So -

This is the time of year I make the extra effort to destress, and read mindlessly.  Sort of like the boob tube, without the tube.  Yea, yea, War and Peace, and all the other literary greats beg to be read or re-read, but .... I don't wanna.  

In the spirit of this great summer tradition, reading engrossing but candy-like novels, what are you reading this summer?  What's the best trashy novel (not necessarily the trashiest LOL) you've read?

I need a another good one, or two, currently reading, "My Boyfriend is a thingy", gift from the Witch on a Stick Helen  :-*

Pepp

Ok.. censorship on "thingy" - the word is TW__T.  Rhymes with What.

I just finished "The Templar Revelation" and am almost done with "The Templars and the Grail".  Once I am done with that I am going to read "Fast Food Nation", then I am going to read the 50 or so "Nick Carter" paperbacks I picked up last year, easy, fast, trashy male reading at it's best, it's all about political assasinations, blowing stuff up and having lots of sex!

Hey Pepp,

What you need is mindless, 'by the beach'-type, chick-lit reading. My favourite kind!!

I love the 'Shopaholic' series, about a girl who can't stop spending. There are quite a few in the series.

For a good weepy book, try PS I Love You. It's sad, but excellent!!

Em

Hey Pep - What's up Girl????? A great book that you will not be able to put down is "The Dirt" by Motley Crue. It is their biography told by each of the band members. I have no idea how they are still alive. It is a guilty pleasure but a great read.  :)
- Jim

Hiya Pepsi,

just finished Patti Boyd's memoir George Harrison, Eric Clapton and Me.  I really liked it and great photos i n side as well.

I'm reading Nelson DeMille Wildfire at present and enjoying it.  Nelson DeMille always spins his yarns around the NY and Long Island area.  Fun stuff.

Hope all is well poopsie***

Sounds like some great suggestions...

I think I like a cross between Thomas's and Emily's books.  Those action, sexy, chick-lit read by the beach books are the perfect brain vacation if not to get you away from electronic devices of any sort.  You know.. laptop, phone, t.v., dvd..

What's up JimL, I'm doing alright.  Sound like a great read you had on your hands, love that kind of stuff.  

Kimi....I feel like everytime I'm in L.I. its "Where's Waldo" , except I'm sorta looking for you.  Miss ya guppy :D'

Anybody else..?.. we can't be the only few that read this kind of stuff..this bookworm needs some juicy reading!

The Janet Evanovich 'Stephanie Plum' books take about an hour to read, and make me laugh out loud ;D I think there are fourteen of them now.

For chick lit I'd recommend anything by either Jill Mansell or Christina Jones, both are funny and very enjoyable light entertainment.

I'd also recommend any of Karin Slaughter's books, she's like Patricia Cornwall was before PC stopped writing AS Kay Scarpetta and got boring.

A favourite "old" read of mine was 84 Charing Cross Road which I read for the first time over 25 years ago! Sheesh! I rebought it last year and enjoyed it just as much.

Mitch Albom, The five people you meet in heaven, Tuesdays with Morrie and For one more day - all books I won't be without. I love them and can't recommend them enough

The Kite Runner and 1000 splendid suns are wonderful too. I have 1000 splendid suns here along with The Pirates Daughter so you can borrow them when you come up next week.

The whole series about the number one ladies detective agency by Alexander MaCall Smith (sp?) were thoroughly enjoyable. I'd highly recommend them for light reading that you can't put down too. Very enjoyable and the characters stay with you, always the mark of a good book for me.

Speaking of which, The Shadow of the Wind and The Athenian murders are two books I really enjoyed. The shadow of the wind has the most beautiful writing style as well as being unputdownable and the Athenian Murders remains the cleverest twist in a book I have ever seen. I literally gasped out loud when I got to it, I'm not going to spoil it but I'd really strongly urge everyone to read this - George J - if you see this I particularly think you'll like it!

Favourites that sprang to mind pretty quickly were The Rose of Sebastapol, Cloud Atlas, The Time Travellers Wife and the Historian and another two I've read in the last couple of months were notes from and exhibition and the forgotten garden both of which I'm looking forward to reading again.

I've made this list without the benefit of being able to look on my shelves and they've followed by some weird links in my brain. I've left off loads of books I've loved so we'll have to do this again when I can be more comprehensive!!

Hope these idea's help!

Helen

I'm missing something, because I don't have time for pleasure reading.   In my (obviously not so mis-spent youth) I read tons of books.  

Now I'm lucky if I have time to read a cook book.  Thats my pleasure reading these days.

Oh man, I can barely get through the stack of magazines I'm behind on!  I think I've read a whole 15 pages so far since I've had Ava. :-/

I'm looking forward tho to reading "A New Earth" by Eckhart Tolle.  I gave it to my neighbor to read since I don't have the time right now and she's enjoying it.

I'm so jealous!!!

ETA: btw, a book I thought was really good and engrossing was "The Road" by by Cormac McCarthy :)

Redd wrote on Jul 24^th, 2008 at 10:20pm:

I'm missing something, because I don't have time for pleasure reading.   In my (obviously not so mis-spent youth) I read tons of books.   Now I'm lucky if I have time to read a cook book.  Thats my pleasure reading these days.

Wow, yes, I'd say you are missing something.  Best things in life are small pleasures, I've learned the hard way that you have to make time for yourself to de-stress or it will come down on you eventually like a hammer.  

Cook books are not a bad thing though, though for recipes, I keep mine on the net..

Melo - I keep my mags in the bathroom.  LOL!
Eckhart Tolle.. I've found that to be a profound read, definitely not for me at this moment.  I've just not had the impetus to get through it.  

Um, Oh HELLEN?  Will we be reading to the tune of an afternoon (or three) of Margaritas on the rocks, or some of Paul's specials?  Honestly I'll ransack your collection my dear, I've no doubt it is a treasure trove.  

KJ...an hour? Now you're talkin' LOL!!
I tell you my brain is on fritz mode...

:), Mitch Albom is great. another three good reads are, 1. the sea by John Banville. 2. the tenderness of wolves by Stef Penney. 3. its a long way from penny apples by Bill Cullen. andrew.                                                           :), ah yes, one other is, sea room by Adam Nicolson. also a web site, START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

There's a newish Richard Stark "Parker" novel.  Trouble is, you can burn through the thing in three or four hours, and then where are you?

Best,

George

I love the Alexander McCall-Smith books. Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency and 44 Scotland Street series are brilliant!!

George wrote on Jul 25^th, 2008 at 2:34am:

There's a newish Richard Stark "Parker" novel.  Trouble is, you can burn through the thing in three or four hours, and then where are you? Best, George

;), ready for, a spot of bother by Mark Haddon. andrew.

Not sure if you like Fantasy, elves, vampires, etc...  I was in need of some reading material and saw 3 book series..  Looked interesting.  Turned out that they are considered paranormal romances novels, not trashy but gave you enough to use your imagination. ;)  They where still good though.

Author Patricia Briggs

START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

Book 1 : Moon Called

Book Description : Mercy Thompson's life is not exactly normal. Her next-door neighbor is a werewolf. Her former boss is a gremlin. And she's fixing a VW bus for a vampire. But then, Mercy isn't exactly normal herself.

Book 2 : Blood Bound

Book Description : Mechanic Mercy Thompson has friends in low places-and in dark ones. And now she owes one of them a favor. Since she can shapeshift at will, she agrees to act as some extra muscle when her vampire friend Stefan goes to deliver a message to another of his kind. But this new vampire is hardly ordinary--and neither is the demon inside of him.

Book 3 : Iron Kissed

Book Description : When her former boss and mentor is arrested for murder and left to rot behind bars by his own kind, it's up to shapeshifting car mechanic Mercy Thompson to clear his name, whether he wants her to or not. And she'll have to choose between the two werewolves in her life--whether she wants to or not.

Quote:

A favourite "old" read of mine was 84 Charing Cross Road which I read for the first time over 25 years ago! Sheesh! I rebought it last year and enjoyed it just as much.

It's good Helen. I read it shortly after the movie was done.

I read lots of old stuff around here along with AARP litreature. START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGESTART PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

I'm reading a 1962 local newspaper at the moment....thems wuz the daze.

I'm still working on some of David Halberstam's stuff.

Charlie

Peppermint wrote on Jul 25^th, 2008 at 12:38am:

Redd wrote on Jul 24th, 2008 at 10:20pm: I'm missing something, because I don't have time for pleasure reading.   In my (obviously not so mis-spent youth) I read tons of books.   Now I'm lucky if I have time to read a cook book.  Thats my pleasure reading these days. Wow, yes, I'd say you are missing something.  Best things in life are small pleasures, I've learned the hard way that you have to make time for yourself to de-stress or it will come down on you eventually like a hammer.   Cook books are not a bad thing though, though for recipes, I keep mine on the net..

And to think when I was a teen I was either at the local munisiple pool working on my diving tecniques or curled up in bed with a trashy romance or a Steven king type horror novel.  (If I wasn't performing with my band at the local roller rink)

I usually am  reading now one of the five volume set of a great collection of recipes.  

I was sent a book that I've yet to start, from a friend...The time travelors wife....


When I can find a way to set aside personal time with 2 active teens who are involved with so many activities...I'll get around to reading again...

But Patty?  You are SOOOO right.  I do need to take more time for me...but at this juncture with the kids it needs to be in bits and pieces.  The are at the stage where they need a balance between control and guidance, freedom and restraint.  

They are great kids I have no real complaints...but they still need a special sort of parental intervention to keep them on the right path, because they can teeter so easily and are still so very easily swayed by peer pressures.

I admire you Pepp.  We are alot alike in some ways.  Single Mom's doing our damndest to do our best.

Thanks for being you hun.

edit to add:  Helen  dear I'm still waiting on that Chicken recipe you promised me.   I cant recall witch one it was any more...and I don't have the time to go back threw the old message board to find it.

your memory is better than mine, do you recall what one it  was?

Quote:

I was sent a book that I've yet to start, from a friend...The time travelors wife....

I LOVED this book Redd. It was such an amazing read and the kind of book where you just get caught up in the story of it all (well, I did anyway!). That's my favourite kind of book!

Tia - Have you ever read any Tom Holt? If not, try The Portable Door. Not fantasy like Terry Pratchett, but a comedy about a regular guy who starts his first job in a firm where lots of strange things happen. I'd recommend it!!

Em
x

For unabashed, naughty, witty, laugh-out-loud funny, chik lit  . . . .  Jennifer Crusie does it the best.

Start out with Fast Women, or Welcome to Temptation, and move on to Faking It and Tell Me Lies.   I've read them all multiple times and I cry laughing every time.

Susan Elizabeth Phillips is good too, especially Breathing Room.

I find real life hands me enough for contemplation and reflection.  Lately when I read I want it to be funny and mindless.

Melissa, I'm planning to read Eckhart Tolle's book The Power of Now one of these days. :)

For some reason, each summer Ire- read Missing Pieces by Joy Fielding and usually all of my Patricia Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta books. And Sushi for Beginners by Marian Keyes. They all are part of my summer cottage library.

Sanna

Another excellent one which I stumbled upon on my book shelf is The Girls by Lori Lansen about siamese twins.

I'd be happy to send it to you if you wanted to read it!

Em
x

Peppermint wrote on Jul 24^th, 2008 at 10:52am:

Sort of like the boob tube, without the tube.

So, sort of like the boob.

Yep, that would fit the category of chick lit. ;)

I picked this one up a couple of weeks ago because I couldn't resist the title " There's a (slight) chance I might be going to Hell" by Laurie Notaro. It's light summer reading and the main charactor reminds me of Bridgette Jones.

wrote on Jul 28^th, 2008 at 7:56am:

Peppermint wrote on Jul 24th, 2008 at 10:52am: Sort of like the boob tube, without the tube. So, sort of like the boob. Yep, that would fit the category of chick lit. ;)

Har, har, hardy, har, har!!! :P


Em wrote on Jul 28^th, 2008 at 7:45am:

Another excellent one which I stumbled upon on my book shelf is The Girls by Lori Lansen about siamese twins. I'd be happy to send it to you if you wanted to read it! Em x

Siamese twins.. hmm.. that must be quite a story!!

Hey Kris, I just loOooove Bridget Jones stories.. she's a trippy twit..  wish there was more of it.  I'll have to check that Notaro book out.. thanks!!

sandie99 wrote on Jul 28^th, 2008 at 3:49am:

Melissa, I'm planning to read Eckhart Tolle's book The Power of Now one of these days. :)

Ooooo Sanna, please let me know how you like it!

:)

Redd it was the chicken in cider recipe you liked and I'm making it again for the first time while Patty and Ericka are up with me so between the three of us we'll get it written out for you I promise! I've not forgotten you honestly!

Em wrote on Jul 26^th, 2008 at 8:28am:

Tia - Have you ever read any Tom Holt? If not, try The Portable Door. Not fantasy like Terry Pratchett, but a comedy about a regular guy who starts his first job in a firm where lots of strange things happen. I'd recommend it!! Em x

That sounds like Piers Anthony On a Pale Horse (Incarnations of Immortality, Bk. 1) - Gave a totally different take on Death.

I'll take a look at Tom Holt though. I always run out of good books.  I'm on my 5th in a month.  I get the kids down, Shaun is playing video games and I read. That is my down time.  Sad part is that my down time typicalls starts after midnight, and I've caught myself at like 2am going shit I have to get up in 4 hours.  :o

Tia - I'm exactly the same! Though I start reading at about 10ish but then don't want to put the book down if it's a really good one!

Let me know what you think of Tom Holt!

I will, Melissa! :)
I've been chasing The Power of Now for weeks now, but one of these days it will appear to the library... ;)

Sanna

If you like poetry, a good friend of mine, Greg Gerding, just published his forth book "Loser Makes Good."   It is reading that most Clusterheads will completely relate to.  Here is one review:

"A colossal voyage of self-exploration, inebriation, social deviation, and intimate relations. I've set sail five times now, and each journey takes me deeper than the one before. Gerding takes a lot of risks with form, style, and content, and they all pay off. There is an unassuming quality to his written voice that takes the reader by the hand and guides them through discovery gently… interacting versus berating. There is a refreshing lack of pretense, and Gerding successfully manages to focus his work on himself without even a hint of self-indulgence or narcissism. We live in a vapid, trite, unforgiving world, and it's so easy to give up and let it roll over you and pin you down. Loser Makes Good is a reminder that it's much more fun to start dancing your own personal jig around the awful world and its awful people, to concentrate on your own music and keep hoping that eventually all the maddening Muzak outside you will fade away." - A. E. Chadwick

Greg is actually looking for other people to review his book, good and bad, if anyone is interested.  Here is a link to his page if you dare:   START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE

Or, here is a good read, more on the brainy side, I just recently finished.  It is called "Emotional Intelligence" by Daniel Goleman.  It can be a little intimidating at first, but well worth it.  I personally feel it is a must read by all and especially if you have kids.


Happy reading
Thomas

wrote on Jul 29^th, 2008 at 2:15pm:

If you like poetry, a good friend of mine, Greg Gerding, just published his forth book "Loser Makes Good."   It is reading that most Clusterheads will completely relate to.  Here is one review: "A colossal voyage of self-exploration, inebriation, social deviation, and intimate relations. I've set sail five times now, and each journey takes me deeper than the one before. Gerding takes a lot of risks with form, style, and content, and they all pay off. There is an unassuming quality to his written voice that takes the reader by the hand and guides them through discovery gently… interacting versus berating. There is a refreshing lack of pretense, and Gerding successfully manages to focus his work on himself without even a hint of self-indulgence or narcissism. We live in a vapid, trite, unforgiving world, and it's so easy to give up and let it roll over you and pin you down. Loser Makes Good is a reminder that it's much more fun to start dancing your own personal jig around the awful world and its awful people, to concentrate on your own music and keep hoping that eventually all the maddening Muzak outside you will fade away." - A. E. Chadwick Greg is actually looking for other people to review his book, good and bad, if anyone is interested.  Here is a link to his page if you dare:   START PRINTPAGEMultimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!!  You need to or END PRINTPAGE Or, here is a good read, more on the brainy side, I just recently finished.  It is called "Emotional Intelligence" by Daniel Goleman.  It can be a little intimidating at first, but well worth it.  I personally feel it is a must read by all and especially if you have kids. Happy reading Thomas

Thanks.. I started looking at his myspace, looks like something I might be interested in reading.  I may have to wait until I'm feeling a little bit more cerebral, all my neurons are on a forced sabbatical.  :P
Wouldn't want to put the burden on the two that are holding down the fort now would I?  8-)

My mother just read The Bookseller of Kabul by Åsne Seierstad (a journalist from Norway) and she recommends it to everyone who likes to read non-fiction.


Sanna