January 11, 2007 • Print This Post
UPDATE:
Winners are: Mary Durnan, Marie, Linda, JT, and Zara. Email me with your addy and a few book choices!
Original Post:
Reading has always been my security blankie. Whether I’m down and out, or happy and content, reading is the first hobby I turn to when I have a spare moment. I read everything, from my favorite – romances – to cereal boxes. I’m not picky.
But this week I’ve been sick, and I had the most frustrating thing happen. Nothing worked for me. I couldn’t sink into a single thing that I tried, not any of the books I had stacked to be read, not the magazines, nothing.
Hell, even IN TOUCH failed me.
People, I’ve had a crisis of reading, and it isn’t pretty. I’m devastated. But I think you can help me. If you could just tell me a great book to try. And it has to be great. Something that made you laugh or cry, I don’t care, but at the end, you have to have sighed with deep, and I mean deep, satisfaction. I’ll even bribe you. On Sunday, I’ll draw three names for a free book from my backlist.
Now go.
p.s. if you can’t think of a book, I’ll take a movie. Or a television show. I’m currently sobbing my way through the end of Grey’s Anatomy season two on DVD.
Posted by Jill Shalvis @ 1:00 am • Filed under: General, Jill Shalvis
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Hey Jill,
How about I give you two.
My Nerdy Valentine by Vicki Lewis Thompson-I laughed
A Kiss In Winter by Susan Crandall-I cried
Hey Jill!
I hope you feel better! I hate when I get in a funk like that too with my reading. I read a variety of genres and I’m not sure what genres you like, so I’ll guess.
One book I absolutely loved and my friend loved is 20 Times a Lady by Karyn Bosnak. It’s hilarious and very absorbing. You will definetely feel satisfied with that book. Also recently I reviewed a book called Not Quite a Bride by Kirsten Sawyer which I absolutely loved too! It comes out sometime in January. Very good book!
For a feel good book, I turn to Janet Evanovich’s series, Tori Carrington’s Sophie Metropolis series, or Nancy Bartholomew’s books. All of them write similar and they’re funny, romantic, feel good books.
For mysteries I love Alison Brennan, Tess Gerritsen, Harlan Coben, Robert Crais, and James Patterson. They have some great books.
Movies:
My Best Friend’s Wedding
Grease
All the Harry Potter movies
Pretty Woman
Have you ever watched Prison Break? If not, it’s a great TV show and it’s coming back soon. Season 1 is out on DVD so you can rent them or buy them to catch up. Great show. Also American Idol comes back soon. Love that show.
Oh and about In Touch failing you….if you want a really great celebrity gossip fix go to http://www.perezhilton.com or http://www.egotastic.com.
I hope you feel better Jill. I’m sending you a big internet hug and kiss! Feel better!
Hi Jill,
sorry to hear that you are sick. Too bad that the funniest book that I read in a long time isn’t released so far. I can really recommend Close Encounters of the sexy kind by Karen Kelley.
Another good and funny book is “I’m the vampire that’s why” by Michele Bardsley. And if you don’t like vampire stories try Erin McCarthy’s stories
Books that made me cry are Born in Sin by Kinley Macgregor and Lover awakened by JR Ward
I’m sorry to hear your sick. I hope you feel better soon. I’d recommend Every Breath You Take by Judith McNaught. I just loved this story!
I hate being sick and hope you feel better soon. I would recommend Linda Howards’s new book DROP DEAD GORGEOUS which has this very memorable heroine named Blair.
For movies I would recommend The Family Man with Nicolas Cage finding himself with a glimpse into the life he might have had.
{{{{{{{Jill}}}}}}}
I hope you feel better real soon. It sucks to be sick like that.
These are my recommendations:
You have got to read Stef Ann Holm’s latest, “How Lucy got Her Life Back”.
It was, to me, honestly one of those books that you finished and just felt satisfied.
Or, have you ever seen the movie “Desk Set” with Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn? It is funny and charming and well worth watching, if you love classic films. I also highly recommend “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”. Both of these always make me feel better.
Hugs,
Angie
Hey Jill,
Hope you are feeling better soon!
She Drives Me Crazy & She’s Got The Look by Leslie Kelly and the Chandler Brothers series by Carly Phillips are all good for laughs.
I’d suggest Get a Clue but something tells me you have read it before. *g*
SOrry you are ill! That is the worst feeling. Rest up and take chicken soup. As for a wonderful book, Any bitter thing by Monica Wood is utterly fantastic. Loved it. A series that you should watch is “24″. Great!
Yikes, being sick is not fun and when one can’t even enjoy a little time is even worse. Sorry!
Linda L. Lattimer’s ‘Journeys From A Boy To A Man’ is a must great read. The author’s note says “The stories that he told us we made into stories of another man taking a journey similar to his”.
For movies I love The Bridges of Madison County. Take care.
Get well soon and drink tea and soups. One book that I thought was excellent was The Sense of Paper by Taylor Holden. Beautifully written and unique story. An inspiring movie that is irresistible and I have watched it numerous times on my DVD is Cinema Paradiso. Can never get over it. Best wishes.
Hope you get feeling better soon! Open Season by Linda Howard, Daisy’s Back in Town by Rachel Gibson, or Going Overboard by Christina Skye
I read Jacquelyn Frank’s book Jacob and I thought it was great.
loved mia zachery’s blaze afternoon delight so gosh darn great. great themes and a sexy couple. so darn good. please everyone try it!!!!\
hi Jill:smile:
I enjoy these movies about figure skating… Cutting Edge (more romantic comedy) and Ice Castles (ice skater loses her sight but finds love)
I hope you feel better soon. For comedy shows watch any re-run of Will&Grace, Friends or Cheers.
There’s always Julia Quinn’s books — that is, if you like historical. And I Love Lucy, and anything with Sean Connery!
Lois
Jill: I hope you feel better soon. I am surprised this name hasn’t been brought up yet, but anything by Susan Elizabeth Philips is wonderful, you have funny, romantic, sad all between to covers. I also love Donna Kauffman, Lori Foster and Carly Phillips, anyting by these ladies is also wonderful.
Jill,
I hope you feel better soon! Here are a few books that I think you would love:
1) Ain’t She Sweet? by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
2) Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward
3) Devil In Winter by Lisa Kleypas
4) My Nerdy Valentine by Vicki Lewis Thompson
5) The Stranger I Married by Sylvia Day
6) The Rome Affair by Laura Caldwell
7) Flirting with Forty by Jane Porter
Hugs and cookies, Zara
I hope you feel better soon, Jill.
I always cry at the end of the movie Ghost and the movie Overboard makes me happy!
I am recommending Guardian of Honor by Robin Owens. I did not even want to put that book down to eat. It was great!
Anything by Susan Lewis. Great books. And the Girl-Gear series by Alison Kent.
And do you watch ‘Bones’? I love it. And re-runs of ‘Sex and the City’. Pure indulgence.
*Don’t include me in the drawing.*
Just wanted to say I’m sorry to hear you’re still sick. Hope you’re feeling better soon.
As for books, I’ve read several that I love, but *sigh* you were the author, so can’t recommend those!
I do love Jennifer Crusies book though. Especially Smart Women. The opening scene alone is bright and funny. Actually alot of her books feature smart, funny women. Geting Rid of Bradley is hilarious. And I recently read My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding edited by P.N. Elrod, there was one story where I just cried, but eventually in a good way!
And movies? Well, I have eclectic tastes, but Clue is one of my favrites!
Feel better soon.
If you want a good cry, try “To Catch a Countess” by Patricia Grasso.
Hmmm… I watch Lord of the Rings when nothing else seems to be working. I’m also working my way thru the second season of Wings (90s TV comedy)… Love it!
The books that come to mind for me are: Hell On Wheels - Karen Kelley; The Mercenary Series - Ready, Willing And Able - Lucy Monroe; Viva Las Bad Boys- HelenKay Dimon Those are just a couple of books that I really, really enjoyed. As for shows on TV - I liked 24.
I always know when I’m really really sick because it’s the only time I can’t read. So instead of a good book I’ll recommend some good movies that should make you laugh and/or cry:
Forever Young
Legend
Lady Hawke
Highlander
First Knight
Never Ending Story
Mad Max and the Thunder Dome
Braveheart
Beastmaster
Lord of the Rings
Have you replenished your cookie supply:
Hmmmm, Hiding Out at the Circle C; The Ranchers Surrender; The Detectives Undoing … wait, you say you’ve read those? Oh, well, pardon me.
Cry - almost any of Kate Hardy’s medical romances, but especially Where the Heart Is (but you can only get them from eharlequin). Loreth Ann White’s Shadow Soldiers - The Heart of a Mercenary; A Sultan’s Ransom; Rules of Re-Engagement. Then there’s Jo Leigh’s In Too Deep series - Closer…; Relentless; Release. Then there’s the Christmas anthology - Santa Baby with Jennifer Crusie, Lori Foster and Carly Phillips.
Okay for a laugh, I always reach for Charlaine Harris and her Sookie Stackhouse series and of course, Janet Evanovich, Eve Plum always gets me snickering. For a good cry, I reach for Lora Leigh’s Legacy series, especially the first two: Shattered and Shadowed, total sob fests.
Oh and for movies, my classics are Noises Off for a laugh, and Boys on the Side for a good sob session.
Sorry to hear that you are sick Jill.:sad:
2 Favorite books of mine are:
Only A Whisper - Gayle Wilson (its old you will have to find it used)
You Don’t Know Jack - Erin McCarthy
I hope you feel better soon.:smile:
I hope that you are on your feet soon.
Movie: Gone With The Wind
Book: Savannah Breeze by Mary Kay Andrews
TV Show: Two and a Half Men
Hello Jill,
Sorry to hear your not feeling well. I hope you feel better.
Books:
How I Stole Her Husband By: Liz Ireland. Very funny read and very good.
20 Times A Lady By: Karyn Bosnak
I am now reading Not QUite A Bride By: Kirsten Sawyer. New author and this is her first book. I love it. Hope she comes out with more books. Very funny read.
I like chicklit books that always makes me laugh.
Movies:
My best friends wedding.
Just like heaven.
You, Me and Dupree.
The Break-up.
John Tucker Must Die.
My Super Ex-Girlfriend.
Tv Shows:
America’s next top model.
Sex and the City.
House.
All the Law & Orders & CSI.
ER.
Wicked Wicked Games. New show just started to watch it. Very good girl’s on there are so bad though *G*
Ugly Betty.
The King of Queens.
Hope & Faith.
You should have some chicken soup with crackers. Always make me feel good or Vegetable soup. Some hot tea.
Hugssss
Linda.H.
A Kiss To Remember by Teresa Medeiros
Prince of Ice by Emma Holly
Falling Star by Karen Wiesner
20 Times the lady. My best friend Rachael recommended that book to me. I am so glad she did that was one of the funniest and best book I read in 2006. I highly recommend it also. Very funny read and excellent story.
Hugssss
Linda.H.
Oops** 20 Times A Lady By: Karyn Bosnak
Hugssss
Linda.H.
I hope you feel better soon!!
Whenever someone asks me for a recommendation, I usually give a list w/ your books in it
So, since you have read all of those …LOL …a few include “Not So Snow White” by Donna Kauffman, “A Kiss In Winter” by Susan Crandall, and “The Ultimate Romantic Challenge” by Katherine Gargbera.
Hey Jill. I absolutely hate those reading crisis moments. When they happen to me….I usually head way off base to a new author. Until recently, I worked in a Portland bookstore….which helped for ‘off the beaten path’ reading options. Two that worked to pull me out of the funk in the past?
Audrey Niffenegger’s “The Time Traveler’s Wife”
and Judith Ryan Hendricks’ “Bread Alone” and “Isabel’s Daughter”
Three great movies:
The Lake House
Love Actually
Tristan & Isolde
And the best tv series on tv right now: Heroes. I think it’s awesome!
That is easy
Linda Howard - Sarah’s Child
Barbara Delinsky - Three Wishes
Kathleen Korbel - A Rose for Maggie
Stef Ann Holm - Pink Moon
Debbie Macomber: Susannah’s Garden, The Shop on Blossom Street and A Good Yarn
SEP - Kiss An Angel
Susan Wiggs - A Table for Five
Vicki Lewis Thompson - The Nerd Who Loved Me
Catherine Anderson - Phantom Waltz, Summer Breeze
Sorry your ill Jill
One that made me cry recently The Completeness of Celia Flynn by Sedonia Guillone loose Id
Colters’ Woman by Maya Banks Samhain Publishing
and as too funny Shelley Munro’s Talking Dog Series Elloras Cave
Hi, here are some of my favorite reads:
Donna Kauffman - BAD Boys in Kilts
Her Sexiest Mistake by - now wait, dont think you would like that one. LOL.
Susan Mallery - Sizzling and the other Buchanan books
Susan Mallery - any of the Marcelli books
Erin McCarthy - The Pregnancy Test
Lori Foster - Murphy’s Law
Kathy Love - Wanting What You Get (all of the Stepp Sisters books are wonderful)
Jill Marie Landis - Heartbreak Hotel
Julie Ortolon - Any of the Perfect Series books - Almost Perfect, etc
Maureen Child - any of The Marconi books - Loving You, etc.
There is a series out - escapes me - with sisters I think Named something like Candelloni
I could go on and on and on.
And yes I saw Sarah’s Child listed - a must!
I have been sick too…it stinks!
Any of Erin McCarthy’s books…but especially The Pregnancy Test.
Any of Julie Garwood’s books…but especially Ransom.
The Butterfly Garden by Annette Blair
Somebody’s Hero by Marilyn Pappano
Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase
Any of Vicki Lewis Thompson’s books.
Movies:
In America
We Are Marshall
TV Shows:
Firefly
Veronica Mars
Here are some more list of books if you are into erotica
Any of Cathryn Fox’s book. Loving her Pleasure Series.
Sasha White, Liddy Midnight, Jan Springer, Susan Lyons and P.F. Kozak.
Hugssss
Linda.H.
The Producers and Shrek will make youn laugh hard, and Stepmom will make you cry.
And don’t forget Bridget Jones.
And Barbara Delinsky for some good old-fashioned romance!
TV:
Family Ties
Mr. Belverdre
if you can find either - they are old comedies!
Books:
Mercy - Julie Garwood
Dead Even - Brad Meltzer
Serendipity - Fern Michaels
Nora Roberts Dream Series and Barbara Delinsky’s Dream series books and also her Matchmaker Books: Twelve Across is one of them
You’re going to have to be sick for a very long time to get to just a few of these suggestions. I’m getting lots of ideas for my tbb list!!
My favorite TV show is Boston Legal - I always laugh and cry.
Serendipity is my favourite movie. And I love any book by Vicki Lewis Thompson or Lori Foster.
Movies worth seeing many times:
The African Queen
Bridges of Madison County
Dirty Dancing
Von Ryan’s Express
The Body Guard
The American President
Two great books I’ve recently read are: (1) Footloose by Leanne Banks (2) My Everything by Denise Skeleton The first one made me laugh and the second one was very touching.
Hope you’re feeling better soon, Jill.
A lot of the good books and authors have already been mentioned so I’ll go with a couple of movies that I can watch over and over again and always end with me letting out a sigh of happiness and feeling just a little bit of envy. They’re at total opposite ends of the spectrum but . . . Dirty Dancing and 10 Things I Hate About You.
Another book I loved is Dirty Little Secrets by Julie Leto. Great book!
Congratulations, Mary, Marie, Linda, JT, and Zara! You are all in for a good read no matter which book you pick!:smile:
Congratulations to the other winners and thank you so much Jill. Hope you are feeling better.
Thank you!
Congratulations to all the winners, no matter which book you pick you are in for a delightful read.
Jill hope that you are feeling better……..:smile:
Thank You Jill. I already emailed you. Thanks everyone. Congrad’s to the other winners as well.
Hope you are feeling better Jill. With so many book choices I am sure you will be better soon or very tired from reading
Hugssss
Linda.H.
Thank you so much Jill! I hope you feel better!
Congrats to all the winners!