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Post by sadie on Jul 7, 2010 14:39:22 GMT -5
Thought I would start a thread discussing new books on the New York Times Best Sellers List......see if anyone has read them.....or maybe they can be suggestions for people looking for good books
Hardcover Fiction.
#1 Sizzling Sixteen (Stephanie Plum) by Janet Evanovich
Description - Stephanie Plum, half-Italian, half-Hungarian, a shrewd mixture of smarts and dumb luck, works for her cousin Vinny as a bail bondswoman in Trenton, New Jersey. Vinny, however, is in deep fecal matter, owing too much money to the very scary guys who have kidnapped him. Stephanie, office manager Connie, and Lula, plus-sized and focused (if not on the job at hand), manage to spring Vinny (more than once) and find a lot of money to pay what he owes. Along the way, they facilitate a cow stampede and an alligator escape; are assisted by a bunch of Hobbit con-goers; and find their office going up quite thoroughly in flames. Stephanie wrecks the usual car and ping-pongs between the hot and dangerous Ranger and the hot and domestic Morelli. Ranger says the “love” word to Stephanie, but it is Morelli at the end, offering her a pink, lacy thong. In the first few pages, Evanovich both catches readers up on the hilarious and cockeyed history of the preceding 15 books and gives fans a little more of everything they want, including the return of beloved stoner Mooner. Funny, scary, silly, and sweet. — GraceAnne A. DeCandido
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I've heard of this author and this series....I actually have one of her books....it was given to me....and haven't read it......
Anybody read her or this series?
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Post by dewey on Jul 7, 2010 15:09:51 GMT -5
I have never read any of her books. When I saw her books today at the book store I thought about picking one up but went on to an author I was familiar with. Next time I'm out I will try to pick one of hers up and see how it reads. She is always on the best seller list so she must be good.
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Post by sadie on Jul 7, 2010 15:20:43 GMT -5
That's what I think......I need to find the book I have and read it........the person that gave it to me is bound to ask me about some time.....then what am I going to do??? Let me know what you think....and I'll let you know about mine!!!
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Post by beth on Jul 8, 2010 16:25:56 GMT -5
Oh I've read one of her books, but it's been awhile back. She's always funny and clever and has nice crazy-but-sensible-in-the-end female characters. I don't think you can go wrong with this one for light summer reading (a beach book).
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Post by sadie on Jul 9, 2010 19:43:50 GMT -5
I've heard a lot about this book also........
#1 - NonFiction - Hardcover
Sh*t My Dad Says by Justin Halpern
(from Amazon) Review “Justin Halpern’s dad is up there with Aristotle and Winston F*cking Churchill. He’s brilliant, and his son’s book is absolutely hilarious.” (A.J. Jacobs, New York Times bestselling author of The Know-It-All )
“Read this unless you’re allergic to laughing.” (Kristen Bell )
“Shoot-beer-out-your-nose funny.” (Maxim )
“A fun gift book that is bound to crack up anyone who flips through it.” (Los Angeles Times )
“This book is ridiculously hilarious, and makes my father look like a normal member of society.” (Chelsea Handler )
Because Mr. Halpern Sr. has the gift of being able to "swear with great expertise" I can't quote many of them on Amazon, but here are a few of my favorite PG rated quips:
ON THE DEATH OF OUR FIRST DOG He was a good dog. Your brother is pretty broken up about it, so go easy on him. He had a nice last moment with Brownie before the vet tossed him in the garbage.
ON MY BLOODY NOSE What happened? Did somebody punch you in the face?!... The what? The air is dry? Do me a favor and tell people you got punched in the face.
ON THE MEDICINAL EFFECT OF BACON You worry too much. Eat some bacon... What? No, I got no idea if it'll make you feel better, I just made too much bacon.
ON SHOPPING FOR PRESENTS FOR HIS BIRTHDAY If it's not bourbon or sweatpants, it's going in the garbage... No, don't get creative. Now is not a creative time. Now is a bourbon and sweatpants time.
ON BEING ONE WITH THE WILDERNESS I'm not sure you can call that roughing it son... Well, for one, there was a (EXPLETIVE) minivan parked forty feet from your sleeping bags.
ON SILENCE I just want silence... Jesus, it doesn't mean I don't like you. It just means right now, I like silence more.
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Post by sadie on Jul 13, 2010 15:04:50 GMT -5
The New #1 - Fiction
Private - James Patterson/Maxine Paetro
Seems the critics aren't being very kind.........which makes me wonder how it is #1
(the following is a review on Amazon) I've been reading James Patterson's books for years (I don't think I've missed one!) and we all know that a majority of his books these days are ghost-written by a co-author, meaning that the quality isn't often anywhere near as good as some of his earlier novels (such as the Alex Cross ones). Well Private is a prime example of this - sloppy writing with forced dialogue, predictable plot twists and celebrity name-drops and product placements litter nearly each one of the short chapters; bad two dimensional characters that are all horribly unlikable; and three unrelated "mysteries" that tie up a little too easily (and are then forgotten about - I mean, what was the point of the NFL storyline exactly?!) and have none of the usual twists and shocks that I'd expect from a thriller novel.
I just wish Patterson would do himself a favour and stop putting his name on any book thrown at him as his reputation is going to be dragged through the mud even more with books like this one. This is the last time that I get excited about one of his novels and pre-order it so I get it on day of release and I'll read a few other customer reviews before purchasing in future as this was a real waste of time and money. "
It was followed by this more flattering one.....
"I have given up on most Patterson's novels years ago, the one exception are the ones written with Ms. Paetro. Actually I should say written By Ms. Paetro as I am sure Patterson's contribution is minimal. The books are written by Paetro and Patterson's name is added to the cover to generate sales. This is a disgusting practice, but don't mind it so much in this case as the book is actually pretty good, thanks to Paetro! I just don't understand why Ms. Paetro cannot be given full credit for her work? Are we all such mind numb idiots that we will only buy something from a big name (a big name who has written a lot of garbage in recent years).
Jack Morgan has returned home from Afghanistan a war hero when he goes to visit his father in a California prison. Tom (Jack's Father) is serving a life term for murder and extortion. Tom wants his son to reopen his investigation business "Private" and gives him access to $15 million he has stashed away in an offshore account. In the years to come Jack builds the business into a world wide success with famous clients and a strong reputation. The story follows two plot lines one is the murder of an old friend's wife and the old friend is the number one suspect. The other involves one of Jack's investigators who has been called into a serial murder case by the LAPD. The killings are of school girls over the past two years and the police are desperate. This one hooked me from the beginning and never let go!"
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Post by beth on Jul 14, 2010 10:28:48 GMT -5
I agree with both reviews. I loved Patterson's Alex Cross novels (Kiss The Girls, etc.), but he's released so many disappointing books over the past few years, I don't bother anymore. Guessing - He still hits #1 because his books are the ultimate quick read ... chapters are usually 2 to 4 pages long, big print, double spaced. So, if one feels a real need for a "beach book" or summer read, it donesn't take much effort to start and finish one by Patterson. lol He's the favorite of the lazy crowd. I'll choose Dean Koontz over JP any ol' day, though he has some shortcomings, too. These guys don't need the money, so they just get lazy and hop into action to fulfill contracts, I think. Koontz is still readable, though.
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Post by sadie on Jul 14, 2010 13:55:29 GMT -5
I have read a few Dean Koontz. I enjoyed some......but I read a couple of them that had children in them and they really really bothered me...........I just couldn't seem to shake the creepiness factor of them..........and it really messed with my head and got into my dreams. So I stopped reading his stuff.
Have read several Lisa Jackson.......
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Post by beth on Jul 14, 2010 14:06:51 GMT -5
I have read a few Dean Koontz. I enjoyed some......but I read a couple of them that had children in them and they really really bothered me...........I just couldn't seem to shake the creepiness factor of them..........and it really messed with my head and got into my dreams. So I stopped reading his stuff. Have read several Lisa Jackson....... I'm not familiar with Lisa Jackson. Could you give me a couple of titles you liked? Koontz' book, "From The Corner Of His Eye" had a child involved, but (honestly) it was not depressing. Well ... of course some things were, or the villains comeuppance wouldn't have seemed justified, but it left me feeling rather satisfied with the outcome and the tale didn't drag me down. I did not like Stephen King's Pet Semetary (sp ?) because the child horrors were devastating.
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Post by sadie on Jul 14, 2010 21:33:45 GMT -5
Lisa Jackson....I've read Shiver, Absolute Fear, Lost Souls, and Malice.....these are from her New Orleans series and there were a couple before these that I missed.........
I have also read her Left to Die.....not sure if it is in a series or not......
They are some pretty creepy books themselves..........but they don't seem to stick with me.....
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Post by beth on Jul 15, 2010 11:21:13 GMT -5
Lisa Jackson....I've read Shiver, Absolute Fear, Lost Souls, and Malice.....these are from her New Orleans series and there were a couple before these that I missed......... I have also read her Left to Die.....not sure if it is in a series or not...... They are some pretty creepy books themselves..........but they don't seem to stick with me..... I'll look for her. I think there's another writer named Lisa Gardner and I was confusing the two. Maybe I'll pick up one of LJ's paperbacks and test the water (so to speak) .
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Post by dewey on Jul 15, 2010 13:27:22 GMT -5
Lisa Jackson....I've read Shiver, Absolute Fear, Lost Souls, and Malice.....these are from her New Orleans series and there were a couple before these that I missed......... I have also read her Left to Die.....not sure if it is in a series or not...... They are some pretty creepy books themselves..........but they don't seem to stick with me..... I'll look for her. I think there's another writer named Lisa Gardner and I was confusing the two. Maybe I'll pick up one of LJ's paperbacks and test the water (so to speak) . Lisa Gardener is wonderful......I read everything of hers that I can find. I think I have also read some of Lisa Jackson.....but can't recall what they were.
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Post by sadie on Jul 17, 2010 15:48:25 GMT -5
Non-Fiction-
Medium Raw: A Bloody Valentine to the World of Food and the People Who Cook - Anthony Bourdain
Product Description The long-awaited follow-up to the megabestseller Kitchen Confidential
In the ten years since his classic Kitchen Confidential first alerted us to the idiosyncrasies and lurking perils of eating out, from Monday fish to the breadbasket conspiracy, much has changed for the subculture of chefs and cooks, for the restaurant business—and for Anthony Bourdain.
Medium Raw explores these changes, moving back and forth from the author's bad old days to the present. Tracking his own strange and unexpected voyage from journeyman cook to globe-traveling professional eater and drinker, and even to fatherhood, Bourdain takes no prisoners as he dissects what he's seen, pausing along the way for a series of confessions, rants, investigations, and interrogations of some of the most controversial figures in food.
Beginning with a secret and highly illegal after-hours gathering of powerful chefs that he compares to a mafia summit, Bourdain pulls back the curtain—but never pulls his punches—on the modern gastronomical revolution, as only he can. Cutting right to the bone, Bourdain sets his sights on some of the biggest names in the foodie world, including David Chang, the young superstar chef who has radicalized the fine-dining landscape; the revered Alice Waters, whom he treats with unapologetic frankness; the Top Chef winners and losers; and many more.
And always he returns to the question "Why cook?" Or the more difficult "Why cook well?" Medium Raw is the deliciously funny and shockingly delectable journey to those answers, sure to delight philistines and gourmands alike.
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I didn't read the first one......so I don't know what to say about this one..........
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Post by beth on Jul 18, 2010 10:24:37 GMT -5
Recipe books are Ok, but I don't know whether I could read a whole book about food. That's a subject to reference occasionally, not become immersed in.
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Post by sadie on Jul 18, 2010 14:23:13 GMT -5
Yeah......I think he talks about other cooks and some of the shows on cooking shows on tv........you know.....I really love to eat......and personally.....there are probably just things I would rather not know so that I can keep on eating.
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