Welcome to Café Chaos. Grab a cup of coffee or tea (we prefer coffee) and join us for a chat. Every Thursday we’ll offer recommendations for book lovers. Feel free to comment on our picks or to throw in a few of your own. We’re listening!SIS Barb says:
There are books I read at night while lying in bed. There are books I read while hanging out on the back patio with family. There are books I read while I'm cooking dinner. There are books I read on road trips. And then...there are books I read only in the daytime with every light on in the house, TV on, kids screaming and playing, bathroom breaks, snack breaks, and peace of mind breaks.
My Pick of the Week: Absolute Fear
Serial killer, ritualistic killings, crumbling insane asylum, unspeakable madness and secret chambers. Did I mention the crumbling asylum? The writing is incredible. The characters are well thought out. The plot...terrifyingly amazing. I don't know if terrifyingly is a word but I had to use it here.
There are books I read at night while lying in bed. There are books I read while hanging out on the back patio with family. There are books I read while I'm cooking dinner. There are books I read on road trips. And then...there are books I read only in the daytime with every light on in the house, TV on, kids screaming and playing, bathroom breaks, snack breaks, and peace of mind breaks.
My Pick of the Week: Absolute Fear
Serial killer, ritualistic killings, crumbling insane asylum, unspeakable madness and secret chambers. Did I mention the crumbling asylum? The writing is incredible. The characters are well thought out. The plot...terrifyingly amazing. I don't know if terrifyingly is a word but I had to use it here.
Author: Lisa Jackson
SIS Beth says…
I’m astounded by how many books I own, many of which I’ve never read. I’m astounded by how many books I’ve checked out of the library, novels currently occupying my book bag, novels I fear I won’t even crack before they’re due. It’s not that I lack the desire to read, it’s that I lack the time. Oh, for more hours in the day! Oh, for more free time to READ!
Hence, I’m taking a slightly different approach this week and instead of recommending a book I’ve read, I’m going to list books I’d like to read next.
The Top Five Books in my TBR (to be read ) stack:
1) STEAMPUNK – a collection of short stories edited by Ann & Jeff Vandermere
2) THE ADVENTURES OF LANGDON ST. IVES – a steampunk novel by James P. Blaylock
3) 20 MASTER PLOTS and how to build them – a ‘how to’ book by Ronald T. Tobias
4) LIVING DEAD IN DALLAS – the 2nd Sookie Stackhouse novel by Charlaine Harris
5) BY THE SWORD –A Repairman Jack Novel by F. Paul Wilson
So…. What’s in your TBR stack?
SIS Beth says…
I’m astounded by how many books I own, many of which I’ve never read. I’m astounded by how many books I’ve checked out of the library, novels currently occupying my book bag, novels I fear I won’t even crack before they’re due. It’s not that I lack the desire to read, it’s that I lack the time. Oh, for more hours in the day! Oh, for more free time to READ!
Hence, I’m taking a slightly different approach this week and instead of recommending a book I’ve read, I’m going to list books I’d like to read next.
The Top Five Books in my TBR (to be read ) stack:
1) STEAMPUNK – a collection of short stories edited by Ann & Jeff Vandermere
2) THE ADVENTURES OF LANGDON ST. IVES – a steampunk novel by James P. Blaylock
3) 20 MASTER PLOTS and how to build them – a ‘how to’ book by Ronald T. Tobias
4) LIVING DEAD IN DALLAS – the 2nd Sookie Stackhouse novel by Charlaine Harris
5) BY THE SWORD –A Repairman Jack Novel by F. Paul Wilson
So…. What’s in your TBR stack?
Posts
14 comments:
Barb - Nice pitch, Barb! Wow, did you get me hooked! I think I'm gonna have to put that in by To-Be-Read List!
Beth - The great thing about a To-Be-Read list for me is that it's always changing, always growing, always full of variety. I try to list things in 1, 2, 3 order but then I'll come across a book at the library that will somehow wedge it's way in between all my books at home waiting in line, pushing them longer and longer down the line. I have countless books surrounding my desk, just to keep constantly reminding me to read them! I'm just happy to always be anticipating another title!
Barb, the book sounds terrifyingly (I'm using your word here, and if it's not a word, it should be) interesting!
Beth, wow on your TBR pile. As for me, I have romances by Laura Iding in mine.
Barb, I'll have to skip the Lisa Jackson book. It sounds too scary for me! Though I find it funny that I adore Ghost Hunters on TV but I won't touch scary books with a ten-foot pole (or any other length, for that matter).
Beth, I'm anxious to start reading steampunk. Let me know how those two books are when you get around to them!
Hi Taylor! Yes, yes, yes! Read this book!!!!
Beth and Taylor, I have never had a TBR list until I started writing. I always bought and read, bought and read. Now, I need an entire room for m TBR piles!!
SIS Barb
Hi Olga!
It is definitely interesting. So many twists and turns. You gotta read it! I think you'll enjoy it. However, you may not have any nails left.
SIS Barb
Big waves to Tori! Okay, I'm a bit of a chicken myself but completely opposite of you. I can read it but I can't watch it!!!! I'll make you a deal...you try to read this and I'll try to wathc Ghost Hunters!!!! What do ya think?
SIS Barb
Taylor, you're right... anticipation is a beautiful thing! Also, I have to say, you and I are at an advantage (disadvantage?). Working in a library is like working in a candy store. Oh, the tempatation!
Olga, I'm not familiar with Iding. I'll have to look her up. Thanks!
Tori, I'm with you. I think the Lisa Jackson book may be too scary for me. I'm such a wimp! AS for the steampunk books... just started one of the short stories. Very cool. I love the Victorian manner of speaking and all the gadgets!
From pre-school (and I hyphenate that because when I was a kid, there WERE no "Preschools"! Mom was a housewife, ya' stayed home until Kindergarten) to the present, my Mom has been my driving force in my love for reading. To this day. every month or so she sends me from Montana a box of books SHE has read. I mention this because my book suggestion is due to her gift (exacerbated by the fact that my Mom "set me up" sending me this book -- more below). This book also falls under a category I LOVE -- a book written by a familiar author that is totally stylistically different from what I am USED to reading by them.
"The Pillars Of Earth" by Ken Follett. I have read many books by Follett (given to me, once again, by my Mom!) in his more well known genre of the action thriller ("Eye of The Needle," "Jackdaws," etc.). "The Pillars Of Earth" is a rich narrative taking place in medieval Britain, following NUMEROUS plotlines over a span of 50 years or so, basically dealing with architecture (NOT as bland as it sounds!). It moves along quickly, with many accurate historical references that are interesting and interwoven into the lives of the main characters, but the stories never get bogged down due to the "history lesson." GREAT characters, and a villian who's luck you will be CURSING at every chapter's end! DEFINITELY qualifies as a "tome," but I have little argument with those who have called it a "masterpiece."
Now this book is about 20 years old (side note: for my own reference, especially in terms of political and spy novels, I check the book's copyright to see if it's pre- or post-9/11, because it helps me see whether the author was prescient --- FRIGHTENINGLY common!! --- or guided/swayed by some opinion OF 9/11. But more about Clancy later;)! But when reading a book that's set in the 12th century, why bother, right?), and the "set up" mentioned above is that there is now a sequel (only about 2 years old) that my Mom has mentioned; or should I say, is TEASING me with, saying, "Oh, I'm still reading it --- can't wait until YOU get to!" But, I'm ok for now --- just got another box of books last week:)!
Oh, and dammit, I did it again --- got on a roll and neglected to comment on YOUR blog;)!
Barb, LOVE those type of books --- i will put that on my list (or, I should say, my MOM'S list:)! She likes those -- in moderation -- also).
Beth, my TBR list includes about a dozen books now, ranging from M.M Kaye's "Far Pavilions" to one of James Patterson's latest, and every genre in-between!
Richard,
Last year I read "World Without End" by Ken Follett. My mother-in-law, whom I love, gave it to me as a Christmas present. I'll be honest, I was skeptical. It's not my usually type of read and it was over 1,000 pages. All I could think about was hating it and having to suffer through that many pages because I always, always finish a book. To date, one of the best books I have ever read, by far. It was amazing. It followed the characters from their childhood into adulthood and I was so sad when it ended. Seriously, it could have been another 1,000 pages and I would have loved every second of it.
I didn't realize until after I read it that it was actually the follow up to the book you suggested, "The Pillars of Earth". I quickly went to Mr. Follett's website and breathed a sigh of relief when he stated that it was not necessary to read the books in order. I have not read that one yet and I thank you for the reminder. I may even hit the bookstore today!
SIS Barb
Oops, I meant usual! DUH
SIS Barb
Barb, I love the books that keep me on the edge of my seat!
Beth, Laura's romances are fabulous!
Hi Olga,
This is definitely an edge of the seat read!
SIS Barb
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