Reading any good books

[tizzylou]

I love to read also, I read all of the Harry Poter series last summer, so far this summer I'm working on the books by Kathy Reichs ( her books inspired the television series Bones). So far I have read Break No Bones and Cross Bones. Both of which I highly recommend if you are into forensic science. I also borrowed Misquoting Jesus, THe Story Behind WHO Changed the Bible and Why, by Bart D. Ehrman. I haven't started it, I just was curious about what it had to say, I seem to think that I have to broaden my mind occasionally. I also love andything by John Grisham and Dean Koonitz.

I will have to look into the Ann Rule books, since I am a law and order fan, those sound like they would be right up my alley.

Karen, I recommend reading the last 2 Harry Potter books, they are somewhat darker but not that bad, and if you enjoyed the other ones, then you will enjoy these.

My boss says I'm supposed to read the Golden Compass, this edict being uttered after a long discussion about it, and the new narnia movie the other day ( guess you can tell what we do in the nursing administration office to get away from the stress of our jobs) discuss movies and books, and share the reading material amoung all of us, although she reads somethings that you couldn't convince me to try, she likes sci fi, I don't .

Hollis

[krenee]

I was going to mention Janet Evanovich and then saw that Karen already mentioned that one. I love the Stephanie Plum ones!!! Hilarious to put it mildly. I was sitting in the line up of parents in cars once waiting to pick my daughter up from preschool reading one of them and laughing so hard I was crying. I am sure the other parents wondered what my problem was! Should be about time for # 14 to come out, shouldn't it? I think it's usually about June that the new ones come out. I have gotten at least 3-4 friends hooked on these books as well. My one friend doesn't usually read much and she got sucked into them and read them straight through non stop! Her husband was like, "What is the deal with all this reading?!" LOL For anyone who's interested in reading them, they're numbered 1-14 (14 should be coming out soon - there's probably an excerpt of it on her website now - evanovich.com - they usually post the first couple chapters of the new books - need to read that today!!) There are also a couple extra shorter ones - Plum Lucky, and a Christmas one, and maybe a couple others.
I am also a big Harry Potter fan. Karen, I agree with everyone else - you've gotta finish those off. 5 and 6 stressed me out (didn't like the endings) but I think she did a great job with them, especially 7. I don't like to be left "hanging" in books or movies (having to guess at or assume what happens next) but she did a good job of tying up most of the loose ends for me.
Right now I am reading "The Time Traveler's Wife" by Audrey Niffenegger. It's interesting. It is going to be made into a movie soon - Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston bought the movie rights to it a while back - I am not sure which one of them actually "owns" them now.
I don't read anything too gory or really scary though. I have an active enough imagination on my own - don't need any help - LOL.
Oh, another thing I've really enjoyed lately is Jennifer Weiner. "Good in Bed" is a really good book. There's supposed to be a sequel to it coming out soon, I think. She also wrote "In her Shoes" which was made into a movie. In Her Shoes is also a good book, although I don't think I've seen the movie - Shirley MacClaine and Cameron Diaz were in it.

[Ghost]

I knew I would forget someone on my list Audrey Niffenegger, The time travellers Wife. WOW I read that 3 years ago now and just............... wow. I love that book. Its the only book that has ever made me cry and it take a lot for me to cry at a book. Don't get me wrong its not sad, just a roller coaster ride with a very good ending. A real page turner.

There is another series of book I want to read, Val McDermid Dr Tony Hill series, has anyone read any of these?

I've heard of Stephanie Plum and I love a good book that will make me laugh, thanks for the tip Krenee.

But I know what you mean, when I'm reading one of Sherrilyn Kenyons, dark hunter books on the bus, people must think I nuts, smilling and giggling to myself. But I think I've started a trend on my bus, I've noticed quite a few people now reading books and listen to their mp3 like me. A real trand setter, thats me

[krenee]

Ghost, check out evanovich.com - I am pretty sure you can read excerpts of a lot of the books there - they are so good though, I know you'll like them.
The Time Traveler's wife is very good - I am not sure I am going to like how it ends?! - we'll see. That's one thing about summer - my daughter would be at the pool all the time if I would let her, so I get a lot of reading time in.

[~*mikie*~]

Ann Rule's The Stranger Beside Me is about the Bundy case, Karen...& Ann's *personal* experience of having worked alongside him....yikes..

mikie

[JenW]

So many of my favorites have been mentioned here! I am one of those super-intense readers, meaning my whole life stops if I am engrossed in a good book. I cannot put it down and must read to the end. (Darn my Kids for wanting meals and clean clothes!!!! ) For that reason, I have had to limit my reading to a handful of books a year. I have a great library and can often get them on CD. This helps a little, and I can still get a few things done. It is not as pure an experience as reading the book and holding the pages in my hands, but it is a good compromise. I have got to reread this thread and make my plans for my next reading indulgence! Thanks for the suggestions!

[Rhys]

I've been on a real Christopher Moore kick lately. The first one I read was Lamb, the Gospel of Jesus According to his Best Friend, Biff, which was both hilariously funny and very touching. It also answers such burning questions as why Jews eat Chinese food at Christmas (I'm Jewish and I always wondered! ), who invented sarcasm, and how jokes about dumb blondes got started. I'd recommend it to all but the most literal-minded Christians.

Then I discovered the wonderful cast of characters who live in Pine Cove with Practical Demonkeeping, one of the funniest books I've read since Good Omens. They make a return appearance in The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove, which was also delightful. Just started Bloodsucking Fiends, and it looks to be another winner.

Also a big Neil Gaiman fan. Karen, if you're familiar with the Sandman comics, that may be where you first heard his name. I loved the BBC adaptation of Neverwhere, too. Love Terry Pratchett's Discworld series.

I don't read a lot of pure fantasy, because most of it isn't all that great - to me. But Guy Gavriel Kay has written some brilliant stuff, most notably his Fionavar Trilogy.

My non-specialist reading this summer has a real escapist theme to it, but that's okay. Life sometimes gets way too serious.

[karen]

Yikes is right! I went to the book store to grab one, and there was a whole wall of Ann Rule- so I'm glad you pointed me in the right direction. I ended up buying a book written by the Perfume Editor of the NY Times- it just kind of jumped out at me, and so far it's very interesting. My husband is away this week, so I'll probably get a lot of reading done. He forgot to tell me that he had to go to Florida- ggrrr. If it had been in the middle of winter I'm not sure I could have forgiven him, but since it's June I guess I'll catch up on some reading.

[krenee]

I love David Sedaris too!

I'm an avid reader, have been all my life, but since I've got little ones time doesn't allow like it once did. I do have to read at least a few pages everynight before I go to sleep though. I'm not really into mysteries or dark sci/fi stuff at all. One of my favorite authors is Elizabeth Berg. Very easy to read stories that could/do happen probably everyday somewhere in the world. There are a bunch of other authors that I really like too, but I just can't think of their names atm. If I recall them I'll post again!
Susan

Susan,
I went in the library really quickly today on my lunch break to sign DD up for the summer reading - while I was there I thought I should grab a book or 2. Elizabeth Berg came to mind so I went and looked and there were quite a few of them - at least 20 or so! I snatched a couple that looked promising and checked them out - I'll let you know how I like them!!!

[vivify]

Try the Dresden files by Jim Butcher. Not entirely vampires, but more of the supernatural world.

Mikie I really liked Life Expectancy by Dean Kootnz. Have you tried that one?