Introduce Yourself (if you want to :-)

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

We now have 25 group members! Don't worry - I'm still here :-) I'm picking up Manner of Death again this week and still waiting for Still Life.

[Maicie]

I haven't read any of these books but I love Colorado authors. I'll give him a try.

Right now I'm reading Where You Once Belonged by Kent Haruf, another Colorado author. He's wonderful.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Thanks for joining Maicie :-) and thanks for the recommendation - I'll check it out.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Maicie wrote: "I haven't read any of these books but I love Colorado authors. I'll give him a try."

Maicie!!! You haven't read any Stephen White books and you lived in Boulder?!?! You have found the right group :-) You're gonna love these mysteries

[Sheila]

Hi Everyone. My name is Sheila and I live in Illinois on the Mississippi River. I am 58, married, mom of 2 , grandma of 2. I very recently retired after 37 years as a respiratory therapist. I am very fortunate that I live only about 2 blocks from our new million $$ library. I have a difficult time reading regular or paperback print so usually order everything either in LP or audio. Our library is in a network with a whole bunch of other libraries so I can usually get what I need delivered to my local libary. I LOVE my library.

I am currently reading 5 books. (My hubby says I am the Queen of Multitasking). I just discovered goodreads this week and have been busy putting in my book list. (I am only up to the C's). Anyway I look forward to meeting you folks and sharing as well.

[Jan C]

Hi Sheila

I'm also in Illinois, by Chicago, near Lake Michigan and my office has a view of the Chicago River.

Welcome.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

:-) Sheila! It's great to see you here! Thanks for joining the Stephen White group!

[Sheila]

Hi Dustin, I joined because you invited me. Thanks. I haven't actually read any Stephen White yet but just got "Blinded" from the library on audio book

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

How funny! Blinded was the first Stephen White book I read, which is really odd because it's in the middle of the series. I hope you like the characters - I live in Boulder where most of the stories take place so it's really fun for me :-) I believe Blinded has Sam Purdy traveling around Thanksgiving.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

If you'd like to make any comments on Blinded, I can set up a discussion thread for you or you can set one up for yourself, just let me know :-)

[Janice]

Hi, Sheila; I am in SW Missouri, in the Ozarks. I have been on Goodreads for awhile, and then fairly recently joined this group. I have read Stephen White's books for years, but recently I went back and read them in order, and some of the story lines made more sense that way. I found a web page, www.fantasticfiction.com that tells the order of books in a series by any given author, and that helped me find books so that I can read them in the order written. I like series, so have used that web page a lot. Welcome to Goodreads, and to the Stephen White group.

[Christine]

Hi Sheila:

Welcome to the group. Watch out, Goodreads is addictive. I have only recently started reading Stephen White. My first novel being The Siege and then I went back to the beginning of the Alan Gregory series. I have read the first two, Privileged Information and Private Practices. I hope to read Higher Authority soon.

I live in the San Francisco area. I am married, have 2 children who live out of state, boo hoo!, and a dog who turned 15 today.

[Sheila]

Hi All and thanks for the welcome.

Janice fantastic fiction is in my favorites BAR since I use it so much. I am kind of anal about wanting to read books in order and that is my favorite resource. I also put audio books on my iPod and use ff as my source for the picture of the book cover as well. I've now added Goodreads to the bar because as Christine just said it is most definitely addictive. I've got Privileged Information ordered from the library. I don't usually buy books because I need either LP or audio most of the time due to poor vision. I find LP books so much easier on the eyes. My problems with reading usually consist of wanting to read so MANY books that I have 4 or 5 going all the time.

I know what you mean Christine about the kids being out of state. I'm in Illinois, my daughter lives in Virginia. I'm fortunate that my son lives in the same town I do and he has my 2 grandsons ages 7 and 5 months. We pick up the 7 year old after school and watch him until one of his parents pick him up. It is my goal to influence him into love of reading. However he seems to much prefer playing the Wii. I also have a dog Christine. She is a 110 pound white malamute that tries to be a lap dog. She absolutely hates when I am reading unless I am petting her at the same time.

[Janice]

I also use the library, and we have a wonderful system here. I try not to buy fiction, unless I love a book so much that I want it in my collection; I do buy non-fiction that I think I want for referral purposes.
Since I retired a year and half ago, I have been doing volunteer work for our library, delivering books and other library material,to people who are home bound, in a program called Walking Books. I can't imagine not being able to get to the Library, so I hope this program is still around if I am ever not able to go there!!!
I have met some wonderful older people since doing this, ones who love to read--(they say it helps keep your cognitive function, I sure hope so).

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Welcome to the group Vincent! :-) Looking forward to reading your book with the group. You're welcome to stick around after May too. People might still comment on Moonlight Falls after the group read & we might discuss another of your titles in the future.

[Matt R.]

Hello, I am a big fan of thriller, mystery and horror books. I am always interested in reading new authors and exploring new books. I know Dustin from Koontzland where I am a co-moderator. I plan to join the group read for May.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

:-) Welcome to the group Shirley and Matt!

[Shirley]

Thanks Dustin!! Welcome to the Grop Matt!!

[Susan (aka Just My Op)]

Hi, everyone. Dustin, my GR buddy, encouraged me to join this group even though I've read only one Stephen White book, Dry Ice. I'm especially interested in reading Higher Authority. I'm not sure I'll keep up with all the monthly reads but am looking forward to participating. It's nice meeting y'all.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Thanks for joining Susan :-) The group reads are all optional, no required reading here :-) You can just read along with the titles that interest you. I'm currently reading Await Your Reply, which was chosen as the Spring Group Read. It's really fun and it will be an active discussion through the end of June.

[Shirley]

Susan you are welcome, I will going to get Await Your Reply and start reading it. Thanks!!

[Janice]

Welcome, Susan. I am trying to find a copy of Await Your Reply so that I can join in that group read, and am also waiting for my copy of Moonlight Falls to arrive for that group read as well. I have my copy of The Weight of Silence, but have not yet started it.
I really liked Higher Authority, it is one of my favorites by Stephen White.

[Susan (aka Just My Op)]

Thanks for the welcomes. Janice, I'm like you in that the books I buy are more often nonfiction because it takes me longer to read than fiction, and I too have a great library dictrict where I get most of my fiction.

I requested Higher Authority from my library yesterday and can go pick it up this afternoon so I can get started and catch up.

I want to read more of the threads in this group, but started with the Higher Authority thread yesterday. What an interesting conversation. I appreciate everyone's input. I'm going to enjoy participating.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

:-) A warm welcome to Maxine, Carol and Karen who have joined recently. Please make yourselves at home and feel free to participate/comment or just follow the discussions. Thanks for joining the Stephen White - Alan Gregory Group!

[Laurie]

Hi! I'm Laurie and I've read all of Stephen White's books. My favorite was Kill Me, but I love the series. I live down the road (Hwy 93) from Boulder in Morrison - I love all the Colorado references, especially Sam Purdy and hockey.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Welcome Laurie! Glad to get another local Stephen White fan! Please feel free to join in any discussions or group reads that interest you :-)

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Welcome to the group Nathan! Thanks again for letting us know about your book - we might be reading it very soon!

Reminder: everyone please check out the Goodreads Authors thread (in the How Group Reads Work folder) & vote on the current poll (the poll will only be open through this Saturday). Thanks.

[Nathan]

Dustin wrote: "Welcome to the group Nathan! Thanks again for letting us know about your book - we might be reading it very soon!

Reminder: everyone please check out the Goodreads Authors thread (in the How Group..."

Thanks for linking me in Dustin. Alright, Stephen White newbie here...hook me up with what one I should read first.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Nathan wrote: "Alright, Stephen White newbie here...hook me up with what one I should read first. "

Well, you can start with the beginning which is this one:


or you could try one that is more of a stand-alone:


OR we are currently in the last week of our group read on this one - which is book 3 of 18:


I think where ever you start, you'll be okay :-) I started with Blinded and read them out out order until recently. I've read the last four in order.

[Laurie]

Nathan, having read them all I would say either start at the beginning or with which is my favorite. Enjoy!

[Susan (aka Just My Op)]

Welcome to the new members! I'm an oldtimer, having been with the group for a whole six days now. ;-) It's a great, friendly group.

I had read only one Stephen White book, Dry Ice, before this week and am reading Higher Authority now but am going to start slowly going through the other Alan Gregory ones in order. There is a ton of fresh snow here this AM with more to come, and I have the luxury of being able to stay home and read, so that is exactly what I'm going to do.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Susan wrote: "There is a ton of fresh snow here this AM with more to come, and I have the luxury of being able to stay home and read, so that is exactly what I'm going to do. "

It's just a very rainy day here in this part of Colorful Colorado :-) You can have all the snow, I've had enough of it!

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Susan wrote: "There is a ton of fresh snow here this AM with more to come, and I have the luxury of being able to stay home and read, so that is exactly what I'm going to do. "

It's just a very rainy day here in this part of Colorful Colorado :-) You can have all the snow, I've had enough of it!

[Christine]

Greetings from sunny California! Its supposed to be 70 today with bluebird skies, perfect for dragging out one of my lawn chairs and sunglasses and a good book! The birds are singing and all my spring flowers are blooming. I love it here!

[Shaun]

Thanks for the invite, Dustin. My name's Shaun, and I write books. Some people like them, others don't. Such is life :)

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Shaun wrote: "My name's Shaun, and I write books. Some people like them, others don't. Such is life :)"

:-) I really enjoyed reading The Kult and I have your other books on on my to-read shelf - even entered a giveaway drawing for your newest one. When Shirley checks out the group, she might be interested - she commented on my review and is a member of this group.

Anyway, Thanks for joining & hopefully we'll have a group gathered to read your book in the not-so-distant future :-)

[Maicie]

Shaun wrote: "Thanks for the invite, Dustin. My name's Shaun, and I write books. Some people like them, others don't. Such is life :)"

Read Shaun's books! The Kult is my fave. I like a book that I can get good quotes from and The Kult is full of them. I don't usually like series but I hope Shaun makes a sequel to The Kult. Hint, hint.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

There is now a discussion thread for Shaun's books in the Other Authors folder (at the bottom of the group page) :-)

[Shaun]

Maicie wrote: "I don't usually like series but I hope Shaun makes a sequel to The Kult. Hint, hint"

Cheers, Maicie. I'm working on another novel featuring Prosper Snow at the moment. Getting close to the end, and yet again, things are looking grim for him. Lol

[Jan]

Hi! I'm Jan from Santa Fe, NM and have been reading Stephen White for many, many years!

I LOVED The Siege, and an anxiously awaiting his latest coming out in August of this year!

Thanks for starting this site!

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

:-)Welcome to the group Jan!!!!

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

:-)Let's see how many Jans do we have in the group now? I've lost count. ha! ha!

[Janice]

I think there are at least 2 Janice's and 2 Jan's, maybe more!!! Welcome, Jan from Santa Fe.

[Jan]

LOL! I noticed that! I was trying to figure out how to distinguish mine from all the others! HAHAHAHA!!!

[Jan]

THANKS for the welcome Everyone!

[Jan]

I am an artist and I also do animal rescue transports. I have almost all my Stephen White books (except two or three not available yet on Audible.com) now on my iPod and I listen to them when I'm at my studio or when I'm in the car doing a transport.

I can get my reading done that way while doing other things!!

:-)

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Shawnee wrote: "Hello! I've only read one Stephen White book so far. The problem is that I have so many books I've acquired through library book sales, garage sales, and from my Mom but I don't usually get a ser..."

:-) Welcome to the group Shawnee. Thanks for joining!

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Jan In Santa Fe wrote: "I am an artist and I also do animal rescue transports. I have almost all my Stephen White books (except two or three not available yet on Audible.com) now on my iPod and I listen to them when I'm ..."

I do a lot of audiobooks too :-) I envy your talent. How long have you been painting? I'm assuming painting is the artist work you're talking about, but it could be something else. That would be amazing to do animal rescue transports - have heard it's a very rewarding thing to do. Since you're an artist, you might enjoy the book we had as our winter group read - painting plays a major part in the murder mystery. It's more of a cozy than thriller - readers have to pay close attention to the details or they'll get lost. The book is available on audiboook.


Still Life

[Robin]

Hey Dustin, Thanks for letting me join your group. I have not read any of Stephen White's books yet.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl, Colorful Colorado]

Robin wrote: "Hey Dustin, Thanks for letting me join your group. I have not read any of Stephen White's books yet."

Well, you've got lots of fun ahead of you then! Kill me and The Siege are a lot like stand-alone novels even though technically part of the series. In an earlier post, we talked about which book to start with you can go back and read those posts if you want our advice :-) I really like Higher Authority just because I grew up in Utah - It's probably his most controversial book. The first book in the series in Priveleged Information. Several of his books (if not all) have disturbing elements. I think his newest is going to be very Boulderish - I'm starting it tonight :-) Let us know if you want any advice - we'll be happy to share ours.