totally off topic -- just a lot of random stuff Showing 351-400 of 1,139

[VickiLee]

My mother loves free books and often picks up mine once I have read them. Of course, many of them have murder as a central theme. She asked me why I read such twisted material, and wondered if there was something "peculiar" in the hearts of those who enjoy these kinds of stories. Are we as perverse as the characters we read about? Is there some inherent flaw that lurks in our nature? Or are we people who like to solve mysteries and try to understand why some people do what they do to others? Just a random thought.

[Wendy]

I do not consider myself "perverse" in anyway. Honestly, if it gets too twisted, I can't help feeling guilty. Not guilty pleasure, just guilty. If it's too intense I find myself skimming. However, crimes against children freaks me out... for eg. Faye Kellermans husband is Jonathon. I simply cannot cannot read his stuff although I adore Faye K.
Its strange we read to escape but those horrible things we read are right there in our headlines.

[Wendy]

I just had a thought. Could we enjoy these books because in most ends there is closure. Whereas in real life there is none.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

VickiLee wrote: "My mother loves free books and often picks up mine once I have read them. Of course, many of them have murder as a central theme. She asked me why I read such twisted material, and wondered if ther..."

1. I love dark books as a general rule.
2. I don't think enjoying dark crime means someone is "perverse" or has a flaw in his/her nature. For me it's more a case of wanting to understand what makes people do what they do -- how external forces can shape a person when combined with his/her true nature.
3. and then there's that armchair detective in me...

[Barbara]

Wendy wrote: "I just had a thought. Could we enjoy these books because in most ends there is closure. Whereas in real life there is none."

I think this is right on target. In most mystery/thriller books the perpetrator gets his/her just deserts. There's something very satisfying about this.

[VickiLee]

Great food for thought. I am a pacifist, a relic from the peace and love days, yet I am drawn to novels that explore the dark side of human nature. Others may see that as contradictory behaviour, but I don't. Like Nancy, my inner detective is always on the lookout for clues that clarify nasty behaviour!

[Jan C]

Old semi-hippy myself. Give me a good hard-boiled murder story and I'm happy.

[JK]

I've been reading a lot more mystery books at night lately and I start to get scared at night :( Does anyone else feel the same or am I just a pansy?

[Jo Ann]

Hi there! I know most of you are Stacy Green Lucy Kendall fans and I just found out that the next book.....the LAST book in the series will be out early next month...you can pre-order it on iBooks right now and get a sneak peek!!!! I am so excited and cant wait even though its the ending...... :-(

[Arlene]

I read a James Patterson book once. He had a description of a man as "a man mountain" I closed the book and I have never read another one (and of course I did not finish the book I was reading) and didn't even wonder how it ended. I agree with Loretta, he puts out too many books.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Loretta wrote: "Mary wrote: "I had to quit reading James Patterson ' s Alex Cross books a long time ago because they gave me nightmares."

Really Mary? I thought they were pretty tame. I stopped reading all Patter..."

LOL, Loretta. My husband stopped reading them after a while because he couldn't stand Nana Mama. A stupid reason to not read a book, but a funny one.

[Thomas]

I too have pretty much stopped reading Patterson. I have one that I borrowed from my s-i-l that I might read. I read a NY Times interview w. Patterson. He described how he "writes" co-author books. He writes a 2-3 page outline and then sends it to the co-author, who writes the book. I was turned off by this assembly line operation of book writing. I sent the article to my s-i-l who reads most of his books. She replied "He is a genius!" In my opinion, a genius at making money!
My wife still reads him. She says that he writes the Cross books by himself.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

All right, my friends! First Christmas gift catalogue in my mail box this year. Of all things, it's from Utz -- the pretzel people. My husband lives on those stupid things.

[Tom]

I prefer Synder's

[Katherine]

Thomas wrote: "I too have pretty much stopped reading Patterson. I have one that I borrowed from my s-i-l that I might read. I read a NY Times interview w. Patterson. He described how he "writes" co-author books...."

I stopped reading the Alex Cross series because it became all about him - just people trying to kill him or his family, and sometimes succeeding!

[Sandysbookaday (taking a midwinter break)]

Thomas wrote: "I too have pretty much stopped reading Patterson. I have one that I borrowed from my s-i-l that I might read. I read a NY Times interview w. Patterson. He described how he "writes" co-author books...."

I quit also, though I really enjoyed his earlier works, I don't like his factory assembly line approach. But there are so many authors doing this! I guess it must be awful to have so many ideas for books that you are afraid you won't get to write them all before you die.....but they just aren't the same.

[Bill]

Douglas wrote: "If anyone would like to read my revised edition of BAD MEMORIES I can give you a free coupon code for a free e-book from Smashwords, all I ask is that you review it and if you like it recommend it...."

Good luck with your book, Douglas. Request you put these promotional posts in the thread we created for them. Check out either 'all things promotional' or the 'Author's Corner'. There is a specific thread created there. Thanks.

[Wendy]

Sandy *The world could end while I was reading and I would never notice* wrote: "Thomas wrote: "I too have pretty much stopped reading Patterson. I have one that I borrowed from my s-i-l that I might read. I read a NY Times interview w. Patterson. He described how he "writes" c..."

Sandy, who else is using ghost writers? Cause I will boycott every one.
And Thank You Bill for the "reminder" to Douglas.

[Douglas]

I will never use a ghost writer as I want to write my own books and not have others put words in my mouth. I didn't know he used ghost writers. makes me wonder about other big name authors, do they write their own or use ghost writers?

[Wendy]

This reminds me of another topic and refers to all of you authors out there.. This is a way for me NOT to read your book.
1. Self promoting where you shouldn't be. It irks me to no end. And that is not the word I wanted to use..
2. You try to Friend me in order for me to see your books on your profile. You have no real interest in what I am reading or my reviews. I chose my Friends on GRs a certain way. But that is another topic.
3. Authors that create a GR Profile with only their books. In order to maybe get to know you as authors, it would be nice to see what you've read.
4. Those authors that actually rate their own books.. that is just self-serving and arrogant. It is even worse when you do 3.
#4 must be a little more tolerable to me as I just noticed several of my "faves" are doing it...lol red-faced.
5. You are discovered to be a horrible person...

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

In all fairness Wendy, a lot of people who are self promoting in the reader threads don't get that they can't until someone says something.

[Jan C]

I was a little surprised yesterday when I was recommended a book (which I have no interest in) and noted that the author had marked it as "to read". Was she sleep-walking through the writing of it?

[Wendy]

Nancy you and your moderaters have it posted everywhere. However I'll try to be more tolerant. Sigh

[Sandysbookaday (taking a midwinter break)]

Wendy wrote: "Sandy *The world could end while I was reading and I would never notice* wrote: "Thomas wrote: "I too have pretty much stopped reading Patterson. I have one that I borrowed from my s-i-l that I mig..."

Clive Cussler for one.....and I believe Wilbur Smith in his latest.....my husband is currently reading that and has said nothing about it yet, which is unusual...*:D

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Wendy wrote: "Nancy you and your moderaters have it posted everywhere. However I'll try to be more tolerant. Sigh"

We do have it posted everywhere, you're correct. And 99.9% of the time people get it. But not everyone reads the rules. If you get frustrated, imagine how we feel! You're not being intolerant.

[Sandysbookaday (taking a midwinter break)]

In today's New Zealand Herald is a list of extracts from book reviews - this is my favourite : The review is of the book Clarissa, or, the History of a Young Lady by Samuel Richardson, the review via One Star Book Review Tumblr. "The experience of reading this book is akin to being dragged through a bog of broken glass and Tabasco sauce. Face down. By a very slow mule."
I just love it!

[Barbara]

Sandy *The world could end while I was reading and I would never notice* wrote: "In today's New Zealand Herald is a list of extracts from book reviews - this is my favourite : The review is of the book Clarissa, or, the History of a Young Lady by [author:Samuel Ri..."

Ha ha ha. I wouldn't like to be the author of the book that received that review!

[Wendy]

Ouch

[Bill]

Random thought today - I'm winding down my career with the Canadian Air Force Reserves, having spent 40+ years in the Regular and Reserve forces. I have about 2 weeks left and I've been wondering what I'll do with my retirement besides read a whole bunch of books. The mind boggles.. :)

[Thomas]

In addition to reading, Liz and I travel. We also babysat grans until my s-i-l was transferred to NC. Best wishes on your retirement. I retired in 2002.

[Michael]

Bill wrote: "Random thought today - I'm winding down my career with the Canadian Air Force Reserves, having spent 40+ years in the Regular and Reserve forces. I have about 2 weeks left and I've been wondering w..."

Congrats on your retirement and my hat is off to you for serving your country for 40 years.

[Jan C]

Congratulations. I retired several years ago. I traveled, read, went to the movies. Then I had to move to NC so we could put my mother in assisted living. So I am now getting my condo together (the main problem is finding a place for all those books that are waiting in the garage), visiting my mother, reading, an occasional movie. And getting used to rural life. It is an adjustment from the Chicago-area. 20-50 miles to most shopping (not grocery).

[Denise]

My random thoughts for today: it's Halloween & no young children to bring trick a treating. When it falls on a Friday/Saturday it is more relaxing for all. Do you think if I asked my son to go trick a treating (24) would he go⁉️. Oh well time to look at old photos and reminisce...

[Bill]

Thanks for the retirement wishes. I am looking forward to it.

Re Hallowe'en, I plan to buy a box of candy today but if it follows last year's pattern, I expect 10 - 15 children and either the missus and I will finish off the candy or I'll bring them to work to fatten up my co-workers.. lol

[Michael]

Mary wrote: "Lol Denise. I hand out candy to some "kids" who are taller than I am. Some have deep voices."

Sometimes I feel like handing out shavers!

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Bill wrote: "Random thought today - I'm winding down my career with the Canadian Air Force Reserves, having spent 40+ years in the Regular and Reserve forces. I have about 2 weeks left and I've been wondering w..."

I have the same thoughts about my husband. It's a while before it's time for him to retire, but already I wonder what he's going to do.

[Bill]

I had a really nice retirement lunch with some of my co-workers yesterday, then had an even nicer surprise when I got home to discover that my wife had flown my daughter home from Ottawa to help celebrate both my retirement and birthday this coming week. Probably the nicest present anyone has ever given me.. :)

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Bill wrote: "I had a really nice retirement lunch with some of my co-workers yesterday, then had an even nicer surprise when I got home to discover that my wife had flown my daughter home from Ottawa to help ce..."

Lovely!

[Bill]

Thanks, Mary and Nancy. I think I am very lucky.

[Jan C]

Bill wrote: "I had a really nice retirement lunch with some of my co-workers yesterday, then had an even nicer surprise when I got home to discover that my wife had flown my daughter home from Ottawa to help ce..."

That sounds nice.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Barbara wrote: "Sandy *The world could end while I was reading and I would never notice* wrote: "In today's New Zealand Herald is a list of extracts from book reviews - this is my favourite : The review is of the ..."

He's been dead a really long time, so he probably wouldn't see it.

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

On a totally unrelated topic, I have been baking for the week today and I must say, there is absolutely nothing more heavenly than the smell of freshly-baked bread. Ahhhhhhhh.

[Sandysbookaday (taking a midwinter break)]

Nancy wrote: "On a totally unrelated topic, I have been baking for the week today and I must say, there is absolutely nothing more heavenly than the smell of freshly-baked bread. Ahhhhhhhh."

I love the smell of baking too Nancy - I plan on making Sticky Date Pudding a bit later on....

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

What's on your holiday wish list?

I'm hoping for the complete Mrs. Peel megapack collection of the old The Avengers TV show. I was somewhere where they were showing reruns and fell in love.

[Barbara]

My fantasy is an iPad w attachable keyboard

[Barbara]

Nancy wrote: "What's on your holiday wish list?

I'm hoping for the complete Mrs. Peel megapack collection of the old The Avengers TV show. I was somewhere where they were showing reruns and fell in love."

I love the old Avengers show . Hope u get it Nancy :)

[Nancy, Co-Moderator]

Barbara wrote: "Nancy wrote: "What's on your holiday wish list?

I'm hoping for the complete Mrs. Peel megapack collection of the old The Avengers TV show. I was somewhere where they were showing reruns and fell ..."

It looks like a lot of fun.

[Jan C]

I'll have to buy anything on my wish list for myself. My brother and sister gave me an early present of a garage door opener. So they can't be expected to fill out any wish list, although I would accept anything else they might like (or not) to give me.

[Wendy]

Actually some simple pots and pans and a good set of knives are on my mind. Really, our family does not go all out. We usually draw names and just buy for one person. Hanukkah is WAY early this year so I have no idea if we are even having a Family thing.

[Bill]

Nancy wrote: "What's on your holiday wish list?

I'm hoping for the complete Mrs. Peel megapack collection of the old The Avengers TV show. I was somewhere where they were showing reruns and fell in love."

It was a great series. I hope you get it. I liked the New Avengers too. Purdy was pretty good. I don't have anything in particular on my Xmas list. Books are always good, that's what I tell the missus.. :)