I’m always asked whether I still read for pleasure and the answer is yes . . . and no. I do still love to read, but almost everything I read now, even if it’s for pleasure, is also research. I’m always trying to keep an eye on what’s out there and put into perspective what I’m looking for. So to keep you updated on what I’m reading outside of work, and to keep tabs on my New Year’s resolution to read more published books, here’s the list of some of the most recent books I’ve read:
Running with Scissors by Augusten Burroughs
Jacky has raved about this book and finally I got the chance to read it. (By the way, I hate when the movie comes out before I’ve read the book. It make me look like a follower.) I don’t think I enjoyed it nearly as much as Jacky did, but it certainly is a fascinating read.
In the Thrill of the Night by Candice Hern
I actually took the recommendation to read this book from a blog reader, and want to thank you. I do need to get in the habit of reading more historical romance and I love her hook and thought this was fun.
Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance by Barak Obama
I’ve been interested in this book for quite some time, and now that Barak Obama is in the news so much I thought it was time to check it out. This was a really interesting look at race and his writing is beautiful.
Rain Fall by Barry Eisler
Another recommendation from a blog reader and another great hook. A hit man who is also the hero. A quick, fast-paced thriller.
So, what are you reading these days and what would you recommend?
—Jessica
22 comments:
I'm reading Rachel Cusk's ARLINGTON PARK - she's a great writer - although she can paint a bit of a bleak picture of motherhood.
I just finished Philippa Gregory's THE CONSTANT PRINCESS, which was very good, though I could never quite quite empathize with the character's motivation. Best book I've read this year would have to be YOU SUCK, Christopher Moore's sequel to BLOODSUCKING FIENDS. Vampires have never been so freakin' hilarious.
chris
I'm reading 'Guns, Germs, and Steel' and 'Flyboys' (my non fiction titles this month) and in fiction just finished a series of terrific Chloe Green books, and a fun book by Jennifer Colt, 'The Butcher from Beverly Hills'. And I read two YA books with my daughter - 'Because of Wynn Dixie' and my own 'Horse Passages' - she wanted to read it with me.
:-)
I'll happily recommend all the books I read this month!
Sweet Sensation by Gwyneth Bolton (review's on enduringromance.blotspot.com today!)
Games of Command by Linnea Sinclair
My Favorite Earthling by Susan Grant
I really want Mercedes Lackey's new release, but LUNA hasn't gotten any new books into Alaska since December. Wierd. Will go hunting for it this weekend.
Actually, I'm reading something that is considered old. When I began writing my book, I had never read any urban fantasy, much less realized that I had written one. I just called it horror fantasy. I'm reading the second book in the Anita Blake series by Laurell K. Hamilton, THE LAUGHING CORPSE. I like it so far.
Jessica, I recommend to you, MY SOUL TO KEEP by Tananarive Due, and WITHIN THE SHADOWS by Brandon Massey.
The story by Mrs. Due is about a young wife and mother who discovers that her wonderful husband is really 500 years old.
The story by Mr. Massey is about what happens when a couple breaks up and the woman begins to stalk the man, who then discovers that his ex has supernatural powers. Both are good reads.
Thanks for asking, Jessica!
I've recently finished:
GODS IN ALABAMA by Joshilyn Jackson -- This book had a little of everything: humor, suspense, romance.... It was a fun read.
THE RAVEN PRINCE by Elizabeth Hoyt -- A recommendation from an editor lunch . Very sexy and engrossing historical romance. I read it in a day.
I'm currently reading:
THE GLASS CASTLE by Jeannette Walls -- This is my book club's next selection. I just started it, so I'll let you know how it is at a later date!
YOU CAN'T HIDE by Karen Rose -- I met Karen at a conference last year and really enjoyed chatting with her. When I came home, I immediately went out and bought her book, but I've only recently had a chance to sit down and start reading it. The suspense story is such a great set-up: psychiatry patients being murdered through the power of suggestion (They're persuaded to commit suicide.) I can't wait to get back to it and find out what happens!
Life of Pi by Yann Martel is the most recent novel that i've read and it was excellent. a very original story. though the ending was a little lame.
cheers,
sss
I just bought Lisa Scottoline's DADDY'S GIRL. I'm hoping it will keep me more engaged than many of the books I've read lately.
I'm in the middle of THE MEN'S GUIDE TO THE WOMEN'S BATHROOM. I seem to be inhaling Chick Lit lately and this one has an interesting concept, someone writing a book while living out her chick life.
I'm reading "Trial & Errors" by Paul Levine. It's an ARC, the book doesn't come out until about June 5, and it's the 4th in his hilarious comic romantic crime series, Solomon vs. Lord series.
I just finished See No Evil by Allison Brennan. This book was so exciting I inhaled it in about 6 hours. Next up is an older Iris Johansen that I haven't had time to read.
I just started ON TOP OF THE WORLD: FIVE WOMEN EXPLORERS IN TIBET.
I'm reading ARTEMIS FOWL.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time. So good, I had to read it again right away, which I never do. Sweat Shop, the important thing about Life of Pi is: which story actually happened? If you take that ambiguity into account, it's not lame at all.
Ciar,
Ditto.
Time and Again is my absolutely favorite book. I've read it at least ten times, and it never gets stale.
I'm reading RULES right now, by Cynthia Lord (this was a Newbery Honor book last year); another good YA is GEOGRAPHY CLUB by Brent Hartinger.
I just recently finished See No Evil and Speak No Evil by Allison Brennan, and can't wait to get my copy of Fear No Evil. I also read JoAnn Ross's No Safe Place. All were great reads, keeping me up into the wee hours.
Right now I'm reading Iris Johansen's Stalemate and a relative's memoir of his adventures during World War II and as a Cold War spy. Pretty interesting.
Stephen King's ON WRITING, and Jacky Sach's EVERYTHING BUDDHISM BOOK. No kidding.
Well YOU asked! :)
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert.
And I agree, Candice Hern's latest trilogy is fantastic!
Ooh, Bella, how is Eat, Pray, Love? I've been eyeballing that one.
I'm reading a fascinating book on parenting: The Blessing of A Skinned Knee.
In fiction: Just finished Jane Heller's Best Enemies. Really light, but very funny. She intrigues me; I find her characters to be a bit two-dimensional, but I always enjoy her books. Also picked up The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd and a Dean Koontz, because Kim just became my agent, and she loves Dean Koontz :-D It better not make me afraid to sleep with the light off, Kim.
Just read Bahamarama by Bob Morris - great if you like comic mystery. I also read Death on the Nile for the first time, and really loved it. I read James Rollins' Map of Bones and it stank, which is too bad because I loved his first 3 or 4 books.
I read a couple of Stuart Woods' Stone Barrington books recently as well. The writing is mediocre, the characters are shallow, the plot is so-so, but for some reason I can't put them down once I start.
Au contraire, Wendy! Koontz is best read under the bedcovers with a flashlight!
Enjoy!
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