The end of this college term is just two weeks away. That means final term papers and semester examinations. Once this term is over I'll just be two courses away from my degree! Whoo hoo! Since I really could use the time to cram, today's blog post will be short and sweet.
Last week I blogged about the economy and how a serious downturn might affect book sales and the publishing industry in general. Publishers (and writers) are understandably trying to figure out what their readers will be looking for between the pages of a good book. Humorous versus hard-boiled. Simple and uncomplicated versus complex and multi-layered. Light versus dark.
So, in that vein, nosy-Nellie here would like to know what you're reading at present. Is the book satisfying? Or, if you've recently read a book you'd like to rave about and recommend to the rest of us, go for it!
I'll go first. I'm reading an oldie but a goodie, NINE COACHES WAITING by Mary Stewart. I love the way Mary Stewart writes. Her books are perfect for curling up with a blanket and a cup of hot cider on a cold, blustery day. I also just started Rick Warren's A PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE. This is the third time I've read it. It's always inspirational and uplifting.
Okay. You guys next. What are you reading/enjoying in both the fiction and nonfiction realms? Any one read a book to die for lately? Do tell!
~Bullet Hole~
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Reading Recommendations...A/K/A It's getting close to final exam time.
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25 comments:
Hi Kathy,
Good luck with your exams. Took me 10 years to get my BBA, then another 3 to get my masters. I started college at 30.
I just finished Cindy Gerard's Bodyguard series. Also reading Jill Shalvis's "Sexy" books about the pilots. I love JD Robb and Kathy Reichs. Patiently (sort of) waiting for Christie's new book. Love humorous romantic suspense. If that's possible LOL
I don't read much non-fiction. Got burned out from college I guess.
Again good luck with exams.
Linda
Congrats on getting so close to the degree. After December, I'll have four classes left and then I'm home free. I cannot wait!
Right now I'm reading Cathy Maxwell's latest A Seductions at Christmas, but it's slow going only because I barely have 30 secs a week to read. And I'd say the less complicated the better since I don't have many brain cells to spare. If you want some fun contemps, I'm hearing great things about Kristin Higgins and the latest Christie Ridgeway.
And we musn't forget Christie's new one. Anxiously awaiting that one.
Good luck on your exams.
I just finished Ghost At Work by Carolyn Hart and I'm about to start Salvation In Death by J.D. Robb.
I read a lot of paranormal, some fantasy, romantic comedy, and thrillers with an occasional non-fiction thrown in. I also have this unhealthy addiction to cookbooks.
"Or, if you've recently read a book you'd like to rave about and recommend to the rest of us, go for it!"
I'd like to recommend this fantastically funny book I read just a week or so ago. The author's name escapes me, but the title is "Anchors Aweigh."
(Semi-private note to Bullet Hole: I tried to use your contact gizmo on your web site to tell you this. My attempts kept failing with an error message that the spam filter detected a potential spam attack. Honest! I wouldn't do that to you.)
On a different note I just finished two books by C A Belmond; A Rather Lovely Inheritance and A Rather Curious Engagement. These are a good cozy read. There are some elements of mystery, both family and lost treasure, romance and learning to cope with elegant living. I found them both enjiyable.
Right now I'm reading Touchstone by Laurie King. It's a little more "serious" than I usually like but it's quite good. Next on my TBR pile is the alternate history 1634: The Baltic War by Eric Flint & David Weber. I love this particular series (and I actually remember historical facts this way!).
I am reading Undead and Unappreciated by Mary Janice Davidson. This series is hilarious.
I finished reading a trainwreck of a book a few days ago. I won't give author or book title, but it was awful. I kept reading to see what all this heroine would do to the hero. She even stabbed him at one point! As she's running off, leaving him and her NEWBORN, he's all, I still love her. WTC?
Linda C, if you enjoyed the Bodyguards, be sure to pick up the Black Ops! The first two are so good.
Terrio, Ridgeway's latest knitting series are cute and fun. I'm waiting for the last one to come out now. I think the poor heroine's going to have a handful with this hero. We learned part of his past in book 2 and it's enough to make you want to tug his head on your shoulder so he can cry.
Kathy,
Congrats on all you are accomplishing!
I'm so far behind on my to-be-read stack. I'm just now reading Jenny Crusie's "Agnes & the Hit Man."
CC
I actually have Cindy's Bodyguard series in my tbr stack, Linda, and I'm really looking forward to reading them.
I read more non-fiction when I'm writing.
Thanks for the good luck wishes! I just finished a Powerpoint presentation. Something else to mark off my 'to-do' list!
~Bullet Hole~
You're almost there, Terrio! Whoo hoo!
And I love Christie Ridgeway--and our very own Christie, of course, but that goes without saying.
~Bullet Hole~
Love the eclectic reading tastes, Kristi! I usually grab up a few seasonal books to read this time of year that feature several holiday stories.
I feel a trip to the bookstore coming on.
~Bullet Hole~
Ah, yer makin' me blush, Bookmobiler. Sorry about the glitch with my contact page. I'll check it out. I'd hate to miss out on nice words about my books...!
A cozy story sounds rather nice, too. Now see what you've made me do? I'll have to add Belmond's books to my shopping list.
~Bullet Hole~
That sounds like some heavy-duty reading, Tori. But I can see how this would be a good method of memorization.
Thanks so much for sharing!
~Bullet Hole~
Man, I hate those 'hurl the book against the wall' moments, Keri. And as a former peace officer, I especially hate ones where an author has a law enforcement officer pull a 'too dumb to live' stunt to make their plot 'work'. Arrgh!
Monday night I experienced one of those pitch a shoe at the TV moments. It was during CSI Miami when the red-headed doofus cop opted to start a chase with the bad guy (who had kidnapped an infant and was in the process of selling it to a couple) rather than wait and let the transaction take place, get the baby in safer hands and then apprehend the suspect.
Another vote for Ridgeway.
~Bullet Hole~
Love that 'Undead' series, too, Estella!
Thanks for chiming in!
~Bullet Hole~
I saw AGNES at at Wally's World the other day, Christie, but left without picking it up. Forgot my light bulbs, Kleenex, and Bumblebee Tuna, too.
Thanks for the atta girls on the college stuff! I can see the end in sight!
~Bullet Hole~
I'm currently reading an epic, adventure quest, Da-Vinci-Code-like puzzle-athon called THE FIRE by Katherine Neville.
She did the Da-Vinci-Code thing well before Dan Brown did with THE EIGHT. Twenty years old, that novel achieved a kind of cult status, enough that she published THE FIRE in time for the previous novel's 20th anniversary.
I liked THE EIGHT a lot. THE FIRE follows the same train with the next generation of characters. Unfortunately, I'm finding it incomprehensible at times because the author's research is showing WAY too much what with historical and esoteric connections like she's got to get them ALL in.
Also, the dialogue is awful at times, because the characters tend to say ridiculous, unrealistic things just to get information to the reader.
Feels like Neville is trying too hard with THE FIRE whereas she didn't with THE EIGHT.
Want to read an epic and literary Da Vinci Code centered around chess and far-off places? Check out THE EIGHT.
I love Mary Stewart! Alas, I think most of my copies of her books are in storage...
I'm actually between books right now so this is a timely post for me - I'm taking notes :)
Good for you finishing your education. I know you will be successful. I started a drama degree at age 18 and finished a nursing degree at age 34. I like Rich Warren's Purpose Driven Life also and started it last Jan 1st. Have read and loved The Shack. Just finished The Heavenly Man by Brother Yun and am reading Living Water, his new book. Also reading the 14th book in Karen Kingssbury's Baxter family series called Sunset. Helen Dagley
Gosh, I just realized I'm either reading or listening to five different books right now.
1. Audio in car - Sealed with a Kiss by Carly Phillips
2. Audio in house - The Scarletti Curse by Christine Feehan (read the book, too)
3. Audio on MP3 - The Darkest Pleasure by Gena Showalter
4. Ebook - Unraveled by Christie Ridgeway
5. Paperback - Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evie by Marianne Stillings
Can you tell I make the most of my reading opportunities?
Next up - Post Thanksgiving reading marathon of both Christie's Desperate books. I've been planning this for weeks and have not so patiently been anticipating the release of the 2nd book before starting the first!
Mary Stewart's Nine Coaches Waiting was the very first romance book I ever read and remains a favorite to this day.
Good luck on your exams! And those final two courses. All that and writing, too? Just plain amazing.
A little late to the party, but...
I've been trying to mix some of the older books languishing in the TBR with newer ones. So, this week I'm trying to finish THREE FATES by Nora Roberts (2002), with a new one by Holly Jacobs, ONCE UPON A THANKSGIVING, waiting in the wings.
Good luck with finals, Kathy!
Thanks for the recommendations, Lisa. THE EIGHT sounds like something I might really like. Too bad THE FIRE didn't measure up.
Although I thought there were a few too many riddles conveniently solved at various points in THE DA VINCI CODE, I still enjoyed the book.
Thanks, Helen, for the good luck wishes on my finals and for the book tips.
The first time I read Rick Warren's PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE was at the start of a new year. I think it's the perfect book for reassessing and resetting our compasses at the beginning of a new year.
~Bullet Hole~
Okay, Terry S. You win the prize for most books being read (or read to) at the same time. I'd have a devil of a time keeping that many story lines clear in my head. I'm totally impressed.
What a terrific holiday treat! Two 'Desperate' books by our very own Crime Scene Christie. Alas, I must write this Thanksgiving break.
Sigh.
I sometimes listen to audio books on my way to and from work, but for the next month or so it'll be strictly Christmas music on the commute.
~Bullet Hole~
I love those seasonal books, Heather. And you can't go wrong with Nora...
Thanks for the good wishes on class finals.
~Bullet Hole~
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