Reading Pt.2

As you will notice, on the right I have added a few things. One of which is a links list to many authors and their websites. This list is far from complete, and I welcome any input in the additions. Also, you will notice some links to my favorite blogs. I love reading what is going on in the wacky world of the Tonks family (crunchy bottoms still kills me), or the fascinating life of the Wilson family (the battery episode could have turned out one of two ways..."positive" or "negative"). As I am not allowed to have children left alone in my care, I live my life vicariously through yours. Please let me know if there are other blog pages I need to add. I will read them all and laugh/cry/strangle the children right along side you.

Today I want to discuss my reading habits. I often have people ask me "what do you like to read"? Easy...anything but romance (yuuuck), or autobiographies. I know I have said this before, but today I thought I would go over some of my favorites with you, and let you decide if you in fact might enjoy them as well.

First off, my all time favorite author. Stephen King. Now before you grunt in dismay, know that not all of his books are horror in nature. His Gunslinger series is a wonderfully written period piece about well...gunslingers. There is also The Eyes of the Dragon, a book he wrote for his son that is more of a fairy tale than anything. The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon is a beautiful, tear jerker of a book about a lost girl and what she does to survive on her own. Bag of Bones and Lisey's Story are about a love lost, and the ones left behind to prevail. Both beautiful books. His latest, Duma Key, is a good book for all the die-hard Vampire readers out there. Eyes of the Dragon, and the Gunslinger books (7 in all) good for younger folk. Most of the other a little advanced in nature.

Next I think we will discuss Dean Koontz. Now like the above mentioned author, he has dwelt alot in the supernatural. But not all of his works are the same. His Odd Thomas series (4 in all) is well read, and well written. My favorite book of his would be One Door Away from Heaven. If you can read this one and NOT fall in love with the little girl Leilani Klonk...you're stronger than I am. I would ok Dean for reading by anyone above 12 years of age.

Anne Rice of course did the Vampire Chronicles ( Lestat, Interview With a Vampire, Queen of the Damned, Etc.), but she has also written books about witches, and her latest delves into the spiritual side of things. Her writing style is fascinating, her stories seem to tell themselves. She is definitely not for everyone. Not reccomended for teens under age 15, unless they truly enjoy scaring the crap out themselves.

Jeffery Deaver is responsible for giving us The Bone Collector. His series about Lincoln Rymes and Det. Amelia Sachs are wonderful to read. They include The Coffin Dancer, The Stone Monkey, and The Twelvth Card among many others. Good detective who-dunnits. I have yet to solve one before the end. Not suitable for children/adolescents due to language, murder and other thematic elements.

James Patterson is one of those authors who appears to be able to write about anything. His serial thrillers The Womens Murder Club are good, easy fun reads. He has written lovey dovey books as well, like Bleachers. He also writes detective novels like Mary Mary, Violets are Blue, Roses are Red, and Kiss the Girls (also a movie). I enjoy his works, and find I can usually read one of his books in a few days.

Terry Goodkind is a fantastic fantasy author. I read his first book and was hooked. His stories are the "adult" version of Harry Potter. There is dragons, magic and creatures. There are 9 or 10 books in the series, and I wouldn't suggest these books for kids under 13 due to some rape (nothing descriptive), and there is war/death. But I would suggest them for anyone fascinated by these types of stories.

John Grisham is the man to read if you enjoy a good courtroom drama. I like his books, and the good guy always wins. What more can I say?? Nothing wrong with letting the kiddies read these.

Now we come to some female authors. I, unlike my boss, am not adverse to reading a book by a woman. Patricia Cornwell is a great read if you enjoy books about forensics and the steps used to solve violent crimes. She is a noted Forensic Specialist, and she is also Chief Medical Examiner for the state of West Virginia ( I think). She was at one time a lawyer, and speaks well on legal matters too. Please visit her website for the list of her books in order. I made the mistake of reading book 5 first. Makes more sense to start at the beginning.

Another fascinating female author is Kathy Reichs. She too writes books on forensics, and solving violent crimes. I would not compare her to Patricia Cornwell, as their writing styles are very different. Kathy uses alot of French (she is the Anthroplogy Specialist in both the United States and Quebec, Canada), but aside from that her books are addicting. I have started reading her only recently, and have enjoyed the three I have read so far. Her main character Temperrance Brennan is the same one the T.V. series "Bones" is based on.

I would read one of these first before allowing your kids take a gander. Both contain harsh language, scenes of brutal violence, and some sexual themes. There are also some lovely morgue/autopsy descriptions.

Janet Evanovich writes some humorous books about Stephanie Plum, a female bounty hunter who can toss it up and kick butt with the best of them. I enjoy her books for a good laugh, and where NOT to hide if there is ever a female bounty hunter after me.

Now although this list isn't complete, it should give some idea into what I read, and what I would allow my children (if I was allowed to have any) to read. If I had to suggest books for the younger group, you can't go wrong with The Spiderwick Chronicles, Lemony Snickets, The Hobbitt, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Eragon series, or even Harry Potter. There is also my all time favorite young adult author...Roald Dahle. He brought us Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Fantastic Mr. Fox, and James and the Giant Peach. Anything written by Judy Blume is great for young or pre-teen girls. And let us not forget Superfudge.

So there you have it. What I like to read. And I do read alot. I usually have three or four books going at one time, and I tend to finish around 50-65 books a year. If the book truly grabs me, I will re-read it over and over. My copies of The Hobbitt and the subsequent trilogy are old, worn out and dog-eared, but still among my all time favorites.

Now please stop by the other blogs I have listed and lose yourself in the life/lives of others. If you know of anything I have left out, or if you would like to add something, please do. As always, I value your opinions and your comments. If you have any questions on the authors I have listed, I'm here for you friend. Be good, be wise, and never be without a good book.


P.S. The reason I'm not allowed around children is I tend to mess with their little heads. I'm a bad influence on young, unfetered minds. Just a warning if you're ever looking for a babysitter.

Until next time............................ Brandon