Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

After enjoying True Blood, I was reluctant to read them -- adaptations are rarely done well, and I was worried they'd be awesome enough to ruin the show for me. But I've found the first novel to be excellent, with the show following it reasonably faithfully -- the main change being to give subplots to various characters, a reasonable move when you're switching from a first-person POV to a third-person show.

I pose a question to people who've followed the series before I invest in all the books:

How many of them exist?

You know what I mean -- any series reaches a point where people decide that the stuff that follows doesn't exist. There were only two seasons of Gargoyles, X-Files ended with season seven and there was only one movie, there were only two Aliens movies, no one has ever attempted to adapt Hellblazer or The Dark is Rising . . . I'm sure you people have others.

So, yes. Which book do I read to?

It's still good! Read 'em all!

I agree--they are still good. One thing about Charlaine is--she seems to KNOW when a series needs to end. She's already had 2 other series (Aurora Teagarden series and the Shakespeare series) and she ended them both BEFORE they reached the point where the readers were going "not ANOTHER one, why, why, why doesn't the author just let them die already." And yes--I HAVE read both of the other series. :o)

The one thing that I HAVE noticed is that Charlaine always has a female as the main character--AND they always have some kind of handicap. In Sookie's case its the telepathy. In Aurora's case it was being MUCH shorter than average (I believe, if I'm remembering right, she was 4'10") and in Lily's case (the Shakespeare series) it was being kidnapped, raped and tortured. Then the other series that Charlaine is writing now, the heroine was struck by lightning and, essentialy "sees ghosts"--or more accurately, she finds buried and hidden bodies and know what caused their deaths.

The newest series, she hasn't given the heroine a definate "male" but she did with the first 2 series, so I'm holding out hope for Sookie and for the newest gal too. (Sorry, pounding headache and I can NOT remember her name.) Altho at least with Aurora, there were again several "oops" and wrong choices for boyfriends/husbands along the way. With Lily--well, for Lily there was only 1 guy because of her history. She met him fairly quickly (book 2, I THINK it was) and they gradually built up a relationship over the rest of the series.

Ann, Harper Connolly. Harper Connolly, Ann.

:)

It's true, Charlaine is managing to keep Sookie fresh. There was a plot line in book 8 that I'm not entirely sure I liked the set-up for, but that all depends on how she plays it. Overall, she's still coming up with good mysteries, sidestories and sexual tension.

Um, Ann. Harper HAS a man, as of the last book!

And Aurora's books are so "cozy mystery." I haven't read them all yet, but I like 'em. Nice, quick reads.

As for Sookie, I'm all for big blonde Vikings. Yum.

aahhh Michelle, I have misplaced my copy of the last of the Harper books. And I REFUSE to buy it again. It will turn up sooner or later. Then I'll get to read it.

And I too enjoyed the Aurora books. They really are quick reads for anyone who is interested. No paranormal anything, but still a nice light mystery.

The Sookie novels NEVER got old or tired for me, and up until recently I wasn't a big reader (maybe finishing an entire series in a year or 2!) But I Blew thru all of the Sookie novels in about 2 weeks. True Blood is an excellent show, in true-to-form HBO style, but it did have some major differences. I didn't mind them at all tho and eagerly anticipate season 2.
I would agree to suggest reading them all! The story just keeps getting better, and like Michelle M. I just can't get enough Viking Love!
~Malice

Oh that arrogant bastard, I love him so.

Mmmmm....Eric. Vikings. Yeah, I never get tired of Sookie. I just finished book 8 and I love them all. I cant wait for book 9 to come out. I can definately recommend reading all of them, as long as you liked the first one.

ya know--I don't even LIKE blonde men--but I too drool over Eric. Sigh, just something ABOUT that Viking, right?

Ann!! That is EXACTLY how I feel! I have a "no blondes" rule and generally turn m'nose up at them, but Eric is just so delectable. I guess I love arrogant suave enough to overlook it!

I EVEN drooled a bit over the guy they cast in the show, all because he caught the attitude so perfectly.

yeah, he DID lounge beautifully didn't he? :o) Gotta love those Vikings

Lounge beautifully! Lol. Oh, him in the bathtub. Ah.

Really, I'm going to be ill if they don't give him as much air time next season as the book would warrant. I know a lot of people say he's not what they pictured, but like I said, he has the disdain and naughty amusement down pat.

I must see him in the skin tight orgy outfit! I must!

It took me almost the entire first book to get past my frustration wtih Sookie enough to actually enjoy the series. But then I did very much enjoy the series, and am looking forward to book 9!

And, yes yes yes... there definately is something about that Viking. *sigh*

I'm with you guys on the "no blondes" rule. I never like blonde guys in real life, but Eric is delicious. I cant explain it.

Lori wrote I never like blonde guys in real life, but Eric is delicious. I cant explain it.

Could it be the fact he's a vamp? Or the fact that he doesn't ACT like most blond guys (I'm blond, so I am automatically TOO HOT for you) or is it the attitude? Or is it all of them? Actually, I'm nominating Eric as "The Vamp I'd most want to attend the comedy awards with" simply because he's the only one in the book that has ever made me SMILE or want to laugh. :o)

It's the cocky bastard theory of attraction.

Ann, he's so condescending and always in a hilarious way. You're right, Eric is responsible for most of my laughter when it comes to these!

Lori, let's not worry about explaining it. We'll all just revel in it, shall we?

I love the books. But we don’t have cable so I was just wondering if I should rent the show(True Blood) when it comes out on DVD. From what I have read it sounds like getting it just for Eric would be worth it.

Rent away! A friend of mine who's a huge Eric fan complained they cut back on his role in a scene, but I saw it as Eric being awesome in a different way (vagueness to avoid spoiling).

It's worth it to see how they bring it to life. Besides, then you'll have something more to discuss about the Sookieverse! And who wouldn't want to see a real life Eric? Hello!

I am dying to see the show now. hehe
I love the Eric in the books and to see him sounds yummmmy!! Thanks.

This series is definitely on my list to read. I haven't watched the TV series. Went into Best Buy last week to buy season 1 but it isn't being released until mid May 2009. I plan on buying it then. I have heard great things about the books and the HBO Series.

I wasn't really happy with the series. I didn't like what they did to Tara and frankly, Jason is turned into even MORE of a skank than he was in the books. I also wasn't really happy with the way they threw in so MUCH sex. But then again--it WAS HBO. And their casting wasn't quite what I'd thought should be done. Come on, Sam is a RED HEAD. Ok, strawberry blonde, but what the HECK do tv stations have against redheads? Why do they dislike them so much? Red hair is SEXY. Red hair is HOT. Red hair ROCKS THE WORLD. Ok, getting off my red-heads are discriminated against soap box.

Ann wrote: "I wasn't really happy with the series. I didn't like what they did to Tara and frankly, Jason is turned into even MORE of a skank than he was in the books. I also wasn't really happy with the way..."

I agree, Redheads have always been my fav! But I kinda liked the guy they chose for Sam. He's got a cute pouty quality to him, that makes him bein a collie totally believable LOL.

The stuff about Tara kinda blew me away in the show, but you just have to remember it's an adaptation and they needed to dive into more character detail for the show as there really wasn't much more than the Sookie-Bill story in the first book.

I am in LOVE with Rene from the show, he was scum for sure but I just adore that rich cajun accent!

~Malice

As a red head, Ann, thanks!

And Malice, it's understandable that they had to expand for the different media and change of view point...but why must Tara be the mad black woman? Her personality on the show now doesn't mesh with the later developments with her character in the book. Can you see TV Tara letting anyone slap her around? Hell, no.

It confused me. And Jessica! Oh, I want to smoosh her face in.

You're right Michelle, Tara does does not seem like the type on the show lol. I just look at it as if I hadn't read the books, The show would be kick-ass! Having read the books, the show ends up being pretty cool and the books are kick-ass ;)

~Malice

Hi! I have read all the Sookie books and I love them. Has anyone read any other Charlaine Harris books, and are they any good? Any recommendations? THanks!

I <3 Eric....both on the show, and in the books... I am eagerly awaiting the next Sookie book :)

Meredith919 wrote: "Hi! I have read all the Sookie books and I love them. Has anyone read any other Charlaine Harris books, and are they any good? Any recommendations? THanks! "

Aurora Teagarden is definitely of the cozy mystery category. She's a teeny tiny librarian who seems to have a habit of finding dead neighbours.

They're enjoyable. Very quick reads. As for the resolution of each mystery, sometimes it's a tad apparent who the bad guy will be, most of the time it's well-plotted.

Lily Bard I haven't read yet.

Harper Connolly is very good, but WAY more somber. No laughs to be had in that series. There's a lot more suspense involved. And like some other people, I was a little weirded out with the developments of the last book, though the mystery/thriller element was excellent.

Her first book, Sweet and Deadly, is not part of a series, but was a good mystery--I didn't suspect the murderer, but the motivation was a little out of left field.

I've read all the Aurora and Lily books, plus Sweet and Deadly PLUS the Harper books. Break down for me is:

Aurora--quick and easy to read cozy. And I LOVE a 4'9 or so heroine. (I'm all of 5'3 and I LIKE having a heroine who isn't 6' tall)

Lily--the stories are actually better in this series, I think. But especially the first book--when Lily describes what happened to her, its a little, um, gross. ER, to clarify, what happened to Lily in the past was gross, not the the mysteries she's solving.

Harper--I have lost the last one in this series and its driving me NUTS that I can't find it. The stories are more UF/mystery than anything else. Again, the characters are seriously flawed, but are doing the best they can. I haven't totally decided if I like this series or not. The first book was good, second soso.

Sweet and Deadly--very good mystery. I sort of suspected the the murderer, but I agree about the motivation. It was TOTALLY a surprise. Still, I will say--the murderer was more than a tad nuts.

Oh hell yes! The murderer is looney toons and you never suspect it!!

You STILL haven't found that third book Ann? Oh bother.

I have read the first two so far and I like them. I really wanted to getClub Deadthis weekend. so I looked up the library and the closet one does'nt even have it and the ones that do are already check out. what to do....what to do.

reserve it--that way you can get it as soon as it comes in. Or try interlibrary loan. :o)

good idea
thanks

Hey all,

Im in love with the Sookie novels, I'm on the 7th now, and I know I still have 2 more remaining but Im so scared I'm never going to find another series like it, that grabs such a strong interest in me. Do you have any suggestions? I prefer it be a series instead of a single novel. I do thoroughly enjoy the sex factor of the Sookie novels, and if its paranormal romance... all the better!

Please help with some recommendations. =[

I like these series
Immortals after Dark by
Kresley Cole
Dark hunters bySherrilyn Kenyon
Black Dagger Brotherhood by J.R. Ward
Gardella Chronicles by Colleen Gleason
The Demonica series by Larissa Ione

If you like humour Kaitlin, then the Betsy books (MaryJanice Davidson, author) are good. For time travel, check out The Last Viking by Sandray Hill. Time travel, Vikings and, in the later books, SEALS. :o)

If all you want is a really light read, the Aunt Dimity books are good. Aunt Dimity is a ghost. They are supposed to be mysteries, but really, the mystery is a tiny, tiny, tiny part of the story. They are more books you read for the characters in them than for mystery. Nancy Atherton is the author of this series.

I loved all of the Sookie Stackhouse books and blew through them so fast - I completely ignored my laundry, house, and life for days on end.

BUT>>>> I am starting to get the feeling that Harris has too many characters, themes, storylines, subplots etc... all running and continuing.

I am on the wait list at the library for Dead and Gone. I am looking forward to it very much. Don't tell me what happens. I hope that Sookie and Eric just get married and become the king and queen of vampire land - the end. :-) Oh - but first Harris has to write lots of sex scenes.

My husband loved True Blood on HBO. He'd hollar "Hurry, it's starting!" every week. Too funny

I just finished reading her other Series Harper Connelly series it is real good too. Next one doesnt' come out till NOvember though. I finished the day after it came out Book 9 of the Sookie series it was real good. Can't wait for another one LOL

I'm soooo addicted to the Sookie series...and yes Eric is way hot. I think I really started to like him When he was under that spell. You got to see more of "the true" him. I've been slowly but surely reading through everything Ms. Harris has written. There are also bits and pieces of the Sookie story line in short stories she has done.

Kaitlin: Have you checked these out yet?
-Powers of Detection: Stories of Mystery & Fantasy (Includes: Sookie Stackhouse, #4.1)
-Night's Edge (Includes: Sookie Stackhouse, #4.2) by Maggie Shayne
-Bite (Includes: Sookie Stackhouse, #4.3)
by Laurell K. Hamilton, Charlaine Harris, MaryJanice Davidson, Angela Knight
-My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding ( Sookie Stackhouse, #6.1)
by P.N. Elrod (Editor), Charlaine Harris,
-Many Bloody Returns - Tales of Birthdays with Bite (Includes Sookie Stackhouse, #7.1)
by Charlaine Harris (editor / contributor)
- Wolfsbane and Mistletoe (Includes: Sookie Stackhouse, #8.1),
-Blood Lite: An Anthology of Humorous Horror Stories Presented by... by Kevin J. Anderson (Includes Sookie Stackhouse, #?)

These will keep you going until you find another series you might also like...Which I agree with Ann with Maryjanice Davidson's Betsy series.

Heh, regarding the number of characters and subplots? I'm a veteran of the Harry Potter fandom -- less involved in the shipping wars, but more involved in the people who've latched on to one of the fifty or more secondary characters as their favorite.

A thought occurred to me today about the werewolves in the Sookie Stackhouse series, and I was wondering if anyone can remember if this was brought up somewhere in the series. I recall that part of the reason Sookie didn't want to get together with the alpha werewolf dude (I forget his name) was because only the first born of a pair inherits werewolf genes, so the wolves have to be promiscuious to avoid extinction. Did the author ever mention why they don't just set up a sperm bank or do artificial insemination? It seems like an easy solution.

Anita wrote: "A thought occurred to me today about the werewolves in the Sookie Stackhouse series, and I was wondering if anyone can remember if this was brought up somewhere in the series. I recall that part of..."

I know Quinn is the weretiger, but I can't remember the Alpha werewolf's name now either. I think that would be a great ideal, the sperm bank. Maybe they haven't done that because of the risk of exposer. But then again with all the other secret stuff they have available to help them out, like the underground hospitals and such. Who knows?

I just started this series and the tv show. I have watched the first 2 shows and read the first two books. I am really loving them both so far!! I have to say I was lovin Bill in the books but I don't think the guy in True Blood does him justice. I can't wait to see Eric in the show because I am starting to love him. Does anyone know how far the first season of True Blood gets you through the books?

Alcide is the werewolf who had a thing for her. Remember the Debbie drama?

The show is doing a book a season.

Perhaps the Were's are like cats? You can't use artifical insemination on a female cat because she doesn't ovulate until there is an actual male who has, as they say "done the deed" for her. Altho now that you bring up that question--it IS something to think about. Hum, maybe someone should send that suggestion in to Charlain. :o)

You think a group of creatures whose entire societal structure is based on dominance would be keen on artificial insemination?

I think it has a lot more to do with the male concepts of virility and dominance, and having a worthy mate. Artificial insemination, while certainly practical, would probably be seen as detrimental to their societal structure. Gone would be the male werewolf's ability to say "Look what I did! Aren't I a great specimen of alpha manhood?"

I think it would be crushing, since Weres (across the genre) are depicted as somewhat egomaniacal. And possessive. I don't think their fool dominant male psyches could cope, and all hell might break loose!

Plus, I think Ann's point is an intriguing one.

Looking up wolf mating patterns would probably help...

Jamie wrote: "Does anyone know how far the first season of True Blood gets you through the books?
..."

I haven't seen all the episodes in the first season, but I know for a fact, that the entire first season covers only the first book of the series.

I love the Sookie novels! Ya'll should join the Sookie Stackhouse Book/Show group on goodreads!

Ann wrote: "I wasn't really happy with the series. I didn't like what they did to Tara and frankly, Jason is turned into even MORE of a skank than he was in the books. I also wasn't really happy with the way..."

Really? I love all the men: Bill, Sam, Eric, even Jason in his dim way. I thought the male casting was excellent. HBO Sookie is not how I picture book Sookie, but it works. Both the books and the show have their own merits.