Sunday, October 14, 2012

So Long Hieronymus Bosch…For Now

I just got home from my walk with the dog and about halfway through it, I finished the last book in the Hieronymus “Harry” Bosch series written by Michael Connolly.  Connolly has written 27 fictional novels (18 of them with Harry Bosch as the main character), and since adopting Rigby I’ve listened to all of them on audiobook while trying to wear out my crazy dog.  The books are terribly entertaining detective/crime type stories, but real easy reads (or listens).  Even on days I didn’t feel like going out, the stories motivated me to do so because I wanted to hear more of the stories.  To be honest, I’m going to miss Harry Bosch, and I’m kind of sad that the series is over. 

When I’m trying to motivate some of my students to read, I often try to hook them up with a series.  The hopes are if they enjoy the first one they will want to continue with the rest.  There are a few authors I have continued reading after the first book, but I don’t think I’ve ever done a series with so many books from start to finish before.  Since the first one was written back in the early nineties each and every one was downloadable.  They were all on my iPhone so I was able to go from to the next without any lag time.  Now they are all over, and I’m having a hard time figuring out what I’m going to listen to next.

Some friends have given me some recommendations.  I’ve downloaded all of Joseph Wambaugh’s Hollywood Station five-book series and all of Robert Crais’s Elvis Cole/Joe Pike fifteen-book series.  Both are detective type stories which will maybe help with the transition.  James Patterson’s Alex Cross series has also been pointed out to me.  Several years ago I read a couple of his books, and they were good.  My only worry about that series is the crimes are always really creepy, not your run of the mill crime.  It’s usually dark by the time I go for a walk, and I think those books will just make me scared.

Tomorrow, I’ll get started on one of the two that I’ve already downloaded.  If anyone else can recommend another entertaining series, I’d love to hear your thoughts. 

Looking online to see how many Michael Connolly novels there are I see that he actually has a new Harry Bosch book coming out next month.  I’m very much looking forward to that.

17 comments:

  1. I never have a chance to read during the school year...so I don't have any suggestions for you...but I am reading Henry Huggins books to my class now. My 4th grade teacher read them to my class waaaaaay back when. I didn't realize it but those books were written before I was born! Some things are so different- maybe they will learn some manners from hearing hte stories...and what's a paper route? And a milk man?

    Have a great week :)

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    1. Ha! Oh I just loved the Beverly Cleary books growing up, especially Ramona and Beezus. When I first started teaching I read aloud the R&B books, but they were so outdated. The kids looked at me like I had three heads.
      As for reading when working, I hear ya! I've been working on a novel since the summer...I've had to renew it 3 times already! It's so good, but whenever I pick it up to read I fall asleep. :) I've gotten through so many more listening while walking then actually reading.

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  2. Hmm, for the most part you've got your crime/PI series or your made for TV. What about Downton Abbey, 6 books. Wouldn't be my cuppa, but then hormones don't allow me to read that type of stuff,leastwise not without lots of gruff manly destructive/constructive endeavour in between.

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    1. I didn't know those were books. I've heard a lot of people talk about watching and enjoying the television series, but I have not seen it.
      ;) on the last bit.

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    2. Yeaaaah-hmmmm. Re-thinking. I 've seen a few programmes. But it isn't something I'd make a weekly appointment to view.
      I'll put it this way. If you like the Bronte's or Jane Austin you'll like these, I expect. Mind you you could get the Dickens http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_nr_p_n_feature_browse-b_mrr_3?rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3ACharles+Dickens%2Cp_n_feature_browse-bin%3A1240885011&bbn=283155&keywords=Charles+Dickens&ie=UTF8&qid=1350288760&rnid=618072011

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    3. Oh, new name. http://roaring40.wordpress.com/

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    4. I do like Austen. And Dickens? Eh, reminds me of school. Those might be a bit too heavy for my after work, mindless walking. But I might download one to try it though. Reading for school is quite different than reading (listening) for pleasure. I liked reading through the list...I've actually read more than I thought I would have.

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  3. I enjoyed the Janet Evanovich series...One for the Money, Two for the Dough...you can start anywhere. It gets really funny when Lula becaomes her partner...I think 2nd book. She is a vounty hunter so it is a bit mystery-ish, but also really funny. Perfect for dog walking...not book club material.

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    1. I think I've heard you mention those before, and how much you liked them for fun. I'll check her out.

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  4. I haven't read any of the series you mentioned.. will be sure to check them out.

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  5. Mr BC and I like mysteries too. On our trips across country we have 'read' several of them. You would probably really like the Janet Evanovich stories as mentioned above. I'm still blogging, just not doing my writing prompts, tho this week, I really like the prompt, ...No.. I have too much to do.

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    1. I've never thought of listening to them on a long car ride before, duh! I've read out loud on some trips to pass the time and entertain the driver, but the audiobooks make so much more sense. :)

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  6. Ben hates reading, but maybe he'd enjoy audio books. I'll have to check this series out!

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    1. I love reading but never thought I'd like the audio books. I always thought I was too visual to pay attention. I do like them for walks, however the reader's voice can make or break the story for me. The readers on all the Connolly books had nice voices. I just started the first Wambaugh book, and I don't know if I can listen to the whole thing. The reader sounds like Jeff Spicoli from "Fast Times at Ridgemont High".

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    2. Yeah, Stephen Fry should read everything. And failing him Billy Connolly. With both you know they understand the words.

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    3. I had to look up Stephen Fry as I'm not familiar with the name. He's done a lot.
      I do like Billy Connolly...FUN-NY!

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    4. If you get a chance to see him and Hugh Laurie in PG Wodehouse's Jeeves and Wooster. And he did the Harry Potter books.

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