anyone reading any good books?

Got a few at Christmas - just finished Wayne Rooney - My Story and just started Inside the Postal Bus - Behind the Scenes with the US Postal Team and the Tour de France...while not on the reading list of many, both are good reads...

Finished Scarpetta (Patricia Cornwell) and Cross Country (James Patterson) this past weekend. Thought Scarpetta was pretty good / Cross Country was too far-fetched for my taste. Getting ready to start Salvation in Death (J.D. Robb).

I am listening to Stone Cold by David Baldacci.

Murdered By Mumia-Maureen Faulkner

Salvation in Death was good. I have been trying to be good not getting scarpetta and Cross Country.

I am reading Divine Evil -Nora Roberts

The Entity - Eric Frattini

I received Scarpetta for Christmas and just started it. Finished a couple of mysteries this past week. Duplicity Dogged the Dachshund and Wash and Die. Both were good short reads.

Chirstmas Jars was a good quick (2 hr) read. Warmed the cockles of my heart...no really, it did. I have a jar like that and that's how I'm going to use it this year.

Just completed "Artic Drift" by Clive Cussler and "Scarpetta" by Patricia Cornwell. Really enjoyed both of them. Am currently reading "A Traitor to his Class" a book about the life of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. It is very good so far.

"Loving Frank" was a great read on the love life of Frank LLoyd Wright.

I am now into the Stephen Frey financial/SEC/corp crimes series (what a dork...)

I saw or read an article about a book swap deal over the internet. People posted the books they had available to swap for other books and then folks from all over would pick them out and send you what you wanted from their collection. The only cost was shipping - some of the sites had a membership fee, but it was minimal. I thought that was a good idea. We're starting Ramsey's Financial Peace University at church this Thursday night. I have a feeling that my passion for books will be curtailed. This would be a good way to get the books we like to read for a minimal amount of money. Since so many of us on BOL like to read - I wonder if we should have our own book swap or just all join the same one?

Some folks have tried that, but I think it was hard to keep up, between the various reading rates of folks and having to get the box to the post office... I am sure those who participated will chime in here.

Finished "Plum Spooky" by Janet Evanovich last night. Hilarious - as always!

I just started reading Cell by Stephen King...

It kinda got right into it right away...

Just finished "Deep Dish" by Mary Kay Andrews yesterday. A quick, funny read.

1/2 way through "Plum Loving" by Janet Evanovich...as always...LOL funny!

i belong to swaptree.com. no fee to join, and like you said, shipping is the only fee. it's okay, but it can take a while for someone else to post a book you want.

i would join one here.

I just started The 47th Samurai by Stephen Hunter.

The best book that I have read recently was The Devil and Miss Prym by Paulo Coelho. I've read a number of his books lately but this was by far my favorite. I also recently re-read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon. I really enjoyed that one.

i just started reading a book called "Betrayed" or "Betrayal" something like that. It is pretty good. I can't remember the author right now.

What is "Scarpetta" by Patricia Cornwell about?

Kay Scarpetta is a forensic scientist... pretty cool stuff.

Sounds interesting. I will have to find a copy of that book when I finish the one I am on!

There is a whole series of Scarpetta books, they are pretty interesting, if you like forensic pathology.

i just finished "knit two" which was a follow up to the "friday night knitting club". it wasn't bad.

i've also just started the "in death" series - i've read 2 of them so far and am liking them.

and i'm reading the women's murder club series. i think i'm on book 6 of that one.

has anyone heard about when Sue Grafton is going to come out with her next letter book? i think it's U next.

I'd join a BOL book swap...

I just finished re-reading Huckleberry Finn for the 4th or 5th time. What an amazing work of literature. Even the appearance of Tom Sawyer towards the end of the book, cannot marr the beauty and thoughtfulness of this book.

As far as I'm concerned in American literature, there is everything that came before Huckleberry Finn and everything that came after it.

:raises hand: Me too

I've never read any of Twain's works, maybe I'll need to do that. I have tried reading James Fenimore Cooper on a number of occassions, but the old english makes it too difficult. Last year MsGilmore received a book called "500 must read books" (or something like that) that breaks down by old fiction, new fiction, old non-fiction, new non-fiction, auto/biographies. I went thru the entire book, and had only read 2. One was Catcher in the Rye, which I read after Hinckley shot Lennon, and it was terrible...couldn't see what anyone saw in that book. I don't recall what the other was. Anyway, had not heard of many of the books on there, and the synopsis of a lot of them didn't make me want to read them.

<---- was unable to get through The Scarlet Letter

I dont think I could part with any books, I have what should be a living room in my house that is the reading room, with many bookcase(thanx GD). I only purchase certain authors unless they are my research books.

If you want to try something shorter of Twain's works to whet your appetite, I would suggest Pudd'nhead Wilson. It's a very interesting story about racism and slavery, but typical of Twain fashion, he doesn't beat you over the head with the message, he just tells the story and let's the readers draw their own conclusion.

P.S. I've never read Catcher in the Rye or On the Road, but I'd like to get around to them someday.

I'm reading the Sookie Stackhouse series, it's alright, i haven't finished the first book yet, but so far it seems worth it to buy.

I don't recommend wasting the time on Catcher...I would recommend to anyone Wonderland Avenue by Danny Sugarman. He was the manager for The Doors (as a music buff Bugs, I think you'd enjoy it) and it details many of the behind the scenes lives of the Doors band members, as well as the author's. I was amazed on the amount of drugs use and alcohol that went on, way more than I thought...

I once shared a room with his brother.

Hang in there, Spooky. The first book is mostly set-up and backstory - they get WAY better as they go.

Oh thats good to know =]

I just finished reading A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini (he wrote the Kite Runner). It was another amazing book!

I got it for Christmas, picked it up on Monday and only put it down when life got in the way. A really great book for understanding what it is like for women in Afganistan, before during and after the Taliban rule. It is fiction but the way it is written, it almost seems as though Hosseini is recounting a true story.

Both books were incredibly well written but both were also so depressing! I'm glad that I read them but I don't think that I would eve want to read them again.

so you're the guy mentioned on page 183? wow, that sheds a light on so many of your posts

I enjoyed both, and I also enjoyed "The Sari Shop" by Rupa Bajwa.

Kinda like watching The Godfather, huh?

not reading any books, but have been reading short stories online at everydayfiction.com; a friend had one of his published there.

There is a BOL book swap. Contact Kiwi, Corky or MaryBeth

I thought y'all were migrating to electronic books?

I didn't get mine for Christmas.

Wanna buy me one?

Last I heard Kiwi had the books.

Big Boy Rules by Steve Fainaru

Risk Mgmt of Remote Deposit Capture - FFIEC

"A work of genuine literary effort." - NY Times

"An extraordinary achievment that plays over the readers senses with boldness, grace, and daring." - Chicago Tribune

"One of the FFIEC's best to date! Thrilling!" - LA Times

LOL!!

I just placed this on the top of my reading stack!

It is really very good, and it got great reviews...

I just finished "Multiple Bles8ings: Surviving and Thriving with Twins and Sextuplets" by Jon & Kate Gosselin. I am a fan of their show, "Jon & Kate Plus 8," so I found it very interesting to learn more about their family and some of the challenges they have faced.

started a James Lee Burke last night...don't even remember which one but I'm 1/2way thru it...have a couple of Harlan Coben's that I'll be taking with me on our strategic planning trip this weekend...

Harlan Coben is great, he lives 2 towns over from where I work.

Agreed! I am in the middle of Back Spin and am really enjoying it. It is probably about the 10th book of his I have read. None of them are exactly challenging reads but they are a really nice distraction.

I wish he'd write a little faster...

Did you read "The Woods", it was awesome...

Loved The Woods! Also particularly enjoyed Tell No One and Promise Me.

i'm almost done "the woods". don't tell me how it ends!!!

a bear poops in them

great! thanks a lot peepers!!!!!

Kitten, they all died...
























just kidding!

Reading Swine Not? by Jimmy Buffett right now and actually pretty good. Nothing earth shattering but a good, light read over my lunch hour.

Why read when you can listen?

I read because it is quiet, no noise no voices, other than the usual ones in my head...

The Complete Book of Vinyasa Yoga by Srivatsa Ramaswami

Someone gave me a copy of Memoir of a Geisha. I know it's old, but is it a good read?

Anybody read Eragon by Christopher Paolini (sp?)? I have someone trying to talk me into reading this series but I'm not convinced yet.

I read Eragon and Eldest, currently have Brisingr on my LR table.

My son read all 3, he loved them. I enjoyed the first 2 a lot and was impressed that such a young writer could pull off a trilogy.

That was a very interesting book, Poo!

Thanks DQ - once I get all of the Christmas stuff put away I'll have to pick it up.

I also have read it and really liked it. It's long but doesn't feel long.

Definitely read them! They don't 'feel' like YA books, and even thought they are considered high fantasy they are easy to get into. I loved them and can't wait 'til the 4th one comes out!

You should see the college freshman history textbook my daughter brought home. It's in a magazine format. It has flexible pages, and the layout is just like a magazine (without the ads). And it costs $65.

It's supposed to be the "new" way of teaching, but it just seems so disposable to me. And a little confusing since the format seems to encourage skipping around. I hope it works.

Okay, I will pick Eragon up tonight.

I'm going on vacation in March and starting to think about poolside reading material. Has anyone read any of Janet Evanovich's books other than the by the numbers?

I tried one of JE's non-Plum books. It was too much like a romance for my taste.

ditto, the EGB!

I enjoyed both Metro Girl and Motor Mouth. I haven't read any of her "Full" series (they're co-authored with someone else), but her other earlier books are just short, simple romances. Kinda cheesy, but cute and fast reading if you're stuck in a waiting room or something.

Romance would be okay for poolside reading.

Yeah, what she said.

And now tell me again about Kisgen? I can't remember the author and am too lazy at the moment to go look for the other thread. Can't get enough of those vampires you know!

Kisten? He's part of the "Rachel Morgan" cast by Kim Harrison. The first one is "Dead Witch Walking." It kind of takes a while for the story to pick up - there's a lot of set-up and back story.

Kisten, that's it...where the heck did I get Kisgen?

So after Dead Witch Walking the rest are quicker? I think I'll look for that one tonight too.

Much.

They're urban fantasy, and if you like them I'll also suggest Lilith Saintcrow's "Dante Valentine" and "Jill Kismet" series. All three revolve around a stong but deeply flawed female lead character and her struggles.

Much.

They're urban fantasy, and if you like them I'll also suggest Lilith Saintcrow's "Dante Valentine" and "Jill Kismet" series. All three revolve around a stong but deeply flawed female lead character and her struggles.

This is my first foray into urban fantasy. I'm keeping a list now in case I like the Rachel Morgan series.

Thanks a lot you two! Now I'm all distracted thinking about Kisten. Oh well...I wasn't very productive today anyway.

I'm not feeling productive today either. Which would be why I'm making lists of books I want to read!

Hmmm...I'm thinking that I may have to read "Dead Witch Walking" before "Eragon".

Kisten doesn't have a huge role until you're a couple of books in.

That would be a toss up for me...all depending on what I'm in the mood for.

I have a three day weekend...maybe I can do both!

My OCD side kicks in and I cant switch between series very easily. I must finish one before starting another.

Eragon, Eldest and Brisingr are LONG books. I enjoyed getting completely lost in the fantasy world with dragons, dwarfs and elves.

The Rachel Morgan series is lighter, but once you meet Kisten you could easily loose the long weekend fantasising about him.

That's probably what I'd do, Sarah. I tend to have at least 2 books going at any given time.

Currently I'm on a reread of the Kim Harrison books (am almost finished with "The Good, The Bad, and the Undead") as well as skipping between the goofy little Kerrelyn Sparks vampire series and Victoria Laurie's "Psychic Eye" books.

Jen, have you read the Memory, Sorrow & Thorn series by Tad Williams? They are reallllly good. Long too, but they totally suck you in. The first is Dragonbone Chair.

I havent...I'll add them to my list of books to check out the next time I'm at B&N. Thanks!!

Funny Money by Mark Singer. The story of Penn Square Bank. Very odd to see similarities to some of the stories in today's headlines.

I read all three of the books in this series and am eagerly awaiting the 4th. It is a good fantasy series - good story lines.

has anyone read "brick lane" by monica ali? it's my book club's selection for this month.

I just started Brisingr this weekend... pretty good sofar.

Kit - nope.

All I lack now in the "Plum" series is Number 14... Anyway,I started Lee Child's Persuader (a Reacher story) yesterday...I'll get totally sucked in to that one I'm sure if it's anywhere near as good as "Bad Luck and Trouble". So far, it's good. :-)

I like the Reacher series, he's pretty cool...

I'm zipping through some silly little paranormal romances (no plot to speak of, so I can read them really quickly) to boost my page count for January. When I run out of these I plan to start Jim Butcher's Dresden series.

I thought about re-reading Inkheart before I started anything else...but didn't. The movie releases Friday, I think.

Blossom - Andrew Vacchs (re-reading)

Like another poster above, I usually have a few books going at a time. Currently reading "The Road" Cormac McCarthy's view of the end of the world. Amazing book, and not as depressing as you'd think. It's pretty short, and I read it almost straight through Friday night and Saturday, and just went right back to the beginning again.
Another is "Song Yet Unsong" by James McBride - a slave story set right around the Civil War. Just started this one.
Also reading Gettyburg but Steven Sears. Huge book, and you've got to really be into the war. (I am, but it's a slow read.)


Eregon is an amazing series of books.

is this what the TV show was based on?

I read Inkheart and Inkspell over Christmas; I have Inkdeath but haven't read it yet. I am looking forward to the movie!

I finally broke down and bought Scarpetta, but I am reading some other business books at the same time, so it is slow going.

I had no idea there were more...I'll have to make a note of that.

Has anyone read The Shack? I just ordered it and was wondering what others thought of it.

OK, so the only thing I'es read lately are the CAMS study guide and Cosmetology textbooks, but I read ANgels and Demons years ago and thought it was fantastic--better than the DaVinci Code (which I read after Angels and Demons). Anyway, I am super psyched because I saw preview for the Angels and Demons movie this weekend--yay! I didn't knwo there were plans to make it a movie. I hope it is as good as the book!!!

I'm about halfway through this book. I like it because it is making me think about things that I once took for granted. That's a good thing. By and large, I agree with 95% of what I've read.

Thanks Bugs

I am in the process. Our Sunday School class is doing a study using the book.

Read Plum Spooky over the weekend. Not overly impressed, not nearly enough Ranger (or Joe), and no real explanation for why Carl was the way he was. The ending felt a bit abrupt as well.

I just finished Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout. It is a group of short stories which take place in a small town in Maine. Olive Kitteridge is a school teacher in the town and kind of ties the stories together. I found it very well-written and will look for other books by this author.

I am reading Southern Cross, by Cornwell

I still think it was WAY better than Fourteen.

Okay now....no spoilers please! I still have to read 14 and Spooky!

I just finished The Double Bind by Chris Bohjalian.

It is probably appropriate that I am posting after someone with the screen name Hrothgar...I finished Eldest last week. I have Brisingr but haven't started it yet.

I read Plum Lucky last week as well. I had Plum Spooky in my hands at the bookstore but I am having a hard time paying that much for a hardcover with less than 700 pages.

I just finished the entire series of "Agent Pendergast" from Lincoln Child and Douglas Preston.

I started with the Cabinet of Curiosities because of the reviews I saw on Amazon/Kindle and ended up having to go back and read all of them.

Loved them and now can't wait for the next one due in May.

Sarah - I try to buy hardbacks at Walmart the day they come out. They're usually about 40-50% off cover price. Like today I'll be there on my lunch hour looking for the new Patricia Briggs book.


I've finally started reading Jim Butcher's "Dresden Files" series. Love it! It's kind of Harry Potter for grownups....if Harry grew up, moved to the US, had an overdeveloped sense of sarcasm, and decided to fight crime.

Getting close to finshing "Motor Mouth" and then will do #14 and Plum Spooky (thanks to RRB!)

Newsflash!!!!

Books that Amazon.com Inc. sells for its Kindle electronic reading device will also be available on cell phones, too.

Amazon spokesman Drew Herdener said Friday that the Seattle-based online retailer is working on making Kindle books available "on a range of mobile phones." The company is not yet saying when the books will be available, or on which phones.

A new Kindle will be unveiled next week......

City of Thieves by David Benioff

"Katherine" by Anya Seton

Historical drama about Lady Katherine Swynton and John of Gaunt

::reads description of DQs book::

has anyone read "the secret"? a friend recommended it to me over the weekend, and i'm afraid it's going to be a really cheesey self-help type book. (i'm all for self help, but not the shlocky kind.)

::kisses DQs cheek::

don't be difficult.

Still reading War and Peace. [sigh]

Did you know that was originally titled War, What is it Good For?

I just finished the Alchemist..... Best book I've ever read.

One of my fav. lines

"When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better,too."

Have it but haven't read it yet. Hubby has. It's more of a motivational book.

I read "the secret" and I felt it was the "prosperity gospel" message minus the religious aspects. Sort of like a Joel Osteen sermon minus the biblical references

Hold Tight by Harlan Coben

currently between books but looking for a good read...need to pick some up cause I'm travelling next week...I saw Lescroart has a new paperback called The Betrayed, anyone read it?

Love Harlan Coben! B&N just emailed me that he has a new book out!

is Hold Tight a Myron Bolitar?

No.

The Woods was really, really good by Coben.

Just finishing "Wicked". Not sure if I like it or not, but it is an interesting read. Would anyone like it when I am done with it (over the weekend)?

I know its an Oprah Book (which for many people is an immediate turnoff) but I am reading the The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski and it is a wonderful, engaging book. The character development is superb and it is very suspenseful (plus it has dogs as an integral part of the plot). Even if you have hated every other Oprah book, this book is one for book lovers!

The Brass Verdict - Michalel Connelly

Connelly is da bomb!

I like Harlan Coben's books, but I hope he never again narrates one of his own books (I'm an audiobook addict). He's a good writer, but the man can NOT read out loud. Khalid Hosseini did a fabulous job with 'The Kite Runner' -- his accent and accurate pronunciation really enhanced the story.

Right now I'm listening to 'Homeport' by Nora Roberts -- yeah, it's good ol' romantic suspense. Before that, though, I spent 16 hours with Christopher Reich's 'The First Billion' (all those Russian characters!) so my brain wants a break from anything requiring too much attention.

I haven't read these, but I stumbled across another YA book that I really enjoyed. My absolute favorite book of all time is 'Lottery' by Patricia Wood, and I loved the narrator (Paul Michael). I was looking for other things he'd read, and found "The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp" -- what a fun adventure! There are a few sequels, but none available in audiobook format that I've found yet.

The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Moshin Hamid

"Strong Fathers Strong Daughters: 10 Secrets Every Father Should Know" by Dr. Meg Meeker, M.D.

Some parts of it are VERY scary!!

<<< --- so glad she has a son...

I just finished "Run for Fear" by James Patterson. It was much better than some of his current ones have been. I am now reading the latest John Ghishom one. It is pretty good too.

Well, you could also read "Boys Should Be Boys" by Dr. Meg Meeker M.D. That's my next read!

TOW - I'm not a James Patterson fan, so I've never put the effort into researching this rumor but I wonder if you might know the truth of it: I heard that he only writes the intro and conclusion to his books, then has a ghost writer do the rest. Do you happen to know if that's true?

I don't know if it is true or not. But this book was written by Patterson and another writer who's name I do no recall. So there may be some truth to that rumor. A lot of his books recently have had a co-author.

me neither I read one of his books and it was so predictable I'll never read another one.

I love Patterson! Specifically the Alex Cross series. I have the entire collection and am reading them all.

I have read the whole Alex Cross series also. They were great althoug I wasn't real crazy about the latest one where he goes to Africa.

I'm not to that one yet. That's the new one? Cross Country?

Yes. You may like it but I wasn't crazy about it.

I have it, but I won't get to it for awhile. I am taking a detour with a couple other books.

I just ordered a new James Patterson book due out in April. Its part of the Women's Murder Club series with Lindsey Boxer, etc. And guess what-it has a co-author. You may be right Comp Guy.

i finished The Shack last night. i'm not sure how i feel about it. but i'm glad i read it.

I am reading Marley and Me... getting towards the end

I'm reading Connelly's "Trunk Music"

I'm reading Room for Improvement by Stacey Ballis...it's good so far...

I haven't had time to read anything!

Because your too busy catching beads...

And shoes

LOLoad!

I just finished Alive in Necropolis by Doug Dorst. Interesting, and well-crafted, but I wasn't thrilled by it.

Waiting for the new Barry Eisler book to come out.

Darkness, Take My Hand by Dennis Lehane.

"Cross Training, etc" by Jane Savoie. (yeah, it was time for a little text book reading!)

1. "Centering Prayer - Renewing an Ancient Christian Prayer Form." by M. Basil Pennington, OSB

2. "Brain Lock - Free Yourself from Obsessive Compulsive Behavior" by Jeffrey M. Schwartz, M.D.

2. "Brain Lock - Free Yourself from Obsessive Compulsive Behavior" by Jeffrey M. Schwartz, M.D.

2. "Brain Lock - Free Yourself from Obsessive Compulsive Behavior" by Jeffrey M. Schwartz, M.D.

2. "Brain Lock - Free Yourself from Obsessive Compulsive Behavior" by Jeffrey M. Schwartz, M.D.

2. "Brain Lock - Free Yourself from Obsessive Compulsive Behavior" by Jeffrey M. Schwartz, M.D.

2. "Brain Lock - Free Yourself from Obsessive Compulsive Behavior" by Jeffrey M. Schwartz, M.D.

2. "Brain Lock - Free Yourself from Obsessive Compulsive Behavior" by Jeffrey M. Schwartz, M.D.

2. "Brain Lock - Free Yourself from Obsessive Compulsive Behavior" by Jeffrey M. Schwartz, M.D.

2. "Brain Lock - Free Yourself from Obsessive Compulsive Behavior" by Jeffrey M. Schwartz, M.D.

2. "Brain Lock - Free Yourself from Obsessive Compulsive Behavior" by Jeffrey M. Schwartz, M.D.
...

LOL...

I was given that book for Christmas but so far haven't been able to bring myself to read it. I don't like to cry.

Otherwise - I've been doing a lot of re-reading of old favorites. My latest Amazon order is taking forever to get here (not really...it just seems that way).

Final Justice- Fern Michaels

It was good.

Have been reading Obama

Finished "Confessions of a Wicked (Ugly?) Stepsister" by Gregory Maguire over the weekend. I think I am done with him. Also read "The Associate" by Grisham. Meh. Not as bad as a lot of his later work, but nowhere near "The Firm." But at least I didn't throw it in the trash, as I did with "The Appeal." Starting some new fantasy book, forget the author but it was recommended to me, I'll give it a shot.

The new Dana Stabenow was good though!

I am reading Scarpetta right now.

(Hi EGB!)

I just finished Jim Butcher's "White Night" - which was excellent - and a cute little paranormal mystery by Madelyn Alt (I forget the title). Time for a book store trip!

ETA a note for my fellow Kim Harrison fans: I won a signed copy of "White Witch, Black Curse" from one of my reading groups on Shelfari!

Hi chica!!!!

No fair Becca!

EGB...how bad was Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister compared to Wicked and Son of a Witch? I liked both of them and was considering Confessions.

I just finished Angels and Demons, I had to get it in before seeing the movie.

i am reading Scarpetta also, but am having a hard time sticking with it, so I switch back and forth with the Shack

Confessions was different than Wicked - not so much about politics (I didn't read Son of a Witch, myself.) I actually thought it was an easier read overall. It reminded me very much of "Girl with Pearl Earring", if you've read that? I just don't find his books entertaining enough to be high on my radar.

::blowing raspberry smiley::



I made myself finish Wicked, but hated it. I'd rather shove bamboo slivers under my nails than read anything else of his.

I *love* Dan Brown books! What did you think of A&D? It and Deception Point are my favorites of his.

BTW - I won the book in February's page count contest. It was a personal goal to hit the 10,000 page mark in one month and now that I've done it........never again. Sheesh that was a LOT of reading. Even for a bookworm like me!

OMG that is a ton of reading, but your prize is very cool!

I have only read The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons. I liked them both a lot. I stole my grandma's illustrated copy of Da Vinci Code and loved having actual pictures to look at while reading. I wish I would have ordered an illustrated copy of A&D instead of checking it out at the library. I'll have to add Deception Point to my list.

After the first 150 pages or so, it gets better. I had a hard time with it, but then I couldn't put it down. Not sure I liked the ending though.

Reading Cream Puff Murder by Joanne Fluke right now.

How did you like the bit about sending the Billy Goat Gruff off to get a doughnut? I laughed out loud.....

I actually don't recall that particular line...but a LOT of his stuff makes me laugh out loud. That's why I like 'em!

ETA: have you read any of his fantasy series? I'm not usually big on high fantasy (swords and elves and horses, oh my!), but have been thinking about trying them just because I've enjoyed the Dresden books so very much. A friend of mine who *does* like high fantasy and loves the Dresden books got part way into the first one and put it down. She and I don't always agree entirely on reading material though, so I though I'd look for a second opinion.

FINALLY finished Snow Flower and the Secret Fan.

usually i can read a book in 2 nights at the most. this one took me forever. not good. not bad either, i suppose, but TG i can move on to something else.

Just started Eye of the Needle by Ken Follett.

I've read all of Dan Brown's, & I liked them all. A&D was my favorite by far. Can't wait for the movie, hope I'm not disappointed.

I picked up Deception Point last night. I'll probably start it over the weekend.

Is that Dan Brown?

Deception Point = Dan Brown.

He does too much NSA stuff for me, since I used to work there it is hard to get into stuff that is not right

Because I need consistent, genuine, laughs I am re-reading "So Long & Thanks for all the Fish"

Does that having anything to do with Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy? I remember that from it..

My wife finished reading The Shack and can't stop talking about it. She gave me the cliffe's note version and it sounds good..

Just finished Black Ops by WEB Griffin. His books are always a good read no matter which series.

Yup...Douglas Adams is, or was, the written incarnation of Monty Python.

Started reading Betrayal by John Lescroart but struggling to continue reading it. I'm about 1/3 of the way through it and have not picked it up in over a week...

Enjoyed all four of his books that I read. Interested to see the movie Angels and Demons as well.

I'm looking forward to the movie.

I can't read anything of his except The Corps series. I'm sad he seems to have quit writing that one.

Currently reading "Game of Thrones" by GRR Martin. It's a good read. Somewhat dark, but definitely hard to put down.

i'm listening to Double Bind.... i'm too distracted by the author's over-use of the words "moreover" and "nevertheless" to know if it's good. it's certainly over-long. and the narrator's voice is irritating.

Where the Wild Things Are

I'm reading Lord of the Ring (I think it's about AG)

The Silent Man by Alex Berenson

I heard it was a loose interpretation... couldn't quite fill the gap.

Well, turns out there was a reason I didn't remember this part of White Night....it's part of Small Favor! But yes, I laughed out loud. Especially when the Gruff said something about, "Prithee, wouldst thou like jelly inside thy doughnut?" *snort*

Hey - you never answered my question about his other fantasy series. Have you read any of them?

I am now reading the book "The Commoner", by John Burnham Schwartz, it is very good.

Becca,

Sorry about confusing "Small Favor" with "White Nights"...

I haven't read Jim Butcher's other series,....

Just finishing up The Collectors by Baldacci. It seems like his editor sent him a note saying that it was taking too long for him to link up the two main plot lines. So,...exactly in the middle of the book is one sentence that links the two plots....

Well, this weekend my daughter had band practice and while I was waiting one of her friends handed me all of her stuff to hold during practice. Part of that stuff was "Twilight" - so I just started reading to pass the time. We went straight to Wal-mart after practice so I could get the book - actually got the first two. Finished "Twilight" around 2 am Sunday Morning and am halfway thru "New Moon". I was determined not to get hooked on this book but apparently it was not to be.

My wife recently finished all of them (four I think) in about 5-6 days.... Now is dying for the movie to be released on DVD.. Apparently there's another book coming out soon as well that she's drooling for hehe..

Points at Walden and does best Nelson impersonation Ha ha!



Welcome to the club!

Finished "New Moon" around 1 AM this morning - am terribly sleep deprived! Walmart didn't have the other 2 books so I'm going to order them from B&N. I should get caught up on my sleep by the time they arrive!

Another victim has fallen into the trap. No sleep, no rest until all are devoured!

yep yep!! the series will consume you

*Mourns WaldenSouth's great fall*

We tried to warn you!

My new book just arrived and I can wait to start reading it!

A Slobbering Love Affair: The True (And Pathetic) Story of the Torrid Romance Between Barack Obama and the Mainstream Media

promises in death...J.D. Robb

i'm just starting (sort of) the "in death" series. i'm at book three.

then i might read book three of the twilight. (i was a little vampired-out after the first 2).

i just finished "The Gargoyle" by andrew davidson (i think). fantastic. definitely one i will re-read. definitely on my favorites list.

I have the whole series kitten, sometimes I just get in the mood to reread them all in a row.

i'll be starting immortal in death (book 3). and i have book club tonight, so they will, i'm sure, select another dark torturous book about repressed women, and i'll have to read that too. ::eye roll smiley::

wht is the death series you all speak of...

it's by JD Robb (aka Nora Roberts, but don't let that scare you). it's set in the future, and it's about a cop and her lovah. it's a pretty good series, i think. although there are about 30 books in the series and i'm only on book 3.

I recently read a book called "Death: a life" It is a satirical autobiography by Death about his life. Check it out, it was a fun read.

SPIVOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What are you up to???

dang I guess that series could keep me busy for awhile!!

I know...it's been a long time. Actually it's been a couple years.
Well, at my last job I didn't have external internet access. Now, I do and am loving every minute of it. It's good to see some of the familiar names still on here.
As for what I have been up to?? I had moved to Missouri and was working for AIG. When they started to crash I bailed and went back to my old bank in Oklahoma. It was a good thing too. Shortly after I tendered my resignation they closed my office down. I would have been pooched.

YAY!!!! Well yay to havin you back!!! Smart move!

Well thank you.

I really struggled to get through Digital Fortress for that very reason! I didn't work there, but DH has and still stops by periodically (he's with INSCOM). I asked him to look around behind the building for the skylights of the underground section, but he just rolled his eyes at me

Though I really enjoy Dan Brown's books, this is one of the reasons I primarily read fantasy - I don't have to worry about the accuracy of the material.

now James Bamford works on NSA are much closer to the truth, he worked there and got out before they started making you sign an agreement for that anything you get published it has to pass before NSA first, including resumes. Big pain in the butt

I'm reading "white tiger", well, trying to anyway, haven't been in the reading mode lately and haven't finished the last 4 books I started...

sounds like me. Now I started Secrets by Jude Devereux (prob spelled her last name wrong).
Been doing word searches and not finishing the books.

Daemon by Daniel Suarez

I just finished "Black Order", by Collins, it was great.

Collins or Rollins?

Ooooh, maybe it was Rollins... It was the first book I read of his.

Did you read it?

Not yet, but I was doing a search on the title so I could reserve it at that library. (Well, after I finish Daemon. Fault Line, and Drood)

It was good, science, intelligent design, Darwin... very cool stuff.

I'm halfway through a re-read of the Anita Blake books at the moment. I'd almost forgotten how much fun these are.

Lee Childs "One Shot"...as always...the "Reacher" books are hard to put down at night!

I read the first two of the Rachel Morgan series by Kim Harrison last week while I was on vacation. I stopped at a Barnes & Noble yesterday to pick up the rest of the series and they had all but the next one I need to read! Ordered it online this morning so it will be a few days before I can continue that journey!

Wonder why it's always that way?

IDK, it is probably the higher power's way of telling me to get my nose out of a book and get back to life!

LOL! Dontcha hate it when that happens? My favorite is when the store's computer says they still have a copy, but it's nowhere to be found. I walked the ENTIRE Books A Million one night, bound and determined to track down this one book that I'd checked there for several times and the system always said they had one copy. I found a couple of others I'd been searching for (nowhere near where they should have been), but never did locate that one.

Amazon is a wonderful thing.

The next Stephanie Plum novel ("Finger Lickin' 15") comes out June 23!

Drood by Dan Simmons

Run for Your Life - James Patterson

Just started Sacred by Dennis Lehane.

I'm about halfway through The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by David Wroblewski. It is fascinating and I am loving it, but I have a feeling I might be crying by the end.

I just finished The Killing Hour, by Lisa Gordon. Really good.

Scarpetta was so-so, I thought.

I still cant get into scarpetta, I have to keep putting it down to read something else

Ooooh - publication date set for the new Diana Gabaldon book! Excerpt from her website:

An Echo in the Bone will be published (always assuming that I finish writing the dang thing one of these days Right Soon Now) on September 22, 2009! Or at least that's what Random House says in their catalog copy (see below).

“The eagerly anticipated seventh novel in Diana Gabaldon’s worldwide bestselling Outlander saga (seventeen million copies in print!) is a masterpiece of historical fiction from one of the most popular authors of our time! [modest cough. Look, I didn’t write the headline, OK?]

Jamie Fraser, erstwhile Jacobite and reluctant rebel, knows three things about the American rebellion: The Americans will win, unlikely as that seems in 1777; being on the winning side is no guarantee of survival; and he’d rather die than face his illegitimate son—a young lieutenant in the British army—across the barrel of a gun.

His time-traveling wife, Claire, knows that the Americans will win, but not what the ultimate price may be. That price won’t include Jamie’s life or happiness, though—not if she has anything to say about it.

And in the relative safety of the 20th century, their daughter Brianna and her husband, Roger, watch the unfolding of her parents story in the past—a past that may be sneaking up behind their own family.”

[yes, yes, yes, Young Ian is in the book. So is Rollo, the White Sow, and all kinds of other interesting people, but they only gave me 120 words to write a synopsis with.]

Still stuck on "oh the places you will go."

Just started "Gone" by Lisa Gardner

you might want to go back and try one fish two fish red fish blue fish...

I have just started the 2nd Graham RR Martin, "Clash of Kings." ("Game of Thrones" was the first.) These are *really* good reads, I am enjoying them very much.

DQ have you read any Karin Slaughter? You and I seem to enjoy the same authors.

kms, I think I read one of hers, but I can't remember. I like forensics and mysteries. I also love Michael Connelly's stuff.

Another Life by Andrew Vachss

I just read "The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo" by Stieg Larsson, a Swedish mystery writer. Its a great page turner that you can't put down. Sadly this writer wrote an entire triolagy, (this is the first), turned them into his publisher, and died of a heart attach. The 2nd book is coming out this summer and I can't wait.

It's called The Girl Who Played With Fire. It was already out in New Zealand when I was there in December.

DQ hers are forensics/mysteries. If you are going to read them I would do it in order, I didnt realized til my second that it was a series

Thanks, I will check it out.

I'm reading how to get a date in 50 tries or less. ::Hork::

I'm half way the book, and it isn't working.

I'm reading how to get rid of poision ivy on extra large man hands.

It's proving not useful.

I read "How to make a dishtowel dress in less than 24 hours", it came out grate!

I'm writing a book on how to look handsome and worry free!

Is it working? Don't I take the cake? Why aren't the ladies falling over me? Oh Oh that will be anther chapter in my book.

I'm reading a book about how to make a cheesecake in less than 72 hours. It's fascinating.

I'm reading a book called, "Aquanet: It's More Than A Process"

I am reading about how to prepare lunch 3 times per week for a group of unGRATEful people.

I am reeding a bok abut spulleng!!

I lern a lots!

I'm looking to read, "The Black Arts: An Absorbing Account of Witchcraft, Demonology, Astrology, and Other Mystical Practices Throughout the Ages."

OMCod, I just spit out my tea...

Tactics in Counterinsurgency (FMI3-24.2)

I am reading Connelly's Bosch series.

Let me know how you like it, please. Someone recommended it to me a little while ago, but I've not gotten any of the books yet.

Liberty and Tyranny - A Conservative Manifesto by Mark Levin

I love the whole Bosch series. They are gritty and tough and suspenseful.

I'm looking for a new fluff series to fill in the time until my regular authors' new books come out. I prefer paranormal, but not sci-fi or horror. High fantasy is OK sometimes but isn't usually my preference. I like my fiction as far from reality as possible, but make exceptions for light-hearted fluff like Janet Evanovich's "Stephanie Plum" series or Rita Mae Brown's "Mrs. Murhpy" mysteries. Can anyone recommend something to fill the next couple of weeks or so?

It won't fill up that much of your time, but you might try The Sacred Book of the Werewolf by Victor Pelevin.

Thanks, I'll write that one down.

You read Jim Butcher, right? Have you read Backup? It's all about Thomas and only 70 pages long, but it's hardback and has a HB price, as well. I'm having a hard time talking myself into buying it.

The Conscience of a Conservative - Barry Goldwater

No, I hadn't heard about that. I'll charm my local library into getting a copy....

You don't happen to know Turn Coat's release date, do you? I know it's soon, but for some strange reason I haven't put it on my list. The next releases I'm looking for are:
4/10 - Laurell K Hamilton, "The Laughing Corpse" (HB graphic novel)
4/28 - JR Ward, "Lover Avenged" & Jocelyn Drake "Dayhunter"
5/5 - Charlaine Harris "Dead & Gone"
6/2 - Laurell K Hamilton "Skin Trade"

It's due out today.

Woo-hoo! I guess I'll be hitting the bookstore tonight after all!

I am re-reading The Hobbit for like the Umpteenth time before I read The Lord of the Rings for the umpteenth time and The Silmarillion for the umpteenth time. And then I will read afew of Tolkien's other works for the first time.

Michael Connelly is da bomb!

Is this the new one by "The Great One"?
I heard he was coming out with a new book

I believe it said: by Mark Levin

If you are a spiritual person, The Shack is a great read.

Bonk by Mary Roach - about science and sex; laugh out loud funny

Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lhari (not sure of the spelling) - short stories; excellent

Judith Krug, founder of "Banned Books Week", passed away Saturday.

Flashlight Worthy Books, a great website for book recommendations, has posted this list of the 10 most "banned" books of 2007.

personally, i would recommend several of them.

I finished reading Wicked the day before we saw the play. Both are very good, but they're not the same. Now I'm reading Son of a Witch and am about 1/3 through--also very good.

The Lottery was a big to-do about possibly being on the banned list when I was in HS.

We read it anyways.

"The Cat Who" books are good, light, filler reading.

i like those books too, bagweaver.

Little Heathens: Life on an Iowa Farm During the Depression. Comes complete with recipes! I was tired of dramas, tear jerkers, schmaltz and "high art". I picked this up and it is one of the best books I've read in a long time. Truthful. Gives you a peak at a rough period in our history but is uplifting. if you need to take a break from deep thinkers, etc. try this one.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith

me too.

Except the Cat Who books have gotten really bad, the last 4 or so. Like either someone else is writing them or she's just gotten senile. It's disappointing, because the earlier part of the series is a fun, light read.

I'm reading Flashback (can't remember the author offhand)... medical suspense novel.

Last month I read Just Another Soldier: A Year on the Ground in Iraq, by Jason Christopher Hartley. I enjoyed the modern perspective of the US overseas soldier, compared to Mailer or other war storytellers. PC, DVDs, Internet, sleep-this is mostly the life, except for missions which may take up an hour or two or a day, but the "war" part of the soldier's day is so different from that of a soldier in the historical wars. I recommend the bk as a good illustration of current warfare from the grunt's point.

Just bought "Natural Girl" by Carl Hiaasen and "The Innocent" by Harlan Coben. Should keep me busy for a little while.

Just finished Pride and Prejudice, myself. What are the odds?

pretty odd, I'd say.

bought and read "Fault Line" by Barry Eisler last week, quick read, but a little predictable. Entertaining reading at best, almost seems like he had a deadline to meet.

Now reading "The Insulin Dependent Diet" as my wife just found out she is producing too much and we will be changing our eating habits to make her life easier and to hopefully avaoid her needing daily shots. Not a very interesting read...

but it's nice that you are supporting her, happy.

At first I was irritated with how much attention the family drama was taking up, then I realized that's what Barry was going for, the family drama was taking up the characters' attention....

As far as the deadline comment, I've noticed that lately with books by Robert Parker and James Patterson. It seems they get a letter from their publisher and the plot magically resolves in 3 pages...

And John Grisham as well...

I just started Hold Tight by Harlan Coben.

I highly recommend the last 2 I read

7 days on the links of Utopia - by Dr. David Cook Sports Psychologist

Same Kind of Different as me - by Ron Hall, International Art Dealer & Denver Moore, homeless man who grew up in virtual slavery on a La. Plantation

ktac, was Same Kind good? that is in my to read pile.

i mean, i know you said you highly recommend it, but more deets, please.

Yes kitten it was very good. I don't read much & what I do is normally something along the lines of spys etc. in order to hold my interest (Shaiton's Fire / Fule the Fire / Firefire Blue by Jake Theone)
SO - for me to read something that is a true story is saying something. It is a story of a banker turned art dealer and a homeless ex-con and what/who brought them together, a great story and a great book.

::moves it to the top of my read pile::

thanks, ktac!

Reading Baldacci's newest "First Family." It's good - I have a hard time putting it down, I want to know what's going to happen next!

Currently reading BoneMan's Daughters by Ted Dekker.

I can't read right now. I have 6 books that I've started. I don't know what's wrong w/me

House of Cards by William Cohan

Almost finished with JD Robb's Promises in Death. Then I'll start Loitering With Intent by Stuart Woods or Fatally Flaky by Diane Mott Davidson.

Promises was good, CF. I am reading Run for your Life- James Patterson but it isn't holding my interest. on a semi-related note, has anyone caught the show Castle?

I read Run for your Life befor PID and thought it was OK but not great. I've been watching Castle this season - so far so good.

I finished JR Ward's 'Lover Avenged' yesterday. Good book - it definitely made up for the last one!

Picked up my copy of the new Charlaine Harris book "Dead and Gone" at lunch today. Can't wait to see what new adventures Sookie faces!

I'm over half way through the first book. I'm not so sure about this series yet.

(Bill does not even compare to Kisten.)

Kisten!

I'm lost in no book world right now....contemplating the Sookie Stackhouse series but not quite sure yet...

I bought the boxed set of books 1-7. If you can hold out a bit (or read something else) I can send you these and you can save your $.

I hope I get into them a little more as I get farther in. Becca's not given me a bad recommendation yet.

I can hold out for a bit Jen. Let me know when you are ready to part with them!

I just started Mary Shelly's "Frankenstein."

Just hang in there, Jen - they are kind of slow to get going. Remember how Dead Witch Walking was mostly back-story and set-up? These are kind of the same way. When my friend got me to start reading them, I almost quit in the middle of the first one. She gave me the "No, you have to keep going! They get really good!" pep talk and I'm glad I listened, but it took me until nearly the end of #2 to really get into them.

Now, having said all that: no, Bill does not compare to Kisten. Not even in the same league. And I will admit that these are somewhat......tamer? Is that a word?........than most of the other paranormal books that I read/recommend. They're fluff, but they're fun fluff once the storyline gets going.

Data Mining for Intelligence, Fraud & Criminal Detection by Christopher Westphal

Afghanistan - Geospatial Analysis Reveals Patterns in Terrorist Incidents 2004 - 2008 Open Source Center

The Hungry Caterpillar, Eric Carle

i'm done.

it was good.

I read the Little Prince again last night

"Liberty and Tyranny" by Mark Levin

"The Bible" by God

I'll keep going...I'm going to have a lot of time to read in the next month or two.

I'll let you know when I'm finished Sarah!

Finally finished another Lee Childs "Reacher" books...picked up one I hadn't read yet at Wally World yesterday and still have a borrowed one at home to start. (all "Reacher's")

I just finished James Patterson's "8th something". I can't rmemeber what. Its one of the Women's Murder Club series. It was pretty good. Better than the last one I read of his in the Alex Cross series.

I just finished A Dance With The Devil by Barbara Bentley. It's her story about her 14 year marriage to a (later) certified psychopath and how he manipulated her, conned her, stole from her, mentally abused her, and tried to kill her. She later tried to get the divorce laws changed in CA. I didn't care for her style of writing, but it was a compelling story and a quick read.

sounds like a lifetime made-for-tv-movie starring valerie bertinelli.

oooooo, good thought!!! she would work well!!! ed harris would be good for the psycho.

i'd watch it... if i had cable... and a couple of drinks... and another channel on...

Love Jack Reacher !!

I read "Old Man and the Sea" a couple weeks ago. Good story! 129 pages of goodness! It's a quick read.

Are there any newer Reacher books? I'd read all of those up until about a year ago. Anything newer?

Dragonfly in Amber - Gabaldon

Excellent series of books!

Nutcase. It's a new author for me so I don't remember her name.

Love these! The new one (Echo in the Bone? I think?) will be out in the fall - late September, it looks like.

check here http://www.leechild.com/

Thanks! I'll have to check from home.

So hopefully Finger Lickin Fifteen is sitting on my doorstep when I get home! Anyone have their copy yet?

Yep. Went to Walmart at lunch Tuesday and bought it. Read it Tuesday night (didn't take long, it's only about 300 pages). Stephanie is BACK! It was soooooooooooooo much better than 14. The slapstick is back, Ranger is back....the funny is BACK!

Yeehaw! Ranger is back?!?!?!! That is all I needed to hear!!

So THAT's where I'm headed after work today. Thanks for the reminder.

btw, The First Familyby David Balducci is a good read too. Not a fast read tho. You need to pay attention because the plot takes lots of interesting twists. I liked the two detectives and recently found another couple books he's done with them in it so I'll read those after Stephanie.

Just finished Beat the Reaper by Josh Bazell. Tremendous, tremendous book.

Starting The Last Quarry by Max Allan Collins.

rereading great gatsby

The Crossing by Cormac MacCarthy

I might have to actually breakdown and buy this book now. It isn't supposed to be out in Amazon's Kindle format for weeks and I don't think I can wait. I love Stephanie and Ranger but Lulu and Grandma Mazur can make a book can't they?

Halfway through. I kind of feel like this one, at least in the first half, is a bit raunchier than the rest? Or maybe I'm misremembering the others, haven't read them in a while. Just sort of stronger language than I am thinking I am used to for the Stephanie books.

My copy came in the mail today. i can't wait to start. Lula is my favorite character of all. Have you listened to the audit versions of any of her books? We listen to them in the car and my husband sometimes has trouble keeping the car on the road because he is laughing so hard. its really funny when you hear them all talk.

I read "Nature Girl" by Carl Hiaasan on vacation.

It was pretty good.

Trying to decide what's next....

See, I think the 'raunch' is part of what's been missing the last couple of books. Stephanie and Lula are notorious potty mouths (or at least were for the first 10 or 12 installments) and the campy, slapstick humor is what (to me) made this series. Both of those things were missing from 13 to a degree and 14 entirely. I would go into the few faults I found with this one, but don't want to spoil it so will wait until the usual suspects have finished it first. *Then* we can have a spoiler thread.

Oooooh! Didn't know about the audio version! Look out BAM! Love all of the characters.

I'm reading Moon Pies and Movie Stars - not a heavy reader - a kind of back in the day book in the sixties. It's kind of cute.

Just finished "My Grandfathers Son" by Clarence Thomas. Excellent. Excellent. Excellent.

A woman I work with gave me The Host by Stephanie Meyer to read. I'm not convinced that I want to read it but I'll give it a try.

Just read STephen Frey's The Power Broker, it was good.

I didn't care for it, but then again I don't really like SciFi anyway. Aliens aren't my thing. The characters are interesting, though...and the writing style is closer to Breaking Dawn than the first three Twilights, so if you liked that one you might like The Host.

I don't like SciFi at all. But I should probably step outside my box and try it. I was I happy I did with Harry Potter and The Twilight series.

I've been reading all the urban vampire-fantasy stuff lately. I really liked You Suck by Christopher Moore and right now I'm reading Gil's All Fright Diner by A Lee Martinez, which is very funny. Anyone else have suggestions along these lines? I've also been sampling Sookie Stakhouse, Anita Blake, Dresdon Files, etc. but I'm looking more for stand-alones, rather than series.

I just finished Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. The two most interesting things about it were a) it was on the NON-FICTION best-seller list (???), and b) it had some really funny, tongue-in-cheek book club discussion questions at the end. Other than that, it was really pretty stupid.

Stupid? With all that ultraviolent zombie mayhem? That's unpossible! I heard a rumor that originally, there were no zombies in the book at all, but the editor suggested adding them to increase sales..... (DEL knows what I'm talking about)

Finally got my hands on Twilight & read it Wednesday & yesterday, started New Moon last night.

Re: Books on tape. A number of years ago, I took along Paul Riser's book on couples and ended up reading it out loud. We laughed and did a lot of 'oh yeah, remember when we did that's'. He still likes it when I read outloud to him. But he couldn't believe the when I read the beginning of Evanovich's Fifteen when Lulu explained why she was late to work. That's all he'll hear from that book tho 'cause I'm not willing to share Ranger with him.

I looked these up as they sound interesting. There are numbered series books and then in-between the numbers books. Are those essential to the series??? I thought about looking on Ebay for a good deal.

Pull up a chair, DEL. Urban fastasy is my favored genre, and I read a LOT. Most of the best stuff seems to run in series, though. My favorites are (author/title):
1. For action: Kim Harrison/Rachel Morgan, Laurell K Hamilton/Anita Blake, Lilith Saintcrow/Dante Valentine and Jill Kismet (two separate short series), Jim Butcher/Harry Dresden, Jeanniene Frost/Night Huntress, Patricia Briggs/Mercy Thompson, Marjorie M. Liu/Hunter Kiss.
2. Light reading, silliness: anything by Katie MacAlister, anything by MaryJanice Davidson.
3. Paranormal romance with some plot: JR Ward/Black Dagger Brotherhood, Sherrilyn Kenyon/Dark Hunter, Charlaine Harris/Sookie Stackhouse.
4. Paranormal romance with very little plot to speak of: Lynsay Sands/Argeneau Vampires.

There are more, but I'm not coming up with names off the top of my head. I don't have a lot of stand alones, and the main one I like you've already named (Christopher Moore).

ETA: all of the series I listed above make very little sense if you read them out of order. I actually had to bribe a friend into giving Kim Harrison a second try after she'd picked up the #3 Rachel Morgan and tried to read it as a stand-alone.

I don't know if you'd call the in-betweens "essential"....but they are very good and are the only place one of my absolute favorite characters appears.

Finished "15" this morning. I think it needed Sally. (Can't you just see Sally in the hot dog suit at the end??)

Oh, definitely!

I bought a set on eBay for a pretty reasonable price.

Thanks for the info, Becca! I will keep this list with me.

Anytime. And not to sound smug, but if you want to know about any certain paranormal/urban fantasy authors just ask. Either I've probably read them or one of my friends has (we're a pair of bookworms with several-thousand-page-per-month fiction habits) and I'm always happy to pass info along.

She's not kidding...she's a wealth of knowledge when it comes to books!

I haven't read 15 yet...I'm waiting on the library (my OCD side wont let me buy a hardback when the rest of the series is in paperback). PLEASE hide any spoilers or clearly mark them so I can avoid them.

I need a healthy dose of Ranger...I'm so excited I cant wait.

I read 15 yesterday. I liked it...lots of Ranger!

ok, I'm telling you now not to read this, JLJ.

Click to reveal..

I was kinda disappointed with the way 15 ended. All of a sudden you knew the who-done-it's without much fanfare. Not to mention where Stephanie ended up on the last page. This book just wasn't as tight as some of the others have been.

I tried to hedge my words just in case you can't control yourself. I'm on to another David Balduci book tonight. I also grabbed a copy of Julie and Julia that I want to read before the movie comes out later this summer. I'd read outside on my swing if the mosquitos weren't big enough to carry my book away!!! I itch all over today.

I finished "Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" over the weekend. The story picks up after about 200 pages or so and gets pretty interesting as it goes on. The set-up and backstory that occupy the first 1/3 of the book are almost painfully slow, but once the plots (yes, that's a plural) take shape it gets much better.

Truffle - I'd say it's worth reading. I don't know if I'll read the others or not simply because I'm not crazy about the writing style, but the story was actually pretty good. I'd place his style somewhere between John Grisham and Dan Brown, but closer to the Grisham end of the spectrum. I compare him to Brown only because his plot twists were much more complicated than Grisham's simple "whodunnit" style, and - like Brown - all the connections are not made until the very end.

Now I'm killing time with a couple of short story re-reads until the new Lilith Saintcrow and Jeanienne Frost books come out tomorrow.

Just finished "another life" by andrew vacchs...now re-reading LA Requiem by Robert Crais. These are 2 of my favorite authors...

I'm almost finished with "Animal, Vegetable, Miracle" by Barbara Kingsolver. It's really shed some light on the food industry and the necessity to become more locavor. On a side note, I made mozz cheese from a gallon of milk (recipe in the book).

Blameless in Abaddon by James Morrow

The Beckham Experiment: How the World's Most Famous Athlete Tried to Conquer America by Grant Wahl

Parnell Hall's "Puzzle Lady" mysteries.

RR Becca have you read any Christine Feehan's books? The Dark Series is great.

I have not. I picked one up a while back and realized that it was way late into the series so I put it down and just haven't gotten around to finding the first ones. I refuse to read a series out of order. I'm about to start replacing all my hardbacks (with a few special exceptions) with paperbacks. I'm out of shelf space!

<----- is a book snob.


I only buy hardcover.

I prefer hardcovers, especially of the ones that I read repeatedly...but they do take up more room and I've already got most available flat surfaces in my house stacked high with books. It's a bit annoying.

Tangent rant: WHY are most bookshelves now 12" or more deep? I've got one stacked 3 rows deep in paperbacks and finding anything I'm looking for is a nightmare. I have one small bookcase of my grandmother's that is only about 8 inches deep and it's PERFECT. Who has 12" books? Seriously? Unless you are a serious hardback collector (and very few of mine are actually quite that large) why in the world would you need shelves that size?!?!?!?!

OK....sorry. Rant over. I've been bookshelf shopping for nearly a year now and it's starting to really pi$$ me off.

bookshelves aren't for books any more...

i don't really care if it is hardback or paperback, i read and turn over so many i'm just interested in the content...certainly not a collector, but a sharer

Mr. C is correct - to so many folks books are just another design accessory - not something you might actually read! they put books and other art d'objects on the bookshelves.

Thank you, one and all, for your postings in this thread! I've just constructed a list of 35 books I want to read. My church is having a book sale this weekend and my library is having a book sale in a couple of weeks, and I will be searching out as many of these titles as I can find at 50cents each for paperback and $1.00 each for hardcover - love the bargains!!! I'm not usually so organized with a list, and just grab stuff/authors which catches my eye and therefore I sometimes buy a series way out of order; now this year I'll have order and sanity prior to shopping! Madness!

I am currently reading "A Thousand Splendid Suns" (loving it so far), "Pride and Prejudice" (the original, no zombies - must be my 20th time through this one)), and the 4th book in the Meyer "Twilight" series (not as good as the others, IMHO).

Have a terrific afternoon and happy reading... I'm on vacation in 4 hours!!!

I'm waiting for the next WEB Griffin book due out next month.

Me too, Fraud, but not for me - I ship them over to a group of deployed Marines and they pass them around.

I like WEB Griffin, but they have gotten to be routinely predictable...no more for me

"Geek Love" Katherine Dunn

Finished "The Art of Racing in the Rain."

Beginning "The Night of the Gun"

"Swimsuit" by James Patterson and someone else. It was OK. I wish he would go back to the Murder Club of Alex Cross.

i think those are better Ms Spring, because they are written by him. There is no saying how much he contributes to all of these other books out there with him as a co-author

I know. I just wish he would stick to his own books. They are so much better.

The only WEB Griffin I read is the Corps, and I'm afraid he's abandoned that series altogether. Sigh.

A really funny read is the Chelsea Handler book, "Are you there Vodka..." I read it in 3 hours.

Fire and Ice by J.A. Jance arrived today. I like the Sheriff Brady series but haven't read any of the Beaumont ones (TMK)- will be interesting to see how she combines the two.

Thanks for that recommendation, Angelina. I'm always looking for a good comedy book.

Paul Riser's Couplehood and Babyhood books were good fun. You laugh and nod thinking 'yea. I did that too.'

Erma Bombeck used to write for the Chicago Sun Times, I think. Anyway, her book 'If Life is a Bowl of Cherries...' It's still fun to read all these years later.

Most other supposed comedy books end up too foul to really be considered humor for me.

TR - read Carl Hiassen...not raunchy at all, but really way out wacky humor...

Going at lunch today in search of new releases:
"Destined for an Early Grave" - Jeaniene Frost
"Redemption Alley" - Lilith SaintCrow
"FaeFever" (paperback) - Karen Marie Moning



ETA a PSA:
WalMart only puts out "new releases" from what they consider to be Best-Selling authors on Tuesdays (new release day). Any other new releases for that week that they decide to carry *might* make the selves in the course of their regular stocking later in the week, but it depends entirely upon whether or not the regional person for books for your store decides to order that particular author. This announcement courtesy of our regional book guy who busted me digging through the new release boxes piled in the book row at lunch today.

**rant** OK, I understand not having the Lilith SaintCrow book in today's delivery, she's kind of obscure. But Jeaniene Frost and Karen Marie Moning?!?! They friggin' have other books by those two on their shelves nearly all the time! ARGH! I guess I'll be making a bookstore trip after work. It's just takes too bloomin' long to get over there and back on a lunch hour.

If anyone likes to read novels based on historical fact, try Bernard Cornwall's series called Sharp. The series takes place during the Napoleonic Wars with Britain in Spain. Sharp is the main character.

The BBC actually televised the series and did an excellent job maintaining the integrity of each book. Highly recommended!

You might want to avoid the Chelsea Handler book then. Some parts are pretty foul, but others are pretty darn funny.

Just started Atlas Shrugged, not that anyone cares.

I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron is cute and funny and kind of reminded me of Erma Bombeck's writing. My daughter is at the University of Dayton and when we 1st took a tour one of the first things we came to was a bust of Erma who we were told was an alumni. I was excited and looked around the tour group and could tell only a few of the parents and none of the kids knew her.

Oh man, I *hated* that book. That's time I'll never get back.

I'm reading two books at the moment: A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court by Mark Twain and Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Still have "The Fountainhead" and "We The Living " in the queue.

Anything to get the taste of tripe of Howard Zinn's history texts out of my mouth.

Wait till you get to John Galt's speech near the end of Atlas Shrugged. That'll put you to sleep.

I enjoyed "Atlas Shrugged". But then, I'm weird - as my daughter tells me constantly.

Who is John Galt?

Our teller who is our drive-thru window way in the back of the bank is reading "Finger Lickin Fifteen" and every time we go to check our mail she is sitting back there giggling.

I'm almost done with All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris. I got sucked into this series big time...no pun intended!

I've really enjoyed them.

I just finished Ted Dekker's "Skin" - good book, suspenseful

As much as you enjoyed Kisten?

Why'd you have to say Kisten?!?! (and the answer would be no...)

Because I think I need to go re-read them.

I've never been much of a re-reader but I may try and re-read the Rachel Morgan books this winter...before the next one comes out. Although I don't know if I can put myself through that again emotionally! I'm such a dork...

Nope...I know what you mean. I cried like a baby.

Finished IT.

Finished Freakonomics.

Somewhat re-reading Night Shift (only the stories that really scared the pants of me when i first read the book)

About to start The Dark Tower series. (which will go on hiatus when SuperFreakonomics comes out in Oct / Nov).

I read IT, Night Shift and started the Dark Tower series (I think I got through the first 3) in high school. I've sense turned into a scaredy cat and only read vampire fiction. HA!

I re-read them periodically, but am a big enough dork to just skim through that particular part in an attempt at avoiding the tear-fest. I do the same thing with New Moon re-reads (or did, until Breaking Dawn killed the series for me).

I read a lot of Stephen King in high school and college, but (like JLJ) am now too chicken. Sometimes my memory of things I've read is a little *too* accurate and that stuff has stayed with me....and not in a good way. Especially Gerald's Game. I still check the backseat when I get into a vehicle after dark. I had to put IT down in the middle, though. No book has ever scared me like that one did.

IT scared me beyond belief. I too check the backseat of the truck after dark and absolutely cannot stand with my heels next to the bed for any length of time (Pet Cemetery). At 35 years old, I will still halfway jump into bed. There's also enough carp shoved under my bed (intentionally) that it would be impossible for anything to get under there.

I'm half-way through book three of the Lillith Saintcrow, Dante Valentine books ... LOVE THEM!

When is another "fish" book coming out???

*snort* I have "under the bed" issues, as well. Partly due to Pet Cemetary, but more to do with my older brother hiding under my bed and grabbing my feet one night when I was 5 or 6.

There was only one part of IT that i thought was scary - i think it was that i saw the crappy made-for-tv movie (with Tim Curry as pennywise) that made it easier to read. (They are making it into a movie again, this time it will be in theatres, either 2010 or 2011).

I know nothing of the Dark Tower series, so i'm excited to start it.

The story about The Boogeyman in Night Shift was read to me by my older sister when I was 8. I still will make sure my closet is COMPLETELY closed when i go to bed.

As cheesy as the movie was, I'd read enough of the book before seeing it to still nearly wet my pants. And I'm afraid of clowns, anyway.

Oh yes...the closet door must be completely shut.

I remember liking the Dark Tower series but cant remember why I quit.

Oh good to know! I love Ted Dekker and this is near the top of my book list! I haven't read many of his books yet. But I loved Three and I am getting ready to start the Circle Trilogy. I love the action and suspense in his writing.

My 15 year old Son actually recommended "The Book Thief" by Marcus Zusak. What a great book! Everyone I have recommended it to so far has loved it.

the book thief is in my "to be read" pile. i'm looking forward to it.

I had a great time with Levitin's *This Is Your Brain On Music.*
Digression always returns to the amazing capacity of the human brain to recall musical "events" it heard once. For listeners of music, a fascinating read. This is Wikipedia's blurb:
Professor Daniel J. Levitin, Ph.D. (born December 27, 1957, San Francisco) is an American cognitive psychologist, neuroscientist, record producer, musician, and writer.[1] He is currently James McGill Professor of Psychology and Behavioral Neuroscience at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada with additional appointments in Music Theory, Computer Science, and Education.

He has published scientific articles on absolute pitch, music cognition and neuroscience[2][3] and is more widely known as the author of two best-selling books, This Is Your Brain On Music: The Science of a Human Obsession, (Dutton/Penguin, 2006; Atlantic [UK] 2007)[4][5][6] and The World in Six Songs: How the Musical Brain Created Human Nature (Dutton/Penguin U.S. and Viking/Penguin Canada, 2008). He worked as a producer and sound designer on albums by Blue Öyster Cult, Chris Isaak, and Joe Satriani[7] as a consultant to Steely Dan and Stevie Wonder;[8][9] and as a recording engineer for Santana and The Grateful Dead.[10] Records and CDs to which he has contributed have sold in excess of 30 million copies.[9][11] From September, 2006 to April 2007 he served as a weekly commentator on the CBC Radio One show Freestyle, and he has appeared frequently on NPR.

king took a LOOOOOOONG break in the middle of the series, and boy is it evident. the first books are much better than the last. but if you're gonna start you have to go all the way!

Ditto for a teenager's recommendation; same here. However, when my son recommends movies, I reconsider. His reading recommendations are great, however.

My Teen is actually great with movies. He's into the Classics and is always finding gems on TCM or the local Art House. don't know where he came from!

finished Brad Meltzer, Book of Lies, pretty good stuff, now reading something else by some other guy (can you tell i don't really pay attention to titles or authors)

It took the man about 22 years to complete the Dark Tower series. When he was hit by the car and was critical for a while - my first thought "he can't die - he hasn't finished the Dark Tower series". Let me know your thoughts on that last book when you get there. A number of his books written during those years all tied in to that series whether they were part of it or not.

that's actually what's detracting for me. and writing himself into the story?? poor form IMO. and it just has a completely different feel. can't be helped after 22 yrs more experience i guess. but i'm disappointed, especially after waiting so long for the rest of the books that were never promised.

King is just like the rest of "prolific" writers these days...story lines don't change, just the character names...Koontz, Cornwell, Grisham, Child, Patterson all are doing the same, just cranking out drivel to make a deadline and get a paycheck.

Read a fairly new author called Michael Walsh, now reading Greg Hurwitz. I think once an author gets to 5 books, I may stop reading them.

Hap- I know exactly what you're talking about. Palahniuk was so fresh and new when I read him, but after reading 4 novels it's like the names have changed but everything else is the same.

I just started DeMille's The Gate House, very good. Dry and witty.

Just finished Verosity by Dean Kontz (spelling????) - - good, good read and just started "If I Stay" by Gayle Forman. This book will be a great book, if not a little hard on the emotions to read.

I finished "Stupid & Contagious" by Caprice Crane a few days ago...about to start "Size 12 is Not Fat" by Meg Cabot

"Scarpetta" by Patricia Cornwell. Just started it - I like her books!

I just started "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows. I am liking it so far. It is written entirely as letters sent amongst the various characters.

Has anyone ever watched the show "Castle" on tv?? It's about an author who is observing a police detective to base a character for his new novel. ABC.com actually has come up with a novel that this author is writing and they are posting a chapter a week to the website. They are also publishing the complete book in hardback to be available sometime in September. Can't wait to start reading it as the show starts up soon.

i LOVE that show, QM!! i've already ordered the book. i've held off on reading the posted chapters though. i want to wait.

I loved the show too! Didn't know about the book. I'll have to keep an eye out for it.

Just go to the show's website and you will find the information on it.

"The Jane Eyre Affair" by Jasper Fforde. Pretty good but I think I need to go back and (re)read certain classics to really 'get' all the inside jokes and references. I'm going to read his book based on nursery rhyme characters next though.

I ordered last Friday ~ Finger Lickin and Nancy Grace's Eleventh Victim.

Just got done with Quickie by James Patterson and reading another one of his Run for your Life.

Quickie was great. So far Run for your Life is good.

All of James Patterson's books are super. Have you read the Women's Murder Club series by James Patterson. They are great also

I had read a couple of them and liked them. Now I need to go find the others in the series.

i love all of jasper fforde's books. he is so clever!!

I keep meaning to pick up some of his stuff, but always forget.

IMO, the Thurday Next books are better than the Nursery Crime books, but it's all good.

I'm finishing up a reread of Jim Butcher's "Harry Dresden" series, but have no idea what I'll move on to next. I recently read one of Yasmine Galenorn's "Chintz & China" cozies - it was cute, short, and fun - so I may pick up another one or two of those. Not sure yet. OH, and the new Victoria Laurie "Phsychic Eye" mystery should be out this week!

Is Finger Lickin Fifteen her latest book out?

Yep. Should be a new "between" book coming out in January, though.

In the house we bought this summer, we discovered several old cook books from the 50's and 60's that fell behind a cupboard.

It has been fun reading them as so many things are not prepared like this today, the money saving 'tips' are long lost common sense, and they create full balanced meals on a tight budget.

The narrative is the best though! Advice on how to please you family, amaze your guests, how to stretch the meal when your beloved husband brings the boss home with him and forgot to tell you, and how to give 'your man' and task to do so he is 'out of your way, and yet can feel he contributed, and feel good about himself!'!

They are just a riot to read!!!

I still have recipes from my mom that call for a #2 can of pineapple and they don't even make them that way anymore!

Trust No One - Greg Hurwitz (was so engrossed at lunch didn't realize I was gone over 2 hours)

LOL! JJ...I found the same ones in my mom's collection after she passed away...really neat to read the housewives creed of yesteryear...blleeecckkk...

make sure to remove his shoes and rub his feet, while supper awaits on the table, devinely inviting with sumptious aromas...blahdy blah...yeah right...fend for yourself honey!

what was that show...Father Knows Best? It reminded me of that era.

"Wetlands" utterly horrific & wonderful.

Aren't they a hoot!!

And the pictures... a big thick steak with a huge coat of fat on the side... you would never see that today!

OK, so who's going to rub my feet after I have gotten the kids ready for school, taken them to school, worked all day, did the shopping, helped the kids with homework, cooked supper and cleaned up the dishes, done the laundry, bathed the kids, read them a story and gotten them to bed, paid the bills....

LOL! My Mom has a 1960 version of Betty Crocker, it is hysterical. Lots of jello mold recipes...

Last book I read was Pattie Boyd's autobiography. It was so neat to read about George Harrison & Eric Clapton from her perspective.

anyone NEED any jello molds?? My mom had quite a collection!

Um, the man sitting in the recliner watching TV exhausted from watching YOU all day long.

Don't forget the aprons. They always wore aprons... My g-mother STILL wears them!

I have some of my grandmother's aprons - they actually come in handy!

Just finished reading "This Present Darkness" by Frank Perretti - good book.

My Grandmother always made jello molds with fruit in them. I can't even look at Jello today!

Reading "The Quiet Game" by Greg Iles. Picked it up in the Bank's lending library. Pretty good so far.

Hey! I wear an apron!

Oops...

no, it's "ops." sheesh.

Put them on Ebay - I bet you'd get some interest!

Finally. Finally! FINALLY!! I can read White Witch Black Curse, Kim Harrison's latest book. It finally came out in paperback today! I have been waiting forever!!!

Dang, now that I think about it, I should have read book 6 again so I know what the heck is going on. Shoot!

I'm going to have to go buy it to keep my collection current.

I just got James Patterson's latest Alex Cross book in the mail yesteday. I can't wait to start it. No other author on this one-just Patterson. I hope its good.

Isn't it about time for another Janet Evanovich-Stephanie Plum book?

I haven't read any of the Stephanie Plum books yet but I see that they are loved by many. I am going to have to check them out now that I have my Kindle.

So many books, so little time!

kitten is!

tell 'em kitty!

@ miscuit!!

i decided after the last stephanie plum novel that i'm done with them. i didn't love the last few. she's not keeping it original.

I am currently reading the newest book from Dan Brown. I'm about 2/3 through it and must say, it's kind of a let down. It doesn't pack near the punch his previous books did. I am hoping that it really picks up and moves starts to move along quickly, or at the very least have an excellent ending since I'm starting to make that turn.

After that I am going to read John Adams. I'm looking forward to that one. It's the book they shot the mini-series on HBO about. It's extremely long so it will probably take me a while. I'm not a very fast reader. I tend to read like I'm reading it aloud.

I'm reading book #8 of the Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher.

I'm currently reading John Irving's latest novel, Last Night in Twisted River. It is terrific, one of his best, in my estimation.

I am reading Shutter Island by Denis LeHane... cool and creepy.

<---- doesn't read...only looks at the pictures

Deek, did they base the movie off that book or is it coincidence?

I'm on #7, trying hard to catch up. #8 is on the nightstand as well. I love Mouse.

I am on #4 of the Dresden books. I tend to read other books between them... Just to change things up a bit.

Uh oh...I better get to reading!

Mouse is a nice addition to the cast!

I wish I could do this. I'm a little OCD when it comes to catching up with a series.

did you remember to turn off the iron today?

O...M...G...now I have to go home...

You can become a fan of Janet E's on FB and stay updated on things. She has little quick response contests also.

I have to go to the bookstore tonight. The new Lilith Saintcrow "Flesh Circus" is out today as well as the MMP edition of MaruJanice Davidson's "Undead and Unworthy."

Oh, and Miss Banker - won a signed HB of White Witch, Black Curse in a page count contest when it first came out.

My Kim Harrison, Janet Evanovich, and Laurell K Hamilton collections are all mixed paperback and hardback. It offends my OCD, and I'm going to have to start replacing one with the other. I just haven't decided yet which direction to go. Maybe I should work on full collections of BOTH types since I've nearly destroyed some of my pb's reading them repeatedly?

god what a dork I am..........

I saw that!! Don't think I was only a little jealous either!!

I'm about the same way with the mixture of book types in a series. However, I'm not going to replace because I hope to have one of the electronic book readers before too long and will down load my favorites to it. The hard copies will then be sold at a yard sale or given away.

you could also sell them on amazon or donate them to a library or a prison.

You can also make me a charity! Ha!

Reading the Eragon series - on #3 right now and closed to being finished. They're OK - I find them highly derivative, but I do want to see where he goes with them.

I'm crossing my fingers that a new George RR Martin will come out early next year - he's been working on it but is now distracted by the filming of the pilot of "A Game of Thrones" for HBO. [And the casting, which is distracting me!, is A. Maz. Ing.]

Oh! and I am also reading Jack Finney's "Time and Again" which is really a good read.

Slightly off topic: Oldie But Goldie - Just have to say that I love my e-reader. I don't miss "dead tree" books at all and I haven't purchased any DTB since I purchased my e-reader in Aug, 2008. I could just go on and on about it, but I'll just stop and say I hope you get one soon.

I finally finished Darkness on the edge of town by J. Carson Black- good book.

I finally recognized myself as a book buying hog. I can't stop buying books. I can't wait to have time to read them all. I also need more places to stack them.

i have a kindle and love love love it. but i still sometimes buy the actual book. i was running out of room for the books which is a definite plus for the kindle.

BTW - airport security doesn't like kindle. oopsie. found that out the hard way. take it out like you would a laptop.

I'm a dummy. What's a kindle?

an e-reader from amazon.

Oh!

But does that bother your eyes?

not at all. the font size is adjustable, so it's no different than a "regular" book, IMO

::makes note to look into e-reader::

Thanks!

Just got Plum Pudding Murders. It looks good and has about 15 recipes in the book

Don't you just love the books with the recipes as a bonus!

Have you read any of the Sweet Potato Queens books? They are absolutely hilarious, and full of recipes!

Is this a new Stephanie Plum book??

I love my Kindle as well. Because of the different font sizes I finally can read without my glasses on again!

I still buy books that I want to own as part of my collection (I am still old school that way and I adore books and bookshelves) but I love the Kindle for those books that I would like to try and for those I wouldn't necessarily want to own.

Sony has a new e-reader that is a touch screen coming out in January or so maybe and Barnes and Noble is putting theirs out in time for the holiday season I believe. I love my Kindle but thought I'd throw those out there for people that were starting to look into them.

Sounds like it. Is it?

Not a Stephanie Plum book - different author, Joanne Fluke.

I still don't understand the kindle thingy. Is it something you carry around? Hope this question didn't sound stupid.

pjs - The Kindle is an e-reader. It's size is between a paperback book and a hardback book. It will hold hundreds of books. The technology uses something called "e-ink". It has NO built in light. IMO the Kindle is much easier to read because of the adjustable fonts. E-ink is exactly like reading an actual book. The Kindle has "Whispernet" that lets you connect to Amazon wirelessly (depending if you are in the network) and download books instantly. You can also download via USB cable and your computer, which is what I do at home as I am not in the network. I am in the network at work.

My Kindle is the first version (K1). It is so easy to use (unlike the copier, fax, printer... that hate me here at work).

LOL - Want me to go on....???

I just read where Barnes and Noble released their "Nook" reader and it has the capability of sharing books that you buy with other Nooks. I have several friends that we pass books back and forth and that would be a great feature - if everyone else had a Nook.

Anything by Mel Odom or Frank Peretti

The Kindle I just looked at also will read the books aloud if you chose that option. Cool! I can "read" while I weave!

Due to my personal economic downturn all my books come from the local library. I'm reading Butcher's Dresden Files right now and I really wish I could have afforded to buy them outright to read again someday. I am seriously thinking about getting a Kindle though.

i've upped my library visits lately too, opsoff, even with a kindle. i have had to ban myself from bookstores because i can't leave without spending at least $100 - all stuff i HAD to have, mind you. (i could have worse habits, i know, but still...)

i've had the kindle for about 2 years and it was the best investment i've made in a long time. it's with me always.

Yep, that's me and hubby dropping $50-$75 a trip to the bookstore after we use our Barnes & Noble card. I've cut myself off from bookstores and the massive bookfair they have near here several times a year.

"Dead Witch Walking"

My grandchildren love book stores too. I love taking them, but I hate checking out. All three of us end up with at least one book, usually two or three.

Thanks for the kindle translations. I find it interesting- will have to look into it.

I'm reading an RC Sprouls book right now and a buddy of mine gave me the book Freakanomics to read...has anyone read it?

The latest James Patterson book, I, Alex Cross, is quite good. I read half of it last night.

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield - very good - reads like an old classic with lots of twists and turns. Also, I just started The Messengers-A true story of Angelic Presence and the Return to the Age of Miracles, by Juian Ingram and G.W. Hardin - pretty interesting so far.

East of Eden by John Steinbeck
I can't believe I've never read it before!

Ugh...this book better pick up. The Last Symbol by Dan Brown. It's not bad but so far it hasn't yeilded that earth shattering revolation that Angels & Demons and The Da Vinci Code did.

I really loved that book. There were several times when I thought, ho hum, I know what will happen next....but it never did!

I just finished Blink, by Malcolm Gladwell (same guy who wrote Tipping Point). It's fascinating. I'm not that big a non-fiction fan but I couldn't put this down. Now I have everyone in my family reading it.

This is a must-read, phenomenal!

I'm reading Ted Dekker's "The Historical Chronicles" series. Its fasinating.

Just finished John Sanford's "Winter Prey". I didn't like it as well as I have previous novels of his.

kms, I started it this weekend and went about 1/8 the way thru, I couldn't finish it...

you know, we read almost all of the same stuff!!! I don't know if it was the locale change in this one or what but it was so slow.

night ferry by michael robotham. really good!!

Is that pronounce: Robot-Ham?

i think it is. i've never met him though.

::hands deek her cone::

::takes cone and sticks...::

never mnd...

Just finished "Time & Again" by Jack Finney. I really liked it. I hear the sequel isn't very good though so I will skip that one.

Does a matchbook count?

Just dove into "Sherlock Holmes: The Complete Novels and Stories, Volume I."

I needed a bit of a departure from my normal fare - burnout was starting to set in.

Executive Privilege by Philip Margolin

"Echo in the Bone", Diana Gabaldon. Too much Lord Grey, at least in the first quarter.

Kindred in Death- J.D. Robb

I like to keep it light and funny - Zits, Baby Blues, Pickles, Brevity, Foxtrot and other comic strip collections

"Notes Left Behind - 135 Days with Elena" written by Keith Desserich. I'm not a reader (I CAN read, just choose not to...just keep thinking of things I need to be doing instead of reading). It's a book written by Elena's dad. Elena was diagnosed with a brain tumor when she was 5 and died when she was 6. She lost the capacity to speak thru her ordeal but could still write. She drew pictures and wrote notes and hid them all over the house (in between books, under plates in the china cabinet, etc) so that her parents and younger sister would find them after she died. Like I said...I'm not a reader but I finished the 240 page book in one day while I sat during 8 hours of chemo. It gave me a greater appreciation that I'm so glad that it was ME that was diagnosed with cancer instead of my 6 or 3 year old! That would devastate me to not have some explanation as to why they had this horrible disease and what you go thru to try and get better! The book is more about how they lived from diagnosis to death rather than her death. Don't want to spoil it but they let her do things they'd never be able to witness (let her drive a car, had her try on wedding dresses, etc). Great book to make you appreciate your life! Ask Santa for it this year..you won't be disappointed. But buy some kleenex when you pick up the book!

<--- needs to get books 13-15 of the Stephanie Plum Series.. and I think I need a couple in between books.

currently reading 3 different books, but none are wowing me, in fact, can't even remember their titles...likely will pick up the newest Stephen Berry this weekend...

Love Steve Berry. His Cotton Malone character and associates are throughly enjoyable. Currently reading the new Vince Flynn book Pursuit of Honor.

Finished 7th Heaven by James Patterson yesterday - hadn't read the series before but will probably go back and read the other ones.
Almost done with But I Trusted You by Ann Rule - wouldn't recommend this one.
Ordered these today (hope they're good)
I, Alex Cross by Patterson
Kisser by Stuart Woods
U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton
Evidence by Jonathan Kellerman

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Beth- did you pick these up yet?

I picked up "Sherlock Holmes; the Complete Novels and Stories, Volume I" in paperback last week. I haven't read these since high school and I'd forgotten how much I enjoy them!

I'm on the last Dresden Files book that the library has...book 10/Small Favor and then I'll have to find 11. Sherlock Holmes might be a good place to go next, I've been seeing the movie previews and really want to go see the new movie next week.

I've just started The Road by Cormac McCarthy. It's odd so far.

just finished The Sanctuary by Raymond Khoury, just started the Charlemagne (something) by Steven Berry

I'm stuck on #8 in the Dresden Files series (Proven Guilty). I just have not had any time to read lately. I have my comfy chair reserved strictly for reading the weekend after Christmas (assuming family leaves by then)!

Reading Hide and Seek (Sisterhood Series #8) now.

Dresden is on my list after Sisterhood.

Sisterhood books are good. Who is Dresden and are those good books? Thanks

Not sure, JLJ above recommended them to me. Girls, who writes the Dresden Files series?

Odd how men don't read much fiction anymore...........

from wiki...

The Dresden Files is a series of fantasy/mystery novels written by Jim Butcher. He provides a first person narrative of each story from the point of view of the main character, private investigator and wizard Harry Dresden, as he recounts investigations into supernatural disturbances in modern-day Chicago. Butcher's original proposed title for the first novel was "Semiautomagic", which sums up the series' balance of fantasy and hard-boiled detective fiction.

Jim Butcher is the author. I usually describe the Dresden books as "Harry Potter for adults." The main character, Harry Dresden, is kind of what you'd get if a very sarcastic HP grew up, moved to Chicago, and became a PI. The story really takes off after about #4, but if you don't read those first few you'll be lost on most of the character background and plot foundation.

Butcher does an excellent job of character development throughout the series. I've liked each book a little more as I've gone through the series.

I love his characters. They're very "alive" and as much fun - in their own way - as the Stephanie Plum cast. Butters and Bob are my favorites, with Mouse and Thomas a close second.

Mouse is becoming my favorite. I do like Thomas, Bob and Mister. Toot-Toot cracks me up as well.

The tiny flying fey character MVP award is held by Jenks. Sorry. Toot is fun, but only a pretender to the throne.

Yes...you are correct...Jenks is the king!

Right now, I'm reading 3:
Sue Grafton - T is for Trespass (liking it a whole bunch so far!)
John Sandford - Rough Country (verrrrry good, I absolutely love Virgil Flowers!)
still trying to slog my way through Dan Brown - The Last Symbol (EXTREMELY disappointed don't like it, want to like it, but I don't)

2 on my nightstand waiting for me to start next (slightly less "light" reading):
Naomi Klein - The Rise of Disaster Capitalism
Noam Chomsky - Brothers & Others

On my Christmas list (hope I get them - I was a pretty good girl this year!):
Sue Grafton - U is for Undertow
Cormac McCarthy - The Road
Stephanie Plum Series - #8 & #9
Stephen King's new one - something about a dome?

Just finished The Associate by John Grisham. Typical Grisham, but a good story nonetheless.

Just received Catherine Coulter's Knock Out today, she never dissapoints and Julie Garwood's new book comes out next week. I hate that she only puts out 1 new one a year!!

Well, this man does. Good fiction is truer than most of the non-fiction currently out there.

I've been reading the Bhagavad Gita, Dhammapada, and Upanishads

Just bought Those Lovely bones for my daughter for Christmas. Has anyone read that? She's 13 and I wonder if the content is a little too much for her. She wants to be an author so I have to get her off of all of the vampire books and into something more well written.

I'd take the time to read it myself but that's just the thing....I don't have the kind of time right now to get it finished by Christmas.

Any thoughts??

I don't really think it's appropriate unless you know that your 13YO is mature.

I've read some pretty graphic stuff and that section was up there. It could have been worse, to be sure, but it'd be a heavy subject for a teenager.

This doesn't take away from the book though. It really is wonderful. If she wants to be an author there is a lot in that novel she can learn about character development

I just started reading "The Innocent" by Harlan Coben. I let you know if it belongs in this thread or the other on a couple of weeks....... (so far - I'd put it in this one )

Yeah let us know Tigg- I have that book- sitting on a shelf.

I love Harlan Coben. I like the way he writes and I have read almost everything he has written.

Finished The Road last night. I thought it was dark and I cannot imagine how it will be a movie. Too dull for a movie, IMO.

I like the way he writes too. Usually a fast read for me because he moves the story along nicely.

Has anyone read Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane?

Shutter Island was fantastic. I had the twist figured out about 100 pages from the end.

I can't wait to see the movei in the spring.

Thanks Buccs, I haven't wrapped it up yet because I wasn't so sure.

Maybe I'll make it a present to me and maybe pass it on to her if I decide that's something that I want her to read.

I just picked up #11 in the Dresden Files...the library did have it. I'm almost finished with #10. I also picked up a compilation of the first 24 Sherlock Holmes stories. I've never read any of them and thought it might be fun since I want to see the new movie coming out next week.

Reading David Baldacci's newest.

I love Julie Garwood books. I have read most of hers. Have one or two yet to read and just ordered the pre-release of Fire and Ice in Paperback. Will have to wait for Sizzle to come out in paperback too.

I started reading 16 Lighthouse Road by Debbie Macomber this evening. Really enjoying it so far. I have several books(all??) of the series thanks to a fantabulous BOL buddy!

VolOps - I have that whole series. They are good stories. I like how each one builds from the last and is from a different perspective.

I finished the first one last night, and I'm lookin foward to getting into the next!

Want me to tell you what happens next??

Naaah, thanks for the offer, though.

Harlan Coben is great! You'll enjoy all his books. If you like Harlan Coben, you would probably like Linwood Barclay. I'm almost finished with his book "Too close to Home."

You have all of them up to date. Next year there should be another one coming out. Glad you like it. It is a good series.

Thanks, peej! Finished the 2nd in the series today. I've already told my Mom she's gonna have to read them when I'm finished.

Finished it yesterday - was very disappointed (the solution to the crime came too early in the story - the rest seemed like a waste of pages)
I, Alex Cross: finished it a few minutes ago - easy read (as always), liked the ending, disliked the premise of the death of a "close" relative to sell the story - it didn't need it.

"The Girl Who Played With Fire" by Stieg Larsson. Can't wait for the 3rd book to become available in the US.

Agreed! I'm waiting for the pricer to decrease on Amazon for my Kindle!

Have you checked out the Barnes and Noble eReader? It looks really cool.