Robin Brande, Author, Dog Lover, Coffee and Chocolate Addict. Living an Interesting Life.

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Tuesday Book Club

I could feel guilty, but I won’t. I’ve decided to give up guilt this summer. Taking a vacation from the policewoman in my brain.

So I’ll just report that I’m in the middle of reading three different things right now, and I could have rushed through any one of them just to have something to list today, but I’m not doing that, either. I want to enjoy my reading, not treat it like a chore to be done. And I hope you all feel the same way, because the last thing I want this Tuesday Book Club thing to be is extra pressure in your lives. We’re all about fun here.

Hey, speaking of reading and speaking of fun, did you know that Mother Reader is hosting a 48-hour Book Challenge? It starts this Friday morning. For 48 hours you read your little eyeballs off and see how many books you can devour. Doesn’t that sound like a blast? And she’s managed to wrangle up some very cool prizes, so go check out all her links about the Challenge and make a point to set aside this weekend for that particular pleasure.

Meanwhile, what did you all read this week?

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35 Responses to “Tuesday Book Club”

  1. Patrick, the Space Lord Says:

    I’m on page 277 of Stray, by Rachel

    I had a busy weekend with weddings and such, plus only 1 plane ride last week.

  2. Sara Says:

    I just started Neil Gaiman’s American Gods. Both my husband and my daughter recommended it, and I figured I should read an “adult” book for a change. I did like his Neverwhere a lot, so I have high hopes, but so far, it’s creeping me out.

  3. Miri Says:

    OOOH. That sounds like JUST the kind of thing I could do. Tell you what–I’ll use that to reread the Harry Potters in preparation for next month! And then the Barty books again…and then New Moon…7 A.M. Friday to 7 A.M. Sunday is MY time. I’m totally in. I have nothing to do but sit around on pain meds anyway.

    Oooh, on Saturday I’ll be able to eat FOOD again.

    Ooookay, off-topic. This week I’m in the process of systematically mowing through…everything in my way. I started reading Mister Monday by the amazing and wonderful Garth Nix early last week, but when two of my friends were in the final stages of The Pilgrims of Rayne, number eight in the Pendragon sequence by D.J. Machale, I shelved Monday to read that instead. This is a 560-page book. I read it in a day. The Pendragon books drag you in by the hair and don’t let go.

    Then I finished Mister Monday and, just this Sunday night, Grim Tuesday. I’m in the beginning of Drowned Wednesday at the moment, Sir Thursday is sitting on my shelf, and I’m eagerly awaiting the paperback release of Lady Friday because, let’s face it, I’m broke.

    New Moon will be read this weekend, I promise. ;)

  4. Lady T Says:

    I’m in the midst of more than one book myself,Robin,and I don’t want to rush thru them either. I’m over 500 pages into Maia(which is so absorbing that I have to force myself at times to stop and do other things,like eat,wash the dishes,etc). Keeping The House by Ellen Barker is great as well,it’s like one of those Julianne Moore period films(Moore was at BEA,signing a kid’s book but I missed her).

  5. Molly Says:

    I forget what I’m reading. I got too many books at Book Expo.

    That 48 hour book challenge sounds soooo cool…too bad my Anne of Green Gables themed birthday party is this weekend. I’ll be having my own brand of nerdy fun.

  6. Lizzie Says:

    I’ve had NOTHING to do the past week or two, so I’ve re-read the first two Harry Potters, and am about 100 pages into Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides.
    After reading Sorcerer’s Stone and Chamber of Secrets in one day each, I decided to take a break from the HPs so I wouldn’t speed through all six and still have a month left before the 7th comes out. Though, as my roommate who just started reading the HPs for the first time has pointed out, they’re like paperback crack. Betcha can’t read just one!

  7. Laura Fitzgerald Says:

    Oh, Lizzie! Middlesex is unforgettable.

    Belive it or not, I finished two books this past week. The Camel Bookmobile by Masha Hamilton and A Mighty Heart by Mariane Pearl. I don’t know what I was expecting, but A Mighty Heart was great.

    I’ve just started The Mermaids Singing by Lisa Carey.

  8. Kimmy Says:

    I read A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly. Really good book!

  9. Sara Says:

    Miri: I just surprised my son with the new Pendragon book. Maybe that was a mistake before his finals are done.

    I’ll be on the road, so no “curl up in a mountain cabin somewhere and read and eat nothing but popcorn for 48 hours” for me. Sigh.

  10. robin Says:

    Miri and Lizzie, thanks for reminding me about Harry Potter! I must reread The Half-Blood Prince this month. Let me rephrase that: I get to read HBP this month. Yay! Because Lizzie, you’re right: paperback (or in my case hardback) crack.

    Patrick, I’m still reeling from your photo to match Stray’s cover. Can’t wait to see what you’ll read next.

    Sara, interesting reaction. I haven’t read that, but I’ll be curious to know what you think by the end.

    Miri, you read a 560-page book in a day? You ANIMAL! Cool!

    Lady T, I’m more like you with the slower pace on long books. I’m enjoying Inkheart right now, and I mean really enjoying. I know you love that book, too. I’m grateful to Miri for pressuring me to read it.

    Laura, looking forward to reading Camel Bookmobile myself, and to meeting the author at your shindig!

    Molly, Diana is a big Anne of Green Gables fan, too. Bet she would have loved to geek out with you at your party, if only she didn’t live elsewhere.

    Kimmy, thanks for the tip!

    And Miri, good luck with your mouth. I’m assuming it’s wisdom teeth or something?

  11. robin Says:

    Hey, Lizzie, speaking of Middlesex, I just heard Oprah picked that as her next book selection. You’re ahead of the game!

  12. Miri Says:

    Yep, wisdom teeth. Oh, the fun. But as long as I’m on my meds, it’s really okay.

  13. robin Says:

    Wisdom teeth is an ice cream event. Enjoy yourself! (And don’t worry, the chipmunk cheeks will go down. Eventually.)

  14. Diana Says:

    Indeed, I am very excited to hear about your Anne-themed party. Tell me more!

    I read VIRGIN: AN UNTOUCHED HISTORY, which is, you may have surmised, a social history of virginity (mostly in the West). Fascinating read. Highly recommended. I got it half out of interest, and half for research (since my new book centers around themes of virginity).

  15. robin Says:

    Yeah, everyone, listen to this: Diana just sold a new YA series about killer unicorns and the virgins who hunt them. WHAT WILL SHE THINK OF NEXT???

    Congratulations, Diana!!

  16. Patrick, the Space Lord Says:

    I bet she thinks of this: Slutty Zombies that can only be defeated by a Space Lord.

  17. Heather Harper Says:

    “I bet she thinks of this: Slutty Zombies that can only be defeated by a Space Lord.”

    I think you need to write that one, Patrick. ;)

    I’m in the same boat as you, Robin. Reading a few books, have not finished any of them.

  18. readerdiane Says:

    After coming back from Japan, I am still a bit jetlagged. I also have a lot going on this time of year so I have been drawn to “sweet, family-type” novels. I have read one from Emilie Richards-Lover’s Knot & Robyn Carr-Whispering Rock. These are both part of a continuing series located in separate communities. I kind of like a few stories that aren’t scary and no dead bodies appear. Two weeks to go until school is out.

  19. robin Says:

    Readerdiane, it’s so awesome you took all those students to Japan. I have to imagine you’re not only jetlagged, but also kidlagged. I’m with you on the happy stories with no dead bodies and nothing scary. You have to be in the mood for that sort of thing, and I haven’t been for a long time.

    Except I am looking forward to Harry Potter, even though it will be scary and unfortunately probably someone will die. But we don’t need to think about that part right now.

  20. Diana Says:

    Let’s hope it’s Voldemort who will die.

    I think there will be a few more, though.

    Slutty zombies, huh? Patrick– that one’s all you. I’ve got my hands full with the killer unicorns and the secret society girls for the next few years.

  21. Deborah Says:

    Totally slow reading week: I got through a 2 week old Newsweek and part of this Sunday’s paper.

  22. robin Says:

    Deborah, considering the stress that unread magazines and especially newspapers cause me, I celebrate your catching up on those.

  23. Jen Robinson Says:

    I’m reading The Off Season by Catherine Murdock (sequel to Dairy Queen). Over the weekend I read Penguins of Doom, by Greg Fishbone (very fun), The Fire Raiser by Maurice Gee, and Bad Girls Club by Judy Gregerson. I won’t be able to formally participate in the 48-hour book challenge, because I’ll be traveling next weekend, but I do plan to try to get some reading time in.

  24. robin Says:

    Wow, Jen, that’s a prolific week!

  25. Vivian Says:

    I’m missing way too many interesting topics if I work on my WIP instead of blogging! Sigh. How to do both and still be happy?

    Okay, I’m almost finished with Cures for Heartbreak by Margo Rabb. And I just started Book Two of His Dark Materials trilogy –The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman. All I can say is it better be as good as The Golden Compass.

  26. Danne Cole Says:

    I read Stray! I am about to go back into the Harry Potter series as well! :)

  27. robin Says:

    Cool, Danne! Haven’t seen you here in a while. Welcome back!

    Vivian, you know I hear that. Add this factor to it: you have to do all that AND get at least 7 hours of sleep a night. We can do it all.

    And I can honestly say that book two, The Subtle Knife is my favorite out of the His Dark Materials trilogy. It is so imaginative I can’t even understand where Pullman’s brain comes from.

  28. robin Says:

    Jen, I just reread your list of book. Penguins of Doom??? I want that title!!

  29. eisha Says:

    Hey, all. I finished Flora Segunda by Ysabeau Wilce, which was kinda just okay - it’s an interesting universe, but the story was sprawly and scattered. I also finished Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy, and loved it. Very imaginative, and heavy on the witty repartee.

    And I finally started Don Delillo’s new one, Falling Man. Thus far I’ve avoided almost all media about or inspired by 9/11, but I trust Delillo. And so far, all I can say is, “wow.”

    Sara - I loved American Gods. It’s got the trademark Gaiman flaws - sometimes it’s too cool for its own good - but the idea behind it is awesome.

    And Vivian - ooh, that trilogy is so freakin’ excellent. Have you seen the trailer for the movie? I’m trying not to get my hopes up, but… it’s so pretty!

    Robin, I habitually read 3 or so books at once, and I totally understand.

    Diana, your series sounds so fun. Killer unicorns! Virgin hunters! Wait… does this have anything to do with your name?

  30. robin Says:

    Oo, Eisha, good call on the Diana thing. I totally missed that.

  31. Little Willow Says:

    Yesterday, I read The Rules for Hearts by Sara Ryan.

  32. Bill Coughlan Says:

    As I mentioned Saturday, I just read (and loved)… well, a certain new YA novel due for publication later this year. I even started putting together a review that I hope to get onto MotherReader’s site — though probably sometime after the 48 Hour Book Challenge (and thanks for the notice)!

    I’d participate in the Challenge myself, but it’ll be my responsibility to make sure everything else gets taken care of (well, as best I can, anyway) so “MR” can devote as much time to reading as possible. Those pesky kids still insist on eating…

  33. Christen Says:

    Well, I’m a little late on this one (I was in Colorado for the past couple of days). I actually read quite a few books this week. I read…

    Creepy Susie: and 13 other tragic tales for troubled children (Angus Oblong)

    Ticktock (Dean Koontz)

    Bad Boys with Expensive Toys (romance short stories)

    Blood Trail (Tanya Huff)

    Completely Irresistible (Sheridon Smythe)

    So, a couple romances, a horror, a vampire book, and a really crazy (and funny) graphic novel!

    If you have a sick sense of humor, I recommend Creepy Susie!!!! Loved it! =)

  34. robin Says:

    Wow, Christen! Obviously you’re a reading fiend whether you’re in school or not.

  35. Christen Says:

    I also flew from Philly to Denver this week. That’s how I read the last 2 on my list =)

    I seriously do love to read. Which is perfect because my fiance never lets me have the tv remote.