Does anyone on else read the Stephanie Plum books by Janet Evanovich? They're such light and fluffy reading, I'm not sure -- as most of the books cited here are a bit more "serious literature". My mother turned me on to these books a few years ago, and while they are not "deep" or "literature", they are hilarious and a great deal of fun. I laugh out loud every time I read them.

Stephanie is a bounty hunter who is afraid of guns and normally leaves her gun at home in her cookie jar, just to be safe. Her cohorts are a large black former "ho" named Lula who always carries a really large gun in her purse; a sexy, mysterious Batman-type named Ranger; and her endlessly kooky grandmother, Grandma Mazur -- among others.

I always read "Stephanie books" when I'm sick in bed, because they don't take much concentration and they make me laugh out loud. I'd love to discuss, if anyone else is a fan -- but if you haven't read one yet, I highly recommend trying one (there are 15 of them, so far).

You need to talk to Purple Fan, she is a great fan of SP! I love them too. As you say , they are real "laugh out loud' material. I just love the Grandma.

I have heard so many people say they love these books that I just ordered the first one from Amazon I have high hopes for it, and will get the rest if I like the first one.

One of our editors here is a big fan, she's written quizzes on almost all the books. Personally, I keep meaning to read them but have never picked up the habit.

I too, love Stephanie and her wild life! My favorite is "Ten Big Ones."
There is a recurring character named "Sally" who cross dresses for his band gigs. He, and Lula and Grandma, are just a riot! Janet Evanovich can't write fast enough!

One of may favourite set of books. Always make me smile and you can bring Morelli or even Ranger round any time !

Love, love, love them! When I can read a line, lay down the book and laugh out loud because I can see or hear what has just happened, that's my kind of book. And when I need a little extra courage or am having a bad day, I'll go swipe on another coat of mascara just to see if it helps.

I tried to get hubby to read about Stephanie Plum and gave him the first book to get started. After three chapters, hubby asks me "does she ever get her stuff together?" (however "stuff" wasn't the word he used). When I told him that was the charm of Stephanie, he (being a most organized individual) couldn't read it. I think he's really missing out. I mean, how can you resist Stephanie and Lula, not to mention Ranger and Joe? Yowza!

I know Stephanie doesn't have her "stuff" together, but one of the things I love about her is the way that even when she's terrified she plunges on in head first. I've actually applied this to my life occasionally -- when things get crazy or scary, I think, "What would Stephanie do?" And I agree with ClaraSue -- if Stephanie ever got her stuff together, she'd be so much more boring. I look forward to each book to find out how her car will get destroyed this time!

I read the series and that is one of the few series I buy in hardback. I have enjoyed reading them all. You're right, they make me laugh.

That being said, I think "Finger Lickin' Fifteen" just doesn't seem up to Evanovich's usual standard. While I enjoy the character Lula, this time it just felt like JE went a bit overboard and after a while the Lula thing just got old. And I think I'm getting tired of Stephanie playing both Ranger and Morelli. If I were Morelli, I'd say, "Either fish or cut bait." I think the Stephanie thing of playing Morelli and Ranger is getting a bit old. What guy (Morelli) would accept his girl sleeping over at someone else's (Ranger) apartment? I don't find this funny any more.

With all the other books I've read them on the spot. #15 was one I could put down and come back to the next day. That was disappointing. I'm seriously thinking of not buying any more. What will probably happen is that I'll buy #16, see if it is better, and if not drop the series.

Well my daughter bought the first one years ago to read while commuting..she loved them, but it took me a while to get around to them. Once I'd read the first one I read the next 12 in 3 days.
Such an easy, giggly read and I loved Grandma Mazur, who isn't that far emoved, character wise, to a close relative. Always have a chuckle when I read them! Jane Austin she aint but hats off to Janet for a good fun read. Ideal for a plane trip!

Not too sure about the advisability of reading these books in crowded public places. I took one a couple of years ago to read in the waiting room while waiting for a doctor's appointment. When Steph's car exploded in the very first scene in the book (you know it's gonna happen, I just didn't expect it so soon), I started laughing and got some very strange looks from the other waiting patients. (Especially considering it was an orthopedic surgeon's office and we were all wearing casts or some sort of bandages!)

I have been a Janet fan for years. Some of the antics of Grandma, Bob and Moonman are just hilarious.

Having said that, I agree with Jar, 15 was not as good as the other books. I was very disappointed with it. It seemed too much like a re-hash of the previous books. I hope 16 will be better.

I, too, am a fan of the Stephanie Plum series. I have worked my way through it, mostly listening to the audio while walking for exercise. I borrow the CD's from my local library, copy them to my computer, and then to my mp3 player. Those books make the time fly by, and I join the others who have gotten some strange looks after I burst into spontaneous laughter while listening!

I hope I enjoy 15 more than the rest of you have. I haven't read it yet. Janet publishes a new one every summer, and I wait for it to go on sale, then buy it and save it to read for my birthday. (It's my own little present to myself.) My b-day's coming up, so I'll be reading 15 soon.

As for Jar's comment about growing tired of the Steph-Morelli-Ranger triangle, it's obvious Morelli has the patience of a saint. Steph gets crazy jealous when Morelli has any dealings whatsoever with Terry Gilman, but expects him to trust her many liaisons with Ranger. While I wouldn't want to lose the dynamics of either character, it does seem like it might be time to change the status quo here and mix it up a bit.

That said, I would rather lose Morelli than Ranger. I love it when Steph screws up and Ranger shows up and simply says, "Babe". Steph and Morelli have some great conversations, but Ranger's character drives the plot in ways Morelli never seems to do.

Besides, what woman wouldn't want her own personal Batman to swoop in and loan her an endless array of expensive cars and pay giant tough guys to follow her around and protect her?

Starfish, I'm with you about Stephanie choosing Ranger over Morelli.
And I just love Grandma and her obsession with funerals.