Week 12: What are you reading?

[Liz]

Hi everyone! Happy Spring! Now if it would only start feeling like spring has sprung, I'll be content. Sorry for the late check-in this week; it seems like the days are going by faster and faster.

I'm been on an audiobook kick lately, which has turned me into a voracious consumer of urban fantasy, a genre I have not really touched before. I've worked my way through the first two books in The Iron Druid Chronicles by Kevin Hearne and have just started the third. They are quick, easy reads, and I may or may not enjoy day dreaming about the main character, Atticus O'Sullivan.

I also picked up one of my all time favorites, Franny and Zooey by Salinger. The library is participating in 7 Cities, 1 Book, and as part of that, we are encouraging people to come get their photo taken with the one book they would memorize if they ever found themselves in a world similar to that of Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451. Franny and Zooey is my choice.

What is everyone reading this week? Any particular books you've read this year that you would NOT recommend?

[Ingrid]

I have Brave New World in CD in the car. It was on the Feirenheight 451 display table. Until a few days ago, I was reading Joyland, by Stephen King. Picture put it down somewhere & can't find it. I need a book locator app.

[Liz]

Ingrid wrote: "I have Brave New World in CD in the car. It was on the Feirenheight 451 display table. Until a few days ago, I was reading Joyland, by Stephen King. Picture put it down somewhere & can't find it. I need a book locator app. "

I could use a book locator app, as well! I can never remember just how many books I'm currently reading, despite the multiple lists I keep. Haha!

[Ingrid]

Liz wrote: "Ingrid wrote: "I have Brave New World in CD in the car. It was on the Feirenheight 451 display table. Until a few days ago, I was reading Joyland, by Stephen King. Picture put it down somewhere &..."

I have to list every book I am reading on Goodreads or I forget too!

[Chris]

I finally finished reading "Traction" by Gino Wickman, since it was encouraged reading for me at work. It wasn't a bad book, but I am much happier now reading "Night Circus" (Thanks Liz!). I started cataloging all the e-books I own so I could try and scratch off some more bingo squares. It's been very time consuming though because they are stored with several different sites. I wish there was an easier way to link them all with Goodreads, and even see them in a digital bookshelf so I can judge them by their covers!

[Pattie]

I am reading 3 audiobooks right now: one for lunch, one for work, and one in the car. I think it might be a sickness to read so many audiobooks at once! ;) I am also reading reading "El Deafo" by CeCe Bell and it is awesome!

[Ann]

I'm currently reading Allegiant. I reread Divergent, glommed up Insurgent in a day and a half. Now I want to rewatch Divergent and go see Insurgent.
I think the next thing I'm going to read is something by Neal Gaimon, I've been getting posts from him on my Facebook page (not sure how, but cool) so now I want to read some of his books to see what his books are like. Any suggestions?
I'm currently listening to Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton, and have The Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters (and read by Barbara Rosenblat), I love that series.

[Chris]

Pattie wrote: "I am reading 3 audiobooks right now: one for lunch, o..."

I know what you mean Pattie. My wife convinced me to start the audio book method late last year and I've been addicted ever since.

[Chris]

Ann wrote: "I'm currently reading Allegiant. I reread Divergent, glommed up Insurgent in a day and a half. Now I want to rewatch Divergent and go see Insurgent.
I think the next thing I'm going to read is so..."

Although I haven't gotten around to reading it yet, I picked up American Gods since it is supposed to be quintessential Gaiman.

[Julie]

Ann wrote: "I'm currently reading Allegiant. I reread Divergent, glommed up Insurgent in a day and a half. Now I want to rewatch Divergent and go see Insurgent.
I think the next thing I'm going to read is so..."

I really enjoyed Stardust and Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman. I listened to the audio book of Neverwhere, and it is narrated by the author... he did a fantastic job!

[Julie]

This week I started listening to Percy Jackson and the battle of the Labyrinth at work, and I'm listening to Jodi Picoult's The Tenth Circle in the car and shower.

It's been a crazy couple of weeks so if it weren't for audio books I wouldn't have gotten any reading done at all!

[Liz]

American Gods was great, and I just read his newest collection of short stories, Trigger Warning which was amazing. I highly recommend Good Omens by both Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. I was really sad to hear about Pratchett's passing recently.

Ann, I really liked Divergent but thought the series went downhill very quickly. You'll have to let me know what you think when you get through all three.

[Vivian]

Ann, I read "Ocean at the End of the Lane" by Neil Gaiman last year & really enjoyed it. It was the first I've read by him but I plan on picking up more.

[Ann]

Thank you all for your recommendations. I have put the audio of Neverwhere on hold as well as Stardust. I'm still reading Allegiant, and am interested in how it ends.

[Julie]

I've heard mixed reviews on the Divergent series, but it's on my list of things to read too. I'll be interested to hear your thoughts.

[Ann]

I finished Allegiant last night. Without giving away too much, I could see why she ended it the way she did (I didn't like it... but I could see why she did it). It was a great story, and well told. But still.

[Liz]

Ann wrote: "I finished Allegiant last night. Without giving away too much, I could see why she ended it the way she did (I didn't like it... but I could see why she did it). It was a great story, and well tol..."

Thanks for sharing, Ann. I, personally, thought the last book and a half felt haphazard and like she didn't do a lot of planning before writing and publishing it. I had no problem with how the series ended. In fact, I sort of like that it didn't have the "typical YA ending." I haven't seen Insurgent yet; this might be one case where the movies end up being better than the books for me.