tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post6854073727640470926..comments2024-03-18T12:02:03.293-07:00Comments on The Misadventures Of Super Librarian: Stephanie Plum, Ho BagWendyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12485867264936716806noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-22852074172511375332020-05-30T10:30:02.794-07:002020-05-30T10:30:02.794-07:00Can't stand Ranger. He adds nothing but perver...Can't stand Ranger. He adds nothing but perversion to the books.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16140042663521487311noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-58187570398618402342016-10-19T23:47:26.745-07:002016-10-19T23:47:26.745-07:00I agree with Aquaria. Stephanie should work full ...I agree with Aquaria. Stephanie should work full time for Ranger, traveling the world with him to solve crimes. I like Joe Morelli, but there's no comparison to Ranger! Please keep Stephanie and Ranger together, and don't be so stingy on the love scenes. You can prolong them at least a little bit!Judy731https://www.blogger.com/profile/05341989579412507889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-10722059278431888292016-10-19T17:03:38.159-07:002016-10-19T17:03:38.159-07:00I agree with Aquaria. Stephanie should partner up ...I agree with Aquaria. Stephanie should partner up with Ranger, work for him, be HIS woman, lover. His life is dangerous, but exciting. I love Ranger!Judy731https://www.blogger.com/profile/05341989579412507889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-65031008175111636672014-07-02T22:39:25.321-07:002014-07-02T22:39:25.321-07:00But Ranger got away from Evanovich, the second she...But Ranger got away from Evanovich, the second she made him likeable, and human, starting around Book 5. You can't do that with the badass sidekick. He's so badass that if you humanize him, people will start looking at him as the hero, or darn close to it. He's the guy who gets things done. Readers love characters who don't dither around, and face things head on.<br /><br />By making Ranger a can-do guy who's super-smart, wealthy, someone with excellent taste, someone funny in his own way, and totally sexy, she put herself into a total bind with making Morelli the man of Stephanie's dreams.<br /><br />He's not the man of her dreams anymore. Ranger is. Ranger can give Stephanie everything she actually dreams of: Plenty of financial security and a life of adventure. Morelli became the schlub who'd give her the ordinary life with the sweet little house, and a life of drudgery, cleaning house and wiping snot off kids' faces. There's no excitement in that. There's no future for the series in it. If Stephanie chooses Joe, the series is over.<br /><br /><br />If Evanovich were smart, she'd send Morelli packing and turn Ranger and Stephanie into a modern day Nick and Nora. Edgier and a little darker, but the same sophisticated crime fighters. They could travel the world, solving crimes. Stephanie would need to grow up a lot first, and take a hard look at what she really wants in this world. And Evanovich would have to realize the hole she's dug for herself.<br /><br />I don't think she's capable of it at this point. If she hasn't comprehended yet that she can't save Morelli, it won't happen. She's only had every chance since at least Book 10 to settle the issue, and, eleven books later (as of this writing), she still hasn't done it.<br /><br />There was a glimmer of hope in 12 Sharp when she seemed to realize that Ranger was the new alpha male, the future of the series. It's not a coincidence that it's the best-written book, with the most depth of characterization, and the most coherent and cohesive plot. She had a great, fascinating character to work with and hang the series on.<br /><br />But then JE backed away from it, and keeps trying to squeeze the square peg of Morelli into the Ranger-shaped hero hole. So with each passing book since 12, the series has become progressively more mediocre, when it wasn't downright vile, as in book 14.<br /><br />Anyway, the more she tries to save Morelli, the deeper the hole gets, for Morelli and the series. It's not fair to Morelli, who was an awesome character in the beginning; however, he's been on an inevitable slide to irrelevance since Book 5, and it shows ever more with each passing book.<br /><br />When you're in a hole, stop digging.Aquariahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07578444793424041263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-73561472829109927172014-07-02T22:39:20.063-07:002014-07-02T22:39:20.063-07:00Wow. Judgmental, much? Stephanie has never really ...Wow. Judgmental, much? Stephanie has never really committed to either man. That means she's free to do what she wants, and that includes sleeping with who she wants, when she wants. She doesn't owe Joe or Ranger or even you any explanations.<br /><br />I don't care if she sleeps with them alternate nights or even hours. She's an adult. She can do that if she wants. As long as she and her partners practice safe sex, I couldn't care less.<br /><br />As for why she's in this spot, Stephanie is confused, because Evanovich is confused.<br /><br />Evanovich's mistake is that she started out with Morelli definitely being the one she intended to have Stephanie be with. Ranger was supposed to be Stephanie's bad ass sidekick, a very common staple in the mystery genre.<br /><br />Badass sidekicks have some specific characteristics that good authors have to use to keep them firmly in place as the badass sidekick. He's the protatongist's enforcer who's scary at how brutal and efficient he is, almost more machine than human. Which is not someone readers can really warm up to. That's what Ranger was supposed to be, the mostly loyal sociopath who could do the dirty work that Stephanie couldn't do physically or morally, much like Hawk in the Spenser series, Bugowski in the Gennaro series, or Joe Pike in the Elvis Cole series.<br /><br />When authors create these guys, they're supposed to make sure that you, the reader, are uncomfortable with the idea of getting too close to him. You can't make him all that likeable. He's supposed to be the kind of guy who's capable of anything, his morals in a gray-to-black area. Only his association with the protagonist(s) keeps him from sliding completely into darkness.<br /><br />So he's supposed to be the kind of guy that you're darn glad is on the hero's side, because you know how dangerous he'd be if he weren't.<br /><br />--cont'd--Aquariahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07578444793424041263noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-3617398100451373082012-10-01T17:37:32.394-07:002012-10-01T17:37:32.394-07:00Joni: For funny I like Laura Levine's Jaine Au...Joni: For funny I like Laura Levine's Jaine Austen series. For not funny - I adore Tess Gerritsen's Rizzoli/Isles books. The TV series lost me after one year, mostly because I felt they changed too much of the source material. But I'm still in love with those books!Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12485867264936716806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-89490475597467242482012-09-28T23:26:39.139-07:002012-09-28T23:26:39.139-07:00I'm just on book 6, so not sure when I will qu...I'm just on book 6, so not sure when I will quit. However I did quit Karen Slaughter when she killed off Sarah's Hubby. That really bothered me. And I no longer read Iris Johanson because I was only reading the Eve books, and after the whole Bonnie thing was resolved I no longer had an interest in her. Just looking for someone new to read now. Any ideas would be great :)Joni Holthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14740384928626484141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-88133989468597551782011-09-20T19:35:54.036-07:002011-09-20T19:35:54.036-07:00I like the books but I just wish that JE would mak...I like the books but I just wish that JE would make Steph's character refect her intelligence in her job and her personal relationships. Just own up to it already and admit to Morelli that she doesn't want to become her mother. As far as Ranger if she wants more than he can give, move on. I still don't see why she has to choose and can't just have some fun while she's figuring it out. If things don't get better in #18 I think I'm done.<br /><br />What does it for me to leave a series is the inconsistencies in the story lines. Patricia Cornwell lost me because of this.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-41995353515109523892011-08-28T23:54:02.713-07:002011-08-28T23:54:02.713-07:00I tried to quit, because around about book 9 or 10...I tried to quit, because around about book 9 or 10 I got bored, but I just can't break the habit. For me, the Morelli/Ranger thing is getting tedious, not even so much becuase Joe's feelings are involved (thought that's some of it) but because Stephanie just won't make up her mind, and that's gone beyond tedious. Plus, she's been taking poor Joe home for dinner since very early on - surely that's commitment of some sort!<br /><br />Best series at the moment for me is Kate Atkinson's Jackson Brody books. I LOVE them with a huge big love, and I'm gutted that she says she's not writing any more at the moment.Marguerite Kayehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06886711566567879237noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-46540740425216679402011-08-26T13:15:52.722-07:002011-08-26T13:15:52.722-07:00Hmm, never read this series but for me mostly the ...Hmm, never read this series but for me mostly the point that I start thinking about whether I really want to continue reading a series is when it goes HC. I very, very rarely ever shell out the money for HC, so that makes my wait for the next installment in a series longer. If I am then still interested in the book, I will continue reading the series (Psy/Changeling). But when the point comes where the series goes HC and the books are either not worth that price to me or the last books were just meh, then I will quit the series. <br />I quit BDB because it really didn't work for me anymore after Phury's book and I quit the Darkhunter series a few books after Acheron's - it was the same story (which I can live with) but suddenly there were so many new secondary characters introduced and the world building got confusing and the quality wasn't the same anymore IMO that I decided to quit. <br />So, it is mostly that the books lose their appeal over time and then get 1) too expensive and I forget about them while waiting for the MMP or 2) they lose the something that kept me hooked in the first place which usually happens over a few books.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-31060729745064989992011-08-26T12:31:33.938-07:002011-08-26T12:31:33.938-07:00I read one of Stephanie Plum's early ones when...I read one of Stephanie Plum's early ones when it was still all the hype and it just didn't grab me. <br /><br />Series I have broken up with: Sue Grafton's Kinsey Milhone. PKthebookeemonster had it right, once she was no longer contemporary, it got dull. Dana Stabenow's Kate Shugak - well, I might not have actually broken up with her. I might just be waiting for a few more books to be published. <br /><br />Actually, that's the worst. Books come out so slowly lately. I've completely lost interest in Jamie and Claire in Diana Gabaldon's books now.Carrie#Khttp://mymiddlenameispatience.typepad.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-77273868005295847272011-08-26T12:20:26.989-07:002011-08-26T12:20:26.989-07:00I've only done audibooks with this series too ...I've only done audibooks with this series too :)<br /><br />In this book I felt like JE's humor was definitely stronger than in the last few books. I was very happy with that! But yeah, I hear ya about the bed hopping. Considering Steph only slept with Ranger one time MANY books ago, to have her sleep with him several times in a short book felt very out of character. Having said that, I still enjoyed the book and laughed a couple of times..."Beep, beep, beep, beep" LOL<br /><br />I also agree it's definitely clear that Joe and Steph are a couple and I wished a couple books ago that JE would give them their HEA and spin off Ranger to a Range-Man series and have him find someone ala Mr & Mrs Smith.<br /><br />Btw, IIRC I believe she slept with one guy and then the other the next day - in answer to one of the comments above.<br /><br />As for when to call it quits on a series, I find that I have a very low tolerance for paranormal series. The main two I've quit are Anita Blake and BDB. I definitely prefer a paranormal series that has a finite number of books. Most recently was the Fever series by KMM where I read the final book and was very satisfied with the ending. But....this week I read that there will be 5 more books in the Fever world. As much as I enjoyed the series, what the hell! I want closure.<br /><br />As for these light and breezy reads and cozy mysteries I find I'll read them as long as the author keeps writing. Most recently I've read Lois Greiman's Chrissy McMullen series, Toni McGee Causey's Bobbie Faye series and Susan Enoch's Samantha Jellicoe series and I would LOVE if those continued. So yep, I'll be reading Steph Plum #18 when it comes out :)<br /><br />In short, for me:<br />Long paranormal series BAD<br />Long cozy mystery series GOODWandererhttp://www.goodreads.com/user/show/2280452-wanderer-wanderlustnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-87430941004617998972011-08-26T10:12:12.842-07:002011-08-26T10:12:12.842-07:00I was utterly taken aback when Stephanie hopped in...I was utterly taken aback when Stephanie hopped in Rangers Bed and felt no shame. It was so out of character that I question which Evanovich is actually writing these things anymore - it would certainly explain some of the last few craptastic offerings. I think this may have been the one that jumped the shark, but I'll admit to losing focus back around #9.Cursing Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16525488337844130010noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-61440902358361076402011-08-26T09:31:00.027-07:002011-08-26T09:31:00.027-07:00Cindy: A big reason I've kept on with Stephani...Cindy: A big reason I've kept on with Stephanie is that I could typically count on one LOL moment during the course of listening. But the last several? Yeah, not so much. Still, it's filling a "brain candy" niche for me - so I'm keeping on. <br /><br />OMG - "mush" to describe characters. I may have to steal that one....Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12485867264936716806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-2666037728767351102011-08-25T23:23:58.560-07:002011-08-25T23:23:58.560-07:00For me, it was the funny. Books 3 through to abou...For me, it was the funny. Books 3 through to about 7 had me in stitches but after that, she lost the funny part. <br /><br />If I think back to my first 'break-up' it was Julie Garwood. She lost the magic that made her H/H sizzle. I made it through 2 of her contemporary books before realizing I couldn't follow her anymore.<br /><br />I now think it's funny that I would say 'I would read the author's grocery list!'. Turns out, I wouldn't.<br /><br />I have only gotten mad at 2 authors - Suzanne Brockmann and J.R. Ward. It was my own issues whether the overall story arc was killing me OR, and I think this is the real reason, characters that were once interesting were made into mush. That said, I do feel like I could go back now as long as I knew not to get attached to a particular character. Getting burned a few times is not worth it!.<br /><br />CindySCindyShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18349459903336460467noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-67347463999128600642011-08-25T17:58:13.314-07:002011-08-25T17:58:13.314-07:00Diane: The BDB thing totally passed me by. I read...Diane: The BDB thing totally passed me by. I read the second book and did see why some readers loved them - but for me? The dialogue drove me bonkers. <br /><br />Tracy: I'm really good at picking and choosing within romance series. I'll read book one, skip book two if I'm not interested, and pick up book three. But mystery series? I'm rather militant about reading in order.<br /><br />Kristie: This one would have driven you insane. The more I think about it, the more I find I'm annoyed with Stephanie for not "owning" her behavior. Sure, go ahead and screw both guys - but don't pass the buck off on Grandma Bella. Geez.Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12485867264936716806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-41838103533836048002011-08-25T17:52:10.502-07:002011-08-25T17:52:10.502-07:00Lisa: I'm actually a Ranger girl, but over the...Lisa: I'm actually a Ranger girl, but over the last several books I've really gotten the <b>Stephanie And Morelli Are A Couple</b> vibe. So to have her *bam* have crazy hot monkey sex with Ranger now? And still have her talking/being with Morelli? Yeah. Ho bag. LOL<br /><br />PK: Grafton is another one I listen to on audio exclusively. The last several were ho-hum for me, but I thought U was pretty dang enjoyable. First one I really liked since....oh probably Q.<br /><br />Joy: Another author who is really good at it is Tess Gerritsen. She allows her characters to grow without rewriting history. That was the thing about the Cornwell series that drove me nuts. The characters morphed into pod people.<br /><br />Samantha: I go to audio a lot for mystery/suspense. I like listening to that genre, and it's a way for me to "keep up."Wendyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12485867264936716806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-82852963312745490722011-08-25T16:22:04.721-07:002011-08-25T16:22:04.721-07:00I gave up on this series around 13 I think. I'...I gave up on this series around 13 I think. I'm such a Morelli girl it was driving me crazy watching her bounce back and forth. By the sounds of it I'd be throwing this one against the wall. I think Evanovitch painted herself in a corner with the triangle and now neither side can be happy. Should she choose my guy, it would always be in the back of my mind that she banged Ranger, thus cheating on Joe, thus making me unable to forgive her. It makes mer very sad but this series is dead to me now. Both in the same book? Can't handle that. And the fact she doesn't own it seals the done deal.Kristie (J)https://www.blogger.com/profile/15743921647882733738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-67710837782097817322011-08-25T12:16:12.576-07:002011-08-25T12:16:12.576-07:00*snort* Ho bag lol I don't read this series b...*snort* Ho bag lol I don't read this series but I've heard some interesting things about it. I think I'll give it a pass. :)<br /><br />I usually stop a series out of boredom or disinterest. When the next book comes out I think: do I really want to read it or can I live without it? If I can live without it I just pass. Of course sometimes I pass and then kick myself afterwards. lolTracyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05320961506471746567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-80299526470829201202011-08-25T12:08:18.860-07:002011-08-25T12:08:18.860-07:00I've become ruthless about quitting series tha...I've become ruthless about quitting series that no longer do it for me, whatever "it" is. I never got into Stephanie Plum, so never had to break up with her, but I've severed ties with any number of series over the years. Take J.R. Ward, for instance. I adored the first 3 BDB books, recommended them to friends, got into the online scene, etc., but the love didn't last for me. Now I think about the ridiculous jargon and gratuitous product placement and wishy-washy heroines and I'm actually glad the honeymoon was brief! But I do believe in second chances, and I've really enjoyed J.R.'s fallen angel series so far. I may quibble with her style (or more than quibble!) but she can tell a story, for sure!!DianeNnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-59483029582976870472011-08-25T12:03:06.169-07:002011-08-25T12:03:06.169-07:00I keep reading Stephanie Plum books because they a...I keep reading Stephanie Plum books because they are mostly just habit now. I like them... I just don't love them anymore. I wish Evanovich would quit writing them, or at least give us a number for the final book so we can see an end in sight. ha<br />I find it interesting that you only listen to them and I totally get that. I am like that with James Patterson..for some reason the audio versions are really well done and I find the times I have actually read Patterson that I haven't enjoyed them.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07096423955877547496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-80935761049026022002011-08-25T07:00:30.358-07:002011-08-25T07:00:30.358-07:00@lisabea - Oh, I like Ranger too. I just don't...@lisabea - Oh, I like Ranger too. I just don't think he'd be a particularly good match for Stephanie - I'm sure the sex would be great, but there's more to a good relationship than just sex. And the really expensive cars that Stephanie goes through like potato chips.<br /><br />Plus, as far as I'm concerned, if I'm supposed to be seeing these characters at all like actual people, the things Stephanie does should have consequences. You can't tell your guys "You can't be with anyone else but me" and then hope around in multiple guys' beds without there being repercussions. That's one of the reasons why I finally managed to quit both of Laurell K. Hamilton's series - I got tired of her main female characters hypocritically doing the things they told their men not to do. Am I supposed to say "Yay, you go girl!" when the women get to sleep with all the hot guys and then tell those same hot guys they must be monogamous or they will be dropped like hot potatoes? Maybe that's the response authors like Evanovich and Hamilton are expecting, but I just can't.A Library Girlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06144279685884011943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-48717593327768672532011-08-25T03:49:29.641-07:002011-08-25T03:49:29.641-07:00Thank God I never liked the first Stephanie Plum I...Thank God I never liked the first Stephanie Plum I tried to read! I will keep with a series until I get angry at the endless repetition and lack of growth of the character. At some point silly hangups become just annoying. Get over it already or get some therapy.<br /><br />So how do you keep a series alive? The secondary characters get developed more and have their chance to grow--La Nora in the Death series is fabulous at this. But as Patricia Cornwell proves this can become ridiculous if you don't have imagination and have to reach too far into another genre to develop them. I expect Davidson to bring in aliens next. I'm really sorry all the fairy politics were introduced into Sookie's story. Sigh...just one more of those and we'll see.joykennnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-38526099433969651202011-08-24T19:04:42.439-07:002011-08-24T19:04:42.439-07:00I read mostly mysteries and will drop a series if ...I read mostly mysteries and will drop a series if it gets .... beyond. Sujata Massey had an interesting series of her character living in Japan and getting into antiques but when she became a superspy....? Sometimes you just outgrow the storylines. Or stories take...so....long...to...progress (Hello George R R Martin and Robert Jordan before he passed). And even Sue Grafton, it WAS a contemporary PI series and now it's historical by staying in the 80s. I will go back someday but when we outpaced her I had to leave her behind. <br />JD Robb just has magic and makes it work after 30 something books. :)PK the Bookeemonsterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03478996122841311684noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-350052669699480502.post-26115092748797971312011-08-24T18:24:00.145-07:002011-08-24T18:24:00.145-07:00"The problem comes in when Stephanie has smok..."The problem comes in when Stephanie has smokin' hot sex with Ranger in this book."<br /><br /><br />Problem? I'm wondering if this is the new editor/publisher saying: Make Something New Happen For God's Sake.<br /><br />And I guess I'm the odd gal out here, because I love Ranger. Let's go, Steph. Dooo eeeet.<br /><br />(Ho Bag LB)<br /><br /><br />PS <br />My WV is conical. Just thought that was funny.lisabeahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07920384323769700925noreply@blogger.com