A SONG OF FIRE AND ICE

Most people know this book series as Game of Thrones.  For us nerds Game of Thrones is the first book in the Fire and Ice series which consists of 8 books, 5 of which have already been published, the other 3 over the next few years.  The HBO show Game of Thrones, is in its second season and so far, with minimal exceptions, is following the books as they develop, one book per season.  I would recommend reading the books though, don't rely on the show to give you all of the information.

I started reading the series right after the first season ended.  It was extremely helpful to read it and really understand who was who and what their relationships with each other are.  But it goes way beyond that.  These books are DENSE.  I can read a 300-400 page book in a few days.  It took me a month (each) to read the first two books, and the third, which I wanted to hurry up and read because I saw that some elements from it may be in this season of the show, took nearly two months. 

All of that said, this is one of my favorite book series, perhaps even surpassing (gasp!) Anita Blake, mostly because of the deep mythology and world building that Martin does.  The stories that he weaves are the most expansive, rich, detailed, and imaginative world I think I've ever read.  Like I said, it's a commitment, and I happily commit to it every time I read one of the books. (I have number 4 waiting for me on my Kindle now!) If you want just a fun, escapist story, this is not for you.  Is it all of those things, yes, but it is also so much more. 

50 SHADES OF GREY

So, uh, yeah, this happened. 

I'd heard that 50 Shades was a fanfic inspired by Twilight.  You know how much I like vampire books/movies/etc.  Zombies, not so much, although there have been a few "vampire" books that were more like zombie books, but, story for another time.  Since I'd heard about the Twilight connection I went into reading this expecting a teen angst vampire book.  Let's ignore for a second that I just happily expected a book I was reading to be that. 

50 Shades is about Anastasia Steele (seriously) who meets a gorgeous billionaire (of course) named Christian Grey.  Up until their meeting I was curious who her vampire lover would be, and a gorgeous billionaire isn't bad.  He's very mysterious, like any good vampire.  He has secrets, which, of course he does, he's a vampire.  Oh, he likes to get kinky, don't all vampires.   He wants her to sign a non-disclosure agreement, and who wouldn't, being a vampire and all.  It was about, perhaps, a fifth of the way in when I realized, this is not about vampires.  He's all about BDSM.  I think that's the acronym.  I'm at work and there's NO WAY I'm looking that up on Google.  Basically, he's a Dominant who wants to find a Submissive. 

I learned more than I would ever need to know about this lifestyle while reading this book.  It is NOT for the faint of heart.   But don't get turned away by it either.  It's a very interesting story, which, I found well written.  It's a trilogy (another vampire misdirect) and after I finished this book I immediately ordered the next. I'm very curious about how this is going to play out. 

I would recommend this book, but don't read it as your first "romance" novel.

HEARTSBLOOD

Just finished the first in what is said to be a series by Carolyn McCray.  I really did like this book. It was different and imaginative and had a twist or two that I wasn't expecting. 

San Francisco doctor, Salista Caldon, is engaged to a great, albeit boring, man, when all hell breaks loose in her life.  After a series of events that sends her world into a tailspin, she finds herself drawn to a mysterious stranger, Tyr, who seems to have dropped in from a different time and place.  As her life is put into danger, repeatedly, she discovers what powers blood holds and that the world she knows is not only different, but magical.

A completely different take on the supernatural romance novel, this book is more mature than I expected, since the last three books I've read have been Twilight rip-offs (more on those in a bit).  This is a well written quick read.  I would definitely recommend this to anyone who is a fan of supernatural romance novels.

SOOKIE STACKHOUSE BOOK SERIES

These cheesy book covers are AWESOME!

I admit, I didn't start reading the Charlaine Harris "Sookie Stackhouse/Southern Vampire" books until True Blood's first season ended and I was missing my hot vampire Eric.  Although I love the show, I'm only going to be speaking about the book series here. 

Quick fun side note: Two years ago I was at the San Diego Comic Con (nerd alert!) and was lucky enough to hear the True Blood panel. Charlaine was on the panel and someone asked her if she told the producers of the show storylines she liked or didn't like on the show and she said no, she doesn't tell them how to write the show and they don't tell her how to write her books.  She's a 60 year old Sookie. Very sassy!  She's the opposite of George R.R. Martin and Game of Throne the tv show. More on that later.

Since the first season I've read six of the eleven books currently out.  They're all sort of the same, same feel, same easy read, and all from Sookie's perspective.    I like that but some may find it a bit dull.

For those not familiar, the books center around telepathic barmaid Sookie Stackhouse.  Sookie falls in love with Bill, a two hundred year old southern gentleman vampire who comes back into town after over a century. Good news for Sookie is she can't read vampire minds, which makes dating a whole lot easier.  Sookie spends the first few books getting into lots of trouble and falling in and out of love with Bill and Vampire Sheriff Eric Northman. Not to make these sound like romance novels, because they're far from it (trust me).  Each book finds Sookie faced with a new enemy, mystery or danger (usually all three at the same time!) she has to figure her way out of.  And for those of you who like the supernatural, vampires aren't the only supes that show up. 

My only true complaint of the book is Sookie is so lonely, it's actually detrimental.  I feel a little too sorry for her because she really doesn't have anyone to confide in, which is just sad.

That said, the Sookie Stackhouse books are perfect for summer reading or cozying up next to a fire during winter.  Actually, you reading a Sookie Stackhouse book is good no matter what you're doing. 

THE WAR OF THE WORLDS

This is easily the most classic alien invasion novel of all time, and probably one of the most well known. 

If you have any interest in sci-fi books, The War of the Worlds is a must-read.  Of course it's well written, but it's also exciting and suspenseful and extremely imaginative.  Published in 1898, the premise and execution of the story are almost unimaginable for the time period. Plus, it's an amazingly easy read. 

Written by H.G. Wells, the book follows an unnamed narrator in London at the turn of the century as  "Martians" suddenly attack and begin decimating the city and countryside.  This isn't a book of fighting back, it's a book of pure survival.  The tripod aliens (Spielberg got it right in the 2005 movie) do not communicate and our narrator spends the entire book running from them and trying to survive, meeting interesting people along the way.  This is the perfect book to curl up with at the fireplace or lounge with by the pool with.

THE HUNGER GAMES TRILOGY

The Hunger Games (Book 1, Catching Fire, Book 2 and Mockingjay, Book 3) is probably my favorite closed ended series to date.  I read all three in a little over three weeks. Yes, it's that good.  Not only were they an easy read, but they were fun, exciting, heartwarming and full of action.  I know I'm slightly (ahem) older than the young adults she writes for but she writes in a way that everyone can enjoy. 

Set in a post apocalyptic United States, the story follows Katniss Everdeen, a teenager who lives in District 12, the poorest of the twelve districts.  In this new society, instead of going to war, each year two children, a boy and a girl, from each district, participates in the "Hunger Games", where they fight to the death in a "there can only be one" scenario.  In an act of desperation Katniss ends up on the train to the Capitol as the girl from District 12, hoping that she's not riding to her death.  With only the limited skills she learned from her now dead father and best friend Gale, Katniss is forced to use her wits and determination to outwit, outlast and ultimate kill, the other 23 opponents.  

Although all three books work together with one main arc, I'm going to stop the description right now because I don't want to spoil it.  Suzanne Collins weaves this world and these characters together in the most descriptive, emotional, and complete way that after I finished the last page I already missed it.

STEPHANIE PLUM BOUNTY HUNTER SERIES

That title doesn't even begin to describe the absolute hilarity that is Miss Stephanie Plum.  Janet Evanovich writes this character with humor, humility and in a way that when I started reading the series nearly 10 years ago, surprised the hell out of me.  Similar to how I read Anita Blake, I was introduced to Stephanie knowing I had seven books to catch up with.  Where Anita makes me want to go out and learn how to shoot a gun, Stephanie makes me feel ok if I don't.  Stephanie is a bounty hunter who, more often than not, accidentally catches the bad guy.  Between her flirty Grandma Mazur to her sexy as hell on-again/off-again boyfriend Joe, not to mention her bounty hunter, sometimes partner Ranger, these books usually have me laughing hysterically and wishing I had a life full of Stephanie Plum craziness.  Again, I'll review her books separately, but feel free to start "One for the Money", which is perfect for a fun Summer (Fall, Winter and Spring) read.