Reading Books For Pleasure

I'm working my way though The Girl that Played with Fire, the second book in the series, I just grabbed it at a train stn book shop without realising it was in a set, that said I am enjoying the plot, the central character is interesting enough to make me want to read more, wish I had read the first to know the back story, think that will be next on the reading list. Def worth a read!

Cool! I plan to get to the second one in due time.

:rose:
 
8. Deja Dead by Kathy Reich 3.5/5 Based entirely in Canada I didn't quite get into this one as well as the first one. It's still a good solid novel, just not as much my personal cup of teach.

9. The Love Slave by Bertrice Small 3/5 I believe this was the book for one of my BDSM book clubs. I won't say much about it right now. It had some interesting aspects though.

10. Smoke Screen by Sandra Brown 3.5/5 Fairly enjoyable, this book kept me interested most of the time but did not knock my socks off.

February

11. Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta 3/5 This book was from my "Around the World in ? books challenge."

I was surprised to find out that there have been a great number of immigrants from Italy, particularly Sicily which is part of my background to Australia.

The book was engaging to me. I was also surprised though when the teen female character worried about America "dragging us into another war." If anyone knows what that's about, I'm interested.

12. The Dark Angel by Meredith Ann Pierce 3/5 This was difficult for me to read because it seemed so fragmentary. However, something kept me going. I'm not sure I'll read the sequel(s) but overall I'm glad I read it.

13. Ravens by George Dawes Green 3.5/5 As I read this book I had a sense of dread about what would happen in it. That was the best part for me! Well not quite but I don't want to give away too much.

14. Death Du Jour by Kathy Riechs 4/5 Part of this book was in Canada and part was again in South Carolina. So I was much more comfortable with the book and enjoyed it more.

15. Snow Flower and The Secret Fan by Lisa See 4.5/5 Warning, foot binding is described in this book. I really loved how it transported me into another world!

16. Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera 4/5 There was a movie based on this book. It's meant for children but I enjoyed it. It's a sweet little tome.

17. Haiku by Andrew Vachss 4.25/5 This is a very strange book. I really enjoyed it. Let me share my fav passage of many that I enjoyed.

Chapter 58, paragraph 4 <snip> "If you ask 'Why is this man attempting to injure me?' you create a space within which his weapon may enter. Analysis is proper before combat, so that a strategy may be formulated. Analysis is proper following combat, so that one may refine technique and correct mistakes. But analysis during combat invades focus. And whatever robs you of focus always aids your attacker."

:D
 
18. Bones to Ashes by Kathy Reichs 5/5

I'm finding that the more of Reichs I read, the more I like them. At first the parts in Canada felt too alien to me but now, I can be comfortable there as well.

19. The Short Bus A Journey Beyond Normal by Johnathan Mooney 4.5/5

If you know anyone who has anything that makes them "different" from ADHD to very serious conditions, you should read this book. I was newly impressed by how the "cult of normal" has taken over our minds, making it difficult to appreciate people for exactly who and what they are. Honestly? Who the fuck is REALLY normal?

20. Adam by Ted Dekker 5/5

I enjoyed the skeptical characters in the book. They didn't believe and they were front and center. Yay!

Until, they became possessed because they didn't believe. Then I was PISSED off.

Also, I had nightmares. So, I will likely not be reading this author again. The Christian blindside smack down pissed me off. Sneaky bastard.

21. Between Mom and Jo by Julie Anne Peters 4/5

This YA book is about a boy being raised by his mom's. Lesbians, what are you going to do? They break up. They have good reasons for breaking up. Poor kid, as all kids do during a break up tries to figure out how to survive this shit.

I like Julie Anne Peters a great deal. She writes about GBLT issues a lot. Yay! The only thing is, the book was a little too short and juvenile flavored for full marks. It's a YA book, though, what are you gonna do?

22. The Jaguar Princess by Clare Bell 4/5

Figuring into my Read Through Time and Around the World reading challenges for 2010, this book also just pulled me in. Rarely have I read about Aztec religious rites that I wasn't sickened. This book explained, or perhaps reinvented, the religion a bit to the point it almost made sense to me.

At the end I was happy to have read it and wanting another, please!

23. U is for Undertow by Sue Grafton 5/5

I always enjoy her books. However, this one made fun of hippies and vegetarians a bit. That didn't make me happy. Getting past that took some work. The rest of the book was as good as usual.

24. A Single Shard by Linda Sue Park 5/5

Now this was a lovely little YA book set in Korea. I won't get into the plot much but it was a really good read that felt complete at the end and not shallow at all.

25. Deadly Decisions by Kathy Reichs 4.5/5

Like I said, I'm liking all of her books which is good because she is the author I've chosen to read all of this year.

26. The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson 4/5

Folks, this book is an interesting ride. I won't go into much detail until we discuss it in the BDSM BOTM club but yeah, I got the next one. :D

March

27. World Without End by Ken Follett 5/5

This over 1000 page tome is every bit as good as the first one. I really enjoyed it except for the cat torture. WTF!?! I've said it before and I'll say it again, torture people but leave the animals alone!

28. Black Magic Sanction by Kim Harrison 4.75/5

Kim Harrison is always good. Always! It was fun to visit the Hallows again but beware, a beloved character dies in this one.

29. Sarah's Key by Tatiana De Rosnay 4/5

OMG! This was a very sad book in parts. Baby boys dying, that always gives me nightmares. I was angry at Sarah in the end but pleased with the other female lead for most of her decisions. It was a really good read for me.

30. Let Me In by John Ajvide Lindquvist 4/5

The novel version of the movie Let The Right One In which many people say is the best vamp movie of all time, is, not surprisingly far, far better than the movie. I didn't much care for the movie btw.

The novel makes much more sense. It ends better for me as well.

31 Wake by Lisa McMann 3/5

This was an interesting but odd book. I'm not 100% sure how I feel about it or if I will read another volume of the series. It felt a bit shallow and unfinished as most YA books do to me.

32. Fatal Voyage by Kathy Reichs 4/5

Her books now are like a good friend that I'm happy to spend time with!

33. Girl With A Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier 4/5

When I was done with this lovely book, I felt a loss. I wanted more. Tell me more!

34. Grave Secrets by Kathy Reichs 4/5

This one was a bit different in that no one that close to the lead was threatened, no, her career was. I swear though if the doggie had been killed, I'd have been soooo pissed!

35. I Am Najood Age 10 and Divorced by Nujood Ali 4/5

This book is NOT fiction. It's very interesting and sad. Najood did a very improbable brave thing. She got lucky and perhaps has lead the way for others.

36. The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent 4/5

I found this one to be very interesting and enjoyable. It is set during the Salem Witch trials. That's a subject area I would normally avoid but it was really quite good. I'd read more from Ms Kent.
 
Okay, love this and have to share it:

From The Magicians by Lev Grossman, page 180 halfway through the first paragraph.

. . . "He wanted to push her, to if she had it as bad as he did, to see how far she'd let him go. She didn't stop him. She pushed him ever further. It wasn't his first time or even his first time with Alice, technically, but this was different. It was so much better because they weren't animals - because they were civilized, prudish and self conscious humans who transformed into sweaty, lustful, naked beasts, not through magic but because that's who on some level they really were all along."

:heart:
 
ok...at the risk of getting mulled here....I have a question.
I've read the Southern Vampire series and the Anita Blake series. Would anyone recommend I read the Dresden Files series? *ducks* :D
 
well, The Dresden books are a different flavor from the other two you mentioned (I have read the Tru Blood books & enjoy them. The Anita Blake books lost me after they morphed into just pretty much kinky sex with critters), so I suggest borrowing one or checking it out at the library first.
 
ok...at the risk of getting mulled here....I have a question.
I've read the Southern Vampire series and the Anita Blake series. Would anyone recommend I read the Dresden Files series? *ducks* :D

I found the first Dresden Files book a bit slow but after that I was in LOVE!

I've enjoyed the Sookie books too. And Anita Blake although I liked them more before it turned into magical orgies.

:rose:
 
I found the first Dresden Files book a bit slow but after that I was in LOVE!

I've enjoyed the Sookie books too. And Anita Blake although I liked them more before it turned into magical orgies.

:rose:

well, The Dresden books are a different flavor from the other two you mentioned (I have read the Tru Blood books & enjoy them. The Anita Blake books lost me after they morphed into just pretty much kinky sex with critters), so I suggest borrowing one or checking it out at the library first.

LOL...I totally get you on the Anita Blake series...the magical orgys and the eating of toddlers by monster is NOT my thing either....but you know once you've "invested" time into something you just HAVE to know how it turns out....:rolleyes:
I think I will check out the first couple ones and see how it goes....
Have any of y'all read the Dark-Hunter series? Those are rather good....:D
 
I am still reading Anita Blake books which, IMO are getting better. I also read her fairy orgy books. LOL.

I have read at least one Dark Hunter book, they seem a bit too romance-y for me but many of my friends love them!
 
I am still reading Anita Blake books which, IMO are getting better. I also read her fairy orgy books. LOL.

I have read at least one Dark Hunter book, they seem a bit too romance-y for me but many of my friends love them!


I agree! It drives me crazy both bad and good that the Anita Blake books are getting better and the Meredith Gentry ones have turned into smut! Not even always quality smut! (Much as I like smut...)

I picked up the Marketplace books used and am working through those. Mixed feelings, but enjoyable overall. I'm on the fourth one, The Academy.
 
I've read two of the Marketplace books. I didn't like the first one much at all. The second one was somewhat better.

:rose:
 
Just finished the fourth book. Not sure if it or the second is my favorite of the series so far. Onward and upward! Book 5!

Side note: Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief was disappointing.
 
11. Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta 3/5 This book was from my "Around the World in ? books challenge."

I was surprised to find out that there have been a great number of immigrants from Italy, particularly Sicily which is part of my background to Australia.

The book was engaging to me. I was also surprised though when the teen female character worried about America "dragging us into another war." If anyone knows what that's about, I'm interested.

:D

Well, given that it was written in the early nineties, I think *does the math in my head for when I read it in school and nods* yeah, it was around then, so my guess would be something to do with the gulf war.
 
Well, given that it was written in the early nineties, I think *does the math in my head for when I read it in school and nods* yeah, it was around then, so my guess would be something to do with the gulf war.

Interesting.

Thanks for posting this!

I've been wondering.

:rose:
 
Interesting.

Thanks for posting this!

I've been wondering.

:rose:

No probs.

I really should revisit that book, I wonder how it would measure up to today's society.


And yeah, Aus is teeming with Italian migrant heritage. :) There are I grew up in was founded by the Swiss Italians during the goldrush era. I mean, it wasn't discovered or named by them, but they made the town, and their heritage lives on.
 
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Has anyone read "The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters" by Gordon Dahlquist?

I am in the middle of an 800 page novel and can't put it down!
 
Since people were talking about the Anita Blake/Dresden/Sookie series, I thought I would put out a recommendation.
Patricia Briggs wrote a series of books about werewolves (and vampires, and ghosts and miscellaneous other monsters) which starts with "Moon Called". I absolutely love this series and would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in the supernatural type literature. The male characters in the book are absolutely amazing, and while I think the female characters are strong too, it would be interesting to hear a guys opinion on it.
Adam in particular is a favorite of mine- I swear he almost makes me swoon! (It is a corny word, I know, but in the case its use is completely warranted!)
 
Since people were talking about the Anita Blake/Dresden/Sookie series, I thought I would put out a recommendation.
Patricia Briggs wrote a series of books about werewolves (and vampires, and ghosts and miscellaneous other monsters) which starts with "Moon Called". I absolutely love this series and would highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in the supernatural type literature. The male characters in the book are absolutely amazing, and while I think the female characters are strong too, it would be interesting to hear a guys opinion on it.
Adam in particular is a favorite of mine- I swear he almost makes me swoon! (It is a corny word, I know, but in the case its use is completely warranted!)

I've read three of these books and I like them a great deal!

:rose:
 
37. Slaves of the Empire by Aaron Travis 3/5

Gave me a little tingle even though it was all M/M BDSM. I will write more if we ever pick it for the BDSM BOTM.

38. Magicians by Lev Grossman 3/5

Surprisingly, fun to read until the end. Near the end it became drudgery with characters I no longer cared for.

39. Bare Bones by Kathy Reichs 4/5

I'm enjoying this entire series very much.

40. Unbound 3/5 by Kim Harrison 3.5/5, Melissa Marr 2/5, Jeaniene Frost 3/5, Vicki Petterson 4/5, and Jocelynn Drake 2/5

Anthologies are funny things. I'm not sure why I picked this one up but I enjoyed parts and others, not so much.

41. Rice Without Rain by Minfong Ho 4/5

I found this one to be quite fascinating. It's about a time period and geographical locale I knew almost nothing about. Kewl!

42. Working In The Shadows. A Year of doing The Jobs [Most] Americans Won't Do by Gabriel Thompson 5/5

Absolutely fascinating, as a veggie I would never, for any reason work at a chicken processing plant. :eek: Has a lot to say about the needed dignity and safety in the workplace for us all and particularly for those that work "shadow" jobs. (These people are being vilified right now in many places. Most recently in the news in Arizona and Alabama.)

43. Bite Me A Love Story by Christopher Moore. 5/5

OMG! I LOVE, LOVE this book! I was so sad to finish it. I was distraught at the idea of returning it to the library. Like it's prequels it's just hilarious, fun, quirky and smart!

44. Monday Mourning by Kathy Reichs 4/5

I'm so glad this is my author to read this year. So far her books have always delivered a fun ride.

45. Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs 4/5

Very interesting world, characters and story arcs. I want to read more!

46. Ice by Linda Howard 3/5

(Points taken off for being a novella instead of a novel.) It's mostly romance and far, far, too short.

37. Flirt by Laurell K. Hamilton 3.5/5

(Also too short but due to the back story, discussion of her writing process and the cartoons, I give her a bit more. Plus the story seemed well paced with a good and actual end.)

38. Cross Bones by Kathy Reichs 4/5

(I was devastated when her New Orleans part of the book didn't even describe the city at all.) However, it's a good read. This is her DaVinci Code. Questions about if Jesus and his family arise due to bones found and other historical evidence.

I was surprised to learn in this that Catholics believe that Mary remained a virgin for life. Therefore if Jesus had siblings that would be a problem.

I was also surprised to hear that if family members of Jesus had been at Masada that would be a problem for the Jewish faith.

39. The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls 5/5

OMG! A family MORE dysfunctional than mine! Better yet, it's written about in a loving and humorous way rather than an angry one!
 
LOVE THIS THREAD!!!

my complete favorite is laurel hamilton's anita blake filled with gorgeous and sexy men.

vampire academy are pretty and that demetri another hottie!

dark hunters another hunky bunch from sherrilyn kenyon...Acheron is hot hot hot

just started reading laurel hamilton's meredith gentry series and it okay...just not into the the fearie thing
 
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