Romance, Historical or Otherwise discussion

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What Are You Reading Now?

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message 1751: by Regina (last edited May 21, 2012 09:47AM) (new)

Regina (reginar) That would be interesting to see (such a study) and how it varied by country/culture. I would think even after she is over 40 and he is in his late 20s it would get difficult. I just remembered there is a local couple where the mom is in her late 40s or early 50s (but she is a professional dancer, so she looks amazing) and her husband is in his late 30s. They have been together for about 14 years and they have a great relationship. Seeing them together is like revisiting a couple that got its HEA in a previous book and they have a cameo in a sequel -- if you know what I mean. Everyone walks a way thinking wow, I want that!


message 1752: by Leea (new)

Leea I think it must just take such confidence in each person. In themselves, how they feel and what they really want. At 21, not sure I really even knew what I wanted. That person is not the same person I am now.

I'm sorry you're feeling depressed. Something is in the air because Friday, I couldn't handle life, I blew up at my husband (he's my safe place) and cried.


message 1753: by Regina (new)

Regina (reginar) DG I missed your top post. Thanks -- thanks everyone! I am sorry you are down. A beer with friends? I am hoping that does the trick -- a walk outside or working out helps me too sometimes.

Leea, I feel like right now life is so busy -- we all do that sometimes. I am sure he understood.


message 1754: by Leea (new)

Leea I love that you share! That's what I like about this group. We can talk about anything and in between we chat about the books we love.

He just ignores me and hands me wine. Then I have to grovel and say 'i'm sorry' He does enjoy that part ;)


message 1755: by D.G. (new)

D.G. I'm having a beer on my own! I'm one of those people that don't mind being in a place by themselves. Luckily they have free wi- fi here.


message 1756: by Regina (new)

Regina (reginar) DG I am like that too. Which is good bc I travel for work.

Leea, I love that too! Sadly, I love a glass of wine or a margarita when I am stressed.


message 1757: by Leea (new)

Leea When I was younger I was such an extrovert by now I love being alone. It still kills me that they closed our Borders because I used to go up there all the time to be alone and just read and drink coffee.

Enjoy your alone time :)


message 1758: by Regina (new)

Regina (reginar) Anyone have or read Sleeping With the Wolf (After the Crash #1) by Maddy Barone ? I am hearing buzz about it in the SOS group.


message 1759: by D.G. (new)

D.G. Nope. Never heard of it. :)


message 1760: by Laura (new)

Laura | 131 comments Regina wrote: "I called the police multiple times, but I didn't know who he was. Beyond a description and while it was a smallish twin city area (Champaign-Urbana, IL -- I think 200k combined?), the university i..."

Oh wow Regina!


message 1761: by D.G. (last edited May 21, 2012 11:35AM) (new)

D.G. Regina wrote: "Anyone have or read Sleeping With the Wolf (After the Crash #1) by Maddy Barone? I am hearing buzz about it in the SOS group."

OK...so this book has a Time Travel/PNR/Post-Apocalyptic plot?

Yikes! I would have been fine with the first two but why did the guy had to be a werewolf? Being a SEAL or something like that would have been good enough, LOL!


message 1762: by Regina (last edited May 21, 2012 11:39AM) (new)

Regina (reginar) LOL. The thing is, the set-up is just cheesy enough to interest me -- it could be fantastic and Sandra and Ames have great taste in books. And not just post-apoc -- but an apoc caused by a woman-killing plague! It has all of the things I have loved in other books -- and I am wondering IS THIS the romance based post-apoc book that will do it for me? LOL. Since I did not like Nightfall ..... I think I may try it!


message 1763: by Stacia (the 2010 club) (last edited May 21, 2012 01:44PM) (new)

Stacia (the 2010 club) (stacia_r) D.G. ~Shameless Hussy~ wrote: "I started The Storyteller by Mario Vargas Llosa but decided to take a break. I'm tired of her stalking the the guy (because we haven't had enough guy stalkers, we had a girl stalker in this one.)

So I switc..."


You kill me woman.

You're comparing a german-to-English translated book written by a man which is about a drug dealer who is taking care of his sister and trying to keep the authorities from finding out (also a dark murder mystery told partially as a bizarre fairy tale) to a ya paranormal type of book written by a woman wishing she was still a teenager?

I don't think stalking is the point, haha. The book is beautiful, scary, sad, maddening...so many things. Silly girl angst isn't really a big factor...


Stacia (the 2010 club) (stacia_r) I have no clue what I'm supposed to be reading at the moment. I was just told to start Gabriel's Inferno so I can join in a book discussion for the second book that comes out tomorrow but I don't know if I can kill two books back to back like that, since I think GI is kind of long.

I'll decide later. I'm sunburned and brain fried and still trying to catch up on conversations. A lot happened over the past few days around here!


message 1765: by Leea (new)

Leea Welcome Back! We missed you :) I keep meaning to read Gabriels Inferno... The next book comes out tomorrow?


Stacia (the 2010 club) (stacia_r) I guess so but I was just told about this today, and I heard that book 1 is long, so I don't know how I'm going to be able to read book 1 then try to jump in on a book 2 discussion tomorrow. That's probably pushing it.

For some reason, I have the feeling I'm not going to like the first book based on a couple of friends comments, so I've been putting it off.

But...a lot of people (the general public it seems) appear to like the book, so I might give it a shot. We'll see. I had something else lined up for tonight, so it will depend on what mood I'm in.


message 1767: by Stacia (the 2010 club) (last edited May 21, 2012 02:35PM) (new)

Stacia (the 2010 club) (stacia_r) Oops. I kind of repeated myself there. Didn't bother to go back and read what I'd already wrote.

Thanks for the welcome back. :) If I can get my husband to email me the pics from his phone, I'll try to get some posted tomorrow. You can see the elk that almost attacked me.


message 1768: by Regina (new)

Regina (reginar) I have 2 GR friends whom I trust their opinions who gave the book 1 and 2 stars, one of them made it to 50% and dnfed it. Other people rating it low, may give me pause but I would try it, these two readers - -I am pretty sure I wouldn't like it if they hated it.


Stacia (the 2010 club) (stacia_r) Yep. That's where I'm at too.


message 1770: by D.G. (last edited May 21, 2012 02:45PM) (new)

D.G. Stacia ~ the professional insomniac wrote: "You're comparing a german-to-English translated book written by a man which is about a drug dealer who is taking care of his sister and trying to keep the authorities from finding out (also a dark murder mystery told partially as a bizarre fairy tale) to a ya paranormal type of book written by a woman wishing she was still a teenager?

I don't think stalking is the point, haha. The book is beautiful, scary, sad, maddening...so many things. Silly girl angst isn't really a big factor... "


I don't remember comparing this to any other book so I don't know which "ya paranormal type of book written by a woman wishing she was still a teenager?" you are referring to.

The stalking may not the "point" as you put it, but we all see things from different perspectives and this really bothers me personally. So far I'm not that impressed with the writing, the characters or with the plot to let the stalking go. Maybe I'll get whatever it is I'm missing if I continue but I don't know that I will.


Stacia (the 2010 club) (stacia_r) The guy stalker thing is a typical pnr theme.

I was just goofing around. Didn't mean to push a button there.


message 1772: by Kay (new)

Kay (calikay) | 1216 comments Gabriel's Inferno was just okay for me...I rated it 3 stars. All these Twilight Fanfics lately haven't really been my faves though. I do have to agree that it is too long. I had to push myself to finish it.


message 1773: by Leea (new)

Leea Stacia ~ the professional insomniac wrote: "Yep. That's where I'm at too."

I don't think i'm going to like it. They keep comparing it to Fifty Shades and I just want to run away from that book at this point.

I might read it, but I just don't know?


Stacia (the 2010 club) (stacia_r) Eh. Maybe I'll give it a pass then. I just went back and checked my friends list and more than half of the people gave it between 1 and 3 stars. There were a few 4 stars and 1 person gave it a 5 star rating but the majority of the ratings were low...way too many 1's and 2's for me to want to consider it.


message 1775: by Kay (new)

Kay (calikay) | 1216 comments If I were you ladies, I would skip it. It's nothing earth shattering and will take some time to read. There are just too many better books out there to spend your time on.


message 1776: by Regina (new)

Regina (reginar) Just curious Kay, I am not going to read it - but is it obviously fanfic?


message 1777: by Kay (new)

Kay (calikay) | 1216 comments That was my first Twilight fanfic that I read. So, when I read it, I didn't have other fanfics to compare it to. Then after I read fifty shades and Sempre by J.M. Darhower another long fanfic, I saw similarities. Long book, excessive, useless detail, dark menacing Edward-like men...just to name a few. So, if I were to read it now, I would say that I would be able to tell that it was fanfic.


message 1778: by Regina (new)

Regina (reginar) Ah, thanks. What a good description, "dark menacing Edward-like men".


message 1779: by Leea (new)

Leea I don't even think of Edward as dark and menacing anymore, lol! I read Poughkeepsie and it's a fanfic and I didn't know until after I read it and someone pointed it out to me.

Kay and I usually like the same books :) So, i'll just skip Gabriel's Inferno for 100's of other books that I have on my TBR list. Haha!


message 1780: by Kay (new)

Kay (calikay) | 1216 comments For some reason I couldn't finish Poughkeepsie. I read over 100 ebook pages and then had to stop.


message 1781: by Leea (new)

Leea Oh, sorry you didn't like it. We all can't like the same books or the discussion would just be boring. haha!


message 1782: by D.G. (new)

D.G. What's with this obsession with Edward? He's such a mediocre character! It's not like he's Mr. Darcy or Heathcliff (who's a douchebag but at least he's a strong male character.)


message 1783: by D.G. (last edited May 22, 2012 06:30AM) (new)

D.G. So I decided to switch to Ashfall (Ashfall, #1) by Mike Mullin and I'm enjoying it so far. I'm also listening to I, Juan de Pareja by Elizabeth Borton de Treviño which fits the category I needed for the challenge and also happens to be the subject of my most favorite painting ever. It's supposed to be a children's book but I don't know why because so far is biographical. The only thing I can think of is that his life was probably very good for a slave.


message 1784: by Regina (new)

Regina (reginar) My daughter did a report on him last year for school.

I am glad you are liking Ashfall. I loved it, but it took me awhile to get into it. I have the arc for #2 but haven't started it. So I have revamped my currently reading list. I have had a run of 2 audio books that I bought (on sale for 4.95 thank goodness) that I am just not clicking with. So I am moving on to the audio of Shakespeare's Trollop (A Lily Bard Mystery, #4) by Charlaine Harris and I am reading Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn ( I love this author and this one is really good so far too) and I am also reading Welcome to the Jungle (The Dresden Files, #0.5) by Jim Butcher


message 1785: by Regina (new)

Regina (reginar) D.G. ~Shameless Hussy~ wrote: "What's with this obsession with Edward? He's such a mediocre character! It's not like he's Mr. Darcy or Heathcliff (who's a douchebag but at least he's a strong male character.)"

I think that is a great question. I really really think it is because Twilight reintroduced so many women to reading, reading young adult, reading fantasy, and reading romance -- that all of it can be fun. I know for me, I wasn't reading fantasy, young aduilt or romance at all when I read Twilight so it shocked me in a good way. Stephanie Meyer caputed what it was like to be a teenager in love -- and since I hadn't read other YA since I was a YA, it was fun for me to go there again. I am guessing other people had a similar experience. But I also never liked Edward (I enjoyed certain scenes, but not him overall). I also think that


message 1786: by Leea (last edited May 22, 2012 08:31AM) (new)

Leea That's how Twilight was for me, it reintroduced reading into my life after having 2 kids in just under 3 years. I devoured them and my friend and I would chat about them while running in the wee hours of the morning. Those runs has been inspiration for a lot of the books i've read, Outlander, Sookie Stackhouse Series, BDB, and Many more.

So, I understand why people pick that series apart. I do. I just sometimes don't understand why we pick books so much apart. To be able to write any book to me seems like such an accomplishment.


message 1787: by Leea (new)

Leea Regina wrote: "My daughter did a report on him last year for school.

I am glad you are liking Ashfall. I loved it, but it took me awhile to get into it. I have the arc for #2 but haven't started it. So I ha..."


How's the Lily Bard mystery series? Not sure if I can start another CH book. haha!


message 1788: by Regina (new)

Regina (reginar) Leea wrote: "So, I understand why people pick that series apart. I do. I just sometimes understand why we pick books so much apart. To be able to write any book to me seems like such an accomplishment."

Are you missing a don't, lol? I always leave out don'ts. My boss will often call me and say -- I think you left out a don't or a not in this email. Haha. I am guessing you meant you don't undestand why we pick apart books so much? For me it is second nature. I pick apart writing all day long and people do the same to mine and all through college and grad school in my emphasis we would read and analyze texts, discuss their meaning and importance. I agree it is an accomplishment to write a book, but for me a writer's writing of a book is separate from my reading it, discussing it and thinking about it.


message 1789: by Regina (new)

Regina (reginar) Leea wrote: "Regina wrote: "My daughter did a report on him last year for school.

I am glad you are liking Ashfall. I loved it, but it took me awhile to get into it. I have the arc for #2 but haven't start..."


1 and 3 were enjoyable, 2 sucked. 4 is my last chance for the series. I do like how Harris writes when she is in her element. It has the same charm as Sookie -- small town, lots of detail about daily life (exercising, cleaning, making dinner). I like how Harris writes about detail, so it is comforting. There is a sweet romance (although there is a triangle in book 2 that was beyond dumb - however 3 redeemed the series and the triangle). This is the first one in the series I am listening to. I have heard this series eventually goes down the tubes also.


Kelly ~ happily oblivious | 102 comments Hello ladies! I feel like I've been gone forever! Went to Atlanta and just got back this morning. Hope everyone, especially Stacia, had a great weekend. Didn't get much reading done only read one book. And, I didn't even know it until I got into it that it was a YA book. The Boy Who Sneaks in my Bedroom Window by Kirsty Moseley It took me a bit, but I did enjoy it. Some drama, but understandable given the circumstances of abuse. I still need to try some of the other books that were recommended.


Kelly ~ happily oblivious | 102 comments Oh and ladies if you haven't seen this yet. Wow. ~~fanning myself~~ Very nice eye candy.

http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20483...


message 1792: by D.G. (new)

D.G. I want to look at that link but I'm at work (in an open office so everybody can see what's on my screen.)


message 1793: by D.G. (new)

D.G. Regina wrote: "I really really think it is because Twilight reintroduced so many women to reading, reading young adult, reading fantasy, and reading romance -- that all of it can be fun. "

Good point, Regina & Leea. I was reading before Twilight (and didn't like the series) so it wasn't that special for me but I guess for those of you who found the magic of reading again because of that book, then it must be really special. :)


message 1794: by Gwennie (new)

Gwennie (blessedwannab) Ha, Channing Tatum is TASTY! As silly as it sounds, I can't WAIT to see Magic Mike! Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer and Joe Manganiello! Sexy!


message 1795: by Regina (new)

Regina (reginar) I was reading before Twilight too -- I hope I was clear in my post above above. I have always been an obsessive reader. :) I was reading mainly literary fiction, classics, and non fiction (which I still read now). What I meant to say is that (like 50 shades I think), Twilight introduced a different genre to many people (it did for me) - -fantasy, urban fantasy, romance and young adult. I think 50 Shades has done that for women too -- who didn't know about erotica.


Kelly ~ happily oblivious | 102 comments D.G. ~Shameless Hussy~ wrote: "I want to look at that link but I'm at work (in an open office so everybody can see what's on my screen.)"

LOL. I have no shame. I was looking at this at the airport while waiting for my bags. With a huge grin on my face!


message 1797: by Regina (last edited May 22, 2012 09:56AM) (new)

Regina (reginar) Regina wrote: "


I was reading before Twilight too -- I hope I was clear in my post above above. I have always been an obsessive reader. :) I was reading mainly literary fiction, classics, and non fiction (which I still read now). What I meant to say is that (like 50 shades I think), Twilight introduced a different genre to many people (it did for me) - -fantasy, urban fantasy, romance and young adult. I think 50 Shades has done that for women too -- who didn't know about erotica.
"


I am quoting myself b/c we did that new page thingee since we have so many posts. :) It is funny though, b/c right after I finished Twilight the series I got my first kindle and I honestly don't have a strong memory of what I was reading before then. I hae a strong memory of all the books I have read in the past 3 years since. Isn't that weird? I was reading a lot - -both buying, audio and checking stuff out from the library constantly. But I can't remember when or what I was reading. Somehow, having it on my kindle and marking it on GR somehow inscribed them all into my memory in a stronger way.


message 1798: by Gwennie (new)

Gwennie (blessedwannab) I was a reader too, but Twilight brought me back into YA books. NOW I've found much better YA gems than Twilight, but I may not have wandered into that section if I hadn't gotten so hooked on reading Twilight.

I think for me, my intense dislike for Twilight happened at the onset of reading Breaking Dawn and then it was the way the movies and actors were shoved down our throats. I think it was a case of the "Enough Already"'s. It made me sick how people were going on and on about the book when there was SO much better out there. Or how the movie was raking it in while other better moves were being overlooked. The fact that it beat out HP in poll's when HP is CLEARLY much more deserving, lol.

So I guess i could say the obsessive fandom is what drove me to the point of no return.


message 1799: by Regina (new)

Regina (reginar) Exactly (as to your first paragraph Wendy). LOL, that is what I was trying desparately to say but wasn't. I read the series 3X in a row (once listening). So it clearly effected me, but I never liked Edward and kept hoping that Jacob was chosen - so for me, it was never a favorite. It gave me a wonderful strong emotional reaction though. And it led me to think about reading Sookie, which led me to learn about Outlander, which led me to find the Fever series, which led me to learn about BDB and then on and on. There was a thread on another forum I participated in that was entitled "If you love Twilight post here for other book recs." (that is where I met up with one of my blogging team members) and that is where I learned about Fever and BDB -- so Twilight was literally the gateway. Which I am very very thankful for.


message 1800: by D.G. (new)

D.G. Oh sorry if I misquoted you, Regina. I think I was looking at Leea's post when I replied to your post. :)


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