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Post by gingerbird on Jul 21, 2009 12:48:28 GMT -5
Hi Hep. I'm nowhere near as Stephanie-Plum-smart as you, as I didn't read the books in order. I got one, then looked for whatever was available next at the library, and read them helter-skelter over a period of years. They run together for me, so much so that when I got the last one, even after reading the synopsis on the jacket before checking it out, it turned out I had already read it. But I read it again! They are typically fast and easy reading, good escapism.
Now that I think on it, I do remember some books delving more into Stephanie thinking about marrying one of the guys, settling down. Seems there were a lot of pages devoted to her "thoughts" on the subject. As for Ranger, do we know if that's really his name? He has no address and can't be found unless he wants to be. His true profession isn't REALLY known, except that he makes a great deal of money at it (protection? hit man? smuggler? rogue law enforcement?) so doesn't mind when Stephanie blows up one of his expensive (black) vehicles.
If they have indeed taken place over a period of 15 years, that hamster of hers has to be ancient! I've always pictured the books occurring over just a few years, not one per year. Otherwise, Stephanie and her overweight, spandex-wearing, ex-hooker partner would be getting way too old for such shenanigans. Thirty/forty-year-old bones and muscles just don't work/heal like they did when a person was 20! I picture Steph maybe close to 30, which might be why she is thinking about marrying Joe. But I'll bet you can tell me how old she really is -- in book years, anyway!
Now that you have me thinking about these, I'm going to have to look in the library for one I haven't read so we can discuss!
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Post by hepalien on Jul 21, 2009 13:26:57 GMT -5
In the world of the book, I think it's just supposed to have been a couple of years since the first book. And I think she is supposed to be around 30. In the real world, though, the first book was published in 1994 or something like that. It's funny, too, because you read the first one and she's always wearing these spandex outfits with oversized t-shirts over them. Very early 90s. Very dated. It's funny. Ranger has a real name - Carlos something or other. But no one ever calls him that. And he's sort of mysterious with his job. Sometimes he's a bounty hunter, but then they called him a mercenary in the first few books, and now he's in "security." I think JE softened him up some so that he could be a viable option for Steph. Made him less crazy and less borderline unethical. Yeah, she generally wants to marry Joe and sleep with Ranger. Which would be all fine and dandy with me if she weren't always hopping into bed with Joe, too. About the hamster - I was wondering if JE would ever kill him off! Even if the books span just a few years in their world...do hamsters live that long?  Yeah, come on now - catch up with reading them! |
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Post by gingerbird on Jul 21, 2009 15:56:06 GMT -5
Hep, no main characters ever die in those Steph Plum books, so the hamster (What's his name?) will no doubt be ring bearer at Stephanie's wedding.
I have plans to go to the library tomorrow or the next day, so will see what's on the shelf. If it's not one I've read already (like I can remember anyway!), I promise, I will check it out for discussion down the road!
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Post by peanut on Jul 21, 2009 16:26:57 GMT -5
I'm currently reading Angels & Demons. I might have actually mentioned that upthread, not sure. I've had it for years but only picked it up after watching the movie which I enjoyed. I'm not getting through it too fast for some reason but am enjoying it.
And no Ginger, I still haven't read Lisey's Story! I loaned it to my niece and she says it's a bit slow starting but gets very good. I'll get around to it at some point.
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Post by Cindy on Jul 21, 2009 22:24:00 GMT -5
Angels and Demons was good but no where near Divinci Code IMO...I went back and read it post Divinci but I was glad I read DC first.
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Post by gingerbird on Jul 29, 2009 12:30:15 GMT -5
I was going out of town for the weekend, so I picked up the Stephanie Plum "Ten" book for the trip. I read the synopsis on the jacket and it sounded like one I hadn't read. But, sure enough, as soon as I started it and the "Red Devil" got his bike shot by Lula and Stephanie's car fire-bombed in the first few pages, I remembered, yeah, I'd read it. I have to say, I don't have a big interest in Stephanie or Ranger or Joe or Lula or any of the characters any more. Sorry, hep!
Luckily, I also picked up a Stuart Wood Stone Barrington novel, "Hot Mahogany," to cover me if the Plum novel was a repeat. I've read several Stone Barrington novels and enjoy them. They are formulaic too, as Stone always comes out unscathed with beautiful women falling at his feet as he solves mysteries. But they are a fun vicarious look at how the rich and gorgeous live, and the mystery part is always intriguing and well-written. This one is about antique furniture. Yeah, weird subject. But the stolen mahogany secretary is valued at several million dollars. That would be a nice find at a flea market!
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Post by Cindy on Jul 29, 2009 12:51:16 GMT -5
"stolen mahogany secretary"
LMBO--I just got this pic in my head of an ACTUAL secretary being "stolen" I know you meant the desk Ginger--but my mind jumped right to the person..lol my bad.
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Post by hepalien on Jul 29, 2009 13:52:48 GMT -5
Dude, no need to apologize to me.  I'm feeling the same way. But I figure I've come this far with them, so I might as well keep going. |
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Post by Cindy on Aug 6, 2009 13:47:52 GMT -5
I just finished Luanne Rice--Symmetry of Sisters. It was pretty good. I enjoy Luanne Rice, easy read without being boring with emphasis on the families in a community. It's not rocket science but it's a good read with a beach chair and a drink:-)
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Post by eagleoftruth on Aug 16, 2009 0:45:49 GMT -5
I'm in the middle of reading "Into the Wild" about a young man who came from a very well-to-do family and gave it all up to hitchhike around the country. His body was found outside of Denali National Park by a moose hunter. So far, it's really well written and I'm into it. I'll let you know how it goes;) The luxury of being able to pick up a book is wonderful, especially since it's back to the grind on Wednesday.
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Post by Cindy on Aug 16, 2009 10:06:26 GMT -5
How that sounds really interesting Eagle. Another one to go on the list. Hard to belive you start back up again next week already. I hope you are all settled in again
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Post by jendill on Aug 21, 2009 17:02:30 GMT -5
Hey guys just a quick pop in to say I just finished "here today gone to maui" by Carol Snow. Nice lil quick read. Fun little mystery.
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Post by gingerbird on Aug 21, 2009 19:04:35 GMT -5
Eagle, I read "Into The Wild" several years ago since I enjoyed Jon Krakauer's "Into Thin Air" so much that I read it at least five times, if not more, plus listened to the audio book over and over. And over. I've read nearly every book about climbing Everest since that's my passion, climbing, and Everest in particular. Anyway, my Everest addiction is how I was introduced to Krakauer, and how I found "Into The Wild." (Note that Sean Penn made a movie from the book, starring the talented hottie Emile Hirsch, and there have been a few documentaries on Chris McCandless as well. I just saw one a few weeks ago on PBS.) Back on book topic, I still have to read Krakauer's "Under the Banner of Heaven," but religion doesn't draw me quite like mountaineering and living solo does. Although I figure Krakauer's writing will be top-notch. For those not familiar, all of Krakauer's books are true stories. He did tons of research and interviews to delve into why Chris McCandless gave up his identity to live -- and die -- as he did.
A side note: A few years ago, I bought an iMac from a woman whose daughter works at "Outside" magazine, the mag Jon was hired to freelance an Everest story for. That story turned out to be "Into Thin Air" after the trek went all to heck and so many people died. I asked this woman what her daughter thought of Jon. She very discreetly said her daughter thought he had "rather a large ego." That I can believe, having worked with writers of much lesser caliber myself.
Oh, look, once again book talk has drawn gingerbird out! Go figure.
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Post by eagleoftruth on Aug 22, 2009 22:58:03 GMT -5
ginger, that's AWESOME! I'm about halfway through "Into the Wild" and the writing style is awesome! I'm definitely going to have to check out "Into Thin Air." It sounds good!
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Post by Cindy on Aug 23, 2009 0:20:58 GMT -5
Jen: I looked it up but my library didn't have it. That's the second book I wanted that they didn't have--looks like I'll have to have them go on a library hunt to find a copy.
So you work with writers Ginger, what's your occupation? (Hard to believe this never came up before, I just know you have your own business)
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I'm feeling the same way. But I figure I've come this far with them, so I might as well keep going.