I came across this announcement today.  They list Hombre as a “read-alike” for the “Adrenaline” winner.  That means if you like the winner, Blue Heaven, you’ll like Hombre.  Who comes up with these determinations?  I needn’t ask, the experts are listed below.

What do you think of this idea of “read-alikes” and “short lists?”  What are some examples in your experience?

The Reference and User Services Association (RUSA) has announced its selection for the 2009 Reading List award.

The Reading List annually recognizes the best books in eight genres: adrenaline (which includes suspense, thriller and adventure), fantasy, historical fiction, horror, mystery, romance, science fiction and womens fiction. This years list includes novels that will please die-hard fans as well as introduce new readers to the pleasures of genre fiction.

The winning titles were selected by the Reading List Council, whose members include Neal Wyatt, chair, Richmond, Va.; Joyce Saricks, vice-chair, Downers Grove, Ill.; Jennifer Baker, The Seattle Public Library; Arlene Griffin, LSSI Library North Jackson Madison County Library; Mirja Johanson, Perrot Memorial Library; Lucy Lockley, St. Charles City-County Library District; Robert Renwick, Brooklyn Public Library; Jacqueline Sasaki, Ann Arbor District Library; Sharron Smith, Kitchener Public Library; Tapley
Trudell, San Antonio Public Library; and Alan Ziebarth, Chicago Public Library.

Authors of these selected titles will be invited to speak at the Literary Tastes Breakfast, a ticketed RUSA event at the ALA Annual Conference. Find out more about RUSA events at the conferencescheduled for July 9-15 in Chicagoat http://www.ala.org/rusa.

The 2009 winners are:
Adrenaline

Blue Heaven by C.J. Box,

In this relentlessly paced story two children witness a murder, elude crooked ex-cops, and find refuge with a taciturn rancher. The evocative landscape and emotional depth, along with the engaging characters and provocative story line, combine to create an unforgettable novel.

Read-Alikes:
Killer Weekend by Ridley Pearson
Nothing to Lose byLee Child
Hombre by Elmore Leonard

Shortlist
The Dirty Secrets Club by Meg Gardiner,
Hold Tight by Harlan Coben,
L.A. Outlaws by T. Jefferson Parker,
Rules of Deception by Christopher Reich,