Okay, this is late, but in response to The Times Top Fifty Paperbacks article I blogged about here, I’ve compiled a list of ten paperbacks released this year that floated my boat.
Qualifications:
Each book was released in paperback for the first time in 2009 (or in the case of Winterland, will be released in November this year).
They aren’t all mass market paperbacks, but I didn’t count those paperbacks that come out at the same time as its hardback release (AKA C-format or trade paperbacks). An honourable mention goes to Gene Kerrigan’s Dark Times in the City which was disqualified on this rule. I loved it, though.
The list isn’t in order of preference. That sort of decision making process would take up too much energy.
And that’s pretty much it. The list:
So, yeah, buy all these books, people. They rock.
Qualifications:
Each book was released in paperback for the first time in 2009 (or in the case of Winterland, will be released in November this year).
They aren’t all mass market paperbacks, but I didn’t count those paperbacks that come out at the same time as its hardback release (AKA C-format or trade paperbacks). An honourable mention goes to Gene Kerrigan’s Dark Times in the City which was disqualified on this rule. I loved it, though.
The list isn’t in order of preference. That sort of decision making process would take up too much energy.
And that’s pretty much it. The list:
All the Colours of the Town by Liam McIlvanney
Fifty Grand by Adrian McKinty
Gallows Lane by Brian McGilloway
Mystery Man by Colin Bateman
Slammer by Allan Guthrie
The Dying Breed (US Title - The Price of Blood) by Declan Hughes
The Twelve (US Title - The Ghosts of Belfast) by Stuart Neville
The War of the Blue Roses by Garbhan Downey
Tower by Ken Bruen and Reed Farrell Coleman
Winterland by Alan Glynn
So, yeah, buy all these books, people. They rock.
7 comments:
Nice list, Gerard. Of course, a lot of these sound vaguely familiar--oh yeah, I read reviews of them here.
I've read four of the authors but only two of these books so far--50G and The Twelve--by its American name, Ghosts of Belfast. Both terrific reads.
The one I'm probably most intrigued to read is Winterland, which I've so far only seen catalog copy for. But there's plenty on that list to get around to sooner or later.
I'd add John Connolly's THE GATES to that little lot ... Does Declan Hughes' ALL THE DEAD VOICES qualify?
Cheers, Dec
Seana - Thanks.
Winterland is a cracker. Grab it if you can.
Dec - Haven't read The Gates yet, but I intend to grab a copy next time I'm in No Alibis.
All The Dead Voices got disqualified on the same grounds as Dark Times in the City. I put in The Dying Breed in its place, but Hughes definitely does get better with each new novel. Not sure how he's gonna top ATDV, but he will.
Cheers
gb
Great list. everyone seems to be talking about Winterland.
i've got to get a copy of Tower. i need to pop into No Alibis soon.
Allen - Next time you're in No Alibis, Winterland might well be available. It's due out in early November.
Tower competely rocked.
Cheers
gb
The only one I've read is SLAMMER and it is a fantastic book. I'll have to check out the others then, won't I .
bls - Yes, sir. Get thee to a bookery!
gb
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