So...what are you reading now?
Thought I would start a new thread about what everyone is reading..I'm going on vacation early this year, June, so I'd like to start getting some ideas of what everyone is reading. I went to Hackettstown Library tonight and got The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo. Any feedback on it? I heard it was really good, best out of the 3 in the series. For any Nicholas Sparks fans, I just finished "Safe Haven"...thought it could be the best one he wrote, loved it!
Bessie 
Just finished "The Paris Wife", the new novel on Ernest Hemingway's first marriage to Hadley Richardson. EXCELLENT! I couldn't put it down.
Lilac
midnightgardener1 
Firefly Just finished 'The Little Giant of Aberdeen County'. Couldn't put it down.
If you're looking for some light page turners for a vacation, def check out the Stefanie Plum, Janet Evanovich books.
mebradar 
Jersey Girl oh...and right now I am rereading Nicholas Sparks' Last Song. Janet Evanovich and her "number" books with Stephanie Plum are always great beach reads! A little bit of adventure and lots of comedy! Based in NJ! Starts with "One for the Money" and I think she's up to 16 or 17 now!
deadhead I absolutely love Alexander McCall Smith's "#1 Ladies' Detective Agency." I'm reading his 12th in the series, and being in Botswana with Mma Ramotswe puts me in a good place...as good as meditating. I highly recommend this series, but start with the first and read them in order.
I think I'll drop a copy of his first one in the lounge.
http://www.randomhouse.com/features/mccallsmith/main.php
cbel Bessie, I've read the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. But I strongly disagree that it's the best in the series. I think it gets better with each book. However, I also think you need to read all three to get the full effect.
I did find the first one was hard to get into it, but I couldn't put it down once I did.
MB Reading "Washinton", by Ron Chernow. The actual person, the good and the not so good. Well written.
jerseydutchman2 I just read "The Help", and it was a great read. And if anyone likes books in series format, I loved the "Left Behind" series. It is Chritian Fiction and I would have never known about it unless someone gave me the first 2 books to read. By book 3, I had to make sure I had at least 2 books at a time. Great story.
LuLu22 
CBGB I've read several good books recently but the one that stands out is Hannah's Dream by Diane Hammond
http://www.paperbackswap.com/Hannahs-Dream-Diane-Hammond/book/0061568252/
It's the story of an elephant , Hannah and her keeper of over 40 years Samson Brown. They have such a loving relationship and Hammond just knows how to tell a story. This is a delightful tale. I liked Hannah's Dream much more than Water For Elephants ( which I thought as OK ) because it's really about the elephant and her keeper and the host of characters in their lives and it's a fun loving story.
Bought a Kindle about two and a half months ago and so far am loving it ! The features like making the print larger , the early access to some books not available in print yet , free books , novellas and many for .99/1.99 . Reading Stephen King's UR now which is not available in print - ebook and audio book only .
http://www.amazon.com/UR-ebook/dp/B001RF3U9K/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2&qid=1302025579&sr=8-1
Zombo Who's Washinton?
I am reading "Benjamin Franklin: An American Life" and "American Sphinx: The Character of Thomas Jefferson". Both great books so far.
ComputerSharp Speaking of Franklin, I have read The First American - the Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin, by H.W. Brands. Excellent. Some people would be shocked, I think, by some aspects of his personality - not straight-laced at all, including some ideas and writings not suitable for a family forum.
jerseydutchman - we apparently have a similar interest in the Founding Fathers. Franklin definitely was a genius with a dirty mind. Perhaps that was the inspiration behind "He who lays down with dogs, shall rise up with fleas" ?
I must confess I am beating you up a little bit on the "Vandalsim" forum for misspelling Washington's name. I feel like it's almost like misspelling your own last name. I presume in this case, it was simply a typo. One that I can certainly forgive, but not sure I can forget ;o)
melof-7 Steig Larsson trilogy is excellent...Try Chris Bohjalian, Harlan Coben and Khalid Husseini.
All great reads!
HeavenForbid I am properly chagrined for misspelling WashinGton, as pointed out by ComputerSharp - the father of our country, no less.
Shouldn't there be a spell-check in this forum's software? I don't see it.
jerseydutch - depending on what browser you use (I use FireFox), there will be a squiggly red line under the misspelled words...
jerseydutchman: We all know what you meant. :) Jeez, criticizer, it was a typo! Have you nothing better to do?
Currently reading Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides. I second the vote for Khalid Hoseini. I liked Kite Runner and Thousand Splendid Suns, but thought Suns was the better of the two.
Oh! And another great historical fiction series I LOVED was the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. It is set in Scotland and the US. I love books, but switched to a Kindle a year and a half ago. It took a bit of time to get used to reading on a device, but it is great to have all of my books with me at once since I often read more than one at a time.
***Harlan Coben and Khalid Husseini.***
Have read many Harlan Coben (thanks to Calico), both of Khalid Husseini (not sure if he has anything new out, mental note to check that). I'm having a tough time getting into Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, will try giving it more of a chance based on some input here. Concerned Mom, I thought A Thousand Splendid Suns was more of an insight into being female in Afghanistan and what the culture is like. The Kite Runner more of a male view on it. Absolutely loved both of them, also loved the way both were read.
i also love harlan and have read all his books, he is a " friend " of mine on facebook and he has been really promoting an author named lisa unger , i am going to try her tomorrow
cmj cmj: I've read all of Harlan Coben, too. I keep a record of the books I read, by author, so I don't read them twice (I tend to read so many that I forget). I read 3 Unger books in a row back in 7/09 so I must have liked her. Thanks for the reminder.
Finally reading the LOTR Trilogy...Have seen the movies a bazillion times but never read the books..
reedfamily The Help by Kathryn Stockett was excellent; both sad & funny. The best I've read in a while. Should be easy to find, as it was recently on best seller list.
Joyce Polack I posted this once before, but it's worth repeating. The movie is coming soon.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1454029/
Time to bump this up...I finished the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo..loved it. I'm about 3/4 through the new Anna Quindlen book, Every Last One, I cannot give the story away but if you like her style...it's beyond words (at least for me)...What's everyone else reading. I have a Jodi Pocult book waiting in the wings, The Pact...anyone read it?
I read The Pact. It's also been made into a movie. I found it to be an okay read. Depressing mostly but I obviously finished it so it was readable.
Bessie
Like MB, I've read all three books of the trilogy. I also noted that it seemed to start of slowly with a lot of buildup and character-building before you got to the real "meat" of the story. Once into the story though, I was hooked! MB was also right that to do the story justice you really need to read all three books.
I also saw the original Swedish movies when they came out here but had to travel first to Caldwell for the first movie, then later to Montclair to see the next two. It was definitely worth the trip. The first movie followed the book pretty closely, the second really took shortcuts and unless you saw the earlier movie or read at least one of the books you'd be questioning a number of things you saw, such as why Mikal "owed" Lisbeth and why he had so much faith in her innocence. A few flashbacks to the first movie, as well as adding 20-30 mins. total to the movie would have made it so much better. All three movies are out on DVD. There is also a Hollywood remake of it that's in filming now, with Mara Rooney and Daniel Craig (the current 007). Odd trivia bit is that the actor who portrayed Mikal is supposed to be playing a villain in the next Bond flick.
As for current reads, no fiction in the works right now, just genealogy and a number of history, geography and technical books of no interest to most people other than myself I'm sure.
Phil D. I'm reading two books now. One for a non-fiction book challenge I'm involved in from my book club and another just because I like to read.
The Skin That We Speak by Lisa Delpit , it's a collection of essays discussing how dialect effects our childrens aducation.
Mackerel Sky by Natalee Caple , very good storytelling , not much on character development though. A man comes back home after 20+ years to meet the daughter he has never seen.
"The Complete Joy of Homebrewing, Third Edition" by Charles Papazian. Once I've finished reading it twice from cover to cover, I think I'll be ready to join the ranks of the homebrewers. Hopefully, I'll have some fresh product by the 1st day of summer.
iPhone-imal very cool iPhone-imal
what's the first beer type planned ?
I've been wanting a rye beer this week , very tasty.
cbgb, I think I'm going to brew a European-style Pilsner for my first batch. I think it will be appropriate for the time of year; I'll save the darker, more full-bodied brews for the approach of autumn.
Hopefully, it comes out tasting more like Stella than Bud, lol...
I like stuff Like The Pit and the Pendulum" is a short story written by Edgar Allan Poe, books with witchcraft , Dark storys that step over the line from this world to others . Exit to Edan was good . Any one got any good recomendations on books,
Caged Animal 
Rodney Dangerfields autobiography...he pretty much comes across straight...the ups the downs...famous friends etc...a decent read
oldman http://www.amazon.com/Please-Look-After-Kyung-Sook-Shin/dp/0307593916/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1304282572&sr=1-1
Please Look After Mom
Very different from other books I've read. There's something about it that doesn't want me to put it down. Started reading yesterday afternoon. Almost finished.
I'm reading "The Reversal", Michael Connelly's latest book. He's the guy who wrote "The Lincoln Lawyer" which has now become a movie. He's a great writer!
Cami 
lola Just finished Sophie's Choice and am now re-reading Jane Eyre, in anticipation of seeing the new film adaptation.
Book signings at Mendham Books...Mary and Carol Higgins Clark will be signing their new books Saturday, May 7 at 2 p.m. Check Mendhambooks.com for other signings!
Ashby I just finished "Who loves you best?", a novel about a woman who has twins while her marriage, business and personal life implode. Couldn't put it down, finished it in one day. It's one of the Target featured books, so they sell it at 20% off. I forget the name of the author, but it has a lady's hand holding a pink bootie and a yellow bootie on the cover.
Sandy Look ! Look ! Feathers by Mike Young
a collection of offbeat ( weird ) stories so of course I'm liking it !!
Just got the 4 book set from amazon - A Song of Fire and Ice by George R.R. Martin which the new HBO series Game Of Thrones is based on . Best show on tv . It is known .
Bruin mentioned the movie "Cold Mountain" in another thread. I read the book years ago and then saw the movie. Here's the link to Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Cold-Mountain-Novel-Charles-Frazier/dp/B001O9CBQM/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1306095045&sr=1-2
The reviews are mixed. I loved the book and may even read it again. Bessie: I think it's a great "read" while you're on the road.
Cbel, I read that awhile ago. I remember it being very long, and I listened to the abridged version and I think it was 9 or 10 discs. Funny thing is when I went to read what it was about to refresh my memory..I didn't remember much of it. Not sure that's ever happened to me before, LOL. What did you think of the movie?
Bessie: I loved the book and I loved the movie until the end. It was sad and it made me angry. I think the end of the movie was different than the end of the book. Now I have to read it again.
I would love if you would stop by the new library on 46. Maybe you can't take books out, but you can enjoy the facility. It really is spectacular...and I'm not exaggurating.
Thou shalt kill - Daniel lake --good
Tabloid city - Pete Hamill - awful
The shadows in the stret - Susan Hill - good
Nothing great lately.
Jamb Crocodile Soup by Julia Darling
http://www.paperbackswap.com/Crocodile-Soup-Julia-Darling/book/0060090405/
a rather odd book , very quirky main character , i like it .
"My Grandfather's Son" by Clarence Thomas
As one who grew up "all around" the U.S., but mainly in the south, I found that a number of his observations were spot on with my own experiences and of a number of people I've talked with that were from there and were living up here.
Besides that, the story of his life itself and of his family is quite interesting - to me at least.
I'm reading "Shopaholic & Baby" by Sophia Kinsella. It's the next in the Shopaholic series. It's a fun, quick read and it's easy to get into when I'm waiting for a deposition or court and can just pop open my new Kindle.
I just bought "One Day" for my Kindle. It's been made into a movie that's coming out this summer with Anne Hathaway.
Tracy Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith
by Deborah Heiligman
Excellent and interesting book
Charles Darwin author of The Origin of Species, his revolutionary tract on evolution and fundamental ideas. Challenges about teaching the theory of evolution in schools occur all over the country. This same debate raged within Darwin himself, and played an important part in his marriage: his wife, Emma, was quite religious, and her faith gave Charles a lot to think about as he worked on a theory that continues to spark intense debates.
dragonfly When the Buddha Met Bubba by Richard Dixie Hartwell
a good ole southern redneck gets a conk to the head and meets his personal Buddha and thus begins his journey to enlightment.
The 19th Wife - David Ebershoff - History mixed with modern murder mystery. good read interesting insight to Morman History past & present.
htown newbie just finished reading Buddha. now I'm reading Oscar Caliber Gun by Henry Baum
amazon says >>>>Ray's story combines the sacrificial moral compass of Travis Bickle with a bloodied but unbowed Bukowskian will.
whatever , hahaha
"Home from Nowhere" by James Kunstler. It was published about 15 years ago, and was a little ahead of its time as far as mass consumption was concerned.....not that popularity is the indicator of a great work.
This book should be required reading for all architects and urban planners.
jjmonth4 im reading beautiful lies by lisa unger and it makes reference to hackettstown alot. i just read a part where the guy went to 7-11 in allamuchy, its pretty cool.
I just finished "A Singular Woman" by Janny Scott. The book is the story of President Obama's mother. She lived an extraordinary life and the book was very interesting.
Elizabeth by Margaret George
To Be Sung Underwater - I forget the name of the author. Really vivid and haunting at times..
antimony Waiting on Steven Tyler's new book from WC Library - "Does the noise in my head bother you".
Coffeelover http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_36?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=a+captain%27s+duty+by+richard+phillips&sprefix=a+captain%27s+duty+by+richard+phillips
CBGB: I don't know if this link will work. I read about this book, "A Captain's Duty" and immediately thought of you. Check it out.
Just finished Water for Elephants... good story, quick read
before that was Bridge of Sighs... a novel about a man growing up and three families based in a small NY town
now reading The Secret Lion... .. about the Tudor Court age
cowgirl1 
htown49years I haven't started reading yet but next up is
The Peculiar Boars of Malloy --by-- Doug Crandell
here is the description
A farcical yet endearing story of a family in Indiana farm country
This Sherwood Anderson-award winning farcical novel follows two teenage boys living on a farm in rural Indiana. Their father - a diminutive man and the laughingstock of their small town - purchases two boars in an attempt to impress his neighbors and demonstrate, by proxy, his masculinity. The boars, however, turn out to be resolutely gay and deeply committed to each other, setting off a ridiculous chain of events that brings the spotlight and accompanying media circus to Malloy.
I'm half way through this, A Secret Gift, and am now fascinated with the Great Depression..it's very interesting reading about how hard it was with some comparison to modern day struggles....
http://www.asecretgiftbook.com/
New York (really lengthy and detailed, but excellent). Read The Help a while back==very fun. The Red Tent. Snowflower and the Secret Fan. The Beach Trees-- great story about a southern family, hurricanes Camille and Katrina.
Gen3Townie 
THE MAN 
realitychickcheck So, my DD got a kindle for Christmas and hasn't used it much, except for her favorite book series (Warriors, about a bunch of Cat Clans). Me and my big ideas, I follow Dismom's suggestion a while back that Amazon has loads of classics for FREE so I download them to DD's Kindle. She naturally has not interest in them, so says I "Self, you'll have to read a couple to set a good example."
Now, if you all recall DD was just in "The King and I" so I go ahead and read "Uncle Tom's Cabin."
On many levels it was extremely tough to read, one being how it was written. You really recognize how much our language has changed in the last 150 years (give or take). So, it was the first time in a long time I actually had to concentrate on what I was reading. Maybe I'll move to some fluff to give my brain a break.
Anyway, with all of the recent discussions on oppression of people in our society (poor, gays, women, etc.) it was very relevant to read. Some passages rang very true even today.
On another level, I guess it's how the history of slavery was really watered down in school that made the harsh realities brought in the novel (yes, I know it's fiction, but I do believe the examples made). It brought me to tears at several points, because I guess it's a part of US history, I'd just assume we forget, but we must remember. It really brought a lot of where my life is in particular in a brilliant light and my family history is quite a wonderful story compared to the tragedies and suffering experienced by slaves.
Anyway, does anyone have any good fluff to recommend to me?
trekster3 Just finished the American Heiress by Daisy Goodwin. Breezy tale about life in the the late 1800's when women of wealth were know to go abroad and marry a "title". I did not like the ending of the book , but otherwise I actually liked it.
Also reading EAT, PRAY, LOVE Elizabeth Gilbert. I did NOT see the movie version and the book was only .25 at the library book sale so I figured I'd give it a whirl. I really like it. I love the conversational tone of it. I'm thinking of actually loaning it to a few friends of mine b/c it's the sort of book that you want to just keep reading and find out what happens to the author.
Stan - I looked for that Secret Lion book and no luck. What is the name of the author? I love Tudor stuff so I was dismayed I couldn't locate it in the MT. Olive library and it did not come up anywhere local either :(
The Keepers of Truth --by-- Michael Collins
this book was on the bookcase and I don't remember having it or where it came from. I just decided to start reading it without even knowing what the book was about.
so far it's a good read.
I'm reading my fourth book by Pete Hamill - "Tabloid City." It didn't get very good reviews on Amazon, but I like his style. My favorites were "North River" and "Snow in August". Third runner-up was "A Drinking Life", his autobiography.
I read A Drinking Life...liked it, haven't read any of his other ones though. Currently listening to Jennifer Weiner (no relation to the other Weiner, LOL), Fly Away Home, loving it!
Jennifer Weiner is a favorite of mine, 'in her shoes' is excellent and so was 'certain girls'......the ending events were so unexpected!
htownchik @htownchik...I don't think I've read any others by her but will definitely read another one. I'm really enjoying this one. I think I will try for In Her Shoes..going to Paperback Swap right now and see if there's any others of her.
yard sale books are the best
so this is what i found
Yes Ma'am
http://www.amazon.com/Yes-Maam-Erotic-Stories-Submission/dp/1573443093
not for the faint at heart
mom of three:) I am rereading a Mary Higgins Clark book, she is my favorite author and I have all her books! After I finish this I am going to read, "Heaven is for Real" about the little boy who went to Heaven during emergency appendectomy surgery and came back. My mom gave me the book; she read it and said it was excellent! My favorite summer reads are also the latest Janet Evanovich installment (the number books) and the latest Sue Grafton installment (the alphabet books). I am WAY behind on Patricia Cornwell and James Patterson, my other favorite authors. And I need to read the latest Nicholas Sparks, too.
Charms for the Easy Life, Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, and finishing up New York....
usually go through a book a week....so great to get ideas on here.
Madame Tussaud by Michelle Moran
A novel about the French Revolution as imagined by the famous wax sculptress. Pretty good :)
One Day by David Nichols. It's now a major motion picture that's coming out this summer with Anne Hathaway.
BrotherDog Tracy - are you enjoying "One Day?" I saw a print ad for the movie recently.
I'm currently reading "The Compass of Pleasure." It's non-fiction written by a neuro-biologist, who tries to explain the nuts and bolts of what happens in the brain when we experience pleasure. It is totally dry. Like reading the Anals of Neurobiology. Not sure I'm going to get through it. And normally, I like books with a scientific bent.
DB I'm enjoying it, Rebecka. It's a little slow, and I'm only about halfway through it, but it's interesting and keeping my attention. I just don't get to read too much of it at a time. I just pull out my Kindle whenever I have a minute or two and occasionally I'll get a longer stretch of time when I can get through more of it.
DB: Thanks for the recommendation. I just picked up "I Am Ozzy" from the library this morning and I've been laughing (and cringing) through the first three chapters.
I'm about halfway through book no.5 in the A Song of Ice and Fire series called A Dance With Dragons . Though the story moves at a glacial pace , the author keeps it interesting by bringing back familiar characters not heard from in book four as this book happens during the same time line . I just hope it's not another 6 years until the next book since HBO's Game of Thrones has got me hooked on this story !
In light of the thread that's going on about depression, I thought I would post this. I just finished a book "Thirteen Reasons Why". It's a young adult book about teen suicide. I loved it and feel it's a good read for anyone with kids, maybe even a book you might read at the same time as your child to open the lines of communication on the subject. Having been affected by a friends child's suicide I was compelled to read it. I wanted to try to understand why a young person would come to this point, where suicide is the only solution to how they feel. I think it's so common for people to immediately want to say, it's not that bad, suck it up, you shouldn't feel like that. This book opened my eyes about what goes on in someone's mind when they've made the decision to take their own life. Here's the link about the book. Has anyone else read it?
http://www.thirteenreasonswhy.com/
Bessie ,I have heard that13 Reasons is a powerful and important book, good recommendation.
I'm reading Pest Control by Bill Fitzhugh another fun silly book by this author , has me chuckling throughout.
I'm reading the Ana Nicole Smith case. Page turner. . .
Here's the skinny: Anna Nicole Smith had pursed millions of dollars from her tycoon husband after he died. The son of her husband wins all of his father's $1.6 billion estate despite her claim that the the son, E. Pierce Marshall, used fraud to take control of all of the family wealth and shut her out. This litigation has been going on for 15 years.
But for Constitutional guru's, essentially, the Supreme Court smacked Congress for violating Article III of the Constitution, which is the part of the Constitution that controls judicial powers. Congress, in 1984, passed a law to give bankruptcy courts final authority to decide counterclaims that debtors assert in lawsuits within the bankruptcy court. But bankruptcy judges are Article I judges. So claims that are based solely on state law are beyond the reach of a bankruptcy judge. This case reinforces the Supreme Court's commitment to a robust separation of powers.
For those who have kids in high school or college, I think this case is good to read so that they can get a better understanding of the Constitution.
http://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/10-179.ZO.html
Something Borrowed-I love it! Having a hard time putting it down!
If you'd like some other suggestions as well as read reviews, check out my new review site: www.heathersbookcorner.com. Thanks :))
2Cents http://www.amazon.com/God-Never-Blinks-Lessons-Detours/dp/0446556513/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1313451644&sr=1-1
God Never Blinks - I can't say enough about it. Please read the reviews and decide for yourself.
I finished One Day. It really was a great read. Surprising ending though. Looking forward to seeing the movie. Going to move on to The Help next.
Conversations with God
http://www.amazon.com/Conversations-God-Uncommon-Dialogue-Book/dp/0399142789/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1313454252&sr=1-1
The Northwood Chronicles by Elizabeth Engstrom
A series of short stories centered in a small town , White Pines Junction. I am reading the seventh story now . The stories are a bit odd but entertaining.
Gor
series by John Norman
any one have these i am just looking to read them not a collector
Just finished Triggerfish Twist by Tim Dorsey. I thought it was quite good. Lots of funny moments and a bunch of wacky characters.
I'm gonna start another one that was recommended by a friend, Storm Front by Jim Butcher.
SueR just finished Stephen King's "Full Dark, No Stars" a collection of 5 short stories! really good =)
Just starting House Rules, Jodi Picoult. So far it's pretty good, but 17 CD's..longggggggggggg!
DB: Love him, too. I've read the whole series in order and I'm on the waiting list for The Affair. Have you read them all?
Thank you for a great thread. I never know what books to get and usually just read hand me downs. Since reading this I have picked up a Harlan Coben book and a Lisa Unger book at the library.
happycamper 
tony Bessie, I have Darkest Fear and am reading it now. It is very good. The Lisa Unger book is Beautiful Lies but I have not started that yet.
Happy Camper, will have to try to get that one. I love the Myron Bolitar books that he writes. Let me know if you enjoyed it when you're done.
Bessie, finished Darkest Fear last night. I thought it was very good. Now starting Hold up the Sky by Patricia Sprinkle then on to Lisa Unger. Thank you again for the thread!
I haven't read a Paul Watkins novel in a while. Watkins is my favorite author and I am slowly reading his books from first to last.
Thunder God
cbel - I have not read all the books in the series yet. I'm savoring them. I think I have "The Affair" on order at my library.
Right now I am reading "The 5th Witness" by Michael Connelly
Actually I don't read much as I don't have time, but I am a recorded books addict. I listen to them back and forth to work everyday which is about an hour one way.
@DB..I'm an audio listener too! I average a book a week or so..would have never read all those books. Do you buy them or only get in the library. I get a lot from Paperback Swap so that's worked out very well for me.
Bessie, I get them from the library. I work in Somerset County and I am a member of the Somerset County Library system. I average about 40 - 50 audio books per year....the only advantage of having an hour commute to work!
@Bessie,
House Rules was a pretty long book. I finished it about a month ago. What did you think of it? I'm guessing you might have finished it by now. I like Jody Piccoult, but that certainly wasn't one of my favorites.
I'm currently reading The Hunger Games. DS picked it from the Summer reading list for school and really enjoyed it, so I decided to read it and am enjoying it too. I plan to read the whole trilogy before seeing the movie, so DS better get a move on, as he's only on book 2 and I'm almost done with this. It's a quick and easy read, as it's for young adults, but a lot of my friends have read it and enjoyed it as well.
Lori...Since '73 I just finished Every Last One by Anna Quindlan. I picked it up at the library based on Bessie's post in this thread. And I think you are right, Bessie, when you said it is beyond words. Thanks for the recommendation, I really enjoyed it.
I had forgotten about Anna Quindlan and enjoyed that so much, that when I went to the library I looked for another of hers. I didn't know she wrote One True Thing; I saw that movie and actually liked it. Since I know more or less how that story goes, I took out Object Lessons instead.
That will have to wait until I finish Salem Falls by Jodi Picoult.
Aquarius I am now listening to Linda Fairstein - Silent Mercy.
Her books are always very interesting. They are loaded with trivial facts about NYC. Her protagonist - sex crimes prosecutor, Alexandra Cooper is a very strong character, along with detective Mike Chapman, who is another good character make a great team.
I recommend all her books if you like that murder/mystery genre.
just finished:
Happy Chaos - Soeil Moon Frye (yes Punky Brewster) - it was "out there". I don't recommend it.
and
The Medusa Amulet - very good until the end and then it just got ridiculous.
Currently reading: The Last Werewolf - by Glen Duncan. Interesing. Not normally my style, but I have to say it does reel you in.
@Lori..Since73
I enjoyed the book, a little long (as hers usually are), but I have to say, the ending was a big UGG! I was expecting more in the end, I like everything to be tied up nicely, LOL. I've come to the conclusion that I have that feeling often after reading one of her books.
@Aquarius--Are you enjoying Salem Falls, I think I saw that at the library last time I was there. Might have to look for it again, I'm such a sucker for her books, even though I complain after reading them. Your comment about Every Last One reminded me of how much I loved that book, glad you enjoyed it. I think I've read all of Anna Quindlens books, even the short ones. Have you read Black and Blue by her? I agree with CBEL, Blessings is a good one too.
@CBEL..I'm listening to God Never Blinks, love it. I actually bought this one from Amazon, even with shipping, it was still under $10.00. I might have to get the book for future reference, some very powerful lesson in the book and I'm only half way through.
Bessie: I'm glad you like it. I borrowed it from the library but I think I want my own copy.
Just read the Stephen King ebook Mile 81 and while it was good it was also very short - even for 2.99 . But there was a sample after the story's end of his upcoming 11/22/63 book about a man traveling back in time to stop Oswald from shooting Kennedy which looks like it will be very good . I've read the first two Jack Reacher books and enjoyed them . Apparently Tom Cruise has been signed to play Reacher in the One Shot film adaption . The 5'7" Cruise playing 6'5" ex-military cop seems like a big stretch , but that's Hollywood for ya .
http://www.deadline.com/2011/07/tom-cruise-locked-to-play-jack-reacher-in-one-shot-for-paramount-and-skydance/
I absolutely agree cbel , but money and star power talks in Hollyweird and common sense walks . Chris Hemsworth (Thor) , Nathan Fillion (Castle) , and Hugh Jackman are just a few actors mentioned in the comments to that link who would fit the Jack Reacher role much better . Being a Stephen King fan of the Dark Tower series I was glad when Ron Howard's adaption was dropped . Mostly because he wanted Javier Bardem to play Roland the last gunslinger who was basically envisioned by King as a younger Clint Eastwood . Blue bombardier eyes and brown Bardem eyes just don't get it done along with the obvious height difference . Hell if Eastwood were at least 40 years younger he could play both those roles !
Zombo: I'm not familiar with most of what you wrote, but a 40-year old Clint Eastwood would have been perfect! I guess when you sell your rights to your book, you lose all control. How sad. Now, how can anyone who sees Tom Cruise as Reacher ever appreciate a Lee Child novel?
I wish I could take a day off from work and just finish reading The Help. It's so good! I'm about halfway through but I hardly ever get time to read more than a page or two at a time. I read a good chunk yesterday though.
Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher is a JOKE!!
The character Jack Reacher is 6'4' and 250lbs, and I think he has sandy hair. Tom Cruise is a shrimp!
I have never been a fan of movies from books as they are far from the plot of the book.
I'm listening to Kathy Reichs - Flash & Bones
The River Road --by-- Tricia Currans-Sheehan
An excellent novel told in a series of stories about a girl growing up in rural Iowa spanning from the late 1950's to the 1960's. It's a mix of small town characters and her search for her mother who left her when she was 4 years old.
I'm listening to Lee Child (My first one), 61 Hours, I'm enjoying it, but it's very stressful to listen to while driving.
I just finished The Help. I feel so empty now. I enjoyed it so much. Now what do I read?
@Tracy, what do you like? Do they have to be current Best Sellers? I could go on and on about books I've read.
Tracy: Pls look into Alexander McCall Smith's "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" series by Alexander McCall Smith. I've read all 12 (have to be read in order) and they put me in such a peaceful place. They're funny, joyful, and totally delightful. The locale is Botswana and the main character makes Botswana sound like heaven on earth. I can't say enough about this series. It may not be your cup of tea, but it's worth a try.
I am now reading the 2nd book in Harry Turtledove's Atlantis series. It's been a few years since I read book one .
United States of Atlantis
Harry Turtledove typically writes alternative history books. I really liked his WorldWar series in which we have an alien invasion right in the middle of WWII.
So I've taken the jump into Harry Potter. Tried before but just couldn't get into it. Gave it another try and I may be hooked. I'm almost finished the first one and am now wondering if I should watch the first movie. Any Harry fans posting? Do you watch the movie after you finish the book?
Court cases dealing with the admissibility of evidence in a federal lawsuit. The pages are white hot with excitement!!!
Just read "The Help" it was excellent. I am now going to read Janet Evanovich "Plum Lovin" I will let u know how I liked it.
apple I just finished The Hunger Games. It was SO GOOD! I started it yesterday morning and couldn't put it down.
Before I read The Hunger Games I read "The Innocent" by Vincent Zandri. It's a thriller type novel about the warden of Green Haven prison in upstate New York and an escaped cop killer. It was very enjoyable.
I am about to start reading Pigeon English --by-- Stephen Kelman
I like finding new authors and reading their debut novel. I am hopeful that this will be an entertaining read.
http://www.amazon.com/Pigeon-English-Stephen-Kelman/dp/0547500602/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319472377&sr=1-1
DB: I've read them all and I'm almost finished reading his latest, "The Affair." Another good one.
I just wish I could get past the thought of a Tom Cruise Jack Reacher!
cbel - I finished The Affair before this one and it was a good story.
I don't plan on watching that movie when it comes out. I don't like movies from books, too much is lost.....in this case it will be the lead character!
Sorry, folks, for hijacking this thread for a minute.
DB: The Ledger has an article today on Steve McQueen, and I realized that it isn't Tom Cruise's stature that makes him so wrong for the role. IMO, it's his pretty face and wimmpyness. Steve McQueen could have carried it. What do you think?
cbel - Steve McQueen could have done a decent job but he was only 5'10, a far cry from 6'5.
Too bad Clint Walker is too old for the part...he would be perfect.
I think Dwayne Johnson wouldn't be too bad for the part....at least he's big enough.....
DB: Even though Steve McQueen didn't measure up in stature, I think he could have pulled off the character. Dwayne Johnson, not so much, imo.
In any case, if I were Lee Child, I swear I wouldn't take a nickel for the rights to my books if I knew Tom Cruise were to be cast as Reacher. It's an abomination!
That's enough from me....for now.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/25/tom-cruise-very-sensitive-jack-reacher_n_1030772.html
DB: We're not alone.
cbel - Cruise is a sensitive man about criticism? What would Reacher say?
I'm listening to Without Fail - Lee Child
I hate to face the fact that I will soon have read all the Reacher books..... :(
Theodore Boone --by-- John Grisham
I have enjoyed the few Grisham novels I have read , I think this is a YA book but I like it so far.
DB: Have you read Robert B. Parker's Spencer books (approx. 25)? Or Steve Cannell?
They should keep you busy for awhile.
Robert Moses and the Fall of New York - By Robert Caro
At approx. 1300 pages it's quite epic. shows the rise of Robert Moses to power and the ways he used and abused that power to ram through all the public works projects he wanted...even if the people didn't. Great book.
Ringo* I just got Stephen King's new book 11/22/63 from the library and so far it's a real page turner , much better than anything he has written recently . It's about a time portal that enters the same day and time in 1958 . Go back and no matter how long you stay days or years you come back exactly two minutes after you left . So what would happen if someone decided to change a big event in history like what happened on a November day in Dallas 1963 ? Can't wait to see how it plays out !
http://www.amazon.com/11-22-63-Stephen-King/dp/1451627289
Unexpectedly, Milo --by-- Matthew Dicks
I really enjoyed his debut novel "Something Missing" about the pettiest of thieves who has a series of three life changing events. very light , mildly humourous but IMO a delight. I couldn't find Milo on the interlibrary loan and was on a waiting list at PaperBackSwap but i finally got it and it is , so far , even better than his first.
http://www.amazon.com/Unexpectedly-Milo-Novel-Matthew-Dicks/dp/0307592308/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321890886&sr=1-2
cbel - I have read a few of Cannell and Parker's books and I like them. Have you read any Michael Connelly and Randy Wayne White?
I am listening to Tripwire - Lee Child
DB: I've read twelve of Connelly's. Until I started keeping a card file of the books I've read, I'd find myself partway into a book that sounded familiar and then realized I'd read it before.
I just checked the NEB of the library and will get started on Randy Wayne White. Thanks for the suggestion.
So many books; so little time. (huge sigh!)
CBEL - I'm always curious if the person in the movie matches up to the picture in my head of the character in the book. I have to say that one comes pretty close. I had no idea they were turning Evanovich books into movies. Can't wait to see it. Thanks for the info.
JrzyGirl88 The Train Of Small Mercies --by-- David Rowell
A delicious slice of American Pie. The novel centers around the Robert F Kennedy funeral train. There are several glimpses into the lives of a host of different people in different locations along the trains route. An excellent debut novel so far.
The Man Who Invented the Twentieth Century. About Nicola Tesla. Great, interesting from read.
hjc Recently read and enjoyed "How German Is It" a quirky novel by Walter Abish. It was the first winner, in 1981, of the annual PEN/Faulkner Award. One can google for the complete award list to the present.
(I read that in Abish's first book, "Alphabetical Africa", in the first chapter every word started with the letter "A", in the second chapter "A" or "B", then "A", "B" or "C" and so on for 26 chapters!)
CBGB, I certainly remember that train, and that several people were killed by a passing train in Elizabeth.
It is reassuring to see that people still READ!
As for me, I bounce back between The Dubliners, James Joyce
Rescue, Anita Shreve (one of today's best novelists)
The Federalist Papers, Glenn Beck
How I wish that I could find a book club local to Hackettstown/Independence area
Jude49 Still reading Harry Potter, almost finished with Order of the Phoenix...then 2 more to go to complete the series.
@Jude49, I also love Anita Shreve, I've read a few of her books.
"The Best American Science And Nature Writing 2011"
If you haven't heard of these - they are a compilation of the year's best Science / Nature (and they have other subjects) articles. Always fascinating!!! Highly recommend this series to anyone - have been reading them for years, they never disappoint. I only wish they would publish them monthly, instead of yearly.
http://www.amazon.com/Best-American-Science-Nature-Writing/dp/0547350635/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
At the local library I just discovered the author Frank Russo and read three of his books in the last six weeks. EMPIRE FALLS, STRAIGHT MAN and NOBODY'S FOOL.
Chickadee I just finished The Hunger Games and I am currently reading Tina Fey's new book, Bossypants.
abaniall I'm listening to shock wave from john sandford and reading miracle cure form harlen coben, both are very good.
Twenty wishes by Debbie Macomber.
I want to read Miracle Cure also. I finished Long Lost last week. I like Harlen Coben.
jerseydutchman2 >>> the book just mentioned a "problem" near the Elizabeth station. indeed a passing train struck a few people. according to this novel one was a woman who was holding a baby but the baby was flung into the crowd and survived.
this is a very good book.
Mostly Happy --by-- Pam Bustin
I like books about quirky people and written by unknown authors. this book has been a delight so far.
http://www.amazon.com/Mostly-Happy-Pam-Bustin/dp/1897235399/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1324427545&sr=1-1
this is a debut novel I will need to hunt down more if there is any by this author.
"Andrew Jackson - His Life and Times", by H.W. Brands. Quite a character; well written; lots of surprises.
Bessie- sometimes a well written hokey book is just what the Doctor ordered.
I am now reading a Fannie Flagg.
happycamper: Which Fannie Flagg? I've read all of hers and it's always such a long wait for the next one. I think her books are wonderful!
cbel I am reading I Still Dream About You. I just started it yesterday. It is my first Fannie Flagg and so far so good!
I just starting listening to Shutter Island and am reading A Walk in the Woods about a man who decides to walk the entire Appalachian Trail. Its laugh out loud funny and heartwarming as well. So far an excellent read.
Iris @Iris..I also read a Walk in the Woods and loved it. I found it so interesting as far as the accommodations along the way..found it to be an excellent read.
I am giving someone A Walk in the Woods for Christmas! Glad to read the good reviews.
Iris - I read "A Walk In The Woods" too and it was very funny. I know a couple people that have walked the AT from bottom to top and the book is accurate. The author has written a couple other books as well.
I am listening to:
Me, The Music and The Mob - by Tommy James
Pretty good so far. Most of you should remember Tommy James & The Shondells. A pretty smart guy that met the right (or maybe the wrong) people and got some breaks.
love tommy james,
please tell a little more about "me, the music and the mob"
what do you lke about it?
I am deeply into the new Stephen King novel, 11/22/63. I am not a die hard SK fan, but I am really enjoying this book!
KathyDG BrotherDog – I’m not real far into the book yet. He hooked up with Morris Levy, the ruthless record mogul and is being pushed to keep coming up with the next record. “Hanky Panky” went to number 1 and “Say I Am” was just released. So far he hasn’t received a paycheck…..
It’s a firsthand story of Tommys life in music starting at 12 years old. I like the way it is written. Readers may think it’s a bit bland as Tommy tries to make the decisions concerning his career but I like the innocence of it so far. It’s beginning to show the ruthlessness of the record industry in the ‘60’s. I’m glad they fell, they ripped off way too many artists.
I am now listening to:
Seven dirty words : the life and crimes of George Carlin - by James Sullivan
Jeez! Carlin was a class clown in grammerschool....I guess it had to start somewhere!
I'm glad you posted DB now I don't need to hunt the thread.
I am reading The Secret Fruit of Peter Paddington --by-- Brian Francis
Peter Paddington is your typical thirteen-year-old paperboy with a few exceptions. He's 204 pounds, at the mercy of an overactive imagination, and his only friend is a trash-talking beauty queen reject from across the street. As if that wasn't bad enough, Peter's nipples pop out one day and begin speaking to him
............talking nips ?? oh yeah a CBGB "must read " hahaha
My friends and I just started a book club. We're going to begin with Perfect Match by Jodi Picoult. I just need to finish Mockingjay first. About 130 pages left.
I am reading The Paris Wife. Took about 3 months to get it from the Library ebooks but seems to be worth the wait!
I'm reading the same book KathyDG!! The new Stephen King novel, JFK - 11/22/63. So good, I can't wait to finish it this weekend!!
Calico696 Reading "Killing Lincoln" by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard.
- So far a very good book. I consider myself an American Revolution / Civil War history buff and there's a lot of information in here about the events leading up to the Assassination (where I am in the book) involving the end of the Civil War that I never knew about.
CBGB - any idea if Hackettstown Library deals with eBooks / OverDrive?
Tracy, Mockinjay has been a struggle for me for the last few months. I can read a chapter or two, then have to put it down for a long time. The first two were done in days. It's like this one was written by a different author, I cannot get into it. My goal is to finish it by March when the movie comes out...
I'm not having a problem reading it Lori, though I did start it a long time ago. I just have a problem finding time to read it. The last few nights read for about an hour before bed. On Sunday I read a good chunk of it. Almost there!
Banana Kiss--by-- Bonnie Rozanski
Robin Farber lives in a psychiatric institution. In her mind, she creates the world by looking at it: a quantum theory-world where matter pops in and out of existence as she observes it, a world where she is God. And, because the reader of Banana Kiss must take a long look through her schizophrenic eyes, this is our world, too, a world where the disembodied voices Robin hears are more real than the people who stand in front of her
I just started reading but Rozanski has created quite an interesting character in Robin Farber.
After seeing the Disney movie trailer for John Carter in the theater I found out it was a movie inspired from an old Edgar Rice Burroughs series written in the early 1900s - "John Carter of Mars" . The first three books are free for kindle on amazon and I just started reading the first one called A Princess of Mars . The writing style is very much like all the old Tarzan books I read when I was a kid , kind of like a blast from the past .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlvYKl1fjBI
I just finished listening to:
The Tao of Willie - Willie Nelson
Somewhat of a biography of Willie but mostly his beliefs in Dao De Jing. Willies guide to happiness.
Ya gotta just love Willie!
I'm listening to:
Dangerously Funny - by David Bianculli
This is a biography about the Smothers Brothers. Excellent so far.
I never knew Tommy was older than Dick.....
I'm listening to:
A Brief History of Time - Stephen Hawking
As expected, it gets a bit deep......
Bessie: The last time we were at that store I told you about in Pa....the whole front of the store was all books in every categoy you could think of...also another table just more discounted books. I don't know how current they were but they were super cheap.
joyful You're going to be included in the people I thank, alphabeta!
Now I'm currently studying the text: "The Birds of Galapagos" to try and correctly ID the hundreds of different individual birds I photographed. The little finches look so much alike, my head starts to spin. I'm on the verge of just labeling all of them as "a Darwin's Finch" which would be the extremely lazy thing to do!
Riding the Bus With My Sister --by-- Rachel Simon
http://tinyurl.com/6s43xnc
too early to tell but so far it's good
I read Steve Jobs and loved it. Alot of things were brought to light. I recommend it.
Oooo Thanks Rebecka ....great another item for my reading list :)
Finished Repo men. Good read, but weird. Wonder what's next...
Started reading Leviathan Wakes. For you Firefly fans out there, i've been told its fairly similar. So far the terminology is similar, some of the characters are sorta alike, and im liking it.
I recently finished reading The Basketball Diaries by Jim Carroll which was really good. I like how it's written as a journal, but it did leave me wanting to know more about what happens furthermore in his life. I guess there's always google. :)
I'm about to start Banana Kiss by Bonnie Rozanski which was recommended (and described above) by CBGB.
SueR - Unfortunately Jim died in 2009. I was a fan of his punk rock music back in the day.
Here is a Wiki link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Carroll
The Tao of Willie (Nelson) - A Guide to the Happiness in Your Heart
Thanks for the recommendation, DB.
Just got Elmore Leonard's novel Raylan from the library - a story about the Raylan Givens character from Justified .
@ alpha1beta
Also for Firefly/Serenity fans there is an online novel from sci fi writer Steven Brust called My Own Kind of Freedom . Not bad .
http://dreamcafe.com/firefly.html
cbel - you're welcome!
I will start listening to this on the way to work on Monday:
Escape! - The Story of The Great Houdini by Sid Fleischman & Taylor Mali
I've seen the Swedish trilogy of Dragon but didn't really like the new film the Girl with the Dragon Tatoo in English with Craig and Mara.
Bubba Also reading EAT, PRAY, LOVE Elizabeth Gilbert. I did NOT see the movie version
It was one of the most boring films I've ever seen.
Finally finished Harry Potter..loved it, especially the last 3 books. I've moved on to
The Life of Pi....so far, so good.
girl wth the dragon tattoo
translated from the swedish and has lots of nordic culture in it. it is not an easy read, but worth the effort.
i'm about haflway thorugh with it, should be done in a day or two.
mysty @BD..I read that too, agreed that it wasn't an easy read, but thoroughly enjoyed it. Definitely a bit on the dark side though.
Has anyone read his other books in the series? I've heard mixed reviews on the second, but the third was good.
In middle of new Kristin Hannah....Home Front...so good don't want to put it down !!
Waiting for new Jodi Picoult next week
Missrx bessie - i am swedish and native ameircan in my background so i get the nordic references to aquavit and the coffee addiction and the casual sex encounters, and te rest of it.
i am reading these in order so i will get back to you about the next two books in the series.
Norway, Sweden and Finland all have high suicide rates and really liberal open views on sexuality. A lot of that doesn't translate well over here in the States.
agree that this novel is very dark and a little sick. it is illuminating to see how much control a euro-socialist society like Sweden has over it's citizens and it is alarming to me how the characters in this book are tolerant of that. they are acclimated to it because they know no other way.
the translation is horrible also, many of the swedish phrases when translated into english lose their true meaning, but because i know the cluture so well i can deal with it and understand what they are trying to say.
Paul McCartney: A Life - by Peter Ames Carlin
Very interesting book. Lots of facts and lots of Pauls ego.
I'm reading Steven Tyler's book. Man.....and I can imagine him sitting right there telling me as I read the words. It's well written......and the guy is "Nuts!" Lol.......
Lenny Mississippi Sissy --by-- Kevin Sessums
An interesting quirky story told by an interesting quirky man. My kind of book.
thanks for the recommendation SueR
I'm also listening to a Willie Mays biography in the car
DB: I love Stuart Woods' books as well ..."Chiefs" was my favorite.
I just discovered another author that I like....Michael Palmer. He's an M.D. who writes medical suspense novels. I've enjoyed "Oath of Office", "A Heartbeat Away", and "The First Patient". Eleven more to go.
Practical Programming for Strength Training by Rippetoe and Kilgore
Starting Strength by Rippetoe
7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Covey
5/3/1 for a Dominating Football Team by Jim Wendler
The Female Body Breakthrough by Rachel Cosgrove
One or Two Chapters a day, different one listed everyday.
FitnessCoach cbel - I have read many Michael Palmer books. Try Tess Gerritsen if you like medical mysteries, she's another great author.
Calico - I love Greg Iles and that was a good book.
Just finished John Sandford's "Shock Wave". Reading Angus Kress Gillespie's book
"Crossing Under the Hudson". It is about the building of the Holland and Lincoln tunnels. A little history and engineering all wrapped up in one book. I like learning about things around us that we tend to just take for granted.
JBJSKJ Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy. You really have to pay attention or you miss alot. Not an easy read.
MeisterNJ I thought I would post a partial list of authors and a couple book suggestions that I read. There are more, these just came off the top of my head.
Steve Martini (attorney mysteries)
David Baldacci
John Grissam
Lisa Scottoline – (attorney, mystery)
Sue Grafton
Nevada Barr (national park ranger mysteries)
James Grippando
JA Jance
James Lee Burke
Randy Wayne White
Stanley Pottinger – A Slow Burning (a great book)
James W. Hall (investigative)
Linda Fairstein - (sex crimes investigator)
Tony Hillerman (Navajo Tribal police mysteries)
Jonathan Kellerman
Tess Gerritsen – (medical mysteries)
Robin Cook - (medical mysteries)
Michael Palmer - (medical mysteries)
Stuart Woods
Robert B. Parker (Spenser For Hire series)
John Sanford
Clive Cussler
Elmore Leonard
John Darnton – The Experiment, Neandertal
Michael Crichton
Stephen King
JK Rowling (Harry Potter)
Greg Iles
Michael Connelly
James Patterson
Nelsen DeMille
Lee Child
Edward Abbey
DB: STOP!!! I'll never be able to leave the house. This a great list. I'd like to add Stephen Cannell.
I am listening to:
Miss O'Dell: My Hard Days and Long Nights with The Beatles, The Stones, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, and the Women They Loved - by Chris O'Dell & Katherine Ketcham
I barely started this book and it reads like a dream, if you are a rock bio enthusiast then don't skip this one.
When Love Was Clean Underwear --by-- Susan Barr-Toman
Story of a woman in South Philly in the 1990's. After her mother dies ( actually she killed mom as per moms instructions) she learns to have a life of her own. I am enjoying this gem very much.
I'm listening to:
American Rebel: The Life of Clint Eastwood by Marc Elliot
Quite interesting.
I'm listening to Open Up and Bleed the story of Iggy Pop
this is one crazy fun listen.
CBGB - I'll have to get that one! It looks interesting.
I'm back to fiction:
The Silent Girl - Tess Gerritsen
MikeGuida 
Steve-0 I just finished The Fault In Our Stars by John Green. It's in the young adult genre but so well written and so good. It's about children with cancer. It's a beautiful story.
I am not much of a reader, but I am in the middle of an interesting book at the moment. It's called
Physics of the Future: How Science Will Shape Human Destiny and Our Daily Lives by the Year 2100 By Michio Kaku
I'm about 1/2 way through it.
Joe M Reading Laura Lippman, What the Dead Know. I'm enjoying it, light reading. Needed something light after Life of PI. Did anyone read that one?
http://www.amazon.com/Once-Upon-Secret-President-Aftermath/dp/1400069106/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1333029954&sr=1-1
Once Upon A Secret: My Affair With President John F. Kennedy And Its Aftermath
I was a little hesitant about reading this, but (as of page 40) I'm glad I started it.
Reading
Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James (from our library system via digitallibrarynj.com
and Listening to
11/22/1963 by Stephen King
I'm halfway through Stay Close by Harlan Coben. It didn't get good reviews on Amazon, but I'm loving it, too, happycamper.
I'm listening to Beautiful Boy by David Sheff. It's the story of a fathers journey through his sons meth addiction. It's heartbreaking and I can now feel the pain that my parents suffered, having a drug addicted son back in the 60's.
I'm listening to:
The Drop - Michael Connelly
Ya gotta love Hieronymus (Harry) Bosch!
I love the artist too!
Baby Shark's Jugglers at the border --by-- Robert Fate
I needed a change of pace so an old fashioned crime/private investigator book is what I decided to read. I am liking this book. I will now have to go back and read from book #1. or should I stop reading the book I'm on now to go back to the first.
I just picked up Maryann McFadden's new book "The Book Lover" from the library. Excited to start it.
FATTY, it is just fascinating. I cant really articulate why it is so interesting, it just is. It is a little bit sci-fi without being over done...Try reading a few pages, you will probably get sucked in.
Anyone read that book Fifty Shades of Grey? They keep talking about it on the Today Show and now I am sort of interested but not sure if it is just filth - it is hard to tell from what they say on TV. Anyone here actually read it and have a review?
I'm reading Fifty Shades of Grey right now. I started it Wednesday evening and I'm almost done with it. It's not the type of book I normally read, so I'm very shocked at how addicting it is. It has its share of "filthy" moments, but they aren't even super graphic. It's more told through the thoughts of the main character Anastasia.
One thing I really like is the hinting at the other main character Christian and his messed up childhood. You really want to know more and want to figure out why he is the way he is. Maybe that's just the psychology major in me, but I like that part a lot.
The thing that bothers me about this book is how it was clearly based off the book Twilight. While it doesn't have vampires or werewolves or any of that, it does have a LOT of similarities. If you haven't read the Twilight books, or didn't really get into them, you probably won't notice these similarities.
Overall, I really am enjoying this book and will be buying the other two for my Kindle when I finish this one (probably sometime today).
BroadwayNJ I'm just finished 50 Shades of Grey and agree with you BroadwayNJ! Its completely addicting and I couldn't put it down. I read it on my ipad (and my iphone!) but had to pre order Parts Two and Three... they are not available yet and I HAVE to find out what happens next! I too didn't think I'd care for the sexy parts but it is done tastefully and I adore the characterizations. Really a wild ride of a book!
Lady Jayne Ok thanks guys, I am going to give it a try. You never know with how the news portrays things. They made it sound porongraphic when it sounds like from you guys it really isnt that bad and a good read.
Stefanie Plum, Janet Evanovich books definitely great reads, I read all 18 books!!
Very funny...self proclaimed bounty hunter in Trenton, New Jersey...they are easy reads also
Vogue26 
I Smile Back by Amy Koppelman
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0976389592?ie=UTF8&ref=aw_bottom_links&force-full-site=1
About a disillusioned suburban mom from North Jersey.
{Hmmm, sounds familiar. Think I know a few!} ;)
Hmmm Fatty,
I usually read extremely quietly......and I HAVE to read incredibly close or I can't see the words......hehehe. Sorry......quirky sense of humor. hehehe...:)
To Alexander McCall Smith fans, his new book is out. I'm next on the list at the library. Can't wait.
http://www.amazon.com/The-Limpopo-Academy-Private-Detection/dp/0307378403/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1334587207&sr=1-1
Vigilante by Stephen J. Cannell
Shane Scully is a good character.....too bad Cannell passed away in 2010.
Starting Fifty Shades of Gray tonite when I get home. Everyone I know is reading this book, including my mom who finished book one, two and three in less then a week. I ordered from Amazon, she got them all on her Kindle and Ipad.
Just finished "Kitchen Privileges: Memoirs of a Bronx Girlhood", by Mary Higgins Clark, interesting story about her life. Received a new audio today from Paperback Swap,
Don't Get Scrooged..How to Thrive in world full of obnoxious, incompetent, arrogant, and downright mean spirited people. It's written by the same author of Don't Sweat the Small Stuff (and I loved that book). I thought it sounded interesting and maybe I'll learn a thing or two in the process.
Great Possessions, An Amish Farmer's Journal by David Kline (for the umpteenth time). It's one of my most cherished possessions, I actually sent it to him to be autographed.
Farmall49 I'm listening to:
Flashback - Dan Simmons
Takes place 30 years from now. The United States is near total collapse. But 87% of the population doesn't care: they're addicted to flashback, a drug that allows its users to re-experience the best moments of their lives. A futuristic detective mystery.
Picked up "Captain Sir Richard Francis Burton: The Secret Agent Who Made the Pilgrimage to Mecca, Discovered the Kama Sutra, and Brought the Arabian Nights to the West" a few days ago. Cannot put it down. Great for anyone who enjoys world travel and reading about earlier explorers.
Check out the reviews. I also highly recommend. http://www.amazon.com/Captain-Sir-Richard-Francis-Burton/product-reviews/0060973943/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1
Sorry I missed this thread... I started one for local author Maryann McFadden's new book, THE BOOK LOVER. She will be doing signings at Clinton Books and Warren County Library next week - I'll be reading it this weekend. TGIF!
@cbel..I'm almost finished with another Lee Child...One Shot. I love him! Thanks for recommending him to me.
Tom Cruise will be starring as Jack Reacher in the movie adaption of One Shot coming out in December 2012 . Anyhoo I'm reading Stephen King's new Dark Tower novel Wind Though the Keyhole which takes place between Wizard and Glass and Wolves of the Calla . Thankee sai and well met on the path of the beam !
You're welcome, Bessie. I've read all his books and I love Jack Reacher.
And Tom Cruise is no Jack Reacher!!
Lets not even start on the Tom Cruise/Jack Reacher issue.....
The book Flashback by Dan Simmons I had to put down as it got really boring. I just lost interest. It's a long book that could have been shorter and not have lost anything.
I am listening to:
Death Benefit - Robin Cook
Fifty Shades of Grey...one more chapter to go! Already purchased the second book Fifty Shades Darker. I just started reading it last week. It is sooooo good...once you start, you can't stop :)
Cbel the book was really good I couldn't put it down , I had to find out what was wrong with her ________.
I'm reading Voltaire's Calligrapher by Pablo de Santis now. I am enjoying this 149 page book.
@CBEL..finished One Shot, loved it. Would have to agree that I don't see Tom Cruise in the role as Jack Reacher, not sure who I would pick, but definitely not him. I'll get back to you on that.
Currently listening to "God's Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong and the Left Doesn't Get It". Interesting book, just started it though.
I just bought Wolf Song by Frank Smith (available on Amazon). Frank is a friend of mine and he just published his first novel. It's in the whole Werewolves and Vampires genre, not my normal reading, but I wanted to support my friend. I haven't started it yet, but will keep you posted as to how it is.
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