An FSU Without a Book Thread is Like an FS Event Without Snark

[Grannyfan]

Thanks for the link to the $.99 books. Just browsing through the titles I saw one of my all-time favorites, Boy's Life by Robert McCammon. A little mystery, a little fantasy, a little nostalgia, a little humor. Terrific story. I rarely re-read books, but that one I did.

[TygerLily]

I think you will find that it really picks up at that point. I adore that book. I was fairly bored with it at first, but read the bulk of it in one sitting.

Same here! I recall that it might have been an all-nighter.

On an entirely different note, I'm reading the latest JD Robb and am also finding it strong so far (I forget who else already gave a positive review).

I was surprised to hear that people think Roarke is hunky. I find him incredibly bland, though that may be in part because I only started reading the books a couple of years ago and didn't start at the beginning when there (as I've gathered from reading backwards) was some intrigue surrounding him. I do appreciate, though, that their relationship is stable. Compared to the Bones books with all the artificial romantic angst, it's just a relief that there's not some drawn-out Friends-like "will they or won't they" situation. I kinda skip the sex scenes, though, so maybe his hunkiness comes out in those parts.

ETA: Regarding Middlesex, maybe I should mention that I'm fascinated by gender and sexuality, so I'm often fascinated by books others might find boring, like Olive Skene Johnson's The Sexual Spectrum: Exploring Human Diversity. For fiction, another favourite is Rose Tremain's Sacred Country. Rita Mae Brown's earlier works were illuminating for me as an unworldly small-town girl.

And then there's my whole fascination with women masquerading as men to make it in a man's world. Brown's High Hearts is my favourite romance book, though I'm sure it's not her best novel (Rubyfruit Jungle?). Even in YA, I can be pretty predictable as Tamora Pierce's Alana quartet is another rereader. Yeah, yeah, and Janet Lunn's The Root Cellar. I'm just a sucker for these plot lines.

[rfisher]

Same here! I recall that it might have been an all-nighter.

On an entirely different note, I'm reading the latest JD Robb and am also finding it strong so far (I forget who else already gave a positive review).

I was surprised to hear that people think Roarke is hunky. I find him incredibly bland, though that may be in part because I only started reading the books a couple of years ago and didn't start at the beginning when there (as I've gathered from reading backwards) was some intrigue surrounding him. I do appreciate, though, that their relationship is stable. Compared to the Bones books with all the artificial romantic angst, it's just a relief that there's not some drawn-out Friends-like "will they or won't they" situation. I kinda skip the sex scenes, though, so maybe his hunkiness comes out in those parts.

IMHO, the best part of the Eve/Roarke story is the evolving relationship. Each book is a month or so apart (roughly). This is one series that is really best read in order to appreciate the story lines for all the major characters including Mavis (and her hubby and kid), Peabody/McNabb, Feeney, Dr. Mira, Eve's relationship with Crack, Nadine, the commander and even Trina. And, of course, Summerset. Even Baxter and Trueheart have a backstory. You learn a little more about one or the other with each successive book. She even did one with Roarke's admin Caro as a central character. Some of the books are more tightly plotted than others. The latest is one of her better efforts, although I hope this wraps up a storyline that has needed to be taken care of for a long time. I sort of wondered if Roberts/Robb was considering retirement and was moving toward wrapping up the series. I figure it'll end when Eve finally decides to have a child. She'll quit and Peabody will move to lead detective.

[TygerLily]

IMHO, the best part of the Eve/Roarke story is the evolving relationship.

I agree, and wish I'd realized that sooner than I did. Once I realized that the chronology was important, I did go back and order them from the library in approximate order, but I missed a few. It's still fun to go back and read one of them and discover why things are the way they are in the present book. I was and when I read about McNab and Peabody's early dynamics after knowing them as a couple for so long.

[Kasey]

Damn you Prancer. I may have just ordered a dozen or so more books.

[Prancer]

Damn you Prancer. I may have just ordered a dozen or so more books.

I must say, though, that it is amazing how those "cheap" books can add up to a less than cheap credit card statement .

[Allen]

I must say, though, that it is amazing how those "cheap" books can add up to a less than cheap credit card statement .

I know that's right. I kept saying, oh, these books are only .99 or 2.99 for Kindle. Then I realized I had spent 50 bunks in one go of it.

[Allen]

Anyone read Richelle Mead's Succubus Blues? It was 2 bucks for Kindle and I thought about giving it a go as it seems like a quick, breezy read.

[BigB08822]

You might want to check out Alibris' 99 cent sale, too: http://www.alibris.com/discount-book...-discount-_-na

I can't believe Larsson's The Girl series is already priced that low. It seems like I just shelled out for the hardbacks a month or so ago.

Ugh! I just bought those two books a few weeks ago in a half off sale on B&N but that wasn't even close to 99 cents! Should have waited.

[Marge_Simpson]

Don't feel bad, I bought TGWKTHN in hardcover because I was desperate to read it and there were about 100 people ahead of me on the library's waiting list.

[Buzz]

Leningrad: Tragedy of a city under siege. The title of this book speaks for itself. I am stil on my war time book reading stint. I have read many books on the war in the library but this one is brand new and worth the read. It tells the story of the siege through war time diaries, and blames Soviet indifference and incompetence as much for the siege as the Nazis. Below is a review of the book from the dailymail.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/book...ANNA-REID.html

[peibeck]

Sorry if it's already been discussed, but it you are a fan of theatre, Patti LuPone's "A Memoir" is a fun read, with lots of snark... especially based around Andrew Lloyd Webber and her experience with "Sunset Blvd."

[Erin]

Has anyone read Jane Lynch's autobiography? I love Jane Lynch, but never know how that will translate to a book (see the discussion on Bossypants from the prior thread).

Right now I am reading a book written by my ex, which is on Saskatchewan public policy. It's very well written and impressive that he wrote it (plus I was mentioned in the acknowledgements ) but we have somewhat different politics, so it's sometimes a bit of a frustrating read because I want to argue with the book!

[Nomad]

Slutty Brit won the coin toss. To Bed with Grand Music is keeping me entertained on the Metro. I can't say I like the heroine, but, by the same token, I can't quite blame her since her husband pretty much told her he'd cheat on her while he was Over There.

[VALuvsMKwan]

Sorry if it's already been discussed, but it you are a fan of theatre, Patti LuPone's "A Memoir" is a fun read, with lots of snark... especially based around Andrew Lloyd Webber and her experience with "Sunset Blvd."

You mean when she got ditched for Glenn Close? Hee.

[IceAlisa]

Started reading Victoria's Daughters about Queen Victoria's children. Well-written, informative and interesting. But I had to stop because reading about all these kids' deaths from infectious diseases is so heartbreaking. And these are royal children, I can only imagine what it was like for the poor ones.

I was reminded of the interview I've heard on the radio. A pediatrician from San Francisco was telling her story about her experience in Haiti after the earthquake. She was crying because she had to witness all these kids die knowing she could have saved them had she had the equipment and medications that are widely available in the US today.

It was just really hard to read about real life now-preventable deaths. And then of course, Victoria lost Albert to typhoid. I need to build up courage to continue reading--the book is very good.

I am such a wuss!

[mkats]

Oh, I enjoyed Victoria's Daughters a lot - I hope you do too!

Continuing the royal line, I'm reading "Becoming Marie Antoinette" - a period I'm not super familiar with, other than having read the YA fiction Royal Diaries series when I was little You know, although those books are classified as "children's books", they are remarkably good at incorporating little bits of history!

[zaphyre14]

I finished the LKH - honestly, if she'd taken out all the sex and concentrated on the actual story, it might have been a decent book. As it was - well, it's up on the swap sight but no one seems to want it.

Continuing my adventure into dreck, I'm reading the latest Stephanie Plum "Smokin' 17" and enjoying it for what it is - fluffy dreck. My expectations are low for this series so I'm not disappointed. The Ranger/Morelli waffling is getting old, though.

Has anyone else read Kate Quinn's "Mistress of Rome" and "Daughters of Rome"? I liked "Mistress" enough to buy "Daughters" but I really can't get into the second one at all and I can't really figure out why.

[Erin]

I am such a wuss!

Well, if you are, I am too! I had a hard time reading Unbroken as a result of all of the horrifying experiences and torture that various people in the book endured. However, I eventually forced myself through it and was glad I did...but I understand how you feel.

[IceAlisa]

Oh, I enjoyed Victoria's Daughters a lot - I hope you do too!

Continuing the royal line, I'm reading "Becoming Marie Antoinette" - a period I'm not super familiar with, other than having read the YA fiction Royal Diaries series when I was little You know, although those books are classified as "children's books", they are remarkably good at incorporating little bits of history!

I've read a book about Marie Antoinette in Russian translation from the German original. The subtitle was "the story of an ordinary woman". By "ordinary" the author meant her personality and character, not her social position, of course. It was good but I forgot the title.

Here it is: http://www.amazon.com/Marie-Antoinet.../dp/0802139094

I prefer to read German books translated into Russian rather than English. Early in my college career I was traumatized by a horrible translation of Freud into English--I feel German prose is easier to digest in Russian. Nonetheless, I highly recommend the book.