I have finished re-reading the Jesse Stone series, and the Spenser series. Now I’m re-reading the Sunny Randall series. Once I finish those, there are only a few books left – some wonderful westerns and other stand-alone books.
It makes me a bit sad to be coming to the end of the re-read, but I’m delighted to have the collection so I can enjoy it again whenever I would like.
Some good friends have recommended authors new to me, so I’m looking forward to diving into some new worlds soon. :0)
I’m re-reading Hush Money book # 26 (of 40) in the Spenser Series by Robert B. Parker. Re-reading the collection in order gives me a fuller experience, a richer appreciation of his writing style, enjoyment of the evolution of Spenser’s relationships with the other continuing characters, and admiration for his rock-solid beliefs about honor, integrity, keeping your word, finishing the job no matter what the cost.
I feel so lucky to be able to dive into his world, letting my concerns fade, fully relaxing, enjoying escaping for awhile. :0)
Who are your favorite authors and why do you love them?
Filed under Favorite Authors & Books, Reading is FUNdamental
I’m really enjoying re-reading my collection of Robert B. Parker books. I read the “Jesse Stone” series again, then moved on to the “Spenser” series. I’m on book #20, I think, “Double Deuce” now. Parker’s writing was so CLEAN. You’re never aware of the way he writes, unless one of the characters is poking fun or making a snide remark. He describes things so you can see or feel them clearly, yet you just ‘absorb’ the characters and situations. I find myself reading along, and then he says something so subtle that it takes me a sentence or two to react. And then I snort, or smile, or both, to the point my husband says, “What.” (He appreciates Parker’s dry sense of humor, too, and so understands with little explanation. )
When I finish reading the collection, I think I’ll start on our collection of Lee Child next, with his books about Jack Reacher. I just read that Lee Child has stopped writing Jack Reacher books and is passing the series to his brother, Andrew Grant. (In the media, I prefer Alan Ritchson in the TV series, rather than Tom Cruise in the movie versions. This is nothing against Tom Cruise, really. Lee Child is so good at getting the reader to ‘see’ Jack Reacher, though, that I laughed aloud when I discovered who would play him in the movies. Alan Ritchson in the TV version seems perfect for the role. I hope they continue the series.)
I would go nuts if I weren’t able to enjoy time reading each day.
Filed under Favorite Authors & Books, Hobbies, Reading is FUNdamental
Robert B. Parker is one of my favorite authors. I think I have all of his books.
His “Jesse Stone” series is wonderful. I have the books AND the movies. (The fact that the main actor in the Jesse Stone series is ANOTHER favorite – Tom Selleck – lets me win twice. :0)
“In 1997 Robert Parker introduced the world to Jesse Stone, who comes to the small town of Paradise to serve as police chief, running from a past in Los Angeles where his alcoholism led to a failed marriage and a failed career in law enforcement.”
He’s a flawed man, but honest and strong and admirable. You want him to get through his problems.
I’m re-reading the books now, savoring the way Parker can say things in a very straightforward manner where you forget the ‘writing,’ concentrating on the characters and the story. He has quite a sense of humor, a dry wit, having his characters see the humor in a situation, providing sparkling dialogue that sometimes makes me laugh aloud.
Night Passage (1997) Trouble in Paradise (1998) Death in Paradise (2001) Stone Cold (2003) Sea Change (2006) High Profile (2007) Stranger in Paradise (2008) Night and Day (2009) Split Image (2010)
I will continue to buy and watch the Jesse Stone movies created by Tom Selleck and Michael Brandman, but I consider the ‘continuation of the book series’ by Ace Atkins or Reed Coleman a nice honor, but pale-in-comparison imitations of the master.
Filed under Hobbies, Reading is FUNdamental
I have told you I’m enjoying re-reading my Robert B. Parker book collection. I’ve finished the Spenser series and the Jesse Stone series, and now I’m re-reading the Sunny Randall series.
I think one of the main characteristics of a great writer is that the reader doesn’t ‘notice’ the writing. You are grabbed from the first sentence and don’t come up for air until the last. If you are distracted by the writing – if you notice flowery phrases or vocabulary, it takes away from the story and the characters.
Robert B. Parker’s writing is so clean. His wit, sarcasm and crisp dialog make me smile, snort, and occasionally laugh aloud. When I finish the Sunny Randall series, there are some other books of his I’ll enjoy again, as well that aren’t part of his ‘main’ series, as such.
When I finish, I will feel a bit sad. I have lots of other books to read, but I’ll have to leave his world until the next time…
Filed under Favorite Authors & Books
I have been an avid reader since I was about 5 years old. My mom started teaching me when I was very young. I had looked around my living room, seeing my dad engrossed in a large book about geology, my mom doing the NY Times Sunday Crossword puzzle, and my brother sitting on the couch devouring a comic book. I got more and more frustrated, finally announcing in a loud voice, “I wish to HELL I could read!” After the shocked and appalled silence, my mom joined me on the floor and began to teach me.
The gift she gave me has only grown. The only time I lost my love for reading was when I was in graduate school, working on my Master’s Degree as a reading specialist. I wanted to share my love for reading and learning, but it’s amazing that anyone could come through that program and still love to read. I studied so hard and long, taking one class each semester and three each summer while teaching full time. I found I had lost the ability to read for pleasure, tensely reading – taking mental notes – as though I would be tested on the material when I finished. After a year or so, I finally gave myself permission to just enjoy – and my love for reading returned.
I finished re-reading the “Spenser” series by Robert B. Parker a couple of days ago. I was a bit sad to finish the last one. The writers who have tried to emulate him and extend the series just don’t capture the flavor for me.
Now I’m re-reading his “Jesse Stone” series. I love the character created here, and it was only enhanced when Tom Selleck was chosen to be Jesse Stone in the movie versions.
I hope a LOT of people are enjoying the work of their favorite authors, plus finding new ones, to help them through these challenging times.
My husband recommended the Robert B Parker books to me years ago. I think I have all he wrote by himself. He wrote a couple with his wife, Joan, and others are trying to add to his legacy, but I have collected only his.
I’m enjoying re-reading my collection. I started with his “Spenser” series on which “Spenser for Hire,” the TV series, was based. I’m reading #24 “Small Vices.” My husband can always tell I’m reading a Parker book because I tend to snort or laugh out loud at his dry sense of humor. His love for sarcasm is right down my alley. He uses no filters – just comes out with the stuff you wish you had the courage to say, but don’t.
I find his Spenser character fascinating because he is so self-contained, doggedly hard-working, determined to get the answers he wants, and has the will to do what he thinks is right, regardless of the consequences. His deep love for Susan melts me into a puddle. It is all pervasive and has no limit. It’s forever – and joyfully. Who could resist that?
There are only 40 in the series by Parker. I’m reveling in the world he created.
Filed under Favorite Authors & Books
ThoughtCo
I’m finishing up re-reading a favorite book of mine by Nora Roberts called, Three Fates. Even though I’ve read it once, quite awhile ago, I still have trouble putting it down and getting anything else done. :0)
Her latest book in the “In Death” series is coming out in paperback at the end of this month. I’ve pre-ordered it. It’s called, Connections in Death. I really love this series. The main character, Eve Dallas, is a police detective. She’s gutsy and strong, even though she has her quirks. The characters that make up her world are fascinating. I love living in her world for awhile.
As soon as I finish my current book, I’ll re-read the whole 47-book series in preparation for adding the 48th. I’m not sure I can read 47 books before I receive the next one, but the situation makes me feel rich in wonderful books just waiting for me!
I feel the same way when I’m re-reading the books of Robert B. Parker, or Lee Child, or many other incredibly talented authors. How lucky I am!
The Reading Room via Cathy Ruggiero
One of my all-time favorite authors is Robert B. Parker. I finished re-reading all of the Spenser books (there are 36 of them) and just now finished Edenville Owls. This is unlike most of his books, but his strong opinions on what’s important in life come through, even through the eyes and ‘voice’ of the main character, a 14-year-old boy named Bobby.
I was supposed to be doing other things today, but this book called to me from upstairs. I took it to the ophthalmologist’s office where I waited while my husband had his eyes examined, and then tried to put it down when I came home. I made it through the burger we picked up and brought home from the local Sonic, but then I was lost.
As usual, when I finish a well-loved book, I feel a bit let down. I don’t want it to be over. I’m lucky to be surrounded by almost all of the books Robert B. Parker wrote. I love relaxing into his world, the wonderful, unforgettable characters, and his snappy dialogue that makes me snort and grin again from time to time.
Filed under Reading is FUNdamental
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