JB Book Club

[stephdray]

Originally Posted by hot-in-texas

Love to read! There are a lot of great recommendations here. Definitely going to pick some of these books up. I picked up Cleopatra:A Life today at Barnes and Noble, I've always wanted to find out more about her. She was so powerful I her shortish life. this book is supposed to be a much more accurate account than the Hollywood movie(Elizabeth Taylor) and other fictional stories that have swirled around about her.

Yes, Stacy Schiff's book is excellent. But around these parts we never diss the Elizabeth Taylor version because it's got pizzazz, my friend.

[Kismet311]

Originally Posted by b_lou_who

How is Kingmaker's Daughter?

It's classic Philippa Gregory (if you've read her other novels). I had to force myself to put it down last night and go to sleep. I just get so wrapped up in lives of kings and queens. It's so stressful LOL I am not much of a history buff but I find these stories so facinating and even though it is fiction I know that most of what happens in the books really did happen.

[Librarygirl]

Originally Posted by stephdray

You realize you ladies are killing me here, right? I've been trying not to post in this thread since it started because there's nothing worse than an author horning in on everyone's reading fun, but I love books! I read books! And you're all talking about some of my favorites.

I had to re-start Diana Gabaldon's OUTLANDER at least three times. Couldn't do it. Ended up buying it on audio instead and then I loooooooooved it!

The DOVEKEEPERS is so beautiful--but then, it's exactly the kind of thing I write, so I would think so. Or at least the kind of thing I hope I am writing.

Always love to have you in any discussion, Steph! As an author I'm sure you have some fabulous recommendations as well. I love this thread!!

[mom23kids]

My library hold of the queen is dead, by kate locke came in so i'm going to start that next it's the sequel to god save the queen and it's a really fun steampunk/uf trilogy

[tekla]

Originally Posted by mom23kids

Steampunk is fast becoming my favorite sub-genre i'm starting a steampunk romance tonight, her sky cowboy by beth ciotta

Must check it out.

[mom23kids]

Originally Posted by tekla

Must check it out.

I don't know anyone else who likes steampunk- we should compare books that we've read/liked

[b_lou_who]

Originally Posted by mom23kids

I don't know anyone else who likes steampunk- we should compare books that we've read/liked

Start listing steampunk books!

[hot-in-texas]

Originally Posted by stephdray

Yes, Stacy Schiff's book is excellent. But around these parts we never diss the Elizabeth Taylor version because it's got pizzazz, my friend.

You know what, I agree. I want to read your book next, Song of the Nile. I actually didn't finish Stacy Schiff's book, found out I'm more a fan of that pizzazz you're talking about. Someday I will finish reading Schiff's book, because I really am interested to know all the details about Cleopatra, but I will have to be in the mood, it started out as kind of a history lesson, so i put it aside for now.

[mom23kids]

Originally Posted by b_lou_who

Start listing steampunk books!

My favorite steampunk series is the parasol protectorate, by gail carriger. There's 7 books in the series and she's also working on a new spinoff series-first one comes out next year i think? And she also just released her first YA book, etiquette and espionage (which takes.place in the same world as her pp series), and it's also excellent

Other steampunk books i've read and enjoyed-

God save the queen by kate locke and i'm halfway through the sequel the queen is dead

Her sky cowboy by beth ciotta

Heart of brass by kate cross

The girl in the steel corset by kady cross YA

The greyfriar by clay griffith

Something strange and deadly by susan dennard YA

Phoenix rising and the janus affair by philippa ballantine

Dearly departed by lia habel YA

Masque of the red death by bethany griffin YA

The iron duke, heart of steel and riveted by meljean brooke

How beauty met the beast by jax garren

[krow134]

Just started beautiful creatures book series since the movie is coming out............OMGOSH!!! I read half of it today at work! It is really interesting! I have the other 3 ready to go once I am done with the first!!

I still have the graceling series to read but I just cant get into it at the moment. I get 4% throught then another book gets my attention. Been doing that for a while now. I will read it thought, everyone says its a good trilogy!

[ouizoid]

Steph--if you write magical realism, I'm your girl! Heading over to the kindle store now.

[b_lou_who]

Originally Posted by mom23kids

My favorite steampunk series is the parasol protectorate, by gail carriger.

I love love love those. She is a riot!

[stephdray]

Originally Posted by Kismet311

It's classic Philippa Gregory (if you've read her other novels). I had to force myself to put it down last night and go to sleep. I just get so wrapped up in lives of kings and queens. It's so stressful LOL I am not much of a history buff but I find these stories so facinating and even though it is fiction I know that most of what happens in the books really did happen.

I really love Philippa Gregory even when she's not at her best because she takes some interesting risks. I think I almost love it best when she takes on the voice of sociopathic characters, as she did in THE RED QUEEN and then, of course, one of my all-time favorite books: WIDEACRE (which is very demented! not for the faint hearted!)

[stephdray]

Originally Posted by ouizoid

Steph--if you write magical realism, I'm your girl! Heading over to the kindle store now.

I do indeed write magical realism. My Nile trilogy is all about that. (My romances and THE PRINCESS OF EGYPT MUST DIE are not magic realism, though. So careful!)

Which may be why I loved Alice Hoffman's DOVEKEEPERS because the mix of magic in the ancient world just gets me every time. After all, they really believed it. It was a common phenomenon in their world.

(I'm also a huge fan of the MISTS OF AVALON and that whole series. Marion Zimmer Bradley and Diana Paxson for the win.)

[stephdray]

Originally Posted by mom23kids

The iron duke, heart of steel and riveted by meljean brooke

I want to love this book, but my eyes keep glazing when I start it. Give me hope!

[hot-in-texas]

So many books, this thread is completely overwhelming!

[mom23kids]

Originally Posted by b_lou_who

I love love love those. She is a riot!

Carriger is my second all time favorite author, right behind terry pratchett

[mom23kids]

Originally Posted by stephdray

I want to love this book, but my eyes keep glazing when I start it. Give me hope!

I loved the first and third book, the second one not so much. They're not as 'fun' as some of the other steampunk books out there, but i really like the romance aspects of this series

[mom23kids]

Originally Posted by hot-in-texas

So many books, this thread is completely overwhelming!

Wish there was a way to caterorize all the different genres

[piratejenny]

Originally Posted by stephdray

I really love Philippa Gregory even when she's not at her best because she takes some interesting risks. I think I almost love it best when she takes on the voice of sociopathic characters, as she did in THE RED QUEEN and then, of course, one of my all-time favorite books: WIDEACRE (which is very demented! not for the faint hearted!)

Know who does a freaky good job of this...Jim Thompson.
Brilliant, brilliant writer; his work was considered to be "pulp fiction" but truly transcended the genre.

Sorry for butting in...I haven't kept up with this thread because I have rather disloyal reading habits. I can't always remember the names of authors I've liked until I get to the library and find their books again. Also, I haven't developed a good method for figuring out how to read a series in order--#1 never seems to be on the shelves! I just go to the library and randomly pick 12-15 books. There are usually a couple duds in the batch, but I've found some gems, too.

My favorite modern author is Sherman Alexie.
Like many of you, I enjoy Terry Pratchett
and then all kinds of stuff like PG Wodehouse, Isabel Allende, & Chuck Palahniuk.

[b_lou_who]

Terry Pratchett rules
Jim Butcher owns a piece of my heart (Codex Alera! and Dresden)
Elizabeth Moon's Deed of Paksenarrion always warms me through
John Ringo & David Weber's Empire of Man series and Council War series are book comfort food for me

[Zib]

I'm now listening to a YA book. "Hero" by Perry Moore, with an intro by Stan Lee. I highly recommend it and it's only $4.95 through the 18th at Audible as part of their win-win sale.

The main character is a high-school kid with two secrets:
1) that he has a super-power and wants to join The League. He can't tell his father who was a member and is now a disgraced former Hero.
2) that he is gay.

The book is read by Michael Urie (Ugly Betty) and he does a great job.

I'm alternating listening to this with "Winds of War" which is about 45 hours, so you need a break now and then.

[mom23kids]

Originally Posted by b_lou_who

Terry Pratchett rules
Jim Butcher owns a piece of my heart (Codex Alera! and Dresden)
Elizabeth Moon's Deed of Paksenarrion always warms me through
John Ringo & David Weber's Empire of Man series and Council War series are book comfort food for me

I've read the first dresden book, need to pick up the others in the series

[mom23kids]

Originally Posted by piratejenny

Know who does a freaky good job of this...Jim Thompson.
Brilliant, brilliant writer; his work was considered to be "pulp fiction" but truly transcended the genre.

Sorry for butting in...I haven't kept up with this thread because I have rather disloyal reading habits. I can't always remember the names of authors I've liked until I get to the library and find their books again. Also, I haven't developed a good method for figuring out how to read a series in order--#1 never seems to be on the shelves! I just go to the library and randomly pick 12-15 books. There are usually a couple duds in the batch, but I've found some gems, too.

My favorite modern author is Sherman Alexie.
Like many of you, I enjoy Terry Pratchett
and then all kinds of stuff like PG Wodehouse, Isabel Allende, & Chuck Palahniuk.

Have you read the Sandman Slim series by richard kadrey? It's categorized as noire/fantasy and is very pulp fiction/gritty, with a bad guy as the antihero. Very dark, but really good.

[ouizoid]

just finished City of Thieves by David Benioff--listened to the audible version read by Ron Perlman (sons of anarchy) who did a fantastic narration. Very enjoyable, although at times painful details--

[mom23kids]

Just finished the queen is dead by kate locke-love this series!

I got notice that my library hold of Scarlet by marissa meyer came in and i can't wait to read it!!! This is the sequel to Cinder, which is a dystopian fantasy retelling of the cinderella story. 'Cinderella' is a cyborg Absolutely brilliant and i highly recomend the series!

[mom23kids]

Read a pnr book today, the goblin king by shona husk. It wasn't very well written, but somehow it worked and i really enjoyed it already put a library hold on the sequel!

[Librarygirl]

I have to say that I am enjoying Outlander now. I am a little over half-way, and it's gotten much better. It must be a big book...not sure of the pages (on Kindle). I have put off reading my "have to read" book for LJ. Will have to speed-read it next week, because I think I want to read one other book before I start it.

[mom23kids]

Finished scarlet by marissa meyer, the second book in the lunar chronicles. Such an amazing series!

[Kismet311]

I am really enjoying Splintered! Thank you for those of you who suggested it. I am almost done with it but my library is closed today for President's day so if I finish it today I will have nothing to read!!!!!!!! What will I do??? LOL These are the only times I wish I had a Kindle or Nook. I guess I will clean the house today to get my mind off of reading but reading is so much more fuN!!