspect of them and he can get through them rather quickly. The reason I asked about Next is because I try to encourage him to read more and if he reads a book and doesn't like it he won't pick up another book for ages.

I'll check out the reviews - thanks!

re: 7: not like it will not pick up another book for ages: I would hesitate to recommend it, then.

Phobos - completed, rated 5 stars. Great book. Too bad it appears that he wrote at most 1 more book, and neither were apparently well-received (at least in terms of buyers). Very well written.

Oh, and while it is Science Fiction, it is a different type of Science Fiction than the "science" fiction of Crichton. Crichton is contemporary (or at least includes modern characters) except for his Eaters of the Dead book.

15 books completed.

New book started:

Final Impact by John Birmingham. Third book in the Axis of Time trilogy. Too long since I read the other books. Not sure I'll like this book. Might finish it before Feb. is over.

Ninth February book finished. Back on track.

16: Final Impact by John Birmingham. 3rd book in the Axis of Time series. Ok book, not as good as the first one.

Started book 17: Off Armageddon Reef by David Weber. Had to return Reef book by 3/1/07, so rushed through Final Impact to get to Off Reef. Finished Final Impact during break, started Off Armageddon Reef during lunch.

17: Off Armageddon Reef completed. Reviewed (mostly synopsis).

Next up? Not sure.

18: Brittle Innings by Michael Bishop. Very interesting. Sports Fiction, Baseball Fiction (C Class minor leagues), Historical Fiction (set during WWII), Science Fiction.
Recommend? Yes
Started: 3/3/07
Finished: 3/8/07

19: Deep Storm by Lincoln Child. Science Fiction, Thriller, Fiction. Child stumbled in his first two solo outings - he had good ideas but had not yet mastered writing on his own, but in his third solo outing, Child appears to have finally mastered both the ability to come up with a good idea (or run with one if someone else came up with the idea) and the ability to follow through and write a very good interesting book.
Recommend? yes
Started: 3/8/07
Finished: 3/8/07

I have now read 3 books in March in the first 8 days.

20: Finished White Sky, Black Ice by Stan Jones. First novel by Jones, and first book in the Nathan Active. Also important to just me and one other, it was another good book found by looking for Soho Crime books.

Book set in Alaska, Alaskan police trooper, native, but raised by "whites". "Suicides" hit area, Active investigates.

Interesting book. You know those books where the wise old police officer doesn't fall for the tricks of others, like lawyers? Well, here Active isn't as experienced, yet, as those other police officers.

Book has an average rating of 4.3. Author has an average rating of 4.07, though only two appear to be by the same author (it is possible, of course, that the sex author is the same person as the crime mystery novelist, though I do not have the time to investigate).

21: Lying with Strangers by James Grippando. Interesting book. Not sure I'll read another book by this author.

Still reading the two non-fiction I started in my "read more than 1 book" test. A Concise History of the Catholic Church & Diplomacy for the Next Century, I've added The Last Match as my fiction book now that Lying with Strangers is completed.

22: The Last Match completed. - Ok book. As I barely/briefly mention in my short review - I kept waiting for the story to begin, to have the story move out of the "this is what happened in the past" section. Not recommended.

Now reading Hell Hath no Fury in addition to the two non-fiction books. I need to get around to finishing those non-fiction books.

Book 23 acquired and read on same day (and same sitting). The Other Shoe

24: Hell Hath No Fury 3/21/07-3/27/07; 4.34
25: Diplomacy for the Next Century 3/8/07-4/2/07
26: Second Life 4/4/07-4/9/07
27: Murder on the Celtic 4/12/07-4/13/07; 4.37
28: Roma: The Novel of Ancient Rome ?-5/1/07; 4.05
29: Snobbery 3/31/07-5/7/07; 3
30: Death of an Englishman 5/9/07-5/10/07; 4.33
31: Dead Past 5/13/07-5/14/07; 4.39
32: 1634: The Baltic War 5/19/07-5/21/07; 4.63
33: Stud Poker 5/30/07-6/1/07; 4.28
34: Spare Change 6/11/07-6/11/07; 4.33
35: Paper Doll 6/12/07-6/12/07; 4.39
36: Walking Shadow 6/13/07-6/13/07; 4.38
37: Thin Air 6/14/07-6/15/07; 4.24
38: Eavesdropper 6/15/07-6/18/07; 4.29
39: Chance 6/18/07-6/19/07; 4.29

I know I have accidently left some off . . .

Currently reading (since 5/25/07): A History of the English-Speaking Peoples Since 1900

Started but tossed unfinished:
You Gotta Play Hurt (started 5/28/07)
Chinatown Beat (started 5/27/07)

Started but had to return to the library unfinished (ran out of time):
A Concise History of the Catholic Church

40: The Enigma Variations 6/20/07-6/20/07; 4.58
41: Little Tiny Teeth 6/21/07-6/25/07; 4.30

Started but paused:
Stone Cold 6/19/07-?
I either got tired of reading mysteries, or this is a weak book by John Francome. Slightly annoyed as this is the last book of his I own and haven't yet read.

Note: None of the Francome books I've read were written by just by him alone.
With Mike Bailey: Inside Track 4.22
With Terence Blacker: Stud Poker 4.28
With Terence Blacker: Stone Cold
With Peter Burden: Rough Ride 3.95
With Peter Burden: Dead Ringer 4.45
With James McGregor: Riding High 3.80
With James McGregor: Eavesdropper 4.29
With James McGregor: Declared Dead 3.80

42: Small Vices by Robert B. Parker 6/25/07-6/26/07 4.33
43: Space Angel by John Maddox Roberts 6/27/07-6/27/07 4.11
44: The Franklin Affair by Ty Drago 6/28/07-6/29/07 4.58

Highest Rated in June:
Tie: Rating of 4.58
The Franklin Affair
The Enigma Variations

Currently Reading:
1) Nonfiction: A History of the English-Speaking Peoples Since 1900 by Andrew Roberts - since 5/25/07
2) Fiction: The Trinity Paradox by Doug Beason and Kevin Anderson

45: The Trinity Paradox by Kevin Anderson and Doug Beason 7/2/07-7/2/07 4.48

46: Mallory's Oracle by Carol O'Connell 7/5/07-7/5/07 4.59

Currently Reading:
1) Nonfiction: A History of the English-Speaking Peoples Since 1900 by Andrew Roberts - since 5/25/07
2) Fiction: The Man Who Cast Two Shadows by Carol O'Connell

47: The Man Who Cast Two Shadows by Carol O'Connell 7/6/07-7/06/07 4.44

48: Widow's Walk by Robert B. Parker 7/09/07-7/10/07 4.24

So far:

Genre's read: Books read - average rating
Fiction: 44 - 4.33
Non-Fiction: 4 - 3.38

Mystery: 25 - 4.26
Science Fiction: 11 - 4.49
Military Fiction: 7 - 4.27
Private Investigator: 7 - 4.31
Noir: 5 - 4.28
Alternate History: 4 - 4.45
Historical Fiction: 4 - 4.34
Police Procedural: 3 - 4.39
Sports Fiction: 3 - 4.30
Thriller: 3 - 4.41
Forensic Investigation: 2 - 4.35
Serial Kiler: 2 - 4.52
Cyberpunk: 1 - 4.58
Legal Thriller: 1 - 4.39
Psychological Thriller: 1 - 4.33
Space Opera: 1 - 4.11

Books can be in more than 1 category, only first three categories a book fits into is counted in the genre count above.

Authors:
Authors: First Books read in 2007:
Michael Bishop - 1 book - 4.34 (Sports Fiction/Historical Fiction)
Max Allan Collins - 1 book - 4.43 (Mystery/Noir)
David Dodge - 1 book - 4.18 (Mystery/Noir)
Ty Drago - now read 2 books - 4.77 (Mystery/Historical Fiction; Science Fiction/Military Fiction)
Abba Eban - 1 book - 3 (Non-Fiction/diplomacy)
Joseph Epstein - 1 book - (Non-Fiction/Snobbery)
Milton Friedman - 1 book - 3.5 (Non-Fiction))
James Grippando - 1 book - 4.33 (Thriller/Psychological Thriller)
Allan Guthrie - 1 book - 4.22 (Mystery/Noir))
Walter Hunt - 1 book - 4.37 (Science Fiction/Military Fiction)
Stan Jones - 1 book - 4.28 (Mystery/Police))
Magdalen Nabb - 1 book - 4.33 (Mystery/Police)
Carol O'Connell - now read 2 books - 4.52 (Serial Killer/Mystery)
Michael Rymaszewski - 1 book - game manual

And because there is a thread about it:
22 books by male authors - 4.25
4 by female authors - 4.39

10 male authors
3 female authors

Do not have the break-down for female lead/male lead books. Some are multiple POV anyway (Crichton's Next book seemed to be a different POV for each chapter).

2006 Notes (because hey, figure I'd put this somewhere):

87 books by Male Authors - 4.35
4 books by female authors - 4.29

5 NF - 4.45
86 Fiction - 4.34

Genre: total books - average rating
Mystery: 50 - 4.35
Private Investigator: 21 - 4.36
Historical Fiction: 17 - 4.33
Thriller: 16 - 4.36
Police: 11 - 4.40
Military Fiction: 10 - 4.36
Science Fiction: 8 - 4.36
Sports: 8 - 4.42
Adventure: 4 - 4.49
Combat: 4 - 4.35
Spy: 4 - 4.32
Alt. History: 3 - 4.24
Fantasy: 3 - 4.47
Forensic: 3 - 4.23
Noir: 3 - 4.44
Terrorism: 3 - 4.41
Aliens: 2 - 4.37
Post-Apocalytic: 2 - 4.30
Psychological Thriller: 2 - 4.41
Serial Killer: 2 - 4.42
Space Opera: 2 - 4.45
Time Travel: 1 - 4.09
Western: 1 - 4.24

Like before, a book can fall into more than one genre (top three genre's noted).

17 authors read for first time in 2006. None read in 2007.
Richard Aleas - 4.65
Justin Scott - read 4 more - 4.39 (average)
Michael J. Katz - 4.12
Noel Hynd - 4.25
Kyle Smith - 4.56
Philip Kerr - read 3 books - 4.39
Michael Fry - 4.33
Peter Pativa - 4.28
James S. Robbins - 4.5
Wade Miller - 4.39
James Clavell - 4.58
Barry Svrluga - 4.38
George P. Pelecanos - 4.25
Bob Newhart - 4.59
Michael D'Antonio - 4.23

Top 10 2006:
01) Michael Lewis The blind side : evolution of a game - 5 - Non-Fiction/Sports/Football
02) Richard Aleas Little Girl Lost - 4.65 - Mystery/Noir
03) Jack McDevitt Seeker - 4.64 - Science Fiction/Adventure
04) W.E.B. Griffin The Hostage - 4.63 - Military Fiction
05) Bob Newhart I Shouldn't Even Be Doing This!: And Other Things That Strike Me as Funny - 4.59 - NonFiction/Autobiography
06) James Clavell Shogun - 4.58 - Historical Fiction
Robert B. Parker Night Passage - 4.58 - Mystery/Police
08) Kyle Smith Love Monkey - 4.56 - Fiction
09) George R.R. Martin A Feast for Crows - 4.54 - Fantasy
10) Robert B. Parker Death in Paradise - 4.49 - Mystery/Police
Justin Scott Rampage - 4.49 - Thriller/Mafia

Top 10 2007 (so Far):
01) David Weber Off Armageddon Reef - 5 - Science Fiction
02) Ty Drago Phobos - 4.95 - Science Fiction/Military Fiction
03) Lincoln Child Deep Storm - 4.67 - Thriller/Science Fiction
04) Eric Flint 1634: The Baltic War - 4.63 - Alt. History/Science Fiction
W.E.B. Griffin The Hunters - 4.63 - Military Fiction
06) Carol O'Connell Mallory's Oracle - 4.59 - Mystery/Police/Serial Killer
07) Ty Drago The Franklin Affair - 4.58 - Historical Fiction
John Maddox Roberts The Enigma Variations - 4.58 - Science Fiction/Cyberpunk
10) Robert B. Parker High Profile - 4.55 - Mystery/Police

49: Killing Critics by Carol O'Connell - 7/12/07-7/15/07 - 4.88

50: The Double Agents by W.E.B. Griffin - 7/16/07-7/17/07 - 4.34

51: Stone Angel by Carol O'Connell - 7/19/07-7/20/07 - 4.39

Update (had wrong starting row number in sum calculation, so book count before was wrong):
"And because there is a thread about it:"
44 books by male authors - 4.25
7 by female authors - 4.46

10 male authors
4 female authors

52: The Judas Strain by James Rollins - 7/23/07-7/25/07 - 4.33

53: Blood and Iron by Elizabeth Bear - 7/26/07-7/30/07 - 4.33

54: Shell Game by Carol O'Connell - 7/31/07-8/3/07 - 4.40

55: Tipperary by Frank Delaney - 8/6/07-8/13/07 - 4.47

Reviewed

56: Blackcollar by Timothy Zahn - 8/20/07 - 4.64

57: Blackcollar: The Backlash Mission by Timothy Zahn - 8/21/07 - 4.49

58: Blackcollar: The Judas Solution by Timothy Zahn - 8/22/07-8/24/07 - 4.44

59: Lady Windermere's Fan by Oscar Wilde - 8/24/07 - 4.33

60: Salome by Oscar Wilde - 8/24/07 - 3
61: A Woman of No Importance by Oscar Wilde - 8/25/07 - 8/26/07 - 4.25

62: An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde - 8/27/07 - 4.68
63: The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde - 8/28/07 - 4.85

64: Crime School by Carol O'Connell - 8/29/07-8/31/07 - 4.42

65: Hunting Party by Elizabeth Moon - 9/10/07-9/11/07 - 4.60

66: Sporting Chance by Elizabeth Moon - 9/12/07-9/13/07 - 4.22

67:Winning Colors by Elizabeth Moon - 9/17/07-9/19/07 - 4.38

68: Positive Attitude by Scott Adams - 9/22/07-9/23/07 - 4.25

69: Dead Heat by Dick Francis - 9/25/07-9/26/07 - 4.88

70: In at the Death by Harry Turtledove - 9/28/07-10/05/07 - 4.48

71: Spacer : window of the mind by John Maddox Roberts - 10/09/07 - 4.38

72: Playing for Pizza by John Grisham - 10/10/07 - 4.49

73: I'm Ready for my Movie Contract by Darby Conley - 10/10/07-10/11/07 - 4.28

74: 1634: The Bavarian Crisis by Eric Flint and Virginia DeMarce- 10/11/07-10/16/07 - 4.38

75: Secret Hangman by Peter Lovesey - 10/16/07-10/19/07 -4.34

76: The Sunrise Lands by S.M. Stirling - 10/22/07-10/26/07 - 4.38
77: McMansion by Justin Scott - 10/29/07-10/31/07 - 4.38

78: Hunting Gideon by Jessica Draper - 11/05/07-11/07/07 - 4 stars

Taking it to the second decimal place is getting very fine-grained! :)

Well, when you have 80 books listed as "4.3" and no more information than that, it is not as informative than if you have 5 that are 4.30, 5 that are 4.32, etc. It has limited use, and, for the most part, only really changes anything when I do overall series average, or overall author average, or the like.

Fair enough. If you had a couple of thousand 4s, would you add a third decimal place?

I have sort of done that for my own use for anthologies/collections.

I had a third decimal place when I had my own graphs/charts/etc. off of LT, but dropped the third decimal place when I joined LT.

79: Cauldron by Jack McDevitt - 11/08/07-11/13/07 - 4.44

80: A History of the English-Speaking Peoples since 1900 by Andrew Roberts - 05/25/07 - 11/14/07 - 3.74

81: Bait Money by Max Allan Collins - 11/16/07 - 4.44

82: Blood Money by Max Allan Collins - 11/16/07-11/19/07 - 4.48

83: If Democrats Had Any Brains, They'd Be Republicans by Ann Coulter - 11/23/07 - 12/01/07 - 4.20

84: Blacklisted by History by M. Stanton Evans - 11/23/07 - 12/05/07 - 4.80

85: Red Mandarin Dress by Qiu Xiaolong - 12/06/07 - 12/11/07 - 4.70

86: The cricket on the hearth by Charles Dickens - 12/12/07 - 3.70

87: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens - 12/13/07 - 4.44

88: Horsehead Crossing by Elmer Kelton - 12-14-07 - 4.44

89: Born Standing Up by Steve Martin - 12/15/07-12/16/07 - 4.28

90: After the Bugles by Elmer Kelton - 12/17/07 - 4.28

91: The Dracula Caper by Simon Hawke - 12/18/07-12/19/07 - 4.33

92>: Service for all the Dead by Colin Dexter - 12/20/07-12/21/07 - 4.29

2008: Looking for 93 in 2008
1) Brewster Rockit: Space Guy! by Tim Rickard - 01/01/08 - 4.10
2) Da Brudderhood of Zeeba Zeeba Eata: A Pearls Before Swine Collection by Stephan Pastis - 01/01/08 - 3.10
3) Frazz: Live from Bryson Elementary by Jef Mallett - 01/01/08 - 4.45

4: The Shooters by W.E.B. Griffin - 01/02/08-01/04/08 - 4.75

5: Yarns and Shanties by Jim Toomey - 01/11/08 - 4.44
6: Alternative Zits: A Zits Treasury by Jim Borgman & Jerry Scott - 01/12/08 - 01/13/08 - 4.38
7: 99 % Perspiration: Frazz Collection by Jeff Mallett -01/14/08 - 4.38
8: Baby Blues: This is Going to be Tougher Than We Thought by Rick Kirkman & Jerry Scott - 01/15/08 - 3.70

9: Sluggy Freelance: Game Called on Account of Naked Chick by Pete Abrams - 01/17/08 - 4.50

10: Sluggy Freelance: Yippy Skippy, the Evil! by Pete Abrams - 01/18/08 - 4.50

11: Sluggy Freelance: The Bug, The Witch, And The Robot by Pete Abrams - 01/18/08 - 4.50
12: Dead Famous by Carol O'Connell - 01/22/08-01/23/08 - 4.25

13: The Art Thief by Noah Charney - 01/25/08-01/28/08 - 4.18

14: Winter House by Carol O'Connell - 01/30/08-01/31/08 - 4.63

15: The Closers by Michael Connelly - 02/02/08-02/05/08 - 4.43

16: Last Night at the Lobster by Stewart O'Nan - 2/05/08 - 4.14
17: Opening Atlantis by Harry Turtledove - 02/06/08-02/09/08 - 4.55

18 Vorpal Blade by John Ringo and Travis Taylor - 02/10/08-02/12/08 - 4.15

19: Manxome Foe by John Ringo - 02/12/08-02/14/08 - 4.35

20: Echo Park by Michael Connelly - 02/15/08-02/19/08 - 4.44

21: Under Vesuvius by John Maddox Roberts - 02/20/08-02/22/08 - 4.47
22: Stranger in Paradise by Robert B. Parker - 02/24/08-02/25/08 - 4.53

23: Potshot by Robert B. Parker - 02/27/08-02/28/08 - 4.44

24: Sudden Mischief by Robert B. Parker - 02/28/08-02/29/08 - 4.33
25: Blasphemy by Douglas Preston - 03/07/08-03/10/08 - 4.43

Have you ever read "The Education of a Wandering Man" by Louis L'Amour? Look at the list that dude read in a 3 yr period. A reading fool if there ever was one. I'm doing my own personal test to try and read 100 books in a year like he did ...I fear I won't make it because the year is 3/4 over and I'm only up to 42. Oh well....

When I had more time, and was much younger, I had several years where I read more than 100 books in a year. But the year fills up with non-reading distractions, and it has been more than 9 years since I had my peak of 135 books read in a year.

I own "The Education of a Wandering Man", but I have not yet read it. Thank-you for reminding me, I do need to search it out in my many stacks of books to read, dust it off, and read it.

26: The Riddle of the Third Mile by Colin Dexter - 03/13/08-03/14/08 - 4.43

27: The Secret of Annexe 3 by Colin Dexter - 03/14/08-03/20/08 - 4.43

28: The Jewel that Was Ours by Colin Dexter - 03/21/08-03/24/08 - 4.42

29: Ghost by John Ringo - 03/26/08-03/28/08 - 4.24

My all time record is 194 books in 1992.

But that pales in comparison with Alan Kay (inventor of Smalltalk, computer genius and luminary), who claims to have read a book a day for as long as he can remember. I tried to locate the web page where he made this claim, but was unable to - he used to have a "home page" but it is no longer a top hit on Google.

30: Kildar by John Ringo - 03/28/08-03/31/08 - 3.70

31: Choosers of the Slain by John Ringo - 04/01/08-04/03/08 - 3.70

32: Unto the Breach by John Ringo - 04/03/08-04/05/08 - 4.30

33: The Last Oracle by James Rollins - 04/07/08-04/09/08 - 4.38
Review on book page.

34: The Headhunters by Peter Lovesey - 04/10/08-04/14/08 - 4.44

35: Wit'ch fire by James Clemens - 04/15/08-04/17/08 - 4.48

36: Wit'ch Storm by James Clemens - 04/17/08-04/21/08 - 4.57

37: Wit'ch War by James Clemens - 04/21/08-04/25/08 - 4.47

38: Chasing the Dime by Michael Connelly - 04/25/08-04/28/08 - 1.5

39: Wi'tch Gate by James Clemens - 04/30/08-05/02/08 - 4.35

40: Simple Genius by David Baldacci - 05/05/08-05/07/08 - 4.48

41: The Woods by Harlan Coben - 05/07/08 - 05/08/08 - 4.84

42: Wit'ch Star by James Clemens - 05/09/08 - 05/13/08 - 4.35

43: Dead Hunt by Beverly Connor 05/15/08 - 05/16/08 - 4.33

44: Hold Tight by Harlan Coben - 05/18/08-05/19/08 - 4.26

45: Tarnsman of Gor by John Norman - 05/20/08-05/21/08 - 4.24

46: Take Our Cat, Please by Darby Conley - 05/22/08 - 4.33
47: Grass Roots by Stuart Woods - 05/21/08-05/23/08 - 4.35

48: Up Till Now: The Autobiography by William Shatner - 05/23/08-05/27/08

49: Outlaw of Gor by John Norman - 05/28/08-05/29/08 - 4.15

50: Priest-Kings of Gor by John Norman - 05/29/08-05/30/08 - 4.34

51 Time Spike by Eric Flint and Marilyn Kosmatka - 06/02/08-06/04/08 - 4.88

52: Willful Blindness by Andrew C. McCarthy -06/05/08-06/09/08 - 4.20

53: Deep Lie by Stuart Woods - 06/18/08-06/19/08 - 4.42

54: Capital Crimes by Stuart Woods - 06/20/08-06/24/08 - 4.35

55: The Cleaner by Brett Battles -06/26/08-06/27/08 - 4.24

56: Beverly Hills Dead by Stuart Woods - 06/27/08-06/30/08 - 4.24

57: Double Dealer by Max Allan Collins -06/30/08 - 3.7

58: The Daughters of Cain by Colin Dexter - 07/01/08-07/06/08 - 4.24

59: Protect and Defend by Richard North Patterson - 07/07/08-07/08/08 - 4.43

60: Balance of Power by Richard North Patterson - 07/09/08-07/11/08 - 4.29

61: Bertie and the Tinman by Peter Lovesey - 07/16/08-07/17/08 - 3.5

62: Igniting the Reaches by David Drake - 07/18/08-07/21/08 - 4.33

63: Through the Breach by David Drake - 07/21/08-07/22/08 - 4.38

64: Fireships by David Drake - 07/22/08-07/24/08 - 3.80

65: By Schism Rent Asunder by David Weber - 07/24/08-07/30/08-4.52

66: Frazz 3.1416 by Jef Mallett - 08/15/08 - 4
67: Dali & I: The Surreal Story by Stan Lauryssens - 08/24/08-08/25/08 - 3

68: Money Culture by Michael Lewis - 08/30/08-09/03/08 - 3.5
69: Silks by Dick Francis & Felix Francis - 09/05/08-09/07/08 - 4.38
70: This Is the Part Where You Pretend to Add Value by Scott Adams 09/07/08 - 4.23

71: Dave Barry's History of the Millennium (So Far) by Dave Barry - 09/08/08 - 3.5

72: The Scourge of God: A Novel of the Change by S.M. Stirling - 09/09/08-09/12/08 - 4.37

73: Storm Front by Jim Butcher - 09/14/08-09/16/08-4.34

74: Fool Moon by Jim Butcher - 09/16/08-4.64

75: Grave Peril by Jim Butcher - 09/17/08-09/18/08-4.42

76 Summer Knight by Jim Butcher - 09/19/08-09/20/08 - 4.37

77: Dewey by Vicki Myron -09/20/08-09/22/08-4.77

78: Death Masks by Jim Butcher - 09/22/08-09/23/08-4.44

79: Blood Rites by Jim Butcher - 09/25/08-09/26/08 - 4.66

80: Streets of Fire by Troy Soos -09/26/08-09/29/08 - 4.32

81: Dead Beat by Jim Butcher - 09/30/08-10/01/08-4.78

82: Proven Guilty by Jim Butcher - 10/02/08-10/05/08-4.40

83: A Deeper Blue by John Ringo - 10/06/08-10/07/08-4.38

85: Find Me by Carol O'Connell - 10/07/08-10/09/08- 4.65

86: White Night by Jim Butcher - 10/13/08-10/15/08- 4.50

87: Death and Honor by W.E.B. Griffin and William E. Butterworth IV -4.5

bought and read. Even remember it. Did not record reading it. dang it.

88: Small Favor by Jim Butcher - 10/16/08 - 4.76

89: The Deceived by Brett Battles - 10/17/08-10/20/08-4.00
90: Coach by Michael Lewis - 10/20/08-4.20

91: The Triumph of Caesar by Steven Saylor - 10/21/08-10/22/08- 4.40

92: Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann - 10/22/08-10/24/08-4.40

93: Dead Ball by R.D. Rosen - 10/27/08-10/28/08-4.24

94: Red Rabbit by Tom Clancy - 10/29/08-11/04/08-4.19

95 Mossad Exodus by Gad Shimron - 10/20/2008-11/06/2008-3.50

96: Claws that Catch by John Ringo and Travis S. Traylor - 11/06/08-11/08/08 - 4.75
97-108: The Complete Calvin and Hobbes by Bill Waterson - ?-11/10/08 - 4.65

109: The Teeth of the Tiger by Tom Clancy - 11/13/08 - 4.22

110: Long Day Monday by Peter Turnbull - 11/14/08-11/16/08 - 4.24

111: The Killing Floor by Peter Turnbull - 11/17/08 - 3.70

112: Kittyhawk Down by Garry Disher - 11/18/08-11/19/08 - 4.34

113: Red Storm Rising by Tom Clancy - 11/20/08-11/22/08 - 3.23

114: 1635: The Dreeson Incident by Eric Flint and Virginia DeMarce - 11/23/08-11/25/08 - 4.27

115: And Did Murder Him by Peter Turnbull - 12/01/08-12/02/08 - 4.03

116: The Children of Shiny Mountain by David Dvorkin - 12/03/08-12/04/08 - 4.12

117 DADA Caper by Ross H. Spencer - 12/05/08 - 3

118: The United States of Atlantis by Harry Turtledove - 12/06/08-12/09/08 - 4.40

119: Death Duties by Phil Lovesey - 12/12/08-12/16/08 - 4.27

120: Bad Business by Robert B. Parker - 12/16/08 - 4.33

121: The Man with No Face by Peter Turnbull - 12/17/08 - 12/19/08 - 4.00

122: Without Warning by John Birmingham - 12/22/08-12/25/08 - 4.66

123: Reggis Arms Caper by Ross H. Spencer - 12/26/08 - 2

124: Mount Dragon by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child - 12/27/08-12/30/08 -4.24

125: The Outside Man by Richard North Patterson - 12/30/08-12/31/08 - 1

2009:

1: The Dresden Files: Welcome to the Jungle by Jim Butcher - 01/02/09 - 4.30

2: Black Ops by W.E.B. Griffin - 1/5/09 - 1/6/09 - 4.32

3: Ill Wind by Nevada Barr - 01/07/09 - 01/08/09 - 4.22

4: The Devil's Eye by Jack McDevitt - 01/09/09-01/10/09 - 4.34

5: Hedge Knight by George R.R. Martin - 01/11/09 - 4.35

6: Hedge Knight II: Sworn Sword by George R.R. Martin - 01/11/09-01/12/09 - 4.24

7: Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow - 01/13/09-01/29/09-4.50

8: SPQR XII: Oracle of the Dead by John Maddox Roberts - 01/29/09 - 4.38

9: When The Ashes Burn by Phil Lovesey - 02/02/09 - 4.73

10: Bill, the Galactic Hero by Harry Harrison - 02/03/09-02/04/09 - 2.50

11: Scattered Graves by Beverly Connor - 02/04/09-02/05/09 - 4.73

12: Dreamland by Garfield Reeves-Stevens - 02/07/2009-02/10/2009 - 3.85

Hi, Mike!
I just now saw your thread. Would you say that the books by W. E. B. Griffin are similar to Tom Clancy books? I cannot recall if I have read any books by Griffin, but I surely do like Clancy's books.

Also, I saw that a long time ago you read A History of English Speaking Peoples Since 1900. Did you also read the Churchill books? If so, did you like them? Sorry, I realize this is from long ago and you read a lot of books per year.

Have a great day!
--BJ

Griffin's books tend to be more character driven efforts. Though that is just tends. And saying that I recall and know more about Jack Ryan than any of Griffin's characters. So I will have to think about why there is a different feel to the books.

Well, Griffin's books can seem to be slower paced at times. It has been a while since I read a Clancy book, so it is hard to try to do a compare/contrast at this stage.

I would say that Clancy is more technology detailed, but then Griffin mostly writes books set in WWII era, though a recent series was set in modern times. The modern times one had some tech talk. Mostly about secure communications.

I have not read the Churchill books. And while I found "A History of English Speaking Peoples Since 1900" to be an interesting book, I did, in the end, give it a rating below my own personal average. Do not recall why, now. I do not tend to read much in the way of nonfiction, that probably played a factor.

Thanks for the info. I do think that Clancy's books are more technology oriented than others. That is one of the things that I like about them. Of course, there were so many of his books made into movies, too, which helps to make them memorable. I still think that I would like to check out one of Griffin's books, too. Thanks! :)
--BJ

13: Ploughing Potter's Field by Phil Lovesey - 02/12/09-02/13/09 - 4.44

14: Ask the Experts by editors - 02/14/09 - 02/15/09

15: George Washington's Farewell Address by George Washington - 02/17/09

16: Fright by Cornell Woolrich - 02/17/09-02/18/09- 4.30

17: Metacomet's War: A Novel of King Philip's War by David Kerr Chivers - 02/19/09-02/20/09 - 4.40 (reviewed)

18-22: The Long Way Home by Joss Whedon, Georges Jeanty, Andy Owens, Dave Stewart, Richard Starkings, Comicraft's Jimmy, Jo Chen, Paul Lee - 02/20/09 - 4.24

23-27: No Future For You by Joss Whedon et al - 02/21/09 - 4.55
28-32: Wolves at the Gate by Joss Whedon, et al - 02/21/09 - 4.97

33: Psych: A Mind is a Terrible Thing to Read by William Rabkin - 02/22/09 - 4.63

34: Moon Called by Patricia Briggs - 02/24/09 - 4.63

35: Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs - 02/25/09 - 4.55

36: Night and Day by Robert B. Parker - 02/26/09 - 4.60

37: Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs - 02/27/09 - 5

So is Patricia Briggs any relation? Or just a coincidence?
--BJ

No relation, though I did pick up the book because of the name.

38: Once a Hero by Elizabeth Moon - 02/28/09-03/03/09 - 4.64

39: Burn Notice: The Fix by Tod Goldberg - 03/03/09-03/04/09 - 3.60

40: Mean Streets by Jim Butcher, Thomas E. Sniegoski, Simon R. Green, and Kat Richardson - 02/23/09 - 03/05/09 - 4.29

41: Storm from the Shadows by David Weber - 03/06/09-03/11/09 - 3

42: Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn by 03/11/09-03/12/09- 4.24
43: Terminal Freeze by Lincoln Child 03/13/09-03/15/09- 3

44: Back Story by Robert B. Parker - 03/16/09-03/17/09 - 4.24

45: Kitty Goes to Washington by Carrie Vaughn - 03/18/09-03/19/09 - 4.28
46: Kitty Takes a Holiday by Carrie Vaughn - 03/20/09-03/23/09 - 4.11

47: Rules Of Engagement by Elizabeth Moon - 03/23/09-03/24/09-4.44
48: Ignorance, Thy Name Is Bucky by Darby Conley - 03/25/09 - 4.34

What was #48 about? That is an intriguing name.
--BJ

49: Sheepfarmer's Daughter by Elizabeth Moon - 03/27/09-04/01/09 - 4.66

48: Ignorance, Thy Name Is Bucky by Darby Conley is a collection of comic strips. The comic is titled Get Fuzzy. A man, a dog, a cat (Bucky).

50: Divided Allegiance by Elizabeth Moon - 04/01/09-04/03/09-4.79

Congrats on reaching 50 already! Looks like you are on track to beat last year's total. Thanks for the info on the comic book.
--BJ

Thanks :)

51: The Argyle Sweater by Scott Hilburn - 04/04/09 - 4
52: The Saturday Evening Pearls by Stephan Pastis - 04/05/09 - 4.20

53: Oath of Gold by Elizabeth Moon - 04/03/09-04/06/09-4.35

54: The Ghost Brigades by John Scalzi 04/07/09-04/08/09 - 4.23

55: Turn Coat by Jim Butcher - 04/09/09-04/10/09 - 4.34

I have been seeing Jim Butcher's name around lately, but haven't read any of his books yet. Does order matter?
--BJ

I've only read one of his two series, so I can comment on only one of them. Order matters, yes. People grow, change, advance. Though there is an important character that just appeared in one book. There seemed to be a connection between the two of them that went back a ways. This was something like the 2nd or 3rd book so it confused me, as there was no previous mention of this character, at least I do not recall one, nor recalled one at the time.

I like the Dresden series. There is/was a television series based on it also, though I haven't seen it.
--
56: The Mao Case by Qiu Xiaolong - 04/12/04-04/14/04 - 4.44

Thanks for the info, Mike! :)
--BJ

57: Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs - 04/14/09-04/15/09 - 4.63

58: Change of Command by Elizabeth Moon - 04/16/09-04/19/09 - 4.44

59: Against the Odds by Elizabeth Moon - 04/20/09-04/22/09 - 4.58

60: The Making of Second Life by Wagner James Au - 04/23/09-04/24/09 - 4.22

61: 1942 by Robert Conroy - 04/27/09-04/28/09-4.37

62: 1945 by Robert Conroy - 04/29/09-05/01/09 - 4.28

63: Empowered by Adam Warren - 05/01/09 - 4.64

64: When the Tide Rises by David Drake - 05/04/09-05/07/09 - 4.34

I read 50+ last year and I'm up to 42 for this year (currently reading Haight Ashbury: A history) but I only have a month to go.
The biggest delay this year was reading 2 of Doris Kearns Goodwins books, A Team of Rivals & No Ordinary Time and both were 800 p+

Do I get extra credit for those? :-)

232> Sometimes I feel like I'm "cheating" or something when I read the really short, easy to read, books. Then I remember the really long books, like the Hamilton one. It evens out. heh, well, not really, but . .

65: Indiana Jones and the Fate of Atlantis by Leo Duranona - 05/07/09 - 3.8
66: In the Stormy Red Sky by David Drake - 05/09/09-05/12/09 - 4.45

So--Mike;
Got a couple of questions for you:
Allan Guthrie -- he authored Kiss Her Goodbye -- you read it way back--any relation to Arlo Guthrie that you are aware of?
And I keep seeing Robert B Parker all over LT. I am going to guess mystery writer? Is he good? Are they gory?
just askin'. thankx,
belva

Allan and Arlo may or may not be related but I would doubt it. Allan Guthrie is Scottish and Arlo is American.

Robert B. Parker mostly writes mysteries involving the series character Spenser, a Boston PI. There something around 36 Spenser novels. A television series was made out of them. A series of tv movies were made out of another series, Jesse Stone, starring Tom Selleck. None of his series are especially gory. He has also, relatively recently put out some Westerns. Good? Yes. One of my favorite authors.

Thanks for the info Mike.
I kind of figured about the Guthries and if I weren't so darned lazy I could have looked it up on the net but I am and my computer seems to just get stuck here on LT also.
I may have to try one of the Parker's. I haven't read a mystery in a long time. Have a good one.

67: The Romanov Prophecy by Steve Berry - 05/12/09-05/13/09 - 4.30

68: The Third Secret by Steve Berry - 05/14/09-05/15/09 - 3.70
69: Spike: After the Fall by Brian Lynch - 05/16/09 - 3.90
70-74: Angel: After The Fall Volume 1 by Brian Lynch - 05/17/09 - 3.93
75: Freedom's Just Another Word for People Finding Out You're Useless by Scott Adams - 05/17/09 - 4.15

76: Marine One by James W. Huston - 05/18/09-05/19/09 - 4.28

77-81: Time of Your Life by Joss Whedon - 05/20/09 - 4.5

82: School Days by Robert B. Parker - 05/21/09 - 4.27
83-90: Fray by Joss Whedon - 05/21/09 - 4.23

91-98: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Omnibus, Vol. 1 - 05/23/09 -
(need to break out individual authors, etc. for rating)
99: Trading in Danger by Elizabeth Moon - 05/25/09-05/26/09 - 4.38

100: Marque and Reprisal by Elizabeth Moon - 05/27/09-05/28/09- 4.50

101: Engaging the Enemy by Elizabeth Moon - 05/31/09-6/1/09 -4.30
102: Command Decision by Elizabeth Moon - 6/2/09-6/3/09 - 4.28
103: Victory Conditions by Elizabeth Moon - 6/3/09-6/4/09 - 4.40
104: Angel: After the Fall: First Night Volume 2 by Joss Whedon - 6/4/09 - 3.00

105: Angel: After the Fall, Vol. 3 by Joss Whedon - 6/5/09 - 4.00
106: Why Shoot a Butler? by Georgette Heyer - 6/6/09-6/8/09 - 4.24

107: Storyteller by G.R. Grove - 6/4/09-6/9/09- 4.15

108: Hundred-Dollar Baby by Robert B. Parker - 6/11/09 - 4.45

109: Now and Then by Robert B. Parker - 6/11/09 - 6/12/09 - 4
110: Macho Macho Animals: A Pearls Before Swine Collection by Stephan Pastis - 6/13/09 - 4.22

111: Sharks Just Wanna Have Fun by Jim Toomey - 6/13/09-6/14/09 - 4.00

112: Rough Weather by Robert B. Parker - 6/15/09 - 4.33

113: Reagan In His Own Voice by Ronald Reagan - 06/17/09 - 4

114: Behold, Here's Poison by Georgette Heyer - 6/18/09-6/19/09 - 4.37

115: Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs - 6/18/09-6/23/09 - 3.24
116: First Family by David Baldacci - 6/23/09-6/24/09 - 3.8

117: Firestorm by Nevada Barr - 6/26/09 - 4.34

118: Doomsday Key by James Rollins - 06/29/09 - 4.33

119: Thomas Jefferson by Joyce Appleby - 6/30/09-7/01/09 - 3

120: Polk: The Man Who Transformed the Presidency and America by Walter R. Borneman - 6/24/09-7/01/09 - 4.5

121: The Unfinished Clue by Georgette Heyer - 07/03/09-07/04/09 - 4.43
122: Hay Fever by Noël Coward - 07/04/09 - 4.34

123: Psych: Mind Over Magic by William Rabkin - 07/08/09 - 4.42

124: Devil May Care by Sebastian Faulks - 7/11/09-7/12/09 - 4.38

125: By Heresies Distressed by David Weber - 7/13/09-7/15/09 - 4.48

126: Footsteps In The Dark by Georgette Heyer - 7/16/09 - 4.59

127: Private Lives by Noël Coward - 7/19/09 - 4.03

Hi, Mike!
Are you doing the President's Challenge? I have fallen way behind but I do have a couple of books ready to go for it. You do such a good job of rating the books that you read that I would like to use your titles to help me pick mine. Have a great day!
--BJ

Thanks, yes I'm doing the President's Challenge, and ironically I just finished an Eisenhower book. I would recommend the Polk book that I read (Polk: The Man Who Transformed the Presidency and America by Walter R. Borneman), and the Eisenhower one is both by him and interesting, but it stops just short of his Presidency (despite being written and released in 1966-67). Ack, must hurry back to work.

128 At Ease by Dwight D. Eisenhower - 7/19/09-7/23/09 - 4.20

129: Under a Wing by Reeve Lindbergh - 7/23/09-7/27/09- 3.60

130: They Found Him Dead by Georgette Heyer - 7/28/09-7/29/09 - 4.77

131: Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen - 7/30/09-8/3/09 - 4.33

132: After the Downfall by Harry Turtledove - 08/03/09-08/06/09 - 4.54
133: Dust to Dust by Beverly Connor - 08/07/09-08/09/09 -4.40

134: A Blunt Instrument by Georgette Heyer - 08/10/09-08/11/09-4.33

135 - Men in Blue by W.E.B. Griffin - 08/12/09-08/13/09 - 3.89

136: Special Operations by W.E.B. Griffin - 08/14/09 - 4.15

137: Skelton Hill by Peter Lovesey - 08/18/09-08/19/09 - 4.44

138: Predators and Prey by Drew Z. Greenberg -8/22/09 -3.5
139: Safe by Jim Krueger - 8/22/09 - 3.5
140: Living Doll by Doug Petrie - 8/22/09 - 3.7
141: Retreat 1 by Jane Espenson - 8/22/09 - 3.5
142: Retreat 2 by Jane Espenson - 8/22/09 - 3.5
143: X-Files #1 - 3.5
144: X-Files #2 - 3.5
145: X-Files #3 - 3.5
146: X-Files #4 - 3.5
147: Uneasy Relations by Aaron Elkins - 8/24/09-8/25/09 - 4.40
148: Even Money by Dick Francis, Felix Francis - 8/25/09-8/26/09 - 4.33

149: The Sword of the Lady by S.M. Stirling - 8/27/09-9/2/09 - 3.8
150: No Wind of Blame by Georgette Heyer - 9/3/09-9/6/09 - 4.22

151: Buffy - Harm -3
152: Buffy - Tales of Vampires - 3
153: X-Files #5 - 2.5
154: X-Files #6 - 2.5
155: Schulz and Peanuts: A Biography by David Michaelis - 09/08/09 - 09/16/09 - 4.50

156: Confessions of a Swinging Single Sea Turtle by Jim Toomey - 4.05
157: Try Rebooting Yourself by Scott Adams - 4.10
158-159: My Bad by Jerry Scott and Jim Borgman - 4.11
160: Medicus by Ruth Downie - 9/26/09-9/28/09 - 4.15

161: The Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan - 09/29/09 - 4.15

162: Death in the Stocks by Georgette Heyer - 09/30/09 - 4.44

163 Terra Incognita by Ruth Downie - 10/02/09-10/06/09 - 4.27

164: The Cabinet of Curiosities by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child - 4.40
165: Wheel of Darkness by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child - 10/07/09-10/08/09 - 4.26

166: The Traffickers by W.E.B. Griffin and William E. Butterworth IV - 10/12/09-10/13/09 - 3.9

167: Skull Duggery by Aaron Elkins - 3.95
168: Buffy: Season 8: Retreat #3 -3.8
169: A Kiss Before the Apocalypse by Thomas E. Sniegoski - 10/15/09 - 3.90
170: Buffy: Season 8: Retreat #4 - 3.8

171: Heirs of Empire by David Weber - 10/19/09-10/20/09 - 4.63

172: Appaloosa by Robert B. Parker - 10/22/09 - 4.23

173: Bloom County: The Complete Library: Volume One: 1980-1982 by Berkeley Breathed - 4.34
174: Insurrection by David Weber & Steve White - 10/26/09-10/29/09 - 4.10
175: Crusade by David Weber & Steve White - 10/29/09-10/31/09 - 4.10

176: Envious Casca by Georgette Heyer - 11/02/09-11/03/09 - 3.23
177: Bridgehead by David Drake - 11/04/09-11/05/09 -3

178: Resolution by Robert B. Parker - 11/05/09 - 4.48

179: Duplicate Death by Georgette Heyer - 11/6/09-11/9/09 - 4.40

180: Screaming Tree by Phil Lovesey - 11/10/09-11/12/09 - 4.48

181: Brimstone by Robert B. Parker - 11/13/09 - 3.70

182: The Professional by Robert B. Parker - 11/13/09-11/15/09- 4.07

183: Torch of Freedom by David Weber and Eric Flint - 11/16/09-11/19/09 - 4.05

184: Detection Unlimited by Georgette Heyer 11/16/09-11/23/09 -4.11

184: Detection Unlimited by Georgette Heyer - 11/19/09-11/23/09 - 4.11

185: Night Train to Rigel by Timothy Zahn - 11/23/09-11/24/09 - 3.64

186: Buffy:TVS: Retreat: Part 5 - 11/25/09 - 3

187: MacArthur's War: A Novel of the Invasion of Japan by Douglas Niles and Michael Dobson - 11/30/09-12/01/09 - 4.43

188: 1635: The Tangled Web by Virginia DeMarce - 12/02/09-12/04/09- 3.74

189: Liberating Atlantis by Harry Turtledove - 12/07/09-12/09/09- 4.58

190: Batgirl: Rebirth 1 - 3.15
191: Batgirl: Rebirth 2 - 3.15
192: Dumbheart by Darby Conley - 12/13/09 - 4.34
193: Penhallow by Georgette Heyer - 12/14/09-12/15/09 - 3.20

194: Third Lynx by Timothy Zahn - 12/16/09-12/17/09 - 4.34

195: Pirate Latitudes by Michael Crichton - 12/17/09-12/18/09 - 4.60

196: Trojan War Volume 1 - 2
197: Batman: Gotham Frozen Volume 1 - 2
198: Time for Sherlock by David Dvorkin - 12/22/09-12/23/09 - 3

199: The Many Faces of Snoopy by Charles M. Schulz - ?-12/28/09 - 3.20

200: Blithe Spirit by Noël Coward - 12/29/09 - 4.50

2010

1: Honor of Spies by W.E.B. Griffin and William Butterworth IV 12/30/09-01/05/10 - 4.39
2: Too Old for Summer Camp and Too Young to Retire by Jeff MacNelly - 01/05/10 - 3.15

3: Altar of Eden by James Rollins - 01/05/10-01/06/10 - 4.64

4: Psych: Call of the Mild by William Rabkin - 01/07/10 - 3.73

5: A Shoe for All Seasons by Jeff MacNelly - 01/09/10 - 3.25

6: Impact by Douglas Preston - 01/08/10-01/11/10 - 3.88
7: A Cigar Means Never Having to Say You're Sorry by Jeff MacNelly - 01/11/10 - 3.74

8: Heat Wave by Richard Castle - 01/12/10-01/13/10 - 4.42

9: Design for Living by Noel Coward - 01/13/10-01/14/10 - 2.8
10: One Shoe Fits All by Jeff MacNelly - 01/13/10-01/14/10 - 3.5
11: Hands Across the Sea b Noel Coward - 01/14/10 - 3.6

I picked up some W. E. B. Griffin books on a sale table at BAM, and I was wondering if you had read any of them and had a recommended first read. The ones that I have are The Saboteurs, The Double Agents, and The Hunters.
--BJ

I've read most of Griffin's books. Of the top of my head the only ones I know I haven't read are his early books he put out in his own name, William E. Butterworth III as they are hard to find and for young adults.

All of his books are series books, and it helps to read them in order. They can stand on their own, though.

The Saboteurs is the 5th in the Men at War series. OSS agents operating during WWII. The Double Agents is the 6th in that series and set, according to a tag I placed on it, in Italy. Both of the Men at War books you own are co-written with his son William E. Butterworth IV.

The Hunters is third in the Presidential Agent series, set in modern times.

I'd recommend trying to find the first book in either series (By Order of the President for the Presidential Agent series; The Last Heroes in the Men at War series). If you wish to start with these three, I rated The Hunters highest of the three.

12: Odd Girl Out by Timothy Zahn - 01/19/10-01/20/10 - 4.35

Thanks so much for the info. I should have realized that they were a series. I guess that I don't read enough series books to remember to think about it. I will definitely look for the first in each series -- starting with The Hunters. :) Thanks again!
--BJ

I hope you like.

13: Rite of Passage by Richard D'Agostino - 01/22/10-01/25/10 - 4.43

14: Still Life by Noel Coward - 01/26/10 -3

15: Site Unseen by Dana Cameron - 01/27/10-01/29/10 - 4.22

16: Massacre at Goliad by Elmer Kelton - 01/05/10-02/01/10 - 3.0

17: The Whole Truth by David Baldacci - 02/01/10-02/02/10 - 4.66

18: The Domino Pattern by Timothy Zahn - 02/03/10-02/05/10 - 4.34

19: Fumed Oak by Noel Coward - 2.8
20: Icewater Mansions by Doug Allyn - 3.10
21: Buffy: Willow - 02/18/10 - 3.0
22: Buffy: Twilight 1 - 02/18/10 - 3.0
23: Buffy: Twilight 2 - 02/18/10 - 3.0
24: Hitler's War by Harry Turtledove - 02/19/10 - 3.70

25: Absolution by Murder by Peter Tremayne - 02/21/10-02/22/10 - 4.43

26: Station Rage by Diane Carey - 02/22/10-02/24/10 - 3.78

27: Split Image by Robert B. Parker - 02/25/10 - 4.37

28: Persona Non Grata by Ruth Downie 02/28/10-03/02/10 - 4.33

29: Wagon Train to the Stars by Diane Carey - 03/03/10-03/05/10 - 4.22
30: Belle Terre by Dean Wesley Smith with Diane Carey - 03/08/10 - 03/10/10 - 3.50

31: Buffy: Twilight Part 2: 3/11/10 - 3.3
32: Second acts by Mark K. Updegrove - 3/6/10-3/15/10 - 3.58

33 The Islander by John Maddox Roberts - 03/16/10 - 03/18/10 - 4.62

34: Gridlinked by Neal Asher - 03/18/10 - 03/23/10 - 3.15

35: The Black Shields by John Maddox Roberts - 03/24/10-03/25/10 - 4.69

36: Shroud for the Archbishop by Peter Tremayne - 03/26/10-03/29/10 - 4.48

37: The Poisoned Land by John Maddox Roberts - 03/29/10-03/31/10 - 4.33

38: Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs - 04/02/10 - 4.78

39: Sluggy Freelance: Is It Not Nifty? by Peter Abrams - 04/05/10 - 4.40

40: Sluggy Freelance: Worship the Comic (Book 2) by Peter Abrams - 04/05/10 - 4.44

41 Sluggy Freelance: When Holidays Attack! (Book 3) by Pete Abrams - 04/05/10-04/06/10 - 4.43

42: Steel Kings by John Maddox Roberts - 04/05/10-04/06/10 - 4.35
43: Sluggy Freelance - A Very Big Bang! by Pete Abrams - 04/06/10-04/07/10 - 4.25

44: Sluggy Freelance: Fire and Rain by Pete Abrams -04/07/10 - 4.27

45: Sluggy Freelance - Dangerous Days by Pete Abrams - 04/07/10 - 4.33

46: Changes by Jim Butcher - 04/08/10 - 4.27

Ninth February book finished. Back on track.

16: Final Impact by John Birmingham. 3rd book in the Axis of Time series. url=http://congnghe365.comsidekick/urlOk book, not as good as the first one.

It is neither February or your thread. I believe your message migrated tothe wrong thread. :)

47: The Night Killer by Beverly Connor - 04/09/10-04/12/10 - 4.22

48-51: The Simpsons Futurama Crossover Crisis by Matt Groening - 4.00
52: A Mighty Fortress by David Weber - 4.5
53: Buffy - Twilight part 3 - 3.8

54: Dark Horse: A Political Thriller by Ralph Reed - 05/02/10-05/05/10 - 4.56

55: His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik - 05/06/10-05/07/10 - 4.68

56: Throne of Jade by Naomi Novik - 05/08/10-05/10/10 - 4.63

57: Black Powder War by Naomi Novik - 05/11/10 - 4.60

58: Empire of Ivory by Naomi Novik - 05/12/10-05/13/10 - 3.82

59: Victory of Eagles by Naomi Novik - 05/13/10-05/14/10 - 4.33

60: Indivisible by Kristen Heitzmann - 05/17/10-05/20/10 - 4.39

61: A Gentleman's Game by Greg Rucka -05/20/10-05/23/10 - 3.84
62: Motel of the Mysteries by David Macaulay - 05/23/10 - 3.00

63 Queens of Land and Sea by John Maddox Roberts - 05/24/10-05/25/10 - 4.43

64: Stone Cold by David Baldacci - 05/26/10-05/27/10 - 4.30

65: Buffy:TVS: Twilight: Part Four - Brad Meltzer, Georges Jeanty - 05/29/10 - 4.20
66: Green Hornet: Episode One: Night and Day by Kevin Smith - 05/29/10 - 4.50
67: Green Hornet: Episode Two: Happily Ever After by Kevin Smith - 05/29/10 - 4.50
68: Kato - Ande Parks - 05/29/10 - 4.20

69: Empowered: 2 by Adam Warren - 05/31/10 - 4.45

70: Empowered: 3 by Adam Warren - 05/31/10 - 4.30
71: Empowered: 4 by Adam Warren - 05/31/10 - 4.25
72: Oath of Fealty by Elizabeth Moon - 05/27/10-06/01/10 - 4.58

73: I'll Mature When I'm Dead: Dave Barry's Amazing Tales of Adulthood by Dave Barry - 06/01/10 - 4.90
74: Empowered: 5 by Adam Warren - 06/01/10 - 3.80

75: Green Hornet: Episode Three by Kevin Smith - 06/03/10 - 3
76: Green Hornet: Episode Four by Kevin Smith - 06/03/10 - 3
77: Slide by Gerald A. Browne - 06/02/10-06/04/10 - 3.50

78: The Boys Vol. 1 by Garth Ennis - 06/04/10 - 3.95
79: The Boys Vol. 2 by Garth Ennis - 06/04/10 - 3.95
80: The Boys Vol. 3 by Garth Ennis - 06/05/10 - 4.00
81: The Boys Vol. 4 by Garth Ennis - 06/05/10 - 4.05
82: The Boys Vol. 5 by Garth Ennis - 06/06/10 - 4.00
83: The Boys Vol. 6 by Garth Ennis - 06/06/10 - 3.50

84: Serenity by Joss Whedon - 06/07/10 - 4.00
85: Serenity: Better Days by Joss Whedon - 06/07/10 - 3.50

86: Deliver Us From Evil by David Baldacci - 05/30/10-06/08/10 - 4.15

87: Angel: After the Fall, Vol. 4 by Joss Whedon - 06/08/10 - 4.30
88: Angel, Volume 5: Aftermath by Joss Whedon - 06/08/10 - 4.34

89: Angel, Volume 6 by Brian Lynch - 06/09/10 - 3.88

90-91: Lio's Astonishing Tales: From the Haunted Crypt of Unknown Horrors (contains Happiness Is a Squishy Cephalopod and Silent But Deadly) by Mark Tatulli - 06/11/10 - 4.05
92: 50,000,000 Pearls Fans Can't Be Wrong: A Pearls Before Swine by Stephan Pastis - 06/13/10-06/14/10 - 3.50

93: Falcon Seven by James W. Huston - 06/14/10-06/16/10 - 4.50
94: Over the Hedge by Michael Fry and T Lewis - 06/15/10-06/16/10 - 4.10

95: Valor's Choice by Tanya Huff - 06/17/10 - 4.90
96: Over the Hedge 2 by Michael Fry and T Lewis - 06/18/10 - 4.05

97: The Better Part of Valor by Tanya Huff - 06/17/10-06/21/10 - 3.50
98: Bloom County Volume 2 by Berkeley Breathed - 06/11/10-06/20/10 - 4.50

99: Blue-Eyed Devil by Robert B. Parker - 06/21/10-06/23/10 - 4.33

100: Mission of Honor by David Weber - 06/23/10-06/27/10 - 2.79

101: Mausoleum by Justin Scott -06/28/10-06/29/10- 4.45 ★★★★ 1/2

102: The Glades by Clifton Campbell - 06/30/10 - 3.70 ★★★ 1/2
103: King of Norway by Cecelia Holland - 06/30/10 - 4.55 ★★★★ 1/2
104: Sarah Palin: Vampire Hunter by Dan McGirt - 07/01/10 - 3.73 ★★★ 1/2
105: Comic by Gary Alexander - 4.35
106: The Mysterious Mr. Kim - Martin Limon - 4.05
107: Iron Monk - Melissa Yuan-Innes - 3.84
108: The Untied States of America - Mario Milosevic - 3.63
109: A Passion for Art by David D. Levine - 4.45
110: Plague Birds by Jason Sanford - 4.48
111: Incorruptible by Mark Waid - 07/01/10 - 4.50
112: Mounting Fears by Stuart Woods - 07/01/10-07/02/10 - 4.44
113: Over Water by Jon Ingold - 4
114: Trailin' by Max Brand - 07/06/10-07/07/10 - 4.15
115: Forever Bound - Joe Haldeman - 07/07/10 - 4.70
116: The Boys 39 by Garth Ennis - 3.70
117: The Boys 41 - by Garth Ennis - 3.70
118: The Boys 42 - by Garth Ennis - 3.70
119: The Stolen Story by Johnston McCulley - 07/08/10 - 3.05
120: The Method in her Madness by Tom Savage - 07/09/10 - 4.33
121: The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman - 07/09/10 - 4.66
122: Kato 2 by Ande Parks - 07/09/10 - 3.00
123: Flash Rebirth 1 by Geoff Johns - 07/09/10 - 3.00
124: The Terminator 2029 1 by Zack Whedon - 07/09/10 - 4.05
125: Spawn 1 by Todd McFarlane - 07/09/10 - 4.24
126 The O-Ban Cat by I.J. Parker - 07/09/10 - 4.20
127: The Adventure of the Proper Comma by August Derleth - 07/10/10 - 4.24
128: Boneshaker by Cherie Priest - 07/07/10 - 07/13/10 - 4.12
129: The Boys: 43 by Garth Ennis - 07/14/10 - 3.70
130: The Boys: 44 by Garth Ennis - 07/14/10 - 3.70
131: Tongues of Serpents by Naomi Novik - 07/13/10-07/14/10 - 4.30
132: Irredeemable Vol 1 by Mark Waid - 07/15/10 - 4.05
133: Irredeemable Vol 2 by Mark Waid - 07/15/10 - 4.20
134: Irredeemable Vol 3 by Mark Waid - 07/15/10 - 4.20
135: Green Lantern Secret Origin by Geoff Johns - 07/15/10-07/16/10 - 4.55
136: Inquest - Michael A. Black - 7/18/10 - 4.33
137: Triumph by Robin Hobb - 07/18/10 - 4.33
138: Paperweight by Ben Town - 07/19/10 - 4.10
139: Farthing by Jo Walton - 07/16/10-07/19/10 - 4.15
140: Jane and Dick by Gary Alexander - 07/19/10 - 3.50
141: Farewell, My Lovely by Raymond Chandler - 7/20/10-7/21/10 - 4.46
142: Catering for Nobody by Diane Mott Davidson - 07/22/10 - 4.43
143: One Dead Dean by Bill Crider - 07/23/10 - 4.25
144: Hidden History of Northern Virginia by Charles A. Mills - 7/24/10 - 4.05
145: Tumor by Joshua Hale Fialkov - 7/25/10 - 4.27
146: Summer Fires by Bob Reiss - 07/26/10 - 4.12
147: Something New by P.G. Wodehouse - 07/27/10 - 4.48
148: Day of the Moon by Bill Pronzini - 07/28/10 - 4.35
149: Die Like a Dog - Brett Halliday - 07/29/10 - 4.37
150: Wonderful World of Oz by L.Frank Baum - 07/30/10 - 3.00
151: The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson - 07/30/10 - 4.50
152: Cobra by Frederick Forsyth - 07/30/10-08/01/10 - 4.33 (reviewed)
153: Ask the Right Question by Michael Z. Lewin - 08/01/10-08/02/10 - 4.40 (reviewed)
154: The Way We Die Now - Michael Z. Lewin - 08/02/10-08/04/10 - 3.80
155: The Road to Andorra - Shirley Deane - 08/05/10 - 3.50
156: Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs - 08/06/10 - 4.27
157: The Boys Believe Part 2 by Garth Ennis - 08/06/10 - 3.3
158: Dave Barry on Dads by Dave Barry - 08/07/10 - 4.24
159: Frames by Loren D. Estleman - 08/07/10-08/08/10 - 4.34
160: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - 08/09/10 - 4.64
161: Days Gone Bye by Robert Kirkman - 08/10/10 - 4.24
162: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins - 08/10/10 - 4.55
163: Miles Behind Us by Robert Kirkman - 08/11/10 - 4.23
164: Safety Behind Bars b7 Robert Kirkman - 08/11/10 - 3.90
165: The Heart's Desire by Robert Kirkman - 08/12/10 - 3.88
166: Alone by Loren D. Estleman - 8/12/10-8/13/10 - 3.80
167: The Best Defense - by Robert Kirkman - 8/13/10 - 3.75
168: This Sorrowful Life - by Robert Kirkman - 8/13/10 - 3.75
169: The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett - 8/14/10 - 4.24
170: The Heart of Valor - Tanya Huff - 08/15/10-08/17/10 - 4.28
171: Von Ryan's Express - David Westheimer - 8/17/10-8/18/10 - 4.27
172: The Cat, The Professor and the Poison by Leann Sweeney - 08/18/10-08/19/10 - 4.47
173: Bill Bryson's African Diary - Bill Bryson - 8/19/10 - 4.33
174: The Calm Before - Robert Kirkman - 8/20/10 - 3.00
175: The Athletic Shoe - Jeff MacNelly - 8/20/10 - 4.33
176: It Looks Like a President Only Smaller by Joel Achenbach - 8/21/10-8/22/10 - 3.15
177: Wesley the Owl by Stacey O'Brien - 8/23/10 - 5.00
178 The Darlington Jaunt - Angus Ross - 8/24/10 - 4.34
179: Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins - 8/24/10-8/25/10 - 4.95
180: The Loved One - Evelyn Waugh - 8/26/10 - 3.90
181: The Silent Gondoliers - S. Morgenstern - 8/27/10 - 4.20
182: Shakespeare by Bill Bryson - 8/27/10-8/28/10 - 4.20
183: Made to Suffer - Robert Kirkman - 8/29/10 - 3.70
184: Here We Remain - Robert Kirkman - 8/29/10 - 3.70
185: What We Become - Robert Kirkman - 8/29/10 - 3.70
186: Fear the Hunters - Robert Kirkman - 8/29/10 - 3.80
187: Life Among Them - Robert Kirkman - 8/29/10 - 3.90
188: Daisy Miller by Henry James - 8/29/10 - 3.10
189: The Burgos Contract - Angus Ross - 8/30/10 - 4.24
190: The Silent Salesman - Michael Z. Lewin - 8/31/10 - 4.03
191: The Good Fairies of New York - Martin Millar - 8/31/10-9/1/10 - 3.50
192: The Boys: Believe 3 - Garth Ennis - 9/2/10 - 3.50
193: Big Short - Michael Lewis - 9/1/10-9/2/10 - 3.55
194: Dragon Bones - Patricia Briggs - 09/02/10 - 4.63
195: The Case of the Gilded Fly - Edmund Crispin - 9/3/10-9/4/10 - 3.65
196: The Castle of Otranto - Horace Walpole - 9/4/10 - 3.90
197: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone - J.K. Rowling - 09/05/10-09/07/10 - 4.15