Thursday, March 3, 2016

So Many Books--How to Choose? (Erin)



Hello!

 Laurie and I were just saying how much we like the “What We’re Reading” category. I like seeing everyone’s recommendations, but my “To Read” list is getting quite long. Since I usually have three or four books going at once, it’s hard for me to narrow my choices this week.



I have to say, I am enjoying The Lunar Chronicles immensely. At my house, with three of us reading them, I’ve had to wait my turn, but I just finished Cress and can’t wait to start the last book, Winter. Sophisticated, imaginative and unusual, Marissa Meyer’s combination of fairy tales, moon colonization, cyborgs and romance turns out to be a winning mix. So far, the books haven’t contained any uncomfortable material, either, which is a huge plus.

The other series I am currently enjoying is Stephen Lawhead’s Bright Empires quintet. Lawhead is one of my all-time favorite fantasy authors. His unique way of blending modern England with a wide variety of ancient settings is fascinating. In the Bright Empires series, Lawhead, with his impeccable research skills, transports us to Egyptian pyramids and tombs, Prague coffee-houses, and even prehistoric forests, via ley lines, which allow travelers to jump courses into alternate pasts and futures. Lawhead’s assumption that his readers are intelligent and can keep up with all of his twists, surprises and “science” is refreshing. Lawhead’s characters are also compelling. I am always intrigued to see the changes his characters undergo from the first to the last book in the series.

I can’t wait to finish both series! Be sure to leave a comment and let me know if you have read any of these books. What do you like best about them? If you haven’t read them, which are you most interested in, and why?

   Thanks for visiting!

Erin 

Attributions:
http://www.amazon.com/Cinder-Book-One-Lunar-Chronicles/dp/1250007208/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1456858929&sr=1-1&keywords=lunar+chronicles+box+set
http://www.amazon.com/Bright-Empires-Collection-Spirit-Shadow-ebook/dp/B00PWOHCRS/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1456858637&sr=1-2&keywords=the+skin+map+by+stephen+lawhead 

10 comments:

  1. I keep hearing about the Lunar Chronicles and definitely hope to read them at some point. But lately I haven't had much time for reading. I'm hoping to go on a reading spree this summer. :)

    ~Brenna

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    1. A reading spree sounds fun, Brenna! Fair Warning: The Lunar Chronicles tend to have cliff-hanger endings, and I didn't get much else done the days I was reading them! : )

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    2. Are the cliffhangers at the ends of chapters or the ends of books? I would be fine with them at the ends of chapters, although I might stay up all night to finish.

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    3. : ) I would make sure you have access to all the books at once. I am being super disciplined and not starting Winter until after writing time this weekend, but it takes a lot of self-control! : )

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  2. How fun that some of your family are reading the same books at the same time as you! I love discussing books with others, and can't wait until my kids are old enough to be reading the same things as me.

    I've read Cinder, though I haven't read the rest of the series yet. I hadn't heard of the Bright Empires series before, but it sounds interesting.

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  3. : ) I remember trying to read "The Secret Garden," unabridged to my 4-year-old, and my mom feeling sorry for her to have to sit through such a boring (for her age) read. My other favorite series of Lawhead's is "The Paradise War" series, but it is much older.

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  4. I loved the Lunar Chronicles series and I don't usually read YA or spec. Great stories, characters, settings.

    Right now I'm reading Susan May Warren's You're the One that I Want and on my read next list is Steven James' Every Crooked Path. James is a master thriller writer.

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    1. Thanks, Brenda! I think I am going to have to open a Goodreads account, just so I can create a "To Read" shelf! I am interested in Susan May Warren's books, as I have been to Russia twice. Also, it's nice to know about good thrillers. . . I like them, but not when they are gory. Thanks for reading!

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  5. Spruce Holly NogardMarch 5, 2016 at 5:21 PM

    I love the Lunar Chronicles. Immensely. Extremely immensely. Extremely extremely extremely immensely.

    By the way, great post!

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  6. Haha, I guess I'd better try the Lunar Chronicles after your recommendation, Brenda's, and Spruce's :) I need to read something by Stephen Lawhead as well, I've heard a lot of good things about him. Thanks Erin!

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