Reading list, Part Deux

This could also be titled any of the following:

"I have 4.5 days of work left and don't care to do anything."
"I needed to bring my laptop to work today, initiate unproductive cycle now."
"I'm a little stressed about moving this weekend and am seeking a refuge from all my 'Holy crap, this is going to suck, Are we moved in yet? My friends are going to hate me.' thoughts."

But generally, I had some time to kill this morning when I was skipping work. (I promise I'm much MUCH more responsible than this, but I'm quitting a job in which I haven't had anything to do except watch Casey Anthony on cnn.com for a few months and now since that's over I've got nothing.) During this lovely morning off, I went to our new leasing office and convinced them to give us our keys Friday night so that we can start moving in Saturday morning Friday night.

Then, since I was supposed to meet my friend Natalie for lunch, and it was less than an hour from the time I completed previous errand, I decided to kill some time at Barnes and Noble. Simply until it was time to go.

And I ended up creating a whole new mental reading list of things I want to must buy once we're all moved in and settled, I start my new job, and actually track WW points like a good little kitten.

So here goes:

Sherrilyn Kenyon Dark Hunter Series


I have an affinity for vampire/paranormal books. Especially series. For some reason, they make me feel accomplished. If I find myself lucky enough to fall into the series near the beginning or before it's hugely popular, I feel particularly proud of my good find. I realize this is silly, but shut up.

I've wanted to read the Sherrilyn Kenyon Dark Hunter series for a while, and actually have all of them on my Kindle, but there is something so daunting about a 15-book series, and of course I keep choosing to read all those smaller series prior to starting this one.

I don't even know real specifics about the series, except that it's been highly recommended to me by a fellow reader that I trust, so on the list it is, and hopefully I'll knock it out soon. If only I had more pool time.

Larissa Ione Pleasure Unbound (Demonica series)


Stop. Mocking. Me.

I've actually read all of the Demonica series books, because they're quick reads that I can finish in a week, and they're fully entertaining. They are those "trash novels" that make for the perfect getaway book. I read smart stuff, too, so I'm allowed this kind of "crap". Even though it is far, FAR from crap.

Five books in the series. I've basically read the entire series in 5 weeks. But longer than that, since I didn't read them in succession.


Michael Scott The Alchemist (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel)


Again, Harry Potter is over, and when I saw these books in the store mentioning Nicholas Flamel (who we all know created the sorcerer's stone), I was instantly intrigued. (Hi, mass marketing strategies,  Yes I would like Harry Potter to come back.Wait, but he isn't? And you have a book that will satisfy me in it's place? And it's the beginning of a 5-part series? Sure thing, sign me up.)

I don't even know what it's about, but the other books in this series are titled The Magician (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel), The Sorceress (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel), The Necromancer (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel), and The Warlock (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel). I figure I'll find out what they're about as I'm reading them. It's not like reading the Sookie Stackhouse books has helped me know what True Blood will be about.

Diana Gabaldon, Outlander


The first book in a 7-part series, all I know is that it's about a woman who time travels to  18th century Scotland to be with her husband. Or something along these lines. Point is, it's an award winning, NYT Bestseller and I want in. Other books in this series are (in order): Dragonfly in Amber, Voyager (Outlander), Drums of Autumn (Outlander), The Fiery Cross (Outlander), A Breath of Snow and Ashes (Outlander), An Echo in the Bone: A Novel (Outlander).

As soon as I can rationalize purchasing them all, then I will buy the set and give them a new home.


Jeff Lindsay Dexter Series


I've read the first Dexter book, and I own the others, but haven't read them yet. (Really, it's a trend. I have far FAR more books than I have actually read, but they're all on the "To Be Read" list. I have a Half Price Books problem.)

However, since Casey Anthony is now over, and the new season shall start shortly, I wish to re-read the first one and read the others. From what I remember of the first book, it was kind of a harder book to read and had a good amount of stream of consciousness to it with a Faulkner-esque feel.

But I could be wrong. It was years ago, and I know I half-assed it.


So there you have it. The list of books I can currently remember that I own/wish to own, and need to read. Other authors who didn't make this list, but are totally on my TBR rolodex are: Christine Feehan, more of George RR Martin, James Patterson, and Michael Connelly. Among others.

Summer Reading List

This weekend I boxed up all my books except for the few I really want to read and have high hopes of starting (or finishing) before the big move on July 9. And since everyone does Summer Reading Lists, I don't see why I should be left out of the bunch. Seeing as how I can't control myself in Half Price Books, or Barnes and Noble, and the Amazon suggestions nearly breaks my budget every single month.


 A Game of Thrones, by George R.R. Martin

Some of you may know that HBO recently started a new series based on this book series, and based on how successful True Blood was, I went ahead and got these books with a gift card at BN I received for graduation. I started the first one recently, and am totally intrigued by it. It's one of those slightly intimidating series, though. The books are quite large, have small print and very thin pages, but from what I've read of the reviews... they're absolutely worth it.






Dead Reckoning, by Charlaine Harris

The newest addition in the Sookie Stackhouse series, which I read in a weekend at the beach was, as all Charlaine Harris books are, worth the wait. If you haven't read this series yet, then I insist you must, as it's a fun getaway and a quick enjoyable read. Plus, True Blood is based on it, and really, if you've seen any of the male leads for that show, you know it's got to be good.








Percy Jackson and the Olympians, by Rick Riordan

I'm a little bit behind on this series, but seeing as how I don't spend any time in middle schools, and I completely missed the movie due to a fling with Harry Potter, I think I can be forgiven for the delay. Each of the Percy Jackson books is a quick read, since they're through and through "young adult" books. In fact, they can be found in the kids section at Barnes and Noble. But, they're the newest spin-off from the J.K Rowling using the ever successful structure of "we're the 3 best friends" of the boy-boy-girl variety. Add in some Greek mythology and you've got the Percy Jackson series, which, for a day at the pool, isn't such a bad thing. If you miss Harry Potter books like I do, then you'll find some appreciation for this series.




Crave, by J.R. Ward

J.R. Ward is, honestly, one of my favorite authors. I suggest reading the Black Dagger Brotherhood series before you dive into the Fallen Angels series, as I only started this series as a reprieve from the former. But, the WARDen (as her fans refer to her) doesn't disappoint in the Fallen Angel series, which is still new enough for you to catch up on and get excited about the release of the third book, Envy, in August. (The first book in this series is called Covet.... see a theme?)







The Red Queen: Sex and the Evolution of Human Nature, by Matt Ridley

So, it's not fiction, and it's not real-life crime, but it appeals to my inner science dork. Matt Ridley has written other science-based books, but this is the only one of his which I currently own. And I'll spare you the notations on the works of Richard Dawkins, so that I can tout this book. I've not read it, yet, but plan to this summer. You know, which is why it's on the Summer Reading List. Which I'm sharing with you. Because I care. The Red Queen is a look at how sex has played a role in human evolution. And come on, who isn't intrigued by that?!?





The Passage, by Justin Cronin

Deemed something along the lines of the new "Salem's Lot" by reviewers, I've had this on my Kindle waiting for me to read it for a month now. (I'm easily distracted, by awesome books.) And every time I walk through a book store and see it, I am somehow compelled to touch this book and consider buying a paperback version of it. I promise, I'll read it next on the Kindle. The sequel to this highly acclaimed book comes out sometime next year, which means I now have a timeline!






So get reading, you guys, because it's good for your brain. And later I'll do a post on movies as a less eye-straining rendition of summer time-consumers.

<3