pickle Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 Amanda Quick/Jayne Anne Krentz/Jayne Castle (all the same person) is my default pick me up writer nothing too taxing and always a happy ending with a dashing hero. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaraPepparkaka Posted February 25, 2011 Author Share Posted February 25, 2011 Finally something to add here! And it's an interesting one! "The Tokaido Road" by Lucia St Clair Robson. This is the story of a girl whose father was executed, and it takes place in feudal Japan. She is determined to avenge her father's death, and to do that she must travel the Tokaido road from Edo to Kyoto. Many people are out to stop her, and none of them are what they seem. Friends turn out to be enemies and enemies turn out to be friends. This was, for some reason, a book I needed to read slowly. This isn't ideal for me, but in this case it did work, I didn't feel like starting another book or anything, and I will have a lot of nice quotes to put in my book. It's also a very poetic book, so if you have even the slightest of interest in feudal Japan, and is a little bit fond of poetry, then this is a book for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaraPepparkaka Posted February 26, 2011 Author Share Posted February 26, 2011 A book that wasn't a slow read: "The iron duke" by Meljean Brooks. It came highly recommended, and steampunk combined with romance, well, let's just say, that should be precisely my cup of tea. But it was a 3/5 book, well worth the time invested (and a fast read it was), but nothing THAT special. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaraPepparkaka Posted March 6, 2011 Author Share Posted March 6, 2011 Now I've read the Jo Nesbo book that my husband brought home from Norway, "Panserhjerte". The thing is, I was really not in the mood for Norwegian misery. So I won't say much about the book other than that I would probably have thought it a bit too long even if I had been in the right mood for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaraPepparkaka Posted March 13, 2011 Author Share Posted March 13, 2011 Here I was saying in my personal thread how little I'm reading, and then this week/weekend I've read no less than three books. I continued with Scott Westerfeld's "Uglies" series, part two is called "Pretties", and it was a good read, and somehow had even more substance to it than part one. I like that in a series, that it seems like the characters really develop and change. Then, as many YA series, the book ended with a cliffhanger, and THAT I'm not so fond of. If the book is good, I don't really need to be manipulated into reading the next one. Lead me not into temptation, I can walk by myself. Other than that I have grown more fond of Tally, and of the fact that this book really does an attempt to describe that nothing is just black or white, that mostly life consists of different shades of grey. And dystopia, what's not to like about dystopia! Then, on and off I've read "Black house" by Stephen King and Peter Straub, and finally finished it this week. It's the sequel to "The Talisman", a book I remember liking when I read it many many years ago. Now this sequel didn't really keep my attention, but I also didn't have a lot else to read. It's nothing like "The Talisman", there were some good characters, for example Henry Leyden, the blind DJ, but it just wasn't the same now that Jack Sawyer was all grown up. The best books Stephen King has written are the ones where the main characters are children/almost teenagers, at least I think so. I did like how the book ended, though. And then, a little cosy mystery in an embroidery shop, "The quick and the thread" by Amanda Lee. Can't really say much about that other than it was easy to read while I was worrying about other things. Like the house full of guests for the weekend. But the weekend did have some treats as well, another weekend for the boys practising band playing, so we were treated to a concert today. Big brother is really taking to the base guitar, and has really developed a lot this year. Little brother said, "Mum did you hear I was playing really loud!" (he plays electric guitar). "Yes" I said. "It was real easy, I just played as fast and loud as I could, wasn't I good mum!" "It certainly looked like you were having a good time" says diplomatic mum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaraPepparkaka Posted March 19, 2011 Author Share Posted March 19, 2011 Have been reading Amanda Quick this week. Three of them, to be precise. Started off with "I thee wed", then went on to "Surrender" and finished off today with "Wait until midnight". I did not like the hero in "Surrender", I must say. I may even put that book up for adoption on Bookmooch, since the mystery also left a bit to wish for. "Wait until midnight" was the best of the lot. I still have one unread Amanda Quick left on my shelf, but I may read something else in between. Or not. I have a book by Swedish author Kajsa Ingemarsson, too, that I'm looking forward to. Do you know, she doesn't write mysteries at all, not a murder or a police officer in sight. One does wonder if she IS Swedish. In the only other book that I've read by her, the main character was a writer of detective stories, though. Anyway, I liked that book, and when I saw one by her in the second-hand bookshop, I decided to buy it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vodkafan Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 (edited) Now I've read the Jo Nesbo book that my husband brought home from Norway, "Panserhjerte". The thing is, I was really not in the mood for Norwegian misery. So I won't say much about the book other than that I would probably have thought it a bit too long even if I had been in the right mood for it. Are Norwegians miserable? Or just their books? I have only read Sophie's World and Dina's Book. Both of those were certainly a bit odd. . But the weekend did have some treats as well, another weekend for the boys practising band playing, so we were treated to a concert today. Big brother is really taking to the base guitar, and has really developed a lot this year. Little brother said, "Mum did you hear I was playing really loud!" (he plays electric guitar). "Yes" I said. "It was real easy, I just played as fast and loud as I could, wasn't I good mum!" "It certainly looked like you were having a good time" says diplomatic mum. Yes mothers certainly have to learn to be diplomatic. Not familiar with many of your books Sara I will look a few of them up. Edited March 19, 2011 by vodkafan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pickle Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 Have been reading Amanda Quick this week. Three of them, to be precise. Started off with "I thee wed", then went on to "Surrender" and finished off today with "Wait until midnight". I did not like the hero in "Surrender", I must say. I may even put that book up for adoption on Bookmooch, since the mystery also left a bit to wish for. "Wait until midnight" was the best of the lot. Hi Sara have you tried any of her other books when she writes as Jayne Anne Krentz? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaraPepparkaka Posted March 20, 2011 Author Share Posted March 20, 2011 Vodkafan, I have a theory about the dreadful murders and miserable situations in at least some Scandinavian books lately. It's precisely because life in general is safe and Swedish and Norwegian people in general seem to have a positive view of things, that they are able to write these very scary books. For them, it's pure fiction, even if they can imagine it, it doesn't mean they really can IMAGINE any of it happening in their own lives. And why I think that is because when my own life feels unsafe I read "safe" books. Which for me generally means I read romance books. See how it works- when I'm a tiny bit worried about a doctor's appointment, I read Amanda Quick novels for the entire week! Pickle- no I haven't read any Jayne Anne Krentz books actually. I would enjoy them I suppose. On the other hand, it's good to have something left to read in the future. And something I'm reasonably sure I won't dislike, no less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaraPepparkaka Posted March 25, 2011 Author Share Posted March 25, 2011 I DID read Amanda Quick number 4 (Ravished) before I went on to something else. That something else was indeed Kajsa Ingemarsson, whose books don't seem to be translated to English. But as far as I could see, they are translated to German, Norwegian, Danish, and Finnish. This one was called "Wheel of fortune", and tells us the story of three unlikely friends, brought together by the thrilling fact that a fortune teller moves into the neighborhood. A nice feelgood novel. Then I just finished "An Elegy for Easterly" by Petina Gappah. She's from Zimbabwe, so this will be added to the UN challenge. It was about time I added something to that challenge, and I'm happy to cross Zimbabwe off my list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaraPepparkaka Posted April 2, 2011 Author Share Posted April 2, 2011 My reading this week: "Red Riding Hood" by Sarah Blakley-Cartwright and David Leslie Johnson. I was on a business trip to Helsinki, walked pas the bookshop in the airport, and walked out again with this book. It has a vague sort of YA feel to it. Other than that, it has some of the complicated relationships I enjoy. It's not really fairytale-like unfortunately, but a fast read for me. 3 or 3,5 of 5. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaraPepparkaka Posted April 5, 2011 Author Share Posted April 5, 2011 Two more books read. "The secret passion of Simon Blackwell" by Samantha James and "La's orchestra saves the world" by Alexander McCall Smith. The first one is a romance in the tradition of "he had to marry me because he's an honorable man, but I'm sure he doesn't love me". And in this case I was inclined to agree, but the author insists that He loves Her, and they lived happily ever after. But bonus points for not making his previous marriage an unhappy one, and instead really facing the problem of being wife number two. I was a bit unhappy about the ending of book number two as well since I felt it was completely unnecessary for Feliks to go marry someone else, and disappear for a number of years. Just as if he did it only so he could have those boys, so La and Feliks would have children, since La apparently couldn't have any. I feel this way particularly since those years weren't really described, neither in Feliks, nor in La's life. I was perfectly happy with 3/4 of the book, though. Maybe he was just in a rush to finish it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chesilbeach Posted April 5, 2011 Share Posted April 5, 2011 I really like most Alexander McCall Smith but gave up on the No 1 Ladies Detective Agency after the first five books, and I haven't tried La's Orchestra Saves The World yet, Sara, and not sure why. Have you read any of his other books at all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaraPepparkaka Posted April 5, 2011 Author Share Posted April 5, 2011 I've read many of Alexander McCall Smiths books, but I'm not up to date on any of his series. I like reading about 44 Scotland Street best, then comes Isabel Dalhousie, then The no 1 detective. For 3/4 of "La's Orchestra" it was lovely, and full of the little philosophical thoughts about everyday things that I like reading so much. Then either the book or me lost focus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chesilbeach Posted April 5, 2011 Share Posted April 5, 2011 Interesting - I'm Isabel Dalhousie, then 44 Scotland Street, but have given up on No1 Ladies Detective Agency and Corduroy Mansions, so sounds like we have similar tastes! I think I will give La a go at some point, as I like the ethics and moral dilemmas in Isabel Dalhousie, and it sounds like there are similar elements. Thanks Sara Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaraPepparkaka Posted April 8, 2011 Author Share Posted April 8, 2011 Hope you enjoy it when you read it, then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaraPepparkaka Posted April 15, 2011 Author Share Posted April 15, 2011 I've been reading some more, and to make one thing perfectly clear: YES, you should read this one. And the book in question is "The Quantum Thief" by Hannu Rajaniemi. A thief as the main character? Oh, yes, that's perfect, he has his own agenda, and no regrets. Escape from a prison which is built on game theory? Perfect, never did like game theory much when I read economics, though I never actually felt trapped in it. Rescued by a very powerful female with her own spaceship? I like that! A secretive god has a hold on the female with the spaceship- it keeps getting better! Then add a colony on Mars with very odd perceptions of "alive" and "dead" where time very literally is money, and make the thief face his past on this planet. Which isn't as easy as it seems, since the thief can't remember that past, and is being chased by a surprisingly smart detective. You do see why I like this, don't you? Good use of language as far as I can tell, quite philosophical at times, and never a dull moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaraPepparkaka Posted April 24, 2011 Author Share Posted April 24, 2011 Two Jennifer Crusie read, "Fast women" and "Charlie all night". "Charlie" was more fun. Also read "Grave Secrets" by Kathy Reichs, one of the books my husband got me for my birthday. Then I have finally read "Waking the witch" by Kelley Armstrong, and now I can't wait to read the next one. Does anyone have any experience with the series about Aurora Teagarden by Charlaine Harris? A book with the four first in that series accidentally ended up in my shopping bag yesterday when I (accidentally of course) walked into a bookshop. I don't really know how it all happened, neither my husband nor my sons saw how it happened, and they were with me at the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaraPepparkaka Posted May 2, 2011 Author Share Posted May 2, 2011 Have read "Waking the witch" by Kelley Armstrong, and it was one of the better in the series. Some things weren't really finished in this book though. So, To Be Continued, I suppose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaraPepparkaka Posted May 8, 2011 Author Share Posted May 8, 2011 (edited) Not many posts here, I see. Could be that I just finished the omnibus with four Aurora Teagarden mysteries (by Charlaine Harris). It did take me a while, but it was four books in one, of course. Ok reading. Sookie is better. Edited May 8, 2011 by SaraPepparkaka Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaraPepparkaka Posted May 17, 2011 Author Share Posted May 17, 2011 Now I've read "The Poisonwood Bible" by Barbara Kingsolver, "Burning Lamp" by Amanda Quick, and "The Scarlet Letter" by Nathaniel Hawthorne. I did enjoy "The Scarlet Letter", but I would have written the story so differently. And her husband, what a peculiar person. Passive-aggressive, is that maybe the right word. "No I don't want you anymore, but I will not leave, or set you free, but secretly hunt down the guy who got you pregnant". I don't understand people like that. Beautiful language in places. Well worth the effort, even if it's not the best I've read. "The Poisonwood Bible" was an interesting experience, and very educational. I also noted and enjoyed the way you feel something bad is going to happen. Then it did drag a bit at the end, the book wouldn't have suffered a bit if it had ended sooner. ..now you know what usually I say about Amanda Quick so I won't repeat myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaraPepparkaka Posted June 3, 2011 Author Share Posted June 3, 2011 (edited) I have started a lot of books, but finished almost none. "Cause Celeb" by Helen Fielding was one I finished, even if it wasn't really good. But it was short too, so I almost didn't notice that I read it.. then I read a hilarious book called "Tarzan och Janne" by Katarina Mazetti, also a short book, about a single mum with very little money, who meets a wealhty guy by literally jumping on him. Interesting characters, single mum has issues with her ex (she still loves him, and he is now in a mental institution), wealthy new guy has issues with children, and isn't really in contact with his feelings. He turns out to be a knight in shining armor though, in the end, by being a friend when a friend is needed, and a lover when a lover is needed, and a taxi driver when a taxi driver is needed, etc. Edited June 5, 2011 by SaraPepparkaka Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easy Reader Posted June 3, 2011 Share Posted June 3, 2011 "The Poisonwood Bible" was an interesting experience, and very educational. I also noted and enjoyed the way you feel something bad is going to happen. Then it did drag a bit at the end, the book wouldn't have suffered a bit if it had ended sooner. I have had this on my shelf for a few years now and have been putting off reading it as its quite thick. Is it an easy read ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaraPepparkaka Posted June 5, 2011 Author Share Posted June 5, 2011 I have had this on my shelf for a few years now and have been putting off reading it as its quite thick. Is it an easy read ? Hm. It was a fairly straightforward timeline, easy to keep the narrators apart- yes I'd say it was an easy read. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaraPepparkaka Posted June 10, 2011 Author Share Posted June 10, 2011 So. Work sucks just now. I want a new job, which is not so easy in this little village. So what do I do? I read two Jennifer Crusie. "Don't look down" (co author Bob Mayer) and "Crazy for you". It's working fairly well, as far as it's therapeutic effect. Also, I am eating healthier just now, so comfort food is not much of an option now. That pretty much leaves comfort books. Romance, that is. I will go find some more romance books now. I re-read a Lisa Kleypas as well this week. I will re-read more of my romances if I can't find any new ones. Work should be confined to the hours you spend there. I can't afford to let it affect my whole life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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