I really enjoyed Maggie's thread this past summer, where everyone shared their favorite books, so I thought I'd keep it going. So, please share your current favorites!!

I just finished three: "Blowfly" by Patricia Cornwell, "The Road to Ruin" by Donald Westlake, and "Harm Done" by Ruth Rendell. I am a big mystery fan, and I really like all three of these authors.
"Blowfly" is the second-to-last book in Cornwell's Kay Scarpietta series; her new one, "Trace" just came out in hardcover. Her books are dark, intense, and technical, and this one does not disappoint. It chronicles big changes in Kay's life and career, and the impact they have on her.
"The Road to Ruin" is the newest Dortmunder book by Westlake, and it is a book that made me laugh on every page. His Dortmunder books are about a bunch of bumbling thieves, and the incredible predicaments they get themselves into. It's well written, funny, and a great, light read.
Rendell's "Harm Done" is set in England, and is about her Inspector Wexford (I seem to like series books; maybe I'm lazy, but I like to jump into a book knowing the backstory on characters. ) All of Rendell's books are involved and well-crafted, and even her minor characters are well drawn. This book is about missing children, domestic violence, and murder. Not an easy book to read, but a fascinating story.

Ok, who's next?

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Trina

Vice-President of the Intergalactic Order of Brussels Sprouts Haters

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Mostly I've been reading Christopher Moore. He is ~so~ funny; I'm working my way through every one of his books I can get my hands on.

I just finished "Fluke", a mystery involving marine researchers studying the songs and behavior of humpback whales. I recently read "Coyote Blue" - the tribulations of a lapsed Crow indian when the trickster god, Ol' Man Coyote, takes an interest in his life. Before that I read "Lamb" , the story of the life of Christ as told by his irreverant boyhood friend, Biff. It was hilariously funny; but it's not definitely no for everyone, because it lampoons most of the world's major religions.

Last week, I read the "Secret Lives of Bees", which was sweet (no joke intended). I did not think the character development was as fulsome as it should have been in a story like this.

Right now, I'm reading "Youth in Revolt" by C.D. Payne. The friend that lent it to me told me it was the funniest book she ever read. It's the journal of an Oakland teenage boy who goes from one misadventure to another - all for the sake of love. It's funny, but also "revolting", as said boy reveals all in his journal.

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~~~Teelbee
Back to GOAL!!!
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Reached goal in Aug. 2003 - 4rd year of maintenance.

I just finished Robert Ludlum's The Bourne Ultimatum. and in 2 nights I read Vincent Lardo/lawrence sanders McNally's Bluff. Have finally gotten Angels and Demons (Dan Brown) which I put on reserve at the library months ago.

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Rob,
I have read all of Lawrence Sanders' McNally books; they are great! Vincent Lardo did a great job with that one. I also love Robert Ludlum.

Teelbee, thanks for the tip. I'll have to check out Christopher Moore...I really enjoy books that make me laugh as well as give me something to think about.

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Trina

Vice-President of the Intergalactic Order of Brussels Sprouts Haters

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I'm still on the library's list for Trace and for Angels and Demons.
Just finished A Death in Vienna by Daniel Silva, a new author for me. It's a thriller/mystery using the Israeli intelligence service as a backdrop. I'm generally not much of a spy thriller fan, but this one was interesting and well written, and now I think I'll check out the first two in this series.

Last week I read the latest in the Richard Jury mystery series by Martha Grimes--"The Winds of Change."

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BC
LC Since 1998
Highest Weight 172
Current 104-108

Ya know what, BC? I love the Richard Jury books, too. I've read them all, except for the one you mentioned. I'll have to hunt it up.
Martha Grimes' characters are so complex and interesting; Melrose Plant is such an intriguing figure, isn't he?

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Trina

Vice-President of the Intergalactic Order of Brussels Sprouts Haters

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I just finished Garden of Beasts by Jeffrey Deaver. A novel of Berlin in 1936. I love Jeffrey Deaver's books. This one was exceptional. He wrote Bone Collector, that was made into a movie starring Denzel Washington. Getting ready to read the last book in the Left Behind series.

Indeed, love Melrose! Wonder if Melrose or Jury will ever find love, though....

Trina, I'll bet you read Elizabeth George's mysteries, too, then (Inspector Lydley, Lady Helen, Barbara, Simon, Deborah, et al). It's been fun to be able to watch a few of them on Mystery! on PBS this season. There were a lot of liberties with the plot and sequencing, but faithful to George's characterization, I'd say.

Speaking of PBS, tonight was the first Mystery! of PD James' "Death in Holy Orders"--an Adam Dalgliesh mystery, if you read those, too. I thought it was pretty nicely done. A different character playing Dalgliesh than in the older Masterpiece Theatre version.

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BC
LC Since 1998
Highest Weight 172
Current 104-108

Thanks for starting this thread again, Cheftrina! I loved Maggies post this summer. In fact, it inspired my Fall reading.

I'm working my way through Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta series. I just started Cause of Death last night. I tend to read through an author if I like the writing. Though there have been some that I have needed to distance because they are so intense. I suppose that Cornwell could be in that category, but I find her plot development fascinating. I really love them. Brenda, you are the one who suggested them to me. Thanks. I have them all lined up in order of writing to read. I'm waiting for Trace to come out in paperback. It will be a while before I get to it.

Now that I'm back to "full steam" at work I can only do fiction reading at night before I sleep. I've been so dang tired that I only get about two pages done before I fall asleep.

peg

teelbee, i read youth in revolt a couple years ago and you are going to LOVE it! such a witty, touching story.

i just finished choke by chuck palahniuk - he also wrote fight club. choke is such a quick read, very human characters. dark, but hilarious.
also recently finished what was she thinking?: notes on a scandal by zoe heller. this is also GOOD ... about a young married mother who has an affair w/ her 15 year old student. took me a while to get into, but the end is great and has a very emotional, sad twist.
also finished the curious incident of the dog in the night-time by mark haddon ... a beatiful novel written from the perspective of an austic boy. brilliant and moving. makes you realize we take a lot for granted in our everyday lives.
and lastly, i am currently reading the secret history by donna tartt. feels a little like dead poet's society. i like it so far, a very intelligent read.

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Carrie
156/156/135

Peg, so glad you are enjoying Patricia Cornwell. She's probably at the top of my list of mystery authors when I'm in the mood for gritty realism and fascinating plots.

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BC
LC Since 1998
Highest Weight 172
Current 104-108

I am tearing my way through the Mitford books by Jan Karon. They are a cahnge, but a welcome one, from what I normally read. MAybe I'm getting old and soft but i get tired of blood guts and mystery some times. This series is about a small town and all it's loveable quirky characters. I'm loving them, but I'm near the end and I understand there will be one more then it will be over. Sigh.

P.S. How do you underline?? LOL

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Renee
1/19/04
261/220/160
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Race to 199 Challenge
Labor Day Challenge: Focusing on the Journey
Personal Goal: 199 by 12/31/05

BC,
Yep and yep. I like both George and P.D. James. I've only caught one of the Inspector Linleys on PBS, but it was well done, I thought. And I've been a big fan of James ever since I read "Cover Her Face" in high school. (Yikes, that's a long time ago!) I've been hooked on British mysteries since an aunt of mine gave me some Agatha Christies when I was a kid.
And, no, I don't think Melrose and Jury will ever find love, though I can't imagine anyone passing them by, can you? I mean, look at Melrose: handsome, blonde, green eyes, reads poetry, stinking rich...what's not to like? LOL.

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Trina

Vice-President of the Intergalactic Order of Brussels Sprouts Haters

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Exactly, Trina! Gee, where is your average self-deprecating lord of the realm when you need one? LOL!

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BC
LC Since 1998
Highest Weight 172
Current 104-108

I started reading Lemony Snicket's "A Series of Unfortunate Events". I own 8 of the 11 books published. (I noticed previews at the movie theater about a movie based on the books. I realized I had bought the books 2-3 years ago) I am reading book 6 right now.

One of the students I work with doesn't read very well and has been feeling bored this year (he's a senior). I tried various things to peak his interest this year. The first book in the series seems to be doing the trick. He even took the book so he can read it during free time in other classes as well. He likes it because I told him some of the nasty things that happens to the main characters. It seems to fit his mood this year.

I am re-reading the Elizabeth Peter's books based on the character Amelia Peabody. On vacation, I read Sue Grafton's newest book and the new book based on Ludlum's Bourne character.

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Ilse

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