Top Ten Tuesday is a fun weekly event that is now hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week's topic is 'Books I've Decided I'm No Longer Interested In Reading'. Well, I decided to change that up a bit and share some 'Authors I guess I'm no longer reading...for whatever reason'.
I have read widely in the mystery series realm. In times past, learning about what was new or even what was on the bestseller lists was much harder. My only option was to visit the library and go up and down the aisles looking for great books. Sometimes I would get recommendations from the library staff or from my few friends who were readers. In any case, there were authors that I discovered and read each and every book that they wrote - sometimes as they wrote them and sometimes I even read a series 'out of order'!!! I know - crazy, right? Time passed and I found more and more new authors. And for whatever reason - possibly I got tired of the characters or got annoyed about the way the author killed a main character or even that I got busy and kind of 'forgot' about the series - I stopped reading some authors.
Here are 10 of them and, honestly, I know I'll not go back and catch up. Some may be your favorites, which is great. They are just not mine anymore.
1. Patricia Cornwell - loved her Kay Scarpetta series until I didn't
2. J. A. Jance - read her Joanna Brady series and also her Ali Reynolds series
3. Jonathan Kellerman - read a bunch of his Alex Delaware series
4. Faye Kellerman - was so excited when I found her Peter Decker and Rina Lazarus books - the first, The Ritual Bath, was a favorite
5. Elizabeth George - I read so many of her Thomas Lynley and Barbara Havers books - enjoyed the TV adaptations
6. James Patterson - read the Alex Cross series for a long while and also the Women's Murder Club series
7. Clive Cussler - read a bunch of his Dirk Pitt books a long while ago
8. John Grisham - I remember when I read The Firm and The Pelican Brief and A Time to Kill - so interesting and really good - probably my first legal thrillers
9. Mary Higgins Clark - read all of her books in the '70's, '80's, '90's
10. Sara Paretsky - I loved all the V.I. Warshawski books until about 2000
This was kind of a depressing topic - ha! However, I am delighted that it is so much easier to find good books of all genres and types these days. And, if you notice, all of these authors are pretty mega-successful. Good for them!
Me, I'm off to find more new and mid-list authors with great stories to tell. I'll be reading...
It's funny how some must reads at one time then lapse into no longer read lists but I suppose it is the way our tastes change over the years - your list certainly has some high-flyers on it.
ReplyDeleteIt does have some successful people. Yes, I think our tastes do change.
DeleteI don't think James Patterson is an author I'd read again in a hurry!
ReplyDeleteI used to really like the two series I read and I don't dislike them now, just have no desire to pick up the new books. Too many other ones.
DeleteI suddenly stopped reading Cornwell, Cussler, and Grisham, too. Read George's first Lynley & Havers and haven't made a return trip. Yet. Still read Jance's Joanna Brady series.
ReplyDeleteI stopped reading Stuart MacBride's Logan McRae series when a character I detest took center stage and refused to leave. He's got another series started, and I have those books...just haven't read one yet. *sigh*
See, you get what I mean. Sometimes we just have to 'break up' with an author. LOL
DeleteExactly. I also stopped reading Carlisle's Bibliophile series for the same reason as I did MacBride's-- there was no way I could insert myself into the pages and commit fictional homicide. I was told by the author herself that that particular character was no longer in the books, so I did read one and enjoyed it quite a bit-- but I've made no effort to catch up.
DeleteI was a huge Janet Evanovich/Stephanie Plum fan for about ten (?) books, but when I could see that she'd found her money-making formula and wasn't about to change it, I'd had enough.
There are many other series I stopped reading because "I wanted more" than they were giving me, and you know as well as I do that there's always "more" on the shelves for us to discover!
Interesting. I never quite got into the Evanovich books for some reason. I have other friends though who have read every one of them. As to new series, you and I will never get to read all of them. Sadly. LOL
DeleteThat's a great way to look at it, finding new and mid- list authors. There's so much good stuff out there now. I've almost read Patterson and cussler at different times, but just never have.
ReplyDeleteI know that so many authors struggle hugely to get noticed. I like to help in my little way when I can. LOL
DeleteYou reminded me about Patricia Cornwell -- I used to love that series, but I can't remember why I stopped. Funnily enough I am looking for a good legal thriller, but I find myself not wanting to pick up Grisham.
ReplyDeleteCornwell and I parted ways when she had a plot device that I hated. Grisham had wonderful early books - so different at the time. Now, maybe not so much.
DeleteMy reading preference has changed over the times; I used to read lots of romances but now I'm hooked by thrillers. I wonder what's next. ;)
ReplyDeleteSci-fi? Fantasy? LOL
DeleteI liked the Alex Cross books until I read the bank robbery ones...I didn't like them at all and didn't continue the series. After over ten years of the books being unread I donated them to a charity shop! The reviews seem to have the same plot in each book with a different background criminal so I don't think I'm missing anything.
ReplyDeleteI like that you donated them - someone else will love them!
DeleteWe all change as readers just like we do as people. Thank heavens we do. I’d still be reading those gothic novels my mom loved and pushed on me. There isn’t anything wrong with reading gothic novels, but I wanted something else.
ReplyDeleteHere’s my list: https://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2018/02/books-ill-never-read-plus-couple-of.html
OK, good. Glad it's OK to read Gothic novels. Since I still do and also reread them. LOL LOL
DeleteAnd you and I agree, we each have to find our sweet spot, at this time of our life.
I used to love Grisham too...haven't read him in ages!
ReplyDeleteI didn't dislike his books, just kind of 'forgot' about him.
Delete"loved her Kay Scarpetta series until I didn't" YES, same. You worded that perfectly. I've not been a fan of the others. Grisham I've only read The Firm and I think one other that I don't remember...
ReplyDeleteWell, I actually had a plot that I hated and I never went back. Didn't want to spoil for other though. LOL
DeleteThe Pelican Brief was good - by Grisham.
My dad used to read a lot of Clive Cussler when I was a kid, but I'm not sure if he still does! I never got into Grisham, even though I work in the legal field now.
ReplyDeleteMy husband still reads some Cussler books, but I just kind of moved on to other types of book.
DeleteI quit on John Grisham when he spoke in defense of people who look at child pornography.
ReplyDeleteAh, now there's a reason. And I would have a hard time with that too.
DeleteI still read Jonathan Kellerman occasionally, but most of the others have gone the way of the wind. On some of them, I can remember a particular reason why, others I guess I just lost interest in.
ReplyDeleteThat's it exactly, Jenclair. Lost interest. Too many other series and books.
DeleteSome really good authors on your list of no longer reading. The good news is that there are still so many other good authors to continue with and new ones to discover! Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! And I'm very happy for people who read these authors and love them. I've just moved on to other books. It's all good, right?
DeleteA few of these I've given up on over the years too - Sara Paretsky, Patricia Cornwall. I haven't given up on Grisham, but I don't wait impatiently for each new release now either - I just read the odd one if I happen across it. We can't read them all, and if we didn't give up on some we couldn't add the new ones that come along!
ReplyDeleteExactly! And, yes, I've come to the point in my life where I know I won't get to read them all. Sadly. LOL
DeleteI have a lot of Mary Higgins Clark books as well! I really enjoyed them, but it has been a while since I picked up any of her books. Here is our Top Ten Tuesday.
ReplyDeleteYes, I didn't dislike any of them, just kind of fell off the wagon with her.
DeleteI like your take on this week's topic. It got me thinking. I'd have to say there are a few authors like that for me, too. Ann Hood, Elizabeth Berg and others. Nice job!
ReplyDeleteThat's funny, Lisa. And I'm actually reading an Ann Hood book right now. See, we all have our 'new to me' authors, right?
DeleteThat's an interesting list you have there. It makes me think how lucky we are to have such a wealth of options just within one genre.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely, Margot! So many books and not enough reading time.
DeleteI haven't heard of most of these, but James Patterson will always be a favorite of mine. Though, I did give up on his Maximum Ride series. It got a little.. weird.
ReplyDeleteHere's our tuesday posts:
Top Ten Tuesday: http://jennreneeread.blogspot.com/2018/02/top-ten-tuesday-books-i-broke-up-with.html
Teaser Tuesday: http://jennreneeread.blogspot.com/2018/02/teaser-tuesday-your-one-and-only-by.html
I understand. Patterson does have a lot of series and he has certainly branched out into many areas. As to the authors, well, most have been around for long, long time. You are likely way too young. LOL
DeleteJanet Evanovich. I lasted through 18 and have no idea why. Many people love these books but it was so much rinse, wash, repeat the humor was lost for me and I finally gave them up.
ReplyDeleteTaste is a funny thing. I read a bad review on something I love and can't understand what in the world they're thinking! I loan out a Peter May or a Tana French and get it back with an...it was Ok. And I think WHAT?? They're the greatest think ever! Haha! And then there are bestsellers that I have a definite - meh - reaction.
But your list, of the ones I've read - I agree. Pretty much over them too.
Ha! You made laugh. I only last through 1 Evanovich book, but I have friends who have read each and every one. Me, I've read all 46 of the J.D. Robb books. And I know exactly what you mean about telling friends about favorite authors - Peter May and Tana French are both on my 'fav' list.
DeleteOn your list, I've read only Grisham. I do like him, but haven't read any in a while.
ReplyDeleteI loved his writing in the beginning and don't think I didn't like it as time went on, just lost interest perhaps?
DeleteI've also randomly stopped reading old favorite authors, but they're mostly my faves from before I started blogging. I feel like my world is just so much broader now!
ReplyDeleteHere are my Top Ten!
I agree about the broader analogy. We really know so much more about what is being published these days.
DeleteI've given up on favorite authors. Patrick Taylor's Irish Doctor series is a great example. MONEY got in the way of a great story is my theory. He got boring as he went from telling a year or more to telling about 2 minutes to milk it!
ReplyDeleteI've heard of that series - someone I know used to read it, but I can't think who.
DeleteI own only one of James Patterson's books and I still haven't read it yet because I've lost whatever interest I had in it and the rest of them just don't jump out at me.
ReplyDeleteI get it. I've got several of those (book by author singular) on my shelf. I ought to just donate them. LOL
DeleteThe only one on your list with whom I can relate is John Grisham. I read all of his books and then just stopped. I have no interest to read anything else he wrote either. The others on your list I never read, and given their proclivity I am glad I never started.
ReplyDeleteYes, I'm not sure why I quit reading Grisham. Just too many other books I suspect.
DeleteI had the same issue with the Patricia Cornwall. I loved the first few and then I liked the few after that and then I tolerated a couple before I called it quits. I kind of burned out on Elizabeth George. I liked her for awhile but then I was just kind of done. Same with Grisham. Luckily we have plenty of other books to read!
ReplyDeleteWe are lucky aren't we? So many other books...
DeletePerhaps we could all make this kind of list... I know I could... and strangely have felt a bit guilty about it. So seeing your list is making me feel a lot better, Kay. Things change and as you say the authors are hugely successful regardless. I haven't read any of them but loved the Lynley TV series years ago. Oh... yes I have, I read one James Patterson book co-written with another - Swedish - author.
ReplyDeleteI understand what you mean about feeling a bit guilty. But, honestly, no...we have supported certain authors for a long time and now it's time to support others. Right?
DeleteThe Kay Scarpetta series would've been on my list too if I could've chosen more than 10, lol. I read the first 3 and devoured them, but I've lost interest for some reason. Thanks for stopping by my blog. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, I hit a point where I really didn't like how the story was going and decided I was done. That was years ago. ;-)
DeleteI gave up on James Patterson a while back too. I liked his story but didn't particularly care for his writing style.
ReplyDeleteHe definitely has a style. Those short sentences and paragraphs make the books read faster.
DeleteI also dislike when the author killed a main character, it makes me so angry when that happens. I've read a few of the Alex Cross books, my sister is a huge James Patterson reader and she's always trying to get me to read more from him and Grisham.
ReplyDeleteI just have to tell you that your banner photo looks like the mountains in my backyard, Pikes Peak. :)
I understand about killing a main character. I've not always 'broken up' with an author who does that, but it just depends.
DeleteI love Pikes Peak! My grandparents lived in Colorado Springs when I was a little girl. My banner is from the Ruidoso area of New Mexico. We vacation there often. Closest mountains to Central Texas.
Funny enough, I haven't read any of these authors yet :D But yes, I agree that over the time you just get over with a few authors because of their writing style or the same plots?
ReplyDeleteMy TTT: http://flippingthruthepages.com/2018/02/ten-books-want-read-beautiful-covers-featuring-black-women/
Yes indeed. Sometimes you just get tired of the way they tell the story and sometimes there are just too many other books to sample.
DeleteI remember most of my books purchased being from the checkout lane in the grocery store... I used to read a lot of bad books. And I read a lot of these authors too at one point, but my tastes changed. I loved MHC as a teen and devoured most of her books, but the older I got the less I enjoyed her writing. I've tried several times with Patterson, but I don't really enjoy his style (although I did listen to the book he co-wrote about the Aaron Hernandez case recently, and it wasn't bad). I won't read Grisham anymore for personal reasons, but there's so many amazing books out there that I desperately want to read that I no longer feel bad about leaving other books behind.
ReplyDeleteThat's a good attitude and the thing is that each author has readers that enjoy their work. These won't miss me. LOL
DeleteI know a lot of these authors but don’t really read much from them. There are authors I have broken off with too. Sometimes we just need a change.
ReplyDeleteYes, I will say that new series have a tendency to catch my eye.
DeleteI used to love Elizabeth George but with time their books got really tedious...the last one I tried I gave up halfway through and now I've quit the whole series...
ReplyDeleteHer books have gotten so very long.....the first ones weren't like that. I do love the characters but just feel like it's time to move on.
DeleteMary Higgins Clark would have been my first pick for this topic if I had done it. I used to stay up all night reading her books as a teen and young adult. These days, I find her books predictable, very tell-y, and not at all original. I know she's 90, so it makes sense that her "younger" books were her better ones.
ReplyDeleteI loved her books back in the day. Loved the Willy and Alvirah books. Have also read some of her daughter's books - Carol Higgins Clark.
DeleteThose are some big break-ups on your list. There are a few authors, which I have let fade into the background after reading so many of their books, but I am glad that those are few and far between.
ReplyDeleteI think part of my problem is that I want to read 'all the books' and I just can't. Something has to go. LOL
DeleteNot negative at all, actually this made me think of who are my authors I've given up on. There are several that's for sure! The only one on your list who I am reading is Elizabeth George although I've way behind on the series and I admit when a series has so many books sometimes I kind of lose interest. It has to really capture my attention.
ReplyDeleteI think, for me, there are just so many books I want to sample and time gets away from me. There are few series that always read, but I guess the authors in my 'always' list change over time.
DeleteI think these are all unfamiliar author names to me, but I have authors who would fall into this category too. Sometimes after I've read SO many of their books, each story just kind of runs together, and they no longer feel individualized or unique.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for visiting Finding Wonderland, Kay.
I agree. That certainly happens at times. Plus there are so many other books out there that we want to try right?
DeleteLike you, I stopped reading Patricia Cornwell and John Grisham. Not sure why on Corwell, but I stop reading Grisham because I felt his writing got too simplistic. Maybe it was at a time when I was reading more literary novels and his felt too light to me. I also gave up on John Sandford's Lucas Davenport's "Prey" series. Maybe gave up is the wrong word(s). I just got tired of the series, but do keep meaning to go back and see if I still care about it. I also quit on the Stephanie Plum books and I won't go back! Too ridiculous with all the accidents and wishy-washiness about Ranger and Morrelli. Fun post!
ReplyDeleteI had a good time figuring out which authors I was now moving to this category. And I don't feel a bit of guilt. LOL
Delete