When you're not reading a cozy.... Showing 1,101-1,150 of 5,946

[Leslie]

I'm reading and . Both are quick but entertaining reads...in very different ways:)

[Melodie]

I FINALLY finished . I liked it better than I thought I would since it took so long to read, but have some reservations about it which makes it difficult for me to understand all the incredible hype about this book. I'll give the second one a shot, tho.

[Cindee]

My shelves are very diverse (and contain both print and audio books). I am listening to The Sea Wolf by Jack London at the moment. I am liking it far more than I expected.

[Shay]

Emma wrote: "Shay wrote: "Emma wrote: "I think my next book is going to be Juliet. Anyone read it or know anything about it? A friend recommended it to me, but said sh..."

I'm about 1/5 of the way through. I would say that it seems like a good, but not great book. One of those books that's been hurt by being over hyped. (Kind of like Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.) If you go into it expecting something great or an instant classic, you're going to be disappointed.

[Kaye]

Shay wrote: "Emma wrote: "I think my next book is going to be Juliet. Anyone read it or know anything about it? A friend recommended it to me, but said she couldn't ex..."

I'm about 110 pages into it and it's so-so Took a break from it and read a cozy and am also reading
Major Pettigrew's Last Stand which I hope to finish today and get back to Juliet

[Heidi]

Melodie wrote: "I FINALLY finished . I liked it better than I thought I would since it took so long to read, but have some reservations about it which makes it d..."

The second one is my favorite. I did not love the series until book two.

[Melodie]

Heidi I wrote: "Melodie wrote: "I FINALLY finished . I liked it better than I thought I would since it took so long to read, but have some reservations about it ..."

Another book board friend told me the same thing about the 2nd book, so we'll see!

[Shay]

Melodie wrote: "Heidi I wrote: "Melodie wrote: "I FINALLY finished . I liked it better than I thought I would since it took so long to read, but have some reserv..."

Lower your expectations for this series. It's not revolutionary- it doesn't contribute or expand the genre. I think a lot of it is people who wouldn't ordinarily read mysteries (because genre fiction is not real literature) felt the need to justify their liking this series. Overall, it's really good, it's just not great. It's amazing in that most men don't usually write female characters this flawed who are likable or sympathetic or human. They usually have them killed, raped, imprisoned with the attitude that they've gotten their just desserts.

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

Shay wrote: "Lower your expectations for this series. It's not revolutionary- it doesn't contribute or expand the genre. I think a lot of it is people who wouldn't ordinarily read mysteries (because genre fiction is not real literature) felt the need to justify their liking this series. Overall, it's really good, it's just not great. It's amazing in that most men don't usually write female characters this flawed who are likable or sympathetic or human. They usually have them killed, raped, imprisoned with the attitude that they've gotten their just desserts. "

I totally agree. I think that only people (European, at least) who hasn't read thriller has discovered the Northern thriller with this (I've read Sweden thrillers at least twenty years ago, and they weren't new ones). And about female characters, I totally agree. If you read urban fantasy (written by women, of course), you'll find a lot of strong female characters.

[Caroline]

Don't know if this would be considered a cozy or not but the protag is a lawyer. was William G. Tapply's last completed novel before he passed away last year. He and another favorite author of mine, Philip R. Craig, are both gone now and it's sad that there will be no more in the Brady Coyne series, the J.W. Jackson series or the books that the two authors co-wrote with both of their characters friends (as were the authors). They will be missed!

[Emma]

Shay wrote: "Emma wrote: "Shay wrote: "Emma wrote: "I think my next book is going to be Juliet. Anyone read it or know anything about it? A friend recommended it to me..."

Yeah, I am only about 30 pages in and it's reading more like a chick lit with the twin sister business. I am now lowering my expectations...and wishing I hadn't bought it. Unfortunately, I am beyond the 14 days that B&N gives you to return purchases, so I'm a little miffed. But hopefully I can take something away from this book!

[Shay]

Emma wrote: "Shay wrote: "Emma wrote: "Shay wrote: "Emma wrote: "I think my next book is going to be Juliet. Anyone read it or know anything about it? A friend recomme..."

I'm having a hard time with this book, not even 80 pages in. I think it's one of those books that because it has a literary connection (Romeo and Juliet) that the book is immediately thought of as literary itself. An undeserved (and overrated) reputation.

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

I'm sorry to hear the two of you aren't enjoying Juliet, as it is one on my to-read-someday list. Based on book site discriptions and reviews seen on a couple of book blogs, I was expecting it to be more "chick lit" than "literary." Odd, neither of you did, but guess it's all in how a person reads the blurbs, etc. Here's hoping it gets better for you both!

[Heidi]

I am reading and like it so far.

[Kaye]

I wouldn't consider Juliet to be literary at all. Granted there are a lot of references and quotes from Shakespeare but the basic story was too implausible for me. So many of the situations were so ridiculous I had to rate the book a generous 2**. Of course, this is jmho and others may love it. Now, Major Pettigrew's Last Stand is an absolute delight of a book. I hated to see it end.

[Heidi]

Kaye several people in my other group are reading Juliet and don't like it either. I'll be skipping that one!

[Shay]

Heidi I wrote: "Kaye several people in my other group are reading Juliet and don't like it either. I'll be skipping that one!"

I'm about a fifth of the way through the book and I don't know if I'll be able to finish it. It just gets worse as you go on. I'm finding it easier to give up on books since I have about 600 books + that I have waiting in my pile (real and ebook). So, there's not reason to read a bad book, in my opinion.

[Heidi]

Heidi I wrote: "I am reading and like it so far."

Finished this one and loved it. Highly recommend!

[Kaye]

Heidi I wrote: "Kaye several people in my other group are reading Juliet and don't like it either. I'll be skipping that one!"

It's 444 pages long to boot! There are much better books out there to invest that kind of time in a book that is only just "ok". I'm glad to see it's not just me. Some days I question my own judgement.

[Heidi]

I agree Shay and Kaye (hey that rhymes!) - why waste your time on bad books :)

[Melodie]

I finished yesterday, and for those who asked about it, I REALLY liked it. Never considered myself a fan of his, but think I am one now. It was more like a great one-sided conversation than reading a book. If you like him, you'll like this book. He doesn't try to hide the "warts". (If you don't like "plain English", meaning some crude language, be forewarned, there is plenty of it in here.)

[Paula]

I finished listening to The Replacement and it was a good story. The book was in 1st person and that person was a changeling who survived into his teens. Very unusual. It is a different twist on the changeling tale and we were able to see Mackie's thoughts and emotions.

[Mary]

"Melodie wrote: "I FINALLY finished . I liked it better than I thought I would since it took so long to read, but have some reservations about it ..."

It's not perfect, but I enjoyed the complex plot. I liked books 2 and 3 more, again for the plot and tension. I learned something about Sweden, too!

[Emma]

Shay wrote: "Heidi I wrote: "Kaye several people in my other group are reading Juliet and don't like it either. I'll be skipping that one!"

I'm about a fifth of the way through the book and I don't know if I'..."

I am only on page 40 and I feel like I am trudging through mud. I was expecting something more literary and I am sorely disappointed. I think this is one of those books I may put down and come back to in the future when I don't care about reading something great. I have soooo many new books that I am excited about that I really don't want to waste my time on this one right now. I am also eyeing all these great Christmas books that I really want to get into. So, in conclusion, I think I am shelving this one!

[Shay]

Emma wrote: "Shay wrote: "Heidi I wrote: "Kaye several people in my other group are reading Juliet and don't like it either. I'll be skipping that one!"

I'm about a fifth of the way through the book and I d..."

I'm debating whether or not to rate it. I sometimes rate books I don't finish when the reason I don't finish them is I don't think they were good. To me, this book falls in that category. I think that its average GR rating of 3.85 is not really deserved.

[Heidi]

Shay I rate books poorly I haven't finished ONLY if I really did not care for them and would NOT recommend it to anyone. On the otherhand, I won't rate books I did not finish simply because they were "not for me", but I can think of others who would like them.

[Melodie]

Cindee wrote: "I have to laugh. I read 5 chapters of Twilight, at the insistence of the person whose home I was visiting several years ago for Thanksgiving. I was eventually able to get back to the Tony Hillerman I had taken with me. And I didn't die or turn into a blithering idiot!..."

And I managed to read all 4 of the Twilight books without turning into a "blithering idiot"! Amazing!

[Melodie]

Cindee wrote: "Melodie wrote: "Cindee wrote: "I have to laugh. I read 5 chapters of Twilight, at the insistence of the person whose home I was visiting several years ago for Thanksgiving. I was eventually able t..."

Okay. I just try not to make fun of things that others read, so maybe I'm a bit touchy when people make fun of what I read. I'm just happy when people read.....PERIOD!

[Sandra J]

I just finished and have been flipping through looking for Christmas gift ideas. I do love making sparkly things!

[Melodie]

I finished . It was a nice quick, predictable read like Debbie Macomber's Christmas reads usually are, but a great distraction!

[Kaye]

I'm reading Sleep No More by Susan Crandall and it has grabbed my attention and held it so far.

[Heidi]

Cindee wrote: "Melodie wrote: "Cindee wrote: "I have to laugh. I read 5 chapters of Twilight, at the insistence of the person whose home I was visiting several years ago for Thanksgiving. I was eventually able t..."

Don't worry. People get crazy about their Twilight love on here. I get in trouble all the time for showing my *cough* lack of love for the series on my YA group, and Melodie still likes me (I think!) :)

[Melodie]

Heidi I wrote: "Cindee wrote: "Melodie wrote: "Cindee wrote: "I have to laugh. I read 5 chapters of Twilight, at the insistence of the person whose home I was visiting several years ago for Thanksgiving. I was e..."

Yes, I still love you, Heidi!! LOL

[Cindee]

Heidi I wrote: "Cindee wrote: "Melodie wrote: "Cindee wrote: "I have to laugh. I read 5 chapters of Twilight, at the insistence of the person whose home I was visiting several years ago for Thanksgiving. I was e..."

I suppose they must. Thank you for your kind words. However, I think this is the wrong community for me.

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

Well, I'm reading Prince Charming Doesn't Live Here by Christine Warren. It's a revisited version of a short story, and I'm liking it till now.

[Dian]

I have been reading Jean Auel's Earth's Children series am just starting the third one which is cutting into my cozy reading. I have read all the Steig Larson books and found they got progressively more interesting so by the time I finished I was hoping for just one more. They may not be great literature but then I am just want to be entertained for a few hours. Much better then most of the TV on last summer :)

[❂ Murder by Death]

I'm in the middle of reading all of Lois Greiman's books that feature the LA Psychologist Christina McMullen (starting with Unzipped). I'm mentioning them here because I don't think they quite meet the definition of cozies. They are mysteries, and they do feature an amateur sleuth, but the crimes are a bit more, I don't know, not graphic, but not cozy. And the sexual tension - YOWZA! :) But the writing is hilarious and I'm loving the series.

[Paula]

I finished reading The Necromancer and finished listening to A Great and Terrible Beauty. I continue to read The Last Child.

[Melodie]

Reading and .

[Shay]

Joelle wrote: "Dian wrote: "I have been reading Jean Auel's Earth's Children series am just starting the third one which is cutting into my cozy reading. I have read all the Steig Larson books and found they got..."

I read the first one, Clan of the Cave Bear, years ago. But, I'm #5 or so at the library for #6, so I've got to read them all before then because I think it's over 100 holds and it'll take forever to get if I have to cancel my hold.

[Heidi]

Reading and listening to and on audio.

[Caroline]

Just read the funniest book from one of the comedians I love! If you haven't seen his show, you've got to get the DVD! Achmed the Dead Terrorist is my absolute favorite! I KEEL YOU! ROFL
There are "conversations" throughout the book with Jeff and the guys and one had me absolutely peeing in my pants! Jeff said he had a Dead Obama puppet that he put in the garage and Achmed says "He was an imposter! He NEEDED to be put in a garage." Then Jeff asks, "Did you ever talk to Dead Osama?" and Achmed replies, "One time. He was afraid of the dark so I gave him my Dora the Explorer nightlight." I swear, I laughed about that for at least 20 minutes!

[Kimmie]

Last night i finished Spider Bones. It was good but it didn't measure up to her last one 206 Bones. I have enjoyed all the books in this series. Some more than others.

[Shirley]

I am reading Comfort and Joy by Craig Lancaster.
So glad I purchased it... the best $1.00 I have spent this season.

[Melodie]

Reading and . I love the Glory St. Clair series!

[Kaye]

Just finished Red to Black and thought it was dry. The book had so much potential but just fell flat in my opinion. Oh, well, on to a cozy today.

[Heidi]

I am reading Dash & Lily's Book of Dares and it is a nice light Christmas read :)

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Currently reading The Christmas Train by David Baldacci, part of the Christmas Spirit reading challenge I am participating in through January 6 (Epiphany).

[Paula]

I'm reading Spider's Bite and Branded by Fire.

[Melodie]

Heather L wrote: "Currently reading The Christmas Train by David Baldacci, part of the Christmas Spirit reading challenge I am participating in through January 6 (Ephiany)."

I read that several years ago and liked it.