It’s been a while since I’ve done one of these, and I liked this one, so I decided to fill it in. I know I’m supposed to tag five people, but to hell with that. People who find it interesting will do it. Those who don’t, won’t.
Courtesy of Dana, the book meme.
A book that changed my life.
Hmmm. I could say Rankin’s The Falls, which was the catalyst for converting me to crime and ultimately paving the way to me writing, but also all those other books I read as a kid (see next question) that instilled in me the love of reading.
A book that I’ve read more than once.
A Question of Blood by Ian Rankin. And The Call of the Wild by Jack London, the Narnia Chronicles by CS Lewis, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkein…
A book I’d want on a desert island.
Well… Rebus’s Scotland would probably be the one, because it’s so damn hard to choose.
A book that made me laugh.
The Blue Castle by Lucy Maud Montgomery. There’s something about Valancy as the non-typical girl, her willingness to say all those ‘improper’ things, that I just love. I read it when commuting, which was a pain as I struggled not to laugh out loud on the bus.
A book that made me cry.
To The Power of Three by Laura Lippman. I’m not going to say anything, other than read the book.
A book I wish I’d written.
This is a tough one. I think I’d say To The Power of Three as well.
A book I wish had never been written.
The Bridges of Madison County. Gag, I intensely disliked that book.
The book I’m currently reading.
The Flood by Ian Rankin
Yes, I’m finally going to review a book by Ian Rankin in Spinetingler. And this was his first novel, not a mystery, so it’s unlike anything else I’ve read by him. What do I think? You’ll have to wait until next month to find out.
A book I’ve been meaning to read.
Anything by Michael Connelly (don’t hate me Boy Kim!). I do plan to read his work! As soon as I wade through the review copies that keep stacking up around here.
THE FRAILTY OF FLESH
About Me
- Sandra Ruttan
- I am the author of What Burns Within, and The Frailty of Flesh,published by Dorchester. I’m also an editor with Spinetingler Magazine. My own work has appeared in Pulp Pusher, Crimespree Magazine and Out of the Gutter. Visit my my website for all the latest news.
OUT NOW!
Order from BARNES & NOBLE.
WHAT BURNS WITHIN?
"Well worth adding to any mystery collection."
-- Library Journal
"Ruttan manages to keep multiple leads and seconds on the same page admirably... the straight proceduralism from Ruttan serves the story well through the rewarding climax."
--Publishers Weekly
"A sizzling story by one of crime fiction's hot new voices."
-- Rick Mofina, internationally best-selling author of A PERFECT GRAVE
"This story features a triple mystery and three main characters, who are interesting not only for their tangled group dynamic but also as individuals. The subject matter obviously is very grim, but the occasional banter between the constables helps to take the edge off. This is a good start to a new series I think will appeal to a variety of mystery lovers."
--Fresh Fiction
"Sandra Ruttan writes with utter ferocity. Twists and turns that stun and dialog that absolutely crackles with wit and authenticity. With each page, Ruttan delivers the goods. WHAT BURNS WITHIN is a nonstop chiller of a mystery that keeps you turning the pages."
-- GREGG OLSEN, New York Times Bestselling Author of A WICKED SNOW
"Promising talent Ruttan sets her gritty new detective series in Vancouver. It has a hard-edged feel and intriguing characters. ...this is a good start to an intriguing series."
--Romantic Times Book Reviews
"Short and snappy chapters, terse dialogue, staccato delivery of minimalist descriptions -- Ruttan's style harks back to the classic hardboiled era....Ruttan is very much a shower rather than a teller: there are very few internal monologues to be heard in WHAT BURNS WITHIN, the subtleties of the characters' complex psychologies being drawn out through their interactions with their colleagues. That's a difficult skill to make invisible, but it's one of Ruttan's most effective weapons."
--Declan Burke, Crime Always Pays
"Ruttan effortlessly brings to life a varied cast of complex characters. She writes with tremendous passion, honesty and skill. This is a story you will care about."
-- Allan Guthrie, Edgar Nominated Author of KISS HER GOODBYE
“Ruttan combines devilishly clever plots with genuinely empathic characters..."
--Russel D. McLean, Crime Scene Scotland
"A totally mesmerizing narrative and a plot that burns off the page."
-- Ken Bruen, Shamus Award-Winning Author of THE GUARDS
“WHAT BURNS WITHIN reads like a favorite television series. A large cast, lots of dialogue to advance the plot, a great setting, and well-drawn characters make for a compelling police procedural.”
-- Anne Frasier, USA Today Bestselling Author of HUSH, SLEEP TIGHT & PLAY DEAD
Available on Amazon.
10 comments:
You give the most compelling book recommendations. Now I'm going to have to add The Power of Three to my list.
Patry, you won't regret it. Simply put, an incredible read.
Okay, I'll play.
A book that changed my life:
The Beans of Egypt, Maine by Carolyn Chute. I read this book at the age of 18, and it was the first time I realized the value in telling the stories of ordinary poor people.
A book that I’ve read more than once:
There are a few. These are the books I usually read once a year: Great Expectations by Charles Dickens; The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkein; The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck; Tortilla Flat by John Steinbeck; Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton; One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez; The Complete Short Stories of Flannery O’Connor.
A book I’d want on a desert island:
The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
A book that made me laugh:
The Commitments by Roddy Doyle and almost anything by P.G. Wodehouse.
A book that made me cry:
Do I look like a sissy to you? Actually, I have to admit to getting a little teary at the end of Brendan O’Carroll’s The Granny. But they were manly tears. Then there was the scene in Toni Morrison’s Beloved where Sethe slit her own baby’s throat rather than see it returned to the slave owner she’d escaped.
A book I wish I’d written:
Controlled Burn by Scott Wolven.
A book I wish had never been written:
Along Came a Spider by James Patterson. It’s the only Patterson book I’ve ever read, and that makes one too many. Absolute crap.
The book I’m currently reading:
The Killer Inside Me by Jim Thompson
A book I’ve been meaning to read:
Savage Garden by Denise Hamilton has been sitting on my nightstand since the spring.
A book that changed my life: Hmm, the first mystery book I ever read. It was so long ago, and I've read so many since, I can't remember what it was, but it was probably the Three Investigators or Encyclopedia Brown.
Read More Than Once: There are many, but I've probably read It or The Stand by Stephen King the most.
On a Desert Island: some sort of survival manual of course.
Made me Laugh: All of Augusten Burroughs's books-he is brutally honest.
Made me Cry: Marley & Me by John Grogan-I was literally sobbing at the end.
I wish I had written: I've never felt myself capable of writing a novel, so it doesn't enter my mind that I could have written any that I've read.
Book I wish had never been written: DaVinci Code. Angels & Demons was much better. DaVinci is overrated.
Currently reading: The Devil of Nanking by Mo Hayder.
Meaning to Read: Finish actually, The Omnivore's Dilemma, I've been working on it for almost a month.
Norby
I will say this about The Bridges of Madison County. It made possible The Ditches of Edison County, which is a book that made me laugh lots.
Now i'll have to add 'The Power of Three' to my very long to-read list.
Thanks for the link, Sandra.
Patrick, I could have put Great Expectations on the re-read list as well. One of my favourites.
And I'm glad you clarified that those were manly tears. :)
Norby, I considered putting The Davinci Code, but I haven't read it, so I don't feel qualified bitching about it all the time. Just 99% of the time.
Bill, I haven't heard of that one. Well, you know how it is. Some sh!t is just sh!t, and some becomes fertilizer.
Dana, thanks for the meme, and feel better.
I was given a paperback copy of Angels & Demons last Christmas. I could only read two chapters, and had to force myself to go that far. It's the only time I've ever thrown a book in the garbage.
Some interesting choices here. Reminds me that I purchased a copy of Ian Rankin's WITCH HUNT the other day. I've never read his books, but your blog entries referring to him have got me incredibly curious.
As for BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY... never read it and never want to. Always found the plot repulsive.
And for me, the book that made me cry: ALL THE WEYRS OF PERN by Anne McCaffrey. The end of that book just had me (and my wife) in tears. A really great one there.
Patrick, I once fed a book to a dog. Well, it was to save Every Secret Thing, and it was a book I really disliked, so...
Bill... you're the second person who's mentioned lately going out and buying one of the Jack Harvey books due to my continuous Ian Rankin referrals. I will be curious to see what you think, esp. since the Rebus series is better known. It's been ages since I've read the Jack Harvey books. It's just funny to me - I never think of people starting with them, but I think they were re-released in the US recently, so perhaps they're easier to get ahold of.
Post a Comment