It’s been just one of those weeks. I hit quite a few road bumps along the way over the past 2-3 weeks and I’m now in the process of lulling myself into believing that things will be smooth sailing for at least the next several weeks. A girl can have her dellusions, can’t she? With the stress of everything that’s gone on (and I haven’t really explained the stress but let’s just say this: 1 16 year old boy getting into teenaged mischief, 1 father giving us a health scare, 1 mother still battling her health issues and facing another surgery in the coming weeks, 1 case of the flu and just overall being buried at work) . . anyways, with everything that’s gone on, I’m looking for a little self-pampering this coming weekend.
I’ve already done the hair thing. The pedicure. The manicure. The clothes shopping.
I can’t overeat, unless I really want to undo the 4 sizes I’ve lost since December - so that leaves out movie night with a tub of Hagen Daaz.
So, I’m thinking books. I love to curl up with a good book and all the new books I received for Christmas are already read.
So. This weekend I have the house to myself. Chris is on a biz trip in Atlanta until mid next week, the kids are at their Dad’s for the weekend - - leaving just me and the cats.
I’m envisioning chinese takeout, a few Blockbuster nights, a mud facial, a long hot bath and some good reads.
Got a decent recommendation? I’m flexible and my tastes vary. What have you read lately - was it any good?
12:23 am on March 16th, 2006
Last book I read was the latest Harry Potter book. I enjoy the series…well, except for Year 5…
One book I liked, that I didn’t expect to like, is Intensity by Dean Koontz. Seriously, I borrowed the book from my friend’s mom and I quite enjoyed it. She said she had the same misgivings about the book, but when she started reading it, she got sucked in and couldn’t put the book down.
If you’re into military/history stuff, almost anything by Stephen Ambrose is good.
8:34 am on March 16th, 2006
Anything by Dean Koontz is a sure bet! And just when I thought I had read all of his books, I find out about a new one. I haven’t read “Intensity” yet - but surely have it on my list for Barnes & Nobles.
I haven’t gotten into the Harry Potter books yet. Though, I LOVE the movies!
My daughter has read all the Harry Potter books thus far . . she’s hooked, completely.
9:24 am on March 16th, 2006
“The End of Marketing As We Know It” by Sergio Zyman
I loved this book and learned so freakin’ much from it…very informative. I think every person in business should give this one a go. Dunno if it’s really considered ‘relaxing’ reading though
9:27 am on March 16th, 2006
Have you read Insomnia yet?
9:35 am on March 16th, 2006
Hmm..Insomnia. Stephen King, right? No I haven’t read that one . . . and this weekend does have kind of a Stephen King sorta feeling to it so far.
Is it snowing by you? We’re getting the slushy crappy stuff.
9:37 am on March 16th, 2006
Hey Bug - how was Florida?
That marketing book sounds like a good one - not exactly what I’m looking for this weekend, though.. but! I think I shall add it to my list anyways - and keep it to the side for when I’m in one of those ‘business marketing’ states of mind.
Thanks!
9:40 am on March 16th, 2006
Yep, Stephen King. You’d love it. I’m surprised you haven’t read it already! Grab that whiskey and a dozen balloons and have a read.
10:10 am on March 16th, 2006
“Intensity” is actually an older Koontz book, you must have missed it. It wasn’t my favorite of his, but it’s not bad. “Life Expectancy” is the latest paperback I think, and I quite enjoyed that one.
12:12 pm on March 16th, 2006
Most books by Jodi Picoult are really good. My Sister’s Keeper was excellent. I also liked The Pact, Sarah’s Sin, and Perfect Match.
The Spenser novels by Robert B. Parker are really good, as well as the Sunny Randall novels.
I really like the In Death series by JD Robb (who is really Nora Robers in case you didn’t know). The first one is Naked in Death. They get better as the series goes on.
I tend to like popular fiction that I don’t have to “think” about too much. I can’t stand anything that Oprah picks for her book club though.
OH! Karen Robards! Be careful with her though, she writes modern romantic suspense but she started out with the romances set in the 1800’s. I don’t like the old ones but the modern ones ROCK!
1:04 pm on March 16th, 2006
Michael - “Life Expectancy” was fabulous, I really enjoyed that. It’s worth saying - you just can never go wrong with a Koontz book.
1:05 pm on March 16th, 2006
Kristie - now all of those authors are new to me. If you had to pick just one . . which would it be?
1:18 pm on March 16th, 2006
Jodi Picoult.
1:37 pm on March 16th, 2006
*writes that down*
Thanks!
4:51 pm on March 16th, 2006
Ted Bell’s Hawk was a very good read. Action, mystery, buried treasure… A little slow, but I’ve picked up the two books that come after it and look forward to both of them.
Have you read any of Clive Cussler’s stuff? Raise the Titanic is fantastic, as are a lot of his earlier stuff. The more recent stuff isn’t quite up there, but still way better than the horrible movie they made of Sahara.
Have you ever read anything by Chris Moore? Fantastic stuff, and I have yet to read a bad book by him, but how can you not like a guy who writes books like The Lust Lizard of Melancholy Cove? Kinky Friedman is another good lighter read that’s a lot of fun.
For heavier stuff, James Lee Burke is very good. I’ve only read a few of his Dave Robichoux mysteries, but I love how he does them. Definitely start at the beginning with those, as they really build onto each other very well. His Heaven’s Prisoners was one of the best movies adapted from a book I think I’ve seen (which unfortunately starred Alec Baldwin and fortunately also starred Teri Hatcher).
Both What Einstein Told His Cook books are great. They’re broken into little chunks of food science that are not at all dry. I think I read the first one in about two days.
A Cook’s Tour by Anthony Bourdain is really cool. It’s basically a travelouge of him going around the world to sample exotic foods (such as the still beating heart of a cobra) while filming the series for the Food Network. I LOVE Bourdain’s use of language throughout his books.
7:53 pm on March 16th, 2006
Clive Cussler is a favorite - and ..Titanic is a favorite for sure. I think I’ve read that one twice. Sahara was no good - - except for the Matthew factor.
Thanks for all those tips, Astro - - I have a feeling I’m going to be browsing Barnes and Nobles for quite a few hours!
4:01 pm on March 18th, 2006
I just finished The Long Walk, by Slavomir Rawicz. A must read, absolutely riveting story and its true. I’ll never complain about anything again.
Oh, and I just started Koontz’ Life Expectancy, you’re right, a page turner.
Have a great weekend.