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?
I just finished the new book by Cara McKenna “After Hours” which I thought was terrific.
And now I have started Dan Simmons “Ilium” which my brother gave to me, I am two chapters in and it’s safe to say that I have no idea what’s going on. I am not going to wimp out on it though.
I’m alternating Liz Carlyle’s “A Bride by Moonlight” with a fascinating book called “Orwell’s Cough”, subtitled Diagnosing the Medical Maladies & Last Gasps of the Great Writers, by John Ross.
To give you some idea of what it’s about, the first chapter is entitled “The Hardest Knife Ill-used: Shakeskpeare’s tremor”. Chapter 4 is about the Brontes and Tuberculosis but I haven’t got that far yet. Not cheerful stuff I know but it makes you glad to be living in the 21st century.
I’m enjoying Liz Carlyle too.
I’ve been in a reading slump as well for the last few weeks. I finally finished Archangel’s Storm by Singh after almost a week of one chapter at a sitting, then picked up Angel’s Flight which is not as awesome as expected though Jessamy’s story soothed my romantic needs for the moment. I’d really like to read Illium’s story soon, but I’m going to pretend to be patient.
I’m giving away Good Omens on Tuesday as part of World Book Night, and should have finished my reread of it weeks ago, but I’m only on chapter 2 right now due to said reading slump….sigh. It’s an awesomely funny book and it usually cheers me up, but I think this April has been too depressing. So many sad anniversaries and Monday….deeper sigh.
Next up is the happy looking Wrecked by Shiloh Walker (side note-was a b***h to find b/c no one locally could even special order it for me for some cottonpicking reason-ARGH!) and then I will finally tackle a few of my TBR trilogies.
@ PamG
Ditto to the whole paragraph. I used to be able to sit down with one book and read it cover to cover and then pick up another, cycle, rinse, repeat. Now I find it difficult to read a
whole chapter of one book without pausing it and picking up another…which doesn’t suit my failing memory well.
I’ve also been in a terrible reading slump, perhaps because all the books sent to me for review have been so unbelievably meh.
When I finally had a chance to pick up some books of my own choice, it seems that the mediocrity washed over them as well.
BUT a couple of series favorites have (I hope!) broken that curse.
@45 Pam G., one of them was SEMPER FIDELIS, which I think was the best in the series since the first—possibly because of the actual appearance by Hadrian (briefly) and Sabina (more importantly), two of my favorite characters in that grand soap opera that was ancient Roman history.
The other was the newest Liaden book, NECESSITY’S CHILD. I loved it because it was so fresh and accessible, without being so laden with backstory as recent series entries, and because the voices of the two protagonists—both young children—felt absolutely authentic and charming without being the slightest bit sentimental or “adorable”.
I should caution, though, that some readers found the Gypsies!In!SPACE! aspect to be problematic. FWIW, I thought it was more “inspired by” than appropriative, but I don’t have any ties to the Romany people or culture.
Reading next: FAMILY MAN, because I *really* want to be able to take part in the book discussions. I’m not sure that I’m up for the threatened angst, though…
I felt like I was in a slump as well with romance and turned to YA. For something different, Almost Perfect by Brian Katcher was a memorable read involving a transgender romance.
Just finished reading Anna and the King of Siam by Margaret Langdon, just because I’ve always wanted to. It is actually a transcription of the diaries and letters of Anna Leonowens, an English governess who was brought to the royal court of Bangkok in 1862 to educate the children and concubines of King Mongkuk in English language and European manners, because the king foresaw the European annexation of many Asian countries and knew that the only way to resist them was to appear “civilized” in a way the European recognized and treat with them on their own terms. Anna, meanwhile, comes with a personal agenda of ending the practice of slavery and unwilling concubinage, although surprisingly without a lot of the imperialism seen in most British of the day. It’s very heavy on the narration but that does not make it any less engrossing, as there is a LOT going on. Court intrigue! Kidnappings! Pageants! Executions! Diplomatic shenanigans! And a lot of funny stuff as well, arising from the king’s imperfect understanding of European terms and customs. It’s really a fascinating book, a firsthand peek into what is now largely an alien culture to most Westerners and an interesting view of what southeast Asia looked like politically a century and a half ago; you can even then see it developing into what it is now. if you have ever seen the musical, or if you are any kind of history buff, I recommend it as an informative and engrossing read. (And appropriately my Capcha is foreign94)
Now trying to work my way through the latest Percy Jackson book by Rick Riordan, Mark of Athena, altho it’s been slow going with preparing for two near-simultaneous graduations plus a bunch of emergency car repairs. But damn I love that series. It’s so much better than Harry Potter.
Recently finished the latest Dianne Sylvan “Of Shadow Born” —I really love this series and this book was really good.
I just finished “After Hours” by Cara McKenna and I loved it! Awesome contemporary romance with NO wealth or fairy-tale stuff going on. I found it moving and gritty and funny and very sexy.
I’ve been reading The Black Count: Glory, Revolution, Betrayal, and the Real Count of Monte Cristo.
Frankly, it’s been much pleasanter this week to be in the 18th century.
I just read two books with “Alpha” Males – Real, by Katy Evans and After Hours , by Cara McKenna. Real was just “meh” but I understand why some people have gone “gah, gah” over it. After Hours was a more realistic and for me, satisfying read. After Hours will be a book I read again and again, but Real, not so much.
I moved on to something sweetly funny with Lauren Baratz-Logsted’s, The Bro-Magnet. This was a reread for me, and was nice and light – something I needed after this last week. I also chose it because I have had the sequel in my TBR for a month or so. (Isn’t It Bromatic.) Yep, something familiar and light was definitely what I needed.
I’ve been listening to Angel Falls and Carolina Moon this week. I loved JD Robb, but as Nora Roberts, she’s a bit hit or miss for me. That said, I really enjoyed both stories and Montana Sky is up next.
I’m currently reading Exposing Alix by Inara Scott, a contemporary love story set in Hollywood with a strong female protagonist. I’m almost halfway through and I LOVE it so far! I tend to read romantic suspense because murder and romance really works for me, but this reading week, I’m all for just the romance and this is hitting the spot. I think I might move on to Claire Kent’s Escorted since I’ve read some good reviews of it, but then again I might buy everything Inara Scott has written if I still love her book by the end.
I also began to reread Elizabeth Gaskell’s North and South, but just ended up watching the BBC production, again, because Richard Armitage as John Thornton is just wow and a great escape from this week.
I just finished True by Erin McCarthy and before that was Escorted by Claire Kent. I liked both a lot. Escorted introduced me to the escort trope, which I was dubious about, and True was my first attempt at New Adult. Both made me consider looking into similar books, although I’m more interested in New Adult.
Next up is a reread of Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby before the movie, Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg for a book club and, for pleasure, either Tessa Dare’s Spindle Cove series or Grease Monkey Jive by Ainslie Paton.
Finsihed reading Trust series by Cristiane Serruya. Very wonderful reading and well worth it 😀
@Hapax – I didn’t find Family Man to be that angsty. There is family related drama, mostly about Trey’s relationship with his alcoholic mother and a little about Vin figuring out how to come out to his traditional Catholic family, but it didn’t hit me as angsty. YMMV, of course.
I can’t make the chat but I’m looking forward to reading the discussion afterwards. I think there’s a lot to talk about in it.
Just finished Loretta Chase’s “Knave’s Wager” (which I’d been wanting to read like FOREVER) and almost finished with “The Wedding Journey” by Carla Kelly (which I got because you, SB Sarah, hinted that you were lurving it a few days ago).
Knave’s Wager—oh yes, it was awesome. I shall be reading it again sometime soon!
The Wedding Journey—It’s just so lovely and sweet. And refreshing to have a normal-height, average-looking, non-superhuman hero. Who’s hot. Hot because he’s honorable and shy and just oh so darn wonderfully caring. But yeah, just reached the out-of-character character’s about-face that was rapid and vapid and disappointing. But I love the two leads—just great people I’d like to know.
Now what to read next…
Hello, Georgous, and Drop Dead, Georgeous by Maryjanice Davidson; rereading because they are fast and funny
I’ve got a whole pile of books by some of my favorite authors: Julie Anne Long, Grace Burroughs, Sarah McLean, Elizabeth Hoyt, Anne Gracie. But I needed a break from historicals so I’m reading Jayne Ann Krentz’s latest, “Dream Eyes”. It’s a contemporary paranormal. She is consistently good, and one of the few contemporary authors that’s an automatic read for me.
I’m on a non-fiction kick right now. My primary book is Honey Bees and Beekeeping: A Year in the Life of an Apiary so that I can (hopefully) get a hive before summer. I’m also (re)listening to Right Ho, Jeeves, which has the most hilarious telegram exchange in the history of communication. Besides that, I picked up a cookbook and a book about wild mushrooms at the library today.
I tried to read Her Royal Spyness last week, but i just couldn’t get into it. It wasn’t even bad, just not what I was in the mood for.
Oh, as the mycology expert on this thread(I’m guessing), this advice is for UlrikeDG. If you’re going to get involved with wild mushrooms, join a local club and let them take you out in the field and teach you which ones are edible. A book is good for reference but please don’t eat anything just based on pictures in a book! Seriously.
I read a lot of spy/action novels. After finishing the last one, I was scrolling through my Nook library to see what I wanted to read next. Found a description that was about an F16 pilot, Major Ryan Haverty. Sounds good! Hmm. Spy novels don’t usually talk about seamed stockings and jeans growing uncomfortably tight. Oh! Must be the other kind of book I read! (I’d downloaded and forgotten about it.)
Double Down by Katie Porter. Subtitle: Vegas Top Gun.
My captcha: past59—appropriate, since this book is 10 past that. 😉