Last night I watched the movie Jagged Edge…for the 400th time. I needed mindless. No thinking. Just sitting, staring and following along without having to delve too deep. Basically, the movie equivalent of a big bag of Ruffles - comfort food.
Jagged Edge is, by now, considered an oldie. It dates back to 1985. Unfortunately, I date back more than a decade before 1985. Joe Eszterhas, the brilliant mind - insert cough here - who brought us the fine examples of movie screenwriting such as Showgirls, Jade and Sliver wrote Jagged Edge. Glenn Close, who would go on to scare the beejesus out of men everywhere with her role in Fatal Attraction a few years later, was the female star. Peter Coyote, one of those actors who gives me the creeps, also makes an appearance here.
Jagged Edge isn’t a great movie. Some suggest it’s downright mediocre. But, for whatever reason, if I’m dialing around and see it on, I watch it. This likely says more about me that I’m comfortable putting out there in public, but now you know.
I have this kind of relationship with a few books. I read them over and over, or will go for a short time without reading them and then will see the spine on my bookshelf and pull ‘em out. The reality is that I don’t know how “good” these books really are or what others think of them. Don’t care either. They may be great, they may be meh, they may even be bad, but they always work for me. I’ve lost all perspective on being able to judge them as anything other than as some of my favorites. And, really, I don’t care if they’re technically or objectively good or not - I love them.
Some of my books-as-potato-chips offerings are:
-One Summer by Karen Robards
-Duncan’s Bride by Linda Howard
-Kiss An Angel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
-Ravished by Amanda Quick
Am I alone? Do other readers out there have that list - the books you’ve read so many times you really don’t know if they’re “great” books but they always work for you and always bring comfort.
In the spirit of oldies, I will give away a newbie, specifically my new release Viva Las Bad Boys! I’ll select a random comment from those who respond and that person will win my new release. I’ll pick next Tuesday, July 25th, right before I leave for the RWA conference in Atlanta. Good luck!
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Some of my comfort reads include:
MR. PERFECT and OPEN SEASON by Linda Howard
HAUNTING RACHEL by Kay Hooper
MONTANA SKY by Nora Roberts
by Maureen
on July 21st, 2006 at 6:33 am
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Ooh, there are so many, but some of my favorites are:
Vicki Lewis Thompson: Nerd in Shining Armor
Karen Whiddon: One Eye Closed
Sharon Sala: Gentle Persuation
by Minna
on July 21st, 2006 at 6:38 am
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Um, I have this book HelenKay (thanx to you!) so I’m just answering the question.
-Over the Edge and Out of Control and Gone Too Far by Suzanne Brockmann
Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard
-Whitney, My Love & Almost Heave & Something Wonderful & Until You by Judith McNaught
-The Viscount Who Loved Me & When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn
-Where Dreams Begin & Dreaming of You & Only With Your Love & Because You’re Mine by Lisa Kleypas
Some of these books date back to the 80’s and were not as politically correct, but I still love them. I’m a serious re-reader and can’t imagine not going back to a book I just loved and re-living that experience. It’s the best.
by Stacy ~
on July 21st, 2006 at 7:06 am
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I absolutely LOVED Jagged Edge and it is a movie I always recommend.
I also loved Witness For the Prosecution.
Now to books to re-read: (or to read for the first time if you haven’t)
A Rose For Maggie - Kathleen Korbel
Heartbreak Hotel - Jill Marie Landis
Sarah’s Child - Linda Howard - I have re-read several times - a MUST READ - such a touching - heart/gut wrenching ending
YES - SEP’s - I AGREE WITH YOU - Kiss An Angel
by Pat
on July 21st, 2006 at 7:24 am
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I haven’t seen “Jagged Edge” but, I agree…. Peter Coyote can be creepy!
A few of my favorite comfort reads are:
“A Woman Without Tears”-Elizabeth Lowell (always makes me cry) (stained glass maker))
“Tempest In Eden”- Sandra Brown(model and a minister)
“White Lies”-Linda Howard(told in a diary format-hero can’t talk)
“Always a Lady”-Sharon Sala(model and old friend)
“Nightstar”-Fern Michaels (model and alpha male)
“Night, Sea and Stars”-Heather Graham( princess and an island)
by Laurie G
on July 21st, 2006 at 7:57 am
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“The Catswold Portal” by Shirley Rousseau Murphy
by Melissa
on July 21st, 2006 at 8:02 am
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The Texas Trilogy by Sandra Brown:Texas Lucky, Texas Chase and Texas Sage.
I first discovered these in the early 1980’s.
by Robyn
on July 21st, 2006 at 9:14 am
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All the Queen’s Men by Linda Howard
Open Season by Linda Howard
After The Night by Linda Howard
One Summer by Karen Robards
Beachcomber by Karen Robards
To Trust a Stranger by Karen Robards
by Amy S.
on July 21st, 2006 at 9:47 am
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Some of my favorite comfort reads are:
Where the Heart Is - Billie Letts
Sullivan’s Island or Shem Creek - Dorothea Benton Frank
A Tea Shop mystery - Laura Childs
A Hannah Swenson mystery - Joanne Fluke
For the last two, I love these mystery series, because you feel like you know all the characters and the towns and everytime you read one, you feel like your popping in for a visit.
by Sandra M.
on July 21st, 2006 at 10:20 am
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My comfort read list of books are:
The Prize by Julie Garwood
Scarlet Thread by Francine Rivers
Silver’s Edge by Anne Kelleher
Silver’s Bane by Anne Kelleher
The Misted Cliffs by Catherine Asaro
by Cherie Japp
on July 21st, 2006 at 10:24 am
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I forgot Julie Garwood. Most of her oldies are comfort reads for me. She the ultimate potato chip :)
by HelenKay
on July 21st, 2006 at 10:38 am
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Just a note to let you know that I really look forward to reading your blogs.
I love to read and have found so many of your suggestions to be perfect.
Lately I am into Barbara Delinsky and Anne Kelleher is also coming my new list of musts.
Thank you for sharing your recommendations.
Hope you have a great day!
Barbara
by Barbara
on July 21st, 2006 at 10:39 am
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Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell
by Carol
on July 21st, 2006 at 10:53 am
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I mostly read contemporary stories. I have to admit though for really comfort reads I enjoy Julie Garwoods early books, especially Honour’s Splendour and the Lion’s Lady.
by Joyce
on July 21st, 2006 at 11:23 am
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Susan Donovan’s Public Displays of Affection
Erin McCarthy’s Huston We Have a Problem
Linda Howard’s Shades of Twilght
And I have to second LH’s Duncan’s Bride because it’s one of my all time favorites!
by Samantha
on July 21st, 2006 at 11:39 am
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I must be an odd one here, because I’ve never gone back and re-read any of my books. I have about 100 in my keeper collection meant to be re-read, but so far, I haven’t. There are so many new books coming out that I want to read I don’t take the time to go back. I’ll go back and re-read some pages of a book that I’ve just finished but that’s about it.
by KimW
on July 21st, 2006 at 11:49 am
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anything really. but i uusally never read a book twice.
i love lori foster’s books and vicki thompson books:lol:
by KIM H
on July 21st, 2006 at 11:52 am
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I have many comfort reads…most of them are old historicals or Harlequin historicals.
I don’t believe that I have ever heard Jagged Edge.
by Jennifer Y.
on July 21st, 2006 at 1:16 pm
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Everything by Bertrice Small and Silver Bells by Luanne Rice.
by Estella Kissell
on July 21st, 2006 at 2:49 pm
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Any reader worth of their name has one such list. Mine has Pride and Prejudice and most of Nora Robert’s and Evanovich’s books on them.
by Sanjay
on July 21st, 2006 at 5:20 pm
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I have read all of Kay h ooper’s books. Just great!
by joelle
on July 21st, 2006 at 6:19 pm
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Reading Sandra Brown’s books are thrilling and fab.
by ellie
on July 21st, 2006 at 6:20 pm
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SHoot the moon By Bille Letts
The Shadow of the wind
by pearl
on July 21st, 2006 at 6:21 pm
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Every Secret Thing by Laura Lippman.
By a Spider’s Thread by Laura Lippman. All are great
by diane
on July 21st, 2006 at 6:22 pm
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Baker Towers by Jennifer Haigh
In a Dark Place by Deborah Crombie
Retribution by Jilliane Hoffman
by sharon
on July 21st, 2006 at 6:23 pm
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I’m like Kim W. and re-read portions of books that really tugged at my heart but don’t think I’ve ever re-read a whole book. A few books I’ve re-read sections of are:
A Cowboy’s Secret by Anne McAlister
Cole in My Stocking by Jule McBride
by Cheryl S.
on July 22nd, 2006 at 12:26 am
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Like Estella said everything by Bertrice Small, also everything by Johanna Lindsey, Dorothy Garlock, & Karen Marie Moning.
by Tammy G.
on July 22nd, 2006 at 9:29 am
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Welcome to Temptation & Tell Me Lies by Jennifer Crusie
Simply Irresistible by Rachel Gibson
The Vineyard by Barbara Delinsky
That’s just a particle list and perhaps explains why my TBR pile keeps climbing!:lol:
by Susan
on July 22nd, 2006 at 11:08 am
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There’s about 100 books on my shelf that fit this :)
To pick a handfull at random -
Montana Sky by Nora Roberts
The whole McKenzie series by Linda Howard
Only Mine by Elizabeth Lowell
by Karen
on July 22nd, 2006 at 1:14 pm
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My most re-read books are Dara Joy’s Matrix of Destiny, but I also have many other books that I re-read regularly
by Danny
on July 23rd, 2006 at 3:56 pm
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Angel by Johanna Lindsey
Early Julia Quinn books
Summon the Keeper by Tanya Huff
There are a few more, but these are the ones that really get reread.
by Nicole
on July 24th, 2006 at 8:59 am
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I usually don’t reread books. I have several keeper novels but I have not reread them. I go on to read new books.
by Crystal B.
on July 24th, 2006 at 10:22 am
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Hi HelenKay! :D
I loved Jagged Edge myself. I like most anything with Glenn Close. I have a few authors whose books I read over that would qualify as comfort reading. I do happen to think they are amazing writers, but the reason I read them again is more the same reason I put on my favorite jeans. They are familiar and comforting.
Here are a few:
Vicki Lewis Thompson
Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Jill Shalvis
Donna Kauffman
Erin McCarthy
Carly Phillips
by Zara
on July 24th, 2006 at 12:14 pm
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I hope I’m not too late to enter!!! I just now got my electricity restored after 6 days without it!!!!
I think everyone already named my authors:D
by Kathleen
on July 25th, 2006 at 11:53 am
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i wonder who won?
by KIM H
on July 26th, 2006 at 5:51 pm
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That’s a very good question, Kim. Who’s the fortunate winner?
by Melissa
on August 5th, 2006 at 11:26 am
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You know, I am soooo bad at remembering to actually announce the winner here at AR. I picked the comment # last week, but did I announce it? Ummm, no. It’s as if I have a mental block or something. A few lovely ladies emailed me with a reminder. Thank you. See, this is what happens when I post and then go party at the RWA Conference - I forget everything else I need to do!!!
Okay, the winner is Karen (comment #29). Email me to claim your prize.
And…I will try to get better at this. Sorry. It’s always fine to email me with a virtual nudge :D
by HelenKay
on August 5th, 2006 at 9:57 pm
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wtg karen
by KIM H
on August 6th, 2006 at 7:26 pm
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Congrats, Karen.
by Pat
on August 6th, 2006 at 8:55 pm
