The Next Best Book Club discussion
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Reading a series?
The Wheel of Time Series by Robert Jordan is fantastic. I've read 6 out of the 11 that are published. The 12th is on it's way. (Even though he died, his friend is finishing the 12th book for him. It's sad to see him not finish it)Also Ian Irvine's Three World Series is also good.
Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants. Marian Keyes' Walsh Sister's Series (if you want to call it that) Is also good.)
P.D. James has a few good ones. Check your local library for her titles. I just spent a year reading a book each month. British mysteries. I liked the characters, and the vocabulary was stimulating. I don't here much about that here, but I think you'd enjoy her. She worked in a copshop in britan for 20 years, and started writing crime novels in the late 70's. Most recently one of the books "Children of Men" was made into a movie.
marion, i loved that movie. i've been meaning to pick up the book. did you read it? if so, what did you think?
I second (or third, or fourth?) the following:Stephanie Meyer, Twilight series
Jim Butcher, Dresden Files
C.S. Lewis, Chronicles of Narnia
J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter
Charlaine Harris, Southern Vampire series
I also like:
Alexander McCall Smith, The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency
Jasper Fforde, Thursday Next series
Lee Child, Jack Reacher series
Logan:
Jordan's description and characters are absolutely amazing. It will be interesting to see how Sanderson does complying the final book.
Have you read any of Sanderson's works?
Jordan's description and characters are absolutely amazing. It will be interesting to see how Sanderson does complying the final book.
Have you read any of Sanderson's works?
Emilee, I haven't read any of his books yet but have had Elantris on my list since I first spotted it on the shelves. The cover was fantastic and it's well-reviewed, but I don't know how he'll do with Jordan's universe.
Here are my series:Deep Breath....Here we go.
Harry Bosch-Michael Connelly
Lincoln Rhyme-Jeffrey Deaver
Kay Scarpetta=Patricial Cornwell
Spenser-Robert B. Parker
Stephanie Plum-Janet Evanovich
Jack Reacher-Lee Child
Elvis Cole-Robert Crais
Alex Cooper-Linda Fairstein
Lynley-Havers-Elizabeth George
Alphabet Mysteries-Sue Grafton
The Mitford Series-Jan Karon
Alex Delaware-Jonathan Kellerman
Cork O'Connor-William Kent Krueger
Gennaro-Kenzie Series-Dennis Lehane
Kevin Kerney-Michael McGarity
Deborah Knott-Margaret Maron
Paul Madriani-Steve Martini
Boldt-Matthew-Ridley Pearson
Derek Strange-George Pelecanos
Temperance Brennen-Kathy Reichs
Prey-Davenport Series-John Sandford
Simon Shaw-Sarah Shaber
Joe Kurz-Dan Simmons
#1 Ladies Detective-Alexander McCall Smith
Tony Valentie-James Swain
See my problem?
I am in the middle of most of these.
Some I have read all and wait patiently for the next one.
Like them all.
Can't read one in the middle. If I hear of a book that is in the series, I have to start at 1 and read them all in order
This is why my Mountain is as tall as Mount TBR is as tall as Everest.
Logan:
It would/will be difficult to fill Jordan's shoes. From what I understand he had most of it done but I also understand from friends who love Tolkien that his son didn't do as well when he completed the unfinished works. But Sanderson apparently was very close to Jordan.
I am still excited. Jordan's wife is still editing the book so I think we shouldn't be disappointed.
It would/will be difficult to fill Jordan's shoes. From what I understand he had most of it done but I also understand from friends who love Tolkien that his son didn't do as well when he completed the unfinished works. But Sanderson apparently was very close to Jordan.
I am still excited. Jordan's wife is still editing the book so I think we shouldn't be disappointed.
A series that I would abseloutely recommend:The Gossip Girl series by Cecily von Ziegesar
Harry Potter is, of course, a timeless classic, as well as Narnia.
The Buchanan series by Julie Garwood are great too.
I second anyone who has already mentioned the Dark Tower series by Stephen King, those books have changed my life. Honest-to-God. If you love fantasy and adventure with a tint of horror, this series is for you.
I can not believe I have not put these in here , but if you guys/girls are looking for some over the top adventure/thriller stuff you should try the Pendergast series by Douglass Preston and Lincoln Child. Pendergast is a guy from New Orleans who just happens to be brilliant and a Special Agent for the FBI. He at times gets away with wayyy too much but the books are always enjoyable.Agent Pendergast starts in the first 2 books Which are:
Relic and Reliquary which are kinda really over the top but then they start getting good again with:
Cabinet of Curiosities
Still Life with Crows
Brimstone
Dance of Death
Book of the Dead
Wheel of Darkness
I just checked their website and they are scheduling a new one next summer called
Cemetery Dance
They are really fun, a bit over the top but done well books and the characters are interesting (to say the least).
Jaime, my husband is in to the Dexter series. He absolutely loves the books. He started out watching the series on t.v then when he got his hands on the books, well it was all over after that.I am getting him the third book in the Dexter series in paperback. I had to preorder the paperback since it wasn't due out till sometime this month. I just couldn't bring myself to buy the hardback edition. I am so cheap sometimes.
I love reading series because the anticipation of the next book and what happens is so fun, sometimes even better than the book itself. My favourite series is the Harry Potter series, Lord of the Rings triology and the Twilight saga. I want to read another as well but so far, nothing has caught my interest. I did read the first book of the Inheritance triology but then I didn't like the second book and so I stopped. I need to find a new series though. Hmm...
One of my favorite series and one I feel comfortable recommending to others is Julia Spencer-Fleming’s "Miller’s Kill" series. It begins with "In the Bleak Midwinter". It’s about an Episcopal priest (and tough ex-Army chopper pilot) named Clare Fergusson, newly arrived at St. Alban's. A newborn infant is left at the church, which brings her together with the town's police chief Russ Van Alstyne. I really enjoy this well-written series.My 9 others would be:
Michael Connelly - the Harry Bosch series
Lee Child - the Jack Reacher series
Robert Crais - the Elvis Cole series
David Rosenfelt - the Andy Carpenter series
Mark Billingham - the Tom Thorne series
Jack Kerley - the Carson Ryder series
Carol O'Connell - the Kathy Mallory series
William Kent Krueger - the Cork O'Connor series
P.J. Tracy - the Monkeewrench series
I have been reading the Preston/Child series, after repeated recommendations from my friend. I have read Relic, Reliquary and The Cabinet of Curiosities. I need to get Still Life With Crows. I am also always up for a book from the Dark Hunter series. I read the first 2 in the Twilight series, but the 2nd book annoyed me to no end. I have some J.D. Robb books that I have yet to read. But those are kind of my backup books.
Cadfael Mysteries by Ellis PetersDark is Rising Sequence by Susan Cooper (childrens)
Cirque du Freak by Darran Shan (young adult)
The Brothers of Gwynetth (sp) Edith Pargeter (real name of Ellis Peters)
Cassie Palmer series by Karen Chance
Mercy Thompson series by Patricia Briggs
Montana Trilogy by Ivan Doig
Mabinogon books by Evangeline Walton
Newford series by Charles de Lint
Ooops, those would be ones I've enjoyed in the past. I'm eagerly awaiting the next Mercy Thompson book and the next book by Karen Chance. I'm trying to get into the Alex Ryder series so I can book talk them to my fifth graders (not so much luck yet).
I'm a sucker for series. Setting Stephenie Meyers' aside, Scott Westerfeld's Uglies and Midnighters series' are wonderful. Cassandra Clare's series The Mortal Instruments is good, too. The first three of James Patterson's Maximum Ride series are good, but I don't recommend the fourth to anyone except extreme global warming fanatics. If you like any of Shannon Hale's works (a little more folk tale-ish), then read her series: Goose Girl, Enna Burning, River Secrets. And, of course, there are the classic Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia.
I like to read James Lee Burke, not really a running series but they all refrence each other is some form but you can read them without starting at square one. His love of and description of Louisana is so wonderful you feel as though you are sitting beside the characters!
Series I currently reading:1. Vampire Chronicles- Anne Rice
2. The Belgariad- David Eddings
3. Harry Potter- J.K. Rowling
4. Eragon- Christopher Poalini
5. Dune- Frank Herbert
6. Maximum Ride- James Patterson
7. Dangerous Days of Daniel X- James Patterson
8. His Dark Materials- Phil Pullman
9. Hitchhiker's Guiide to the Galaxy
Funny, I've read the first books in more than half a dozen series as of late (thanks to GoodReads). I'll list those first:Alex Cross-Patterson
Step on a Crack-Patterson (can't remember the name of the series)
Frankenstein-Koontz
Nursery Crimes-Jasper Fforde (sp?)
Aunt Dimity series-CUTE!
Twilight
Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
I have also read some or all of the following:
Stephanie Plum (my guilty pleasure)-Evanovich
Dark Tower-King (haven't read in 10 years--I have to catch up!)
Womens Murder Club-had to stop after #5 b/c of the glaring inaccuracies of the medical field-blech!!!!!!!!!!!!
Harry Potter
Narnia
Sherlock Holmes-no idea if this counts, or how many of them I've actually read.
Funny, but with a to-read list as big as mine, it's hard to focus on a series. Oh, well!
I'm in love with Phillipa Gregory's books about the Tudors. I'm not sure if it qualifies as a "series," but each book is about a different historical figure in the true-life soap opera of Henry VIII. The Other Boleyn Girl started it all for me...
I finished Kage Baker's Company series recently. It starts with In the Garden at Iden. Really funny, dry british type humor about time traveling cyborgs. Not usually my style of book, but very engaging. I picked up the second one 8 years ago by chance and I've been hooked ever since. There are 8 novels and a couple short story collections.
I like series. I like the development of characters.Twilight series-Stephanie Meyer
Stephanie Plum- Janet Evanovich
Women's murder club- James Patterson
Heather Well's mystery- Meg Cabot
Queen of Babble-Meg Cabot
Let's see if I can list them with out forgetting any. Probably not. Tess Gerritsen--Jane Rizzoli and Maura Isles series
Laurie R. King--Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes series
Charlaine Harris--Sookie Stackhouse, Southern Vampire series
Agatha Christie--Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot series
Stephenie Meyers--Twilight series
Sue Grafton--Alphabet Murder series
Ariana Franklin--Adelia Aguilar series
J.K. Rowling--Harry Potter series
Linda Fairstein--Alex Cooper series
Deanna Raybourn--Lady Julia Grey series
C.S. Lewis--Chronicles of Narnia
Cornelia Funke--Inkheart Series
John Bellairs--Lewis Barnavelt and Rose Rita Pottinger series
L.M. Boston--Green Knowe series
OK, that's it for now. I'm sure I've forgotten some, especially in the children's and young adult ones. I love series.
I have started to read more series type books. some of the ones I have read are:Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling
Lord of the Rings by Tolkien
Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyers
Dark Hunter Series by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Odd Thomas Series by Dean Koontz
Dexter Series by Jeff Lindsay
Anita Blake series by Laurell Hamilton
Stephanie Plum Series by Janet Evanovich
and I'm going to be starting the Southern Vampire series by Charlaine Harris
Okay, here are my picks:Stephanie Plum Series (I agree, the newest one was not as good as the rest -- I guess you kind of run out of steam by 14!!)
Spellman Series
Harry Potter Series
Womens Murder Club Series
Narnia Series
And, I'm kind of eehhhh about the Twilight series, but I'm reading it.
Jess, I hope you enjoy the Southern Vampire series as much as I did. How do you like the Anita Blake series. I've got the first one ready to read soon.
Fiona, the Outlander series is another one that I have the first book waiting to be read. I've been told by some friends that know me and what I like to read that I'm going to love it.
Kathy - I liked Anita Blake until the author started dispensing with plot altogether. About the first ten, I think.
I just got both of those Kate, I'm looking forward to reading them. I'm also reading the Eragon series, and the vampire chronicles.
Women's Murder Mysteries - James PattersonAlex Cross series - James Patterson
Cedar Cove series - Debbie Macomber
I'm reading the Outlander series, The Twilight series, I'm waiting for the next J.R.Ward's BDB series, I love Kresley Cole's Immortals, Sherilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunters. I can't read an author or a series in a row - I have to intersperse them. Oh, and Nora Roberts The Blood Brother's trilogy, I've read #1 & #2. And I liked her other paranormal series, the one that started with Morrigan's Cross.
I'm not going to repeat the ones already mentioned.let me just had:
terry prachett's discworld series - I love it, always makes me laugh out loud
and captain alatriste series by arturo perez-reverte, caught the first 3 in my bday. its a great historic adventures series. reminescent of dumas works
I hate series, they are a torture
The Outlander series (first and foremost) YUM!!!I've also been enjoying the Mark of the Lion series - by Francine Rivers ( #1 was "Voice in the Wind" , #2 "An Echo in the Darkness" and #3 is "As Sure as the Dawn"
They are all Christian fiction set in Roman / Gladiator time
:)
Did you really Jenn? I read the first one on the advice of an IRL friend. I was sort of mehhhh over it. I have #2 and #3 sitting in my TBR pile. I picked them up at the local library sale for reeeeally cheap. I'll read #2, and #3 if otherwise I'm missing something. My IRL friend said they were "really good" as well.
Kathy- I just finished i think the 13th book in the Anita Blake series, and I for the most part enjoyed the books. Although the books have changed from the beginning to the end of the series. From like the 10th to where I am now, the author seems to be trying to fill up the books with sex and less story line which is irritating. But i need to keep reading the series to find out what happens with Anita. But people have told me that with her newest book she eased up and went back to the better storylines and only some sex. Enjoy the first book it was pretty good.
Kate: how did you like the Wicked series? I was just in stop and shop and they had a Lion Among Men. I'm going to read it, but I wasn't that impressed with Son of a Witch although I thought Wicked was amazing
I just started the new series by Stephen R. Lawhead I have read his Arthurian series but this new one is Called the KIng Raven Trilogy the first 2 books are:Hood and
Scarlet: The King Raven Trilogy - Book 2
I'm scrolling through my shelves trying to find less-common ones...Sallie Bissell's Mary Crow books are really good. They can be pretty rough thrillers, but they are good.
Ann B Ross's Miss Julia books are nice, clean, funny books about an older Southern woman who has way more spunk than she thought she did.
Lauren Willig's flower books are fun, fluffy historical chick lit that I find hilarious.
All of the Anne of Green Gables books by L.M. Montgomery.
It's been a long time, but Guy Gavriel Kay's Fionavar Tapestry still stands out in my mind as being a fantastic take on epic fantasy with some King Arthur/Guenevere stuff thrown in.
James Herriot's animal books are wonderful non-fiction accounts of a country vet's life in pre-WWII Yorkshire. I'm not a non-fiction fan at all, but these read like fiction. I laugh and cry every time I re-read them.
Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next books are funny, absurd mystery books for bibliophiles, but the humor probably isn't for everyone.
Jacqueline Carey's Kushiel's Legacy books are pretty engrossing epic fantasy also. But these really aren't for everyone. The main character is basically an s&m courtesan/spy. The sex scenes could be worse, but they're definitely in there.
I like Jim Butcher's Codex Alera series also. It's starting to drag a little at the end of book three though. I haven't read any of his Dresden Files series, but they're on my list.
Sorry for the long post, but all of these jumped out at me!
Does anyone else tend to forget about series they start, even though you really liked the books? I do that all the time. Once I catch up to wherever the author is currently, I almost never remember to pick up the next ones as they come out. Not to mention that I've forgotten a lot by the time the next book comes out and I'm lost. I honestly prefer series that are definitely finshed, althought I obviously don't make that a hard and fast rule.
Yup I did that with David Hewson , I have ( what I thought) was his latest book A Lizard's Bite and I just realized he has written 2 more since then .....sheeeeshsh.
Irish History (fiction Emerald series) which I am just beginning to read...stumbled upon is wonderful! Each chapter begins with some extraordiary quotation of an Irish author/poet. Song of the Silent Harp (An Emerald Ballad #1)
by B.J. Hoff
Heart of the Lonely Exile (Emerald Ballad)
by B.J. Hoff
Also, yes, discovered a long ago favorite, Stephen King's The Talisman, had a sequel which I have been trying to get through (to find the time for!) called Black House.
Books mentioned in this topic
A Dance to the Music of Time: 1st Movement (other topics)Vienna Prelude (other topics)
Obsidian Butterfly (other topics)
The Fellowship of the Ring (other topics)
New Moon (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Bodie Thoene (other topics)Madeleine L'Engle (other topics)
Harlan Coben (other topics)
Robert Crais (other topics)
Kathy Reichs (other topics)
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1. Animorphs I haven't finished the whole thing yet.
2. The Seventh Tower More like one story in 6 books.
3. Chronicles of Narnia I'v read those at least 7 times.
4. Farsala trilogy.
5. The Underland Chronicles.
6. Gardians of Ga'Hool
7.Enchanted Forest Chronicles
& last but not least
8.Young Wizards Chronicles