Back in September, I wrote about my goal to challenge myself to add variety to my reading habits, inspired by the Sisters in Crime Report for Change: The 2016 SinC Publishing Summit Report on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Mystery Community. The report’s Appendix A, known as Frankie’s List, is a terrific resource for identifying mystery writers from diverse groups: African American writers, Asian American/Asian writers, Hispanic/Latino/a writers, South Asian American/South Asian/South Asian British writers, Native American writers, and LGBT writers.As I wrote in September, I began my Frankie’s List reading journey with The Red Queen Dies by the list’s namesake, Frankie Bailey.
Since then, I’ve read four more books by authors on the list and discovered a new-to-me author, Attica Locke, whose voice and storytelling I loved. Her first book, Black Water Rising (2009), was nominated for a bunch of prestigious awards, including the Edgar. I found it to be atmospheric and engaging and as soon as I finished it, I wanted more. So my next Frankie’s List selection was Locke’s second book, The Cutting Season (2012). This story featured different, but equally amazing, characters and won the Ernest Gaines Award for Literary Excellence. Locke’s third book, Pleasantville (2015), returns to the same protagonist as Black Water Rising and is on my TBR list.
My next challenge selection was a bit of a cheat: The Wire in the Blood (1997) by Val McDermid. I already know and enjoy McDermid’s work, but I hadn’t read this one yet. Her characters are so real, they almost seem like friends.My final selection for this Frankie’s List challenge update was Tatiana (2013) by Martin Cruz Smith. I read and enjoyed Cruz Smith’s Gorky Park years (decades? Eek!) ago, and Tatiana follows another Arkady Renko case. These novels have a unique rhythm that fascinates me as much as the story he tells.
I just finished Tatiana, and I’m taking my time to consider my next Frankie’s List choice. Who should it be? Kareem Abdul-Jabbar? Naomi Hirahara? Alex Segura? So many choices and such great reading ahead!
How do you challenge your reading habits? What’s the last great book you read?
