Where have I been? Been a busy little bee…

[ahavah]

Hello! Thank you everyone for all of the nudges and emails to check on me. It’s so wonderful knowing that I have so many friends who care deeply for me. It’s been a great reminder as I’ve struggled with a lot of stress lately. I’m awfully sorry to have gone on a friending spree and then disappear! This time I’m not even going to attempt to read

Comments

[evansmj]

Hey there! I'm one of your new friends, from one of those friending frenzies. I was just looking through my list of friends and was wondering what had happened to you. Glad to see you are back! Anyway, just wanted to check in and say "hi". Sounds like you are an avid reader too. I've been keeping track of my books for the year and I'm up to 46. My goal was initially 50, but I'm shooting for 60 now.

[ahavah]

Hey! Thanks so much for caring -- and for sticking with me! I'm usually quite the poster, but life just slammed right as I made a slew of new buddies. Glad you all didn't give up and depart. :)

I am a reader if nothing else, and I'm usually reading several books at once, depending on the mood I'm in. I've only been keeping track since I made my 101 list, but I think I'll do a whole book list post, if only for reference. What kind of books do you enjoy most? Any good ones to recommend? Now that I can visit the library again, I should make a list of Must Reads.

[evansmj]

I can pretty much only read one book at once. The only exception is with some short eBooks that I read. But I typically read those in one sitting, so it's just a short break in the middle of the paperback I'm reading.

I'm a big Star Trek book fan... I have pretty much all the books the current publisher (Pocket) has published. So I mostly read other fantasy or science-fiction books. Actually it tends more toward fantasy as my wife who reads even more that I do, prefers that genre. I get most of my sci-fi fix from the Star Trek stuff.

I'm not sure what you like to read or what you have read, so I'll just say that my favorite fantasy series is The Sword of Truth by Terry Goodkind. Very much worth reading. I also love the Belgariad & the Malloreon by David Eddings.

Oh, and we also have all of Stephen King's books. Those are really great too.

I don't really read much non-fiction at all. For some reason it's hard for me to get interested in "real" stuff. I much prefer my reading to be an escape from the real world.

[ahavah]

Awesome! Thanks for the suggestion. I may have read the Sword series, although I may be thinking of Shannara (sp?). Are they related, or am I thinking of the totally wrong thing? I'll check out David Eddings.

I also did a lot of King reading, but more as a teen than in recent years. I couldn't much get into most of the novels he's written in the last few years, probably since his van accident. :(

[evansmj]

I can see the confusion... Sword of Shanarra (which I have not yet read) is by Terry Brooks, and Sword of Truth is by Terry Goodkind. From what little I know of the other series, they are completely different.

David Eddings is good but some people think his material is targeted to a younger audience. I have to say his latest series (The Dreamers) is unimaginative and derivative, but The Belgariad is really unique and a lot of fun.

If you haven't finished Stephen King's The Dark Tower series, I would REALLY recommend that. It's excellent. The last book is the only one that ever made me cry. His other recent books have been hit or miss.

[ahavah]

Ah, OK. Thanks for clearing that up. They are similar, aren't they (title & author-wise, LOL). I started reading the Shanarra series, and I usually make myself read the whole series when there is one (an idiotic move in the case of the three Ender series, I must say...totally burnt myself out on that one!). Anyway, I liked the first Shanarra book or two, but then they all started sounding the same. I didn't like it. I'll have to try Terry Goodkind.

As for SK, I did read the first of the Dark Tower series but never read the last book (two books?). I hadn't read the first ones since high school, and my memory just isn't that good. I'd have to re-read the whole series. Of course, your recommendation makes me think it's worth it. I may have to revisit those books. :) Thanks for the tips!

[mc_questionmark]

I just finished reading the Dark Tower series a week ago, and I'd also recommend it.

And while we're talking Fantasy and Terrys, I'd recommend Terry Pratchett. He's brilliantly funny, and could be read with the little ones. Some of the jokes will go over their heads, but they will probably still enjoy it.

[ahavah]

Hm, someone else has also recommended Terry Pratchett. I'll have to check him out. Thanks!