What are you reading?

[norealityhere]

I'm reading Just Take My Heart by Mary Higgins Clark.
She and her daughter, Carol Higgins Clark, were at my local library 6 weeks ago. I got a signed copy of each of their books and each is very nice in person. Mary Higgins Clark is suspense mystery and Carol Higgins Clark is mystery comedy.
I can remember when I was a kid and my Mom would be reading Mary Higgins Clark. Amazing that Ms. Clark is still writing! When she spoke at the library, she talked about how she never incorporates sex or any horrific, bloody details into her books. She just incorporates the suspense factor. And, much as I also love mysteries with horrific and bloody details, I do have to say that I am a big fan of Ms. Clark. So, I guess after all these years of writing, she certainly still knows what she's doing.

[Google]

 

[AJane]

Finished The Abstinence Teacher and I'm well into Election now. The Abstinence Teacher is just stellar. Perotta did a fabulous job of humanizing both sides of the issue. He has an amazing knack for not demonizing people's flaws and inspiring compassion for characters that one would judge harshly in real life. Can't say enough good stuff about this author - if anyone's looking for something to read, I highly recommend his work.

[CaliLily]

Just finished Two for the Dough in the Stephanie Plum series- will be doing some major damage at Barnes and Noble tonight picking up the next few in the series. LOVE IT!

Also just finished The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare. One of the best series I have read. Definately reccomend it.

[Bearcata]

Originally Posted by CaliLily

Just finished Two for the Dough in the Stephanie Plum series- will be doing some major damage at Barnes and Noble tonight picking up the next few in the series. LOVE IT!

Also just finished The Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare. One of the best series I have read. Definately reccomend it.

I'm on the request list at my library for Plum Spooky. You really need to try to listen to the books they are hysterical when listening to them.

I have also listened to the first 2 of the Immortal Instruments books and do agree it is a good YA (young adults series). I am also going to listen to the last Gemma Doyle book as I have already done the first 2 books.

I have just finished Bernard Cornwell's Agincourt and then listened to
Lady Knight from Tamora Pierce's Protector of the Small series. Interesting take on being a knight or living in a feudal era. One very graphic and violet and written for adults and amateur historians and the other written for children. One thing I really like about Lady Knight, while written for a younger audience, people die but it is not bloody and gruesome in detail but you get that there are consequences to your actions and bad things do happen to good people. The author also has a grasp on politics and the big picture and how that can mess up people's lives.

I have also finished reading 2 paranormals/urban romances. Ravenous by Sharon Ashwood (witch and vampire) and Moonburn (newbie werewolf) by Alisa Sheckley. Really enjoyed them and it is always nice to discover new authors.

I also recommend Ilona Andrews Kate Daniel series; Magic Bites, Magic Burns and Magic Strikes. I really like a strong heroine but one with issues and vulnerabilities and a somewhat messed up life. Many authors create these kick ass heroines that are so self confident (read arrogant) and strong and powerful who have meaningless sex with any available stud muffin and are thinly veiled versions of the lone wolf alpha male that the story holds no interest for me. This is not such a series. There are interesting people and concepts here. The other characters are developed and interact well with the heroine and add interest and flavor to the world the author has created. Really like the tension between Kate and Curran (the Atlanta King of Beasts).

[CaliLily]

I am definately putting some of those on my list! I can't stand cookie cutter writers like Nora Roberts where it is all strong rich woman who has a kick arse body finds a rich Fabio and to have sex with then goes through some kind of disaster then more sex and then some worse disaster then randomly gets engaged. End. I need the kind of books that keep me guessing the outcome.

[pwettybird]

I am currently reading the Twilight series. I am on the first one now, half-way through. I am soo loving it!

[Bearcata]

Originally Posted by CaliLily

I am definately putting some of those on my list! I can't stand cookie cutter writers like Nora Roberts where it is all strong rich woman who has a kick arse body finds a rich Fabio and to have sex with then goes through some kind of disaster then more sex and then some worse disaster then randomly gets engaged. End. I need the kind of books that keep me guessing the outcome.

That's one reason why I started reading Jayne Ann Krentz because she describes her heroines as rather short and curvy and sometimes need glasses to see anything. Not these blue eyed, flawless skinned, perky breasted, long legged beauties that are also rich and have all these guys falling over them. I can't relate. I remember one Karen Robards which I loved, where the heroine had been a one time underwear model in New York City. That was one of the chief reasons her husband married her. But when she quit being a model and put on some weight (because she was tired of starving herself for her job) her shallow husband divorced her. She ended going back home and started her own cleaning business because the one skill she did have was cleaning. The story starts while she is cleaning the local funeral home and one of the bodies in the morgue isn't as dead as it should be. That was a real hoot.

I do like the JD Robb stories that Nora Roberts writes and very occasionally one of her books but what I really hate is when Lifetime TV translates one of her books to a tv movie it is so sugar coated and passionless that I can't believe it is the same story that I had read. The actors and writers really don't know how to have chemistry and tension and believeability between characters. Its meaningless pap.

While I would luv to see Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum, Joe and Ranger in a movie I honestly don't know if there are any directors, producers and writers alive currently who could do a screwball comedy like that and make it believable. I wonder who they would cast as Sally Sweet? That I would pay to see, if done well.

[CaliLily]

Originally Posted by Bearcata

While I would luv to see Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum, Joe and Ranger in a movie I honestly don't know if there are any directors, producers and writers alive currently who could do a screwball comedy like that and make it believable. I wonder who they would cast as Sally Sweet? That I would pay to see, if done well.

I would love to see who they got to play Lula! She is quickly becomming one of my favorite characters. It would be great if they did a whole series on the Stephanie Plum novels kind of like they did with Charlaine Harris's True Blood/Sookie Stackouse Novels. It would probably have to be on HBO or something because of all the swearing and awkward naked time! If they censored ANY of it the series/movie just wouldn't be the same.

JD Robb is okay because I love murder mysteries. Just plain 'nothing but romance' books just don't do it for me. I think that is why I love books like The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare and The Sookie Stackhouse Series by Charlaine Harris. There is just more to them.

[prhoshay]

I need diversity of characters in my chosen books. Racially, agewise, social status...all kinds of diversity.

[talldede]

Originally Posted by prhoshay

I need diversity of characters in my chosen books. Racially, agewise, social status...all kinds of diversity.

Pick up Emily Giffin's books. Her characters are lovely and flawed, and you'll root for them until the last page. And, she keeps you guessing.....these books are so delicious.

Here's her website. The pink and blue need to be read in that order. The yellow one and green one stand alone.

emily giffin | official website