Then/Now/Next

[C.J.]

I'd love to hear what books folks just finished, what you're reading now, and what's next on your to-be-read list--be sure to let us know what you loved about a book as well!

Looking forward to your input!
CJ

[C.J.]

I'll start...I just finished Code Name Verity (loved, loved, loved it!!! although it is a heart-wrenching story), just started Wisdom of Psychopaths (don't worry it's research for my next book) and preordered Lisa Gardner's Touch and Go.

Lisa told me about Touch and Go last summer when we got together and I can not wait to read it! Her books always blow me away!

[Mariluz]

Started 'Acquiring Trouble' by Kathleen Brooks its a series but just finished a suspense novel so now its romantic comedy then again to mystery thriller!!

[Mina]

Hmm, I just finished A Taste of Ice it was pretty good with aliens and am now reading Absolution (loving it at the moment!) as for my next one...haven't picked one yet.

[Darlene]

I'm finally reading The Yiddish Policeman's Union. It had received rave reviews but I have to admit that I don't know why. I think it was over-rated. Among the books I've recently read is the surprisingly good, The Dalai Lama's Cat. No, that one isn't a mystery. It's a change of pace. :-)

[C.J.]

Darlene wrote: "I'm finally reading The Yiddish Policeman's Union. It had received rave reviews but I have to admit that I don't know why. I think it was over-rated. Among the books I've recently read is the surpr..."

It took me awhile to get into Yiddish Policeman, Darlene, but I enjoyed it--but I was in the mood for something different and quirky...have to admit the characters didn't stay with me like they have with some from his other books.

[Darlene]

Quirky is an excellent description of the characters, CJ. I finish every book I start. I keep hoping I'll get into it. I'm only a little over 100 pages in so I will persevere.

[C.J.]

Darlene wrote: "Quirky is an excellent description of the characters, CJ. I finish every book I start. I keep hoping I'll get into it. I'm only a little over 100 pages in so I will persevere."

I used to finish every book but quickly realized there just were too many books and too few hours in the day, so now I give myself permission to put a book aside if it doesn't fit my mood...amazing how many I do come back to when the time is right.

[Erin]

I recently finished The Black Box by Michael Connelly. Harry Bosch is one of my favorite characters! Now im reading V is for Vengeance by Sue Grafton. Next in the tbr pile: Mortal by Ted Dekker, Stalked by Allison Brennan,& Catch Me by Lisa Gardner.

[C.J.]

Erin wrote: "I recently finished The Black Box by Michael Connelly. Harry Bosch is one of my favorite characters! Now im reading V is for Vengeance by Sue Grafton. Next in the tbr pile: Mortal by Ted Dekker, St..."

I love Harry! Actually just saw Michael at a lunch last week, he's such a sweet guy! And you will love CATCH ME--every book by Lisa just gets better and better.

Never read Ted Dekker, is he any good?

[Erin]

I'm looking forward to Catch Me. I feel like it took forever to come out in paperback! I'm not very patient... Ted Dekker is really good. I think his books are kind of different. The thriller concentrate more on what makes a person do something than on the actual crime. I don't think I explained that very well...

[C.J.]

Erin wrote: "I'm looking forward to Catch Me. I feel like it took forever to come out in paperback! I'm not very patient... Ted Dekker is really good. I think his books are kind of different. The thriller conce..."
Hmmm...exactly what I try to do in my own Thrillers with Heart...will have to check him out, thanks!
CJ

[Phil]

Hi CJ - just finished reading an interview on Jane Friedman's blog about you and your road to success. Your insight is appreciated and as "director of marketing" for my wife's recently self-published thriller "The Profiler's Daughter" by P.M. Steffen, I can testify to the efficacy of the self-publishing paradigm. We used Amazon's KDP and after ten weeks the book is #509 in the Paid Kindle Store,and currently #12 in police procedurals. She has 270 reviews with 159 of them five stars for a 4.4 average.
Paula (P.M.) was especially affected after hearing Barry Eisler speak at the New England Crimebake. We were already pretty sure we were going to self-pub but after that presentation and following his advice to read Be the Monkey, we were sure we were on the right path. Ten weeks later we've sold over 15,000 digital copies at $3.99. We have yet to publish a hard copy or audio version. We're exploring our options there. I am going to read the Seth Godin book you mentioned, as I firmly believe in the premise - that the internet is helping create new "tribes", or communities, and there is a need for leaders. It's a brave new world and a very exciting time to be an author.

[C.J.]

Phil wrote: "Hi CJ - just finished reading an interview on Jane Friedman's blog about you and your road to success. Your insight is appreciated and as "director of marketing" for my wife's recently self-publish..."

Congrats to you and Paula on your success, Phil! You're exactly right about community building--one of the reasons why I started this group...plus it just looks silly talking to myself about books, lol!

Take care,
CJ

[Eva]

Looking forward to reading Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn - it's supposed to be quite character driven, so I'm hoping it's a goodie.

On another note, I'm a Joanna Penn/Self pub podcast fan and came across your stuff there. The marketing side of things is fascinating (I just haven't put any of it into practice myself yet!

[C.J.]

Eva wrote: "Looking forward to reading Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn - it's supposed to be quite character driven, so I'm hoping it's a goodie.

On another note, I'm a Joanna Penn/Self pub podcast fan and came ac..."

That's on my TBR list as well, Eva, but I think I'm going to indulge myself in some juicy YAs first (until Lisa Gardner's new book gets here!)...let us know what you think of Gone Girl, I've heard mixed reviews, curious to see what all the fuss is about.

Thanks for the kind words about the podcast, tons of fun!
CJ

[Jordanna]

I'm actually reading book #2 in the Circle series, Red, by Ted Dekker, right now. Definitely a different type of thriller.

Erin wrote: "I'm looking forward to Catch Me. I feel like it took forever to come out in paperback! I'm not very patient... Ted Dekker is really good. I think his books are kind of different. The thriller conce..."

[Alison]

C.J. wrote: "Darlene wrote: "I'm finally reading The Yiddish Policeman's Union. It had received rave reviews but I have to admit that I don't know why. I think it was over-rated. Among the books I've recently r..."

Like C.J., I found it took a little while to adjust to the quirky world, but it was a absorbing read. Clever, on occasions a little too clever, but worthwile.

Have you tried either Fatherland by Robert Harris or Dominion by C J Sansom?