For several years, I started or participated in a monthly poll on the USA Amazon Kindle discussion boards asking people a simple question: what are you reading on your Kindle? I stopped doing it on the Amazon discussion boards and started hosting it on the blog’s website – but I’ve been negligent in doing it here as it has been longer than I want to admit since my last informal poll…
I’ve received some great tips with past polls, finding out what others are reading on their Kindle, and found some “new” authors I generally wouldn’t have found using my hunt-and-peck method. While I have certainly enjoyed the “mainstream” author suggestions over the years, I’ve also enjoyed a lot of independent authors from each month’s poll I never would have heard of previously.
If you are reading this on your Kindle or the blog’s free email subscription – or anywhere other than the blog’s website – and would like to check out the poll and find some new things or, better yet, tell others what you are reading, just click here or type in http://smarturl.it/0917poll into your web browser, scroll down to the bottom of the post, and start typing away in the comments section!
Here’s how this works – on the blog’s website (using the link above) list a book you are currently reading or just recently read on your Kindle, whether you would recommend it, did you get it free, and anything else you would care to share.
I’ve actually been on a bad streak lately, and had some real disappointments. I finished Harlan Coben’s new title, Don’t Let Go, yesterday and it was so-so. Coben is one of my favorite authors, and I always pre-order his stuff so I stayed up way past my bedtime and finished it just after midnight. At $14.99, it was expensive and very short – and disappointing as it seemed as if he was tired of writing and just ended it. I won’t be pre-ordering his titles in the future.
I also read the first three titles of the Commander series this week (the first book was The Commander), a science fiction series by the husband / wife writing duo penned CJ Williams. The first book was pretty good, so I quickly devoured the next two. The series had a lot of potential yet went downhill fast: the third book really wasn’t realistic with the scenes and the characters just became goofy. I’m glad all three were “free” under the Kindle Unlimited program.
I also read two other sci-fi titles that were about the same. One of them, I just put down and deleted from my Kindle it was that bad. Luckily, my Kindle has a rather large electronic “to be read” pile so I am sure I will start something new for the weekend.
Finally, here’s my standard continuation of each request for prior participants in the poll: if you like or dislike a title you have read, in addition to telling us about it in this informal poll, how about writing a book review on the Amazon website? The review will certainly last and be visible a lot longer than this poll will. If you’re like me, you look at the customer reviews in order to see if you want to investigate a book further. Since we are all a little community here, and while I realize each review is each person’s opinion and we may not like the same thing, I know your friends and online discussion neighbors would appreciate your honest assessment of the likes and dislikes without providing a spoiler – I know I would!
Your reviews don’t need to be a long dissertation of the book, I like to keep them short, sweet, and hopefully to the point (some people think I am too blunt on things I dislike, but I am at least giving you my honest opinion!).
We’d really like to hear what you’re reading right now – I, for example, may find something interesting from your list I want to read (It’s been known to happen!). If you are reading this on your Kindle – or anywhere other than the blog’s website – and would like to check out the poll and find some new things or, better yet, tell others what you are reading, just click here or type in http://smarturl.it/0917poll into your web browser, scroll down to the bottom of the post, and start typing away in the comments section!
Anyway, that’s all for now. Have a great weekend!
Michael
Gloria Johnson says
September 29, 2017 at 8:39 amOn book 3 (out of 4) of the Trackers series about the after effects of an EMP caused by North Korea. First one was the best, but I’ve enjoyed the others too. I’ve read quite a few EMP books lately. The other series I just finished was a dystopian trilogy, first title is Incubation. These are better than a lot of this type of book, and I could easily see this made into a very popular movie.
kat clayton says
September 29, 2017 at 9:34 amI am reading Jan Karon’s new Mitford novel. “To Be Where You Are” It is as usual a respite from the outside world.
Tom Muye says
September 29, 2017 at 9:38 amI just finished reading “Milk Run” the latest offering by Nathan Lowell. Again. The entire series, starting with “Quarter Share”, has become my favorite reading material. I’ve never been one to re-read a book once finished, but this entire series has been the exception, and I have enjoyed it twice since the original reads. If there is one thing that I’ve determined from other readers, it’s that all followers of Nathan Lowell anxiously await each new addition to the Golden Age of the Solar Clipper, and that most re-read all of the books. Nathan has made it easy to contact him through Facebook and keeps us apprised of his progress and developments. His style of writing keeps you immersed in the story, and manages to tell a story in the “Sci Fi” genre without aliens, space war or unbelievable fantasy. I’m eagerly awaiting the next book in the series, “Suicide Run”, and like the other “can’t put it down” books by this author, it will be read too quickly and then I’ll be waiting for the next one !
Michael Gallagher says
September 29, 2017 at 11:48 amI’ve also read the Nathan Lowell books you mentioned – good stuff!
Caren Luckie says
September 29, 2017 at 9:41 amReading Eleanor Meyers’ “Son of a Marquess” right now. Love her books!
No1Twin says
September 29, 2017 at 9:47 amMy favorite so far that I have read on my Kindle is the Miss Fortune series by Jana Deleon. I downloaded the first book as a free one from my Free Kindle Books & Tips email and I was hooked. There are 9 books so far in the series and I have read them all. I have read many other free ones from this email also. Thank you!
Janet Graham says
September 29, 2017 at 10:05 amI usually read cozy, clean and Christian mysteries and romances because I am prone to nightmares and don’t care for soft porn. I got very bored with the dumbed down plots and milk-toast stories. I have recently upped my reading to include YA and slightly more spicy romance. I find that the YA stories are very engaging and are not filled with blood and gore. The more spicy romances generally have sex scenes that are easily skipped over without losing much story. My current favorite authors to read are Lilac Mills, Tracy Krimmer and Melinda R. Cordell. Ruby Loren’s Zoo Mystery series is also quite a hoot!
Lorie Moffat says
September 29, 2017 at 10:10 amI started reading John Jake’s Love and War. I got this trilogy at a discounted price. I’ve read the trilogy before, and couldn’t wait to read it again.
Diane says
September 29, 2017 at 10:20 amI’m reading The Winter Over by Matthew Iden. It was free through this email list. It’s about a research station at the South Pole. So far, so good.
I recently finished The Good Daughter by Karin Slaughter (not free) and it was excellent. I love all of her books!
Dale Burchfield says
September 29, 2017 at 10:46 amI read a lot of historical fiction favorite authors
Simon Scarow Douglas Reeman. Barnard Cornwell
Elmer Kelton Don Coldsmith (Spanish bit series)
KimT says
September 29, 2017 at 10:56 amI am reading, The Ice Strom by Rick Moody for my book club.
Coni G Stevens says
September 29, 2017 at 11:21 amCONTRACT: SNATCH
Ty Hutchinson
Great thriller. One of the best, most nail-biting novels I’ve ever read.
Dave says
September 29, 2017 at 11:24 amI am reading Pilgrim of the Storm by Russ Linton (a free one found here) and about halfway through and reserving comment. Before that it was Fates, book 4 in the Bring the Fire series by C Gockel. The continuing saga of our favorite student of veterinary medicine (Amy) and god (Loki); although in this book the characters of Bhodi (sarcasm embodied and government hacker) and Thor (no explanation required) become more central to the plot. I enjoy the whimsy and serious balance of this, although as in most series there is a slight fall-off with less discoveries to make. Author was discovered from another author’s (Nathan Lowell, of the fabulous Golden Age of the Solar Clipper books) recommendation on his podcast.
Dorothea Shefer-Vanson says
September 29, 2017 at 11:47 amI am reading ‘Restless’ by Heather Hackett. It was free on Kindle, and I’m finding it entertaining and interesting.
Arlene Werner says
September 29, 2017 at 12:07 pmI got Carrots by Colleen Helme for free, and liked it so much that I bought the rest of the series – 10 books in all. They are quirky, funny, exciting, different. A woman who is shot in the head, not too seriously, but is left with the ability to read minds, and it gets her into lots of trouble. They are really fun reads.
Kevin O'B says
September 29, 2017 at 12:28 pmI am currently reading Denzil Meyrick’s DCI Daley series.
Jane Geiger says
September 29, 2017 at 2:06 pmI’m currently reading the Creepy Hollow series by Rachel Morgan (8 books so far, 9th coming soon). First was free, rest $4-$5. Worth it. Magical fae, weird creatures, strange adventures all keep your interest.
Larry says
September 29, 2017 at 2:59 pmI’m reading The Eighth Day by Joseph John. It is non-stop action. I can’t put it down. It’s the most exciting book I’ve read recently, and his language is so picturesque. For example… “she vanished like tears in the rain,” or describing a person jumping out a window… “gravity wrapped her arms around him and pulled him into her embrace.” The book is full of language like that. I want more from Joseph John.
Janet says
September 29, 2017 at 3:24 pmI am reading On Her Majesty’s Frightfully Secret Service by Rhys Bowen. This is a series set in Europe during war time. Fun reads with interesting characters. Borrowed from my local library on Overdrive.
tgruy says
September 29, 2017 at 3:32 pmI’m reading “A Life From the Ashes” of Jann Rowland. I love JAFF!
Laurie Krim says
September 29, 2017 at 4:08 pmI am reading two books – The Messenger (Allon, #6) by Daniel Silva and Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz.
Rebecca Ellsworth says
September 29, 2017 at 4:09 pmI’m currently reading History of Wolves: A Novel by Emily Fridlund. . We see everyday life through the eyes and thoughts of a high school girl in the woods of northern Minnesota.
Checked it out of the library using Overdrive
Jean says
September 29, 2017 at 4:52 pmI just finished Nancy Star’s “sisters one two three” excellent story. Usually I read mystery but this was a change and a good one.
J says
September 29, 2017 at 4:57 pmI just finished reading ‘The Vecellis Connection’ by Estelle Ryan. It is the 9th book in the series. It is a mystery with a lot of twists. Dr. Lenard is a genius and has high functioning autism. Her team has figure out what a dying criminal has set up that is going to have a huge negative affect for France and the rest of Europe.
The first book in the series ‘The Gauging Connection’ is free.
Linda says
September 29, 2017 at 9:47 pmJust finished “In For APenny” by Kelsey & Nancy Naigle. A funny, funny cozy mystery. I laughed so much. Got it free here. Also read”Her Best Match” by Tamie Darren also free and will buy the next in series. Funny also and I really needed some laughs.
Shana Williams says
September 30, 2017 at 10:17 amI just started book 4 of the Slonane Monroe series Stranger in Town by Cheryl Bradshaw.
It’s for pleasure, not what I’m suppose to be reading for book club.
For October, book club is suppose to be non-fiction, something written in the 60’s. I haven’t picked one out yet.
Nancy Wolff says
October 1, 2017 at 10:28 amI’m just not into science fiction or fantasy. I like stories that delve into the characters’ personality and why they are the way they are. I’m currently reading “Cole Dust: Cole Sage Mystery #4 (A Cole Sage Mystery)” by Micheal Maxwell.
Although I haven’t read the first 3 books in this series, I’m able to follow along nicely. Anything I question gets explained fairly quickly.
Cole Sage inherits a house and small farm in Oklahoma on which he has to live for 30 days to claim. He delves right in, cleaning and fixing up the abandoned house and property. While doing so, he discovers a trunk of journals that tell of his grandfather George’s life.
The backdrop story is nice and gives Cole plenty of time for reflection of his own life. But George’s story through his journals is the real “meat” of the book. I’m fascinated and saddened by George’s story and the trials he faces.
Definitely a winner in my eyes, and I will be looking for the other books in this series!
Joanna says
October 2, 2017 at 2:38 amTwo good reads:
Kidnapped from the Caribbean: a Cannon and Sparks Adventure Novel by Todd Duff
Whispering Pines by Kimberly Diede
Both are well-written mysteries; the first is more fast-paced. I liked it enough to want more from this author.
The second really drew me in with well-developed characters and more complex story line.
Also, both novels appear to have been PROOFREAD and edited, to my great delight. I’m out of patience with ebooks that have obviously not even had the minimum of spell-checking. There’s no excuse for that; it’s distracting to the reader and interrupts the flow of the story.