Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Newsflash: Bloggers stranded on island!

Imagine if you will, six book-happy girl bloggers are stranded on a desert island.

Wait, back up...how did we get there? Perhaps a fabulously wealthy reader, fan of all our blogs, grateful for the hours of enjoyment we have provided, decided to send us all on a fabulous vacation together.

But, just in case our plane has to make an emergency landing on a desert island, we bring books, to found a glorious sharing library. We will miss civilization, but what do we care? We have 36 excellent books to read!

A few of our Desert Island Keeper ground rules: we can each pick six books to bring and share, and we can't duplicate any book. We need a variety of genres. And no ARCs. After some discussion and passionate horsetrading, we came up with our picks.

Find KristieJ's list here, and Sula's here, then lisabea's, Christines, and Katie(babs).
Hold the presses -  late-breaking stowaways: Sarai,  TracyMaryKate, Shannon, Ciaralira, and Sarah have added more books!

Here are my humble additions:

Middlemarch (George Eliot): Oh, how I love this intricate, rich and wonderful book. It is really one of the best ever written, especially for the way human behavior is observed, and the characters, the subplots. OMG, just thinking about it, I have to read it again. It takes a bit to get going, but then you are transported into this brilliantly drawn provincial world swirling around Dorothea, an idealistic young woman searching for purpose.

Kushiel’s Dart (Jacqueline Carey): I love this for its sort of exotic, strangely Medieval and richly imagined fantasy world. And really big stuff happens - stunning, fantastical epic stuff. So satisfying. What’s more, the sex is shocking. And most of all, there’s Phedre, a fabulous heroine who really does live by her wits, in the best way.  More about that here.

Demon Night (Meljean Brook): We have to have this in our library because, oh, so many reasons. There’s the emotional complexity that MJB does so well, and the finely drawn characters you get to know so intimately, and above all, Drifter, the best hero EVER. I can't believe I only raved about this once.

Dead to the World (Charlaine Harris): In my mind (and I believe that of my bloggy comrade Lisabea, and possibly others) this is the best of the Sookies. This is the great Sookie & Eric book, and it’s also quite exiting, plotwise with a satisfying ending.

The Killing Dance (Laurell K. Hamilton): With this whole series, I felt like I was back in gradeschool, where all I ever wanted to do was sit in a corner and read and life was just one big annoying interruption to the enchanted world of books. And I found this addition to the series to be the most enthralling. (Though Blue Moon comes pretty close). I just luxuriated in this book, and I could read it over and over. The werewolf stuff. Killer Edward on the scene. The contract on Anita’s life. Richard indulging his total gross-out wolfiness. And last but not least, the legendary (in my mind) bathtub scene.

House of Mirth (Edith Wharton): I love this heroine, Lily Bart, and I love the world of this novel, the glamorous yet evilly confining structures of turn-of-the-century New York. Lily just can’t bring herself to play ‘the game,’ and little by little, goes from one of the most eligible beauties to, well, there is no HEA here. But it is so good anyway. This novel was always a great friend to me in a weird way.

What would your six books be? We want to know!

29 comments:

lisabea said...

I've only read 2 books on this list, so that's wicked wonderful. And yes, Eric The Vampire's amnesia is the bestest. You realize we both forgot Stephanie Plum, right? So let's pretend I've stuffed either #4 or #9 in my bra, kay? Do you think they'll notice???

Nice photos! Sorry I took so long, CJ. Nasty internet monkeys are throwing poo into my computer whassit and I'm experiencing technical difficulties.

Sarai said...

Okay I don't follow instructions well so I did the list over at LB's (that and for some reason I tend to skim so thought she was 1st whoops *color me red*)
Anywho loved Dead to the World one of my favs so far. (Of course I have only read to that one)
Can I just have the men you put up instead???

Carolyn Crane said...

LB: I hate that she got dropped off! I am RICHLY looking forward to that #4, too. Do stuff.

Sarai: Sorry, those guys live on the island. Yeah, Dead to the world! So excellent.

lisabea said...

S'in my bra. I swear. Don't tell the others.

KT Grant said...

I am putting book 7 and 8 down my pants. I will wear very big pants.

Carolyn Crane said...

Gilligan is going to HUNT YOU DOWN. Did you know I once met Bob Denver, who plays Gilligan? ON my 13th birthday. He was playing dinner theater. I was a very dorky girl who hung out with my parents for my birthday.

Sarai said...

CJ well at least you girls have fabalous company and sexy hawt stuff to look out when your not drinking or reading *grin*

Christine said...

Great list. Especially since I've only read one of your DIK (Demon Night), so your books will keep me busy.

Love your photos, too. I was going to look for a Gilligan's Island pic, but I was too lazy.

Sarai, don't be talking like you're not there, too! I dubbed you our first stowaway. Read your list at lisabea's. You're there, girlfriend! ;P

Carolyn Crane said...

Sarai, KB will bring you in her big pants.

KT Grant said...

Rum in Lisabea's bra- check
Sarai in Kate's big pants- check

Anyone else want to come in my pants? Party in my pants!! LOL

Sarai said...

LOL loving the pants idea just don't go invited too many people might get crowded and no one thought to bring a fan for those of us in the pants ;0)

Thea said...

Word up on Kushiel's Dart :)

Do I get to keep Sawyer and Sayid too? How about some Desmond to round out the LOST men to be stranded with?

sula said...

omg, you met Gilligan? You are way cool, you geeky gal you.

sorry so late checking in. crazy day here at the work. I wish I could just get away to an island with all you fun folks and a stack of great books. *sigh*

Sarai said...

I seriously had to write some of these books down. They sound fantastic!
I know I have to jump on Carey's series soon I feel as if I am missing something BIG!

lisabea said...

Can I add that every time I scroll I do a double take thinking that that man is John Belushi...I'm outta the Lost loop.

Sarai said...

So I wanted to let you know (even though I put it in my comments.) I will send ya The Duke and I by Julia Quinn for your reading delight!
Let me know!

Carolyn Crane said...

KB: things are REALLY happening now.

S: see note on your place. And Yes, kushiel, I think you would LOVE that.

Thea: Definitely word. KDart blew me away. And hey, you can have Desmond.

Sula, Tell your boss it's island time.

LB: John Belushi? NOOOOOOOO!

Kristie (J) said...

OK - I thought Lisabea had the fewest I'd read - but you have more. So I'll visit you first, then Lisabea. And I think the first one I'll read will be Kushiel's Dart. I've always meant to try her.

sula said...

i too am curious about this kushiel's dart. do tell us more. :)

from work...to class. the fun never stops. *whine*

The Bookworm said...

shame on me, I havent read any of these books.
I have Charlaine Harris on my TBR though.
great pics, I love the show LOST. If you had to pick an island to be stranded on, thats the one :P


I'd bring:
1. Coraline by Neil Gaiman for a creepy story to share

2. Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen cause its a classic

3. Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz because its a great 'I see dead people' type story

4. Stephenie Meyer's 'Twilight' for the hot vampires

5. Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding for some great chick lit

6. Entangled by Kathleen Dante, cause is a great 'trashy' novel


http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

KT Grant said...

WOOT We have Twilight on the island!

Christine said...

Yay Naida! TWILIGHT was considered in the chat last night. So glad you're bringing it along. And nice pick with CORALINE. It makes for a great campfire story!

Carolyn Crane said...

KristieJ, We can trade stacks because I have read NONE of yours- but I definitely plan to now. We are the most compatible island residents for sharing books.

KJ & Sula: You will not be disappointed with Kushiel's Dart. I actually reviewed it, I should've put the link

http://thethrillionthpage.blogspot.com/2007/11/cunning-poets-and-deadly-courtiers-gone.html

So fab.

Naida, I love that you brought some Gaimen. And Entangled sounds most enticing!

lisabea said...

I haven't read the dart either.It's one of those books I keep meaning to pick up. Will do. And the tats are really cool.

Shannon said...

I'm hiding away in the magical backpack with my six books! You guys have all chosen such great titles, I will have to get creative with my selections. Off to ponder and post...

Anonymous said...

Oh I like the Eric. That has to be my fav also! And someone suggested Neil Gaiman, very cool!

LesleyW said...

So many good books gone already. But I'll try to add 6 that haven't been mentioned.

The Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey Niffennegger - One of my favourite books from the last few years. And I still don't know if I spell the authors name right. :) Bit of a weepy, but uplifting at the same time.

Twelfth Night by Shakespeare - 'cause we've got to have some Shakespeare.

Bitten by Kelley Armstrong - Every time I reread I find something new. If you only ever read one urban fantasy this is the one I'd recommend.

A Civil Campaign by Lois McMaster Bujold - I think most peoples favourite Miles book. It has one of the funniest scenes in it that I've ever read. Had me crying with laughter.

A Crack in Forever by Jeannie Brewer. Before I read TTTW this was perhaps my favourite weepy. And yet at the end it's still hopeful. Deals with a couple coming to terms with one partner's HIV.

Finally The Complete Ivory by Doris Egan. Bit of a cheat because it's the whole trilogy in one book. It's too long since I read that book but at 900 pages it's difficult to squeeze into a couple of hours.

And if I had to pick one Stephanie Plum. :). It would be the one where she kicks Morelli out of the car when he's naked. Is that #1 or #2?

Carolyn Crane said...

Oh, Lesley, THANK YOU for those picks. Bitten, one of my all times faves, great! And Time Travellers Wife! Shakespeare! These are excellent!!

The Bookworm said...

lol carolyn, the sequal to Entangled is called 'Enticed' :)

I agree christine, Coraline would be a fun campfire story.

nice call on bringing some Shakespeare :)

http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/