Stephen White - Alan Gregory discussion

Since this group is just getting started and hopefully more people will be joining soon - here's a place to introduce yourself (if you want to :-)

I'm Dustin and I am not an expert on Stephen White, nor have I read the entire Alan Gregory series, but I am a big fan! I moved to Boulder County in 2006 and that's when I started reading Stephen White. Thanks for joining this group - please invite your friends who like to read Stephen White. See you around :-) Oh, and I hope these smilies aren't too annoying - I just use them sometimes so that people know not to take me too seriously.

I started this group, but this group is for YOU - the new, the devoted or newly devoted fan of Stephen White. Please, make yourself at home! I've tried to organize things but feel free to start new discussion topics. For example, if you want to discuss an earlier book (I only started topics for Kill Me - The Siege) Please go ahead and start a discussion - just keep it in the Alan Gregory Books folder. If you have an idea for a new folder you want created - just let me know. If you want to add a poll - please do. Thanks again for joining!

Hi

I've read a couple of the Stephen White books. And then I got the brilliant idea to start over at the beginning. But I have been mired in Higher Authority for the longest time. I think I have probably read about three or four of them and have about five or six here to read.

Welcome Jan!
I really liked Higher Authority but I was raised in Utah with the Mormon culture, so I found it interesting - I had also just moved to Colorado. I didn't start out reading the books in order either.

Hi,
I discovered Stephen White through "Kill Me" about 4-5 months ago. Since then I've read every book he's written. There's just something about these characters and Stephen's style of writing that I love! I'll continue to read them as long as he keeps writing.

Welcome Cindy!
I think most of us feel the same way - it's easy to get attached to the characters and I also hope there's many more books to come. You've already read EVERY Stephen White book within 4-5 months? That's some crazy speed reading - do you listen to them on audio or what is your secret? I love reading but I read slow for some reason - often, (like The Siege)I don't finish the book before having to return it to the library.

I read at home and listen in the car, I'm also a fairly fast reader. There are only 15 or so S. White books and I read/listen to about7-8 books a month. I know, it's crazy!

Cindy wrote: "...There are only 15 or so S. White books and I read/listen to about7-8 books a month. I know, it's crazy!"
There are actually 17 so far but I've only read 6 1/2 of them! I wish I could read that many books in a month but for me there are just so many books and so little time :-)

Since you read so much, perhaps you could share some of your other favorite authors/books - there's a discussion folder already set up if you'd like to share :-)

During a previous data-entry job I had, I would listen to audio books in the car during my commute and also all day at the computer - needless to say I got through a lot of books during that period, but now the books I read are held in my hand and read with my eyes. I am constantly reading and since joining Goodreads, this past summer, I usually have more than one book going at a time. I love Goodreads - I've finally found a place to talk about books I love and get new ideas to expand the authors I read.

Check out my profile. All the books I've read for the last 2 years or so are listed there. You'll definately see a pattern. I like Koontz, Stuart Woods, Harlen Coben, Lisa Gardner, Linda Howard (recent books only for LInda Howard)

I haven't read any of those authors except DEAN KOONTZ! I love Koontz! You should join the Dean Koontz group - I actively participate in discussions there :-) For October we started a monthly read - we're reading Frankenstein: Prodigal Son this month. Nominations/ Voting for November's Monthly Group read is going on right now if you're interested.

FYI - there is a discussion thread at the bottom of the group for inviting people to groups, recommending other authors etc., but you know - you can only be so organized. If another author,group or book comes up in a different discussion - so be it.

I like Stuart Woods. I started with something like "The House Beneath the Lake". It was weird but it got me hooked on him. No Dean Koontz for me. I like Ian Rankin and lately I have been reading Sarah Graves - Home Repair is Homicide. They are light and quick and I find them entertaining.

Hey! I'm Christine from the San Francisco Bay Area. I'm new to Goodreads and Stephen White but I read ALOT of everything. Which of the Alan Gregory books should I start with?

Welcome to the group Christine!
I just joined Goodreads in June and I love it - a great interactive site to share and discuss your favorite authors & books not to mention get new ideas of books and authors to read and see what others opinions are etc. Before I was using Amazon and Visual Bookshelf on Facebook - this is a lot nicer :-)

The first book in the series is Privileged Information. Of course you don't have to start with the first but if you want to read the whole series and follow the characters, you might want to. I've been reading them out of order until recently Kill Me - The Siege I've been reading in order.

Hi,
I'm Annie from Florida. Thank you for inviting me to join, Dustin!

I'm a psychotherapist and embrace my guilty pleasure of reading the likes of Alex Delaware (Jonathon Kellerman)and Alan Gregory. My first Stephen White/Alan Gregory novel had the forward to it that describes what it's like to be a therapist...that sold me. I've read most (maybe all) Mr. White's novels and just finished "The Siege".

Also, would recommend the Repairman Jack series by F. Paul Wilson...another favorite author.

Looking forward to learning more about what others enjoy, or not, about Stephen White.

Welcome aboard Annie!
I've read some Kellerman, but not for a while - I've just found I can relate to Stephen White's Alan Gregory character better - for numerous reasons. Haven't heard of the Repairman Jack series but I'll check it out :-)

Annie wrote: "Also, would recommend the Repairman Jack series by F. Paul Wilson...another favorite author. "

I looked F. Paul Wilson up on Goodreads and all his books have very high ratings - everything has about a 4 rating some a little below and some a little above - so tell me more about these books, which is the first in the series? how many books are in the series?

Annie, If you'd like to start a discussion thread under Other Books and Authors for F. Paul Wilson, you are more than welcome to :-) I'm hoping someone besides me will start a discussion thread.

Also if anyone starts reading one of Stephen White's books that I haven't started a thread on & you'd like to discuss it - feel free to start a new discussion thread, just use the title of the book as the title for the thread - Thanks

Welcome to the group Benna! We now have 12 members!

Hello, Everyone -
This is my first group on Goodreads - really like the site. I've always enjoyed Stephen White's books for their mystery, and because his characters are so well drawn that I feel as though they are real people. Even find myself respecting, or questioning, their thoughts and actions - ha! Wonder if Gregory and Purdy are sometimes autobiographical of White. . . Does anyone else think along those lines?

Benna wrote: "Wonder if Gregory and Purdy are sometimes autobiographical of White. . . Does anyone else think along those lines? "

I really do think Stephen White puts a lot of himself into the characters but I see it more in Alan Gregory, because of his career and Lauren because of her MS.

In discussing how autobiographical White's works might be, I often wonder how Gregory's feeling, attitudes toward clients reflect White's. Would seem reasonable to think there's an imaging of style. Also find his books interesting b/c of the opinions / feelings / beliefs Gregory expresses about our society and institutions, which then leads me to wonder if they're reflective of White's own.

Hi, everyone! I'm new to the group and I really enjoy Stephen White's books. I find myself marking passages for quotes that I love constantly and then realize that half the book is marked! He just has a way with words that few other authors do. I read A LOT and will read just about anything but mystery/suspense is my favorite genre. My other favorite author is Dean Koontz. I can't put his books down until I've finished them!

Forgetfulone here. I've read all but White's most recent book. Love, love, love his books!

Dustin wrote: I looked F. Paul Wilson up on Goodreads and all his books have very high ratings - ever..."

Hi Everyone:
J. Paul Wilson's very prolific! He writes about good and evil; the seeming neutrality of "God" vs. the complete ugliness of evil. Jack is someone with a mission, one he doesn't want and doesn't understand. The "repairman" comes from his ability to *fix* problems...the suggestion of appliance repair is a cover for his real job...to save the world. The characters grow on you - the themes fit in with popular culture - especially those of us who question our own purpose in life. Wilson's first several volumes are really good...but I admit, the ones from the last 5 years don't seem to have the same passion...or it could be me.

Anyhow, the series is ongoing and each book often contains references to people/events from earlier ones, so start from the beginning. F. Paul Wilson is a physician, BTW. He also has a website, I believe it's www.repairmanjack.com

Welcome to the group Kim and Forgetfulone - We now have 14 members!

Kim wrote: "I read A LOT and will read just about anything but mystery/suspense is my favorite genre. My other favorite author is Dean Koontz. I can't put his books down until I've finished them!"

Kim - you've gotta check out the Dean Koontz group! This month we are reading False Memory as a group :-) btw, Dean Koontz is my favorite author - Stephen White is second.

Annie wrote: "Anyhow, the series is ongoing and each book often contains references to people/events from earlier ones, so start from the beginning. F. Paul Wilson is a physician, BTW. He also has a website, I believe it's www.repairmanjack.com "

I looked up the website. Sounds interesting - wonder why I haven't heard of it before. So is Sibs the first book?

Ok, I have to check out the Dean Koontz group. Here's hoping I can find you!

Found the Koontz group and starting to reread "False Memory" tomorrow. Thanks, Dustin!

Awesome! Hope to see you in the discussions there :-)

Dustin wrote: "Annie wrote: "Anyhow, the series is ongoing and each book often contains references to people/events from earlier ones, so start from the beginning. F. Paul Wilson is a physician, BTW. He also has ..."

Hi Dustin:
Thanks for starting the Stephen White/Alan Gregory group, BTW.

I started with "The Tombs" and did the different "cycles" out of sync.

Sounds like "The Tombs" is the one that really sets the stage from what I read. Have you read Sibs?

Oh you're welcome for the group :-) I just joined goodreads in June and have been having a lot of fun. I realized that there wasn't a group for Stephen White or a group that really gave him any discussion. Now I can discuss not only Stephen White but some of my other favorite authors here - thanks to everyone for joining - for a while I was just posting my thoughts, now it's nice to have other fans to bounce my thoughts off of :-)

btw, just a heads up - I'm moving soon so I may not be online much next week.

Quotes on Stephen White from the back of The Siege:

"Stephen White writes thrillers of the first order."
- Nelson DeMille

"White...carries the label of thriller or mystery writer, but his graceful prose and insightful development of characters make him an author worthy of the title without any limiting adjectives."
- The Denver Post

"White's prose is as smooth and fast as a downhill slalom, with enough twists and jumps to keep it interesting."
- Publishers Weekly

"White writes smart, deftly plotted thrillers as well as anyone in the business, and Dry Ice is a fine example of that. Dry Ice is an entertaining and suspenseful story that is sure to appeal to existing fans and new readers alike."
- The Chicago Sun - Times

"Stephen White, on the strength of Dead Time, should be a literary household name on the order of King, Rowling, and whoever else you might care to mention. He is that good."
- bookreporter.com

16 members now :-)

Dustin wrote: "16 members now :-) "

You are quite the recruiter!! Congratulations.

Well it helps to have a great author that interests so many readers :-) It also helps that most of you were such devoted fans that you wrote great reviews so I could find you :-)

18 Members now! Welcome new readers!

I don't have internet access at my new house yet - but I plan to be back online this week :-) see y'all soon and best wishes with your Thanksgiving plans whatever they might be.

Welcome Bry and another Janice :-) Thanks for joining. We now have 21 members! Hope everyone is excited about the upcoming group read - I'll be reading along.

Hello, Thank you Dustin for the welcome to this group. This is the first group I have joined, so I do not know exactly how this works. I am presently reading Manner of Death and really enjoy hearing about Alan Gregory's past romances. I am reading the series in order, so I have a few to go to get up to date. I enjoy the charactor of his wife, Lauren who has MS. Have a great New Years.

Thanks for joining Janice. Hopefully it's pretty easy to navigate and figure out the group feel free to comment in any discussion, start a poll (just invite everyone or mention in comment that you did a poll), you can also start a new discussion by going to the top of the group homepage where it says "Discussion Board" clicking new topic , choose a title for the thread, and file it in the appropriate folder. Another great way to participate is the group reads (which is open to other authors besides Stephen White)- right now we're about to read Still Life - it's our first group read. Right now we just read one title as a group each quarter. If you have any questions about anything just ask.

Everyone in the group is really nice, although I can't speak for The Bastard, he just showed up one day. I might delete him someday but right now he's just sitting there - increasing our group membership by one.

The way Stephen White portrays Lauren, a character with MS, is one of the great things about the Alan Gregory series :-)

Welcome to the group. Hope we'll see you in the discussions!

Janice wrote: "I am presently reading Manner of Death and really enjoy hearing about Alan Gregory's past romances. I am reading the series in order, so I have a few to go to get up to date"

I haven't read Manner of Death. Is one of the many in the series I still haven't read. How far into it are you. I'd love to read another Stephen White book and I'd love to read along with at least one group member. Maybe I'd could join you in a discussion for either Manner of Death or the next in the series. Would you be willing to start a new discussion thread? I haven't convinced anyone else to start a new thread yet and I'm getting tired of all the threads having my name attached to them. Just follow the instructions I gave in the last post and title the discussion topic "Manner of Death" or whatever the book title is. That'd be really great. Thanks.

Janice wrote: "I am presently reading Manner of Death"

Hey Janice! I got a copy of Manner of Death from my local library today so I can read along with you. Can you start a discussion topic for Manner of Death and then I'll start commenting. Thanks

Dustin wrote: "Janice wrote: "I am presently reading Manner of Death"

Hey Janice! I got a copy of Manner of Death from my local library today so I can read along with you. Can you start a discussion topic for Ma..."

Hi Dustin, I am from Ontario, Canada. I envy the group members in the southern part of the U.S. It is very cold here today, good to stay at home and read. I tend to read a variety of American authors including Michael Connelly, Lee Child, and Greg Isles to name of few. I am on Page 140 in Manner of Death. I am not sure how to start a discussion group. It would be great to hear other comments regarding this book. How do you deal with the spoilers? Do you comment up to a certain page? Thank you for helping me out.

Here's how to start a new discussion topic:
On the Group Home Page go to the top where it says "Discussion Board"
Click on "New" topic
Title it "Manner of Death" and put in the Alan Gregory Books Folder

for spoilers - you can comment on anything in the book but if it will ruin or give away anything - well anything that you think might be a spoiler, just mark it *SPOILER* or *Spoiler Alert* whatever will get noticed. You can look through other discussion threads and find spoiler alerts - I think The Siege has some *Spoiler Alerts* in the discussion. let me know if have more questions :-)

Jan wrote: "And then I got the brilliant idea to start over at the beginning...."

Jan, I like doing that when I find an especially good author. I like to see the career progression they make, and of course don't want to miss out on anything.

Thanks for joining Tom!

Tom

I so agree. I find it interesting to see how the writer becomes more professional and you can see the progress they are making. All of a sudden, by the fourth book they are taking multiple viewpoints and it is a wondereful thing to see.

And to see how they are advancing their characters.

Hi everyone! I was first introduced to Stephen White through "Kill Me", which is still one of my favorites. I have not been reading them in order, which is a little confusing for charater development. I get them as I find them in used book stores. I am currently reading "Dead Time".

Welcome Martha! I haven't read the books in order either. Although I did manage to read Kill Me, Dry Ice, Dead Time and The Siege all in order :-) Dead Time wasn't one of my favorites - so if you don't like it - please don't give up! There is a discussion thread for Dead Time if you want to share anything about the book. See you around & Thanks for joining!