Mystery/Thriller Reading Friends discussion

I saw this somewhere and really like the idea. If you like, leave a little blurb on yourself with whatever you'd like to share.

Edit: If you are an author who would like us to know about your work or events, we welcome you but ask that you share these in the folder "Author Promotions and Events".

Okay, I'll try this out to start. I'm Carol from Boston, Bonadie on the old AOL Mystery Thriller boards. I've been with this group for over 10 years. My favorite genre are hardboiled, police procedural, detective fiction. My favorite authors are too numerous to mention, but current faves are Michael Connelly, Elizabeth George, James Lee Burke, Lee Child.

I'm an avid sports fan, and am lovin' the Celtics at the moment! I'm pretty much a homer; the Red Sox and Patriots top my list as well.

Hello!
I am AnnRumsey from the AOL Mystery Thriller message board. My AOL signature line included where I live and my favorite sports teams.
I love books of all kinds, especially Suspense, Hard-boiled Mysteries, and Thrillers with Stephen King, Marcia Muller, Dean Koontz, Dana Stabenow, Michael Connelly, Charlaine Harris, Dennis Lehane, Jacqueline Winspear, Laurie R King, S J Rozan and Julia Spencer-Fleming among my favorites.
I tend to post a lot, love audio books, frequently patronize my library and will read happily out of order in a series. UOOOR's have more fun is a favorite quote.

Ann in Nashville
Home of the Nashville Predators and Tennessee Titans
Two things happen under extreme pressure.
Things get crushed. Diamonds are formed

Hi, I'm Jan O'Cat, a nickname I acquired long ago on the AOL board when there was another Jan O. She didn't last long, but the board was permanently stuck with my kittenish ways. I've been with this group of booklovers since November 2000.

I'm a teacher and my reading habits wax and wane with the school year. I read as much general fiction and nonfiction as I do mysteries, so a lot of my posts here are non-book related or generally off topic. I consider it my board job to annoy Carol and Dan as much as possible.

My favorite mystery authors include Dorothy L. Sayers, Dennis Lehane, S. J. Rozan, Jacqueline Winspeare, Julia Spencer-Fleming, and Laura Lippman. All except the first are authors introduced to me by the readers on this board.

I'm the board's keeper of lists, except for our year-end "best" list which I leave to Cheryl's more able care. I keep the birthday and "where we live" lists, as well as miscellaneous information that sometimes comes in handy. Come to think of it, I should be adding the new members who have joined us at Goodreads to our birthday & states lists. Well, perhaps summer break will be the best time to do that.

I'm also the keeper of the M/T Glossary which is another thing I should be updating and posting in the welcome folder.

We're a great group of friends and weathering our rude ouster from AOL has only made us a more tightly bonded community. Come join us and tell us about your books and your life!

Jan O'Cat, who wishes she had a really cool quote to sign with like Ann does

I am Teresa in Ohio ( see email name) LOL> I used to read about 200-250 books a year. In the last few years I havent read much. Just got on a book slump and couldn't kick it. I have been around for about 11 years, ( yeah Jake is 10 yrs old this March) Even though I was lurking I still was reading the AOL board, Just as I get my reading "MOJO" back, AOL dumps the board, thank goodness I remember Ann's names and was able to find her and she connected me here. Recently I read the 2 twilight books to make sure it was okay for Danielle ( yeah she is 14 now), Joe is 16( where did the years go). Takover by Lisa black, good story even better setting : ), Alafair Burke 2 books on the female NYPD and currently reading Look again, Scottoline. I got through Winter Study with Barr, that was a tough read due to the subject matter, but in the end it was a good read. Oh didnt I mention Jake is NOT a RIO person, how did that happen, he will devour a whole series at once but doesnt get why should I read them in the number order Mom? Gabi is also a reader reading easy books out loud to me for loooooooooooooong periods of time, she has to read all the books by one author before reading another, We just got trhough Franklin and now working on Fancy Nancy and Mudge. Okay the thing says I can type 6,000 more characters,but I think I will stop for now

i'm sherry and i've also been with the group for about 8-10 years or so, i think- where did the time go, anyway? i'm a special ed tutor- was a special ed. teacher in "my other life" before i had kids. was fortunate enough to stay home with them when they were little. about 9 years ago i went back to work as a tutor. love reading mysteries- not cozies, though- as well as regular fiction. i am rarely without a book at hand. love connelly, coben, lehane, crais, child, rozan- the "usual suspects"..lol. am also a fan of twilight, diana gabaldon, sara donati, berg, hoffman, picoult, and anita shreve. live in CT- really close to where barry lives!

Hi,
I'm Cheryl. I'm a retired English and reading teacher who joined the AOL boards about 10 - 12 years ago. I set this board up for the move here, but Carol has done most of the work since. I have done and will continue to do the end of the year Best of lists.

I am ( to quote my favorite author ) a "certifiable addict" when it comes to books. Since I have retired, I have begun attending various book conferences, I go to at least three a year: Left Coast Crime, Thrillerfest and Bouchercon. I have met and communicate with many authors. I have many favorites including Barry Eisler (of course) who I can now call "friend", Michael Connelly (Guest of honor at this year's Bcon), Tim Maleeny, JA Konrath, Wendy Corsi Staub, ....I could go on forever.

I have been our town historian for 18 years and have just had a book published by Arcadia Press on EVANS & ANGOLA.

I'm primarily a lurker on this board, but I've been here since '96. Of course I mean AOL, but I migrated over to Goodreads with the rest of you.

I'm still teaching, and still loving it, which is a good thing. I teach second grade and can get going on some strong rants about my passions, but I try to contain myself. Like Jan O'Cat, my reading waxes and wanes with the school year. I'll read the majority of my yearly total during the summer, but I'm never without a book. Just slower during the school year.

I read a majority of general fiction, but I do also read a fair number of mysteries. BNC gives me my quota of non-fiction. I don't care for romances or science fiction, but I'm open to most everything else.

Cheryl wrote: "Hi,
I'm Cheryl. I'm a retired English and reading teacher who joined the AOL boards about 10 - 12 years ago. I set this board up for the move here, but Carol has done most of the work since..."

Hi, I'm Tom, and like most of you I'm a mystery/thriller addict always looking for a new good read. I admit I stray from my true love and dally with literature (I'm working my way through the Pulitzer and Booker prize winners) but always come home to the comfort of a mystery/thriller.

I am Gail, known as Ladyvolz on the AOL M/T Board where I was a "member" since way back before it was the M/T Board. I live in East Tennessee, was/am a Risk Manager for a large company and have a wonderful daughter who attends UTC, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where she is a member of the Sugar Mocs Dance Team.

I love M/T most, but also like historicals, some sci-fi and general fiction. I own a kindle and have become addicted to it. I also like to listen to audio books in my van.

Favorite authors include M. Connelly, Preston & Child, Randy Wayne White, Richard Montanari, Cody McFadyen, Kathy Reichs and Lee Child.

I put together the monthly Upcoming Book Lists for posting and love being on Goodreads as it is much easier to post.

We have a medium size garden and do a lot of canning and freezing during the summer.

Hi I'm "Daniel" on this board, changed from Dan/AZ on AOL as recommended by Goodreads so that my board name is the same as my author name.
I've published three books, all mystery/thriller/police procedural types. The Code and On The Edge are paperback, and The Last Cactus is listed as a Kindle book (and can also be read in my writings section on Goodreads).

I'm Barry, Barrypz on AOL, and have inflicted myself on various reading groups for decades now. I'm a fan of hardboiled and noir mysteries, and military thrillers. Given half an excuse though, I'll read almost anything.
Barry

Hi everyone,

My name is Donna, and I found the Book Nook Cafe on AOL about 8 or 10 years ago, then checked out the M/T Board as a wonderful place to find new books and authors in my favored genre. I am never without a book, and absolutely love the convenience of my Library and ordering whatever I want to read. I now read Gail's posts about new book releases with my datebook close at hand to make notes, so I can order the new releases ASAP.

Both my husband and I are 'readers' and we both enjoy many of the same suthors: Crais, Scotoline, Jefferson Bass, Lee Child, Stephen J. Cannell and most of the other 'usual suspects.' I also love to catch up on the series books by Donna Andrews, Laura Lippman, Catherine Coulter, Janet Evanovich, Laurien Berenson, Diane Mott Davidison, and many others. To me, they are like catching up with an old friend.

I do read some some non-fiction, popular fiction, and biographies as well. I have one strong rule: "Life is too short to waste on finishing a book I don't enjoy," so I do not hesitate to give up on something that doesn't catch my interest.

For over 20 years, I was a Tupperware Lady. I retired from that in 2000 and went with a smaller company, Linen World, where I experinced more success. Five years ago, I started a part time job with the Census Bureau, working on year round surveys we do for other government agencies. Several years ago, I began to experience some health problems and was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. It affects my right side, and has caused me to slow down some. Either being born in 1953, and/or the Parkinson's, has given me some holes in my memory. :o)

We have a son who lives in Prescott, AZ, where he went for drug rehab, and we will soon celebrate 3 years with him being drug free. His daughter will soon be 5; lives in Texas with her mom and we don't see her near often enough. We love the Prescott area, and hope to retire there when my husband is able to retire in several more years, economy allowing.

I treasure the online friends I have made here and on the Book Nook over the years from across the country. The opportunity to share books as well as current events and our lives is a wonderful thing. I attempt to keep everyone smiling with an occasional funny story or thought provoking question, and always appreciate the book recommendations and good wishes of my fellow posters.

Donna in Southern Maryland
"some days you eat the bear, some days the bear eats you." Stephen Stills

Continuing: I consider it my major job to annoy everyone on this board, but most particularly Carol and Ms O'Cat. I'd guess about half of my posts are typically non-book related because it takes a lot of effort to annoy all of you. But don't worry, I'm up to it.

I'm a retired Chicago Police lieutenant now living in
Prescott, AZ. While I'm still writing, I also paint on agave leaves, make wreaths of agave leaves with Native American themed centers painted on deer hide, and scribe animal and Native American figures into rock. I also break up the monotony of crushed landscaping stone by creating large figures of different colored stone - the largest - so far - of which is about 25 feet by 15 feet.

Whan I'm not doing any of that, I'm busy annoying people. Dan/AZ

I live in the Bay Area and work at a Fortune 500 investment company in the real estate division (yes, pretty grim right now) as an assistant portfolio manager. I am married with a 20 year old daughter who lives close by. I have always been a big reader. I lurked for a long time on the AOL M/T board before taking the plunge and posting in 2003. I don't read mysteries exclusively but they are a large portion of my reading. My favorite M/T authors are Elizabeth George, Michael Connelly,Peter Robinson,Ian Rankin,Harlan Coben, Deborah Crombie, Julie Spencer-Fleming and Laura Lippman.

Hi,

I'm Lori S (jessicaanne7777 on aol M/T board). I've been with the group for 3 years - I lurked for several years before I joined. I live in Chicago,and work full time in IT for a large insurance company. My favorite authors are Lee Child, Robert Crais, John Sanford, Peter Robinson, Harlan Coben, Nevada Barr, Ian Rankin, Michael Connelly,....
Other interests include photography (my picture for this board is one I took in the Tetons), and opera (attending live performances or the Met's HD - not singing).

My Name is Amy. I haven't been on the Mystery Thriller board as much as you all. I love reading all kinds of books. I like Coben, Scottoline, Patterson and many other authors.

Daniel wrote: "Whan I'm not doing any of that, I'm busy annoying people. Dan/AZ ..."

And you do a damn fine job of it, too, if I may say so!

I'm Melodie (formerly MELEDSTICK on the AOl board). I started posting on the AOL board about 12 years ago, left for awhile due to some not too pleasant people that were there for awhile, and then came back about 10 years ago. Have lived in the Denver, CO, area for the last 31 years, after being born & raised in Dayton, OH. Am married, no kids, 2 dogs and work as payroll administrator for an engineering company. I LOVE to read and am rarely without a book! I read mostly mysteries (hard-boiled to cozies), urban fantasy (put a vampire in it and I'll read it!), popular fiction and am a sucker for pop-culture bios. Some favorite authors are Charlaine Harris, George Pelecanos, Robert Crais, Harlan Coben, Julia Spencer-Fleming, Jim Butcher, Robert B. Parker (but only the Spenser books), Susan Wittig Albert, G.A. McKevett, Stephen King and Stephenie Meyer (yes, I am a Twi-hard!).

I'm TheoAnn (so as not to be confused with the other Ann). I can't remember when I started posting on the AOL M/T board, but I think I only had one child when I started. I have four, who are 13 (boy), 9 (boy), almost 7 (the only girl), and 3 (boy). I homeschool my kids and work part time in a residence with two ladies who have developmental disabilities. I live in Maine. My favorite M/T authors are Rhys Bowen, Julia Spencer-Fleming (who lives in my town somewhere, but I've never met her), Kathy Reichs, Maddy Hunter, Tess Gerritsen, Harlan Coben and some more I'm sure I'll remember later. When I'm not reading M/T's, I'm usually reading historical fiction, and sometimes plain old regular fiction. My husband thinks I have too many books.

Hi I am Meredith. Ilurked on the AOL Mystery Thriller Board. I am from Northern New Jersey. I have always been a reade. I read fiction non fiction but little or no /science fiction

Hi I'm Susie. I was also an AOL poster for about 9 years...and I'm so thankful to Cheryl and Carol for keeping our special family together :) I'm a native Californian now living in Kansas. I retired from my long-time job as a Human Resources/Risk Management Coordinator almost 6 years ago. I am one of those RIO people and I love mysteries...I tend to read a lot of cozies. I'm also going to be joining Melodie as a Twi-hard, after just finishing my first book this morning!

I'm Sally... Sally in NJ on the AOL Boards where I posted for 10-12 years. I have three children and 11 grandchildren (ages 11 months to 18 years), the newest adopted at 5 y.o. from the Philippines in December. I am a retired PR professional. Some of you will remember my DH Jim who died 5+ years ago... has it been that long??? (I will NEVER forget how especially kind you all were then!) I used to read mostly mysteries, and they still are my genre of choice when I just need some entertainment and escape. Recently, however, I find myself reading more fiction, and it seems as if those books stay with me longer. Fave mystery authors include RW White, JW Hall, Lee Child, M. Connolly, R. Crais, J. Deaver, Eisler, H. Coben, S. Hamilton, Lehane, Parrish, Sandford, and Spencer-Fleming.
This group is the best!

Susie in KS wrote: "Hi I'm Susie. I was also an AOL poster for about 9 years...and I'm so thankful to Cheryl and Carol for keeping our special family together :) I'm also going to be joining Melodie as a Twi-hard, after just finishing my first book this morning!
..."

I just KNEW you'd love it!!! I went to one of the midnight release parties when the movie came out on DVD to get a copy. Then DH bought me a Blu-Ray copy for my birthday. My sister still hasn't seen it, so my niece & I are going over to her house Friday night with the Blu-Ray copy and are going to finally get her to watch it!

I am Debbie of GA. Five years ago my family moved from CA to Atlanta. We have adjusted well, but, my home will always be California. I recently became a Grandmother! I have been on the M/T and Book Nook boards for years.
Mystery is my favorite genre. I love Crais, Coben, Connelly, and read a lot of different mystery authors. General fiction is also great.
Besides reading, I am an avid sports fan.

Tom wrote:

welcome to the board, tom!

Hi, I'm Marcy. I'm a retired office manager who has lurked on and off at Aol and finally decided to jump in and enjoy the fun. This board is amazingly welcoming. My reading tastes have lately expanded from primarily M/T and contemporary fiction to now include historical fiction and some sci-fi. My DH and I are presently bi-coastal - that is to say we bought our home in Oakland, Ca to be near one of our daughters and her family and we still live in St. Pete., Fl (anyone want to buy a house?) We travel back and forth on a monthly basis, so I get to have many days of concentrated airline reading time.

Melodie wrote: "My sister still hasn't seen it, so my niece & I are going over to her house Friday night with the Blu-Ray copy and are going to finally get her to watch it!"

I confess Melodie! I watched it on Pay Per View last night :)

I'm Donna and I found the old m/t board back in 2001, I think it was. I'm an avid reader and love the hardboiled mystery/thrillers and lately I've been rotating them with general fiction. I love reading series books and my favorites are Crais, Coben, Connelly, GM Ford, Julia Spencer-Fleming, Lee Child and many others. I also love Blake Crouch and John Hart. And recently I joined the ranks of the Twi-hards. Yes, I admit I'm addicted!

Hi all, I'm Jan G., jangettling on the AOL M/T board. I always add the "G" so I'm not confused with "The Cat" who has been on the AOL longer than I have (I think I've been there about 10 years). I love to read mysteries and love being able to keep in touch with my online friends. I've also been fortunate to have met several in person (Carol, Julie, Sandy, Cheryl, Janet, Kymberlee & Don, Maria, Melodie, CathyKit). I used to work at a library but retired at the end of January due to several circumstances. My motto is "life is too short" as a reflection of loosing my dear hubby 13 months ago, much too young. So I spend my time reading, traveling, and puttering around. I spend time with my family and friends. I'm so happy to have this Goodreads forum.

Hi all, I'm Claudia. I started posting on the AOL M/T board in 2003, but the more AOL changed the format the less I posted, so I am really glad about Goodreads! I kinda read more fiction than M/T's but then again aren't most books a mystery...my fav authors are:Alice Hoffman, Jodi Picoult, Berg, Shreve, Fannie Flagg, Coben, Connelly, Scottoline and many more. I have so many books I don't know where to go with them all but yet I still get more from the library : )
BTW in my picture are our two Labodorks lol Minnie and Chili.

Claudia wrote: "Hi all, I'm Claudia. I started posting on the AOL M/T board in 2003, but the more AOL changed the format the less I posted, so I am really glad about Goodreads! I kinda read more fiction than M/..."

Labodorks? That's just perfect. Thanks for my morning smile, Claudia.

Labodorks? That's just perfect. Thanks for my morning smile

Sally, yup that is my "pet" name for them and most of the time they are dorks! But gotta love 'em!

I guess I should do this too since everyone else has. Hi, I'm Donna Jo or DJ online even though Donna Jo is my real first name in everyday life I'm just Donna. It's hard on certain things that I have to sign my name too because anything from long ago that my dad did is Donna Jo (since I'm named after him for the Jo part) otherwise I always put Donna or Donna J. Only in the last I don't know how many year I wished I went by Donna Jo. Anyway, I feel like I've been doing the boards forever. But I know I didn't get a computer until after my dad was passed on and didn't sign up online (my cousin helped me) to years later it was always games on the computer until then. Then I started with Bookaccino for a few years. I was always online with that. People used to complain they couldn't get though the phone lines to us. Then I went over to the Romance board for a few years and finally found my way to the m/t board. I love the jersey shore and for the last few years I'm hooked on needlepoint too (my tote bag canvas was finally finished and handed in today to be sent to the finisher for those in the know Yippy onto my next big project (or should I say 2 projects (those on Facebook who looked into my pictures probably has seen pictures of those) I'm a buying bookaholic and I can't probably read all the books I own that are unread in my lifetime (horrible to say and to even think)but that doesn't stop my from buying. I used to work for Hartford Insurance in Claims also Western Union's main headquarters in HR doing Claim processing and then afterwards one of 3 who did all the HMO processing, problem solving, etc for the company. And part of the end of that time before I left the company (when my dad got sick) I was doing his office work too. After my mom passed away I became part owner with my sister for our families Paving company. But most of that work hasn't been for a few years except every once in awhile. We had to finally close the business this year. I read mystery, thrillers, romance fiction. I rather buy my own books since the library and the due date feel to much like homework but for awhile have been resisting buying hcs so I even do reserve some of those from the library or I wait until they come out in pb or trade.

I'm Brakedrum. Been on AOL boards since 1997. I've worked in various jobs over the years:office worker and factory worker. I've also served on city boards: one(2yr)term on Parks board and 2 terms on City Council. Originally from Michigan, hubby lost job in 1980. We packed up our stuff and headed to Texas, hoping to find a home and employment, which was difficult, not having any connections and not knowing anyone. Glad we did tho. Weekends will find me on the back of a Harley Ultra Glide putting on the miles with smiles. Hubby and I have been riding together since 1971.
Favorite reads: fiction, m/t, biographies, non fiction, westerns
Least favorite reads: m/t with lawyers as main character, romance, self help, and chick lit.

Hi I'm Lori from Philadelphia. I've been on the AOL boards since 2000 and have always lurked on the book boards. I came out of the bushes once I got this job which is the operator at a hospital on the 3rd shift. A lot of nights I don't really have much to do if the phones are quiet. Recently my boss took the internet off the computers here which ruined everything that was perfect about this job for me. LOL I'm getting myself a laptop to use. I need it for my sanity. It'll be much cheaper than therapy!

I'm a pretty busy never at home mom. I have 3 fabulous kids and one fantastic husband. I'm the newly elected President of the Mothers Association for my oldest son's school and run the uniform swap shop & the CYO dances for my younger 2 kids school.

I read mostly mystery & suspense. Favorites are Harlan Coben, Karin Slaughter, Greg Iles, Tess Gerritsen and recently I've discovered Karen White and Diane Chamberlain. I'll occasionally read some romance like Debbie Macomber, if that's what she falls under and a few others I can't think of off the top of my head.

Guess it's time to end this novel and get back to reading everyone else info!

Hi :) I'm gracee from California. Central Ca Coast. Yeah, near the beach, but but I can't see it without getting in the car, so don't be too envious! I started out on AOL when...it was aol 2.5 Yikes. I think my youngest son was ... three..? He's now 17. My oldest son is 20. Dh and I have been married for 28 years (in August). I'm a registered dental assistant, and have worked in dentistry for 23 years YIKES!

I read a n y t h i n g. Always have. My favorites are Diana Gabaldon, Ken Follett, and Francine Rivers. I also enjoy classics. I love historicals in and about the 1500's - 1700's. I also like intrigue about WWII. I am a BFB lover. (Big Fatty Book) The fatter the book, the better :) Gimme a good brick to read and I'm happy lol I'm NOT a fan of chic-lit (tho I've read my fair share of Steel, Roberts and Deveraux). Toss in a little "super-natural" flavor in the story, and I'll do much better..

I've been on goodreads since 07 I think. I tried shelfari for a week or two, but ew.. I love goodreads. :) I hate paying full retail for books (but I do admit to shelling it out for the entire Outlander series and pre -ordering #7 from Amazon..) I generally pick up books at the library sales and library gently used bookstore, garage sales, and used bookstores in town. My almost favorite gift is a giftcard to any bookstore. While husband's silent opinion is that I have too many books - since I rarely pay full retail, what can he say? :)
Other than, I think I'm the ONLY person on the face of the planet that has not read any of the Harry Potter series. I also refuse to read Twilight. Oprah's picks really tick me off too... lol gosh, I said I'd read A N Y T H I N G . ... I guess I mean any genre :) A friend of mine called me a book 'ho. That would work too!

Other than, I think I'm the ONLY person on the face of the planet that has not read any of the Harry Potter series. I also refuse to read Twilight. Oprah's picks really tick me off too

That makes two of us on both counts. Say "Goodnight" Gracee. Dan/AZ

@@ I forgot to add - my s/n on aol is amazengrce. See? 10 letters. Before they let us go to what.. 16? I could have had that one missing vowel!

Goodnight gracee

:)
g

Daniel wrote: "Other than, I think I'm the ONLY person on the face of the planet that has not read any of the Harry Potter series. I also refuse to read Twilight. Oprah's picks really tick me off too

That make..."

Dan, I can just see you kicked back in the old recliner with a copy of Twilight in your hand and a big sloppy grin on your face.............

Dan, I can just see you kicked back in the old recliner with a copy of Twilight in your hand and a big sloppy grin on your face.............

Melodie, I just love it when I get to display my ignorance: I don't know a thing about Twilight. Dan/AZ

Hi M/T friends!!! I'm Julie from SB and I'm not in the fire zone. It is horrible in the canyon behind our Mission however, but we're all praying for a sea breeze & fog to help our gallant firefighters. Three were injured with burns yesterday & are in a burn center in LA.

On a much lighter note, my birthday is May 16 & I realized I couldn't miss a celebration with all of you!

Melodie wrote: "Daniel wrote: "Other than, I think I'm the ONLY person on the face of the planet that has not read any of the Harry Potter series. I also refuse to read Twilight. Oprah's picks really tick me off t..."

I have not read Twilight, never will, not my cuppa, have never read a Harry Potter book although I might someday & have seen one of the movies. I did like Cane River, but Oprah's picks are usually way too depressing for me.

Julie in SB

Gracee wrote: "Hi :) I'm gracee from California. Central Ca Coast. Yeah, near the beach, but but I can't see it without getting in the car, so don't be too envious! I started out on AOL when...it was aol 2.5 ..."

Gracee, I'm in Santa Barbara. Where are you on the central coast? I went to grammar school in Santa Maria.

Gracee wrote, and Dan agreed: Other than, I think I'm the ONLY person on the face of the planet that has not read any of the Harry Potter series. I also refuse to read Twilight.

Count me in too! Just don't get what the whole Vampire thing does for people, and Not moved to read Harry Potter either. I think I DID see the first movie. But isn't that the wonderful thing about reading and readers! Thank goodness we ALL don't read the exact same thing. :o)

Donna in Southern Maryland

Julie wrote: "Hi M/T friends!!! I'm Julie from SB and I'm not in the fire zone. It is horrible in the canyon behind our Mission however, but we're all praying for a sea breeze & fog to help our gallant firefig..."

Julie, good to "see" you and to know you made it thru tax season. Also glad to know your in the fire path.

Julie wrote: I have not read Twilight, never will, not my cuppa, have never read a Harry Potter book although I might someday & have seen one of the movies. I did like Cane River, but Oprah's picks are usually way too depressing for me. ."

Well, we all know I'm a vampire junkie. Have been since I was a kid and I'm a full fledged Twi-hard. I read the first 3 Harry Potter books, but then they just got overwhelming. I let my niece read the others and then give me Cliff notes description of the stories. I saw the first 2 movies, but didn't really care for them and have no desire to see the others (don't let my niece know I said that!). And I've never read an Oprah book. None of them have been something that appealed to me. I did pick up Cane River, but just couldn't get into it.

Julie wrote:Gracee, I'm in Santa Barbara. Where are you on the central coast? I went to grammar school in Santa Maria.

Hi Julie! :) I'm in Santa Maria. Grew up in Nipomo. Which grammer school did you attend in SM? We can't see smoke (just haze) to the south. But it sure doesn't sound like a good situation with the Jesusita fire. So many house in danger, and some destroyed now - and so many people to evacuate. May those brave men and women of our Forestry service stay safe!

Gracee wrote: "Hi :) I'm gracee from California. Central Ca Coast. Yeah, near the beach, but but I can't see it without getting in the car, so don't be too envious! I started out on AOL when...it was aol 2.5 ..."


Gracee, so in all these 14 years, how did we miss you on the AOL M/T Board? Darn you sound just like an "oldtimer", well not that we are "oldtimers", well maybe I am but I assure you that everyone else is very very youthful. Anyway, it's great to meet you!

Hey Gail, I hung out on the OT Scrapbook boards, (in addition to the regular scrapbook boards) Booktopia and Tightwads. :) And I'm not sure how you missed me :) I've had the same s/n allllllllll these years. I've developed such GREAT friendships on the scrapbook boards. :) I'm not sure where the m/t boards were!? lol I'm such a homebody!