What are you reading and why? 2015 version Showing 1-50 of 1,711

[Janice, Moderator]

Tell us what you're reading and why.

[Debra]

I'm going for the completion of my first series by reading the last in the trilogy of Anonymous Rex, Hot and Sweaty Rex. I've really enjoyed this series. Lots of fun.

[Travis]

I wouldn't mind starting my new year off with a little bit of that. Oops that says Rex. Nevermind

[Debra]

LMAO! Travis!

[Janice, Moderator]

ROFL! Good one Travis.

I started a giveaway win last night - The Stain: A Story of Karma Reincarnation and Release from Suffering. The jury may deliberate a long time, or the verdict may be to abandon. We shall see.

[Gavin]

The Maltese Falcon, The Thin Man, Red Harvest. Starting with a bang. Literally.

[Rebecca]

I'm about to start my first book for the series challenge, Divine Justice.

[Cherie]

What I am not reading: Top Secret Twenty-One, because I am an official Serial Killer! Starting She for the monthly challenge.

[Pragya]

Lol, Cherie.

[Stephanie]

:-)
I'm still waiting for Top Secret Twenty One from the library so I haven't added it to a level yet.

[Cherie]

Actually, I didn't start She. I am reading Die Again, the latest Rizzoli & Isles Mystery, for my second kill. It is really, really good!

[KimeyDiann]

I started Shadowfever last night, book 5 of 7 in the Fever Series.

I started The Scourge of Muirwood on audio this morning, the final book in the Muirwood Trilogy. I am really loving this series. I wish there were more books because I don't want to leave these characters when this one is over!

[Peggy]

I've started my first series book: Two Old Fools on a Camel: From Spain to Bahrain and Back Again

[Lisa]

Peggy wrote: "I've started my first series book: Two Old Fools on a Camel: From Spain to Bahrain and Back Again"

Loving that title Peggy! :)

[Dem]

Just finished What I Loved
This is my review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/1118411499

[Janice, Moderator]

I finished book 3 of the Iron Druid Chronicles, Hammered. I didn't enjoy it as much as I did the first two. One of the things I wonder about with this series is whether or not it will weather well. The colloquialisms in the books are so modern that in 15-20 years, the stories won't be relevant. I'm wondering how long the series will continue to hold my interest. I own the next book, so I'll see how it goes.

My next read is one that doesn't suffer that problem. It is truly timeless - The Hobbit.

[Lynda]

So, after reading The Illustrated Man, I decided to give Dandelion Winea go, via audio book. These stories are fueled by nostalgia Bradbury had growing up in Waukegan, IL in the 30's and 40's - this is a suburb north of Chicago, almost on the Wisconsin border. I went to college in Waukegan (the school I went to has since relocated to Chicago), and was curious what his "Waukegan" looked like. It's fair to say that I didn't see much of Waukegan of the 1990's in this story. By the time I arrived in the suburban, urban decay had really taken hold, but I had forgotten about the big ravine so that was a fun thing to remember!

[Travis]

Both Greentown books Dandelion Wine and Something Wicked are among my favorites

[Kristie, Moderator]

Janice - Tricked (Iron Druid #4) was not my favorite. I felt that it was the same old story and Atticus was teaching the reader things. It's hard to explain, but I didn't think it was great. I think it picked up a bit with the next one, Trapped (#5). Good luck with the series.

[Cherie]

I finished Die Again. So much bettter than the previous one! I couldn't stop reading it. Starting She, Tomorrow, When the War Began, Guards! Guards! and The Laws of Murder for the series challenge, group read and AtW challenge.

[Debra]

Travis of NNY wrote: "Both Greentown books Dandelion Wine and Something Wicked are among my favorites"

I love Something Wicked This Way Comes.

[Debra]

Those of you reading the Druid Chronicles, I understand your feelings about how the books later on in the series don't seem to be as good as the first books. I feel that way, also. They do get better again, I think. I've not read the latest one, yet.

[Dem]

Just finished the wonderful free audio book of Emperor's New Clothes, The & Other Fairy Tales This is my review: www.goodreads.com/review/show/1153167792

[Janice, Moderator]

Debra wrote: "Those of you reading the Druid Chronicles, I understand your feelings about how the books later on in the series don't seem to be as good as the first books. I feel that way, also. They do get bett..."

I'll keep that in mind, Debra. I have book 4, Tricked in my audible library so will read it. Hopefully it will pick up for me.

[Janice, Moderator]

The jury has deliberated and brought in a verdict. The Stain is going to be a dnf. It's not a genre I usually read and it's not holding my interest. There are too many other books that I want to read to force myself to finish that one.

I think I'm going to quit entering the giveaways. Most of them are self published books that sound really good in the blurb but fail to deliver or at least that's been my experience.

[Travis]

I only look at giveaways under popular authors and only enter ones for authors or series I know something of. Used to pick up a lot of free or cheap kindle books. My policy is the same over there. I will not be the guinea pig

[Debra]

I'm now reading another book in the series Gordianus the Finder - Chronological (14 books): The Venus Throw. This is a very good series set in Roman times. I love the historical fiction aspect and the mysteries. Gordianus and company are great characters. Some of the books are more suspenseful than others. Some have more political information than I need to know, but overall I recommend the series.

[Debra]

Janice wrote: "The jury has deliberated and brought in a verdict. The Stain is going to be a dnf. It's not a genre I usually read and it's not holding my interest. There are too many other book..."

I find it hard to abandon a book. Once started I feel some kind of weird obligation to finish it. I can think of one I read recently that I could have lived without reading. Kudos to you, Janice, for realizing you've got better things to do with your time... like read better books!

[Janice, Moderator]

Guinea pig is a good way of putting it, Travis. LOL! Maybe I'll do the same as you and be more discriminating about which books I enter. I thought I was, but maybe I need to tighten the parameters a bit better.

[Travis]

Anyone with a dollar and a dream can throw some words down and publish an e-book for next to nothing chasing their dream. Well guess what maybe your dream is to be a lifeguard but you can't swim. So you keep your ass out the pool. Know what I mean

[Janice, Moderator]

I do know what you mean. There are some wonderful books that are self published, but you have to wade through a lot of rubbish to get to them.

[Janice, Moderator]

I'm starting two books today - The Hobbit on audiobook for the group challenge and group read. (I'm sure I've already mentioned this further up in the thread.) And I'm starting a series challenge book, The Redeemer. It's the Harry Hole series (pronounced Hoolay, Travis).

[Debra]

I rarely try for the free books. When I first got on GR I won a couple, but they were awful. Now I only go for ones that REALLY intrigue me and/or are known authors. I never win, tho. Ah well, I've got plenty of books to choose from... a lifetime's selection!

[Travis]

Imagine being an editor or publisher having to browse hudreds or thousands to find one good enough to follow through on. I'd be drunk by like 6am with that job. I'm sure it is super rewarding to find a good one but something tells me it is a long road

[Debra]

You're right Travis. It's not a job I'd want at all! It would definitely drive me to drink, and I'd be sleeping at my desk!

[Travis]

I've got probably a good day left and I'll be finished with both Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders and Dark Fire. Then I think I will be searching for a lighter topic for my next read.

[Debra]

I would say so, Travis! I read Helter Skelter back in the day. Pretty intense and disturbing.

[Janice, Moderator]

Yes, a lighter read is in order after that book. Maybe Anonymous Rex?? That series looks fun, Debra.

[Stephanie]

I finished Delusion in Death tonight. I love this series so much and each book always has me guessing who the killer is then always has a twist within the last few chapters. I started reading this book before the new year so I know I can't count it as 5 points in the serial challenge:-)
I am going to startThe Whole Enchilada next. That book will be my first for the year challenge and will kill off a series and score me 105 points :-)

[Mariab]

I read 'Dealing with Dragons' for the month theme.
I enjoyed it so much that I will read the book 2 of the Serie

[Debra]

Travis, thanks for adding another series to my list! Geeesh, as if I don't have enough already. I've requested the first book in the Matthew Shardlake series from my library.

[Lisa]

I finished The Absolutist which was a fantastic book. I rated it 5 stars and it has gone straight onto my favourites shelf. In fact, it has even gone onto my top ten books of all time list so it was a great way to kick off 2015! Here is my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I am now going to start Heir of Novron which is my first book for the 'Serial Killer' challenge.

[Peggy]

I'm sure you'll love Heir of Novron Lisa, enjoy!

The Absolutist I should read soon after seeing your review :)

[Mariab]

I read Searching for Dragons. It was also good.
I going to read Anne of Green Gables or Das Parfüm for the best seller challenge. Still undecided

[Cherie]

I finished The Laws of Murder. I was going to stretch it out a little longer, but listening to James Langton read the Charles Lenox books is just so wonderful that I could not stop and listened to the whole thing. I started The Catcher in the Rye for the Best Seller challenge.

[Lisa]

Peggy wrote: "I'm sure you'll love Heir of Novron Lisa, enjoy!

Thanks Peggy. I am really enjoying it so far. It's great to be back with Hadrian and Royce again.

[Anne (Booklady)]

I started for the monthly challenge. I could have sworn that I read it in High School...nothing about it is familiar, but I'm enjoying it

[Janice, Moderator]

I finished The Hobbit and have started A Game of Thrones for another group's read. I started AGOT on audiobook a couple years back and didn't get far. Too many characters had me confused. I decided to give it a second chance and so far, I'm following it with no problem. Let's hope it continues that way.

[Gar]

I am reading Brooklyn. Been on my TBR list for awhile.

[Rusalka, Moderator]

Be interested to hear what you think Garrett. It was one of the books I read for my real life bookclub a few years ago.