Off-Topic Spring Reading 2015

[BunnyHop]

Originally Posted by Bluebelle

I love the Mary Stewart King Arthur books! Have read & reread them many times. They are my favorite King Arthur books. Hope you enjoy reading them!

Oh, yes! This is actually a decades later re-read. Read them when I was a teen, when they were fairly new.

And Googling the publication dates, I learn that there are actually FIVE books in the series. Had no idea.

The Crystal Cave
The Hollow Hills
The Last Enchantment
The Wicked Day
The Prince and the Pilgrim (which I've never read, or even heard of until now)

Not sure I'm all that interested in the last two, to be honest, based on the plot summaries I've read. Since our library doesn't even have a copy of The Wicked Day, I'll probably just move on to something else once I've finished The Last Enchantment.

[Laura S.]

Wow. I had no idea there was a 5th book. I remember as a teenager laughing with my mom when the 4th book of the trilogy came out. I read 3 of those books when I was recovering from a minor surgery as a 12 or 13 year old. The doctors told my parents that I shouldn't move around much for a few days after I got home. So, Mom went and got the first book. After I inhaled that one, she went and got the next two and I ripped through those. Then, I had to wait until the 4th one was released.

[BunnyHop]

Got a copy of James Fell's Lose it Right book, and so far am find it sensible and funny.

(not linking to Amazon, because I think you can order it elsewhere for less than any price they're currently showing. I got a used copy.)

[pharma_gal]

I'm sorry I havent read the entire thread...but I'm looking for some good mystery books...I'm getting tired of James Patterson and Lisa Gardner...Any other good authors? Thanks.

[Laura S.]

I really enjoyed Lee Child's Reacher books for quite awhile. I've given up on the series now, but read well over 10 books before tiring of it. On the other hand, I'm still reading the Bosch books by Michael Connolley.

The Maise Dobbs series included some of the best mysteries I've read. These books include incredible character development. They are during the time between WWII in Britain.

Linda Castillo and her Amish mystery series include an interesting character of a police chief who is ex-Amish. Tricia Field's mystery books set in southern Texax, right across the border from Mexico have an incredibly strong sense of location. Tami Hoag's books are darker than I usually read, but I enjoy them.

Good luck finding something you like.

[Laura S.]

Lynn - You probably would consider the new Debbie Macomber book "trauma porn" as well as it definitely addresses an issue. It just didn't seem to be exactly the same neat formula that many of her recent books have fallen into.

[Bluebelle]

Originally Posted by BunnyHop

Oh, yes! This is actually a decades later re-read. Read them when I was a teen, when they were fairly new.

And Googling the publication dates, I learn that there are actually FIVE books in the series. Had no idea.

The Crystal Cave
The Hollow Hills
The Last Enchantment
The Wicked Day
The Prince and the Pilgrim (which I've never read, or even heard of until now)

Not sure I'm all that interested in the last two, to be honest, based on the plot summaries I've read. Since our library doesn't even have a copy of The Wicked Day, I'll probably just move on to something else once I've finished The Last Enchantment.

I've read Wicked Day but never reread it over & over like the first three. Didn't know about the Prince and the Pilgram. Thanks! Will check it out.

[BunnyHop]

Originally Posted by pharma_gal

I'm sorry I havent read the entire thread...but I'm looking for some good mystery books...I'm getting tired of James Patterson and Lisa Gardner...Any other good authors? Thanks.

What kinds of mysteries were you hoping to find?
Gritty/realistic?
Procedural?
Fantasy?
Cozy?

In a 'similar to Agatha Christie' vein, I'd suggest Ngaio Marsh. I've read all of hers, and though some bits do seem a bit dated now, the stories in general do hold up.

In newer series, I've been liking Juliet Blackwell's witchcraft mystery series. The first is Secondhand Spirits.

[BunnyHop]

Anybody here read Wolf Hall?

I've been watching the new tv adaptation, and am tempted to give the book a try.

The book itself is huge and heavy, which I can cope with if I really enjoy the story, but I wonder if it's not too dark/gory for my current reading preferences??

Given the subject matter (there are beheadings, torture and beatings, assorted murders/assaults) I guess it's not the lightest reading, but what do you guys think?

As dark as the Game of Thrones series? (I'm thinking they might be similar in tone, but haven't read Wolf Hall beyond the preview on Amazon.)

[Wanda]

Originally Posted by BunnyHop

Anybody here read Wolf Hall?

I've been watching the new tv adaptation, and am tempted to give the book a try.

The book itself is huge and heavy, which I can cope with if I really enjoy the story, but I wonder if it's not too dark/gory for my current reading preferences??

Given the subject matter (there are beheadings, torture and beatings, assorted murders/assaults) I guess it's not the lightest reading, but what do you guys think?

As dark as the Game of Thrones series? (I'm thinking they might be similar in tone, but haven't read Wolf Hall beyond the preview on Amazon.)

I've listened to audiobooks of both, Wolf Hall and Game of Thrones, and WH is nowhere near as gory or dark. I found some of the narratives in it hard to follow. Not sure if it was the (to me) excessive use of pronouns or the fact that I was listening instead of reading.