Week 3 Prompt

1. I am looking for a book by Laurell K. Hamilton. I just read the third book in the Anita Blake series and I can’t figure out which one comes next!

• The fourth book is called The Lunatic Cafe. I found this by looking up the series, and then viewing which books were in the series. 

2. What have I read recently? Well, I just finished this great book by Barbara Kingsolver, Prodigal Summer. I really liked the way it was written, you know, the way she used language. I wouldn't mind something a bit faster paced though.

• Oryx and Crake, by Margaret Atwood, the first in a trilogy, which explores a post-apocalyptic world, ruined by ecological and scientific disasters. Chosen for its lyrical, descriptive writing and fast pace. 
• The Boy Detective Fails, by Joe Meno, a mystery novel that follows Billy who is coping with his sister’s suicide. Also chosen for its lyrical, descriptive writing and fast pace. 

3. I like reading books set in different countries. I just read one set in China, could you help me find one set in Japan? No, not modern – historical. I like it when the author describes it so much it feels like I was there!

• The Pure Land, by Alan Spence, chosen for its writing style (compelling and descriptive),tone (strong sense of place), and setting in mid-19th century Japan.  
• The Teahouse Fire, by Ellis Avery, chosen for its writing style (descriptive and richly detailed), tone (strong sense of place), and setting in 19th century Japan.

4. I read this great mystery by Elizabeth George called and I loved it. Then my dentist said that if I liked mysteries I would probably like John Sandford, but boy was he creepy I couldn't finish it! Do you have any suggestions?

• Peter Robinson (Inspector Alan Banks series), set in Yorkshire, chosen for its compelling characters, intricate plots, fast pace, and not as much violence. Found through similar Elizabeth George authors. 
• Penny Louise (Chief Inspector Armand Gamache series), set in Quebec, chosen for Louise’s compelling characters, more leisurely pacing, and intricate plot. Also found through authors similar to Elizabeth George. 

5. My husband has really gotten into zombies lately. He’s already read The Walking Dead and World War Z, is there anything else you can recommend?

• Cell, by Stephen King, chosen for its genre - horror - and its focus on zombies, along with fast pacing and compelling writing style, which both The Walking Dead and World War Z contain.
• Feed, by Mira Grant, chosen for the same reasons as Cell.

6. I love books that get turned into movies, especially literary ones. Can you recommend some? Nothing too old, maybe just those from the last 5 years or so.

• The Yellow Birds, by Kevin Powers. The book was released in 2012 and the movie of the same name in 2017. The Yellow Birds is also classified as literary fiction by Novelist. A reflective novel written by a veteran focusing on two inseparable soldiers during the Iraq War.
• Room, by Emma Donoghue. The book was released in 2010, and the movie in early 2016. Novelist also classifies this book as literary fiction, as well as psychological fiction. Room is a fast paced, haunting novel is narrated by a five year old who never leaves his room because his mother is trying to protect him from the man who kidnapped and has held her prisoner for years.

7. I love thrillers but I hate foul language and sex scenes. I want something clean and fast paced.

• Are they looking for clean thrillers, or just fast paced clean books? For fast paced clean books, I’d recommend M.C. Beaton’s Hamish Macbeth or Agatha Raisin series (found by searching for fast paced gentle reads). For clean thrillers,  I’d suggest Ted Dekker’s books (found by searching for fast paced christian fiction, and then looking for books that were also thrillers). 

How I find books to read: 

• I typically find books to read through Goodreads and some journals - usually SLJ and Booklist - though I do occasionally peruse Kirkus. This combination is usually enough to keep my to-read pile continuously overflowing. I do also generally keep up with awards lists, and will occasionally read books that make them, though not always. It really depends on if the book looks interesting or not. After reviewing Chelton's list, I may end up with a few more sites to refer to for books, too! (500 Graphic Novels & Overbooked.com look particularly useful!)