Thursday, November 18, 2010

Hint: it involves haggis

Sigh. This morning I got one of those "Are you alive?" emails from a concerned reader who feared I might have keeled over in the last couple of weeks and was up in my sewing room slowly decomposing. But, no. I am alive and well and just...distracted? We are heading to Tennessee for Thanksgiving on Sunday so I have that to prepare for. I was dealing with a minor dispute with a corporate conglom-co legal department who thinks its okay to screw writers up the ass. I'm still trying to get my BP meds settled and I am either feeling like death from the side effects of one drug or I'm headachy and unfocussed from not taking any.

And I've been reading.

There. I said it.

Okay, well. There's more to it than that. See, I am what you might call an enthusiastic reader. I used to read several books a week, but that number was greatly reduced when the kids came along, and for a while there, I was lucky to get in one every couple of months. Now that the girls are bigger and more independent, and I have may own sanctuary, and I have my handy dandy Kindle which allows me to carry around several books at once, I've been making up for lost time. The one BP medication I've taken so far that doesn't make me incredibly tired gives me insomnia, so I am up til 1 or 2 or later every night reading.

And because I have been reading so much, or perhaps due to the brain damage that affects the parents of difficult toddlers, I have been reading a lot of things that I normally wouldn't look twice at, and enjoying them thoroughly. I don't think I am a literature snob, but my personal taste tends to run toward the clever and quirky, satirical novels and comic novels and non-fiction about such things as how prostitutes and drug dealers created modern democracy. But then I found some mysteries I actually liked, ones that came in a series. Mysteries! I hate mysteries, usually, especially the ones with titles like  "Death On A Stick: A Sicky McSickerson Mystery." But then I started reading Charlaine Harris, and I plowed through the Southern Vampire series (on which True Blood is based) and then the Shakespeare series and then the Harper Connelly series (of which there are only four, dammit).

After those were all gone, I tried to find others, but with no luck. I went back to downloading endless samples of books, trying to find anything that would keep me company in the wee hours.

And then I found it.

I'm not even going to admit out loud what it is, just that the first book in the series was free, so I figured what the hell. Then I started reading, and now I pretty much don't give a shit about anything else. These are not mysteries but rather...hmmm...historical fiction? Well, frankly, I think a reasonable person would classify them as Utterly Absurd. An educated person with a modicum of taste would just clout me on the noggin with one of them. But, oh God they are so good. There's fighting and romance and torture and adventure and anguish and swooning. And all I want to do is find out what happens next and lose myself in the ridiculous plot. Fuck Twilight. Edward's got nothin' on this guy. (Update: read the comments to find out what it is!)

So when I sit in front of the computer and try to write something semi-amusing about quilting, I'm really thinking about the next chapter and wondering what unbelievable imbroglio the characters are going to get into next. It's very distracting.

But I swore I would manage a post today and that I wouldn't stop writing to go indulge my literary sweet tooth until I had written something - anything - about stitchy things. And so because I care about you all so very, very much, I am absolutely not moving from this spot until I tell you all about my exciting new project which invol

46 comments:

Nancy said...

I am so not a mystery reader either, but just found the Faye Kellerman book series staring Peter Decker and his jewish wife... such good fast reading... I read one a day and no sewing is going on over here either... and there won't be any Christmas if I find more of these...

Mary said...

What happened. I was getting so "involved" with your writing then it just stopped. You had me in the first paragraph. I read 8 books while I was on a 30 day cruise, and now I am trying to get through a 255 page sort of mystery, and I have been home since the 23rd of October. Go figure.

Megan said...

What? No! I wasn't reading! Really! I'm not sitting on my Kindle! I'm totally going to finish the post. Just as soon as I finish this chapter...

Kathryn said...

OK. So for the rest of us who love reading "bodice rippers", tell us who this author is. Or, who the characters are If it takes place in Scotland, is the hero, Jamie? Does the series involve time travel?

Megan said...

Aye, Sassenech!

Vicki said...

Claire and Jamie, right?

Megan said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Megan said...

I love you people.

Monica said...

Ooo ooo...I think I know what series you're talking about!!! My husband reads them and has been trying to get me to.

Anonymous said...

I've also been known to get sucked into various books. Try Karen Moning, SL Viehl, Lynn Viehl, JD Robb, Mike Shepherd, SM Stirling,....now i have to get back to my reading...wait work.

Michele said...

Well, you simply CAN'T leave it w/o telling us what series is that wonderful!!! Those of us who read, faster than the authors can write, are always on the prowl for fresh meat. I found the Benjamin January series, by Barbara Hambly, about a free man of color in post Civil War New Orleans, who trained as a surgeon in France, fascinating. He can't practice medicine in Louisiana and must support himself as a musician at the quadroon balls, and in bordellos. Great characters, and really interesting history. I do go on, don't I. Michele

Michele said...

Oh! Yeah, gotta love Outlander! Michele

Megan said...

You got it, Michele!

quiltaholic said...

I completely understand why you can't put down those books! I love Claire and Jamie!!!!! (You are officially pardoned from blogging until you finish the chapter)

Susan said...

You found Outlander! Jamie makes me swoon too. :)

LizA. said...

Now you need to switch to audio books. that way you can quilt AND listen to a good story. luckily for me, our library system has a ton of audio books for download and is getting more and more everyday. or, you can always get them on cd...just teach your family that they CANNOT come up behind you and tap you on the shoulder when you have a rotary cutter in your hand or are standing in front of your HQ16!

Laura said...

So, you have to share what you're reading so the moms-of-difficult-toddlers-who-aren't-older-yet can also escape for a while!... Oooo...comments are a wonderful thing... often found to be filled with answers once one reads them! Time to head to the library's web catalog!

Peggi said...

Was wondering why you'd dropped off the grid. Next time let the rest of us in on it, willya? Who says we need to talk quilting? Let's have an online book club!

Kat said...

thank you, I needed something to get me through the flights next week (and take my mind off being sexually assaulted by the TSA). These will do.

I assume you've read The Time Traveler's Wife, right? Don't bother with the movie...it's a fun reminder of the story, a few months after you've read the book. But the book...read it.


OH MY GOD I JUST LOOKED AT THE PRICE TAG AND THE FIRST BOOK IS FREE FOR MY NOOK!!!

I love you woman. Love.

Megan said...

How's your husband's Scottish accent? Mine can't do one for shit, and after reading these, you really kinda wish the dude in your bed could at least give it the old Highland try.

Sarah Craig said...

Oh, oh, oh, I just love the Outlander series!! I've read all seven of them at least six times - and hooked countless friends on them! I have fantasies about long-haired Scotch men with kilts, knobby knees and terrific calves - and how can you be ashamed of reading such fine literature? PS I have heard rumors that they are thinking of making a movie of the first book, and Kevin McKidd (Grey's Anatomy) is on the short list to play Jamie..... yumm!!!

Sarah Craig said...

By the way, he doesn't have to have a Scottish accent to give it the old Highland try...... ;-)

Becky said...

Love the Outlander series. My girlfriends and I have decided that in today's world Jamie would be Brett Favre. Who do you think?

~Michelle~ said...

If you would be so kind as to share the new series, I would be interested! I just blew thru Harper Connelly on my kindle over (mostly) the weekend, and am always on the lookout for more books. Especially since I've been going to the gym - a good book really helps pass a half hour slogging away on the treadmill. (no weight loss yet, but I don't huff & puff up the 2 flights of stairs to the cardio machines anymore)

soggybottomflats said...

omg, you make me so happy! You have no idea how many of "those" books are out there until you hit a used book store. Then I found "it" and I was lost too. Now seriously, I actually lied about what I was doing in the bathroom just to get a few extra minutes to read them! Worst case of diarrhea I had in years! So, thank you for making me feel not to guilty about reading that series!! But, God, he was soooooo hot! Good times. Elaine

Quilting Queen said...

Outlander...of course...I was hooked the first year it came out and nearly went crazy waiting for the sequels..fabulous read and one of the few things I will abandon quilting for. Diana Gabaldon rocks!

The Twilight Quilters Coven said...

I knew right away the series you were talking about. I don't know if to be impressed with myself or scared?!

Katherine said...

You should try the Janet Evanovich series starting with One for the Money. I think there are 15 or 16 of them in the series. Should keep you going for a week or two!

Andi said...

I was so mad at Diana Gabaldon when I finished "Echo in the Bone." it's so much better to read a series a year after the LAST book is published. Waiting sucks!! If you want to go back to traditional mysteries, I like James Patterson's "Women's Murder Club." There are 8 quick reads in that series.

Lynley said...

I loved the books too! And they're not a guilty pleasure; they are well written, well plotted and with plenty of humour and cynicism. There are a few that have tried to follow in her tracks .... and failed. Badly.

Pattie Crum said...

I loved those books, I read them a few years ago, waiting for the next one to get up Jamie's kilt. There is a Scottish guy, Kevin Mc..something, he's on Greys Anat. now, he would be perfect for the part.

Vic H. said...

Well, you're the kind of gal I think I could be friends with (based on your sense of humor and liberal use of bad words!) so I'm taking your recommendation and ordered Outlander from the library. I also NEVER have time to read but I'll give it a shot--if it interferes with my quilt time I'll just adjust!! LOL...Thanks!

Rose said...

Be forewarned, as the series progresses, they run out of new ideas and it gets boring. Enjoy the first 3 books.

HRH Gigi said...

I am smiling from ear to ear. What book are you on now? I asked for the 7th for Christmas last year and promptly ignored the family for 2 days. LOVED THEM ALL. And I am proud of you for admitting (although begrudgingly) that you enjoyed soemthing from this genre. Athough 'enjoyed' is such a weak word when describing the experience, isn't it?

I am a pusher and my drug of choice is Diana Gabaldon.

Megan said...

I need to say it again: I love you people.

Leighway said...

Megan,
Good books aside I noticed your mention of BP meds. I'm not a docile patient and when told I was heading for high BP and prescibed meds, I rebelled. After searching I found something interesting about COQ10 which is used in both EU and Japan to treat heart conditions. Not here bcause not enough money for big pharma. Using just this, I brought my BP to normal levels. Here is a link you might want to look at as well as some studies,etc. I still suffer from enlarged *ss due to sitting and have promised myself an exercise program...someday. http://www.faim.org/guestwriters/sinatraheartfailureroundup.html
Might be worth looking in to...Sandy

Anonymous said...

the only books that cause me wrist injury....heavy book, can't stop reading....
Beverly near Yosemite CA

Laurel said...

Love, love, love Claire and Jamie. Not sure I'm willing to read the graphic novel, tho. Anyone here read it yet?

Dianne said...

Och! Jamie Fraser - makes a lass a wee bit weak in the knees he does!!

Teresa said...

hahahahaha
As an 'avid' reader myself, I can totally understand that the world just has to stand still and wait, when I've got a good read going.
I think my favourite in the last decade is the Diana Gabaldon "Outlander" series. Talk about gripping historical fiction - with a twist! :P
Hmmm, my verification word is "fliati" - almost sound like a pleural flatus don't you think?

Anonymous said...

Deborah says:

Re: CoQ10...I believe Ubiquinol (sp?) is the best form of CoQ10 to take...most beneficial, etc., but definitely look it up to confirm.

:)

Brenda said...

I love my kindle too!!!! I have heard of this series, I'm headed off to give it a try... Thanks for the heads up!

KateKwiltz said...

My best friend just told me about the Outlander books yesterday! She got sucked into them by the "first one free" promo too, and can't let go! I'm almost afraid to start, but they sound so damn GOOD!

soulwindow said...

I'm resistant to switch to a Kindle/Nook..just feel you lose the "feel" of a book. Did anyone else feel this and now are converts?

Megan said...

Actually, I had that same concern myself, but I was won over when I first discovered I could read books on my iPod. I need to write about this more somewhere, maybe on my Subjunctive Mood blog, where I've allowed myself space to prattle on about stuff not even remotely funny or quilt-related.

Cher in BC said...

I knew you had found Jamie and Claire right away. I've been reading the series since Diana G. started it. I hate having to wait a couple of years for her to write the next one. But I do and can't wait to get my hands on it as soon as it's out. I keep trying to drag the reading out so it lasts longer but I'm done in a couple of days.
Enjoy!

Cher in BC