What are you currently reading?

[Megan]

I'm currently reading 'The Tea Rose' by Jennifer Donnelly. Oh my, I have completely fallen in love with this story. It has taken me back to that feeling of when I first read 'The Bronze Horseman', you know, when you fight yourself to put it down at night (usually at some outrageous hour) and wake up thinking about it?? Does anyone know if there are whispers for it to be brought to life on the big screen?

[Leea]

Mumbo, I loved the Tea Rose and have been meaning to read the next book the winter rose...

Just got from the library so that's what i'm reading now.

[Sally]

Mumbo wrote: "I'm currently reading 'The Tea Rose' by Jennifer Donnelly. Oh my, I have completely fallen in love with this story. It has taken me back to that feeling of when I first read 'The Bronze Horseman', ..."

The Tea Rose is a great book & totally agree about not being able to put it down. There is a sequel to it as well which I think has already been mentioned and there is also another book by her called a Gathering Light or a Northern Light, depending on what country you're in. Highly recommend it.

[Megan]

Oh I loooooooved it! TBH was very nearly knocked off top spot as my all time favourite book (but not quite!) I've borrowed A Northern Light from the library and will be starting tonight, and I've ordered The Winter Rose so just have to wait for that to be returned...

[Leea]

Mumbo let me know how you like A Northern Light. I really like Jennifer Donnelly as an Author. I should read the Winter Rose, it's sitting on my book shelf but i've got so many library books to read :)

[Megan]

I really like Jennifer Donnelly's writing style... I probably shouldn't compare this book to TBH but I can't help it. I LOVED the character Fiona, she was probably my favourite female character of all time (that's including Tatiana!!) and you know what, I really liked Joe as well. That's not to say that I didn't want to knock his block off, and he's certainly no Alexander, but I still really loved his character... I think Alexander will always be my number 1 leading man, but I think that's because physically he was the epitome of what I find attractive in a man. I'm not a huge fan of the blonde hair and blue eyes like Joe but I still really liked his character, but I just adored Fiona.

[aml]

I the Bronze Horseman but Bridge to Holy Cross let me down. I was happy that he survived but the second book was pretty disappointing but that won't stop me from reading the third

[Leea]

Just got these from the library and although i did not love i have a love love relationship with anything to do with Egypt. So i'm going to give her next 2 books a try.

Has anyone read them?

[Megan]

Leea wrote: "Mumbo let me know how you like A Northern Light. I really like Jennifer Donnelly as an Author. I should read the Winter Rose, it's sitting on my book shelf but i've got so many library books to r..."

Leea - I really enjoyed "A Northern Light", not as much as the Tea Rose (I found it a bit slow at times, it took me longer to read A Northern Light and was about half the size) but of all the Young Adult books I've read lately, this is the best. I think Jennifer Donnelly is an amazing Author. I have just started the Winter Rose. I can tell I'm going to love it as much as The Tea Rose... Does anyone know if The Wild Rose has been released yet, or if not, when it is being released? I enquired at my local bookstore and they had no idea!!

[Leea]

THanks you! Aug 2, 2011 for The Wild Rose... as per Border.com

[Megan]

It pains me to say this, but unless The Winter Rose has a dog of an ending, I have to say that The Bronze Horseman has been dethroned as my all time favourite story. I am in love with this series!!! Thank you for the recommendations ladies, I would never have found these books if not for it being mentioned on this thread, and even if I could find them in a bookstore (I managed to get torn and tattered copies from two separate libraries) I don't think the covers or blurbs would've inspired me to read them.

[Leea]

So Megan... Should i wait to read the winter rose until the wild rose is released?? I've been putting it off for that reason. Thanks... Dethroned... WHAT!! LOL!!

[Megan]

I know, I almost feel unfaithful saying that as TBH has been my favourite book for years but I have been swept away by this series, you know when it's a good book when you want to reread it the minute you finish it... Umm, I think that one of it's strengths is that each book is kind of independent from each other so although you get to follow the journey of the characters, you're not left hanging. I may eat my words as I expect to finish it tonight, but I think the next one focuses on Seamie so I think you'd be ok to read The Winter Rose...

[Lady]

I loved both Tea Rose and Winter Rose almost as much as TBH and Outlander. I connected more with Winter Rose. Charlie had a Jamie Frasieresque appearance and quality to him. Of course, the leading female being a doctor draws another close parallel to Outlander. Willa was not my favorite character in Winter Rose, but hopefully she will be able to carry on the strong, smart female lead in the next book. I'm looking forward to reading more about India and Sid.

[Leea]

I'm currently reading for my book club meeting sunday! I have to say that it's really good so far! Has anyone read it?

[Sally]

Megan wrote: "I know, I almost feel unfaithful saying that as TBH has been my favourite book for years but I have been swept away by this series, you know when it's a good book when you want to reread it the min..."

Megan I have another book suggestion for you. Try The Dressmaker by posie Graeme-Evans. I have read all of Jennifer D's books & if you love the Winter Rose you will love this book.

[Megan]

Oh thanks - I love these book recommendations, I'll look it up on my library's catalogue now :)

[Leea]

Finally started this today...

[Megan]

After years of hearing how amazing it is, I've finally started Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. I hate to be a party-pooper, but can someone please tell me it gets a bit more exciting than this? 90 pages in, and if not for the fact that it seems to be the pinnacle of the historical romance genre which I love, I would've tossed it aside by now.

[Kelly]

Megan wrote: "After years of hearing how amazing it is, I've finally started Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. I hate to be a party-pooper, but can someone please tell me it gets a bit more exciting than this? 90 pag..."

Megan stick with it. For me I really didn't start LOVING it until about page 180 which seems like a lot to read to start loving it. Keep in mind that it is about 600 pages and you'll have 7 other novels to go if you love it.
It is worth the wait keep reading!!!!!!! Don't give up!!
All that background is verra important!!!

[Alycia]

I agree with Kelly. For me it didn't get good until the time travel happens

[Leea]

It picks up fast soon... You have this feeling that something big is coming and I loved Claire from first read!! Megan i hope you like it! Keep us posted. Outlander is my first love :)

[Kelly]

Leea wrote: "It picks up fast soon... You have this feeling that something big is coming and I loved Claire from first read!! Megan i hope you like it! Keep us posted. Outlander is my first love :)"

Me too! I loved Claire! She is strong and likable not easy to do.

[Mishelle]

I have to agree, it is slow moving in the beginning then...... BAM! It hooks you slow bloody fast you dont know what hit ya~ Then you will start dreaming, breathing, eating, everything Outlander... I can't tell you how many times I have pictured scenes from the book, or even made up new ones in my head while day dreaming~ It truly is an obsession~ but a worthy one~ :)

[Megan]

I'm going to take your word for it as I'm still struggling to keep up the motivation to read it. I don't usually persevere with books that haven't hooked me in after the first 100 pages but I'll keep reading, hoping it warms up a bit soon. I guess we were spoilt with TBH hooking us in within the first 25 pages or so!

[Sue]

Loved TBH but Outlander will always have my heart. Keep with it Megan. You'll love Jamie and Claire. Plus there are so many good characters to enjoy.

[Megan]

Well admittedly I was up til 1:30 last night reading it, I am enjoying it, but am yet to fall in love with it. But yeah, I am enjoying the book now :) Geez, with Sid in The Winter Rose and now Jamie in Outlander, there's an untapped resource of red-headed (and red-hot blooded) men that I'd never given much consideration to before - maybe I should go and find me some ginger for a bit of lovin' myself LOL!

[Mishelle]

If you do Megan~ Make sure to spill all the dirt~ leaving nothing out~ We can live viariously through you.

[Sue]

Go for it Megan. We won't be too jealous!!

[Leea]

I love it "untapped resource" man i love me some hunky highlander :) I'm so glad you are liking it more megan ~ Just keep reading because it only get's better and better. It's a slow build and then whammm!!

[Margaret]

I am going to start reading book 2 of Tatiana and Alexander tonight!

[Alycia]

Yay! :)

[Leea]

oh to read it for the first time... enjoy Margaret. Hope you have the summer garden because you will want to jump right in... yay!!

[Megan]

Leea wrote: "I love it "untapped resource" man i love me some hunky highlander :) I'm so glad you are liking it more megan ~ Just keep reading because it only get's better and better. It's a slow build and the..."

OMG!!!! I am being tortured, seriously, how many more sleep deprived nights lay ahead of me? Leea, you're so right about it hitting you - I am eating, breathing & sleeping all things Outlander right now. But why didn't I start this before having a child? Burning the candle at both ends is not ideal... I feel as sleep deprived as the days of my partying youth!

[Sue]

I'm reading two books right now.(plus a little Echo on the side. Miss me some Jamie}. A Knight in Shining Armor which I'm half way through and just put it on my kindle Thursday, and reading Shelter of the Stones which I am having a hard time getting through. Not even half way and had it for about 3 weeks.

[Elaine]

I'm reading The Jewel of St. Petersburg. I'm actually a couple of pages away from finishing it. =]

[Lady]

I'm enjoying reading Fall of the Giants by Ken Follett. There are some parallel characters to Winter Rose and TEa Rose due to the time period in England. There are also some Bronze Horseman references as part of the book takes place in Russia during WWI. The love stories make the war story more interesting and I like that many of the lead female characters are not fearful and naive virgin types...although there has been plenty of de-virginizing going on so far.

[Megan]

Oooh, I love TBH & The Rose books, might have to add this to my list :)

[Leea]

Elaine wrote: "I'm reading The Jewel of St. Petersburg. I'm actually a couple of pages away from finishing it. =]"

Oh i have that books... I was not a huge fan of so i'm not sure if i want to start it yet! Can't what you thought of it?

[Bethany]

Megan wrote: "I really like Jennifer Donnelly's writing style... I probably shouldn't compare this book to TBH but I can't help it. I LOVED the character Fiona, she was probably my favourite female character of ..."

Megan, I love her writing style too, and hate to say this, but I do in fact love it more than TBH. :/ The Winter Rose was my favorite, and is it just me, or does anyone else think that TWR had one of the most beautiful endings in literature? Ahh, Sid Malone, how I adore thee!

[Megan]

I think as a sequel, The Winter Rose was so much better than The Bridge to Holy Cross. Bravo to Jennifer Donnelly for having the bravery to not drag out the success of the first book, but to create an entirely new storyline with the characters from the first book in supporting roles. This is what made me love The Winter Rose so much, it was so different to The Tea Rose, and better... (Don't get me wrong, I loved TBTHC, but I found it quite repetitive and nowhere near the quality of TBH) Sid, aaaah... And Freddie?! OMG, I hated him with a passion! :D The ending was wonderful.

[Sally]

Megan & Bethany, I have read all of Jennifer Donnelly's books and I love them too. I cannot say that the Fiona and Sid Malone series got to me as much as the TBH though. Nothing compares to TBH and Alexander and Tatiana's love for me...

[Bethany]

Yes, TBTHC was very repetitive at times. I don't think PS could ever write anything to top TBH. But yes, Freddie, complete psychopath!!

[Sally]

Totally agree about not being able to top TBH!! I don't think any of her other books compare to it and agree they are repetitive. I think if you read them all in a row they can even get slightly annoying (feedbak from friends who have done this). I read TBH before the second one came out so didn't even know Alexander was still alive. I had a meltdown in the bookstore when i saw the second one about a year and a half later:)

[Bethany]

Haha, yeah I wasn't aware that there was a second or third book when I read TBH. So when I got to the end of TBH I was like,"NOOOOOOOO"! Very bad memory!

[Elaine]

I teared up when I finished the 3rd one =(

[Viola]

Bethany wrote: "Megan wrote: "I really like Jennifer Donnelly's writing style... I probably shouldn't compare this book to TBH but I can't help it. I LOVED the character Fiona, she was probably my favourite female..."

I love The Tea Rose and The Winter Rose too! Two of my favorites! I'm definitely a Joe Bristow girl! SAWOON!!!

[Viola]

Leea wrote: "THanks you! Aug 2, 2011 for The Wild Rose... as per Border.com"

I cannot wait for this! The Tea Rose has been a favorite of mine for years! In fact, I found The Bronze Horseman because I was looking for something similar to The Tea Rose. Cannot wait for The Wild Rose!!!

[Viola]

Megan wrote: "I'm currently reading 'The Tea Rose' by Jennifer Donnelly. Oh my, I have completely fallen in love with this story. It has taken me back to that feeling of when I first read 'The Bronze Horseman', ..."

Megan, I'm so glad you liked The Tea Rose! I loved it, and when I read it the first time, it took me a couple of days to fly through it! I felt the same way while reading The Bronze Horseman. I love books that consume you so completely emotionally. I really love Fiona and Joe's story too.

[Bethany]

@Viola,
Have you ever read any of Judieth McNaught's books? I was looking for something similar to the Rose series, and came across her books. She has some really good historical romances, 'Whitney, My Love' was really good, and 'Almost Heaven'. Love her writing style, and most of her female characters are so whitty and funny!