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What Are You Reading? June 2009-Mar 2010
HeatherIf it were me...(I'm very anal) I would read the series in order. I've read books from series out of order before and always feel like I'm missing something. I've read a few of the Jane Rizzoli books...the series is pretty good.
Heather wrote: "Teresa, does that Gerritsen series need to be read in order? I picked up The Mephisto Club A Novel awhile back not realizing it was a part of a series. I've been holding off on readin..."Heather, I've read all of the Jane Rizzoli and Maura Isles (Rizzoli is the detective and Isles is the ME) books in that series by Gerritsen, and I accidentally started with one out of order,The Bone Garden. I then realized it was a series and went back and read the rest of them in order. That one misstep didn't ruin it for me, but I was happier reading them in order, as characters and their relationships build from one book to the next. I really enjoyed the series.
I just finished The Cater Street Hangman by Anne Perry and really enjoyed it. It is the first in the Charlotte Ellison and Thomas Pitt series. I counted how many there are in this series (listed in the front of the book), and, apparently, I have 22 more to read. Well, I do love a good Victorian mystery series.
If you love Anne Perry's Thomas & Charlotte Pitt series, than you might also enjoy her Monk series. It's a little darker but set in the same time period with great detail and better characterization. I've read about half of each series and after all these modern crime dramas I've been reading, I can feel a need for a "Victorian" time period creeping up...And I'll have to say-- I'm like Kellie-- I can't stand to read a book out of order-- I'm just too anal retentive and need to know what I've missed.
Packing for vacation now and trying to determine which three books to take... I hate those kinds of choices!
Heather wrote: "Teresa, does that Gerritsen series need to be read in order? I picked up The Mephisto Club A Novel awhile back not realizing it was a part of a series. I've been holding off on readin..."I HAVE to read everything in order : ) So I can't really answer this question : (
Well, I'll chime in agreeing with Teresa, Heidi, and Kellie that I'm a stickler for reading a series in order, too. When I picked up The Bone Garden by Gerritsen, I wasn't aware that it was a series, and I quickly corrected it. However, as I told Heather, luckily it didn't ruin the series for me. Thanks, Heidi, for the information on the Monk series by Anne Perry. I'm on vacation now, and I agree that I hate having to choice only a few books to take with me. I ended up taking 6, and I've bought one already while on vacation.
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Donna wrote: "Hi Heidi and Kathy, I'm a big fan of Anne Perry too. Have either of you read any of her new series set in WW I? I think the first book is No Graves As Yet A Novel of World War I."The Cater Street Hangman was my firs Anne Perry book. I'll probably get around to checking out the one you've mentioned, although I'm going to read some more in the series with the Hangman first.
Heidi wrote: "The Stephanie Plum series is a hoot... especially in the beginning... happy reading!I'm about to start the first entry in a Stuart Woods detective series... anyone else read those? I can't rememb..."
I always like the beginning of the books less....
I have just finished the 8th Confession and loved it. I enjoy all James patterson's books. Now reading the last in the series of books by an Author called Ken McCoy. Similar to Harlan Coben Harry Bosch series.
I am still reading five to get deadly but jsut realized that the books I boght in chapters yesterday are all crime books!!!!:-))))At Risk
The Kalahari Typing School for Men
Saving Faith
Has anyone read baldacci already? It will be my first and was wondering with which authors you could compare his books best.
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I'm currently reading 2nd Chance by James Patterson
I have A Cold Day for Murder in the mp3 player today - it's the first of a series of sixteen set in Alaska and seems good so far.
I just finished Saving Faith by Baldacci and thought it was really good. The first part is a bit slow but the last 200 pages are fantastic!I don't think you will be disappointed Jeane!
I'm starting a Binch today.
The Scarlet Feather.
I am reading Love Lies Bleeding and The Angel's Game - both are superb reads so far. Happy sleuthing!
Kellie wrote: "I just finished Saving Faith by Baldacci and thought it was really good. The first part is a bit slow but the last 200 pages are fantastic!I don't think you will be disappointed Jeane!
I'm sta..."
Oh Kelli,I think that is the one I bought!!!!!
I hope you like the binchy book. I haven't read that one yet but read several others and loved them all.
I started Death Wore White by Jim Kelly while on vacation, but some family drama sent me in one direction on an airplane (with limited luggage space) and my library book back home with the hubby... so I'm reading Angel of Darkness by Caleb Carr (great follow up to The Alienist)... so wished he'd written more of these... perfect blend of my three favorite themes, mystery, NYC and historical fiction.
Lydia wrote: "I'm currently reading 2nd Chance by James Patterson "How are you liking this series, I discovered it after the ill fated show and have read the first 4 in less than 2 months.
j/f
giving it a 4, joe pickett book, good plot tied up the loose ends from previous novels hope he dont take a long break this time n/r
feels like I read this book, but might of been one started and abandoned during my book slump
Finished The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey, which has given me a new obsession with Richard III and his innocence in the princes in the tower scandal. I made a posting on this in the historical discussion group here. I am currently readin In the Woods by Tana French, and I think it's going to be a great crime/mystery/thriller one, actually living up to the hype about it.
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Donna wrote: "Hi Kathy, I read In the Woods for my face to face book group and most everyone really, really liked it. I have heard the sequel is terrific to and I am looking forward to reading it. ..."I'll be sure to let you know what I think. I've been busy all day and am looking forward to getting back to reading it tonight, which speaks well for it. I'm 100 pages in and am pretty sure I'm going to be in agreement with you and and your group.
Just finished Succubus Blues - Richelle Mead. A great book. I am going to read A Winter's Tale - Mark Helprin (ML).
I just started Mistress of the Art of Death this evening and I'm already almost halway through. Really good historical mystery!
I tried A Winter's Tale - Mark Helprin & I tried The Dante's Club - Matthew Pearl. So I am gonna read Over The Edge - Jonathan Kellerman.
Susanna wrote: "Currently reading The Eight, which is interesting - definitely a thriller."this definitely is a very interesting story! At some point I got my hands on a copy of the sequel but never summoned the will to read it and I gave it away I think...
JG wrote: "I just started Mistress of the Art of Death this evening and I'm already almost halway through. Really good historical mystery!"JG, I love that series with Adelia Aguilar. The next two are also great reading, The Serpent's Tale and Grave Goods. A fourth one is coming out in August, Relics of the Dead, not sure why another one is out so soon. Also, Arianna Franklin's stand alone book, City of Shadows A Novel of Suspense is fantastic. As she writes under two different names, I have a novel by her using her real name, Diana Norman, called Taking Liberties waiting to be read.
Yeah, my copy of The Eight had the intro to the sequel, and I was rather "meh" about it.
Have to put my books aside and read a ML (Mobile Library) book called Wedding Babylon - Imogen Edwards-Jones & Anonymous.
Just started The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde. It's a weird thing, but lots of fun - kinda like Stephanie Plum meets Voldemort, or something. The evil villain is stealing books, and there's time travel, and a vanishing sports car and people have wierd powers... hardly know what to make of it, but have decided to sit back and enjoy the ride.
Stephanie Plum meets Voldemort! Love that :)I know what you mean though Hayes, I hardly knew what to think about the book either...
in the end, I wasn't "man enough" to handle it I don't think, I never fell in love with the plot, although like you...I did enjoy the ride.
That is a great description, Hayes! I loved those books. Mostly.
Hayes wrote: "Just started The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde. It's a weird thing, but lots of fun - kinda like Stephanie Plum meets Voldemort, or something. The evil villain is stealing books, and th..."
Stephanie Plum meets Voldemort... my money's on Stephanie Plum!
Stephanie Plum meets Voldemort... my money's on Stephanie Plum!
Donna, I just wanted to get back to you on In the Woods by Tana French. I loved French's writing style. A friend of mine who read it right after I did was talking to me about it yesterday, and she echoed my thoughts in saying that French puts in a lot more description than many mystery writers, more layers, too. (kind of reminded me of Nicholas Evans a bit in the description--The Horse Whisperer, The Loop). There were a couple of unresolved loose ends I wasn't real happy about, but overall I really enjoyed the book. I plan on reading her next in this series (?), The Likeness A Novel.
I've started Kate Atkinson's Case Histories A Novel, but it's not at all like I thought it would be so far. It's starting out with separate stories of different people--I guess, hence the title Case Histories, right. I hope it's going to be a good one.
I can't wait to read the first one. I'm in a bookring and I fear I will have a long wait!!
Fiona wrote: "I'm gonna start The Girl Who Played With Fire by Stieg Larsson today- I can't wait! I'm kinda afraid to jump back in though. I've just finished The Mayor of Casterbridge and my spirits are a bit lo..."Oh, Fiona, I'm so jealous. I can't get that one until July 28th.
Case Histories A Novel is finally coming together for me. It took 55 pages to start connecting the dots, and I was about to give it up, but then the connections started. Whew, I'm so relieved. I have so many books to read that I don't want to waste any time with one I don't enjoy.
Fiona wrote: "My brain hurts! Numbers, cubes, equations help!"Well, Fiona, Tweety does have a bird brain. LOL
Just finished Wedding Babylon - Imogen Edwards-Jones & Anonymous
Fiona wrote: "My brain hurts! Numbers, cubes, equations help!"OK, I'm not reading that one. Math is not my strong point!
Im reading After The Fire by Karen Campbell , the second book in the series The first one was Twighlight Time
Just finished Caleb Carr's The Angel of Darkness-- great blend of mystery and historical fiction... wish he'd written more featuring Dr. Kreizler and company. Snuck in another Anne Perry book (because I left my library book at home by mistake when I left for vacation), so I'm finally getting back to finishing Death Wore White... and then I've got to take a break from thrills and chills to read for book club.
Stopped Over The Edge - Jonathan Kellerman. Gonna try and read Succubus Nights - Richelle Mead.
Well, I finished Case Histories A Novel and ended up really enjoying it. I've moved on to the next Jackson Brodie book in the series, One Good Turn.
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You have great taste in books!! Hope you enjoy The Black Echo. It's a great series. One of my favorites.
There are some other series out there not as well known as other..."
I like Harlen Coben too!!
Just One Look was fantastic!