Reading Books

[Shandeh]

I'm wanting to find something new to read.

I'm just not satisfied with my usual mysteries right now. Maybe it's because I'm going through a divorce.

Anyway, can any of you recommend a fun, interesting, intelligent read?

I want a book or series that will give me something new to think about.

[LuckyRainbow]

Have you read the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich? There are 18 books in the series. Quite humorous. The first one is a new movie starring Katherine Heigl.

[Shandeh]

Have you read the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich? There are 18 books in the series. Quite humorous. The first one is a new movie starring Katherine Heigl.

I tried one of her books before, but it had too much violence for me. I'm a scaredy-cat.

I can't watch scary shows on TV either. My imagination gets the best of me, and I replay the scary scenes over and over again in my mind. So, I have learned to just stay away from things that make that happen.

I know....I'm a wuss.

Maybe I should look for books in the children's section.

[LuckyRainbow]

I also recently read the Tuesday Next series. Rather bizarre, but unusually unique. Here is a link to the Wikipedia for the first one: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Eyre_Affair.

If you don't mind young adult fiction, you might try Terry Pratchett's Tiffany Aching series. It is about a young witch's training and coming of age. A small bit of violence but in a cartoony manner (involving a frying pan).

Another quirky series that had me in stitches is The Spellman Files. Here is a link to the authors page: http://lisalutz.com/books/spellman-files/.

[witknit]

To get myself in the right mind set for the Mystery KAL I have been reading Maggie Sefton. She writes Knitting Mysteries. Lots of fun figuring out who-dun-it and a bonus 2 patterns at the end of the story. Check them out!

[Kaleigh]

If you don't mind young adult fiction, you might try Terry Pratchett's Tiffany Aching series. It is about a young witch's training and coming of age. A small bit of violence but in a cartoony manner (involving a frying pan).

Am I allowed to extend that suggestion to "anything Terry Pratchett"? His books are always hilarious and wonderfully imaginative

[LuckyRainbow]

Am I allowed to extend that suggestion to "anything Terry Pratchett"? His books are always hilarious and wonderfully imaginative

Yes, they are, but the shear number of them can be a bit overwhelming. The Tiffany Achings are a more manageable number.

[dogfoster]

I joined my local library's reading group which is pretty small though we have recently gotten three new members.
Last month we read The Reservoir by John Thompson. I was fortunate enough to attend a lecture Mr. Thompson gave about his book though I had not read the book at the time. I thought It was OK book, but our group had very interesting discussion about it. I just finished reading the Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. I thought it was excellent and will be recommending it to our group for future reading. Usually they like mysteries and things like the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I have read many, many books with the group that I would not have read on my own, and though some of them I really didn't like, it is nice to read different genre. My favorite authors are Faulkner and Marquez. I usually do not re read anything, but I have re-read those authors frequently. Our group even tackled an "easy reader" Faulkner I suggested and I think they liked it! I really enjoy our library group. For March we are reading I Wish You Well by David Balducci, I have not read it yet.

[Shandeh]

I am such a happy girl! Yesterday, I looked through four different thrift shops in my area, and was lucky enough to find a BOATLOAD of audiobooks at one of them. So, now I have 7 different books, ready to listen to while I knit.

The Lovely Bones (unabridged) - Alice Sebold
At Home in Mitford - Jan Karon
A Light in the Window - Jan Karon
Out to Canaan - Jan Karon
Light from Heaven (unabridged) - Jan Karon
Shepherds Abiding (unabridged) - Jan Karon
On the Occasion of My Last Afternoon - Kaye Gibbons

The most expensive of the bunch was $4, so it was a great deal.

I needed another audiobook, because I've already listened to everything in my house except "The Silmarillion" by JRR Tolkien. I love the "Lord of the Rings", but "The Silmarillion" has been driving me BATTY! So many details and confusing names to remember. I have no idea how anyone on earth could keep it straight without a spreadsheet.

I am looking forward to listening to a more relaxing story. Which one of my new audiobooks would you recommend I listen to first?

[kimbo444]

The Lovely Bones is a great read, but it is certainly darker than Jan Karon. I have not read the book by Gibbons, so I woul say Jan Karon.