I was doing a lot of gazing the other day. Gazing out the window, gazing at my navel, gazing at anything but my long list of house chores I’ve been putting off for months. Then my gaze stuck on my bookshelves. And there are a LOT of them. I think it’s the third or fourth Lesbian Commandment “Thou shalt horde books”, right under “Covet not thy neighbor’s wife” .
(and now that I mentioned your neighbor’s wife, you know you’re lookin’ at her in a different light now, aren’t you? tisk tisk).
Anyway, my bookshelf’s been predictable for years. Stacks of science fiction, freaky collection of History, spattering of lesbian romance, and the odd graphic novel or two.
And I thought – I really need to shake that up a bit.
I’ve got a couple I’ve been thinking of. I have to say Lizzy the Lezzy’s book is a real temptation. (Go watch the videos if you haven’t seen her before, but just a warning – she registers high on the Crude-o-meter! but funny!)
I also got Yuri Monogatari #5 (yuri is girl-girl manga graphic novels) and might get some more of them. Yuri manga in short story format is quite a fun read.
Other than that, I’m stumped. So, I’m trolling for opinions/advice. Which genre should I poke my head into (and what books should I start with). Any recommendations?
Women and Words
Jove Belle
Andi Marquette
Clifford Henderson
Georgia Beers
Sandra Barret
Ever read any Ruth Rendell? She’s English and writes psychological thrillers — very unlike anything American and completely engaging. A good one to start with is A Sight for Sore Eyes.
http://www.amazon.com/Sight-Sore-Eyes-Ruth-Rendell/dp/0440235448/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1257963047&sr=8-1
Hey!
Thanks for the recommendation! I’ve read some Patricia Cornwall, but that’s as close as I’ve ever come to a thriller (and is she even thriller? dunno).
She’s gets a lot more into character. Here’s a description from wikipedia — She writes “psychological crime novels exploring such themes as romantic obsession, misperceived communication, the impact of chance and coincidence, and the humanity of the criminals involved.” They are really delectable.
Definitely sounds like a good read, thanks!
Simon’s Cat (a cartoon book) — if you’ve got cats, you’ll find it hysterically funny and frighteningly true to life.
Georgette Heyer — the queen of Regency romance, and for a good reason.
Maeve Binchy — very readable women’s fiction, usually set in Ireland.
I read Maeve Binchy ages ago and enjoyed her. Might be time to pick up another of hers.
As for pet humor, here’s one back atcha:
Three Bags Full – by Carl Hiaasen. A murder mystery told entirely by…wait for it…. wait for it… the SHEEP!
..and yes, they solve the mystery too.
I just finished The World Unseen by Shamin Sarif. Slow build to an unfulfilling romance. Good social commentary.
Do you like Classical music? Try “Bach, Beethoven, and the Boys.”
Facts and trivia abound in this gentle expose of music history. From Bach’s laundry lists to Handel’s unexpected success in Italy, this provides a lively, involving format which treats musicians as human beings and which reads almost like an action novel in exploring their lives and approaches to music and its marketing. — Midwest Book Review
Light reading, short stories on the Masters, and it’s rather funny.
hmm. my daughter might like that. They are exploring the Masters in her music class this year.
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett. One of the best reads ever.
Agreed! Bel Canto is great.