Monday, June 29, 2009

Shiny Red Monday Give-Away...

In college I was an English major which meant that I was an insufferable book snob. I apologize. I know how annoying my complete disregard for anything outside the literary canon was.

I have a confession to make to you my dear sweet readers. I read crap.

It started with a few mom books. A few years later I read Bridget Jones Diary. So funny, so crass.

But that was only the beginning.

Internet, the last few years have found me in bed at 8:30pm with my old lady flannel nightgown and a murder mystery. The covers are shiny and metallic. They often have names like Dead Girls Who Were Killed By Crazed Serial Killers or FBI Agents Who Fall In Love while Solving Brutal Murders.

I just can't help myself.

I recently finished the Scarpetta series by Patricia Cornwell. I enjoyed them a lot though it gets on my nerves that Scarpetta is always too busy to remember to eat or sleep. I just don't buy it.

Anyway, I downloaded the free Kindle Application for my iphone so now I can read my trash while looking like I am checking important emails. No more shame from those shiny book covers with bloody handprints.

What are you reading this summer? Should I break out of my murder mystery rut? I need some suggestions!

Some non-murder mystery books that I have enjoyed are The Time Travelers Wife, Bel Canto and The Post Birthday World. But really, I always go back for some cheap lovin' in the mystery aisle.

This weeks giveaway is a $25 gift card to Barnes and Noble where you can pick up your very own summer read. Just leave me a book suggestion in the comment section (please include your email so I can contact you if you win- I also try to respond to each comment so leaving your email means I don't have to search the internet for you just so I can tell you how much I liked your comment). One lucky reader will be randomly selected. Comments will close at 5pm EST on Friday. One entry per person please- good luck!

17 comments:

Lee said...

haha I have no suggestions because I dont read anything outside of text books lately...but boy i sure would love an excuse to read a real book...so if I win I promise to read a real book...

Lee~ whos email is in your iphone, address book and well you know where i live ;)

Karen said...

There's still time for you to join us at infinitesummer.org -- we're all reading Infinite Jest! I just started on Saturday, so you're not too late. Really. It's mind-blowing.

Anonymous said...

Water for Elephants...Three Cups of Tea...I am The Messenger...The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime...

My fave site on the internet is www.paperbackswap.com where I bet you can trade tons of your fave glossy novels and get more for free. Check it out.

Big hug! Love Mari

mgarciaesq@yahoo.com

TJIC said...

I don't read much fantasy, but Michael Swanwick is an awesome writer (and, the one time I met him, I asked a simple question and got a fascinating 20 minute discursion), so I can without reservation recommend the very odd but very good _Iron Dragon's Daughter_.

Lisa said...

Hum, Mysteries. My mom Loves the ones by John J Lamb. They are set in the world of artist made teddy bears, well their shows collectors etc. You might like them! I've met him at some of the artist sows he is an ex police officer. Really nice, good reads probably lighter than what you read. But good!
Let me know if you try them!
Hugs, Lisa
pupylov(at)gmail(dot)com

Stephanie Reed said...

I just discovered Joanne Fluke's cozies that began with The Chocolate Chip Cookie Murders and goes on through several more desserts. Recipes at the end of every chapter! http://www.murdershebaked.com/

If you want to read a great book, try The Flower of Grass by James E. Robinson. Most gripping book I've read in a long time.

Ginger said...

I read a lot, all different kinds of books. It just has to hold my interest, or I will put it down and not pick it up again. I recently read Debbie Macomber's Summer on Blossom Street, and Danielle Steel's One Day at a Time.
I am a big fan of Debbie Macomber.

Mandie said...

Time Travellers Wife is great!

This summer I am reading To Kill a Mockingbird again. It has been years.

Unknown said...

I am about halfway through "A Homemade Life: Stories and Recipes from My Kitchen Table" by Molly Wizenberg. I love the discussion of the recipes, the description of life and family through food and conversation in the kitchen. It's a beautifully written book!

Anonymous said...

Just started re-reading "Outlander" by Diane Gabaldon. (swoon)

I highly recommend it.

And I didn't know there was a free Kindle app for the iPhone. I think it will work for the iTouch as well - I'm on it :)

Tracey said...

I have a book or two going at all times. Just for fun try the Janet Evanovich numbers books--a very quick read. Sarah's Key and The Guernsy Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society were two great books. Every summer I read Beach Music by Pat Conroy.
1tims@embarqmail.com

TwoBusy said...

If you're looking to stay within your rut, I'll make the obvious suggestion of Jeffrey Deaver. "The Bone Collector" and "The Coffin Dancer" are both fantastic.

If you're looking for a change of pace... allow me to (once again) flog Suzanne Finnamore and Kate Atkinson. "Otherwise Engaged" and "Case Histories" have virtually nothing in common other than the fact that they're two of the best books I've read in years.

Make of that what you will.

Jean said...

I too am a big mystery buff. I love to read them. I love Patricia Cornwell. Some of my other favorites are ones by Janet Evanovich. They have a fun element to them and the characters always make me laugh out loud.Joanne fluke's books are great since the mystery centers around food. Nora Roberts has some great mysteries plus romance too. I read a couple of mysteries a week by many ,many authors. I just plain out love to read.
Jean in virginia

Heather said...

Any Jack Reacher Book! He's the man!

Amy E. Hoff Inc. said...

I don't read a lot of mysteries, though I kinda like em when I do, and plan to read more as an old lady. I get way too tangled up in flannel nighties, though. Um...Bleak House? is actually an awesome mystery, if you're up for a big juicy Victorian kinda thing. Ooh, ooh, I know--Fall on Your Knees, by Anne-Maire Macdonald. multi-generational, mysterious goings-on, moody...?
Enjoy your me-cation! Mine got cancelled this week. oh well, I've lost my will to live anyway because of the *&^%% weather.

mgster said...

I am currently reading "Murder At Astor Place" by Victoria Thompson. Perfectly respectable cover. After I am done this one I will follow it up with "Murder ON St.Mark's Place". I am in a NYC kind of frame of mind since I visited last Saturday. If you think it was a pain covering the book with the bloody handprint, try reading "The Russian Concubine"! A big, fat great read of a book, but the cover looked like porn. I was constantly leaving it face down. I'd love to be included in your giveaway, if I made the deadline. Thanks and Happy 4th!
cmflan122@gmail.com

Marlene McGarrity said...

I just finished Look Again by Lisa Scottoline - it was good (not great). Before that, I read Small Crimes by Dave Zeltserman which was great!

Hurricane by Jack Stewart will keep you up all night reading. One of the best I've read in awhile.

For murder mysteries, I recommend the Stephen White series of books. If you decide to read them, try to read them in order. I read them out of order and it took a little away from the story.

Next, I'm going to grab a book by Susan Dunlap because she has been recommended to me several times.