Favorite Enemies
- A Little Sisterly Advice
- Cheeky Reads
- DRD aka Donna's Blog
- Gunner Marnee's Blog
- J.K. Coi: Living with Immortals
- Just Janga
- Killer Fiction
- Kimberly Killion
- Maggie Robinson
- Maureen O. Betita
- Megan Kelly
- Pam Clare
- Renee Lynn Scott
- Romance Bandits
- Romance Dish
- Scapegoat's Blogspot
- Smartass Romance
- Terri Osburn Writes Romance
- Tessa Dare
- Vauxhall Vixens
Blog Archive
Powered by Blogger.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
A Bookworm's Summer Reading
There has been a lot of stuff I haven’t been doing when it comes to writing, the most notable being, of course, writing itself. The self-flagellation has been intense in my woman-cave, but such nasty commentary has not compelled me to actually write anything beyond the occasional grocery list. I’ve tried the standbys: I’ve opened my word documents; I’ve brought out the writing books, hoping that reading them will bore me into enough of a stupor I’ll prefer to write; and I’ve flirted with the idea of my storyboard. I’ve maintained my lizard in the sun mentality, too tired to move a scale.
But I finally realized this week I hadn’t given up entirely. I simply hadn’t recognized I was still doing something constructive. And I totally am.
I’m reading. I read an article this week by a famous writer—though I’m having difficulty remembering which famous author it was, Stephen King perhaps?—who, if they were offering advice about writing, what would it be, and they said: always be reading.
I’m reading all the time. My favorite part of summer vacation as a kid was that I could read all summer long. I didn’t have to do math or science or any other yucky school stuff that I didn’t care for. (My talent for the recorder in music definitely left a lot to be desired.) I had nearly three months of uninterrupted reading time. Sleeping in late and then lounging on the couch and reading to my heart’s content. Sometimes reading favorite books over and over, but also checking out new books from the library and having something exciting to read and admire.
We lived out in the sticks, so my library books came by mail. I loved filling out the form and mailing it back in (for free) and then having those books come in the mail a few days later. Sometimes when I go to the library, I still wish I could do this. I do something similar where I put items on hold and then just run by the library to pick them up—I skip a whole step of trying to find them serendipitously on the shelves—but it’s not the same as getting them in the mail.
Today I’m reading a Jude Deveraux book called Days of Gold. When I was a teenager, I adored Jude’s books. I packed them around everywhere in junior high and high school, and I got an award once that said, “Most likely to grow up and become a romance novelist” and it was presented (facetiously) by Jude Deveraux. (My friend got a hold of my book to make sure she spelled the name right.)
In the last few weeks, I’ve read the following:
1.) Twilight: yes, re-reading, but I’d run out of books to read and wasn’t in the mood for the few non-read items I had. It really does grow on you.
2.) One Dance with a Duke: a keeper, one of the best heroines I’ve read in a long time. And the duke constantly being compared to an insensitive toad, one of the best openers to a chapter I’ve read in forever.
3.) Twice Tempted by a Rogue: took a little longer to get into, but definitely worth reading. The stork analogy is worth the money alone. I am also sensing a pattern in Tessa Dare’s heroines—they’ve all got serious flaws, and not necessarily flaws that are resolved. In this one, the heroine is a heavy drinker; and in the duke novel, the heroine tended to find comfort in food and also had that tendency to nurture everyone, even toads. There was the heroine who lied constantly; and the heroine who wanted to reform everyone (except perhaps herself.) These are all serious flaws of character, I think, but you really like these characters despite the flaws. I’m used to flawed heroes and liking them despite their flaws, but I’m not used to flaws in my heroines. Not really. It’s been interesting to consider.
4.) Barely a Lady: finally a historical romance that felt real, not just a costume drama put on by modern Americans who don’t know where the Battle of Waterloo took place. It was emotionally intense; and the heroine has been shunned by society for something she didn’t even do. Truly shunned and treated horribly. It was such a wonderful change of pace from novels where the Regency heroine has sex with someone at a party and doesn’t get so much as a snub.
5.) 10 Things I Hate About Me: this was a YA novel about an Australian Lebanese Muslim girl who dyes her hair blonde and wears blue contacts—and at school, no one knows she’s Lebanese Muslim. The father is quite hilarious—and I could quite indentify with the poor girl, even though I’m neither Lebanese nor Muslim. Who knew the Church of Christ and Islam were so similar?
6.) Married by Morning: aside from the ending, it once again hallmarks all the things that make good writing: strong, sexy characters; motivations and conflict that are solid and real for the characters; and lots and lots of tension.
7.) 10 Things I Love About You: not a YA novel, and though I do not care for the conceit here and there where you can tell the author was amusing herself (but not me), I as always enjoyed the banter and the friendship that builds between the characters before they become lovers.
8.) The Royals: this was more a non-fiction like book, but I now no longer ever want to be a princess. And I never want to work for the Queen—I love her, but what a skinflint!
9.) Finger Licking Fifteen: as much as I promise myself I won’t read another Plum novel, I always seem to be breaking my promise. It was at the library and the first page caught me. (See the importance of the first few pages?) I enjoyed the novel, though annoyed by having Ranger so close and not have her indulge. Like having an open box of chocolates and never eating the bloody things. Yes, I enjoyed it, until the last page and she ruined it completely. Fortunately I have been able to block the book back out of my head because I had to go look at my library list to see what books I’m missing off this list. I learned from this book: do not tell your readers your stories are set circa mid-90s and keep using items and references that are clearly in the 2000’s, like GPS, the internet (at least for what they’re using it for is more modern), and Harry Potter. You’d think a reference to Harry would amuse me but it only ticked me off. I’ve learned I could never write a contemporary adventure series where I played with the reality of things in a Jules Verne sort of way. I mean, I guess if JE were actually writing paranormal—but she’s not, she’s just lazy.
10.) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: clearly another reread, and this one was on CD. I laughed in all the right places and cried in all the right places. I wondered if I could ever write a book so remarkable. I’m still wondering.
So that’s what I’ve been reading lately and what I’ve learned from them. What have you been reading lately and what have you been learning? Books, newspapers, your own manuscript? What?
But I finally realized this week I hadn’t given up entirely. I simply hadn’t recognized I was still doing something constructive. And I totally am.
I’m reading. I read an article this week by a famous writer—though I’m having difficulty remembering which famous author it was, Stephen King perhaps?—who, if they were offering advice about writing, what would it be, and they said: always be reading.
I’m reading all the time. My favorite part of summer vacation as a kid was that I could read all summer long. I didn’t have to do math or science or any other yucky school stuff that I didn’t care for. (My talent for the recorder in music definitely left a lot to be desired.) I had nearly three months of uninterrupted reading time. Sleeping in late and then lounging on the couch and reading to my heart’s content. Sometimes reading favorite books over and over, but also checking out new books from the library and having something exciting to read and admire.
We lived out in the sticks, so my library books came by mail. I loved filling out the form and mailing it back in (for free) and then having those books come in the mail a few days later. Sometimes when I go to the library, I still wish I could do this. I do something similar where I put items on hold and then just run by the library to pick them up—I skip a whole step of trying to find them serendipitously on the shelves—but it’s not the same as getting them in the mail.
Today I’m reading a Jude Deveraux book called Days of Gold. When I was a teenager, I adored Jude’s books. I packed them around everywhere in junior high and high school, and I got an award once that said, “Most likely to grow up and become a romance novelist” and it was presented (facetiously) by Jude Deveraux. (My friend got a hold of my book to make sure she spelled the name right.)
In the last few weeks, I’ve read the following:
1.) Twilight: yes, re-reading, but I’d run out of books to read and wasn’t in the mood for the few non-read items I had. It really does grow on you.
2.) One Dance with a Duke: a keeper, one of the best heroines I’ve read in a long time. And the duke constantly being compared to an insensitive toad, one of the best openers to a chapter I’ve read in forever.
3.) Twice Tempted by a Rogue: took a little longer to get into, but definitely worth reading. The stork analogy is worth the money alone. I am also sensing a pattern in Tessa Dare’s heroines—they’ve all got serious flaws, and not necessarily flaws that are resolved. In this one, the heroine is a heavy drinker; and in the duke novel, the heroine tended to find comfort in food and also had that tendency to nurture everyone, even toads. There was the heroine who lied constantly; and the heroine who wanted to reform everyone (except perhaps herself.) These are all serious flaws of character, I think, but you really like these characters despite the flaws. I’m used to flawed heroes and liking them despite their flaws, but I’m not used to flaws in my heroines. Not really. It’s been interesting to consider.
4.) Barely a Lady: finally a historical romance that felt real, not just a costume drama put on by modern Americans who don’t know where the Battle of Waterloo took place. It was emotionally intense; and the heroine has been shunned by society for something she didn’t even do. Truly shunned and treated horribly. It was such a wonderful change of pace from novels where the Regency heroine has sex with someone at a party and doesn’t get so much as a snub.
5.) 10 Things I Hate About Me: this was a YA novel about an Australian Lebanese Muslim girl who dyes her hair blonde and wears blue contacts—and at school, no one knows she’s Lebanese Muslim. The father is quite hilarious—and I could quite indentify with the poor girl, even though I’m neither Lebanese nor Muslim. Who knew the Church of Christ and Islam were so similar?
6.) Married by Morning: aside from the ending, it once again hallmarks all the things that make good writing: strong, sexy characters; motivations and conflict that are solid and real for the characters; and lots and lots of tension.
7.) 10 Things I Love About You: not a YA novel, and though I do not care for the conceit here and there where you can tell the author was amusing herself (but not me), I as always enjoyed the banter and the friendship that builds between the characters before they become lovers.
8.) The Royals: this was more a non-fiction like book, but I now no longer ever want to be a princess. And I never want to work for the Queen—I love her, but what a skinflint!
9.) Finger Licking Fifteen: as much as I promise myself I won’t read another Plum novel, I always seem to be breaking my promise. It was at the library and the first page caught me. (See the importance of the first few pages?) I enjoyed the novel, though annoyed by having Ranger so close and not have her indulge. Like having an open box of chocolates and never eating the bloody things. Yes, I enjoyed it, until the last page and she ruined it completely. Fortunately I have been able to block the book back out of my head because I had to go look at my library list to see what books I’m missing off this list. I learned from this book: do not tell your readers your stories are set circa mid-90s and keep using items and references that are clearly in the 2000’s, like GPS, the internet (at least for what they’re using it for is more modern), and Harry Potter. You’d think a reference to Harry would amuse me but it only ticked me off. I’ve learned I could never write a contemporary adventure series where I played with the reality of things in a Jules Verne sort of way. I mean, I guess if JE were actually writing paranormal—but she’s not, she’s just lazy.
10.) Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: clearly another reread, and this one was on CD. I laughed in all the right places and cried in all the right places. I wondered if I could ever write a book so remarkable. I’m still wondering.
So that’s what I’ve been reading lately and what I’ve learned from them. What have you been reading lately and what have you been learning? Books, newspapers, your own manuscript? What?
Labels:
Writing for Rum
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Books by the Crew
80 comments:
Man, blew it on the bolds...darn it!
My next Vauxhall Vixens post is just like yours! Great minds. :) I'm reading Twice Tempted right now. Really feel like I'm right there.
I haven't been reading as much as I'd like, but I do agree with you on the whole "summer is for reading" thing. I remember laying on a blanket outside on the grass, and spending the whole day reading -- I couldn't imagine anyone else not wanting to do that!
I'm trying to finish up the current revisions, so I've been re-reading this manuscript to the point that I don't want to read anything, ever again! LOL
I just read Anna Campbell's My Reckless Surrender and JR Ward's An Unforgettable Lady. I also reread Deathly Hallows and I read Stephanie Meyer's The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner. And Midnight Sun. I want to get to the movies but it hasn't happened. I wanna see Eclipse.
I love summer for reading too. I used to lifeguard and I would read any time I wasn't on the stand. I'd blow through whole boxes of books those summers.
I read Married by Morning and ADORED it! The hero Leo was perfect for me in every way...It helped me focus on what about him really struck me and then I was able to develop the hero in my WIP a little more.
Not to make him more like Leo, but deconstructing Leo helped me figure out my Jim.
Seriously, I could talk Leo all day though. :)
I've also been reading Cindy Gerard's latest Risk No Secrets and really love that it's a romantic suspense with a genuinely nice, non-sulky hero.
About to start another Vicki Lewis Thompson Blaze - she's got another one out this month and I'm going to gobble it up.
Based on Scape's recommendation, and because she's just awesome, I picked up the Thompson Blaze called WANTED and really enjoyed it. It's category so you have to wade through the info-dumping, but it was a nice story. Not as funny as I expect from a Thompson, but I'm looking forward to reading about the other two brothers.
Right now I'm reading Susan Sey's debut MONEY HONEY and it's SO GOOD. THIS is what I want to accomplish. And why Chance keeps telling me to put the book down and back away. LOL! Let's just say, it wasn't a good weekend.
2nd: I've seen the books for the Care and Feeding of Pirates, et al. They're very cute books! That is fun to read books that have big mistakes in them and know that they got published anyway. (Well, some books. Some books like that and you're just mad they're published but you can't get an agent to look at you.) But even the exalted Lisa Kleypas was a beginner once upon a time and cringes at her early publications. *LOL*
It's like that moment in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (the movie) and Harry tells the students he's teaching that every great wizard who ever lived was once a young wizard like them...and if they could do it, why not them?
Maggie, definitely great minds! *LOL* And I do feel that way about Tessa's books. You do feel immersed wherever you're at. Good setting without being bogged down in prose!
Donna, I didn't sit outside to read. The house was cooler. I hate being hot. So I annoyed the hell out of my mom by hanging around the house all day. "Go outside!" She'd have to throw me out of the house.
I get the reading one's manuscript so much you don't care if you read so much as a grocery list ever again. But I'm sure there are whole blocks and chapters you love, right? No better reading than something you wrote, right?
Marn, I love your reading list! Nicely done. And I've been to see Eclipse twice already. It's tragic really. My best friend said she was very happy her husband had something to do Sunday morning so we could sneak away to the movies.
Scapegoat, I love finding a hero I adore and figuring out how that author created him so I can do it for my work. Isn't that the best? I do think Lisa Kleypas does create the best and yummiest heroes out there.
I can't imagine a RS with a non-sulky hero...that seems impossible! *LOL*
Bo'sun, you have a copy of Money, Honey? I'm so jealous!! She's blogging with us Wednesday and I can't wait!!
Don't despair. Look at it this way: she could be the author that brings contemporaries back with a rabid vengeance. Editors will be clamoring for more contemporaries...and there your book will be. Waiting to be snapped up.
I've been reading a ton lately, which is always so much fun. I've been on a Linda Lael Miller kick, re-reading the McKettrick series (the contemp series) and her Stone Creek series. I also read a Mary Balogh and a Mary Jo Putney for the first time, both of which I adored. I've been reading a lot of Westerns and Regencies, probably because they're so far removed from what I write myself (when I actually start writing again....soon....very soon)
One thing I learned from a book I put down was that, if the internal conflict is resolved within the first 100 pages, and they're madly in love and having good sex, then I really don't care to keep reading another 300 pages of just the external conflict. Maybe because there's no chance for angst at that point, and without angst...well, where's the fun in that? *g*
Hal, I love the McKettrick series! Excellent heroes! And it probably is wise to read outside your writing...that's usually what I read the most of. YA or Regencies or plain old historicals...nothing I write. *LOL*
I usually care more about the internal conflict than the external conflict--so I'm with you on the "I don't care about the external if they resolve the inner within a 100 pages." It's definitely a delicate juggling act, keeping all the internal and external up in the air until the grand finale. I think too many of us, ironically, don't like conflict in our own lives so we hate to give it to our characters because we hate to see people we like suffer.
"...so we hate to give it to our characters because we hate to see people we like suffer."
????
Really? I love to torment my characters in place of conflict in my own life. Or as a way to work through the conflict in my own life... Let them suffer. I am benevolent and will make things better, eventually. They must have faith in me!
Damn, I'm like some old testament god...therapy, I need more therapy.
Hellie - You're going to LOOOOOVE Patrick. By page 7, he had me. For anyone who watches the show White Collar, this is similar in many ways. Actually, it's White Collar meets Castle.
Yes. Yes you do.
Bo'sun, yeah, I saw I won a copy of Money Honey. I can't wait to read about Patrick! That sounds like a yummy description!
You won! I missed that. I picked it up Friday afternoon and experiencing a love/hate relationship with it. LOL! I want to hug Susan and hate her with jealousy all at the same time.
2nd, it is not a surprise to me you are cruel and vindictive and enjoy it... And seriously, you do sound like an Old Testament god. What is up with that?
"Hellie – You’re going to LOOOOOVE Patrick. By page 7, he had me. For anyone who watches the show White Collar, this is similar in many ways. Actually, it’s White Collar meets Castle."
Perfect description of "Money, Honey!" Patrick had me hook, line and sinker. Reminded me a lot of the dynamic between Remington Steele and Laura Holt. Read the whole thing in one night. Can you tell I LOVED this book? ;-)
There's more than one god in the old testament? I should probably check that book out from the library or something. :)
In theory, no there shouldn't be more than one Old Testament god. Except there is a debate that in the Old Testament, God tells us his name and says when we pray to him, we should call him by his name so he knows we're praying directly to him. If he is the ONLY god, why do we need to call him by his specific name? That implies there is more than one of him roaming around, listening to people.
Well, you better hug Susan first before you go all hating on her. *LOL*
PJ, another high recommendation then? I can't wait to read this book when I get it. Definitely going to the top of my TBR pile!!
I like to get an easy chair into the garden on hot summer days, fill a pint glass with cider or beer, and listen to a favorite author on audio while watching the birds and bees enjoying the available feast.
Last time I did that though, my grand daughter arrived and decided to spray the plants with the hose. She has a fascination with water, the wetness rather than the physico-chemical properties, and managed to soak me of course. I do so hate watered beer!!
Anyway, on the book front I read a couple more Kinsella's, 'The Undomestic Goddess' was great (Agreeing with you Heli. :D ) but 'Remember me' is my favorite to date. Its about an amnesia case and is both funny and moving ... characteristic of Sophie Kinsella.
I have also almost finished 'Virgin River' by Robyn Carr. There are an awful lot of babies and deliveries, but I'm enjoying it all the same.
Makes me so thankful to be a man! :lol:
Yeah, Q, I'm so glad you got to read Undomestic Goddess! And Remember Me was also a great one. Can You Keep a Secret was also funny. I love how she sets her characters up into these HORRIBLE situations and leaves them to figure out how to extract themselves. You're always thinking, "She can't possibly make this worse." And yet it always gets worse. Amazing. And horribly, you laugh yourself sick as she gets into worse and worse trouble.
I hear a lot of good things about Virgin River, though I find it ironic to be called Virgin River and to be having babies left, right, and center.
I'm with your granddaughter--I love water. The wet properties rather than it's chemical/physical properties. *LOL*
I read a Robyn Carr book recently, one of them in the middle of the series -- I'll try to figure out the name. I really enjoyed it. There wasn't a lot of angst, and sometimes it didn't even seem like there was any real action, but I was enthralled.
I can see I better stay away from the book that is so good that Terri is freaking out. I've got to finish the last bit of these revisions first. Otherwise, I'm sure I'll have a freakout of my own. LOL (I hate that reading enjoyment is taken away like that! LOL)
Terri freaks out a lot. You should see her with SEP books.
Definitely something about summer reading as a blog topic in the air!
Hellie, I've read six on your list. I don't read vampires or Evanovich, so those two will stay off my read list. The ones I did read were all books I enjoyed, although IMO Kleypas's Love in the Afternoon is much better that MBM. I agree that Leo is wonderful!
Aside from Eloisa James's A Kiss at Midnight, which was a read that I adored every syllable of, I've also recently read and loved Barely a Lady, Kristan Higgins's All I Ever Wanted, and Venus in Blue Jeans, a funny, sweet, sexy, small-town-set contemporary by a new-to-me author, Meg Benjamin. I'll be reading more of hers.
Janga, you should see if you can find a copy of 10 Things I Hate About Me when you get into a YA kick. It's really very cute and I enjoyed it a lot.
And I'm nailbiting until the day I can get my hot little hands on AKAM. I think I may sit and read it twice. *LOL*
And you caught me, Janga, you wrote a brilliant summer reading blog just a couple weeks ago. There is definitely something in the air! *LOL* Summer vacation sickness where we all want to read 24/7!!
Dang. The italics bandit got me!
Barely a Lady by Eileen Dreyer.
THAT'S why it sounds familiar, several people have been talking up that book for months. Okay, making a note.
I've been reading a lot lately, but more importantly I've been reading a lot of GREAT books! Every time I put one down I pick another great one up. I hope it keeps up. I've got Barely A Lady (by Eileen Dreyer, Ter), and Tessa's One Dance With A Duke up next.
I've read -
Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage by Jennifer Ashely
Something About You by Julie James (you should give her another try, Ter. This one was great)
A Secret Affair by Mary Balogh
Married by Morning and Love in the Afternoon by Lisa Kleypas (loved them both. Don't make me choose!)
Nothing But Trouble by Rachel Gibson (typically awesome)
A Summer in Sonoma by Robyn Carr (totally awesome beta biker dude!)
Sugar Creek by Toni Blake (took one of my least favorite plotting devices and made it work - just in time for me, fortunately)
Marrying the Royal Marine, Libby's London Merchant, One Good Turn and The Wedding Journey by Carla Kelly (all fabulous and not to be missed)
You can see I've been a reading machine lately. It has been one of those summers where I'm reading in the car, at ballgames, waiting at doctor's offices... pretty much anywhere I can squeeze in a few pages.
And like, Ter, the contemps have me kind of speechless. I'm at the point now where I'd much rather read than write. But the reading has been soooooo good!
Well, I'm not really old testiment...I don't make everyone address prayers to me or even want them to know my name. Hell, they might want to throw rocks at me if they knew my name!
Don't you wish you could throw rocks at whatever all mighty you believe in when things keep going wonky?
I'll have to keep an eye out for the new Eloisa. Wonder if I'll be able to get in in e-form?
Hel, reg. earlier comment, yeah Jennifer makes some mistakes with POV, etc...nothing drastically evil...but when I catch it I feel better about how such mistakes do not have to be the thing that stops you dead at the start line. I'm looking forward to her panel on dealing with professional jealousy...not the victim of, but the one who feels it.
Ahem, something I suffer from horribly. Though I disguise it well.
"And I’m nailbiting until the day I can get my hot little hands on AKAM. I think I may sit and read it twice. *LOL*"
Hellie, I bet you will. Its that good!
I'm looking forward to finishing some reviews and interviews so I can curl up with Married by Morning and Love in the Afternoon. This waiting is driving me crazy!
Terri, I don't so much *read* Tessa's books as *savor* them. It won't surprise me one bit if one of the Stud Club books pulls in a second RITA nod. My $ is on the third one, Three Nights With a Scoundrel.
2nd, I don't like POV glitches. It pulls me out of the story usually or is a sign that you're not going to be engaged with the character so deeply you care what happens to them.
Irish, that sounds like an awesome list of books. I haven't heard of Carla Kelly (well, I don't think I have--I haven't read her!)--and her titles sound intriguing. I think I prefer a deluge of great books to read than a dearth of books to pick from. I'll suffer from reading too much rather than too little. *LOL*
Ah, Hel, these weren't biggies. Just a sudden insertion of a POV never seen before and never seen again... Little things, really. Like the camera shook and the focus fell off, for a paragraph...
PJ, it's all that blackberry glaze Tessa puts on her books. The third book looks very good. What a dark hero. It'll be awesome! *LOL*
I need to get my hands on Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage. I loved the Ian Mackenzie books. Does Mac's story live up to the first one?
I'll give Julia James another try, but if it's that good, I think I better wait until I'm in a better frame of mind. LOL!
I can't believe I haven't gotten around to Tessa's new series yet. But then, I'm moving in just over a month and haven't packed a single thing. Or even gotten boxes! Me not reading something right away is likely not a surprise to anyone. LOL!
Oh, I have read a bit of Tessa's third book in the series. I was a beta reader but didn't get to the end because of, well, the usual. I love Julian (that's his name, right?) and that book is definitely darker than her other stuff, but just as good with the right Tessa touches.
Honestly, Bo'sun...if we'd thought this out better, I could have flown back to VB with you and helped you move before heading home...
;-)
I liked Lady Isabella's..., Ter, but liked Ian's story better. I absolutely love the world Jennifer Ashley has built with this series. I like all the characters and relationships between everyone!
Carla Kelly is kind of like Mary Balogh, Hellie. Marrying the Royal Marine is the third in a trilogy and the others are older regencies. She is very good and her books are going for big bucks on Ebay! She is very hard to find.
I forgot to write what I learned. I learned that I really have a hard time with the "I hate you but I'm going to sleep with you anyway" scenario. And then... "I still hate you but I'm going to sleep with you again".
I don't mind antagonistic couples who have a hard time connecting and thinking they hate eachother through most of the book. I guess I just can't see having sex with someone you really believe you despise.
Hellie, do read Carla Kelly. You'll love her--great writing, emotional intensity, historical accuracy, and not a duke in sight. I think I've read all her books and there's not a bad one in the bunch, although some are better than others. Her last three and maybe Beau Crusoe should be easy to find. I'm pretty sure you can get them directly from Harlequin. (They were all Harlequin Historicals.)Try your local library or ILL for the older titles. Reforming Lord Ragsdale, Mrs. Drew Plays Her Hand, One Good Turn, and With This Ring are my favorites.
Ter, I agree with Irish about Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage. It's a really good book, but it falls shy of the extraordinary standard set by Lord Ian.
I knew Ian was going to be tough to top! But I still want to read about Mac & Isabella.
Irish - An email is coming your way!
Hey sorry I'm late to the party today. Indulged a little too much with the hotties this weekend and I'm paying for it in the nest now.
When I was a kid I spent my summers consuming books (really this isn't any different than any other season, but in the summer I got to enjoy backpack loads full of books). Since I've gotten older, I've not had the same amount of time to enjoy the indulgence of reading. But in my usual procrastination season, I've picked up reading a lot lately.
I've read Hunger Games and Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins (OUTSTANDING books- futuristic sci-fi, VERY interesting and I'm never interested in sci-fi- fantasy yes, sci-fi no.) Cannot wait until Mockingjay comes out. I will tear hair out at the library to get my hands on that book.
I've read: Married by Morning and Love in the Afternoon (Both EXCELLENT!) by Lisa Kleypas and finally managed to get a hold of and read Smooth Talking Stranger .
I will be reading Lover Mine by JR Ward this week because my hold notice just came through on my inbox. And I'm attempting to read the Millennium trilogy by Steig Larrson by I'm finding it INCREDIBLY boring. Something must be wrong with me. People love those books but I've been stuck on the same book for 2 WHOLE WEEKS! Mattycakes even commented with saying, "I've never seen you with the same book in your hand for longer than a day. That book must be incredibly boring."
"It is but I'm determined to read it."
"Why would you torture yourself like that."
I have no idea. Maybe because it's the thought of it's obviously enjoyed and hailed as great fiction throughout the world and I can't find one redeeming quality about the writing to save my soul from hell.
I can feel it now. I'm going to get flamed for this.
Sin - Have you tried watching the movie for the first book? I hear it's incredible and stuck close enough to the story to please the readers, but the parts I've seen of it don't look boring at all. Of course, you have to deal with subtitles. Unless you speak Swedish.
I notice you voice no opinion on SMOOTH TALKING STRANGER. Please don't tell me you hated that book.
BTW - I would think Lisbeth Salander would be a character perfect for you. :)
DUMP IT! Life is too short for books that aren't doing it for you, despite what others say about it!
Glad to see you surface, we were worried Interpol had you in custody...
I'm going to learn Swedish. Mattycakes has decided that in his bid to find his long lost relative that looks like him we are allowed to go to Sweden to search for his ancestor. Not until after he steps off the plane and all the Swedish citizens sing praise for Matty returning to his ancestral lands and swooning over how he wears a cape as he fights off evil Swedish bears in the wilderness.
But until then, I love subtitles.
And STS was MEH for me. It was alright. I read it on the plane on my way back from Phoenix. Light read, not nearly as emotional as BED and didn't wrap me up inside the characters either. Sorry.
I plan on getting my hands wrapped around the movies (they are all supposed to be on DVD here in the States by the end of the month) and seeing if I like them more then. I have seen pics of the girl they used to play Lisbeth and she is exactly how I pictured her. The only redeeming qualities I like about the book so far is Lisbeth's parts. The other shit right now I couldn't care less about.
You know, I dated (sorta) a Swedish guy and he was pretty tall too. Taller than Mattycakes! What are those Swedes eating that they build them so tall?!
We must have pictures of Matty in the cape. You must share!
I have to agree STS didn't come close to the emotional levels of BED, but I loved it anyway. Then again, there was a baby and a hot guy that wassn't afraid of said baby. I'm a sucker for that.
If you believe Mattycakes (and usually I don't- he's full of shit) it is because Swedes have Viking blood. To which I laugh and say, "Dearest, Swedes are not Vikings." and he says, "Well then I'm the exception."
If I take Mattycakes to Sweden and he wears a cape I will promptly tell everyone I have NO idea who that is following me in a cape and nothing else.
And Chanceroo, don't worry about me. If I were on the lam, Interpol would never find me.
*evil laugh*
BTW, Chance is right, we were worried about you. Wondering off like that. Not even sending up a flare...
We could hold the "viking" bit against him, but we already know he doesn't read so we'll let it slide.
STS was MEH compared to the other two in the series, but it was good.
I'm the same way with STS by Lisa Kleypas. I love everything she does but STS didn't pact the emotional punch that BED did, for me at least. I love my wounded heroines!
And Ter, Lady Isabella's Scandalous Wedding is definitely a good read. Check it out. This is where writing in a series is a huge plus for me because books that may just be okay to me become so much better because it is part of the whole of a bigger story. There have been a lot of books in a series either from Balogh to Kleypas to EJ that I've enjoyed so much more because I know all the extraneous relationships outside the main H/H one.
Irish, honestly are you going to hook me onto another series of books where they're impossible to find? You're mean! *LOL*
Though I did notice that Eloisa recommended a book called "Billy Bob Walker Got Married" by Lisa G. Brown. OMG, you want to read a contemporary novel that tugs at EVERY heartstring and makes you question your ability as a writer--this is the book!!!
Irish, honestly are you going to hook me onto another series of books where they’re impossible to find? You’re mean! *LOL*
LOL - I didn't think about that! Just come visit again and I'll have them all waiting for you :)
Hi wenches -- I had to take a little break from the house and the computer -- got caught in a weird rainstorm (I was in the car this time!), but now I'm all refreshed.
Hellion, I LOVE "Billy Bob Walker" -- I've got it packed away somewhere. She had another one too -- "Crazy for Lovin' You" (I think). Those are classics.
And all this BED talk reminded me that I have that here somewhere! I was saving it for when I was done with the previous revisions -- then I got started on THESE revisions. LOL It's a wonder anyone lets me write books. I have no functioning brain cells. LOL
Irish, I agree with you about liking books in a series MORE because they are in a series. I hadn't thought of it that way before, but that's very true. I like seeing the other characters, or waiting til it's their turn to be in the spotlight.
Dear Evil Twin,
Welcome back. Although it was fun getting to be the stand-in evil one for a while. I think I got in some good practice, so if you ever need to switch places again, just lemme know.
Sincerely,
DRD
Also, this book holds promise now. Lisbeth has fondly talked about two computers complete with specs and upgrades. I may make it. It was hot.
Dear DRD,
In hindsight, I realize my absence probably worried you the most seeing as how you had to live up to my evil expectations. I will try to give you more warning ahead of time.
Sincerely,
Evil Twin
PS. The Undead Monkey wants his banana back.
Dear Evil Twin,
I was not worried in the slightest about living up to your evil expectations, since all I had to do was think "What Would Sin Do", and I had my answer.
In fact, I am thinking of writing a WWSD training manual, in case you and I are both required to be absent at the same time.
Sincerely,
DRD
P.S. The Undead Monkey is very high maintenance.
*makes note in ship's log*
Toss WWSD training manual over the side at first opportunity.
The Kraken likes books...I doubt this one would reappear once he digested it. Though then he might start acting like Sin...maybe it's not a good idea.
*edits note*
Toss WWSD training manual off other side.
Just wondering where you read that Evanovich's Plum books were set in the 90's?
I have all her books and don't remember reading that.
I just read Still Missing by Chevy Stevens. Disturbing, thrilling, and could not put it down!
I love you guys. You're all nuts.
Irish, I am due for another Chicago visit.
Donna, I *LOVELOVELOVE* Crazy For Loving You. It's a toss up which one kills me more. Billy Bob when he breaks down after his dad tries to buy him off, or well, just about every scene in CFLY. Oh, and the end when she says he's got green eyes and everyone thinks he has killer gray eyes.
MsThriller--not sure. It might have been my attempt to figure out Plum's personal dress style. Everything she wears sounds like it was in style in the early 90s and to be wearing it in the 2000's just seemed sad to me. I think in the last couple books she finally stopped wearing acid wash jeans. She hasn't stopped doing the early 90s hair though. However, I believe that the 80s clothing is now coming back in style (why?why?) so now it won't matter. I don't think the hair is coming back. Hmm.
The Chevy Stevens book sounds awesome. I love books you can't put down.
While I think the Evanovich books have evolved as they years have gone on (though I find it ridiculous for a character to not age but technology advance as well as the world, but to each their own) the books originally started in the early 90's, hence the stretch clothes and neon colors in the early books. I think not much time has actually passed in the world of Plum. With a few months "passing" between each book Plum world hasn't advanced far into the future fictionally.
Hells, you know you love 80's fashion. Think Flashdance.
It's not the ripped shirts. It's the acid wash jeans with pleats. Seriously who looked good in those?
I had stirrup pants AND spandex that reached below my knee, so I'll bow out of this conversation.
And I'm guessing even if time does pass in those books, fashion doesn't make it to that corner of New Jersey, does it?
:)
Her hamster NEVER DIES. The hamster must be 20 years old. And I know I've read she has no plans to ever let it die--anymore than she'd let Grandma die. The hamster is not that big a deal. Why doesn't she just say it died between books and replaced it with another hamster? THAT would make sense!
I bitch about the clothing, but it's the hamster and the Harry Potter references that make me nuts.
Dear DRD,
There is already a WWSD (you're quite evilly brilliant, btw) and it is hidden in a false board in the ships hull down in the storage tank for the rum.
Knock three time in the Undead Monkey's junk, tug his tail and spin him fifteen time counterclockwise two seconds before sunset on the day of a full moon and the Undead Monkey can lead you right to it.
Sincerely,
Evil Twin
PS. I know the Undead Monkey is trouble. Tis why he is the Undead Monkey.
Post a Comment