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2024 Determination Lists
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Ann’s 2024 Determination Plus challenge
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In no particular order here are a few of the audible books I hope to get to in 2024 for the top portion of the challenge. Perhaps listing them will give me some additional motivation.Some ideas - subject to change as I get to them:
** The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece by Tom Hanks
✔️ READ ** The Ferryman by Justin Cronin
** Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
** The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai
** King Suckerman by George P. Pelecanos
** Nolyn by Michael J. Sullivan
** The Overstory by Richard Powers
** The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
✔️ READ ** Slow Horses by Mick Herron
** Gray Man books (one or more) by Mark Greaney
Ann wrote: "In no particular order here are a few of the audible books I hope to get to in 2024 for the top portion of the challenge. Perhaps listing them will give me some additional motivation.Some ideas -..."
Great idea, Ann!
Ok, I just added four books. All from the "fun" part of the challenge. That part is certainly easier than my planned books for the top ten. I chose a book that fit #11 Different Country than I live in:Tomorrow, When the War Began
This is a YA series and I have already read the second book. The rest will be a few $$ as they are older and not in my library system. I can get them from audible so will see how far I go.
This last one could have fit in a couple of slots but decided it would go as #14 Not my usual genre. (Horror) I actually have several favorite horror authors, but it can be hard to get through one. Ghost Station by S.A. Barnes. Could have been a new to me author, could have been at the top as an ARC from NetGalley. Release date is April 9, 2024. I really enjoyed it (horror and all)
I chose two books for the series #15 and #16. I read so many series these are easier, though many I am caught up so these I am still behind. Blood Betrayal and A Treacherous Curse
Good for you, Ann! You and DJ are putting me to shame. I spent most of February reading the Barbra Streisand autobiography so have to get back on track.
Carol, I might a little more ahead but February with I the days I got no reading done when I had my cold I feel like I got behind on how much I wanted to have done by now. Plus I want to figure out what I still need to with for bottom. Series book no problem. Want to find oldest on shelf know which one pulled it out, saw it not long ago just need to put it where I see it. Still need to decide what I should have read last year. An award one too. Need to check if audio one got any awards.
It got the 1990 something Newbury award so can use it.
DJ, sorry to hear about your cold. I don't feel much like reading when I have a cold either, which is so unfair. One should be able to read since you're otherwise lying around trying to recover. Doesn't work that way though, does it? Hopefully you are on the mend now and able to get back on track.
I added four books, took a few tries to settle on where I wanted to slot them in:The Ferryman by Justin Cronin landed on the #1 slot. It fulfilled my first audible backlog challenge.
Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder by Kerryn Mayne almost made slot #2 because it was a NetGalley ARC, but I decided to let it be my "comes out in 2024" book #17
James by Percival Everett was an easy one for the "author I hadn't read yet" #12
and I may have cheated a bit by selecting Donna Tartt's The Secret History for the oldest book on my TBR shelf, but it had been on there for a while.
WTG, I would say count it. I did that with mine knew I had it in F.L.
Nice, Ann. I have a copy of The Ferryman somewhere but have too many books ahead of it (with more coming in) so don't know when I'll get to it.Interesting choice of James. I knew the author wrote the book on which the recent release "American Fiction" was based, but I had to remind myself of the plot of "James." I'd heard of it. Did you like it?
Carol, I really liked James. Percival Everett will be an author I look for now.
slowly! 10 of 24 slotted in. two more here today. Updated #13 (a book recommended by Gail) Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
Updated #18 (a book you meant to read in 2023) Mother-Daughter Murder Night by Nina Simon
another update - ✔️ 23. A book set in multiple countries.READ 17-Feb-2024 The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb - the multiple countries - it takes place in both the USA and Moscow
A book that won an award - There There by Tommy Orange. All awards and nominations well deserved! Pulitzer Prize Nominee for Fiction (2019), National Book Award Nominee for Fiction (2018), Anisfield-Wolf Book Award for Fiction (2019), California Book Award for First Fiction Gold (2018), Los Angeles Times Book Prize Nominee for First Fiction (2018), Dayton Literary Peace Prize Nominee for Fiction (2019), James Fenimore Cooper Prize (2019), National Book Critics Circle Award for John Leonard Award (2018), Andrew Carnegie Medal Nominee for Fiction (2019), Goodreads Choice Award Nominee for Fiction and for Debut Author (2018), Aspen Words Literary Prize Nominee for Longlist (2019), Writers' Prize Nominee (2019), The Center for Fiction First Novel Prize (2018), PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel (2019), Dublin Literary Award Nominee (2020)
WTG. You’ll get there. I again changed my current books.
Good going Ann. I have all but abandoned by DL reading for the moment--too many new publications like Southern Man and A Talent for Murder -- but hope to get back to it in time to end the year with a bang.
Carol: I hear you! I am reading both of those books, Southern Man is monopolizing my audible app and A Talent for Murder has my Libby audio attention. Both so different and good. The DL list audible books have the back burner right now for me.
I filled in five books, three audible audio books, not really backlog books, but listening to these three newly acquired keeps them off the backlog :). Two were NetGalley arc's, chipping away at my read percentage.✔️ 2. READ 21-Jul-2024 Southern Man by Greg Iles audible - epic. This installment in the Penn Cage series is huge in scope and size.
✔️ 3. READ 13-Jul-2024 A Cool Breeze on the Underground by Don Winslow audible I am adding some of Don Winslow's backlist so sort-of backlog.
✔️ 4. READ 29-May-2024 You Like It Darker by Stephen King audible Ok, another brand-new release and stellar!
✔️ 5. READ 04-Jul-2024 The Secret History of the Rape Kit: A True Crime Story by Pagan Kennedy NetGalley arc. I enjoyed learning the facts and history.
✔️ 6. READ 29-May-2024 Codename Nemo: The Hunt for a Nazi U-Boat and The Elusive Enigma Machine by Charles Lachman NetGalley arc. Fascinating war details.
Left to do, four at the top of the list, the book before I was born, a book I put aside and picked back up and a book by multiple authors.
For a book before you were born do The Picture of Dorian Gray by Wilde. I’ve had on my list for that prompt for awhile it’s on the short side and you can get ebook on project Gutenberg. I’ve got it on iBooks. I think I even found copy at LFL.
✔️ 24. Book you started in the past but put aside and never finished for some reason. (I know we all have them. I have a small tote bag filled with them a different reason why it wasn't finished.)READ 17-Aug-2024 The Coroner's Lunch by Colin Cotterill
I could have put this in the top 10 - it is from my audible backlog; it also fits this category very well having been on my tbr for a good while.
Good for you. I finished my challenge back weeks ago maybe July but keep forgetting to update on my thread when I’m on laptop I’ll try to remember after I get home from shore tomorrow.
DJ, you're not doing a new challenge since you have four months left in 2024?
Yes already finished one and almost A second for a new one. I only got home yesterday and was so tired I made a hair appt for today for 11 which since I have to detour I’ll go earlier so maybe when I get home I’ll catch up with laptop emails and goodreads.
Good for you! Didn't mean to pressure you but just thought it highly unusual that you wouldn't continue!Donnajo wrote: "Yes already finished one and almost A second for a new one. I only got home yesterday and was so tired I made a hair appt for today for 11 which since I have to detour I’ll go earlier so maybe when..."
I’ve read them awhile ago just keep forgetting to post them.
#19 of 24 - Top ten list READ, 04-Sep-2024 Burn by Peter Heller another on my backlog of NetGalley arcs. A bit after release date. This was a chilling dystopian tale.
I'm not adding a read entry yet, but I may have found my "before I was born" book! Beat Not The Bones by Charlotte Jay ~may~ be it. I will see how I like it. I have started so many and not been caught up for various reasons. Fun fact it apparently was the very first Edgar award winner for best novel. Stay tuned...
# 20 of 24 read; an audible audio so helping with the backlog - sort-of (adding 24+ a year isn't catching up LOL. ) Very good. I already watched the apple tv+ series and love it so the story was familiar and still enjoyable.
✔️8. READ 18-Sep-2024 Slow Horses by Mick Herron audible
Look at you go! I think my favorite prompt is always the "before you were born" prompt. It guarantees me at least one spot for a Dorothy Sayers or Agatha Christie.
Gail: somehow the “before I was born” book is one of the hardest. I usually spend all year trying books out. I’m probably making it harder than I should because I haven’t been picking an Agatha Christie as my initial attempt, or a Perry Mason.
It’s been off putting to pick up an older book and be immediately confronted with words and attitudes that we no longer consider to be appropriate.
Ann wrote: "Gail: somehow the “before I was born” book is one of the hardest. I usually spend all year trying books out. I’m probably making it harder than I should because I haven’t been picking an Agatha C..."I understand. Although, of the ones I've read the last couple of years, only one, Dorothy Sayers' Unnatural Death (Peter Wimsey #3) deeply sickened me because of her use of uncalled for language.
I've been purposefully reading Agatha Christie's "other series" (my term): Ariadne Oliver, Superintendent Battle, Colonel Race, and Harley Quin. There is a little bit of misogyny in some of these but I've learned to manage the ire it raises (unlike when it happens NOW). 😉
If you want to think about going this route, I would recommend The Man in the Brown Suit (Col Race #1) and/or The Secret of Chimneys (Superintendent Battle, Ariadne Oliver, both #1). Another is The Sittaford Mystery. My review: "I thought I had read them all. Far from it! I believe this is a standalone. And as such you have no idea how the characters will think. I loved that this one included a very strong, independent young woman on the move to solve the mystery and save her fiance." (Hope this isn't coming across as too pushy!!)
Thank you very much for the suggestions Gail! I’ll need books for next year’s before I was born challenge too! I appreciate your help with choosing some good options. Like you mentioned, I can also usually roll my eyes and move by the misogyny in older books - and not so much in newer ones.
Complete 21 of 24 !! I finally settled on my choice for the book published before I was born! Thanks for the encouragement from you all and to Gail for the suggestions! ✔️19 The Case of the Velvet Claws by Erle Stanley Gardner
This is the first Perry Mason book, and I don't remember reading it before - but I imagine I have long forgotten the plots of those I read as a child. It was interesting to see the characters as they started out and the 'bones' of the plots that later took to the courtroom for the final drama and reveal, here done outside of a courtroom.
✔️ 20. A book that is done by more than one author (it can be a book of short stories by different authors, or one book that is one story with more than 1 author like Patterson or Evanovich and I'm sure there are others.READ 26-Jan-2024 Reykjavík: A Crime Story by Ragnar Jónasson and Katrín Jakobsdóttir with Victoria Cribb, translator
I was rechecking my 2024 books to see if I had a multiple author book and luckily found this one from January. Jonas son gets top billing but both he and Jakobsdottir are on the cover plus a translator.
You're moving right along, aren't you Ann?I always have an Agatha Christie in my back pocket if I can't find a book published before I was born that interests me, but there are so many classic and noir authors I haven't read that it's not hard. I still have And Then There Were None on my book table waiting to be re-read but I'll probably hold onto it as a backup for next year now that I've read the Josephine Tey.
Carol: yes finally :) I will figure out #10 very soon from my audible backlog I imagine. I will definitely consider a Christie or Gardner book next year for the before I was born book. Carol/Bonadie wrote: "You're moving right along, aren't you Ann?
I always have an Agatha Christie in my back pocket if I can't find a book published before I was born that interests me, but there are so many classic an..."
Completed! - I used an audible audio for my final audiobook. ✔️10. READ 07-Oct-2024 Dead Lions by Mick Herron Book two of Slough House / Slow Horses from the audible plus catalog.
Good for you! This reminds me I have to use a credit by tomorrow or I lose it! So thanks!
Carol: I’m glad to have helped. 😀📚📚I have four audible credits to use by December 26 myself.
Thanks Gail and Carol. Since I only read 2 of the 10 audible books that I had proposed I might read, I will have my work cut out for me next year. I will try to see if I can read at least one or two more this year. I did start two of them and didn't finish them yet/ they are languishing behind a few others. :)
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Books mentioned in this topic
Dead Lions (other topics)Dead Lions (other topics)
And Then There Were None (other topics)
Reykjavík: A Crime Story (other topics)
When Women Ran Fifth Avenue: Glamour and Power at the Dawn of American Fashion (other topics)
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Mick Herron (other topics)Katrín Jakobsdóttir (other topics)
Ragnar Jónasson (other topics)
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Julie Satow (other topics)
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Complete!!
24 of 24 11-Oct-2024
Books 1-10. Pick 10 books any format you want that you'll been wanting to read. Could be off your own to be read mountains or library etc. Mine will attempt to be audible backlog books and edit: adding to include NetGalley arc's.
✔️ 1. READ 14-Feb-2024 The Ferryman by Justin Cronin audible
✔️ 2. READ 21-Jul-2024 Southern Man by Greg Iles audible - epic
✔️ 3. READ 13-Jul-2024 A Cool Breeze on the Underground by Don Winslow audible
✔️ 4. READ 29-May-2024 You Like It Darker by Stephen King audible
✔️ 5. READ 04-Jul-2024 The Secret History of the Rape Kit: A True Crime Story by Pagan Kennedy NetGalley arc
✔️ 6. READ 29-May-2024 Codename Nemo: The Hunt for a Nazi U-Boat and The Elusive Enigma Machine by Charles Lachman NetGalley arc
✔️7. READ 04-Sep-2024 Burn by Peter Heller NetGalley
✔️8. READ 18-Sep-2024 Slow Horses by Mick Herron audible
✔️ 9. READ 30-Sep-2024 When Women Ran Fifth Avenue: Glamour and Power at the Dawn of American Fashion by Julie Satow
print library book
✔️10. READ 07-Oct-2024 Dead Lions by Mick Herron Book two of Slough House / Slow Horses from the audible plus catalog.
The next 14 books is the "Plus" part of the challenge. Hope you enjoy and are able to find some great books that will fit in.
✔️ 11. A book set in a different country than you live in.
READ 15-Jan-2024 Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden YA series set in Australia. This is book one.
✔️ 12. Read a book by an Author that you never read before or one by a new debut author.
READ 01-Jun-2024 James by Percival Everett
✔️13. A book that someone recommended to you.
READ 19-Jun-2024 Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt recommended by Gail - and a very welcome one. I loved it.
✔️14. A book that is a different genre than your normal type of read. (could be out of your comfort zone).
READ Ghost Station by S.A. Barnes finished 05-Jan-2024 This is a NetGalley advanced reader copy and is in the Horror genre. I have a love hate relationship with Horror novels.
15 & 16. Two books from a series you haven't completed yet. (Everyone has that one or two books to still read to catch up in a series)
✔️ 15. Series #3
READ 20-Jan-2024 A Treacherous Curse by Deanna Raybourn Veronica Speedwell series book 3 on audio.
✔️16. Series #2
READ 20-Jan-2024 Blood Betrayal by Ausma Zehanat Khan
✔️ 17. A book that comes out in 2024.
READ 22-Apr-2024 Lenny Marks Gets Away with Murder by Kerryn Mayne this was a NetGalley advanced reader copy
✔️18. A book that you mean to read in 2023 but never got around to it.
READ 04-Feb-2024 Mother-Daughter Murder Night by Nina Simon
✔️19. A book that came out before you were born. (this one might be harder to do but we know you can handle it)
READ 22-Sep-2024 The Case of the Velvet Claws by Erle Stanley Gardner
✔️ 20. A book that is done by more than one author (it can be a book of short stories by different authors, or one book that is one story with more than 1 author like Patterson or Evanovich and I'm sure there are others.
READ 26-Jan-2024 Reykjavík: A Crime Story by Ragnar Jónasson and Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Victoria Cribb translator
✔️ 21. A book that won an award.
READ 25-Feb-2024 There There by Tommy Orange multiple awards and nominations!
✔️ 22. One of the oldest to be read books on your unread mountain.
READ 04-May-2024 The Secret History by Donna Tartt
✔️ 23. A book set in multiple countries.
READ 17-Feb-2024 The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb takes place in both the USA and Moscow
✔️ 24. Book you started in the past but put aside and never finished for some reason. (I know we all have them. I have a small tote bag filled with them a different reason why it wasn't finished.)
READ 17-Aug-2024 The Coroner's Lunch by Colin Cotterill