Since Curl Up With a Good Book went over so well, I thought I’d start updating you all regularly on my most current conquests, lol. I didn’t get to read as much (well, listen to as much…I’m an audio book fanatic) over the last month due to the holidays, but I was able to hammer out a few. Here is my most recent reading list:
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (Hunger Games Trilogy Book 3)
Rated R (violence)
This book does what it needed to do. It wraps up the Hunger Games trilogy in a big bang. I personally cried a couple of times and the violence was like something out of “Starship Troopers”, but the series is wrapped up. The Hunger Games, a battle to the death between kids, is finally ended but a lot of good people die along the way.
- I give this one book a 6 or 7 out of 10 simply because I really don’t like a lot of gore for gore’s sake. BUT, the series as a whole is easily an 8 or 9 out of 10 for being so thought-provoking. The first book, The Hunger Games, will probably be on top of my favorites list for quite a while.
24 Hours by Greg Iles
Rated R (sex and violence)
This one would be classified as a suspense novel for sure. It opens with a mother who was taken hostage being reunited with her son who was also taken hostage. The rest of the novel covers one kidnapping by the same people one year later. What they didn’t count on was the next family they targeted being smarter than the previous ones. My favorite characters were the wife, Karen, and the daughter, Abby – I like smart, fiery redheads, lol. (For anyone who may not know, I’m a redhead too.)
- I’d rate this a 7 or 8 out of 10 for the pure entertainment factor alone.
The first four books in Sue Grafton’s Kinsey Millhone Mysteries series (aka “Alphabet Mysteries”)
Rated PG-13 or R (violence and sexual talk but no love scenes)
“A” is for Alibi
Nikki Fife, a wife accused and convicted of murdering her husband 8 years before, is released from prison and hires Kinsey to find the real killer. As the case went on, I personally applauded whoever killed the crappy husband but was ticked off at them for also killing an awesome accountant named Libby Glass. Kinsey finally does close the case (in factm she always closes the case it seems).
- I give this one a 5 out of 10 due to some predictability but some good action scenes.
“B” is for Burglar
In this one Kinsey is hired to find a missing woman. The characters are much better than in the last book. I really enjoyed the old but spirited neighbor, Julia. There is a really crazy lady in the book and a few nail biting moments, but the case is closed. I’m not 100% sure, but Kinsey helps her landlord in either this book or “C’ is for corpse. That whole side plot is fantastic.
- I give this one a 7 out of 10 for writing Julia’s part, lol, and for the whole side plot of helping her landlord.
“C” is for Corpse
This is by far the best one of the series I have read s0 far. Kinsey is hired by a young man named Bobby to find out who tried to kill him 9 months before. The case takes her all over and the story unfolds. The last scene is amazingly suspenseful in my opinion. I personally teared up at one part and realy got into this one.
- I give this one an 8 out of 10 for moving writing and a scary end scene.
“D” is for Deadbeat
Kinsey spends this entire case trying to get rid of a $25,000 cashier’s check and then hunting down a murderer. I personally didn’t actually like any of the characters much so it was hard to get too attached or to even care who the murderer was in the end.
- Overall, I’d give it a 5 out of 10 for interesting writing but bad characters, lol.
What have you been able to read lately? Anything I can add to my list for next time?
Very interesting reading list. I should really pick up some fiction once in a while – it would probably do me good.
Normally, I go to the library and head straight for the finance section. There’s just so many things to read in that section alone! I don’t know if I’ll ever move on.
A few of my girlfriends are raving about the Hunger Games trilogy. They say the same, ‘it will make you cry and it’s violent’. I think I’ll just skip the violent pages (kinda like covering my eyes in a movie!)- but I gotta read it!
How are you finding time to read?
I need to pick up a book. I think I am going to re-read ‘Glass Castles’ by Jeanette Walls. Great true story of family dysfunction. Oh, I read ‘Fall On Your Knees’, which was a bestseller years ago and I was totally creeped-out by it.
ET– I’m pretty sure Maggie loves Glass Castles. Not me– I only have the mental ability to read happy happy stories.
Though my current “fun” reading is a huge huge pile of nonfiction books on gifted kids that I picked up from the university library.
Heh. I hate audio books. Being read to always puts me to sleep.
I am a voracious reader. At any given time, I’m reading 3 different books and finish at least 6-10 per month. I’ve got 400 books on my Amazon wishlist and about 50 waiting to be read that I currently own. Those were almost all bought almost 2 years ago.
But not audio books. My commute is entirely wasted on morbid musicals.
@LifeAndMyFinances, I’m glad there are people like you that love nonfinction since there are people like me that give it no love whatsoever. What have you read and liked lately?
@Molly on Money, yes, totally read them. I’d suggest not skipping anything in the first book but skipping all the death parts in the 2nd and last book…they didn’t seem to ever be anything but gore for gore’s sake.
@Everyday Tips, I listen to books while I do my real job (kind of link mindless data entry since I’ve done it for so long) and while I drive for my commute.
@Nicole, good luck with your pile!
@Jason, I know a lot of people who just can’t listen to audio books. I just can’t find the time to read otherwise, lol. If my hands are free, I’m usually blogging, lol.
Wow…I get all my audio books through the library since I can’t afford my habit otherwise. Good luck with the 50 you have waiting!
I am reading The city & The city. It’s pretty interesting so far, but I’ve only been able to reads in bits and pieces. Hopefully this weekend, I’ll have time to sit and read for a while. I have a bunch more books from the library piled up…
I just finished Your Money or Your Life. It took me almost two weeks to finish this one. The 2nd half of the book was a bit boring to me, but I pushed through.
Loved The Hunger Games series, but definitely a little violent for being a young adult book. I just finished reading The Pillars of the Earth and loved it. Already picked up the sequel.
@retireby40, yeah, I’m pushing through a boring book right now…
@Jenna, what is Pillars of Earth about?
I have not read any of the books above
I usually read finance books or something related to my work. Have started reading about writing these days, because I suck at it 
I never thought they would be interesting, but they are actually.
I am still trying to brace myself for reading Mockingjay. I don’t even know why I keep delaying it.
i am addicted to the hunger games! <3 i stayed up all night to read it a second time lol i dunno it is just that good. i am so excited to see the movie when it comes out!! http://on.fb.me/gXrImz
Blogging has taken over my life! Seriously, I am reading “The Accidental Billionaires” and “Bad Blood”. Two more at the library ready for pick up, They are “Tick Tock” and “Strategic Moves”. Except for “The Accidental Billionaire” the rest are mysteries.
Looks like a very intriguing reading list… I really need to read more these days, it seems all I read are things related to my career, or finance… or blogs online.
Cool that you’re reading some neat books. You know, I have always really enjoyed reading. I totally enjoy bookstores, and can get immeresed in reading. For me, I gravitate toward books on sports, travel, or health.
With a hectic schedule of late, my “free time” activities are occupied a decent amount by the blog, and lately excercise. Need to find time to read though, it’s important and fun.
On the flight back to Germany, I began “The Girl With The Dragon Tatoo” on the recommendation of a few trusted friends. Absolutely fabulous read and anyone interested in fiction thriller, needs to pick up this book. I plan on reading the trilogy before the first quarter is over…
@Suba, you don’t suck at writing! Hope you enjoy your books though!
@Aloysa, suck it up and read it so we can talk about it!
@Jan, I’m worried I’d have my eyes closed through most of the movie, but we’ll see…
@krantcents, I really love mysteries! Let me know how you like the ones you are reading.
@Henway, yeah, I stopped reading the 6 months after I started my blog, but audio books have helped me find a way to fit books in again.
@Squirrelers, I was totally there…
@Graham, thanks for the recommendation! I’ll put that on my list!
@BFS / It’s about a community in 12th century England that come together to built a cathedral. Super interesting, lots of plot and character development. Definitely recommend it.
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