I'm still reading Sue Grafton's Kinsey Millhone series! I am loving them and so grateful to the many peeps that mentioned her books! I am now on J is for Judgement and have all the books bought except for the last two S and T.

In between those I have read:
Catherine Anderson~Baby Love
Debbie Maccomber~ Sooner or Later
Fern Michaels~ Fast Track

They were all great!

Vannie, I think it was you who mentioned Ruth Rendell.(?)
The library has several of her books. I'm on the second one, which is a combination of 3 stories. I am losing sleep over reading these. I hate that I get so involved in a good mystery, that I can't stop! Even if it IS 3:00 AM!

Anyway, next is Sandra Brown's --Alibi.

I need to change the genre!

I am reading Gone With The Wind, by Margaret Mitchell.
I have read it several times in my life, but not lately. A couple of weeks ago I just couldn't get it out of my mind, so decided to read it again. It's a wonderful story!
Dee1

I'm currently reading "Dead Wrong" by J.A. Jance. I love her books! Thanks to Nita for recommending her.

Just finished Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. I absolutely loved it!

Jodi-

Publishers Weekly review.
Some failures lead to phenomenal successes, and this American nurse's unsuccessful attempt to climb K2, the world's second tallest mountain, is one of them. Dangerously ill when he finished his climb in 1993, Mortenson was sheltered for seven weeks by the small Pakistani village of Korphe; in return, he promised to build the impoverished town's first school, a project that grew into the Central Asia Institute, which has since constructed more than 50 schools across rural Pakistan and Afghanistan. Coauthor Relin recounts Mortenson's efforts in fascinating detail, presenting compelling portraits of the village elders, con artists, philanthropists, mujahideen, Taliban officials, ambitious school girls and upright Muslims Mortenson met along the way. As the book moves into the post-9/11 world, Mortenson and Relin argue that the United States must fight Islamic extremism in the region through collaborative efforts to alleviate poverty and improve access to education, especially for girls. Captivating and suspenseful, with engrossing accounts of both hostilities and unlikely friendships, this book will win many readers' hearts.

foggyj, I did mention Ruth Rendell. That's about all I've been reading lately. She also writes as Barbara Vine and I just took the first one I've read back to the library today. It's just a different style of writing--you knew from the beginning "who done it" you just didn't know who the victim was til closer to the end. I love that she uses some vocabulary I've actually had to look up the definitions for!!! I've only read one I wouldn't recommend and it started w/ a "S"--Solimosa, or something like that. It wasn't good. Glad you're enjoying her!

Been working so much haven't had time to finish a book I started about a month or more ago: Swimming Lessons, by Mary Alice Monroe. Kids have a dental appointment this afternoon so I'm taking it with me.

My stack is dwindling, I'm down to...

Summer Sisters by Amy Bloom (first one I've ever read of hers)

The Story of Edgar Sawtelle by a new author. I've heard it's really good.

I just read "Out Stealing Horses" by Per Padderson
I so loved this book...every word was a joy to read.

I love reading...and transporting myself into the world of the authors words.

~Susan

Since I am laid up after surgery I am reading J A Jance's newest book in her Brady series Damage Control. I love her books.

I just finished one about the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency, set in Botswana. It's the second one I've read, and enjoy them in between the more criminal ones I ordinarily read. I'm also reading Barbara Hambly's "Fever Season", which takes place in mid-1800s, and is about a black physician (received his training in Paris) who has returned to New Orleans after the death of his wife. In this book, he works helping with the fever that is rampant. For an actual job, he is a pianist and teaches it, too. I read the first one, "A Free Man of Color" and thought it was great, so will read the whole series.

Jodi, I saw Greg Mortenson speak at the U of Idaho. It was a fundraiser, and I think he raised quite a bit for his projects. Moscow, Idaho is a very generous community for good causes. Enjoyed seeing him after having read the book.

I finished ALASKA (Michener) finally. Felt I just HAD to read it since we went this summer. I remember you went also, didn't you, Jodi?

I also read INTO THE WILD (Krakauer). It was very sad, but I'm glad I read it.

Now I'm working on ANIMAL, VEGETABLE, MINERAL by Kingsolver.

Not what I want to be reading. ;o(

I requested to have my sophomore DS put in honors English this year. I know it's going to be a challege for him. So to show my moral support, I promised him I would read whatever is assigned to him so I can answer/explain/tutor as needed.

Therefore, I just finished Jane Eyre and now I'm starting The Once and Future King (Arthur/Merlin thing by T.H. White). It was "summer reading" for this class, but the due date wasn't really first day of school. Jane Eyre was this week, the other is in two weeks. I know the reading list for the year, but not the order. So I don't know exactly what I'll read next. I think of the next 5 books, there were 2 that I've already read, but it's been a while.

I'm going to keep my word to DS all year. But I'd rather be reading Animal, Vegetable, Mineral with socks.

Fern Michaels--Vendetta (I think). The thing about listening on cd, you don't hold the book and see the cover.

Socks, I would love to meet "Dr. Greg"!

I have Michener's Alaska in my library but have not as yet had the will to read such a large book. Sad, since it's supposed to be a historical fiction and I'm part Eskimo. And yes, I did go to Alaska this last May.

Into the Wild is on my list of books to read.

I love Barbara Kingsolver and have read most of her books, The Poisonwood Bible and The Bean Trees being my favorites.

Jodi-

I'm reading Searching for Paradise in Parker, PA by Kris Radish. It's OK . . . enough to keep my interest, anyway . . . I think I'm in one of those 'searching for paradise' moods myself right now :)

I need a Jodi Picoult fixxxxxxx . . . come on, Jodi, write a new one . . .

I just started reading "Bast88d out of Carolina". Not sure whether I will be able to get thru it or not! (they won't let me type the whole word, even though its the nameof the book)

I have "Three Cups of Tea" on tape that I'm listing to right now. Books on tape are great when I'm working out in the garden. For my nighttime reading,I am finishing the 4th book of the Mariah Stewart series. "Cold Truth", "Hard Truth", "Dark Truth", and "Final Truth". All have been very good. Several of the characters make appearances in all the books. I HAVE to read at night to fall asleep. I can have 2-3 books going at once, plus listen to a book on tape, and manage to keep the story lines all straight.

Just finished "Cross" by James Patterson. Looking for "Double Cross", but not in either used book store.
Kathy G in MI

I'm currently reading Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich and I have The Shack and The Story of Edward Sawtelle on my pile, has anyone read any of those?

Pixistix- I love Jodi Picoult too! I read most of her books still have a few older ones I haven't read yet. I heard that Plain Truth is supposed to be on Lifetime this weekend

Doreen

No Country For Old Men. I rarely read fiction and I am not sure I like this book - too jumpy.

Hey, Good Looking By Fern Michaels
Somebody's Baby By Annie Jones
I usually take a book to work with me to read on my lunch break.
Kittywhiskers

Jodi, wasn't it you also who read Two Old Women? I thought that was a great book.

Velma Wallis also wrote Bird Girl and the Man Who Followed the Sun. Not as good as Two Women, but I'm glad I read it and would recommend it to you since you have an extra interest in native Alaskan culture.

As for Michener's Alaska, it took me months to plow through it. There must be an easier way to learn about Alaska!

I'm reading "Sin in the Second City" by Karen Abbott. It's the true story of the famous Everleigh Club and other notorious whore houses of Chicago in the early 1900's. Interesting reading!

I'm getting near the end of North River, by Pete Hamill. It's a novel that takes place in New York City in 1934, during the Depression. I chose it because New York is my hometown and I'd heard Hamill really brings the setting to life.

At first the book seemed slow to meÂprobably because I'd just come off Robert B. Parker, who keeps things moving pretty quickly. But the Amazon reviews of North River were very good, so I stuck with it. I'm glad I did; it's a good story.

The Condition by Jennifer Haigh..Really good book. I have about five dog books and two more fiction ones to get to.

I just finished Middlesex, by Jeffrey Eugenides. It was a bit hard to get it started but turned out to be a facinating story about a hermaphrodite and yet it was about so very much more. He narrates the story in an unusual way, writes analogies that just surprised me page after page, and challenged my pitiful knowledge of Greek mythology (the dictionary was often consulted) After reading it, I looked the author up and this book was one of Oprah's summer reading books. Very unusual and very interesting subject matter, by a very talented writer.
Now on to the lighter stuff!

Socks and Jodi, Jon Krakauer who wrote "Into the Wild" also wrote "Into Thin Air" the account of the tragic expedition on Mt. Everest. It was very good. I liked it even better than "Into the Wild", I could hardly put it down.

I am such a reader, but haven't been in the mood to read for the past few months. I am still getting books, both books and audio, but just don't care about them right now.

Just finished Kay Hooper's "Sleeping With Fear" last night. It was good. Have one more of her's. Friend of mine loaned me both of them and recommended them.

Hope you feel like reading again pretty soon, MaryAnn. That's so not you. ((MaryAnn)

Last Days by Joel Rosenberg.

Socks, yes it was I who read Two Old Women. MaryAnn_TX sent her copy to me. It was easy reading and I am thinking of sitting down this weekend and reading it again. I really enjoyed it.

Shay13, I really want to read Into the Wild. I saw a Discover or Nat Geo channel special on the guy awhile back. Fascinating. I *think* I read Into Thin Air a few years ago. That was pretty interesting and heartbreaking as well.

Jodi-

I've been on a Barbara Kingsolver kick. I read "Prodigal Summer" last week and just loved her way with words! I didn't want the story to end. I'm almost finished now with "Poisonwood Bible". Fantastic story.

"The Botany of Desire" by Michael Pollen is on my nightstand for my next read.

(((MaryAnn)) Hope you feel better soon.

~Betsy
~Betsy

I enjoyed Middlesex, too. It's hard to answer "what's it about?" b/c it's about so much, the hermaphrodite story line is only a small part of it. It's about identity, immigration, nationality, relationships, family, life in America... wow. It's just a fantatic trip of a book! I agree, it took several chapters to convince me to stay with it. But then I couldn't put it down. I sent it to a friend.

Kingsolver fan here, too.

And, Betsy, Botany of Desire is the most entertaining non-fiction I've ever read! It was informative and interesting, but also downright funny in places! He can really tell a story! I read it years ago, but there was one part that still makes me grin when I think about it. I won't ruin it, you'll know it when you read it! LOL!

East of Eden.

600 pages and I'm on page 595.

I'm so wrapped up in the interesting characters, I hate for it to end.

Here is a link that might be useful: ths gardenweb book forum

I loved Middlesex but how the main character came to be a hermaphrodite really, really bothered me (i.e., the brother/sister back story) ... ewwwww.

Jodi-

I enjoyed Middlesex too.

I also enjoyed Into Thin Air and Into the Wild, but couldn't get into Under The Banner of Heaven by the same author.

Jodi, I have another book written by the author of Two Old Women and as soon as I read it I'll send it on to you.

YaYa, did you get the book I mailed? Did I mail you a book?

Thanks MaryAnn!

Stephanie - I think it's GREAT that you are reading the same books as your son. It shows him that you are interested in what he is learning and doing. Not only will you be able to help him, but it keeps you both accountable to each other. Good for you!! I think it sounds like a great idea, and I'll keep that in mind as my kids get older.

Right now, I'm reading Water for Elephants. It was recommended to me by several people, so I thought I'd try it. Interesting enough so far to keep reading, but I'm wondering where this book will take me. It's not normally my style. Coincidentally, different people recommended it to DH who is listening to it on CD. Unfortunately, it raises my expectations of this book, and that is never good.

I'm re-reading "S is for Silence" by Sue Grafton. I don't have any new books in the house and had forgotten whodunit in this one.