How To Pick a Book as a Gift (Part 1):

With the Holidays looming in, we are set up for "Secret Santa," company parties, and "drawing names" with our friends, family members, and co-workers. But what do you get the person who only wants books if you just don't want to get a gift card? I thought about how I pick out a book for one of my friends or siblings, and came up with an excellent list:

1. Do you see the person reading? Ask them to talk about the book or its author. Find out what genre it is and if it is a series. Do they recommend the author/book to you? Then try to find a book that is by that author, either a singular novel or a later book in the series they are currently reading.

2. B.S. it. Yep, tell them you are buying a book for your friend or family member and ask them if there is a book they would recommend or that they know is a good book? Ask them if there is a particular one they think is amazing that may be coming out soon.

3. If those 3 ideas don't work, then try to go to their house to see their bookshelf (of course, going into a house may not work for a coworker) for recommendations, or ask them to loan you a book that they enjoyed reading. Using the title/author that they provide, you can find out what genre they make be currently reading or enjoy. Then find a book store and their most recommended novel in that genre (make sure it is not a series unless you know the specific number that the person wants, or it is the first book). This may not be the exact book that the person is looking for, but most people will read and enjoy a book (even if its an author that they have never heard of) that is within the genre that they provide you with.

4. Barring these steps, if you still cannot find a book that a person wants, just try your local bookstore and find a book seller. They can help, and refer you to all different kinds of novels. Sometimes you may not want to work this hard with the other 3 ideas (such as a co worker that you hardly know), so a good book may be recommended by the book seller that is fun/relaxing and is appropriate for the workplace, such as a book of business jokes.

With these rules in mind, I am creating a "Recommended Reads of 2011" in all major genres. I will include the recommendations from 2 major booksellers, and then my own personal recommendation in each genre. As this list will take time to complete (and would make this post MILES longer), I will post the list tomorrow.

Book Club and Read-of-the Month!

I enjoy discussing a book I've read with my family and friends, and sometimes even complete strangers! I truly enjoy discussing the ins and outs and interesting plots lines, characters, etc. So, I started a book club on Facebook. I will NOT designate a genre, as I hope to expand some genre horizons with the club. If you want to join the forums and chats, please check out the "Read-of-the-Month" below, and click the link on the left to join us on Facebook. Otherwise, if you have a request/recommendation, feel free to post it there! Thanks!

Read-of-the-Month (Dec. 2011):

          The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Note: Don't like the genre or book suggested? Don't worry! Make a recommendation and we might read it for the next month! I will not put 2 books of the same genre/series for back-to-back months, to be sure that we are not always (or often) reading the same genre.

Great Book for Dog Training!

I have a 1 1/2 year old healthy, happy weimaraner. She is well trained and obedient. If you don't know much about this breed of dog, there are a few things to remember...they are very energetic and intelligent dogs. My weimaraner needs complex and new tricks to do constantly, and if weimaraners become bored, things get destroyed. So I do daily training with her, and I found 2 books that have saved our lives, because they have easy to follow training steps and complex tricks to do, and they take up lots of time and training and help with a dog that needs daily mental stimulation like weimaraners, terriers, etc. These are the best books I have found to help with training:

1. 51 Puppy Tricks by Kyra Sundance

• This is for puppies 0-2 years. There are all kinds of cool tricks to do in here, from just starting clicker training to complex tricks like putting away their own toys! 

2. 101 Dog Tricks by Kyra Sundance

• This one says for dogs 2 and older, but some of the tricks are simple enough to do with puppies. This has additional tricks to teach your dog if you find that you cannot teach your dog some of the "puppy" tricks (some require steps that I haven't started training with my dog yet), this is a good alternative until you do/can.

Note:  You do not need to worry if you did not train your dog with clicker training, these tricks do not necessarily need that specific type of training to complete. Use what works best as motivation with your pup.

Plot Lines to Blow You Away!

Do you enjoy the twisting and turning plot lines that never end or absolutely shock you? I do! I love them! So here are a few of my favorite reads when I want a book that makes my brain keep processing information even after the book is read!

1. Christine Feehan's GhostWalkers series (Paranormal Romance).

• This series takes so many twists and turns that you cannot even follow all the paths (and I've reread this series many times and still find myself lost). Warning though: do NOT  read this series out of order, or you cannot make sense of things and will spoil the rest of the series! But if you read it in order, it will sure take you for many, many turns and twists.

2. Trudi Canavan's Age of the Five trilogy (Fantasy).

• Wow, what a shocker at the end. The characters provide all the twists and turns, and the author makes it obvious that she wants you to understand why the character made their decision, and that her story changes as often as people do. This is a series you cannot miss!

3. Stan Nichols The Dreamtime trilogy (Fantasy).

• This series you cannot skip. The ending is not quite what you expect, and you cannot know the ending until it hits. This is also a "page-turner" series, one that is very hard to put down once you have picked it up. 

4. Tad Williams' Otherworld series (Sci-Fi).

• This series spans time, space, and electronics. This series is so complicated and technical that you can't help but get lost. The author does an amazing job of bringing all of his characters and plots together into an unforseen twist!

5. Patricia McKillip's The Riddlemaster trilogy/book (Fantasy).

• What a creative and emotional novel with all the twists you would expect from a real riddle. I have this book in one single bound volume, but I believe it was originally released in individual books. This series is so colorfully written and you have to use your brain so much in this book that you can't help but think about it for weeks after!

Note: I also have other books/series that I would have placed in this post, but they have already been mentioned (and I don't want to repeat myself), so check out the previous posts if you want more!

Great Paranormal Romance Anthologies: Short but Sweet!

Most short stories combined into one book (anthology) lead to other series, but I found a few that can stand on their own too. I like short and to the point stories with similar or totally different themes. I like them for a busy day when I won't have the time or chance to really "get into" a larger book, or on vacations, when you're traveling or sitting on the beach or need a half hour or so "away" from the busy holiday times. Here are my favorites:

1. Dragon Lovers (Jo Beverly, Mary Jo Putney, Karen Harbaugh, and Barbara Samuel)

• Ah, who doesn't love dragons, right? These are great and spectacularly written short stories about dragons/shape-shifters. These stories are sweet and good when you want a romantic but not too steamy read that is short and not too long, but still provides the descriptions and story/plot lines of merit and imagination. This book does not lead into any other series.

2. Dark Dreamers (Christine Feehan and Marjorie M. Liu)

• These stories lead into other series, but they also stand on their own. I usually buy an anthology for one specific author, but read it all and if I like the author (like I did Liu) then I find out more. They are great stories, and give you a "sneak peek" into what the rest of the series is like. These are a must read if you like this genre!

3. Hot Blooded (Christine Feehan, Maggie Shayne, Emma Holly, and Angela Knight)

• I found out about 2 of my other favorite series by reading this book! These are just good stories and also lead into other series, but they stand alone too. The plot lines are what you would expect from these astounding authors, and so you know that this book is one you can't miss. If you haven't read any thing buy these authors....start with this book!

3 Long But Fun Series to Read with Your Kids!

I love reading to my son, but I want to read him a book that's fun for me too! And I like long, detailed stories, even if they span multiple books. So here are our favorite fun books:

1. DragonKeeper Chronicles by Donita K. Paul

• One of the most delightful and charming series that I have ever read (I often reread this series without reading it to my son). This series is just a wholesome, entertaining read with a good versus evil plot, and characters that you grow with. The series starts with a young woman, so it is easy for a child to connect with the characters. This series also has good lessons and values to teach a child.

2. Inheritance Cycle Series by Christopher Paolini

• This is a great series, and is very complicated and detailed. It is just a fun read with lots of dark and light spots. If you have a child younger than 12, they may have a hard time trying to read this series on their own, but if you want to enjoy reading a book to your child just as much as they do listening to it, then this is a fantastic choice! Details and emotions are rampant in these books and the plot thickens and twists with each novel.

3. My Teacher Is An Alien series by Bruce Coville

• I know this is an old series (I read it in elementary school), but that's what made me think it my be a good read, and my son really enjoyed it! He even tries to read ahead of me sometimes, and laughs when we read it. I loved this series because who hasn't had a teacher they wish they could prove was an alien, right? This series is nothing but pure fun, but I wouldn't recommend it for a "bedtime" story!

*Note: If your child is older than 12, these are good series for them to read on their own.

Great Deal on Fantasy Romances!

Here's on awesome deal on the Druids of Destiny series by Shanna Murchison! You'll get the first 3 ebooks for a good price! These are awesome novels. Click here to go to the website for more info!

5 Must Read Paranormal Romance Series!

1. Jessica Andersen's The Final Prophecy series.

• Wow, talk about a cool idea for a series! Its a book with a large Mayan/Aztec reference! The characters are vivid and have very unique personalities. This is a fun read, especially if you are a Mayan/Aztec/Egyptian enthusiast!

2. Jacquelyn Frank's Nightwalker series.

• Fun ironies in this series, but it is a great read. Plus, this series leads into others that the author has written so you don't lose all the characters when you are done reading. The characters are fun and a mix of paranormal "species." Funny Biblical references and plot turns make this an interesting read.

3. Anna Windsor's Dark Crescent Sisterhood trilogy.

• This series is full of character development and fun plot twists. You often don't know if the heroines are going to prevail or get their butts kicked! These books have a unique storyline and not much background that you  have to muddle through when the author created this world-inside-a-world.

4. Larissa Ione's Demonica series.

• This series is a very unique and mind-blowing view on "demons," making the characters easy to connect with and compare with humanity. The story lines and character interaction in the complex and artistic world the author shows provides a good, stimulating read that you don't have to fumble over and can simply enjoy.

5. Christine Feehan's Drake Sisters series.

• Some of the most amazing seven novels I've ever read. The author deserves high praise for the vast yet similar character personalities provided to each sister and their chosen men. Good storyline and explanation for their "powers" and what makes each sister unique. Plus, this leads into another series that is just as fun and enjoyable to read!

My Most Favorite "King Arthur" Books

I am not a big fan of "King Arthur" fiction or fantasy books, but I have had a few that have crossed my path that are great reads, so I thought I'd share them:

1. Marion Zimmer Bradley's The Mists of Avalon book/series.

• One of the most amazing novels I have read, period! As far as I understand this is 3 books within a book, so the individual novels of this series may also be listed on their own. One of my family members lent me this book, and I became so centered on it that I only took a few days to read the book. It is an enormous book (if it is the 3-in-1), so I was amazed at how little sleep I had those few days. The characters are so complex and emotionally charged, and the plot so thick and twisted that you get lost within the pages. You never know if you will love or hate each character until the very end, as the characters change with time, just as people do. This is a book/series that you cannot miss, even if you don't particularly like "King Arthur" novels.

2. Guy Gavriel Kay's The Fionavar Tapestry series.

• This author has a very unique way of writing, and takes a little getting used to. One of the things I like most about the author is he leaves most of the details of the characters' themselves out and describes the people and places with more detail, leaving you to make your own decisions about the characters, good or bad, shallow or complex, etc. It feels as if the author wants you to come to your own conclusions of the characters' personality, flaws, and strengths based on their actions and their outlook on situations without delving into a character's emotions unless it is to see a character's point of view or a different outlook on a situation. There are many "main" characters, and the author does a great job of portraying each one and their place in the story. The "King Arthur" reference in this series is not a profound one, and doesn't play a large part in the story. Sorry, giving away any more than that about Arthur is a spoiler. Definitely a must read!

My Top 5 Mystery Authors

I've gotta love the mystery novel...especially a series, as the characters are able to be expanded upon over and over again. Here are my top 5 mystery authors!

1. Stuart Woods' Stone Barrington novels.

• This character is so complex and easy to connect with! The author paints a vivid picture with an ending that always leaves me spinning. I love any series by this author, as he is one of my most favorites to read, and the detail is amazing!

2. Charlaine Harris' Lily Bard series.

• This author is always a fun and easy read! I love reading this series, and recommend it to all  my friends too! I think the author is a genius with this series, even more than all her others. Many people pass it up for the other series, but this one is my favorite, I especially like the main character, and can associate with her on many levels.

3. Dean Koontz' Odd Thomas series

• This borders somewhat into a fantasy/sci-fi to the most die-hard mystery readers, but I loved it. When I read the first book, I cried at the end. I am a really emotional person, and I love that about an author--when they can evoke that much emotion when they write. Plus, the author has a very unique and distinct way of portraying the character and the problems he's had. Love this series!

4. Dan Brown's Digital Fortress/Angels&Demons/The DaVinci Code.

• Anything by this author is a must read. They are all thrilling and all the characters were easy to connect with. Not to mention all of the detail the author puts into his scenes and characters actions/thoughts. I am a die-hard fan of this author!

5. Steig Larson's The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo.

• Ok, I have only read the one book that he has written so far (just finished reading it a few days ago), but the other comes highly recommended. That being said...Wow! Amazing! This author knows how to paint a scene well! What an interesting take on the characters. The author is easy to follow and there is so much detail! I couldn't put it down!