Originally posted by SheriaVa: [...]I'm curious what leads you to Grafton. Three people in this thread all said they read her and she was "okay"--not what I'd see as a shining recommendation--so I assume you want to read Grafton because your sister likes them?
Yes, mostly because my sister & my best friend both like them. I was going to give my friend "One for the Money" but my sister had just given her 3 books to read (she has a job and a life & so doesn't read as fast as me) so it will be awhile before she gets around to it. I gave it to my sister because she said she was fresh out of books to read.
I will see if I can find "Skinny Dip" and dd has given me "Happy Hour at Casa Dracula" to read. She was laughing out loud when she was reading it.
Also, I am almost finished with "The Big Over Easy" by Fforde. I have enjoyed it but not as much as I do the Thursday Next series (maybe because I am actually reading it instead of listening to an audio book). I keep putting it aside to read other things.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: BrenauMom,
"Live your life so that you are not afraid to sell the family parrot to the town gossip."
Posts: 3997 | Location: NE Atlanta (Chamblee, Doraville, Norcross, Duluth) | Registered: March 15, 2004
Originally posted by johnbol: I think Carl Hiaasen is a natural progression from Evanovich. I really enjoyed Skiiny Dip. He takes aim at true stories in Florida and turns them into hilarious fiction. A little cruder than Evanovich.
I completely agree about Hiaasen being a natural progression from Evanovich. I started my love of Hiaasen with Sick Puppy and, while I don't think I have enjoyed another Hiaasen as much as my first, I have read and enjoyed many books by him. They all are hilarious and touching and anger-inducing in their own way. The man definitely knows how to make a point, but finesse definitely isn't his style--he's more the hammer over the head type!
For those who don't mind a bit of creepiness or grossness, I highly recommend Jeffery Deaver's Lincoln Rhyme series--I began with The Bone Collector which is still one of this most intense stories, I think. I'm currently reading his The Vanished Man at home.
For intensity with less gross, I also recommend John Sandford's Prey series. I'm currently reading Sudden Prey at work. I've read almost the entire series and he is a consistently entertaining author with a main character (Lucas Davenport) who both charms and frustrates.
Personal Healthy Habits Challenge - 10/1 to 12/31/08: 1. Exercise: Get back to consistently working out 3-5 X week. 2. Food: Get back to consistently preparing healthy lunches for the week with increased veg servings. 3. Behavior: Reduce intake of sweets.
Posts: 7254 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
I'm not sure if I've said this here, or only in e-mails to Judy, but I've read Grafton up to "H" (I'm anal - I have to start at the beginning and follow through). She's o.k. What I really wanted to comment about was the fact that she headlined a nationally-known, locally-held writer's conference last summer. Her Key-note speech was even free on the Saturday evening and was VERY well attended. (If anybody's interested, I have several of her books autographed I've been trying to sell - what does that say!)
I think Carl Hiaasen is a natural progression from Evanovich. I really enjoyed Skiiny Dip. He takes aim at true stories in Florida and turns them into hilarious fiction. A little cruder than Evanovich.
I've been reading a history of the church and it's, of course, deeper than most fiction. Should finish it this week-end - especially if we spend a fair amount of time in the car (my best reading place - next to the front porch).
I was frankly surprised she is so popular because I couldn't see why at all with the one I read.
I was really surprised too. I finally made it through "J is for Judgement". It was not at all compelling, but I kept reading thinking it must get better. I borrowed that and "L is for Lawless" from a friend, and I'm trying to decide if I even want to bother with "L". I might, just to see if it is any better, but if it isn't I won't read anymore Grafton.
Judy, have you read any Iris Johannson? She is really good, and she is an Atlanta author.
Dawn
"Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion. You have to set yourself on fire." anonymous
Posts: 4285 | Location: Indianapolis, IN | Registered: March 15, 2004
Originally posted by BrenauMom: I finally found #5 and read it today so now I have caught up with everybody else.
I guess now I need to start on Sue Grafton.
Glad to hear you found #5 and have completed the set! I have #11 in paperback next on tap and was lucky enough to find #12 in hardback on our work loaner library shelf, so I will hopefully be caught up to you soon.
I'm curious what leads you to Grafton. Three people in this thread all said they read her and she was "okay"--not what I'd see as a shining recommendation--so I assume you want to read Grafton because your sister likes them?
I was frankly surprised she is so popular because I couldn't see why at all with the one I read.
Posts: 7254 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
1. About Sue Grafton. She''s o.k. I've read A through H. I've started "I" a couple of times, but something else always tastes sweeter at the time. (So Many Books…So Little Time).
2. Oh! I think Queen Latifah would be a perfect Lula! But I'm not sure I want to see her in costume! But it would be a nicer view than Mo'Nique! I think either Keanu Reeves or Brendon Frazier could play either Joe or Ranger. Or how about Vin Diesel? And for Vinnie…Michael Imperioli (did I spell that right) or Michael Badalucco (used to be on The Practice). I always pictured Cloris Leachman as Grandma Mazur. And for Stephanie…even Sandra Bullock is a bit old. How about Lisa Edelstein - from House?
I have to say, "The Grapes of Wrath" is on several of those lists and I HATED that novel, and other than my English teacher who made us read it, I have yet to meet anyone who actually liked that book. It was truly a chore to read.
My 14 yo niece just told me on Saturday how much she loved that book. I thought it was great that she liked it so much but I don't remember being enthralled when I read it either.
Originally posted by Tayhudson: Originally posted by SheriaVa: I have always seen Christopher Meloni (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and HBO'z Oz) as Joe Morelli.
He's not "hunky" enough for me.
If I had only ever seen him in L&O:SVU, I would say the same thing. But when he was in Oz, the mere appearance of his face or body on screen would make me breath heavy. He was a very menacing yet little-boy-lost character on Oz and there was something amazingly sexy-dangerous about him. Most definitely bad boy material. Ever see him in Oz?
Personal Healthy Habits Challenge - 10/1 to 12/31/08: 1. Exercise: Get back to consistently working out 3-5 X week. 2. Food: Get back to consistently preparing healthy lunches for the week with increased veg servings. 3. Behavior: Reduce intake of sweets.
Posts: 7254 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
Originally posted by SheriaVa: [QUOTE]Originally posted by BrenauMom: I was checking the Janet Evanovich website to see if there was a message board there and apparently there is a movie in the works.[/QUOTE
I have always seen Christopher Meloni (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and HBO'z Oz) as Joe Morelli.
He's not "hunky" enough for me.
[Quote] Ranger is really hard to cast...I've heard Benjamin Bratt's name circulated a good bit but I think it's a bad fit. I don't think he's nearly big enough to play Ranger. Now Joe Morelli, yea, I could see him playing Joe. [Quote]
I don't see Benjamin Bratt as Ranger at all. I agree,he's not big enough. The Rock might be too big. He might be a really good Tank.
[Quote] I don't really see Queen Latifah as Lula...I mean, I can, if I sqrinch my face up real hard...but it isn't an obvious choice to me because I think she's too classy to be Lula. The lady Roz, who was just on this season of Last Comic Standing, would be a hoot as Lula.[Quote]
I don't really see Queen Latifa either, although, I do think she can do raunchy. I don't know Roz. I have Lula in my head, but no one really comes to mind.
[Quote] Vinnie has never been that fleshed out a character for me to think about who I'd cast to play him, but I guess I've always seen him as a skinny tough-guy-meets-nerd type. DeVito is small, and I do see Vinnie as a smaller guy, but I think DeVito would be too over the top. [Quote]
I think Vinnie is a character actor we don't really know yet. Or one of those guys you see and say "oh yeah, I've seen him before", but it isn't really a big part. I agree that Danny DeVito is too small.
[Quote] There is an comic actress I used to picture as Stephanie in the early days when I first started reading the series. I can never think of her name...she played on a few TV series in the past...but she would be too old now to play Stephanie. I've heard Sandra Bullock a LOT as Stephanie...and I can see the bumbling part since she's done that before...but I'm not entirely sold on the idea of her as Stephanie Plum.
Sandra Bullock comes to mind right off the top, but I don't think she's perfect, again, aging out, can do bumbling and humorous and endearing really well though, but she doesn't have the edge to her that I see in Stephanie Plum.
Those were my first thoughts without giving it a lot of thought. I know what they are like in my head, and I haven't ever really thought about casting those characters. I'll give it more serious thought and see what I come up with.
Dawn
"Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion. You have to set yourself on fire." anonymous
Posts: 4285 | Location: Indianapolis, IN | Registered: March 15, 2004
Originally posted by BrenauMom: I was checking the Janet Evanovich website to see if there was a message board there and apparently there is a movie in the works.
It has been in the works for ages...I voted for my cast choices on her website several years ago and it still isn't any closer to being a reality as far as I know...though her fans are always buzzing about it.
quote:
Who do you see in the parts of Ranger, Joe, Stephanie, Lula, Grandma, & Vinnie?
I have always seen Christopher Meloni (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and HBO'z Oz) as Joe Morelli.
Ranger is really hard to cast...I've heard Benjamin Bratt's name circulated a good bit but I think it's a bad fit. I don't think he's nearly big enough to play Ranger. Now Joe Morelli, yea, I could see him playing Joe.
I don't really see Queen Latifah as Lula...I mean, I can, if I sqrinch my face up real hard...but it isn't an obvious choice to me because I think she's too classy to be Lula. The lady Roz, who was just on this season of Last Comic Standing, would be a hoot as Lula.
Vinnie has never been that fleshed out a character for me to think about who I'd cast to play him, but I guess I've always seen him as a skinny tough-guy-meets-nerd type. DeVito is small, and I do see Vinnie as a smaller guy, but I think DeVito would be too over the top.
There is an comic actress I used to picture as Stephanie in the early days when I first started reading the series. I can never think of her name...she played on a few TV series in the past...but she would be too old now to play Stephanie. I've heard Sandra Bullock a LOT as Stephanie...and I can see the bumbling part since she's done that before...but I'm not entirely sold on the idea of her as Stephanie Plum.
Personal Healthy Habits Challenge - 10/1 to 12/31/08: 1. Exercise: Get back to consistently working out 3-5 X week. 2. Food: Get back to consistently preparing healthy lunches for the week with increased veg servings. 3. Behavior: Reduce intake of sweets.
Posts: 7254 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
Originally posted by BrenauMom: I was checking the Janet Evanovich website to see if there was a message board there and apparently there is a movie in the works. You can vote for the movie casting of “One for the Money” You have to click on “Plum series” at the top left of the screen and then scroll down to Movie Casting.
I am not all that familiar with the current crop of actors and actresses but Rachel Ray for Stephanie ?!?!?! I agree with Queen Latifah as Lula after recently seeing Last Holiday and I think Danny DeVito would make a good Vinnie. I can "see" Joe in my minds eye but I don't have a name to go with him & I don't know what I have seen him in.
Who do you see in the parts of Ranger, Joe, Stephanie, Lula, Grandma, & Vinnie?
I can see Sandra Bullock as Stephanie Plum. The Rock as Ranger, maybe Benjamin Bratt as Joe. Which is funny, because Linda suggested Benjamin Bratt as Ranger when we were discussing it, then after thinking about it more, I think he would be a good Joe. I always imagine Grandma as the lady the played the Grandma on the "Golden Girls". Hmmmm, Lula, maybe Queen Latifa. Personality wise, I can hear Wanda Sikes, but she doesn't fit the physical description. Joe Pesci would have been the perfect Vinnie (not because of My Cousin Vinnie, either) a few years ago, but I think he's too old now. Same with Danny Davito, I think he has aged out of the role. That's the other issue with some of the actors I mentioned, they may be on the verge of being too old, and couldn't last if a long series were in the works.
Dawn
"Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion. You have to set yourself on fire." anonymous
Posts: 4285 | Location: Indianapolis, IN | Registered: March 15, 2004
I was checking the Janet Evanovich website to see if there was a message board there and apparently there is a movie in the works. You can vote for the movie casting of “One for the Money” You have to click on “Plum series” at the top left of the screen and then scroll down to Movie Casting.
I am not all that familiar with the current crop of actors and actresses but Rachel Ray for Stephanie ?!?!?! I agree with Queen Latifah as Lula after recently seeing Last Holiday and I think Danny DeVito would make a good Vinnie. I can "see" Joe in my minds eye but I don't have a name to go with him & I don't know what I have seen him in.
Who do you see in the parts of Ranger, Joe, Stephanie, Lula, Grandma, & Vinnie?
"Live your life so that you are not afraid to sell the family parrot to the town gossip."
Posts: 3997 | Location: NE Atlanta (Chamblee, Doraville, Norcross, Duluth) | Registered: March 15, 2004
I have to say, "The Grapes of Wrath" is on several of those lists and I HATED that novel, and other than my English teacher who made us read it, I have yet to meet anyone who actually liked that book. It was truly a chore to read.
I was happy to see several E.M. Forster novels and Edith Wharton novels listed...also some Vonnegut, I love Vonnegut. Oh, and "A Bend in the River" by V.S. Naipul is an amazing novel. And my all time favorite novel is on the Reader's list and that is "A Prayer for Owen Meany" by John Irving. Many people have read Garp, which is also good, but the other is a superior novel.
Dawn
"Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion. You have to set yourself on fire." anonymous
Posts: 4285 | Location: Indianapolis, IN | Registered: March 15, 2004
I finished Life of Pi last night. Wow. What a bizarre story. If you are bored with the same old stories and you love great writing, I suggest you give this a try. A few observations I had about the book that may help you decide if it's for you:
1. It's not horror in any way, shape or form, but there is gross stuff. I can't go into detail about the kind of gross it is without giving something away. Suffice it to say that I ate my lunch while reading it all but the very end, when I took it home this weekend to finish it, and there were times when I was a little queasy but I never had to put it down because I was too grossed out to eat.
2. There are parts of the first third of the book that were, for me, very boring and I found it hard to keep going, but it was WELL worth it to keep going.
3. The writing is simply beautiful. He has ways of describing and representing things that take your breath away--at least if you are a person who truly loves and appreciates good writing like I am.
4. The ending was, for me, tremendously disappointing--especially after a story of such adventure and vigor. OTOH, this is a VERY odd story and it's hard to say what a more satisfying ending would have been.
5. The story definitely requires suspension of disbelief...it is odd...and it gets more odd the further along you go. But if you just release yourself to it and go along for the ride, I think you will be greatly charmed!
Personal Healthy Habits Challenge - 10/1 to 12/31/08: 1. Exercise: Get back to consistently working out 3-5 X week. 2. Food: Get back to consistently preparing healthy lunches for the week with increased veg servings. 3. Behavior: Reduce intake of sweets.
Posts: 7254 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
