I know I’ve been saying that I’m staying away from the library so that I can read more of my stacks but I had to go to pick up The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett. I talk about detective fiction a lot but I can’t believe I’ve never read one of his books. I mean, he’s always on those Best Of Lists. Well, hopefully I will enjoy this book and I’m looking forward to discussing it with my mystery group later this month.
I did not pick up any other books while at the library. I know, what a surprise right? But, I made a list of books I want to keep in mind. Here’s my list:
- The Outcast by Sadie Jones. Synopsis: It’s 1957 and Lewis Aldridge is travelling back to his home in the South of England. He is straight out of jail and nineteen years old. His return will trigger the implosion not just of his family, but of a whole community.
- World Made by Hand by James Howard Kunstler. Synopsis: A future posited on his signature idea: when the oil wells start to run dry, the world economy will collapse and society as we know it will cease.
- Burial of the Dead by Michael Hogan. A thrilling literary mystery. You know I love those.
- The Cure for Grief by Nellie Hermann. Synopsis: This disarmingly intimate and candid novel follows Ruby through a coming-of-age marked by excruciating loss, one in which the thrills, confusion, and longing of adolescence are heightened by the devastating events that accompany them
- Correction of Drift by Pamela Ryder. Synopsis: These interlinked stories depict the kidnapping of the Lindbergh baby and its traumatic effect on a wide variety of characters, including the kidnappers, the parents, the general public, and a distraught maid. Doesn’t the book have a great cover?
- The House at Midnight by Lucie Whitehouse. A gripping psychological novel that pulls the reader into the thrall of its ominous atmosphere. Sounds like a good, suspenseful tale doesn’t it?
I’m off to enjoy my current reads. I hope you guys have a wonderful weekend and more book talk soon.
16 Comments
I read The Maltese Falcon a year or two ago and really enjoyed it. I like those gritty American crime novels from the 30s, but I don’t read many of them. I hope you like it. I have The Outcast and The House at Midnight both on my TBR piles, and I’m looking forward to both. I need to be better about getting my library piles down. I’d like to take a break from library books until January, but I haven’t quite weaned myself….I have too many of my own books to catch up on, too.
Correction of Drift sounds really interesting. I haven’t heard of it, but I’m intrigued! I made a library run today…came away with way more than I really needed. hehe
I hope you like the book – so that I can also pick his book up 🙂
i really like this genre a lot~!
I love, love, love Dashiell Hammett. Can’t wait to hear what you think of The Maltese Falcon. It’s one of my favorites.
Have you heard of the excellent Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear? She’s a contemporary mystery author who writes about a wonderful post World War I era female detective. The stories are great period pieces – set in England- with strong characters and just a unique texture to them. Very addictive series.
Felicia
I saw the movie of Maltese Falcon a long time ago.
You would like it.
World made by hand sounds interesting!
Looking forward to hearing about how you like these ones – also just wanted to let you know I have passed on an award to you on my blog!
I read my first Hammett book earlier this year (The Glass Key) and liked it quite a bit — just be prepared for lots of toughness and not a whole lot of interiority or emotional expression.
I read the first few chapters of World Made By Hand several months ago but set it aside and never got back to it. Might have to give it another try since it’d be a nice addition to my Post-Apocalypic endcap.
Danielle – I’ve been pretty good about my ban from the library but it was hard to resist when I saw so many new books 🙂 I’ve read some new “noir” style books and have enjoyed those but it’ll be great to finally read the real deal you know!
Andi – I like the title and the book cover. I hope what’s inside is just as good 🙂
Veens – Haha… I’ll keep you posted!
Bookfool, aka Nancy – ooh, I can’t wait to read it then! I hope to start it this week.
Felicia – Yes, Maisie Dobbs is another of my favorite sleuths! I’m so anxious to read the next one – I think it may be out in March or so… She’s a fabulous character isn’t she?
Isabel – I’ve never seen the movie either. I can’t believe I actually don’t know anything about the story! Isn’t the title for World Made by Hand great? I just keep thinking of how crafts in general seem to be going through a big revival so this makes me think of that.
Karen – Ah, thank you! I can’t wait to pass that to some other creatives 🙂
Dorothy W. – See, I wonder if I’ll miss that as I’m so big on getting to know the characters and stuff but I think it’ll be fun to see how the genre got started!
Les in NE – Did you already show us your post-apocalyptic endcap? It’s funny I never think that I’d like those kind of books but somehow the few that I have read I’ve really liked. I think I just need to be in the mood to read them though.
Nope, I have to read a few more before I use that theme. My current end-cap is full of epistolary works. I’ll try to get a picture and post up later this week.
I hope you enjoy The Maltese Falcon! I liked it and my husband did too, although it’s not his favorite by the author. I haven’t yet read tried anything else by Hammett, so I can’t say whether I agree.
I just added The House at Midnight to my TBR list. It looks great!
Iliana,
Thanks so much for contacting me about winning!! What is your email address so that I can email you my home address? Thanks!!
Les in NE – I love looking at your end cap pics! Can’t wait to see the latest one.
Literary Feline – I just started it and I think I will like it! You really get a sense for the main character. The descriptions are really fab!
Kimmy – It sounds good doesn’t it? And, I like that cover too 🙂
Kristina – I just sent you an email! 🙂
Thanks! Nice post.