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What are you reading now?
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by
Ken
(last edited Feb 13, 2012 05:30PM)
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Feb 13, 2012 05:29PM
It seems to me that in the first book Rebecka kills a preacher and the other people to protect herself. It was similar to what happened in "The Blood Spilt" except she actually killed them. She goes nutts but wouldn't you. Sorry I gave the first book to my daughter in Austria.
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I got hooked to Kari Vaara series from that book, and it raised James from I hadn't heard of him to my # 1 favorite Finnish crime au..."
Anna, you just described to me exactly WHY I feel so very strongly about reading a character driven series from book one only. I tried to make this point with Harry Hole too. All my reading I do only from book one, with the exception of Hakan Nesser and I read on goodreads Minds Eye was the first, it was not but I went ahead and read it so once I am finished Asa Larsson books I will revert and catch up with HN first two.
Sun Storm was truly amazing and I would, if I were you, stop now and read SS first. You will really benefit from it. They flow together beautifully and you will get so much more from them. NOT only the character but the contrast between her city life and the many recurring and interesting character and details of the rural life she is from and where the action, so far, takes place in. I feel so tuned into the weather in seasons from a book and a half already in Lapland and the peculiarities of very small community lifestyle I relate to as I grew up in a hamlet in Canada and how she writes of those social facts is excellent. Very much like another writer I enjoyed,
Gail Anderson-Dergatz. Friend on Goodreads!
Cure for Death by Lighting
A Recipe for Bees
A Rhinestone Button
Turtle Valley
Stalker 2010. Get
Regarding iBooks ...iBook is a reader that comes with APPLE apps and you can use it and it comes with its own store, a fact generally over looked or ignored throughout the organization on goodreads, or on a Mac, iPad or iPhone I can download kindle and books for kindle from amazon.com. Lately I have found the store on iBook better priced and good. Enjoy both iBook and Kindle for the dictionary, direct hook up for wiki info ..places, items. They both work well on my ipad2 and sync nicely both to my iPhone so I can always pick up my current book in a waiting room for instance.
My feelings for eBook store, is totally negative, expensive and basically useless.
Recommend both iBook and Kindle though and all apps can be accessed through iTunes for Mac or Windows, to the best of my knowledge.
Happy reading.....S
Mod
Asa Larsson
Sun Storm. ****** iBook. Rebecka Martinsson #1
The Blood Spilt ****** iBook
The Black Path. ****** iBook
Until thy wrath be past. iBook
Hakan Nesser. .....Inspector Van Veeteren Mystery
Borkmann's Point 2007
The Return. 2008
Mind's Eye on kindle first read 2009
Woman with Birthmark. 2010
The Inspector and Silence 2011
To get:
The Unlucky Lottery
Hour of the Wolf. April 2012
Mod
So despite having an iPad, I guess I'm one of the few who prefers to read most of the books still in an analog form. Easier to concentrate - my attention span is often that of a kitten.
I prefer character driven rather than dialog driven books as well, but sometimes some series get better (or worse) as the series progresses. And sometimes it's the small things that make or don't make a series interesting. Van Veeteren for instance didn't cut it to my favorites, not just for the general boringness and not being interested in his job but more in his pseudo-Dutch food, but for e.g. having a son in prison. That was mentioned somewhere early in Borkmann's Point.... A small little detail perhaps but a son or a daughter in prison is an instant turnoff for me in the detectives. Van Beeteren got a second try though, but The Return left me as cold.
It's a crime if a character driven book of a series does not open for a new reader in a book somewhere later in the series. So far I don't think it's that much of not opening, the only thing was that horrible way to introduce her in the book. The casual mention of her having killed three men, then not elaborating it any further like it was a detail of the same category as her having a new pair of shoes or a new haircut.
Mod
What I liked about Van Veeteren character and the HN books, although only read the one so far, was the sparse writing style. Currently reading a book that describes every stick of furniture and nuance of expression and possible meaning to each and every detail. Sort of like the cheat of music or canned laughter telling a person where to laugh or pay attention in low grade productions, I hate being led along by a writer so much that my own experience and imagination are not used. That he leaves the area in Sweden open is fun. There are no parts of Minds Eye that brought anything in Holland to mind for me except the name so suspect his family immigrated at some point. Many did.
I like my main characters to have skeltons and or flaws, most of us do. Can think of many that my favorites had in their past...things and experiences I feel probably explain the character now!
With regard to family....we sure as heck don't choose them! They can be a lot to cope with.
Sun Storm was a delight for me as I had not had a book in awhile that I truly did not want to put down.
I thought that too about electronic reading. But our house is overflowing with books and we did a cull a few years back and ended up rushing out to pick up a couple again. The surprise to us is we need to have less books in the house. Hard as we collect in series and I have even been known to number them so they are I order on the shelf!!
We were always looking something up. But not often anymore as we google or wiki everything, every query.
So we went apple last year February and have really made an effort and the pluses are huge once the adjustment is over. One main plus, less books in the house. The interactive function while reading is amazing. Such in the book you and I are currently reading, highlight a word and find out what the place or item is. This becomes very useful and addictive in fact, especially books set in other cultures and countries. I did not know that NN was such an old sports brand from Norway. The details of the church in Sun Storm were interesting too and iBook takes you straight there!
Retirement is full of new experiences! :-))
Just watched a Montalbano last night....goodness they are slow and rich and delicious and I would so love to have his house!
S
Just finished "Agent 6" ! Wow if you like Nesbo, Larsson etc. This guy will grab ya. His work centers around the Stalin era of Russia. And the gruesome realities of a police state. Fearsome poetic writing. It actually had me shaking in my chair. The story concerns Leo a fiercely dedicated Secret Police member of the State who after realizing that not everyone who is arrested is automatically guilty. After suffering the perils of arrestt, torture, banshment, and survival, he must now find out the circumstances of the death of someone he loved. Book one in this seris is "Child 44". I highly reccommend you read that first to get a real sense of the absurd, and the real. I won't give it away but these books will rip your psyche to little shreds like a major chainsaw attack.
Mod
Goodness what a recommendation and I have had his books in my to read stack for over a year now.....recommended highly by a further colleague at work who basically found them the best things he had read in years and he reads a great deal. Now I know what to tackle next for the paper read....thanks.
Thanks Sharon for not pointing out all of my spelling errors! You are a Doll!. I kind of fell onto him by accident.... Oops that doesn't sound right, or does it? Anyway I'm glad to have "discovered " such a gem.Happy reading, although happiness is really not an option here. I still think you will appreciate his style.
Mod
Looking forward to them....and a change.
Tom Rob Smith:
Child 44 (2008).
The Secret Speech (2009).
Agent 6 (2011).
Mod
Anna wrote: "Nora, how did you like Snow Angels? (If you finished it already)I got hooked to Kari Vaara series from that book, and it raised James from I hadn't heard of him to my # 1 favorite Finnish crime au..."
I like it so well I bought two copies and passed one along. Not finished yet because I'm reading it in tandem with some other books. I'm originally from Northern Minnesota and have Finnish Ancestry so this makes it all the more enjoyable in terms of familiar culture and familiar climate.
I am well into The Redbreast by Jo Nesbo. Love it! At first I was reading small spells and got a little confused because it was jumping between 1940s and 1990s. But then I got clear and understood and now I am reading every chance I get. This is my second Nesbo book (first was The Snowman) and I cannot wait for more.
Mod
Mod
Agree re HH, read them all in order one after the other and it was fabulous, also re The Leopard JN and Italian...both excellent.
Phantom release on Kindle is available for pre order for 15 March...same as J Thompson's new book Helsinki White.
Amazing high prices so I am waiting awhile.......nuts what kindle on Amazon.com costs!!! But both are out 15 March and whether paper or digital they are silly high prices. Glad I have others to take up the time between. REALLY recommend Asa Larsson. Fabulous four books.
AND have you read Jo Nesbo's Headhunters? Edge of seat stuff!
Mod
Tom Rob Smith
Child 44 (2008)
The Secret Speech (2009)
Agent 6 (2011)
Tom Rob Smith (born 1979) is an English writer. The son of a Swedish mother and an English father, Smith was born and raised in London.
Author Tom Rob Smith
Smith studied at St. John's College, Cambridge, following his graduation in 2001 he received the Harper Wood Studentship for English Poetry and Literature and continued his Creative Writing studies for a year at Parvin University in Italy. After completing his studies, Smith worked as a writer and a script editor, including a stint story-lining Cambodia's first soap opera in Phnom Penh with the BBC.
His first novel, Child 44, published in early 2008 was inspired by the true-life case of Andrei Chikatilo, who committed a series of child murders in Soviet Russia. That same year it was awarded the 2008 Ian Fleming Steel Dagger for Best Thriller of the year by the Crime Writers' Association, named on the long list for the 2008 Man Booker Prize, nominated for the 2008 Costa First Novel Award (former Whitbread). In July, 2009, he won the Waverton Good Read Award for first novels and the Galaxy Book Award for Best Newcomer with Child 44. It has been translated in 36 languages and in January, 2011, Richard Madeley and Judy Finnegan listed it in their Book Club 100 Books of the decade. The film rights for Child 44 have been optioned by Ridley Scott.
Smith's follow-up to Child 44, The Secret Speech, was published in April, 2009, and the next novel in the series, Agent 6, was published in July 2011.
Tom lives in Central London with partner Ben Stephenson, Controller, BBC Drama Commissioning.
That one I'll bet is really good. Enjoy~
Mod
You're welcome, Jean. Have a nice evening.
I am currently on page 222 of "Game of Thrones" book #1.
I'm about half-way through The Beggar's Opera by Ottawa author Peggy Blair. Unfortunately, I left it in an office I visited today and must retrieve it tomorrow when they reopen. Can't finish it tonight, and I was so looking forward to getting back to it! It is set in Cuba and the person under investigation is a police officer from Ottawa.
Mod
Thanks for the tip....had not heard of that writer. Will look into that.
Jean, I can't see the title. Is it GONE?
Hattie; I'm lovin' your photo, is it your kitty? I'm currently reading "Watchlist". A serial thriller, 2 tales written by
10 or so of some of the best crime thriller writers. (Each one writes a chapter, and it's all wrapped up by one writer, to continue on to the 2nd novel, again written by multiple writers. again each one writes a chapter. "The Chopin Manuscript" and "The Copper Bracelet" I'm psyched!
Believe it or not, I found this $29.95 book on sale for $3.00 (WHAT????)
at my local Big Lots! No... seriously! Like I could walk away from THAT!!!
Oops, Hattie, yes it is Gone. I really enjoyed it and will read more of her works.
Ada-Lee, Watchlist sounds interesting. I will see if one of my libraries has it because it would probably be one that I like.
I just received my first review (on Amazon) of my debut novel, Tiger Paw! I'm thrilled but hoping to get reviews here on GoodReads too!http://www.amazon.com/review/R2N2T0RI... :
A spell binding thriller involving the dirty side of Wall Street, a serial murderer, mysterious cults and international intrigue. The book provides an interesting insight into stock scams and the corrupt and powerful people who try to manipulate the market for their own greed. Their demise by a revengeful, evil and unknown terror evokes chilling fear if little sympathy. The hunt for the killer by the FBI agent/hero, Scott Forrester has one anxious if not apprehensive to turn each page. The author's talented use of imagery and suspense hooks you from the beginning and makes it a hard book to put down. A thoroughly enjoyable read with a surprise ending. Looking forward to more from Charles Cornell. Tiger Paw - Kindle Edition
all the books of hening mankel are good, i wrote all of them... try to read Stieg larson ,Jo nesbo, they are good writers, and the books are good.
there are two another good writers and there books are exceting, are James Rollins and Daniel Silva....
Just finished 2 books, The Club Dumas, a complex bibliophile and detective mystery set in Spain and France, and Midnight Riot (also known as Rivers of London), a paranormal police procedural set within Greater London. I recommend both. The second book is much lighter reading and can be fun reading.
Anita wrote: "I'm about half-way through The Beggar's Opera by Ottawa author Peggy Blair. Unfortunately, I left it in an office I visited today and must retrieve it tomorrow when they reopen. Can't finish it ton..."Glad I got my copy of The Beggar's Opera by Peggy Blair
back! Set in Cuba with police Inspector Ricardo Ramirez searching for the person who raped and killed an 8-year old boy, he sets out to prove that a Canadian police officer is responsible. Under Cuban law, he must solve the case within 72 hours. Sure makes a Canadian wonder about vacationing in Cuba! 5 stars for this debut novel.
right now I'm reading "presidentens valg" by Anne Holt and is a good book!!!!!!!!
Mod
Now I think more armchair travel ahead, since I couldn't resist a book I saw yesterday, The Sex Lives of Cannibals: Adrift in the Equatorial Pacific. Also not a thriller or a crime thing, but more of a travelogue for some desolate place in Kiribati. After that, I suspect it'll be time to get back to Nordic crime binge. Or as soon as I get Helsinki White, I will surely. :)
Currently reading Dark Pool by Helen Hanson. Incredibly brilliant writing and the plot sucked me in right away. Feeling really good about this book right now.
I've started The Dark Vineyard by Martin Walker. This is the second in the Bruno, Chief of Police series, and I love the French setting of Saint-Denis in the Dordogne.
Currently reading The Marching Season by Daniel Silva,as always brilliant writing....
John wrote: "I like reading police procedurals, so I was pleased to recently discover the work of Garry Disher. His books are set in Australia. Just finished The Dragon Man - whic..."I really enjoy this series. Disher also has another series that begins with Wyatt. Wyatt is a thief/con man but with scruples. Very interesting.
Mod
I've been pretty much taking a break from the crime thing for the last month or so but now am reading Child 44
John wrote: "I like reading police procedurals, so I was pleased to recently discover the work of Garry Disher. His books are set in Australia. Just finished The Dragon Man - whic..."Thanks for the heads up on this, I just finished watching East West 101 so Australian police books are very much in my interest right now.
For a change of pace I just read Lilian Jackson Braun The Cat Who Could Read Backwards I loved the cat because I am partial to Siamese cats.
Mod
I'm finally venturing to Karin Fossum's books, When the Devil Holds the Candle
Anna, LJB died recently. But she left behind some good cozies.
Started Devil-Devil by Grame Kent. It's set in the Solomon Islands in the 1960s and Sgt. Kalla is walking the fine line between his traditional upbringing and his role in the British based police force. I know absolutely nothing about these islands so I'm learning quite a lot plus it's a good mystery too.
Garry Disher's crime fiction is always at the top of my favourites lists. So John, I know you won't be disappointed.I'm reading the second book by Domingo Villar, Death on a Galician Shore - on the northwest Spanish coast. His chapters are short and witty, filled with lots of local color and humour. I really enjoyed his first book, Water Blue Eyes and although I haven't read very far yet, I'm finding this one just as entertaining.
I've just bought a book by Lee Child. Never read any of his before. Someone recommended him. I'll start it as soon as I finish Confinement by Katerine McMahon.
Mod
Only read one Worth Dying For. Look fwd to our remarks when read. I did not like the brand of mucho but could be the one book only as he seems very popular.
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