Finished up another good light mystery series

I mentioned in my last blog a book series from the author Stephanie Bond called Body Movers.  There are 6.5 books in the series, plus a prequel.  They were a very enjoyable, light, easy mystery series to read.  Similar to Janet Evanovich, but not quite as comical.  When I read Janet Evanovich, I laugh out loud, not so much with this book series.  None the less, it was a good read, and I could rent most of them through my local library online, so that was a major bonus!

Now I am starting the Kisses series by Krista Lake.  It is one of those book series that you don't necessarily have to read in order, but the characters from each book link together and you get to hear each one's story of falling in love.  For some reason, these books hook me!  I will continue to read these fun summer romances!

Tried it, didn't like it, but found something else I love

I forgot how easy it is to rent books from the library onto your Kindle or other e-reader.  As long as you have a library card (I have had the same library card since grade school!), you can check out books very easily.  The best part- it's free!  That saves me on the old Amazon account!!!

Anyway, as I mentioned in my last blog, I attempted to read the first Game of Thrones book.  I got through about three chapters, was totally lost, couldn't pronounce a single thing, so I gave it up.  Usually I fly right through books, but I just couldn't bring myself to read this one.  So I stopped.  And I haven't been reading for a few weeks.  I definitely get some more sleep when I don't have a good book!

As I was browsing the library online books, I came across a series of books by Stephanie Bond.  I remembered that she has written books with Janet Evanovich before, so I thought I would give it a try.  So far, I'm lovin' it.  The best part is, there are 6 books in the series (and all can be checked out online) so I should be occupied for a while.  We are leaving for vacation tomorrow so it's nice to have a good book while lounging by the pool!  The first book in the series is called "Body Movers".  If you are a fan of anything Janet Evanovich like I am, then I definitely recommend this book series for you!

Catching up on old series

So I've been reading a lot (as usual), and I recently finished up 2 books in a series that I really enjoy.  The first book was the 13th book in the Women's Murder Club Mystery series by James Patterson.  I usually don't read much Patterson, but I have enjoyed this series.  The other book was the 21st book in the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich.  I love Stephanie Plum and Janet Evanovich, and I look forward to the new book coming out every year.  This book in the series did not disappoint.

What's next?  I am hearing a lot about the Game of Thrones series.  I know it gets a lot of hype because of the TV series, but I would much rather read than watch TV.  I might have to see if they have them at the local library for me to check out before I purchase it for my Kindle.  Until then, I am just reading a few summer romances.

A first for me

I am always getting on my students about reading the last page or last chapter of a book before they even read the beginning.  I will never understand how somone wants to know how something ends, before it even begins!  I have been reading the Avoiding series for a few weeks now, and it am trudging through it.  The cheating, lying, and back and forth between characters is exhausing.  I read the first two books rather quickly, but I could not get through the third book.  So, I became that student that reads the last page, except I read a book review with a spoiler in it!  I hardly ever do that, but I am glad I did!  Halfway through the third book, I gave up and started looking for something else.

It took me a few days, but as I was going through my books I decided to see if any book has released something new in a series.  I am anxiously awaiting Janet Evanovich's 21st book of the Stephanie Plum series (coming out June 17), but in the meantime I am going to read James Patterson's 13th book in the Women's Murder Club series.  I don't think I ever mentioned this series, but if you are looking for a good old fashioned, women kick butt, just a hint of romance series then this one might be the one for you.  It had been so long since the 12th book came out, that I almost forgot about it.  I am anxious to read number 13!  I'll let you know how it turns out.  Until then, happy reading!

What now....

Now that you are all caught up, what am I reading now?  I just downloaded "Avoiding Commitment" by K.A. Linde.  I'll let you know how it turns out!

Goodreads

Has anyone ever used the app Goodreads?  I have noticed a lot of my FB friends are using it, but not really sure what all goes into it.  Looks like a good app for book sharing!

One of my biggest pet peeves is when I read a good book series and then another books comes out in the series and I don't know about it.  I need to find someway to get alerts on my phone as to when another book comes out in a series that I have previously read.  Any suggestions?

Let's get caught up....others

So I have a few other authors/books on my Kindle that I love, but don't really fit into a certain genre.  Here are a few:

Providence trilogy by Jamie McGuire (this is a little more science fiction that I usually read, but once I started I wanted to see how it ended so I didn't put it down!)

Jodi Picoult- she has written LOTS of books, but my favorites are "Nineteen Minutes" and "House Rules"

Colleen Hoover- my favorite Colleen Hoover book is "Hopeless" but also "Slammed and "Point of Retreat" are really good too.

"The Lincoln Lawyer" by Michael Connelly (the book is way better than the movie, of course!)

"Water for Elephants"  by Sara Gruen (again, the book is better than the movie, but I still enjoyed the movie very much!)

"The Help" by Kathryn Stockett (one of those rare occurrences when the book and the movie are very, very similar)

Let's get caught up.....romance

I read a lot of romance novels.  Some are a little more risque than others.  I will just post the good old fashioned romance series that I have read.  If you want something a little more.....you can ask me about those privately!  ;)

"Crazy Little Thing" & "The Best Medicine" by Tracy Brogan

The McCarthy's at Gansett Island series by Marie Force (lots and lots of books in this series!)

The Kincaids series by Rosalind James

Wait for You series by J. Lynn (as I was posting this, I learned that there is a fourth book in the series....I will definitely be checking that out!)

Thoughtless series by S.C. Stephens

Just for.... series by Rosalind James

"Beautiful Disaster" by Jamie McGuire (this book is so good I also read "Walking Disaster" which is the exact same story, but just told from a different point of view)

Let's get caught up......thriller + romance

I have been reading a lot of these books lately.  A little action, a little romance, what's not to love!  Here are my favorite series.

Kathleen Turner series by Tiffany Snow (I just finished this series and did not want it to end!)

Fatal series by Marie Force

The thing I like about these two series is that there are MANY books to read.  I am fairly new to this genre, which is why there aren't many, but I can see myself reading a lot more books of this variety in the future.

Let's get caught up....action/thriller

First of all, my all time favorite author, Janet Evanovich, writes in this genre.  I love most all of her books and there are too many to list them all!  If you have never read her books, they are a definite must read!

James Patterson's Women's Murder Club series is very good.  I know that James Patterson has written a lot of great books, but the Women's Murder Club is the only book series I have read of his.

Lisa Gardner is also a great author with several books in this genre.  Like the other two authors, there are too many great books to mention written by Lisa Gardner.

Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swensen series is great.  For some reason, this is always a book series I get caught up on during the summer.  Hannah Swensen is a baker and also she solves murder and other mysteries in her town.  The cool thing about this series is that all of the recipes mentioned throughout the chapters are given.  If you love a good murder mystery and baking then this is a must read for you!

Let's get caught up....dystopian

First of all, a lot of you are probably thinking "What the heck is the dystopian genre??"  Think "Hunger Games".  Any kind of teenage survival, alternate world sort of book would be considered dystopian.  Of course The "Hunger Games" and the "Divergent" series is the most popular as of late, but there are a lot of good books that fit this genre besides those two.  Here are a few (most are part of a series of books):

"The Selection" by Kiera Cass

"Legend" by Marie Lu

"The Uglies" by Scott Westerfield

"Delirium" by Lauren Oliver

"The Giver" by Lois Lowry (Most people know about "The Giver", but did you know there are 3 other books in this series?  They are all pretty good.)

"Crossed" by Ally Condie

Let's get started

I am forever reading books.  During the summer, I will read 2, 3, 4, or more books per week.  Now I know what you are thinking, "How in the world do you find time for all of that reading with 2 little boys?!?"  But let me tell you, my Kindle never leaves my hand.  If the kids are at the park, playing outside, watching TV, or sleeping then I am reading.  Of course if they ask my to play, I will gladly play, but the joy of having two kids is that they can play together!!  I've read A LOT of books.  My genres usually tend to be romance, action, and dystopian.  Being a junior high reading teacher, some books are appropriate for my students to read and others not at all.  However, I am starting this blog because oftentimes I read a book and I think of a person I know who would really like that book as well.  I know a lot of my friends out in Facebook land share my love of reading so I thought I would share the books I read throughout the summer.  If people enjoy the books, then please share and pass along the word, if you don't enjoy it then don't blame me!  And I am always up for reading a new book so please comment with books that you have enjoyed reading and think I would enjoy as well.  

I am going to start my blog with some books in different genres that I have previously read, and after catching everyone up I will just post the books that I am currently reading or have just finished.  Enjoy!