Romance, Historical or Otherwise discussion
What Are You Reading Now?
Have fun DG, I hope you all come to some good resolutions.Stacia, I think your husband's plan sounds like a good one. It is scary though to make a change that will lower your bottom line.
Stacia ~ the professional insomniac wrote: "I do that all the time.Hart is one of those authors who writes brilliantly but she doesn't turn my crank. I have this weird thing about not wanting to mix sad storylines with books that are suppo..."
That totally makes sense. She doesn't fall under smut IMO. Some of her writing can be disturbing because it's so realistic compared to most romances. She gets into the psyche of the main characters and you can't help but empathize, thus leaving you in tears. However, her sex scenes are smokin'!
Always. But we're heading toward 40 in a few years and the thought of being in a position with no room for growth is a huge motivator to try anything different. Although, we are still waiting to find out if there are benefits. If there aren't, he won't be able to do it because we finally got to a place where we have decent benefits after going without for almost 10 years. A few high hospital bills put the fear into us to not want to go without again. Not with a family of 4...and trying to purchase your own insurance is so expensive right now. There's no way we could do it with a pay cut.
Thanks, for the link, Regina. My hubby's company was just acquired by another and people are dropping like flies. I'm worried that he will not have a job in a few months...so, I will pass on that link to him.DG, start looking for a new job. It sounds exactly like what happened to my hub's company. First the CEO passed away, then a bunch of directors quit and then they got acquired. It usually starts on top and if they aren't staying, there must be a reason.
It is so ridiculously expensive. It makes me so upset how expensive it is!
Kay -- I agree completely. Run and don't look back!
Kay, I hope it works out for your husband -- do you get benefits through him?
Regina wrote: "Kay, I hope it works out for your husband -- do you get benefits through him?"yeah, our benefits are through him but if he loses his job, I can add the fam on to mine. It is just scary b/c I always like to feel secure. also, we're a 2 income type of family so if he loses his job, unemployment $ may not be enough.
I get that completely. I am the sole income earner for my family and we wouldn't make it long on unemployment. The job world is such a scary place -- I think that is why I love the Virgin River fantasy so much. The idea that I could escape it and still have it good is very appealing.
Stacia, I know you didn't like Broken but I think you should give
a try. I liked this one more. If this doesn't change your mind about her, then she probably isn't for you.
I am surprised at how much I am liking the audio of
, I am only about 15% in though.
Regina wrote: "I get that completely. I am the sole income earner for my family and we wouldn't make it long on unemployment. The job world is such a scary place -- I think that is why I love the Virgin River f..."yes, it is scary. I'm sure the cost of living in Chicago is just as crazy as the San Francisco Bay Area. I know what you mean about VR....that reminds me that I need to pick these books back up.
Kay wrote: "Stacia, I know you didn't like Broken but I think you should give 
a try. I liked this one more. If this doesn't change your mind about her, then she probably isn't for you."I have that one, so I might give it a shot. Can't this week but maybe soon.
Although, I will definitely agree that if the third time isn't the charm, then I'm probably just not a good fit for her style.
And there goes GR with the wrong book covers again. This is getting to be comical. At least it wasn't an inspirational and erotica book mixup this time!
If I understood html, the mess up would probably make sense. But I don't.
I've actually heard that A Dirty Job is a darkly funny book. I have yet to read anything by Moore.
Stacia ~ the professional insomniac wrote: "Is your job in danger? Or did I miss part of a conversation?Leea, yeah I was only on for a few this morning. It is a rare sighting, isn't it? Just flipped the wifi on for a sec while I was waitin..."
It was fun seeing you bight and early... Haha!
D.G. ~Shameless Hussy~ wrote: "Stacia ~ the professional insomniac wrote: "Is your job in danger? Or did I miss part of a conversation?"The CEO quit a couple of months ago and now the CFO is the one now leaving.
They haven't ..."
D.G. i'll be thinking about you :)
Stacia ~ the professional insomniac wrote: "It's never a bad idea to have something lined up. My husband is considering switching jobs because he's in a dead end position that's going nowhere but if he made the jump, we'd be taking a pay c..."
New jobs are in the air... We might be moving back to either San Antonio or Austin. My husband inquired about this job there and when they guy called him back he knew all about my husband, where he worked, his job experience and pay - Jim said, it freaked him out. Its a newer company, but he needs a change and this will have more opportunity for advancement.
He hasn't even interviewed officially for the job and they are already talking about our 'relocation package.' I think if this goes, it's going to be FAST.
I've missed so much today, my internet was down. Gosh, I hate missing all the fun conversations :)Okay, I finished
, I loved it! No clue what to read next. lol! Although, it did get me out of my slump :)Maybe i'll start Cinder or the next Virgin River book. I'm headed to the baseball game with my girlfriend, I can't wait! My brother is going to meet us there and he said he'd buy me a beer. It takes so little to make me happy. lol!
I say VR, it is much better than the one we just finished together. :)
Oh, I was going more towards that one and I just have to know what happens to Denny.
It is a good one. It was interesting to approach it from knowing the "her" first. I had not read the ones where I met Denny yet.
Leea - That'd be awesome if you came back to Texas!!!
Kay wrote: "Well, I'm looking for a Sugar Daddy/Pretty Woman type theme where the guy propositions a girl for sex/dates and in return, the girl gets goods or cash. I read Unsticky a couple months ago and reall..."Ha! Why I should never scroll quickly - all I saw was "I'm looking for a sugar daddy" and I thought - "wow, bold." *grin*
D.G. ~Shameless Hussy~ wrote: "Oh I don't mean to worry you. It's just that anything that happens in my life, I feel like sharing here, LOL!I'll be fine one way or the other. One of the good things about not having a house, ki..."
I like your attitude, sister! Hope everything turns out for the best. :)
I want a sugar daddy! Haha. I just started
Stacia ~ the professional insomniac wrote: "Always. But we're heading toward 40 in a few years and the thought of being in a position with no room for growth is a huge motivator to try anything different. Although, we are still waiting to fi..."It's so tough out there. I dunno about you all, but I was brought up on the kool-aid that if I went to university and worked hard, I'd be able to afford a house and a comfortable lifestyle. Instead, my husband and I worked our asses off to get somewhere as filmmakers, only to see the industry and any hope of a decent living implode. As for a house? Hah! Here in Vancouver, crack shacks start at a half million. At least we have healthcare.
Sorry, didn't mean to hijack the thread and rant. I just feel for everyone going through unstable times and hope good things for us all. Soon.
Tellulah wrote: " I dunno about you all, but I was brought up on the kool-aid that if I went to university and worked hard, I'd be able to afford a house and a comfortable lifestyle..."I was also. I lived in a two parent household where my dad went to work every day for the same company he'd worked for his entire adult life and my mom stayed at home. They bought a house, saved their money, and retired comfortably. If only it was that easy now.
Wow, missed lots of good conversation yesterday. :)Yes, I knew about Indeed and I also use LinkedIn to stay in touch with past coworkers which is great because I'm not a good networker. I already contacted two of my former supervisors and got their OK to use them as a reference so all I need to do is start applying for jobs and talking to recruiters.
Stacia - What your husband is considering is definitely a good idea. I cannot tell you how many people I've seen in the last couple of years who have been let go of positions after being in the same company for 15 or 20 years. And regardless of what they say about age discrimination, it's definitely harder to get a new job when you're in your 50s.
I love LinkedIn, it is such a great tool. Sounds like things are moving along, good luck! Stacia ~ the professional insomniac wrote: "Tellulah wrote: " I dunno about you all, but I was brought up on the kool-aid that if I went to university and worked hard, I'd be able to afford a house and a comfortable lifestyle..."
I was also..."
I agree.
I am still listening to
and I started reading
,I am also still reading
I finished yesterday and they were both 5 stars -- I cried and laughed during both!
I really need to read those Ruby Oliver books. I've heard such good things and I think I even have the first one.
I was laughing so hard as I read excerpts to my 12 year old about Ruby's parents. And then I cried quite a few times in this book. E. Lockhart has a talent of remembering exactly what it is like to be a teenager - -from her description of what music means in the life of a teenager, the angst over social pariah status, and the excitement of making out for the first time.
I finished
and I liked it.I love all your reviews for the Ruby Oliver books, Regina. I just added book #1 to my list.
Regina wrote: "I was laughing so hard as I read excerpts to my 12 year old about Ruby's parents. And then I cried quite a few times in this book. E. Lockhart has a talent of remembering exactly what it is like ..."You think they would be of interest to a 10 yr old? Or is it more about boys and dating? Curious if my daughter might like them. Although I want to read them.
No, waayyyyy too young. I won't let my 12 year old read it. There are details about boob groping and discussions of going into the "nether" regions. The focus is definitely about a boy crazy girl and how she navigates the social scene in high school. I think it is very appropriate for high school kids. In the last book it talks about being prepared for sex.
Regina wrote: "No, waayyyyy too young. I won't let my 12 year old read it. There are details about boob groping and discussions of going into the "nether" regions. The focus is definitely about a boy crazy girl..."Ah. Thanks!
Lots of great conversations that I missed. Health care, jobs, economy, boob groping! :PNow that I finished my last exam (and boy was that a doozy!) for this semester, I have tons of extra time to read! All the time I devoted to studying can now be devoted to diving into my TBR pile. Yay!
Started
. Made it three quarters through and kind of got stuck. So much drama. Well, I'll keep plugging on it.
Kelly, I am in the minority in this group, but I couldn't get through it either.We have some great conversations on this thread! Hope you did good on your exam.
Regina wrote: "Kelly, I am in the minority in this group, but I couldn't get through it either..."Oh, good. I don't feel so bad then. But I am wondering why I feel so bleh about the book when it has gotten such great reviews.
As far as the exam, probably not the best display of my intellectual capabilities. And easily the hardest exam I've ever taken. Thank goodness it is done! Thanks for asking. :)
I read Beautiful Disaster and thought it was just okay. I didn't really like the characters or their actions. I still rated it 3 stars though.
Kelly wrote: "Regina wrote: "Kelly, I am in the minority in this group, but I couldn't get through it either..."Oh, good. I don't feel so bad then. But I am wondering why I feel so bleh about the book when i..."
I would say it has gotten a mix of very high reviews and very low reviews. It seems to be a book that hits people emotionally and that says to me the author has picked a good topic. :) It seems like people love it or not. :) Personally, I have had my share of dysfunctional relationships and there is nothing sexy or romantic about them -- so for me, I couldn't go there. But that is likely b/c it took me a long time to have a nice relationship with a good boy (Ruby Oliver I was not). I just don't like to be reminded of that past. A huge pet peeve of mine is girl on girl hate and criticism of women's sexual behaviors and I saw a lot of that in the beginning of Beautiful Disaster. So for me, that is why I didn't like it. But saying it is a sensitivity of mine may be an understatement. :)
Personally (and if anyone knows of a book like this please let me know) I would love to read a book about a dysfunctional relationship (kinda like
How to Kill a Rock Star or Unholy Ghosts or even Aftertime) where the heroine is making bad choices she is definitely not perfect (maybe even cheats, is an idiot -- all sorts of stuff), the relationship isn't healthy == but it isn't b/c the guy is controlling. Any suggestions? Ruby Oliver was like this too (although she ends up making good choices).
ETA: I guess Damaged Goods and Willing Victim were both like this too -- not great decisions, weird set up .... but I loved them.
Kay wrote: "I read Beautiful Disaster and thought it was just okay. I didn't really like the characters or their actions. I still rated it 3 stars though."LOL, so Kay blows my theory about people loving it or not! :D I didn't know you weren't a big fan, I seem to forgot that.
Kay wrote: "I read Beautiful Disaster and thought it was just okay. I didn't really like the characters or their actions. I still rated it 3 stars though."I completely agree with you. Having a hard time getting in sync with the characters and I think that is what is holding me back from enjoying it.
Yes, Regina! I wasn't a big fan. I know when everyone was reading and discussing about the book, I didn't join in b/c I was in the minority too. Kelly, I was okay and synced with the characters in the beginning of the book. But after the drama started happening, I just really didn't agree with somethings and how some stuff was so forgivable. You'll have to let us know what you think when you're done.
Definitely! There have been books too, where I am unconvinced but love it by the end, so maybe that will happen Kelly?
Romance, Historical or Otherwise
Books mentioned in this topic
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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Lynn Kurland (other topics)
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Does anyone use Linked In anymore for networking. I'm going to pass that site you mentioned along to my husband.