When you are not reading a YA....

[Heidi]

I am starting The Postmistress today. It was highly recommended by Kathryn Stockett - the author of The Help. And you guys probably though I gave up on mentioning that book :)

[Annie]

Bluemoon and Heidi,
I have been sampling some mysteries lately and have to share my love of a Laurie R. King series. The one I've been crazy for is her Mary Russell series. I've never been a mystery fan (at least not since high school with Dorothy L. Sayers and Agatha Christie) but these have hit me just right. The first one is The Beekeeper's Apprentice.

[Heidi]

Annie - thanks for the recommendation! I added the first one to my (now growing) tbr pile. p.s. to warn you, Agatha Raisin is considered a "cozy" mystery, so it is not too heavy in content, but I also like regular mysteries too :)

[Peep (Pop! Pop!)]

Ahhhh, now you guys have got me interested, I'll have to check out a good mystery when I'm done with my current to-read list!

As for the Glass Castle, I am having a hard time finishing this book. It is taking way too long to finish but I cannot get attached to it like I thought I would...

[Annie]

Here's a brief comment on the book by the author. I did like the book, probably because I could relate to her feelings of ambivalence about her family. It's so often a mixed bag. I enjoyed seeing her mother's paintings also.

http://www.amazon.com/Glass-Castle-Me...

[Heidi]

Shannen I am over here now if you want to give me daily (or hourly) updates on The Help :)

[[deleted user]]

The next update will have to wait until the gym tonight. Hope to get a good solid 30-40 minutes of it read while on the treadmill. Had lunch with my hubby so no reading on my lunch hour.

Am I going to be bawling at the end of it?

[Heidi]

Shannen wrote: "The next update will have to wait until the gym tonight. Hope to get a good solid 30-40 minutes of it read while on the treadmill. Had lunch with my hubby so no reading on my lunch hour.

Am I ..."

I didn't cry. I thought it was more uplifting than sad - hope that didn't give anything away. Happy reading :)

[[deleted user]]

OK, I feel better knowing that. You didn't give anything away. :)

[Peep (Pop! Pop!)]

I agree with Heidi about the ending. You should hurry up and finish it so we can discuss it.

[[deleted user]]

Read more last night. I love all these women. They are all so wonderful in their own way. I cried a little reading about how Elizabeth treats Mae Mobley. Heartbreaking.

[Heidi]

Peep wrote: "I agree with Heidi about the ending. You should hurry up and finish it so we can discuss it."

Peep - you read it already ????

[Heidi]

Shannen - all the characters were so well developed. I also felt bad for Mae Mobley. I can't believe this was her first book. I feel bad for all the expectations she is going to have on her for her second book.

[Peep (Pop! Pop!)]

Heidi wrote: "Peep - you read it already ????"

Yep, it's one of the first books I read when I was active on the site. It was before I started leaving reviews though. I do believe it's on my totally-loved shelf! Yep, just checked. Read it back in Sept and gave it 5 stars. I thought for sure I said I'd read it. Or maybe I just thought you knew because you had been to my shelf?? I don't remember the names of everyone, but I do remember what happens.

@Heidi: It is hard to believe it is her first book. I think her second book will be a best seller before anyone even reads it.

[Peep (Pop! Pop!)]

Heidi wrote: "Peep wrote: "I agree with Heidi about the ending. You should hurry up and finish it so we can discuss it."

Peep - you read it already ????"

Ok, you've got to go back and read the first 1/4 of this topic, because we talked about it a little, lol. We got off topic talking about shelves! LOL.

[Heidi]

Peep - I stand corrected! You indeed did say you read The Help (how many times has that book been mentioned here?) Sorry :) You are right, I got confused with all the shelf talk.

[Heidi]

Just started listening to The Lovely Bones on audio now that I am done with Peeps recommendation. Anyone read it?

[[deleted user]]

I read it several years ago. Started reading it while I was at the airport waiting for a plane. Big mistake! Had to put the book away because I was starting to cry. I missed the first afternoon of a work conference because I couldn't put it away. :)

[Heidi]

Thanks for the update Shannen. I'll let you know what I think when I'm finished, but so far so good.

[Caliophe]

If you like since fiction i recommend Dr Futurity Philip K Dick, and i like Dans Brown Angels and Demons too

[Peep (Pop! Pop!)]

I tried to read about 2 months ago but got so frustrated I couldn't finish it. But I'm picky like that, so don't listen to me of course!

I meant The Lovely Bones btw, not Caliophes recommendations :)

[Heidi]

Oh Peep. What are we going to do with you? :)

[[deleted user]]

I think a new book shelf is in Peep's future...and if I had a good imagination, I could give it a silly name. LOL!

Wait a minute, maybe she already has The Lovely Bones on one of her bookshelves. *off to check Peep's bookshelves*

[[deleted user]]

Peeps - OK, I didn't see The Lovely Bones on any of your shelves. But I love "confused--must try again later"! I have felt that way about books before too but then I never do try it again later. ;)

[Heidi]

Caliophe wrote: "If you like since fiction i recommend Dr Futurity Philip K Dick, and i like Dans Brown Angels and Demons too"

Thanks for the recommendation - I'll check out the Dr. Futurity. I read Angels & Demons and the Davinci Code and liked them both :)

[Heidi]

Shannen it always comes back to the shelves doesn't it?

[Peep (Pop! Pop!)]

Shannen wrote: "Peeps - OK, I didn't see The Lovely Bones on any of your shelves. But I love "confused--must try again later"! I have felt that way about books before too but then I never do try it again later. ;)"

I started it before I thought to add books that I never finished. In fact, I think the Book Thief and The Eyre Affair were the first books that I never finished but added anyway.

And that shelf might get deleted because my to be read (ugh, so unoriginal!) is much longer, heheh.

[Peep (Pop! Pop!)]

Heidi wrote: "Shannen it always comes back to the shelves doesn't it?"

That, and The Help!

[[deleted user]]

Heidi wrote: "Shannen it always comes back to the shelves doesn't it?"

Absolutely. We're just using Peep for her shelves. Haha! Wait a minute, that sounds horrible! LOL! I'm just envious of your creativeness. :)

And The Help just keeps getting better and better. I can't wait to see what happens but I don't want it to end. Feels like Aibileen, Minny and Skeeter are my friends now.

[Heidi]

Bluemoon - I have The Lost Symbol saved in my "wishlist" at my libraries online audiobook, so will be listening to it in the near future. I'll keep you updated. On a side note, I just found out from my audio books group that there are TWO versions of The Lovely Bones on audio - one read by the author, which I am listening to right now and another version read by a professional actress. I got robbed. The author is older and monotone. She sounds nothing like a 14 year old girl! OK. Sorry! I just had to vent.(pity party for Heidi)

[Heidi]

Shannen - I felt the same way about The Help (score points for me for mentioning it again). I did not want it to end, but I had to finish it to find out what was going to happen to those three wonderful women. To add our other favorite word on here, I am thinking of adding a new shelf - "Books I likely would have loved if I had not read The Help" (more points) :)

[[deleted user]]

LOL! Bonus points for Heidi!

I haven't read anything by Dan Brown. One of my girlfriends loves his books but I have put off reading them. They don't fall under the categories of YA, PNR or chick lit so I haven't paid attention to them. Will have to give them a look-see now.

[[deleted user]]

So I finally finished The Help last night. OMG, I cried and cried. Absolutely loved it! (Maybe a new shelf name?) It was definitely a 5+ stars book! I can't believe I'm not going to get to read about Aibileen, Minny or Skeeter every night. And I really want to know what happened to Mae Mobley.

[Heidi]

Oh yea!!!!! I am so glad you liked it Shannen :) Everything I have read since has not held up. I loved all the characters and the history, but I especially loved that all the main characters lives did not revolve around men - that is too rare this day and age. p.s. I hear they are moving pretty quick on making the movie for it, I hope they don't screw it up.

[Christina]

Seconding (or thirding) recommendations for Laurie R. King's Mary Russell series. The Beekeeper's Apprentice is the one book about which I actually proselytize--it's one of my top ten favorite books of all time. I am a big mystery fan in general, and of Sherlock Holmes in particular, though, so take the above information as you wish. : )

King's Kate Martinelli series is about a modern day SF police detective, and is told with equal talent and style--just different subject matter. I like those, too.

[Heidi]

OK Christina thanks - I'll move the Beekeepers Apprentice up towards the top of my huge tbr list! p.s. I really like the Whiskey Sour series so far if anyone likes detective books - it is a female cop in Chicago and it has a lot of humor, but can be violent too (just to warn).

[Christina]

Someone please clue me in as to why I should read The Help. I keep hearing that people love it, but not why they love it.

[Heidi]

Oh Christina where to start about The Help. Well, I'll start by saying that I kept hearing about it and I read the description and thought it was NOT my kind of book, but I finally decided I would give it a try. First off, I listened to it on audio and it is the best (well behind all the Harry Potter's) audiobook I have ever listened to. But anyway, about the book. I loved it because it mixed everything that is good about books together. At different times it was sentimental, humorous, suspenseful, and historical. I loved all three of the main characters and felt enveloped in their lives. I wanted them to "win" - to find better lives and be happy. I also loved the message it sent about women being strong and independent - unlike all the muck out there where women need to find their "Edward". I could gone on and on. I just recommend you give it a try!

[Heidi]

Bluemoon - let me know what you think about the Beekeepers Apprentice!

[[deleted user]]

Heidi - OK, you had me until your comment about "Edward". Don't go dissing on my man! Haha!

Christina - The Help is an amazing book. I was apprehensive to start it but now that I've read it, I want to buy the audiobook. I don't want to say goodbye to the characters.

[Heidi]

Shannen wrote: "Heidi - OK, you had me until your comment about "Edward". Don't go dissing on my man! Haha!

Christina - The Help is an amazing book. I was apprehensive to start it but now that I've read it, ..."
Ha! I knew I would get some responses for that Edward comment!

[[deleted user]]

Heidi wrote: Ha! I knew I would get some responses for that Edward comment!

Of course! Look at my profile picture. ;) In fact, I'm getting off work early tomorrow to go see Remember Me with a friend. Hehe!

[Christina]

Okay--you've convinced me about The Help. After all, I avoided The Hunger Games because I didn't think it sounded like my cup of tea but ended up LOVING it (and passing it right on over to my 12-year-old) and its sequel, and now can't wait for Mockingjay.

[Peep (Pop! Pop!)]

Christina, you will LOVE the Help. You learn so much from it, Heidi said it really well, you really will love the characters.

The Help and The Book Thief are both highly recommended. They both deal with serious topics, but have lovable characters, humor, and tell a great story.

[Heidi]

Christina - I felt the same way about The Hunger Games - I put off reading it and then when I did I LOVED it.

Shannen - I actually think Remember Me looks pretty good, give us a review after you watch it.

[Annie]

I have been restraining myself from reading The Help until spring break (the library books have piled up), but I'm not sure how much longer I can wait with you all hyping it so much. I can feel my resolve cracking.
For all you audiobook listeners, I have a new one- Benny and Omar, by Eoin Colfer. I was never able to get into his Artemis Fowl series, but this book has me cracking up in the car and I mean HOWLIN'! The reader has a great Irish brogue which is a bit much at first, but when you've listened for a few minutes it becomes that much more hilarious and colorful.

[Melodie]

Shannen wrote: "Heidi wrote: Ha! I knew I would get some responses for that Edward comment!

Of course! Look at my profile picture. ;) In fact, I'm getting off work early tomorrow to go see Remember Me with a ..."

I'm trying to talk a friend of mine into going to see Remember Me this weekend. DH has already said no way he's going!

[Heidi]

Annie - my library does not have Benny and Omar on audio, I am bummed. :(

[Annie]

Heidi- that is too bad. I'm not sure it would be as funny without the accent. Perhaps you can recommend they buy it? I know I always welcome requests.

[Victoria]

Shannen wrote: "Heidi wrote: Ha! I knew I would get some responses for that Edward comment!

Of course! Look at my profile picture. ;) In fact, I'm getting off work early tomorrow to go see Remember Me with a ..."

Shannen, TAKE ME WITH YOU to see Remember Me! LOL. No one I know has any interest in seeing that movie! I think I need new friends!