New Reading Material

I think I may have said here, once or twice or a gazillion times, that I love reading.I read everything, every where and at any time. My husband had no idea of what to buy me for Christmas, and so, in desperation, he purchased a Kindle. I wasn't sure if I'd like it, but it's grown on me. For travel and ease of purchasing books while out, it can't be beat.

I'm an instant gratification kind of gal.

But I know that lots of you like to read as well, and I've gotten some really good suggestions on books from readers. Soooo, I thought I'd start a periodic post, detailing what I've read, what's on my radar, and what I thought of said read. You can share reviews as well, and we can all help each other find really great new reads.

Of course, you all know of my love of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. Many of you have shared with me that you love the series as well. You are probably sick to death of hearing me rave about this series, but have you read the Into The Wilderness series by Sara Donati? Billed as a sequel to Last of the Mohicans, this 5 book series was recommended to me by faithful reader Amie, and I was intrigued and grabbed by the first book. I've since completed all 5 books and I can see that I will be reading this one again. I have to admit that I was drawn to this book by the recommendation on the cover by Diana Gabaldon, but the books soon drew me in like no other - except for the Outlander series. If you like long, historical novels with multiple characters and involved story lines, this series is a winner.

Someone, and I'm sorry to say that I can't remember who, recommended the book The Hunger Games, to my daughter. I typically like to read books that my kids read before, especially if I'm not familiar with them, and so I downloaded the first chapter of the book to the Kindle. I planned on reading it, and if it was good, purchasing said book for my kids. Well, the best laid plans and all that jazz. I ripped through that chapter and was immediately hooked, and downloaded the entire book. I read it in three days, feverishly reading at stop lights and ignoring dishes and laundry. It was *that* good. A futuristic tale of survival and stress, there is no sex - I think maybe a couple of kisses almost unmentioned - and lots of keep you on the edge of your seat excitement and intrigue. I bought a hardcover to give to my kids to read, and I've already promised to loan it to several people. I'm currently working on the second, and have the third on preorder.

I downloaded A Reliable Wife because it looked good in the recommended read section of my local newspaper. The first chapter was intriguing, but I wasn't able to get past the third or so. The male main character is just weird, in my opinion. Lots of talk about sexual perversions and such. Did you read it? Did you like it? Does it get any better?

Next up: the first book in The Pink Carnation Series. Have you read it? Do you enjoy it?

Comments

[Emily]

I have read the PC series. For my money, the historical parts are MUCH more interesting to me than Eloise and Colin, but that might just be me. They are very funny and enjoyable.

[Gina]

I was going to recommend The Hunger Games! One of the best books, adult or YA, I've read in a long time. I think I've loaned out my copy 5 times, of course, I teach middle school so I've loaned it to some students. The library can't keep it in!
I also enjoyed The Book Thief and I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak. Same authur, very different books.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society was great as well.
I am on spring break and am starting The Fiery Cross on the plane to Cali, so excited! I don't read them when I'm teaching because I don't get anything else done!

[stacey@Havoc&Mayhem]

I really enjoyed the Pink Carnation series. They are a great read, a lot of fun, good period setting, interesting characters. Have you tried the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich? Hysterical!

[mm]

Carmen, and others, please tell me if you are satisfied with your Kindle. I live in a one horse town and there is no way I can pick one up and look at one.

In the meantime, I am attempting to read "The English Patient" but it is taking to long to get interesting. Hence, it sits on my bedside table.

[Maureen]

I love my Kindle. I sometimes miss the "feel" of a book but for ease of purchasing, ability to download in seconds, overall price (once you buy the kindle) and storage issue of books, it is fabulous. The other thing I love is the ability to adjust font size. At night, I usually make the print bigger. I highly recommend it.

[mary]

i am reading you on a diet by dr oz and I have to tell ya its the most boring thing EVAH

And I read a lot of diet books! lol.

[blackwhitedogs]

absolutely, positively love my kindle...best book i've read lately is "the postmistress"...also liked "the murderer's daughters" and "where the god of love hangs out"

[amie]

I am so excited about this post. I love to read- may be an addiction type issue for me. I read the Outlander series bc of your endorsement- they r amazing beyond words. I have turned about 5 friends onto them. Loved the Sara Donati series obviously. Just read Twilight series- entertaining but can not hold a candle to the previously mentioned series. Finished Time Travelers Wife last nite at 2 am. I must say it was not at all what I expected & I loved it. All time favs include Peace Like a River, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, & To Kill a Mockingbird. I am hoping for an ereader for Mothers Day- however even if u do not have one you can download ebooks from Barnes & Noble onto a laptop or iphone. They are often cheaper & of course faster than getting hard copies at store.
Ooohhohhhh- failed to mention James McBride- awesome writer. During the dreadful blizzards I read his Color of Water & Song Unsung- beautiful insightful books the. The Color Of Water is the story of his phenomenal mother. I think it will hit home with any parent , about doing what you know is right for your kids (she had 12)whether people agree, criticize or discriminate because of it. Song Unsung is set on MD's eastern shore not far from my hometown but it is also about slave trade & just people and their motivations.I will stop rambling now. Thanks :)

[Bobbie]

I bought a Kindle for my technology loving husband, even though he always said he didn't want one. He loves it! It's perfect for the gym, too.

[amy]

I finished Let Great World Spin while on vaca in Cancun. Did more reading on the planes then at the resort but it was an enjoyable book. But it was easy to not pick up if you get my meaning.
When my back was out out I plowed through The Art of Running In The Rain which was a nice story from the point of view of a dog. Really cute but you loved the characters.
Then on my way home from Mexico I started The Help in transit from Houston to Newark....barely stopping. I had this book finished by dinner time the next day. Totally engrossing and you really felt the need to bitch slap some of the characters. Seriously, I can't believe that people actually ever thought or acted like that...but they did and I'm sure some still do (sadly enough) Put those into the rotation. Out of the 3 I'd rate The Help much higher on the list then the other two

[BeeBelle]

I have been pointed to The Help before - Amy just reminded me to go put it on my library reserve list. I love reserving books online.

[Elizabeth]

Love the PC series! along with Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum and Metro Girl. If you're into fantasy, I can recommend Mercedes Lackey The 500 Kingdom Series. A funny spin on traditional fairy tales, ok for your kids too. For yourself (fantasy/romance) Mary Janice Davidson Fred the Mermaid books are great. If you like the vampire comedy/romance her Queen Betsy is good too.

[Jennifer]

I just read A Reliable Wife. It was definitely weird (and had A LOT of sex) but there were some cool plot twists and once I got into it, it was hard to put down. I would give it another shot (but DO NOT read it on an airplane or somewhere else where you might be embarrassed to have someone looking over your shoulder).

I also just read Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah. It was fantastic. Chick lit about two friends starting with when they meet in the 70s. Very fun read.

And I just finished Game Change, the book about the 2008 election. I thought it was super interesting, could not put it down. I don't think it matters what your political persuasion is; it just had a lot of interesting behind-the-scenes scoop about what went down during the campaigns.

[Luckyduck]

Glad you enjoyed The Hunger Games! My kiddo and I always talk about the characters and what will happen in the third book. It is also rumored to be a movie sometime in the future. Can't wait!

I am currently reading Stephen King's Under the Dome. Yeah, I know...do I really have time to read a 1000+ page novel? I'm only about 200 pages into it, and so far, it is AMAZING! Between a huge, outside the home project and that "job thing", plus the normal household stuff, I can only manage a few pages each night. I'll give a more complete review when I finish it, say, next year.

Last true series I read was Twilight books. Pretty good, but a bit slow for my taste. I'm also on the lookout for new series for my teenager. We've done the Mortal Instrument series (City of Bones), the Uglies, Maximum Ride, Harry Potter, Twilight, even the James Patterson Women's Murder Mystery Club. Do your readers have any suggestions?

[Rox]

Since you love to cook, you might like some culinary mysteries, which come with recipes. My all-time favorites are by Joanne Fluke (her character, Hannah Swenson, owns "The Cookie Jar" in MN). The cookie recipes are awesome! Others I read are: Dianne Mott Davidson (featuring Goldy Schulz, caterer in CO), Susan Wittig Albert (featuring China Bayles, a former lawyer who owns an herb and tea shop somewhere in the Southwest), Laura Childs (featuring Theodosia Browning, tea shop owner; set in Charleston, SC), Claudia Bishop (featuring the Quilliam sisters, innkeepers in upstate NY), Katherine Hall Page (Faith Fairchild, caterer and minister's wife in MA).

Most of those mysteries are light, quick reads. Being a mystery buff, I'd be remiss not to mention my all-time favorite series, which is actually heavier, more intellectual reading: Jane Haddam's Gregor Demarkian series.

For other fiction, I'm just finishing up "Belong to Me" by Marisa de los Santos, which I think you'd like. Other recent reads are Bloodroot and The Glass Castle, both alright.

Non-fiction: I'm loving Animal, Vegetable, Miracle.

[Deborah]

Loved the Hunger Games series and can't wait for the next book! I just finished Thinking in Pictures by Temple Grandin. I'm not usually a big non-fiction reader, but really enjoyed this book and found it to be informative.

[jennmominva@aol.com]

I just finished Sarah's Key. I thought it was really good. It takes place in France during WW2 about a little girl that locks her brother in a hiding place when they come to arrest her family.

[Frances]

I have to say that I have read The Outlander Series several times. I have read the Twilight series also and I have to say that I couldn't put the books down at all. I read all four books within a months time. Totally hooked. I know you don't like vampires Carmen but there is nothing in these books that is gory at all. So, I am starting the Donati series now and I love it too. Totally, a good read. Enjoy ladies.

[Sharilyn]

I love my Kindle too. I didn't think I'd like it as I'm a bit of a book snob and hate reading on the computer. But the first few days I had it I actually caught myself reaching to TURN THE PAGE that wasn't there. It is *that* easy on the eye.

Books: Time Traveler's Wife. Just about any of Alexander McCall Smith's books (light, but entertaining)
Khaled Housseini's 'Kite Runner' and 'Thousand Splendid Suns' (NOT light)

[amy]

Completely forgot to add The Lace Reader if you haven't read that one. Really good and weird twist you don't see coming at the end

[Sandra]

another kindle lover here as well. i'm in the midst of reading the knitting series right now. very light and easy read.

[Jennifer]

Here are some books that I recently read with my book group-

Lit by Mary Carr. Trainwreck to alcholic anony to Catholiscm. Loved it.

In the Fall by Jeffrey Lent. I thought it was way too long, but it has a Steinbeck vibe to it, if you like epic family sagas.

My Life in France by Julia Child. A compilation of her diaries and letters that she and her husband wrote when they lived in France, written like a novel. Loved it.

The latest David Sedaris - I think it's called Thank you for Not Smoking?. We're big fans of Sedaris - we go to see him whenever he comes to the area. His books are side splitting funny and touching and sad.

I'm looking forward to reading Brooklyn by Colm Toibin and Game Change as soon as I finish the Secret History by Donna Tartt.

[MJ]

I stumbled across Diane Chamberlain. Very thought provoking books. I just finished Before the Storm this morning and really enjoyed it.

[Jennifer]

Sorry, typo above, it's Lit by Mary Karr! Great book, mental block with author's names.

[Amy W]

I read A Reliable Wife for book club, and none of us liked it....just saying!