Fiction Gorging

I haven't read much beyond coursework this past semester... anytime I read a novel during the semester it's because I'm avoiding work. But the last class was Tuesday, my internship is over, and I'm free to gorge as much as I want. My hold list is full, and the stack of books to read is almost as high as my waist.

My current book on cd (in the car) is "Shoot the Moon" by Billie Letts. It's a different kind of book from her first, and the main character isn't as engaging, but I'm still enjoying it. I do think that the book on tape experience is very different from actual reading, but it made the commuting to school and to my internship quite pleasant. This is my second try to read "Shoot the Moon," the first time I couldn't get into it. Probably because the guilt associated with stealing time away from schoolwork. But I loved "Where the Heart is" so much that I gave it another chance, and I'm glad I did. It's a bit of a murder mystery, and I think I have it figured out but it's not over yet.

I put it on hold because I loved her first book, thoroughly enjoyed the second one, and figured I couldn't go wrong with the third one, so I'm glad that I gave it a second try. She's one of the authors that I just keep an eye out for, hoping that she'll keep writing.

Yesterday (or was it the day before?) I finished "The Family Tree" by Sherri S. Tepper. A very thought-provoking book, as most of hers (that I've read anyway) are. If you are the kind of person who reads the end first to see what happens, don't bother to read this one because half the fun is getting to the end and realizing how strong our assumptions are. This was actually the second time I'd read "Family Tree." I haven't read all her books, but I might need to cycle through and re-read old favorites and add some new ones.

And last but not least, I'm working my way through the Southern Vampire series by Charlaine Harris. I found her this spring, but only read the first one because, again, I was supposed to be doing schoolwork. I've never read books about vampires before. I think I tried Anne Rice once, but she scared me too much. These aren't as scary...I'm on "Dead to the World" now, having read "Living Dead in Dallas" and and "Club Dead" also this week. I'm enjoying them heartily. They remind me a bit of the Janet Evonavitch books about Stephanie Plum...two love interests, one "good," one "bad," both dangerous. Of course, if you like Stephanie Plum and vampires you have to read "Undead and Unwed" by Mary Janice Davidson. The first in a series, "Unwed" introduces the character that Stephanie Plum would become if she became a vampire. If not, they'd be best friends. I don't know how I got on the vampire kick, but I have the second Davidson book, "Undead and Unemployed" on hold and will drop everything to read it when it comes in.

Ok. It's after ten and I'm on the circulation desk all day tomorrow. If I don't head to bed now I'll be walking around like a member of the undead myself.