I know Sheri was reading Evanovich's Plum series from the beginning last month (sorry I goofed on your name originally, Sheri, my apologies), as was Alina, and Booklight said Amanda Quick's backlist was on the reading schedule – how are you enjoying them?
This week I've tried to read two self-published works, one full length and one short story, and had problems with both. But this weekend I'm spending about 10 hours in the car, and it's audio book time for me, which I'm looking forward to more than I expected. I am curious to see if I recall the story enough to review it when I'm done listening.
So what are you reading this week? Are you embarking on a massive backlist read-a-thon? What books are you loving right now?
OK, so I finished Laurens’ “A Lady of Expectations” already and it reminds me of why I don’t normally read straight Regency: not enough sex, LOL. It’s a sweet book with a martyr of a heroine and a hero of perfection personified, but if it’s tame enough for me to hand off to my early-teen daughter, it’s too tame for me. 😉
I got tired of futzing around, sat down and finished it tonight. I agree that the world building of the circus and the prose are sterling. Unfortunately it’s like the icing roses on an elaborately decorated cake—all sugar and no flavor. The characters only came to life during conversations, and the reader is left with too many unanswered questions at the end. A friend of mine loathed Harry Potter because the magic had no underpinnings; I, on the other hand, had no problem because the magic seemed secondary to so many other elements in the story. HP is a story about growing up, family and friendship, and standing up for what you believe in. Magic is just rick-rack like the weird jelly beans.
The Night Circus is all about the magic, but the magic has no more underpinnings than HP’s latinesque spell words and punny potions. The descriptions of the circus are amazing, but as a functioning world it is flawed. Since the contrast between magic and illusion is a theme woven through the story, the flimsy nature of the magical workings could be justified as a way of elaborating on that theme. But magic without structure is mere wishful thinking, and wishful thinking isn’t much to build a story on.
I think I need to stop now as I seem to be in rant mode. I guess it won’t kill me to read a book I actively dislike, but it makes me mad and sad that so much “luminous prose” was spilt for so little story.
Well, I have to admit that I liked Devil’s Bride. It’s funny, because the plot is basically the same, but it felt fresher and less silly (Although, I’m not sure the “mystery” could have been more obvious. One of the Cynster cousins doesn’t look like a Cynster = murderer. Duh.) I’m convinced enough to try more of her earlier books. From the chatter about the Cynsters and the Bastion club, I’m guessing at some point I’ll find her books too formulaic (perhaps once she gets too comfortable with her own formula?), but I’ll hang with her as long as I find her entertaining. Thanks for the advice! Thanks to Jenny Dolton too.
Oh no! I loved Christmas at Friday Harbor and was really looking forward to Rainshadow Road. I love Kleypas . . . except when I don’t. Can you give more details on why you didn’t like it?
Over the weekend, I started reading “Covet” by JR Ward (the first in the Fallen Angels series). I’m about halfway through. It’s okay – didn’t immediately grab me like the first BDB book though. But on the plus side, there are a lot less Ward-isms in this series! And there are a few familiar characters that show up, which is fun.
I’m also been reading “11/22/63” by Stephen King. This book stresses me out! Apparently once I get past this particularly stressful part, it gets better (as in less tense) but getting through it… ooooh…
To the person who was reading The Night Circus – I started reading that over Christmas and I just couldn’t get into it. I keep meaning to go back to it but I just can’t seem to make myself. Glad to hear I’m not the only one since it’s so well reviewed everywhere.
I’m reading “A Chance Encounter” by Mary Balogh. It’s not as well written as most of her later books—there’s this one character who seems to say everything “shrilly”—and the plot’s derivative in the extreme, but it’s enjoyable enough and this one relevation really surprised me.
I just finished “Beauty Like the Night” by Liz Carlyle. I didn’t really care for it at all. The hero was a raging possessive douche who thought he was so much better than everybody else, and the heroine just wasn’t terribly interesting. I also found it depressing due to the treatment of the hero’s younger brother, whose story I’d already read and liked. The mystery subplot was pretty good, though.
In a fit of nostalgia I reread (for the 100th time) “Heart of Fire” by Linda Howard. I found her last book such a disappointment that I had to remind myself why I liked her so much. Then I started “Spirit Bound”, by Christine Feehan. There’d better be some interaction with Ilya this time around. I realize he’s the “baby” and wasn’t raised with the others, but still, isn’t that a reason to do some relationship building?
It’s so much better to start from the beginning in the Dragon Kin series. All of it makes way more sense, and the jokes are funnier in some parts.
What am I NOT reading:
Not reading Lara Adrian’s e-only novella “A Taste Of Midnight” because of geo-blocking.
Not reading Suzanne Brockmann’s e-only short story “Shane’s Last Stand” because of geo-blocking.
Consequently, I’m not buying either author’s new hardcover release. I may consider buying them second-hand sometime in the future. Meanwhile, I’m not going to spend money on either author’s new books ever again.
Can you tell I’m sick and tired of being forbidden to purchase certain books?
Pamela Clare’s I-team series. Sooooo good.
Fran——after a few chapters of wha…?/who…?/huh…? I gave up and got the first Dragon book.
I SHOULD have known better. I did the EXACT same thing last month with Big Bad Beast.
Re: Pratchett: I think it might be more an issue with his now using speech-to-text or a transcriber rather thantyping up his works himself. I don’t think the quality of his writing has suffered, but the editing appears more haphazard; in his last two works I’ve noticed run-on sentences and long paragraphs which would almost certainly have been broken up in the past.
As for what I’m reading, I’ve been working my way through Simon R. Green’s Secret Histories (The Man With the Golden Torc and its sequels.) Nice blend of action, humor, horror, and romance.
Regarding any faults of Lover Unleashed: surely they are MORE than made up for by Vishous’ demonstration of how to simultaneously smoke a cig AND stick your tongue down someone’s throat. (Chapter 51, p.431[HB])
Bwhahahahahahhahahah! Which, BTW, is something BCBS’s automated benefits system can not interpret. That’ll teach me to do two things at once. Sigh. Redialing.
I haven’t read The Husband Trap, but I read something about it earlier today…
http://www.passiveaggressiveno…
Just finished rereading the Kate Daniels books. I love the pacing between books, the heroine is getting more powerful and skillful without saving the universe 15 times over. You believe that the new villains are possible within the constraints of the reality of the book. The authors do not break any rules that they have previously presented and they seem to remember all of the scenes that occurred in the previous books. You can reread without getting bogged down in giant passages of repeat-exposition from book to book.
I was comparing it to Laurell K. – Anita becomes so powerful after a few books that she has nothing to do other than have sex as food. Her villains seem to be repeats or not as strong as the people she has already defeated.
Oooh – I didn’t think of that. I’m going to look on Amazon again. Thanks!
I bet knowing about it does make us a little more sensitive to it. And I don’t like the first few Discworld books as much as the later – Rincewind books were too slapstick. Once he started concentrating more on the city and the Watch, that’s when I fell completely and totally in love forever.
I’m on the last few pages of “The Next Always,” by La Nora. I honestly didn’t think I’d like it—so I got it through the library—but I love it! I have no doubts that when it comes out as an audiobook, I’ll grab it. And now I can’t wait for the other books in the trilogy.
I nabbed a bunch of Rachel Gibson’s back list at a library book sale, so she’s up next.
Now I just have to find another audiobook or three to keep me company on the commute.
Love the Watch, particularly Vimesy. One thing about Snuff. Usually Pratchett shows a relationship without ever using the “L” word, but in Snuff I think Vimes actually says the words about Sybil. I found that moving. Also love the witches, esp. Granny Weatherwax and Nanny Ogg. In fact, my kids & spouse occasionally accuse me of Oggishness. There were elements in the Rincewind books that I loved, the send-up of academia and the homage to old sword & sorcery novels, for instance, but I always pictured Rincewind as Bob Denver and I never liked Gilligan either.
I’m embarrassed to admit I’ve never read the Willig Pink Carnation series, and am thinking of taking it with me on vacation in two weeks.
i have been reading heather killough-walden. i read the lone wolf books and the vampire king woo woo they were all on sale at both bn and amazon ebooks.
How about Laura Griffin (romantic suspense)? I also like Robyn Carr, though not everyone does. One of the reasons I read a lot of m/m romance is because I run out of good contemporaries to read in the m/f category…
I also agree with the recommendation for Sarah Mayberry. If you are prepared to read category romances, there are also several authors who do a pretty good job within that format. Sarah Mayberry is one. Sarah Morgan is another. I also recently read two by India Grey (the two connected ones, the titles of which I’ve now forgotten). I really liked her voice, though there were some issues with the stories. I also read another by Kelly Hunter (With this Fling) that really clicked for me.
I’m reading my way through Liz Williams’ Inspector Chen books, just about to start the fourth one. I’m also leafing through Annette Blair’s Naked Dragon, but that one has some total crazysauce imagery in it, and I can only take so much at a time…
The latter contains gems like this sentence: “She especially enjoyed his undulating trouser snake, which gave her a wet, hot shot of orgasmic promise and melted her at her core.”
UNDULATING TROUSER SNAKE!!! Now that is some WTF inducing stuff.
I devoured Lauren Willig’s Garden Intrigue and Elora Bishop’s Cage the Darlings over the weekend. I also reallly enjoyed Anna Jacobs’ An Independent Woman recently (predictable plot, endearing characters).
Oh!!! I am jealous that you are reading this for the first time! Today I am reading Moning’s Highlander series…it is good, but I really do miss Mac and Barrons.
I am reading a few things (on all my different devices) – you ladies must know how it is 🙂
I really WANT to like the Devil’s Bride, but I seem to be having a hard time getting through it for some reason.
At the same time, I’m starting the Kim Harrison series – starting with Dead Witch Walking but it is too soon to tell if I like it or not.
And because I miss the Fever books, I started on Moning’s Highlander series, I am on the third one, The Highlander’s Touch and it is good. I love her heros…
I feel good because I finally finished a book—my first in about two months! It was a coming of age YA novel called Faking Faith. It had been on my TBR for about six months since I first ordered it for the library. Also, I started and finished a novella by Suzie Quint (sp?) about bull rider and his ex wife. (A steamy set up for a full length novel which I ‘m not sure is out.) I’m also reading another book from my TBR list. It is an adorable turn of the 20th century children’s book about 5 orthodox Jewish girls living on the lower east side of NYC. It is called All of a Kind Family. Each chapter reads like a short story. Just as sweet as pie. Finally, I’m also in the middle of reading Liz Talley’s latest—A Touch of Scarlet. I’m powering through it because I loved her first book (Vegas Two Step) and it was a Christmas present from my husband.
I wish I had time to read. *sniffle* Working 63 hours this week doesn’t leave much room for anything else but sleeping and eating. I picked up a copy of “Unveiled” by Courtney Milan with Half Price Books’ “Booklover’s Weekend” 40% off coupon, so I may start on that during my lunch break. : )
What would you recommend by Johanna Lindsey and Stephanie Laurens if you could recommend just one of each? I know they’re both prolific authors and I’ve been wanting to try their works but wasn’t sure what is best and what is STA. : )
Tender Rebel by Lindsey got me hooked. Laurens, starting with the first Cynster book is a safe bet.
I usually keep a bunch going. I’m working on S. T. Bindoff’s Tudor England, Dumas’ The Three Musketeers, Lev Grossman’s The Magicians, and Lisa Jackson’s Sorceress. I must admit that that last one is giving me trouble.
I got a bug to read old Laurie McBain books “Chance the Winds of Fortune” and its sequel “Dark Before the Rising Sun.” Two very different romances, as the two protagonists don’t even meet until ~ halfway through the first book. Some old skool issues, but overall, I really enjoyed them again. The first time I read them I might’ve been 12, so pretty good 🙂
It’s not romance, but I’m re-reading the entire A Song of Ice and Fire series by George R. R. Martin. I’m about 10% through book 2 – thank goodness for the Kindle! I couldn’t imagine lugging these these around with me! 🙂
I hope you love Tracy Anne Warren! I always enjoy her books- fun, well-written, and just the right amount of ridiculous.
Charming the Prince by Theresa Medeiros. I blame you people.
Nothing Gold can Stay by dana stabenow. Also all your fault.
I just finished A Natural Father by Sarah Mayberry. Starting a Miranda Neville book. Wonder whose fault that is?
I’m still working my way through a 1,400 page collection of H.P. Lovecraft’s works. I don’t like his characters, but he does creepy and strange oh so well.
Sadly, I am also still slogging my way through Vicki Hinze’s Double Dare, which just isn’t working for me, but at the same time I want to finish it so I can remove it from my collection without a twinge of “but what if it gets better?”
I’m also reading the first Gosick light novel – the main character is kind of like Sherlock Holmes, if he were a doll-like girl with long blonde hair.
I’m about to finish Justice, by Karen Robards. I don’t know what I’m reading after that, yet. I’m also looking through Cook Like a Rock Star, by Anne Burrell (food porn!). I tend to look treat cookbooks like catalogues – I peruse and never actually buy – but there’s one or two here that I really want to try.