Free to Choose

We’re definitely moving into that period of the year when critics and periodicals—including, eventually, The Rap Sheet—broadcast lists of their preferred crime novels published during the preceding 12 months. The “social cataloguing” Web site Goodreads is getting a jump on some of the rest of us by launching its annual Choice Awards competition. It has posted selections of nominees in 20 different categories, and is asking readers everywhere to identify their favorites. Round one of the voting will conclude this coming Sunday, November 6, so you still have plenty of time to participate.

The Best Mystery and Thriller category features 15 familiar contenders, including David Baldacci’s The Last Mile, Tana French’s The Trespasser, Stephen King’s End of Watch, and Megan Miranda’s All the Missing Girls. If you’d like to participate in this exercise, simply click here to vote. (You can also write in additional candidates.)

Goodreads has announced that the semifinal round of this contest will extend from November 8 through 13, with a roster of finalists becoming available from November 15 to 27. I don’t spot any date for a final announcement of winners to be made, but it’s likely during the final week of November or in early December.

Again, you have until this coming Sunday, the 6th, to take part in round one. You can vote in as many (or as few) of Goodreads’ categories as you wish, and no registration is required.