What I'm Reading.........

Friday I went to see that classic movie of all time, John Wick Chapter 2. Yes, even though it was almost eighty today here in Denver in February, I spent a few hours in a darkened theater spending my latest gift card in order to watch mayhem, violence, Keanu Reeves and the cutest dog ever. Hey, it's warmer in Denver than either Hawaii or Florida. At least it was on Friday.

My problem is that like movies-and books and TV shows. In fact, I like almost all movies, as long as they are not pornographic or cannibalistic.  I am capable of watching The Best Years of Our Lives one evening with family, and John Wick 2 the next day. The same is true of my reading and television watching style. It is who I am. Whether it be current fiction, television or the movies, I tend to watch, read or listen to a fair amount of mindless drivel-interspersed with more meaty fare, if you will.  I rely on various book and movie clubs to keep me honest and up to date on some of that more meaty reading(and watching).

When it comes to my reading, my primary sources of fiction tend to be current mysteries and police procedurals, with the occasional Danielle Steele or Nora Roberts thrown in. Robert Crais, John Sandford, Alex Kava, Lee Child, Harlan Coban-these are my go to guys and gals. Being an avid reader though, it was time for some new authors. Somehow, I have reached that tipping point when I am current on all my favorite authors and no new books are scheduled for a few months. In other words, I needed some new author recommendations. And since I read at least a couple books a week, I needed them now. Thankfully some recommendations and a new website sent me on my successful way.

A fellow bookworm recommended the website Fantastic Fiction. Let me tell you folks, if you are also looking for books, you really need to check out this website. Not only does it list every author, it also shows each individual series-in order. So, if you were to say, want to start reading the "Prey" books by John Sandford, a quick look shows you all the books, in order they were written. Now, I know that some books and series stand fine on their own, without having read the books before, but many series are served better by reading in order as we learn the ins, outs, and quirks of each character, yes? 

Also, after hearing my plea a couple knitting friends suggested new authors, authors that I'm fairly sure some of my readers know intimately.  Since the first of the year, I've read the entire John Puller series by David Baldachi, three books by mystery author Thomas Perry including The Old Man, and more than a few similar tomes, if you will, including a couple by Catherine Coulter. What can I say, you can never read too many books or too many mysteries.

Fortunately, I belong to more than a single book group and my book groups pull tend to pull me out of my normal reading style above and into more serious fare. Because of this I have also recently read Cutting for Stone, Desperation Road, and the Wide Sargasso Sea (choose your own classic month). Surprisingly and in spite of the rave reviews, Cutting was not my favorite novel and I constantly encourage folks to read his first book, an autobiography of being an Indian doctor in Appalachia-during the aids crisis.

The Wide Sargasso Sea on the other hand, was...interesting. For those not in the know, this book is one authors attempt to explain how an exotic beauty ended up mad and chained in the attic in Jane Eyre. Without explaining or giving things away, Rochester does not come out of this particular book smelling like a rose-but then he's not the most likeable friendly fellow in the original book, either!

I can't speak for anyone else but my reading goes in cycles, and not the way you might think. During the fall I watch more TV and read less. Between football (college and pro) the World Series, basketball championships, soccer and the couple regular TV shows I watch, September to Christmas tends to be more of a TV watching time and less of a reading period. On the other hand, while it may still be darker in the evening, winter tends to be less of a TV period-I generally binge on one Amazon or Netflix show at a time and that's it.

And just in case I take my reading too seriously, the folks in my book groups keep it real. Our March book of choice?  Light reading from the dollar store, where the person whose month it is grabbed twenty paperback novels of the same title with questionable origin. Hey, reading by any other name is still reading, right? 

As for my non reading time?  I've started a log cabin knitting throw similar to this one for my living room. My genealogy calls me to my laptop on a regular basis. My immigrant/refugee ministry is very active in terms of both advocating and service, especially with the very tragic current events situation in this country. I've started on a large Easter quilt and am writing every day. 

I also signed up for senior college classes for spring (Writing and great decisions) and have tried to walk 30 minutes. And finally, since this is my year of streamining and my time, I have learned about the joys of doing-absolutely nothing.

And now, back to my current book............