Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
2011 Challenge Archive
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A Year of J.D. Robb
Your safe, Leslie. What happens on Goodreads stays on Goodreads.I just finished ch 9, where Peabody is treating Eve's scratches and Eve has a flashback. I guess now we know the real reason why Eve is so reluctant to go to a health center.
And dear Peabody. It's so funny how she's always having to beg or connive just to get a soy dog from a glide cart.
I think Roarke wears designer black boxer briefs and McNabb wears tighty whiteys. I think Peabody just likes Charles because he is really good looking and suave. Women fall all over him and it is flattering to Peabody that he wants to hang out with her. But McNabb wants a serious relationship with her though the idea drives Eve nuts.
Totally agree in the black boxers. I'm thinking Feeney is the tighty-whitey type while McNab goes commando. Or maybe Summerset is the one who likes to let it all hang out. It's always the stuffy ones who are hiding the strangest things beneath the surface. Sorry for that mental image by the way. I've gotten further in the book an seen more of Peabody and Charles. I think they really just like each other, even though Peabody isn't totally comfortable with his fancier lifesrtyle It's kind of sweet. Does McNab know she's still seeing Charles?
Yeah he knows and he's none to happy about it. McNabb does get pretty jealous. Did you get to the part with Roarke and McNabb's man to man talk?
I just read that part. Excellent advice from Roarke. I can't wait to see what McNab comes up with to woo She-body. I like in this one how Eve and Roarke are both reflecting on their relationship and how they've 'saved' each other. It's very touching. And Eve complains about how things are so much more difficult when you have all these personal relationships to worry about. But when Mira asked her if she would go back to before she hard her circle of friends, she admits that she wouldn't. I'm curious to see if/when she decides to explore her own past.
Just Finished chapter 14. (view spoiler)And I thought it was very sweet when he gave her that candy bar. Man could by the whole planet, but it's a simple candy bar at melts my heart. Go figure.
I really liked that part too Christine. They are so sweet together.
Okay, Christine - the image of Summerset going commando just won't leave my head!! Bad Christine Bad!! And yes, there was a real sweetness to this one. And i agree about Peabody and Charles. I think he honestly likes her and enjoys the no pressure relationship. Now he needs to find a girl who will love him. Interesting concept of licensed companion. Just think of the taxes the gov't could collect. That could save the budget LOL!! (I'm actually kidding).
Why, I think you've just solved all of our economic problems. Leslie for President!!
Ha Ha - if my overdrawn (every month) book budget is anything to go by - I would not be the best answer to solve our budget problems. One of my favorite things to do while reading this series is to think about what she has come up with for the future. Like, in this one I noticed when she got her new computer, they had to hook it up to the mainframe. But I love the idea of the Auto Chef!
Yeah, the Auto Chef would be awesome! You just have to have enough credits to program it with something edible.
Hello Ladies, I don't mean to jump into the middle of your convo, and many of you have probably heard be rant on and on about this before, but as a HUGE In Death fan I can't stop myself from mentioning David Gandy...
...I really can no longer think of Roarke without picturing David
Stupid photobucket took away my pics! Don't they understand that I don't know how to post them on GR any other way?!
Kami wrote: "Yeah, the Auto Chef would be awesome! You just have to have enough credits to program it with something edible."Oh well,Kami! Did you hear me mention my book budget issues. I'm sure I would be running out of credits as well. I think I need a Rourke in my life LOL
And Penney, he is very pretty but he looks too young to fit my image of Rourke.
Kami wrote: "Yeah, the Auto Chef would be awesome! You just have to have enough credits to program it with something edible."I laughed out loud when I read this! Which is ironic since this is the one thing that depresses me about the future depicted in the series. Roarke has "real" coffee. Roarke has "real" beef from "real" cows. In one book, Eve talked with a baker who mentioned how expensive "real" sugar is. Everyone else is eating soy dogs and synthetic everything it seems. I mean, really? How bad does it have to be when you can't even get "real" hot dogs? I'm guessing there is an environmental and social commentary to this lack of real food and/or lack of proper distribution of the food. An looking at rising prices in the grocery store, I can actually see some version of this happening. You can buy a 2 liter of soda on sale for a lot less than a half gallon of orange juice. Think of the cost per pound of potato chips versus fresh veggies. Assuming you live somewhere with ready access to fresh produce. I think I just depressed myself....
On a brighter note, I like the idea of paying a parent to stay home and raise their children. What did they call it? Professional parent or something. I could totally get into that. I love my job, but I think of how clean my house could be and all the things we could do with the kids if I could spend more time at home. Wait. Did I just depress myself again?
If you think about it, there really is a lot of social commentary to be found in this series.
And I finished the book this morning. I had a feelin about who did it, but I was torn between other characters right up to the end. And can I just say Eeewww! (view spoiler). Too much to think about. I loved when Peabody saw how upset Eve was so she purposely started talking about naked McNab to distract her. It's the little moments like that between the characters that make this series for me.
Christine, I definitely think the situation had a definite "ick" factor! When you think of incest - it's between a man and a child. That transcends ick becasuse it's so obviously wrong, evil and bad. The child has no choice. But to think of a grown woman choosing to have sex with a man and then finding out that that man is her father and knew this - there is deep, guttural "ick!!".When I was in college I wrote a 30 page term paper on the incest taboo and whether it was biologically or socially imposed. My research indicated biologically. Hence the severe distaste we feel.
My favorite thing about Peabody is how she likes Roarke! And he's so sweet with her.
From a genetic and biological stand point, in-breeding is a bad thing. Hence the aversion to incest. And I did think it was totally gross. But it made me wonder about all those half-siblings running around out there who don't even know they are half-siblings (thanks to sperm banks). It's likely a very low probability they would run in to one another and become romantic, but what if? Years ago a cousin of mine brought her current boyfriend to a family gathering. My grandmother was huge into the family tree and quickly determined that my cousin and her boyfriend were actually something like fourth cousins. Distant enough to not be a legal issue, but they broke up shortly thereafter and we all wonder if that was why. That they just couldn't get over being related, even if it was somewhat distant. It's an interesting issue of where do we draw the line when we're talking about consenting adults. I guess with each branching of the family tree it gets slightly less ick-worthy until you get to so distantly related it doesn't matter anymore?Peabody has such a crush on Roarke. It's so cute! And have we figured out anything about Roarke that isn't perfect yet?
I guess we're up to
this month. Looking forward to it.
what about sibling incest - you look at a book like Forbidden which addresses this - great read by the way - and they look at it more as a socially imposed vice biologically
From what I remember from my research - the incest taboo kicks in through the actions of physical proximity and physical care from a young age. This is done to promote the male going outside the familial group. There are social factors and personal psychological factors that can obviously overcome the incest taboo. My father was an anthropologist and believed that the incest taboo was a cultural phenomenon and did not necessarily exist. I spent years working at a rape crisis center and studying child sexual abuse. I believe that it does exist, but that it can be interfered with. But it still gives us that deep down "ick" feeling!
I think this goes hand in hand with the old "nature vs nurture" debate. The more we learn, the more we realize that it's not really an either-or debate. In most things it's a complex intertwining of the two.As a scientist, I look at it from a genetic, biological, and evolutionary standpoint. It's much better for the survival of the species (and those 'selfish' genes) to breed with an individual of greater genetic diversity from yourself, someone outside of your family circle. The more genetically different your breeding partner is from you the better chance you have of picking up a beneficial difference that might improve your progeny's fitness and subsequent survival. Meanwhile, breeding within the family circle can cause detrimental, formerly recessive traits, to pop to the forefront and cause decreased fitness in your progeny. So to me there is a clear genetic/biological basis for an incest taboo. I wouldn't be surprised if there isn't some part of the 'lizard brain' that recognizes on instinct that incest is not good ad hence the "ick" response. How and when that translated into a social taboo, I haven't a clue.
Look at us. From men's underwear to the social and biological basis of incest taboos. Aren't we a well rounded group?
and they say romance readers are dumb...lol!
LOL indeed! My husband likes to make fun of my vampire and werewolf books and I keep telling him he shouldn't knock them until he tries them. There really are larger life issues to be explored if you think about them in those terms. Well, in some of them anyway. ; )
I think it takes a truly intelligent woman to appreciate romance novels and all they bring on an intellectual level. But my family (my brothers would slay me!) like to tease me as well. I came from such an intellectual family, I think that romance novels was my rebellion against that. And Christine, I think you are correct but there are social factors that will override the biological imperative. Such a fascinating topic to me!!
Almost time for Judgement in Death. I put it on hold at my library. Should be able to pick it up tomorrow and then I will be ready to start it on Saturday. Yay! Excited.
I will be ready to start this on Saturday as well. So ready for some more Eve and Roarke and Peabody and McNabb!
I might just be able to start this one on time this month. Looking forward to it.
I have been reading all morning. I am on page 152. Pretty good. Might have this done today or tomorrow.
are you guys planning on continuing this next year?
I won't be able to start until tomorrow. I'd be up for continuing next year if any one else is interested.
I'm holding off as well until the shelf is called for Bingo. And I am definitely up for continuing this series. I look forward to Eve and Roarke every month!!
I just have to say that my hunch paid off! Bingo shelf called and it is Kick Ass Heroine!! Yes!!
I am interested in continuing next year and the year after that and how ever longer to read through the whole series.On page 181 and Dr. Mira's take on Eve and Roarke "antics" so to speak is cracking me up.
Done. This one was really good. I liked it so much that I am giving it five stars. I think this series just keeps getting better. I wonder if it is still as good at books 20 and 30? So far 35 books in this series. I will sit here impatiently waiting for your comments. :)
I'm about to start this. Several people I know have given this one 5 stars, so I'm excited.
I started last night and am up to page 80. Enjoying it so far.
I'm on page 70, Christine. I'm liking it as well. Very fast paced.
I'm in the middle of the scene where Eve and Mavis are getting drunk together. I love Mavis' bits of wisdom:"You didn't figure the man factor. They got dicks. You can't ever forget the dick when you're dealing with a man...The dick's connected to the ego. It's medical fact."
"We're women. We're never wrong."
That was a great scene! But just wait till you get to the scene with Dr. Mira. Funniest thing ever!! Kami you were right LOL
I think the Mavis/Eve getting drunk is one of my favorite scenes to dateI'm debating if I want to start Imitation in Death or not
It must be the mother in me - but I prefer the scene with Dr. Mira. It still cracks me up. Though the line about dicks was probably the funniest ever. And Eve drunk on the floor - hysterical. But I love this line from Dr. Mira -
"Does he have a particular diet? Vitamins?" And the thought of her bringing that home to the hubby. Just priceless!
Dee, you don't want to wait...what? Six months or so...for us to catch up with you? : )
Just read the scene with Dr. Mira. That was priceless!
I know! Can't you just picture her fanning herself and then going home and jumping her husband after feeding him a whole lot of vitamins!! Somehow, I imagine it's still not quite the same LOL.Dee, you should definitely hold off and read it with us!! HaHa
"It was like hearing the voice of God" This one is hysterical.
Okay, I have a serious problem with one aspect of the story - but I'll wait till everyone's finished to ask my question.
Leslie wrote: "Okay, I have a serious problem with one aspect of the story - but I'll wait till everyone's finished to ask my question."Ohhhhhh...dying to know what it is, Leslie!
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
Out of this World (other topics)Three in Death (other topics)
Interlude in Death (other topics)
Betrayal in Death (other topics)
Betrayal in Death (other topics)
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And my husband would not be happy to have me talking about any man's underwear! So I won't tell him.