How many of Elmore Leonard's 49 novels have YOU read?

Elmore Leonard

Best-selling novelist Elmore Leonard passed away Tuesday of last week at his home in Michigan three weeks after suffering a stroke. He was 87 years old.

Born in New Orleans in 1925, Leonard was a Navy veteran and he also held degrees in English and philosophy. He had a long-running career as a writer and many of his novels and short stories were made into movies, including “3:10 to Yuma,” “Jackie Brown” and “Get Shorty.” Stephen King once called him “The Great American Writer.” He’s survived by his wife, five children, 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

By my count, he published 49 novels and what follows is a complete list of those books in alphabetical order. I’ve put an asterisk beside those that have been made into movies.

1. 52 Pick-Up (1974)*
2. Bandits (1987)
3. Be Cool (1999)*
4. The Big Bounce (1969)*
5. The Bounty Hunters (1953)
6. Cat Chaser (1982)*
7. City Primeval (1980)
8. Comfort to the Enemy (2006)
9. A Coyote’s in the House (2004)
10. Cuba Libre (1998)
11. Djibouti (2010)
12. Escape from Five Shadows (1956)
13. Fire in the Hole (2001)
14. Forty Lashes Less One (1972)
15. Freaky Deaky (1988)*
16. Get Shorty (1990)*
17. Glitz (1985)*
18. Gold Coast (1980)*
19. Gunsights (1979)
20. Hombre (1961)*
21. The Hot Kid (2005)
22. The Hunted (1977)
23. Killshot (1989)*
24. La Brava (1983)
25. Last Stand at Saber River (1959)*
26. The Law at Randado (1954)*
27. Maximum Bob (1991)
28. The Moonshine War (1969)*
29. Mr. Majestyk (1974)*
30. Mr. Paradise (2004)
31. Naked Came the Manatee (1996)
32. Out of Sight (1996)*
33. Pagan Babies (2000)
34. Pronto (1993)*
35. Raylan (2012)
36. Riding the Rap (1995)
37. Road Dogs (2009)
38. Rum Punch (1992)*
39. Split Images (1981)*
40. Stick (1983)*
41. Swag (1976)
42. The Switch (1978)*
43. Tishomingo Blues (2002)
44. Tonto Woman (1998)
45. Touch (1987)*
46. Unknown Man No. 89 (1977)
47. Up in Honey’s Room (2007)
48. Valdez Is Coming (1970)*
49. When the Women Come Out to Dance (2002)

Leonard’s only nonfiction book was “Elmore Leonard’s 10 Rules of Writing,” which was published in 2007. In addition to that book and his nearly 50 novels, he also wrote scores of book introductions, book reviews, collections, essays, screenplays and short stories. Of all the books he published, he said that “Tishomingo Blues” was his favorite, followed by “Freaky Deaky.”

I have to admit that I’ve never read any of Leonard’s books, but he’s a writer that I’ve always been interested in. His books are still in print, and you can find just about all of them in all major bookstores. Also, if you’re not interested in paying full price, you can also find most of his books for cheap in used bookstores.

In the end, how many of Leonard’s books have you read? Which was your personal favorite? Which would you recommend? Let us know in the comments section below. (For more information about Leonard, visit his official Web site at www.elmoreleonard.com.)