What with the July 4 holiday and various deadlines in my life, it’s been a whole week since I blogged. I’ve got my critique group tonight, so I’ll need to be brief today.
My question for today: What are you reading this week? (You can cheat and say what you read last week, if you want.)
I’ll start. Last week I read Tosca Lee’s forthcoming novel HAVAH for endorsement. If I could write as well as Tosca, I’d consider myself a writer. HAVAH will be out in October. It’s a novel about Eve (as in Adam and Eve). I had thought there was not much to say about that story. I was wrong. One thing I like about Tosca is that she makes me think about things in a whole new way. Tosca tells me she’s not good at math, but she is (despite that tragic flaw) brilliant. If you read her first novel DEMON, you know what I mean.
I also read THE GOOD GUY, by Dean Koontz, which is about a “regular guy” in a bar who meets a stranger who mistakes him for a hired assassin and gives him $10000 and the photo of a woman to murder. Of course, this regular guy has to poke his nose into this business and try to save the woman. A good, fast yarn, very much the kind I like to read. Here’s a link on Amazon.
I was on quite a roll last week, and I also reread BLOOD BROTHERS, by Rick Acker. I had read it several months ago for endorsement, and got an autographed copy in the mail from Rick last week. I don’t normally reread books, but I did this one. I enjoyed it even more the second time than the first. This is a legal thriller about two feuding brothers who own a pharmaceutical company and are fighting it out for a new billion-dollar drug, so there’s a nice science backdrop and some good fight scenes PLUS really authentic legal manuevering in the courtroom (Rick is a lawyer in the Bay Area). To be honest, I liked this novel better than the Koontz novel. That takes nothing away from Dean, of course. It’s just that Rick’s book is EXACTLY the kind of book I like to read. And it was very well done. BLOOD BROTHERS is just off the presses and is available on Amazon now.
I’m also rereading Book #6 in the Harry Potter series. I’ve been reading the whole series aloud to my kids for the last several months. They’re of course way too old to be read to, but it’s a family tradition that goes back almost 20 years, and we all really enjoy it, so we’ve kept it up a lot longer than you are “supposed to.” My kids don’t much like Book #6 for some reason, although I do. They like Book #5, which was not such a favorite of mine. But hey, they’re all pretty darned good, and I’ll no doubt end up reading the whole series another 10 times.
What are you reading this week? Got any recommendations for some GREAT fiction?
Well, for some reason, I can’t polish off a book in a day or two like Normal people, so I’m still reading through Water For Elephants (Sara Gruen) which I started a couple days ago. Life gets me side-tracked; shoot me. Anyway, I recommend it, especially if you’re like me and like a challenge to be a much better writer. (Click my name/link to my blog and read my latest blog post for more about my initial reaction to reading this book – and I’m not even finished with it.)
Randy, I most DEFINITELY need to read Tosca’s HAVAH now. (Although I’m sure it will give me a nose-bleed.) I am motivated and inspired by brilliance. THAT’s precisely why I hang around here with y’all. 😉
RIght now I’m reading nonfiction. I just finished The Translator: A Tribesman’s Memoir of Darfur by Daoud Hari. Wow. And am reading Blood River by Tim Butcher. Both are set in Africa and are stark, beautifully written books.
I recently read Susan Meissner’s The Shape of Mercy for endorsement. It was lovely and just got a starred review in PW. Way to go Susan!
I’m reading Cara Putnam’s DEADLY EXPOSURE. Love and a murder mystery against the backdrop of a television network.
That on the heels of Gwyneth Bolton’s PROTECT AND SERVE, which for a NY Metro gal like me (now living in FL) was a real treat. If you like romance with a little hip-hop flair, Gwyneth’s your gal.
Before that, it was Carolyn Aarsen’s FINALLY A FAMILY, because I’m targeting the Love Inspired line so I try to read as many of them as I can.
But the one I really liked in the last week or so was Shelley Adina’s IT’S ALL ABOUT US. A multicultural YA book, it’s the first in the series. Enjoyable for young and adult readers.
BTW, I agree with your kids about the HP books. I too read them aloud with my son. I’ll probably start again in a couple of years with the middle child.
I’m reading Tina Forkner’s Ruby Among Us. It’s beautifully written and is really drawing me into the life of Lucy, the main character. I love the cover too, it’s got a warm, sentimental feeling. Ruby, BTW, is Lucy’s deceased mother.
I’m looking forward to reading Tosca’s Havah. I read Demon and loved it.
The books in my stack for this week are all Robert B Parker’s Spenser books: I’ve got about six left to finish the series. I’ve also got Dragonknight by Donita Paul, Fossil Hunter by John Olson, and the library’s got a vampire story for me at the hold desk. Then I’ll move on to Parker’s Jesse Stone series. I read about six novels per week, and I’m not too picky about CBA/ABA, so the local library is my favorite one-stop fix.
I’m reading Pearl S. Bucks, “The Good Earth”, and Nora Roberts “Night Shadow”.
On my IPod I just finished “Pillars of the Earth” and am now listening to “Ender’s Game”. Next I’ll listen to “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”, or Orson Scott Card’s “Seventh Son”. It’s great to be able to “read” while I do housework, gardening, and other activities that don’t require my brain.
When I read “Ender’s Game” a few years ago I had a problem following the battle sequences and strategies, but found when I listened to it on audio I understood everything much better, and was able to visualize the scenes.
Sonja, I have a couple of books I think you’ll enjoy. I think we’ll be going to Washington again in October so will try to remember to bring them along and leave them with your Mom.
Randy, I know this is more than a bit late, but I wanted to thank you for your June 5th critique of my MRU’s. I didn’t get back to you sooner due to a death in the family, but I didn’t want you to think I was ungrateful.
Since you’re off the subject of MRU’s I won’t post my revision, but to you, and the others who posted a response, I send my most sincere appreciation. It helped a lot, and I think I finally may understand MRU’s.
I finally got hold of “World Without End” and enjoy every word of it. I enjoy Sidney Sheldon, Wilbur Smith and John Grisham but if I have to pick my favourite author, it is Ken Follet.
Been doing way too much reading and barely any writing – but then I’m just getting over a bad dose of flue.
Just finished Dorothy L Sayers Biography bu Barbara Reynolds and found it really refreshing. I read her Lord Peter Wimsey books years ago and more recently acquired The Man Born to be King radio plays script about the life of Jesus.
Have to keep my head in the YA. Started to read Robin Klein’s People Might Hear You but it just didn’t engage me. Re-read Tamora Pierce’s fantasy: The Healing in the Vine.
Rocketted through a re-read of Dick Francis’ Enquiry and Reflex.
Re-reads usually happen when I’m crook. They’re about all I can really get my head around.
Another re-read I finished today: Clare Francis A Death Divided. My absoute favourite book – in terms of structure, tension, characters, you name it it’s got it, is CF’s Deceit.
So, tomorrow I write…
The Sorcerer’s Stone. Raising Dragons (Bryan Davis). Writer His Answer. Getting Things Done.
It was a good week ;0)
I’ve been reading some non fiction too, very out of character for me! Mostly ‘how to’ books on writing. Went to a local Writers Festival and met Valerie Parv (Australian Romance Author, Mills and Boon and some other imprints), so I’ve been reading two of her books, “The Idea Factory” and “The Art of Writing Romance” I’ve also been re-listening to something you may be familiar with, it’s called Fiction 101, it’s by some mad professor guy, but you know, it’s not half bad!
:)Karen
I’m re-reading CHILD OF DANDELIONS by Shenaaz Nanju because I suggested it to our local book club and they agreed to read it. It’s a YA book. Setting is Uganda in 1972. Sabine is 15. Her family are wealthy citizens of Indian descent, trying to preserve their normal lifestyle during the ninety days allowed by President Amin for all foreign Indians to leave the country. During this time soldiers terrorize them and people disappear.
I just finished Sons of the Oak, David Farland’s fifth Runelord’s book. I adore the whole series, and this one may be the second best of the bunch. I loved how seductive and rational sounding evil was in this book. Very powerful.
Now I’m trying to find either non-fiction about pre-dynastic Egypt or something fiction set there for some research. I pick strange eras to set things, I know.
yeggy, was your’s the stomach bug? My belly swelled up for two days with that stupid thing. Very uncomfortable. 🙁
I’m reading the 7th Harry Potter book. Thankfully it’s spellbinding (pun intended), so I’m willing to keep on reading and reading. See, Camille, you’re not the only one taking a while to finish a book.
I’m also reading Carmen Leal’s, You Can Market Your Book, for obvious reasons. I’m finding it especially helpful as I beginning planning a radio blitz to (hopefully) line up interviews.
My reading this week is something like falling into a time warp, a flash back to the seventies. I picked up a copy of Hunter S. Thompson’s “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” from a friend’s kitchen counter for a journey down the fabled memory lane into the world of Gonzo journalism, drugs, alcohol, and extreme craziness.
Just finished Taming Rafe by Susan May Warren. Bull-riding and romance- what could be better? It also has a side-bar story about a farmer who is secretly a novelist, and can’t convince his lifelong love to marry him- till she finally accidentally reads his book. Since I have a “day job” I was forced to leave this book during some very exciting action. Couldn’t wait to get home and finish!
Now, with no unread fiction in the house- I’m down to “No Bad Dogs” by Woodhouse. Hopefully, it will help me with my Corgi!
Great topic Randy.
Jenny
The most recent fiction I’ve read is FOSSIL HUNTER by my new favorite Christian writer John B. Olson (sorry Ted Dekker). The heroine, a paleontologist working in the Iraqi desert, is ostracized by the scientific community when she makes a discovery that doesn’t fit their evolutionary doctrine.
I just finished Gail Gaymer Martin’s Writing the Christian Romance. Up next, Susan May Warren’s Team Russia series. On audio with the kids we’re conquering Megan McDonald’s Judy Moody series.
I’m reading Brandilyn Collins Kanner Lake series (just finished Coral Moon) and her writing, blog and website are always great.
But I am currently right in the middle of Jack Cavanaugh’s The Puritans, no. 1 in his extensive An American Family Portrait series. It’s a compelling story of a young man who is a spy for the Church of England’s Bishop Laud of London (early 1600’s)against Puritan preachers in the villages. But Drew (Andrew) Morgan’s latest assignment is complicated by the love and kindness of the Puritan curate of the town, who takes him in when he’s in trouble, and even more complicated by the interest he’s shown by the two (count ’em, two) beautiful daughters of the pastor. Methinks someone is about to become a Puritan, in spite of himself.
Cavanaugh’s historical fiction is very well written, with knowledge of the historical setting skillfully blended into a good story with compelling characters.
These books are part of a program of exposing myself to a lot of successful Christian fiction as I plod along in the background on my own historical WIP.
I normally take a couple of books out the library and then I read about half of them. At the moment I’m reading Michael Moore’s “Downsize This!” I might or might not finish it.
I am reading for the second time Betsy Lerner’s “The Forest for the Trees – An Editor’s Advice to Writers” An excellent book, very inspiring.
Here’s just one quote that really got me thinking: “I can assure you that you will never finish any piece of writing if you don’t understand what motivates you to write in the first place and if you don’t honor that impulse, whether it’s exile or assimilation, redemption or destruction, revenge or love.”
I am also just starting on Ben Elton’s “Dead Serious.”
I’ve been waiting for a new book this week, Steven Erikson’s “Toll the Hounds”, but it has possibly been eaten by the postal bears, because I haven’t seen nothing of it yet. It’s part of a series that simply is the best fantasy out there.
I’m reading “The pragmatic programmer” by Andrew Hunt and David Thomas instead. It’s supposed to be a classic, and I’m already enjoying it, non-fiction as it is.
Recently I finished reading Dean Koontz’ new one, Odd Hours. Fantastic book. I love the way he infuses humor into the deadliest of situations. He truly has a gift with words.
I was able to attend (and be a speaker) at Boise (Idaho) in the Murder in the Grove mystery writers conference, soooo, of course, I’ve been working my way through some of the other speaker’s books: J. A. Jance, David Morrow (SCAVENGER), and Betty Webb (DESERT BRIDES). For non-fictions, I just finished STOLEN INNOCENCE: MY STORY OF GROWING UP IN A POLYGAMOUS SECT, BECOMING A TEENAGE BRIDE AND BREAKING FREE OF WARREN JEFFS by Elissa Wall and Lisa Pulitzer.
I brought home a stack of books from the library last week and took a day to read the first two chapters of each book. The two books that “won” immediate attention were “The Cross Examination of Oliver Finney” by Randy Singer and “The Bachelor’s Bargain” by Catherine Palmer.
I read enough of Randy Singer’s book to know I will relish finishing it. Then I polished off the Bargain-Making Bachelor. I GoogleEarthed (new verb here, with capital letters no less) the settings and got an interesting history lesson on Napoleon and the Battle of Waterloo. (The entire battle was seen by a character through a window and called out to the others in the style of a sportscaster—kind of funny in a gruesome way.)
Last night, my husband brought home several books I had reserved at the library. Now I’m in a quandary whether to finish the Singer book or go with “The Pearl“ by Angela Hunt.
I’m reading Karen Ball’s “What Lies Within” and finding myself loving every turn of phrase, every description, its wonderful.
At home I’m reading DUNE, Frank Herbert’s 1965 science fiction/fantasy novel; about half way throuh. I blogged about that yesterday. At work I’m working my way through John Wesley’s letters. I’m withing ten pages of completing the first volume of Telford’s edition. Very enjoyable read.
I finished reading Ted Dekker’s book “Red” in his Circle Trilogy. I found it a little slow at first. But the pace did pick up. And it left me curious enough to go ahead and read the third. Awhile back I read Steven Lawhead’s “Hood” and am anxious to read the second book in that series. I believe it’s called “Scarlet”. I think the series is called The Raven Cycle. Anyway, it’s a new take on Robin Hood and I found it very intriguing!
Well, my book club is meeting in a few days, so I’m finishing up Barbara Kingsolver’s Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. I also discovered an old copy of Patrick O’Brien’s Mauritius Command on my shelves, and have been paddling about in the midst of that. I’m deep in The Future of Reputation: Gossip, Rumor, and Privacy on the Internet for work, which is actually fascinating.
I just finished reading The Shack, and I am now reading Writers Digest Handbook of Magazine Article Writing.
The Shack was good, started a bit slow but then it picked up pace and could not put it down.
Not sure what I will read next. I purchased a few writing books, but it looks like it will be Write His Answer by Marlene Bagnull
Well let’s see, I often interleave reading multiple books, so I take a while to finish any of them. At home I am re-reading Andre Norton’s _Here Abide Monsters_. The Lady is my favorite SF/F writer, and since SF/F is my favorite genre, she gets re-read a lot 🙂 . I recently finished _The Wizard of Sunset Strip_, the third in Simon Hawke’s series about the post-collapse-and-return-of-magic world. All of these are rather light fantasies, but if you are expecting sweetness-and-light, look elsewhere. There is a lot of death and destruction by the evil entities-as-villans. Before that, I finished _The Amber Spyglass_, the third in Phillip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy. I thought each of those a little slow to get into (and restart after putting them down), but they did suck me in after a few pages or a chapter.
At work, I am reading _Mac OS X Support Essentials_ in preparation for taking the ACSP exam, hopefully in the next few weeks. Then it’s _Mac OS X Server Essentials_ for the next certification track.
Zounds, when do you people have time to write?
Like some of the others, I have bookmarks sticking out of stacks of books all around my rooms indicating various degrees of completion.
Most recently finished THE STAND (1153 pages)by Stephen King; EPIC by John Eldredge (finding our own story in God’s story); and THE SHACK, a phenomenon by William Young, now #9 on Barnes and Noble sales list. It’s controversial in that it depicts God in three manifestations including a black woman, a mideastern handyman, and an Asian sprite-like being. To the detractors I’d say, hey, it’s fiction, and it had its own disclaimer by having the Father explain that each of the Trinity was appearing in a form the protagonist could understand. It does cause us to think about perceptions and reality. And the author in no way says “this is the way it is,” only “this is the way it appeared to Mac.”
Oh, yes, add WHO WILL CRY FOR THE LITTLE BOY, poignant poetry by Antwone Fisher, the title poem being the most touching.
I just finished Desperate Pastor’s Wives and am getting ready to the second one, A Matter of Wife and Death. I also just finished reading Colleen Coble’s Abomination. (I usually have about five books going at once. I know, I’m strange.) I am getting ready to dig into Joel Rosenberg’s new book, Dead Heat and also Phillip Margolin’s Executive Privilge. Yum.
A wonderful fellow horror writer directed me to Paul Brians’ Nuclear Holocaust Bibliography webpages (whee!) and I’ve been traveling desolate, gruesome, and nightmare-inducing landscapes all week. 1 book on the TBR pile and 2 arriving next week. Indeed, I am weird.
I also snatched from the library the next in Bodie and Brock Thoene’s AD Chronicles: “Seventh Day”. Read it in 2 days, like always. I’m sorry to say I was disappointed. They’re str-r-retching the story out for 12 books, IIRC, and the quality is suffering.
Since I’m writing a paranormal, I’ve also read a few. Not since The DaVinci Code have I been so thoroughly convinced that I CAN write a better book than some published writers. 45K and counting on the WIP.
Wow, a lot of books up there!
I just finished Mercedes Lackey’s THE SNOW QUEEN, which, sadly, was a waste of time. I skipped the first three chapters (backstory YAWN), then skimmed vast sections of the remainder. I (sort of) persevered because I’m interested in writing for the Luna line, but…
Next up, Donita K Paul’s DRAGONKNIGHT, DRAGONFIREe, and DRAGONLIGHT. I’ve got a week and a half to finish those up before the blogs start touring.
I’m also reading KEEP SWEET, a biography of a woman who escaped the fundamentalist Mormon cult. I see Carrie is reading similar books! For me, this is *research* for a novel I’ve started writing.
That’s it at the moment.
I just finished a manuscript and celebrated by taking a few days off to read and reconnect with my family and firends. Fourth of July was my Independence Day, too. Next week I start writing again.
The two books I read were both good. I read The Shack, and think it has much merit. I can understand why it’s ruffling a few feathers, but I listened to an on-line interview of the writer and believe it’s his heart to honor God. Many unbelievers are reading it and understanding the love of God better. Jesus ruffled a few feathers in His day, too.
I also read a YA book by Ben Mikaelsen that really engaged me. Petey is a slightly fictionalzied story of a man born in the 1920’s with severe cerebral palsy. His family tried to take care of him, but when he was two they had to institutionalize him. In those days, that meant he was sent to a state insane asylum where he stayed for most of his life. the book is well written, and filled with humor and strong emotion as we watch his life unfold. I recommend it.
I’m finishing up rereading The Lord of the Rings. I read through it about every other year. Next on my list is Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz, which I bought this weekend at an Antiques store, of all places.
Lois, your comment about The Shack: “it had its own disclaimer by having the Father explain that each of the Trinity was appearing in a form the protagonist could understand” reminds me of The Wizard of Oz. In the orginial book, the Wizard appears to Dorothy, the Lion, the Scarecrow and the Tin Man in different forms for the same reason.
Nothing new under the sun, huh?
Sorry, I had to come back; y’all made me feel like a loser. I really do know how to read.
I HAVE plans to read tons very soon when my manuscript gets “The End” stamp and takes a rest. I’ve compiled a TBR list based on lists others recommended recently, (thanks Karla) or books I’ve never read but are considered HOW CAN YOU CALL YOURSELF A WRITER IF YOU’VE NEVER READ THIS! (To my credit I’ve read all six Jane Austen novels at least twice.)
So here’s my TBR list in no particular order:
Tosca Lee’s DEMON & HAVAH
Susan Meissner’s BLUE HEART BLESSED, & THE SHAPE OF MERCY
John B Olson’s FOSSIL HUNTER
Megan DiMaria’s SEARCHING FOR SPICE
Leif Enger’s PEACE LIKE A RIVER
Michael Snyder’s MY NAME IS RUSSELL FINK
Khaled Hesseini’s 1000 SPENDID SUNS & KITE RUNNER
Donald Miller’s BLUE LIKE JAZZ
James Scott Bell’s TRY DYING, THE WHOLE TRUTH, more
Steinbeck (I know, I know)
Virginia Smith’s SINCERELY MAYLA & STUCK IN THE MIDDLE
Roxanne Henke’s AFTER ANNE
Madeline L ‘Engell’s A WRINKLE IN TIME & all those others
Barbara Kingsolver’s just about anything, apparently
Flannery O’Conner’s ditto, anything
Plus Jim Bell’s new Revisions & Editing book & a review of John Gardner’s book on fiction, Noah Lukeman’s 1st 5 pages and Browne/King’s SEFFW. If you don’t know what that stands for, shame on you.
Okay. I feel better now.
Many, many of my female 11th grade students love the Stephenie Meyer novel “Twilight,” so I thought I’d give it a read. I now understand their infatuation with the main character and the power of writing in the first person.
I’m reading Genghis Khan and the Makings of the Modern World. I’ve always been fascinated with Mongloia and am going there in Septmeber so it’s good to get read about the history. I just finished The Piano Tuner by Daniel Mason. It’s about a British Piano tuner who travels to Burma during the British occupation to tune a piano belonging to a Major stationed in a remote village. It’s the second time I read it, if I like a book I often read it more than once, there’s always things you missed the first time.
I’m reading The Sacred Romance by Brent Curtis & John Eldredge – yeah, I know it sounds a bit Mills and Boon, but those who know Eldredge will recognise it as a men’s issue book.
Reading is a work thing for me as at the moment I’m setting up a mentoring program for men coming out of prison and all my time is taken up with getting as much men-stuff into my head as possible.
Soon I will hand the mentor program over to a trainer/facilitator and get back to my personal TBR shelf.
I read the final Harry Potter book in three days as I was ill in bed (or did I get ill so I could stay in bed and read the book)? It’s the first time in many years that I actually cried about a character in a book (and I’m 57)!
I, too, would also like to make extra-sure that Randy and all of you who wrote such encouraging words about my MRU piece feel THANKED a million times over. I posted my piece the day before my ISP provider mysteriously cut my Broadband connection and phone line and after three weeks I still could not get them to reconnect me!
And P.S. Randy, a while back you promised to offer an Ms Critiquing Service, threatening that it would not come cheap. I hope you go ahead with this. I’ve already started a fund for your fee!
I’m reading relevant bits of Fiction 101 and Fiction 102 this week; sections from two books on Normandy (research on setting for my WIP); ‘Anti-Cancer’ by Dr David Servan-Schreiber, just translated into English from French (immensely uplifting as well as practical); Getting Into Character by Brandilyn Collins; ‘Romans’ (of The Bible fame).
A few weeks ago, on the basis that as my WIP is a suspense/mystery, (I think), I bought a book in this genre to read: John Connolly’s ‘The Book of Lost Things’, selected from a whole shelfful of the his books. Great title! I got halfway through, then realised I WAS only halfway through and groaned at the idea of having to read as much again! Sorry Mr Connolly, I can’t put myself through the rest of it at risk of dying of boredom. In my humble opinion, it just goes to show that getting into publication isn’t always about being a great writer.
Ann Isik
Well, I have read one fiction book since my son was born 7 months ago. That was “The Man Who Was Thursday: A Nightmare” by G K Chesterton. I recommend it, but you might want to find the annotated version to catch most of the allegory.
Nonfiction wise, I’m reading “The Radical Cross” by A. W. Tozer and finding my thinking transformed by it.
I’m reading Wolf of the Plains by Conn Iggulden. A bit overdue but I’ve been saving it for my vacation. It’s the perfect book for the beach and the kind I can’t let go. And best of all it’s the first in a series.
For tomorrow I’m counting on my parents book shelves. We usually spend a week with them in the summer and they always have a great selection of new novels I read while there.
I just finished Stephanie Meyers’ first adult Sci Fi book, THE HOST.
What a great book. She sure knows how to use first person deep point of view. I couldn’t put it down. I read it in a day and a half. As long as it was, I wish there were more–the same with her TWILIGHT series and I’m more a senior citizen than a young adult.
I’m also a Stephenie Meyer fan. I’m currently rereading The Host and Twilight because I just think they are so good… and I’m trying to reread all the Twilight series before Breaking Dawn comes out.
I see both Rachel and Mary mentioned Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight series. I’ve been trying to read as many vampire novels as I can get my hands on this year (one guess what I’m writing …), but had crossed this series off my list when I found out it was YA. Then I read somewhere that the first three had sold a combined 5.3 millions copies, and decided I’d better read them and try to figure out why.
I couldn’t put them down (or shut them off, I read them as ebooks). I read all three back to back, even leaving my email unread for two days to finish up. I’m going to have to read them again and try to pay attention to how she does it. I’m over 50 and have managed to bury most memories of my teen years, but I still found these books emotionally intense. Now I’m putting The Host on my want list.
So that’s what I’ve been reading on my computer. In paperback I’m reading CJ Cherryh’s Rider at the Gate. In non-fiction I just finished David Morrell’s Lessons From a Lifetime of Writing and am now working on some Bonsai books from the library. And I’ve got the latest Stephanie Plum (Evanovich’s Fearless Fourteen) on my ipod to do housework by.
I’m a big fan of Stephen King myself, at least for fiction stuff. The Dark Tower series is my favorite. The Gunslinger was the best one.
In the last month:
Adam and Eve and Pinch Me, and Talking to Strange Men, both by Ruth Rendell.
Write Away, by Elizabeth George.
Designing the Moment: Web Interface Design Concepts in Action by Robert Hoekman.
2 chapters of French Train, which is the first draft of a novel set in the late 1800’s and centered around a World’s Fair, by a member of my writing group COR.
Hi Randy, Reading aloud as a family is never outdated no matter how old you or your kids are! I don’t know who told you that you were supposed to stop! No way. It is a fun family tradition, so keep it up and feel no guilt. : )
I have been reading Washington’s Lady by Nancy Moser which is excellent! I’ve also been reading Moon in the Mango Tree by Pamela Binnings Ewen. I’ve just stared that, so we will see.
Blessings,
Carrie
I’m finishing Stephen King’s WIZARD AND GLASS, the 4th Dark Tower book. Been slacking on my reading lately as I try to get agents to take a look at my debut attempt at a novel.
On deck is James Rollins’ THE LAST ORACLE, then I’ll return to Roland’s quest for the Tower.
Hey Randy and folks, It’s been a while since I contributed due to my day job going insane, which is a sub-plot to my first novel (that is in the works). What I have just read is, John Twelve Hawks first two installments of his trilogy, “The Traveler” and “The Dark River”. Both were very cool stories. The third is due in 2009. It was a very interesting mixture of science fiction, politics, fantasy, and religion. Not tto deep like a Lord of the Rings kind of epic. But definitely made me walk around with my eyes wide open for a change and it was entertaining. I hope I can be as interesting a writer. Very cool.
Hi Randy,
Because I am writing a children’s/young adult novel this summer, I’m reading children’s books to keep me motivated. Last week I read “Bridge to Terabithia” by Katherine Paterson and “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” by L. Frank Baum.
Last week and this, both, I have also been dipping into Josheph Campbell’s “Hero of a Thousand Faces” and getting myself acquainted with the monomyth/heroe’s journey theory.
Finally, I will soon complete Sue Monk Kid’s “When the Heart Waits” so that I may write a review of it for a local newsletter.
Read on!!
I just finished my short story, “Room for Adjustment.” What have I read of late? Austin Boyd’s *The Evidence,* *The Proof,* and *The Return.* Excellent SF w/ a Christian slant. Sarah Hinck’s *The Secret Life of Becky Miller*; I found her Restorer series and loved it (first two out), and read this one v. quickly. It’s an excellent, encouraging book, even if you’re not a Supermom. Just started *The Cold Minds,* a sequel to *The Hidden Worlds* by Kristen Landon.
I’ve written down a few titles from the above for future refrence, especially the titles on editing.
I’m also fond of Koontz; he always has hope in his work; I call his kind of horror redemptive. Wonder if the Frankenstein series has been put on the shelf? I enjoyed the Odd books; I’ve read two so far. Two more out, right?
I just got back from 11 days in Japan, and took four books with me thinking I’d plow through them while on the plane (10 hours going, 9 coming back). I only made it through the first book on my list, Renegade by Ted Dekker. Oh well. I had fun watching on-demand movies on the plane and giving a hard time to the ten students I was helping chaperone. I got a couple chapters of Chaos (#4 in Ted Dekkers newest series) read before landing, and now I’ll continue reading it after I’m done organizing all the photos I took while in Japan.
Wow, loads of great read ideas. I need more hours in the day!
I’m reading “Ender’s Game” for my Boot Camp adventure with Orson Scott Card.
Interesting bit about Harry Potter. I read someplace that book 6 was JKR’s favorite. Personally, it’s probably my least favorite except for the Felix Felicitas chapter. I actually started with the movies. A friend brought over book 5 the week it came out and I devoured it – I wouldn’t even let him take his own book home! Shame on me, I know, but it was that immersive. It was my favorite book until I eventually read them all. They’re all great. I plan to read them to my daughter later once she’s out of diapers too.