Authors, Books and Conversations

Hi all. It seems it has been years since I have truly been sucked in by a book. I'd love to ask for recommendations; but really am not sure that anyone could in general know what would do that for me. Is there any kind of an online book wizard that could let me answer a few questions and then make a recommendation? I wouldn't mind reading something really old or something really new.. I just miss the craving I used to have for a book that absorbed me. I have bought about 15 books in the past year and rarely get past the second chapters... I get bored so easily by predictable story lines or overused phrases.

When I was younger.. way younger.. I loved the VC Andrews books - the ones written while she was alive. I can't make myself pick up anything of hers that is "current" because the writing is so 'forced'.

I don't like anything fantasy based. No sci fi/ time travel stuff.. though I've been known to really like a few cleverly scary/paranormal books... just nothing gory. I loved the first six Janet Evanovich books.. love how realistic the heroine was and how cleverly they were written... but grew bored after book six.

I could go on and on about what I like and dont like.. and I could read everything you all recommend here; but really wondered if there was a more scientific way to figure out what might catch my interest?

Thanks!

Paula

What would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?

Paula age 42. Mike age 37.
Tubal Ligation in 1994. Reversal 12/04/08. (1 tube repaired) 
Concieved 02/27/09. Miscarried 04/02/09.
Concieved 06/02/09. 14 DPO HCG = 927 | 16 DPO HCG = 2922
9/15/09 Amnio results show 100% perfect & healthy baby girl! I am SOOOOOO relieved!!!!

Hi Paula,

Is there a particular genre you do like? Mystery/thriller, romance, etc.?

Often I find that it's not so much the genre or type of book but how well it's written that sucks me in. But that may be just me. Others find particular plot lines, like a murder mystery, more compelling than others.

Bev

You're right on with the writing being more important than the genre. I do have a harder time getting into highly complicated/abstract things like time travel; but aside from that, I read just about everything... what truly keeps me engaged is good writing. I am very distracted by bad grammar or sloppy details. I think one reason I like the Evanovich books is because I always find myself surprised at the details she took the time to write. I truly feel I am inside the head of the main character because no one would ever say those things out loud.. but then I realize that someone not only said it out loud but wrote it down. Not to be confused with giving a lot of description and detail. It's definitely an art to paint these images and connect readers without just throwing a bunch of adjectives at them.

So. Genre is not as important as good writing. :)

Paula

What would you attempt if you knew you could not fail?

Paula age 42. Mike age 37.
Tubal Ligation in 1994. Reversal 12/04/08. (1 tube repaired) 
Concieved 02/27/09. Miscarried 04/02/09.
Concieved 06/02/09. 14 DPO HCG = 927 | 16 DPO HCG = 2922
9/15/09 Amnio results show 100% perfect & healthy baby girl! I am SOOOOOO relieved!!!!

I have no idea what to recomend for you. I will say keep on reading Evanovich. I was bored with the beging of some of the books but somewhere around the middle they always suprise me. i have read to book 12.

Hi Paula ~~ Everyone's taste in reading material is so o o different that I hesitate to offer a suggestion. Just so you know, I do not like the Evanovich books. I tried the first and could not finish it. Maybe in a different life but it read like fluff. Just my opinion. I do appreciate wit and enjoy a wide spectrum of mysteries, suspense, and thrillers. And gore does not phase me. It is fiction. Like Harlan Coben said at Bouchercon a week ago, "I just make this stuff up." But he doesn't include gore in his. He does some one-offs I've enjoyed:Tell No One, No Second Chance, The Innocent, The Woods, and Hold Tight. He takes ordinary situations and turns them on their heads. A Canadian author who also does that is Linwood Barclay...sort of what-if type of stories:Too Close To Home, No Time for Goodbye, and Fear the Worst.

My favorite mystery author is Michael Connelly, who has been bestowed a barrel-full of awards. His are primarily set in LA...his protag is a cop named Harry Bosch. He has a few one-offs, as well.

This past year I've been hooked on Scandinavian writers. They are wizards with words. I keep asking what they put in their coffee. Some of my favs are: Stieg Larsson, Karin Fossum, Henning Mankell, Arnaldur Indridason, to name just a few. A book that was short-listed for the Edgar this year was Missing by Karin Alvtegen. Less than 300 pages and I read it twice. It was that great.

On Nov 1st on PBS Masterpiece Theater is A Place of Execution, written by Val McDermid in 1999. You should read the book and then watch the film presentation. I read that the movie (which a reviewer saw in advance) is as good as the book, which is fantastic.

You can Google any of these authors to find out more plus there is a Web site with mysteries listed by several categories where you can find the names of the books listed in order written: stopyourekillingme.com. (Notice youre as in you're.)

Harriet