Why I Read....

So, why do I read 3-5 books a week? What could possibly be the reason for my need for escapism? I give you a typical day in the life of a mom dealing with a 14 yr. old with Aspergers...

me: (having listened to my son express his absolute need for a touchscreen laptop daily for months now) Hey, check out CNet. They have a list of netbook touchscreens.
J: Theres no such thing.
me: Yes there is, right here. These touchscreens are netbooks.
J: They don't make netbooks touchscreen mom. (Tone is 'you're so fucking stupid')
me: Look. Asus eee netbook touchscreen (I list two others)
J: Those aren't touchscreens
me: Yes, they are.
J: (looks) Those aren't netbooks.
me: Yes they are. Listen to the description.
J: You dont know anything. You're wrong.
me: I'm pretty sure I'm not wrong. Its all right there.
J: Mom, they don't make them.
me: I'm looking at them right now. Look. (Again, showing him the computers.)
J: You're wrong. Those aren't netbooks.
me: J, it says right there they are. Its reviewing them.
J: You know you're really annoying sometimes. You ought to learn how to explain yourself better. I know that eee is making a touchscreen.
me: What are you talking about? I explained myself perfectly.
J: No you didn't. You were trying to tell me that there are netbooks that are touchscreens.
me: This is a netbook and a touchscreen.
J: No its not.
(Need I continue??? I think not. This is my life!

Give me books any day.

My Favorite Urban Fantasy Authors

Okay, here's a rundown on my favorite urban fantasy authors. They aren't in any particular order, although I've ** the authors whose books I could read repeatedly (and have). Some of their books are for young adults. Some are more mature. Some are very dark in their storyline. All are phenomenal and worth investing in the book so that you can read it again and again.

Kim Harrison **
Richelle Mead **
Rachel Caine **
Karen Marie Moning **
Adrian Phoenix **
Jocelynn Drake
Jennifer Rardin **
Rob Thurman **
Holly Black
Melissa Marr
Karen Chance
Lilith Saintcrow
Lori Handeland
Maggie Steifvater
Stephanie Meyer
Justine Musk
Devon Monk
Jim Butcher
P.C. & Kristin Cast
Molly Harper

Other enjoyable authors:
Mario Acevedo
Sarah Addison Allen
Dakota Cassidy
Kelley Armstrong
Cassandra Clare
Charles DeLint
Mark Del Franco
Angie Fox
Tate Hallaway
Mark Henry
John Levitt
Victoria Laurie
Vicki Pettersson
Kat Richardson
Michelle Rowan


As for newer or not as well known authors who are very promising:
M.L.N. Hanover
Carrie Jones
Amber Benson
Anna Katherine
Mark Teppo
Chloe Neill
Jaye Wells
Barbara Bretton

This list is obviously incomplete, since there are several well-known authors (Laurell K. Hamilton, Jeanne Stein, Patricia Briggs, P.N. Elrod, Laura Anne Gilman, Claudia Gray, Simon R. Green, Charlaine Harris, Tanya Huff, Stacia Kane to name a few) whose books I just haven't gotten to yet. I have a 20 page list of urban fantasy that I have read, a 10 page list of books I want to read that just keeps getting added to, at least 50 books sitting waiting for me to read, and many many more before I'm done.

There are a few authors as well whose books I HATED! And it takes a lot for me to hate a book. But they're there.