Books I've read (possible spoilers - read at your own risk)

IndigoMont11

I am a VORACIOUS reader.  I read like I eat chips - can't stop til finished even if it gets to be 3:30 a.m.!  One of the first things I did the day after my biopsy was to buy myself a NookTablet.  I figured I'd spend a lot of time over this year waiting - for test results, for doctor visits, for chemo treatments - and to get better.  I have fairly eclectic tastes in material, but my favorite is fiction with fantasy/supernatural overtones.  I'm a huge fan of both the Kim Harrison Hollows series and the Sookie Stackhouse series.  Other than books from those series, the books I've read so far include:  the Hunger Games series (still haven't seen the movie, though), and the Fifty Shades series.

I did really enjoy the Hunger Games books.  I am of age (about to turn 52 years young on my birthday 6/11), and I found these books to be just a bit along the lines of the Twilight books, but better written.  They are definitely dark - like the Harry Potter books in the latter part of the series, and the violence escalates, in my opinion.  There are strong romantic themes but no explicit scenes. Easy reads, although book 3 was dark enough that it kind of got me down (I started it around my second chemo tx), and I had to put it aside a few times.  

Now on to Fifty Shades.  I hadn't even heard of these books, but happened to catch an episode of Dr. Drew in which Fifty Shades of Grey was the topic.  Dr. Drew had three other women as guests, one of whom was his wife.  Interestingly, he seemed to think the book was shocking and totally conveys the wrong message for young women, while the ladies heartily disagreed, saying the story was really a love story with an edge.  

My curiosity was piqued!  So I downloaded Fifty Shades of Grey (not the whole trilogy, in case I didn't like it).  Well... as someone who has read a LOT of books, I must say that I am in agreement with the ladies.  Yes, there are explicit sexual scenes, but they are tastefully written and there is hardly what I'd call an overabundance of them.  I admit that while I was reading the book, I kept wondering WHEN it would get to the good parts, heh, heh.  I have read most of Jean Auel's books on prehistoric people, and those were no less "porny" than Fifty Shades.  

I would not really want my preteen daughter to read these books at all, and if she did, I'd think about discussing with her what the message behind the story is.  Franklly, I see it as hope for redemption - that one of the main characters has never been able to have a "normal" relationsihp with a woman, and when he falls in love with the other main character, he decides he is ready to change.  Are there steamy scenes - yep, although I would say very tastefully written.  Does the heroine take a walk on the wild side?  Yes - but she makes several choices, one of which is to love this man on *her* terms, number one of which is - not to be a sex slave.  

I just started reading the third book and I hope it has a good ending... but the way the second book ended, I think the conflict that is coming won't have anything to do with the man's "unhlealthy" sexual past, but with other things from his past.  

I'd love to hear from those of you who are reading or have read those books.  

Oh yes, btw, I pre-ordered the newest Sookie book - in hardback.  I have all of the other books in paperback or hardback, and for sentimental reasons I didn't get the Nook version.  But otherwise, I looooove my Nook!  Thumbs up if you love your Nook or Kindle.

Hugs to everyone!

fitzdc

Jean Auels books!  Have not though about those in ages.  Now plan on making a library stop this week so I have those books for surgery recovery.  thanks!

kltb04

My SIL is reading the Fifty Shades books and she doesn't find them especially explicit either - in fact, she says she has gotten to the point where she is just kind of skimming over the sex scenes, lol. 

I got a Kindle for Christmas after reading on my iphone for a few months. 

I am still trying to work my way through the last one in the Dragon Tattoo series.  I just feel obligated to finish it!

I read a wide variety of things.  Just downloaded the Gabrielle Giffords/Mark Kelly autobiography.  I like series by people like James Patterson.  There is a series by Lee Child - the Jack Reacher novels, that I have to read the latest of.

I tried the Sookie books once and lost interest; I need to try those again.

I also like true crime type books.

I still love books "real books" too.  When I took the girls to the library, I skimmed the shelves in the new release section and picked up a couple of things.

IndigoMont11

Fitzdc, all the best with your surgery!  I loved the Jean Auel books back in the '80s.  I probably read The Clan of the Cave Bear several times.  I was so mad when DH lent my copy to a friend of his, who, of course, never returned it!  I don't think I ever did read The Plains of Passage; I probably should.

I am about 100 pages into the last Fifty Shades book, and this one is going from "hot part" to "hot part."  It is a little close to being a PWP story (PWP= Plot, What Plot?).  I haven't gotten past the honeymoon, though, so I guess it's kind of to be expected. 

I also really like John Grisham's books, but I think I'm way behind on them.  I think the last one I read was A Painted House, and while it wasn't one of the lawyer books I loved, it is such a great story, I think.  

How about Ann Rule's books, like Small Sacrifices and The I-9 Killer?  I almost can't read those in the wee hours of the night.  I never have read The Stranger Beside Me; *shivering*.

Several years ago, I really also got into Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series.  I am a couple of books behind in that one, too - can't remember if the last one was The Fiery Cross or Breath of Snow and Ashes.  They are "meaty" reads but have lots of things to like - such as, history, interesting, intelligent and sexy characters, and an element of the supernatural.  

Oh, yeah, and for light, easy, fun reading, I've enjoyed the 1960s Bebe Bennett books - It's a Mod, Mod, Mod Mod Murder and Twist and Shout Murder. If you grew up in the '60s or are just curious about the early '60s, those books are really fun.  Lots of '60s trivia sprinkled all through, awesome descriptions of the music and fashion of the time, and the heroine is supposedly a dead ringer for Marlo Thomas's character in "That Girl."  I was actually in kindergarten in those days, but I remember the TV shows and the music - my mom always had the radio on.  I got those books at the library.  

IndigoMont11

I did get through all three "Dragon Tattoo" books, although I agree that they take a little work.  I am really looking forward to the second movie.  And-now I wish I could visit Sweden. 

KSteve

LOVE Fifty Shades! I'm about 30 pages away from finishing the 2nd book and already have the 3rd one ready on my Nook.  I just recommended these books to my SIL who is just beginning a nasty divorce from her husband of 34 years.  I see these books as very entertaining, and easy to lose reality for a little while.  I don't try to look into a meaning or message in the any book.  I just like the entertainment value for myself.  After all, anything that makes us get lost in it and forget about breast cancer for a while is good for me!!  I also like Nicholas Sparks books for the same reason, although they can be a bit predictable sometimes.  Glad you started this thread . . . I've never joined in on the other reading thread because they don't seem to read things like Fifty Shades!  Now I just need to get through my work day so I can finish book 2! LOL

Kathy

KSteve

Oh, and now I'll have to get the Hunger Games series because I did enjoy the Twilight series.  Thanks for recommending that.  I, too, like John Grisham, but haven't ready any of his for a while.  It appears we have very similar taste, IndigoMont11!

kltb04

Ann Rule - yes! Scary all the more because they are real.  For fiction mystery, I still like some Mary Higgins Clark - you know what is just a creepy one of hers is "A Cry in The Night."  Something about that book, even though it isn't gruesome or real, just creeps the heck outta me!

I have read all the Grisham's - lawyer and non lawyer - The Pelican Brief is my fave.  Read most of the Nicholas Sparks - those are my mom's favorites - she keeps trying to talk my dad into going to the outer banks because of them.

I am trying to remember the author and/or name of the series of books about former Navy Seals or something that work for a private security firm??  It is a series and you need to start at the beginning because they all build on each other but each one focuses on a different set of characters.  

voraciousreader

Wanna join us on the Book Lovers Club thread? You can find us under the Moving Beyond Cancer forum.. Or just do a search. We are on page 70 of discussing books! Surprised none of you have kicked off your shoes, pulled up a chair and joined us....

IndigoMont11

Thanks for the invite, voraciousreader!  I haven't looked a whole lot at that forum because I'm still in the middle of treatment so while I can't wait to move beyond, I'm not there yet.  I'll come take a peek - but depending on the books up for discussion, might still keep up with this one. 

kltb04

Just found out my library has an e-book collection available for download.  Found Fifty Shades of Grey - there are 35 people on the waiting list!!

voraciousreader

Indigo... I wish you well with your active treatment. There 's no admission cost to The Book Lovers Club thread. All the books mentioned here are discussed on our thread as well.....

KSteve

kltb04 - I've heard my library does this too.  Let me know if you try it!  I'm wondering how it works.  Personally, I don't have patience to wait for the 35 people on the list to get done with it before I can read it!  But maybe others are more readily available.  I'll have to check it out!

IndigoMont11

kltb04 - if you had a Nook I could lend the 50 Shades books to you for two or three weeks.... sorry...!  I hate waiting too. 

kltb04

LOL, thx Indigo - I will get around to it eventually

KSteve - most everything else I looked at was available.  You can only get 5 at a time and with a Kindle, it links you straight through to dowload them from Amazon somehow - I dunno.  I managed to get them on there!

IndigoMont11

Ksteve - you can try the Jefferson County library or Denver Public Library.  You'll still run into the wait lists with popular items, though.

IndigoMont11

Hey y'all, if anyone is still looking here - I have finished all but a handful of pages of Fifty Shades Freed.  I must be getting too old for this or something - I keep thinking geez, aren't we at the end yet?  Not because I didn't like the story but the way the author has written it, I can't figure out what is left to tell in the number of pages left.  Hmmm.

I hope they don't cast Rachel Bilson as Anastasia in the film version, when we get to it.  Nothing against her - she's just a little too sweet looking; I picture Ana as a little bit more sophisticated even before her descent into darkness. 

Although I can see Robert Pattinson as Christian Grey (partly because of the hair color he did as Edward in the Twilight movies).  

KSteve

I'm not sure who would make a good Anastasia, but I do like your idea of Robert Pattison as Christian! I haven't heard if there's going to be a movie, but I'd be shocked if it didn't happen eventually. Wonder what it would be rated?!

IndigoMont11

Me too (wondering about the rating)!  Although if they stick with the first book, I think it was the "tamest" of the trio. 

kltb04

So this week I read "Gabby" by Mark Kelly/Gabrielle Giffords, "The Affair: A Reacher Novel" by Lee Child, "The Drop" by Michael Connelly, "Tell No One" by Harlan Coben (would not recommend. Absurd plot). Working on "Private:#1 Suspect" by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro. I don't like it as much as the books Patterson writes on his own

kltb04

Ok, finished the Patterson/Paetro - not going to read more of those - it just had such a huge cast of characters and it was just not that good.

Working very hard to finish The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest.  I got back into it and am about a third of the way done!

IndigoMont11

Keep at it (The Hornet's Nest) - it will be worth it!  I am so looking forward to the next movie after reading it.  I need to talk to you about the murder attempt at the very beginning (the one that Lisbeth foils during the hurricane) when you finish! 

bubbe

I'm almost done with the 50 Shades trilogy too. She sure can write sexy, kinky scenes! But I agree, as a story it is a little boring - I find myself saying "oh no! Not this again". I think Robert Pattinson is too young to play Christian in the movie, how about Vincent Irizarry? He played David Hayward on All My Children.

IndigoMont11

Hi bubbe!  I agree with you totally on a couple of points.  I think her writing style is sexy and thrilling but for me did not cross over into poor taste.  As for the actor to play Christian Grey - well, the character was supposed to be in his late 20s - I thought Robert Pattinson is too, although I see after googling him that he's "only" 26.  I haven't kept up with soaps in ages so I had to google Vincent Irizarry too.  Wow - ultra good looking - but he's my age (52), so I think he's too old. 

As for Anastasia, one of the actresses I've thought of is Olivia Wilde.  

I still have to finish it - I got a couple of new magazines in the past few days, and I can't believe I haven't actually finished the whole thing.  

I am not a huge fan of nonfiction, but a friend recommended King Peggy, the book about the woman who was a secretary in Washington DC and goes to Africa to become the ruler of her family's village.  I might try to get back into it - I started it and then ended up reading the 50 Shades books!   OK, going to finish those last pages before bed tonight.

kltb04

Ok, I'm done with the Dragon Tatoo series - whew, so glad to be finished!  Going to get Fifty Shades in the next couple days and start on it.

I like nonfiction if they are biographies/autobiographies - the Gabrielle Giffords one was very good.  I have seen King Peggy on several tv shows so I may check that one out.

I always feel defeated if I don't finish one I start - I realized after reading all those on vacation that I had started and not finished a Grisham - The Litigators - so I had to go back and read the last 25% of it just to get it off my mind!

I am going to have to get oldest DD a Kindle for Christmas - she reads a LOT.  And her own library account because right now she gets on mine and loads e-books on her iPod to read and then when I go to get on it, she has it all full!  My youngest (who is 9) just isn't the reader the oldest is...she likes to read to me, a chapter or so at a time but she just isn't into reading to herself for readings sake.

IndigoMont11

I'll have to read another John Grisham - I have a few to catch up on, I think.  Or maybe Diana Gabaldon, although her books are huge and take longer. 

So... was there any connection between the incident in the Caribbean at the beginning of The Girl Who Played With Fire, and anything/anyone else in the rest of the book?  Because the author wrote things about the guy's past, where he was from, that he was into some shady scheme and all that, I guess I kept thinking that would resurface somehow.  I dunno, maybe it was just a plot device to remind Lisbeth of her true talents as a hacker and a champion(?).  What do you think?

kltb04

I really don't think there was - I guess it was just a backstory to make the plot more interesting...

bubbe

Have you finished all three "The Girl With..."books? At the end of the third there is definite feeling that the fourth book would have more about Lisbeth's sister. But the author died before he wrote it. There are notes that he left, but he died intestate and his family is fighting. So some things mentioned may never be cleared up

bubbe

Christian is supposed to be a little older than Ana, but I think casting someone that young would be a mistake - mid thirties at least! I mentioned Vincent Irizarry because he could be so twisted on All My Children. They'll have to find a gray-eyed, copper haired actor - or one willing to wear contacts and have his hair dyed!

kltb04

Ok, I know she is too old but I kept picturing Anne Hathaway as Ana.

I finished all three "Girl With..." books and even picked up a Stieg Larsson biography at the library but I couldn't get into it.

Just read Susan Ray Schmidt "Favorite Wife: Escape from Polygamy" and it was very good.  I just picked it out because it was a $3.99 ebook on Amazon but it was very interesting and I read it in about 2 days.

IndigoMont11

I am definitely ready for a new read but not sure I can get into King Peggy. I am re reading an old favorite Barbara Hambly book.