Cozy Mysteries discussion
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When you're not reading a cozy....
Heidi *Listen. I'll just keep talking anyway. * wrote: "Victoria_Grossack wrote: "I just finished The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks."Loved it! Not my normal thing but I really enjoyed it."
I thought it was an excellent read as well....
Currently reading
b F.Scott Fitzgerald, if you don't know that... I admit, never read anything by this well known author before, and this is a book club read for me.
my take so far: very interesting style of writing, very thought provoking, and not a difficult read at all.
it is also already - and I have not seen the movie - showing definite signs of being a tragedy in the making.
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Heather L wrote: "Read both City of Bones and City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare over the weekend. Good, fast reads -- looking forward to laying hands on book three, and seeing the first movie out the end of this week."I didn't like CITY OF BONES, but I want to see the movie.
Melodie wrote: "Heather L wrote: "Read both City of Bones and City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare over the weekend. Good, fast reads -- looking forward to laying hands on book three, and seeing the first movie out th..."I didn't like it and DON'T want to see the movie - hahahaha :)
Well, hell(o). I've been eyeing that book for ages and the three people I'd look to all think differently! lol.....
Mod
Not to mention that Melodie, Heidi and I tend to have similar tastes in books -- mystery or otherwise.
If it helps sway you any, a friend borrowed book one from me Saturday evening. I emailed her this morning to let her know I'd finished book two at midnight if she was interested.
She replied back that she had stayed up until 2am (despite being sick all last week and having to work today) and asked if she could pick up book two on her way home from work (I get home before she does). She brought me ice cream in exchange. ☺
Heather L wrote: "Jennifer -- Well, doesn't that present a bit of a conundrum? LOL :-DNot to mention that Melodie, Heidi and I tend to have similar tastes in books - mystery or otherwise."
Exactly! Only one way to find out which way I lean.... ;)
Just downloaded Tamarack County by William Kent Krueger and have started reading. One of my favorite, most dependable series.
I will be reading Eureka. It's all about Ireland and the Protestants and Catholic battles. I have become interested in Irish authors. I have been reading British authors for decades and I love them. I just thought I would try Irish for a bit.
❂ Jennifer wrote: "Well, hell(o). I've been eyeing that book for ages and the three people I'd look to all think differently! lol....."It was too wordy for me(it started as fan fiction so that makes sense). If you are more into the story than the actual writing (aka as Twilight) you may like it. I was too bothered by the writing to get into it.
Currently reading
as like a palate cleanser between books. I read a bit and then go to my next cozy.
as like a palate cleanser between books. I read a bit and then go to my next cozy.
I'm reading The Fire by Katherine Neville. I read her first book, The Eight, years ago and have waited for a sequel.I find her books not especially easy to read. They require lots of attention and effort to remember what may seem disparate parts. But she does pull them all together.
I especially admire her combination of obscure historical facts and imagination that create a fascinating tale.
Worth the effort
Sharon
Been on a cowboy kick lately. Reread Streets of Laredo and commented on this site last week. Now in light of Elmore Leonard's death, I'm rereading Valdez is Coming. I highly recommend both; they're set in the west but their themes transcend any particular geographical local. McMurtry in Laredo is, of course, chattier and less stylized than Leonard, although having said that, the low-key, "talkative" narrator is in its own way as controlled as the terse, no excess prose of Leonard. Different folks, different strokes. Both superb.
Just finished Blue Monday, the first in a new series by Nicci French. I liked it quite a bit and will be looking for Tuesday. Also recently read The Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penney who is my favorite author at the moment.
I LOVE the Mary Russell series. The only problem is that Laurie King isn't writing them as quickly as I can read them! So I hoard them. Haven't gotten to this one yet. But looking forward to it!
Heidi *Listen. I'll just keep talking anyway. * wrote: "It was too wordy for me(it started as fan fiction so that makes sense). If you are more into the story than the actual writing (aka as Twilight) you may like it. I was too bothered by the writing to get into it...."It IS too wordy! I've made it to the third part and I've just lost the will to go on. I love the story line itself, but (view spoiler) I've just walked away from it. I'll probably finish it since I'm 3/4 of the way through, but I'll skim it and not go on to read the rest.
Will probably see the movie though. :)
Good to know I not alone Jennifer! I watched the trailer for the movie and was not excited . I am however VERY excited by the Book Thief trailer!!
Mod
The Book Thief looks like it's going to be a beautiful movie. I can't watch movies/read books about WWII Germany/Nazi's (it's a level of human evil I just can't stomach), but I can see why you'd be excited about it - it looks like it will be excellent.
Picked up Fifth Grave Past the Light tonight and did not put it down again until I finished it. LOVE this book (and the series).
Heather L wrote: "Oh, Heidi -- doesn't that one look good? Based on the trailer, it looks to be a fairly faithful rendering of the book. I actually did a "Thursday Thirteen" post on my blog today about upcoming movi..."Oh wow! How fun - I had no idea so many books are pending movie releases! Thanks for the info!
Mod
Started Whiskey Beach by Nora Roberts last night.
Finished
What You Want Is in the Limo: On the Road with Led Zeppelin, Alice Cooper, and the Who in 1973, the Year the Sixties Died and the Modern Rock Star Was Born. I was underwhelmed. Started
Haunted Highways: Spooky Stories, Strange Happenings, and Supernatural Sightings the other night. Been on a ghost story kick!
❂ Jennifer wrote: "Picked up Fifth Grave Past the Light tonight and did not put it down again until I finished it. LOVE this book (and the series)."I love that series too, Jennifer. Always entertaining.
Denise wrote: "I have just started Eats, Shoots & Leaves The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation by Lynne Truss. I am only 40 pages into it but have already recommended it to two people. Anyone that gets to..."Just added that to my Amazon cart, it looks great! As a grammar and punctuation snob (who's always horrifically embarrassed at my own typos), it sounds like it'll be right up my alley. Thanks for the recommendation!
Melodie wrote: "I was underwhelmed. Started Haunted Highways Spooky Stories, Strange Happenings, and Supernatural SightingsHaunted Highways: Spooky Stories, Strange Happenings, and Supernatural Sightings the other night. Been on a ghost story kick!..."
I love a good ghost story, I'll have to check that one out!
Am about finished with my current non-mystery read,
, The Great Gatsby by F.Scott Fitzgerald. Sometimes I wonder why a classic is so hyped, but must admit, this is such a thought-provoking if tragic story.... and it in some ways mirrors the life of the author and his own wife. This is not a huge book, so if you are inclined to take a look and haven't already, it is worth your time.
Mod
When not reading cozies and other mysteries, I really enjoy the fantasy/paranormal genre, with an occasional foray into romance and chick-lit. From my perspective, the best chick-lit book I've read recently is Julia's Chocolates. Besides chick-lit, I also like 'hick-lit'. Has anyone tried the Trailer Park mysteries by Jimmie Ruth Evans? Best hick-lit mysteries I've ever read.
Elaine wrote: "When not reading cozies and other mysteries, I really enjoy the fantasy/paranormal genre, with an occasional foray into romance and chick-lit. From my perspective, the best chick-lit book I've rea..."I really liked the Trailer Park mysteries. Was sorry to see them end. Guess Dean James got tired of them, so moved on to the Cat in the Stacks books he writes now as Miranda James!
I recently finished Counsel of Raves by M.M. Gornell, part of the Route 66 series. Excellent book, and I would recommend reading Reticence of Ravens first because although this series is about Route 66 and not specific individuals, there is a return of one of the characters in this edition. I really enjoy this series.Counsel of Ravens
Reticence of Ravens
Finished
. Have come to the conclusion that I just don't "get" Neil Gaiman.
I did want to mention I read The Good Knight
in between cozies recently and thoroughly enjoyed it. It's not a cozy but it's a mystery series. It was cool to see the same mystery ummm "structure" in that setting. I kept thinking is she going to pull this off... and she did. :-)Though I confess I am a sucker for stories set during medieval times. I bought the other books in the series.
in between cozies recently and thoroughly enjoyed it. It's not a cozy but it's a mystery series. It was cool to see the same mystery ummm "structure" in that setting. I kept thinking is she going to pull this off... and she did. :-)Though I confess I am a sucker for stories set during medieval times. I bought the other books in the series.
Melodie wrote: "Finished . Have come to the conclusion that I just don't "get" Neil Gaiman."I enjoyed that one but he is NOT for everyone that is for sure!
I've liked some of Gaiman's books, but not others. I don't know if it's the books themselves, or just my mood when I'm reading them :)
Heidi *Listen. I'll just keep talking anyway. * wrote: "Melodie wrote: "Finished . Have come to the conclusion that I just don't "get" Neil Gaiman."I enjoyed that one but he is NOT for everyone tha..."
I read THE GRAVEYARD BOOK a few years ago and didn't much care for it either. After this one, I figured I'd just leave him alone from now on! Have a bunch of book friends, you included Heidi, who really like TOATEOTW. So, I guess it's just me!
Im reading Emma's Secret which does remind me of The Face on the Milk Carton but there are differences and I'm only about a third done with it so far.
I have been in thriller mode lately -after finishing A Coffin for Dimitrios, I read Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and This Gun for Hire and am just starting the 3rd Richard Hannay book, Mr. Standfast.And I am also reading Anthony Trollope's Phineas Finn
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Heather L wrote: "Leslie, how was "Tinker, Tailor"? I've sort of been interested in that one since the movie came out (which I have not yet seen)."This was a reread for me - I read it first back in the 1970s. A lot of people think John le Carré is the best author of spy stories ever but I find his writing style on the dull side. I reread it thinking that maybe it would read better now that I am older but sadly it didn't.
Leslie wrote: "Heather L wrote: "Leslie, how was "Tinker, Tailor"? I've sort of been interested in that one since the movie came out (which I have not yet seen)."This was a reread for me - I read it first back ..."
my experience was John le Carre was similar, and I tried a novel by that author a few months ago. for me, it was also too depressing. I like reality, but the entire mood was so dark in that particular book, and after watching 'Tinker, Taylor..' done done for British television sometime ago, my impression is they are all like that.
I don't care for dark books, myself. When I read a book I spend those hours in the book's locale and with its characters. I want to be entertained, educated and/or uplifted. Don't have time or patience for downers!
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Right now I'm reading "I Could Do Anything: If I only knew what it was". I'm teaching a career change class this fall and thought it would be a good book to draw from.
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Cozy Mysteries
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Loved it! Not my normal thing but I really enjoyed it.