a few more books under my belt...

I keep forgetting to post my reading.  I suppose it's just as well that this challenge is coming to an end.   I appear to be running out of blogging steam (See also my lack of "Etsy Find of the Week" posts for two weeks running...)  Anyway, a few more recent reads for the official list:

Book 41:  The Reversal, a new one by Michael Connelly.  I like books where you're not quiiiiite sure if the bad guy is really the bad guy or not.  This is sort of like that.  Good Harry Bosch/Mickey Haller book.

Book 42:  Still Missing, by Chevy Stevens.  Okay, this thriller definitely had a unique plot, and kept my attention the whole way through.  Really liked it.  Basically the story centers around a lady realtor who is abducted from an open house and suffers hideous abuse at the hands of her captor...  but from Page 1, our victim is telling the story, so you already know she doesn't die during the ordeal (Probably. Unless it's some Lovely Bones type of thing where the victim is telling the story from the grave. But that's not what's going on here. Oops - spoiler?)  Her life - and the investigation into her abduction - must go on.  I guess this one also falls into the "I'm not totally sure who the bad guy is" category.  I would definitely recommend it.

Book 43:  Prayers for Rain, by Dennis Lehane.  Continuing my Kenzie/Gennaro kick.

Book 44:  Last Night at Chateau Marmont, a new release from Lauren Weisberger.  You know her books; this one is similar.  I liked it because I'm a girl who reads gossip magazines and likes makeup and designer jeans.

Now then. I know that I said that I would stop reading young adult books and would focus on books aimed at my own general age group.  Which I mostly did (see above).  However, I feel I must admit that I did read a few more YA books in addition to the titles above but I am just not going to count them towards my challenge total.  I will spare you from talking about them except for one tiny little thing which is OMG THE HUNGER GAMES!!!

Nine Dragons

Book No. 4 was Nine Dragons by - wait for it - Michael Connelly!

I know, I need to branch out. But! I really thought this was a good read, even taking into consideration that I am predisposed to like this guy's books.

Harry Bosch takes on the Chinese underworld in this one. During the investigation of the murder of a Chinese shopkeeper, Bosch's daughter, who lives in Hong Kong, is kidnapped, so Bosch travels overseas to find her. Danger and excitement ensues. There are a few unpredictable twists to keep things moving along and Connelly's Hong Kong depictions (I like that city) are just as intriguing as his descriptions of the underbelly of L.A.

On to book number 5! I received some good books for Christmas, and I'm not sure which one to pick yet: Leaving Atlanta, by Tayari Jones, Half Broke Horses by Jeanette Walls, or The Lacuna, by Barbara Kingsolver. I also have been meaning to start A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes from My Kictehn Table by Molly Wizenberg, so we'll see. Stay tuned.

six more from good old M.C.

Haven't I come off of the Michael Connelly bandwagon yet? No. No, I have not.

Over the past several weeks I read Angels Flight (good one), Lost Light, Void Moon (good one with female lead - nice break from Harry Bosch), The Scarecrow (not my fave, I have to say), The Brass Verdict (another good one), and A Darkness More Than Night. I think there are just a few Connelly books left that I have yet to read, now. What am I going to do with myself when I am finished?

Write faster!

somebody stop meh

This weekend I read two more Michael Connelly books (Echo Park, Chasing the Dime). I need someone to slap me.

Also: This should have been the year I was trying to read 50 books! I am on a roll.

Binge

In my last entry I mentioned how I was a little lukewarm on Stephenie Meyer (though I did read all five of her books, so go figure). You know who I am not lukewarm about? Michael Connelly! Over the past month I got seriously hooked on his police thrillers. The first book I read was The Concrete Blonde – which was exciting and a little disgusting and totally engrossing. This is one of Connelly’s books that features Harry Bosch, a tough, grim LAPD detective. As soon as I finished that book, I ran to the library and scooped up The Closers, then bought The Poet, The Narrows, and The Lincoln Lawyer to get me through a recent plane ride. So fun!

Connelly’s thrillers are fast-paced, and not too silly but not too tricky - this is the perfect combination for my taste, especially when I’m stuck in an airport and want to be distracted but not to feel like I’m studying (and yes, sometimes I do like to feel like I’m studying – what’s wrong with learning stuff?). His books are usually set in Los Angeles, and the city atmosphere Connelly creates is great. Down and dirty. The stories are modern, but have a bit of the L.A. noir, sort of old-school mystery charm (think Raymond Chandler). I like it.

Anyhow, it was quite a Michael Connelly binge I had this past month, and I thoroughly enjoyed it, but now it’s time to try something different. Next up, I think, is Nature Girl, by Carl Hiassen, or I might possibly revisit some Patricia Highsmith. Connelly’s gotten me in the mood for some of her disturbing mind games.