Nazgul Girl
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Babysitting our new grandbaby 3 days a week !
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Post by Nazgul Girl on Jun 14, 2014 16:58:31 GMT -5
I've found the Iron Druid books by Kevin Hearne. They're about a druid who has survived for 21 centuries by hook, crook and being a very smart druid, after the rest were hunted down and wiped out by the Romans. The guy has an Irish wolfhound named Oberon with whom he can communicate. The dog is hilarious. I downloaded the first 3 books ( which came in an omnibus edition ) onto my Kindle and am really enjoying them. I think this author was recommended by someone on Mr. Money Mustache, but I'm not sure. Thanks to whoever did the recommending, though.
Any other good reads or series that can be recommended ?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 14, 2014 17:51:33 GMT -5
Ok. That's a lot of people recommending Iron Druid now. It will have to hit the list.
I picked up a little book of Kurt Vonnegut's commencement speeches I'm enjoying.
I've been doing nonfiction lately, Red Letter Revolution, Botany of Desire, Better than College...
I need to read And the Mountains Echoed for book club.
I guess I wouldn't mind some recommendations too..
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Nazgul Girl
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Babysitting our new grandbaby 3 days a week !
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Today's Mood: excellent
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Post by Nazgul Girl on Jun 14, 2014 18:45:07 GMT -5
I want to reread the book called " Abigail and John," which is about the marriage of John and Abigail Adams, portrayed in their letters to each other during their long periods of separation due to war, governemnt, etc. It was fascinating. I'm going to download it on my Kindle after I finish the first three Iron Druid books, or, get a cheap used copy.
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ginpin
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Post by ginpin on Jun 15, 2014 9:18:29 GMT -5
I just finished Mr. Mercedes from Stephen King. It was pretty good.
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Miss Tequila
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Post by Miss Tequila on Jun 15, 2014 10:13:13 GMT -5
I have one rule when I'm reading....it has to be complete fluff! I think enough at work so my reading needs to be brainless. I love murder mysteries. I just finished a Nora Roberts book (Chasing Fire I think). I also love Erica Spindler (a new fav of mine), Julie Garwood (not the romance stuff she wrote), Sandra Brown, David Baldacci and a few others that I'm forgetting right now.
Because I suffer from insomnia and also read fast, I read about 2 books a week. I'm always looking for new authors
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achelois
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Post by achelois on Jun 15, 2014 11:33:39 GMT -5
I just finished the newest Outlander series novel by Diana Gabaldon. She could have left out a couple sex scenes, but otherwise was pretty good.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2014 12:11:21 GMT -5
I am pre-reading books for the 9 year old. She reads voraciously and at advanced level. Sometimes recommended books at higher level have inappropriate content, so have to screen them first. Does anyone have a recommendation site that is very accurate on content for kids/young adult readers? achelois - is there a new book? I think the last one I read had a flashy sliver foil cover. Can't remember the name! I am more of a binge reader, very impatient to read through the whole story & all the books, so mostly I try not to start a series unless the core set of books is out. I liked Outlander, but dropped it when they made me wait too long for next book :-) When I come across it in thrift shop I will buy it now, but I don't wait and pounce on new anymore.
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achelois
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Post by achelois on Jun 15, 2014 14:03:53 GMT -5
The newest one is called Written In My Own Heart's Blood.
The he cover is of a letter sealed on the flap with red wax. I have it in audiobook. I get two credits a month at audible, so it was about 12$ for it. The narrator was excellent. It was 44hrs long on audio. The hardcover is 20$ at amazon and kindle edition 12$.
You our may be thinking of A Breath Of Snow And Ashes. Then, there is Echo In The Bone.
also, there are several shorter books based on The Lord John Grey character.
I am kind of a binge reader, too. Same for watching tv shows. I like to take a day and go to netflix and watch a whole season of something at once. I did that with Dexter
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Sum Dum Gai
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Post by Sum Dum Gai on Jun 15, 2014 14:15:24 GMT -5
The third book in the Magicians trilogy came out recently. First one is The Magicians, second is Magician King, third is Magicians Land. I still haven't read the third one, but the first two were great! The author is a genius. They're a somewhat satirical look at the fantasy genre, the act of reading, and life in general. Think Harry Potter written for adults, exploring the real world consequences of finding out that some of your childhood dreams come true. Main character, Quentin Coldwater, finds out that magic is real and he's able to do it, when he suddenly gets an entrance exam at the only college of magic in the US. It's a dream come true. Definite shades of Harry Potter, except that what exactly does a magician do after graduation? There's no bad guy, no dragons to slay, no real monsters left in the world. Instead you learn magic, graduate, and float through life with not a damn thing to do, and nearly unlimited power. It would be enough to ruin anyone. You'd think I'm spoiling the whole series right now, but that's just the first third of the first book. It gets better from there.
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Virgil Showlion
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Post by Virgil Showlion on Jun 15, 2014 14:23:31 GMT -5
The third book in the Magicians trilogy came out recently. First one is The Magicians, second is Magician King, third is Magicians Land. I still haven't read the third one, but the first two were great! The author is a genius. They're a somewhat satirical look at the fantasy genre, the act of reading, and life in general. Think Harry Potter written for adults, exploring the real world consequences of finding out that some of your childhood dreams come true. Main character, Quentin Coldwater, finds out that magic is real and he's able to do it, when he suddenly gets an entrance exam at the only college of magic in the US. It's a dream come true. Definite shades of Harry Potter, except that what exactly does a magician do after graduation? There's no bad guy, no dragons to slay, no real monsters left in the world. Instead you learn magic, graduate, and float through life with not a damn thing to do, and nearly unlimited power. It would be enough to ruin anyone. You'd think I'm spoiling the whole series right now, but that's just the first third of the first book. It gets better from there. Reminds me of a raunchy satire by cracked.com where Harry Potter fakes his death and moves to LA with Ron. They fuel raging drug addictions with the money they make using magic to grift people at bars. Not a book, though.
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Sum Dum Gai
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Post by Sum Dum Gai on Jun 15, 2014 14:29:07 GMT -5
So you have read The Magicians! Except you don't need to grift people at bars when you can hex ATM's to spit out money whenever you need it. We're still in first book territory though. At some point you realize the emptiness of that existence and look for something interesting to do, especially when you're a certified sorcerer genius and so bored that you're literally killing yourself with totally meaningless distractions.
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achelois
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Post by achelois on Jun 15, 2014 14:42:23 GMT -5
I am a fairly eclectic reader, though mostly fiction. I have books by older writers such as Asimov, Bradbury, Ellison for scifi, some Jude Devereaux, some silly stuff like the Stephanie Plum series, as well as:
Harry Bosch series Micky Haller (the Lincoln Lawyer character) series Dresden Files series Gray Man series Lucas Davenport series Jack Reacher series Monster Hunter series Recovery Man series Joe Ledger series Outlander series Matthew Corbett series Pendergast series Dreaming Void series
I have Stephen King and Dean Koontz, but their older books are better than the newer, IMHO.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2014 16:09:49 GMT -5
Am I the only one who can't stand Gabaldon's Outlander? Lilly, I like common sense media. I've used it for games, etc. www.commonsensemedia.org
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2014 17:17:07 GMT -5
I have so many books on my Kindle to read that I joke that I am going broke 99 cents at a time.
However, I am currently doing my required YA summer reading. It's Divergent (but I am reading the entire series), The Book Thief, Ender's Game, and something that I have to go back to the school website to remember. Divergent was ok, but the violence seemed gratuitous to me. People who have read the entire series says that it will make sense when I read the rest. That's why I want to read it: my negative attitude might be infectious if I don't.
Students only have to choose one of the four books in case anyone wondered.
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achelois
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Post by achelois on Jun 15, 2014 17:19:06 GMT -5
Am I the only one who can't stand Gabaldon's Outlander? Lilly, I like common sense media. I've used it for games, etc. www.commonsensemedia.orgHighly unlikely, given that the world's population is 7billion, although the series has been sold in 24 countries and published in 19 languages, at least according to Wiki I guess you you won't be watching the tv series, then?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2014 17:25:00 GMT -5
I doubt it. I really don't like sexual violence.
Great summer list Susana!
eta: that makes it sound like I think some people DO like sexual violence... Not what I meant. I meant it's generally a deal breaker for me unless it is either quickly avenged (girl with dragon tattoo) or otherwise the story is just so good, guess I just didn't find outlander to be that, for me..
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Miss Tequila
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Post by Miss Tequila on Jun 15, 2014 17:51:31 GMT -5
I am a fairly eclectic reader, though mostly fiction. I have books by older writers such as Asimov, Bradbury, Ellison for scifi, some Jude Devereaux, some silly stuff like the Stephanie Plum series, as well as: Harry Bosch series Micky Haller (the Lincoln Lawyer character) series Dresden Files series Gray Man series Lucas Davenport series Jack Reacher series Monster Hunter series Recovery Man series Joe Ledger series Outlander series Matthew Corbett series Pendergast series Dreaming Void series I have Stephen King and Dean Koontz, but their older books are better than the newer, IMHO. I love the jack teacher and Lucas davenport series...are any of the others you mentioned similar?
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achelois
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Post by achelois on Jun 15, 2014 18:10:24 GMT -5
Bosch is a homicide detective. haller is a lawyer, and Bosch's half brother.
Of the two I prefer Bosch.
The Gray Man is an assassin-for-hire but targets only "bad guys".
Those are the most similar.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jun 15, 2014 18:37:44 GMT -5
Did you see amazon was attempting to pilot Bosch?
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NastyWoman
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Post by NastyWoman on Jun 15, 2014 22:48:13 GMT -5
I am a fairly eclectic reader, though mostly fiction. I have books by older writers such as Asimov, Bradbury, Ellison for scifi, some Jude Devereaux, some silly stuff like the Stephanie Plum series, as well as: Harry Bosch series Micky Haller (the Lincoln Lawyer character) series Dresden Files series Gray Man series Lucas Davenport series Jack Reacher series Monster Hunter series Recovery Man series Joe Ledger series Outlander series Matthew Corbett series Pendergast series Dreaming Void series I have Stephen King and Dean Koontz, but their older books are better than the newer, IMHO. I love the jack teacher and Lucas davenport series...are any of the others you mentioned similar? You might want to check out an earlier Butch and Marlene Karp (Robert K Tannenbaum) from the library
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achelois
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Post by achelois on Jun 16, 2014 11:27:22 GMT -5
Thanks. I will look into the tannenbaum books, too. Haven't heard of those before
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sheilaincali
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Post by sheilaincali on Jun 16, 2014 11:48:29 GMT -5
Iron Druid has a new book that just came out or is coming out. I can't remember which. Anywho- DH and I are going to Kevin Hearne's Book signing up in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis area) on Friday to pick up our copy and get it autographed. DH is totally fanboy-ing out over this. He is beyond excited. Even scheduled a haircut for Thursday night so he would look nice when he meets his hero on Friday.
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Wisconsin Beth
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Post by Wisconsin Beth on Jun 16, 2014 11:59:40 GMT -5
The third book in the Magicians trilogy came out recently. First one is The Magicians, second is Magician King, third is Magicians Land. I still haven't read the third one, but the first two were great! The author is a genius. They're a somewhat satirical look at the fantasy genre, the act of reading, and life in general. Think Harry Potter written for adults, exploring the real world consequences of finding out that some of your childhood dreams come true. Main character, Quentin Coldwater, finds out that magic is real and he's able to do it, when he suddenly gets an entrance exam at the only college of magic in the US. It's a dream come true. Definite shades of Harry Potter, except that what exactly does a magician do after graduation? There's no bad guy, no dragons to slay, no real monsters left in the world. Instead you learn magic, graduate, and float through life with not a damn thing to do, and nearly unlimited power. It would be enough to ruin anyone. You'd think I'm spoiling the whole series right now, but that's just the first third of the first book. It gets better from there. I heard about those recently. The author wrote an essay and Slate picked it up last week. I'll try to find a link. www.slate.com/articles/life/family/2014/06/lev_grossman_on_his_daughter_lily_how_being_a_father_ruined_my_life_and.htmlLily, If you've got a kid willing to read older books - there's Elizabeth Enright. She wrote about 10 books total, won awards, etc. but the books are dated - no computers, no cell phones and free roaming kids. Also no swearing, no sex and no religion. I reread them most summers because I adore them. And there's always the animal books I read as a kid - Jim Kjeljaard and Walter Farley. I started on Nancy Drew (the old green covered copies) around the age of 7-8.
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justme
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Post by justme on Jun 16, 2014 12:41:32 GMT -5
I have so many books on my Kindle to read that I joke that I am going broke 99 cents at a time.
However, I am currently doing my required YA summer reading. It's Divergent (but I am reading the entire series), The Book Thief, Ender's Game, and something that I have to go back to the school website to remember. Divergent was ok, but the violence seemed gratuitous to me. People who have read the entire series say that it will make sense when I read the rest. That's why I want to read it: my negative attitude might be infectious if I don't.
Students only have to choose one of the four books in case anyone wondered. That series has certainly got a lot of mixed reviews among my friends. I'm interested to see how the movies work out since the first one did some major plot changes.
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gs11rmb
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Post by gs11rmb on Jun 16, 2014 12:45:23 GMT -5
I recently read and enjoyed both "The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Frye" and "Frog Music". I'm currently reading 'Cocaine Blues" by Kerry Greenwood, the first in the Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries series. I had never heard of the books until the series came on PBS and I'm now officially hooked! So far so good, the book is enjoyable but I'm not loving it the way I do the TV show.
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achelois
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Post by achelois on Jun 16, 2014 12:50:55 GMT -5
Iron Druid has a new book that just came out or is coming out. I can't remember which. Anywho- DH and I are going to Kevin Hearne's Book signing up in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis area) on Friday to pick up our copy and get it autographed. DH is totally fanboy-ing out over this. He is beyond excited. Even scheduled a haircut for Thursday night so he would look nice when he meets his hero on Friday. [b Is he growing the Druid goatee?
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sheilaincali
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Post by sheilaincali on Jun 16, 2014 13:12:34 GMT -5
Judging from recent pics on twitter and facebook he is currently rocking the goatee.
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achelois
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Post by achelois on Jun 16, 2014 15:30:34 GMT -5
Judging from recent pics on twitter and facebook he is currently rocking the goatee. I meant your DH.
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lexxy703
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Post by lexxy703 on Jun 16, 2014 15:36:15 GMT -5
I have one rule when I'm reading....it has to be complete fluff! I think enough at work so my reading needs to be brainless. I love murder mysteries. I just finished a Nora Roberts book (Chasing Fire I think). I also love Erica Spindler (a new fav of mine), Julie Garwood (not the romance stuff she wrote), Sandra Brown, David Baldacci and a few others that I'm forgetting right now. Because I suffer from insomnia and also read fast, I read about 2 books a week. I'm always looking for new authors Have you read Karin Slaughter? She writes murder books with ongoing set of characters. Catherine Coulter is good too but she has a little less grit IMO.
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Chocolate Lover
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Post by Chocolate Lover on Jun 16, 2014 15:42:04 GMT -5
I have one rule when I'm reading....it has to be complete fluff! I think enough at work so my reading needs to be brainless. I love murder mysteries. I just finished a Nora Roberts book (Chasing Fire I think). I also love Erica Spindler (a new fav of mine), Julie Garwood (not the romance stuff she wrote), Sandra Brown, David Baldacci and a few others that I'm forgetting right now. Because I suffer from insomnia and also read fast, I read about 2 books a week. I'm always looking for new authors Have you read Karin Slaughter? She writes murder books with ongoing set of characters. Catherine Coulter is good too but she has a little less grit IMO. Karin Slaughter does have some memorable scenes, not for the faint of heart.... at least the good guys always win
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