OT: What are you reading these days?

Like my mom used to be before her mind went, I'm a voracious reader.  Mom used to say that when I was a baby lying in my crib, she would look at me and wish I could read already, so that she could share her love of books with me.  Eventually, she did.  We both especially like mysteries and suspense novels.

I just finished Hurry Down Sunshine, by Michael Greenberg.  Not a novel, but a memoir about his daughter's first manic episode when she was 15.  It is a beautifully written book, but it was almost too painful to read at times - both because the powerful material and because of the way it reminded me of my brother's psychotic behavior.

I just started When Will There Be Good News, by Kate Atkinson.  I love, love, love her books - most of them are mysteries set in Scotland.  You don't have to have visited Scotland to appreciate them, but her use of the wonderful local slang and her evocation of local settings reminds me of the time when I lived near Glasgow.  Atkinson's characters are so vivid, her plots so original, I look forward to every new book she writes.

So, what are you reading these days?
Jean

I am a mystery suspense fan!  I am reading James Patterson now, Double Cross.  But I really like ones mixed with love stories and ones that make you smile. 

I might have to try your authors a try.  I have read so many authors it's crazy.  I like to get them at amazon if I can - if I don't go to the library.  Sounds good!

Oh, I read that one, he is great and that is an awesome book, hope you enjoy it...

If you are looking for cheap books, try half.com, I get them all the time for $1.00 or less.  If not, I try the library...

I am on the second book in the Twilight series.  I am also reading Beck Diet Solution.

That Kate Atkinson sounds good. 

I just finished Harlan Coben's The Woods yesterday(and it was fantastic)  and now I am halfway through James Patterson's Step on a Crack.  I love to read.  My favorite types of books are Mystery novels, Historical Christian Fiction, and Fantasy/Science fiction.  I love reading and I am thinking of going back to school to become a Librarian.  Books are the best!!!

Gigi, have you read the Mark of the Lion series by Francine Rivers?  I devoured all of them!!  Then I started reading some of her other books too.  I also like Jodi Picoult, I'm kinda burned out on Patterson now.  I read "You've Been Warned" and I didn't like it.  I didn't even finish "Sundays at Tiffanys" - it was boring too.  I'm now reading "American Wife", which is kind of a fictional story of Laura Bush.  I will start the Twilight series soon,  If I don't like the first one, I will not finish the rest.  I read constantly too. 

I loved the Mark of the Lion series and all of Francine River's books.
Vickie

I haven't read thos books but I will pick them up for sure.  I am a member of a paperback book swap online so I trade books often.  I have read the Twilight series(except for the newest one).  they are a great read.  I really enjoyed reading them.  I haven't read any james Patterson in a while so when I picked this one up I was ready to read his stories again.  I go through phases with reading where I get tired of a certain author so I move on and then later I will go back and read them again.   I have a few books that I read over and over again.  I don't usually read the mysteries again cause once you know the killer they aren't fun anymore.  Anyway enjoy your books!!

HI Jean!

I too LOVE to read. I started a book club with a friend eight years ago and meeting with the group is still one of my favorite things to do in the world! I remember being a child and driving the long trip to my grandparents. I used to pray we would leave early so that I would have enough daylight to read on the way home. When my parents figured it out they finally gave me a flashlight LOL. My New Years resolution was to read a book a week this year (the weight loss one has FINALLY come true). I am sad to say I am about 5 books behind! Partly because some of the books I have picked this year have been rough for me and I finish every one no matter how long it takes. I picked a bunch of Jane Eyre's classics. Also, Atonement and Cold Mountain.  Those all took up AT LEAST two weeks  LOL Right now I'm reading Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. It got RAVE reviews but frankly, I just am drudging through it.  It is still a little early in the book (120 pages), so I am a bit hopeful yet. I have decided when I'm done with this, I'm going to start Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series again. I can't wait. I stopped at number four two years ago because it was ALL I wanted to read and I had to read other things. Since the Harry Potter series is over I have been "saving" the Outlander series for a time when I can just sit and enjoy them. I like all kinds of books and am always looking for some recommendations. Here are a few from me...

1.  Memoirs of a Geisha, Arthur Golden
2.  A Thousand White Women/ Jim Fergus
3.  Time Traveler's  Wife/ Audrey Niffenegger
4.  Water for Elephants/ Sara Gruen
5. The Outlander Series/ Diana Gabaldon   (IN ORDER)

I loved Memoirs of a Geisha and The Time Traveler's Wife.  The Time Traveler's Wife was one of the most original books I ever read (second only to The Life of Pi).

My mom's college roommate recommended Water for Elephants.  I'll have to look for it at the library tomorrow.

Jean

Jean