Booking Through Thursday-07/09/09

An idea I got from The Toddled Dredge (via K for Kat). Here’s what she said: “So here today I present to you an Unread Books Challenge. Give me the list or take a picture of all the books you have stacked on your bedside table, hidden under the bed or standing in your shelf – the books you have not read, but keep meaning to. The books that begin to weigh on your mind. The books that make you cover your ears in conversation and say, ‘No! Don’t give me another book to read! I can’t finish the ones I have!’ “

I have a ridiculous number of books to read. This is the reason the hubby keeps putting me on a book ban. So many books to read! They have overflowed from my night stand onto the floor.



This is why my desk isn't that bad. My books are here instead and the books I have already read are on bookshelves hidden away in the guest bedroom. Plus, my desk is in the living room...can't be too messy in case of visitors. :) Seriously, all I moved was the mail, so I could put the Macbook down.

Happy Thursday! You are one day closer to the weekend.


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Booking Through Thursday-06/04/09

“This can be a quick one. Don’t take too long to think about it. Fifteen books you’ve read that will always stick with you. First fifteen you can recall in no more than 15 minutes."

1. Bel Canto by Ann Patchett2. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen3. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini4. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield5. Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer6. The Reader by Bernhard Schlink7. Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery8. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott9. Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone by JK Rowling10. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky11. An Obsolete Honor by Helena P. Schrader12. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by JK Rowling13. It by Stephen King14. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer15. An Abundance of Katherines by John Green
All for very different reasons.
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***Current Giveaway: The Strain by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan. Open until Tuesday, June 9th at 7:00pm CST.

Booking Through Thursday-03/12/09

What book do you think should be made into a movie? And do you have any suggestions for the producers?

I really think Bel Canto by Ann Patchett would make a wonderful movie. Don't think it would be a blockbuster, but done well, it could win a few Oscars. Unfortunately, the director, that I think should direct it, is no longer available. Robert Altman passed away three years ago. Did you ever see Gosford Park? Amazing! This style of movie is exactly what I see Bel Canto: The Movie being.

Booking Through Thursday-02/19/09

How do you arrange your books on your shelves? Is it by author, by genre, or do you just put it where it falls?”


I have always organized my music and my books by categories/genres. Since getting married my cd's are mixed now and organized in alphabetical order. My books, however, still have a bit of my old organization. We have one bookshelf filled with my husband's scifi books and my mystery, suspense thrillers, and urban fantasy books take up another. These books are all in one room along with old textbooks, travel books, work related books and histories. A wall of bookshelves! This picture was taken awhile ago. More books have been stuffed onto those shelves.



The other room with bookshelves has all my other books and these are all in alphabetical order. These are all mostly adult fiction but YA books have been starting to fill up a good space. This is also where I have my children's books and picture books. However, the majority of those are on a bookshelf in my classroom. Once again, this picture was taken back in July. I had started grouping all my YA books but had to change when I had to start using this tall bookshelf when the other two were full. The children's books keep moving further down.


I love my bookshelves. Before we invested in these the books lived in boxes and on windowsills. They were stacked along the walls. It's nice having them all organized .

Books to be read live on and around my nightstand. I am in need of some bookshelves in my bedroom. All my knitting books are still on the windowsill!

Booking Through Thursday-02/12/09

A comment on someone else’s BTT question this week inspired this question:
Do you read any author’s blogs? If so, are you looking for information on their next project? On the author personally? Something else?

I do follow a few author blogs and mostly because of their personality and interesting posts. Some I actually began following before reading their books. There are many authors whose books I read but not their blogs because they just don't interest me.

These are ones I read daily.

Melissa Walker
Beth Kephart
Maureen Johnson


I also just realized that all of them are YA authors. :)

Booking Through Thursday, cont.

I wanted to post the lyrics to my favorite Joshua Radin song. Also, I have added the song to my playlist which is on the right a few scrolls down. Have a listen and enjoy. It is a great song. :)

"Sundrenched World"

I can't get to bed
But I'm really tired
The things in my head
You used to admire
In your sundrenched world
It couldn't be worse
Don't bother asking
And here comes the nerves
While I'm trying to bask
In your sundrenched world

I'm talking to you
But you're not listening
I don't know what to do
My heart is blistering
Writing this song
Tell me I'm not wrong

I close up my mouth
When you're around now
Suffocating in doubt
I can't make a sound
In your sundrenched world
I always wanted to be
The one you looked to
For the answers in me
I'm the one who took you
To your sundrenched world

I'm talking to you
But you're not listening
I don't know what to do
My heart is blistering
Writing this song
Tell me I belong

It's all been said
Once before
We fucked around
On your bedroom floor

I'm talking to you
But you're not listening
I don't know what to do
My hands are blistering
Writing this song
Tell me I belong

Tell me I belong
Tell me I
Tell me I belong

Booking Through Thursday (1/15/09)

But, enough about books … Other things have words, too, right? Like … songs! If you’re anything like me, there are songs that you love because of their lyrics; writers you admire because their songs have depth, meaning, or just a sheer playfulness that has nothing to do with the tunes. So, today’s question? What songs … either specific songs, or songs in general by a specific group or writer … have words that you love? Why? And … do the tunes that go with the fantastic lyrics live up to them?

"What a Wonderful World". One of the best songs ever especially when sung by Louis Armstrong.

Folk groups and singers have some great songs. The Weepies and Joshua Radin have some wonderful lyrics. Iron & Wine as well.

Booking Through Thursday-01/08/09

It’s a week or two later than you’d expect, and it may be almost a trite question, but … what were your favorite books from 2008?

Here are some of my favorite books that I read in 2008.

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green.
Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer.
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Settenfield.
House of Dance by Beth Kephart.
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett.

These are all highly recommended.

Booking Through Thursday-01/01/09

So … any Reading Resolutions? Say, specific books you plan to read? A plan to read more ____? Anything at all?

Name me at least ONE thing you’re looking forward to reading this year!


Reading resolutions...I hadn't really thought about it.

After trying to read 100 books last year I did decide that my goal for this year would be to just enjoy reading. Still read a lot, still keep track of how many but not feel the need to rush through good books. I enjoyed taking my time reading Bel Canto.

I have yet to decide on any challenges. Will give some a look-see and decide soon since so many are starting this month. I will limit myself to 1 or 2 at a time. I want to enjoy the books. Right now I have my eye on J.Kaye's YA Book Challenge. I have a good number of YA books to read.

Happy New Year to all!

Booking Through Thursday-12/11/08

1. Do you get to read as much as you WANT to read?
(I’m guessing #1 is an easy question for everyone?)

Of course not! There is way too much other stuff that needs to be done in a day. Work. Sleep. That is valuable reading time.

2. If you had (magically) more time to read–what would you read? Something educational? Classic? Comfort Reading? Escapism? Magazines?

Escapism! I love getting lost in a book that is the complete opposite of my life. It's why I love fantasy books so much.

Booking Through Thursday-11/20/08

Do you think reviewers are obligated to put up a good review of a book, even if they don’t like it? Have we come to a point where reviewers *need* to put up disclaimers to (hopefully) save themselves from being harassed by unhappy authors who get negative reviews?

I am very new to book blogging and one of the reasons I hadn't started one earlier was the reviews. "How could I put up a unfavorable review?" and "would anyone care what I have to say about the books I read?" were my worries. Well, that is easy. There are readers who want to know the truth about a book before spending money on it. As a reviewer, you need to be sure of who you are reviewing for. The authors or the readers?

It makes me sad to hear that there are reviewers being harassed by authors for writing a negative review. I can understand having hurt feelings about it. A lot of themselves was put into their books, but we all have to understand that there are going to be differences in opinion. Not everyone is going to love your book. Not everyone loves Harry Potter or Twilight. There are actually people who have no interest in reading them.

I just came out of a facilitated meeting at work for our staff and there are a lot of hurt feelings there as well, and issues that need resolving and differing opinions to be understood. So, I am going to leave this topic, and work stress, with this... think of those who you are trying to serve/reach.

Booking Through Thursday-10/23/08

“Name a favorite literary couple and tell me why they are a favorite. If you cannot choose just one, that is okay too. Name as many as you like–sometimes narrowing down a list can be extremely difficult and painful.

Elizabeth Bennett and Mr.Darcy (Pride & Prejudice)
Hermione and Ron (Harry Potter)
Claire and Henry (The Time Traveler's Wife)

Booking Through Thursday-10/16/08

"What tomes are waiting patiently on your shelves?"


There are many books on the bookshelf, the nightstand, the floor and the window sill of my bedroom all waiting to be read. Some have been there for years, others were bought, sent, checked out more recent. I am really hoping to make a dent in the number of books this Saturday during the Read-A-Thon ( check out the button to the right).
So, here is my working list for this Saturday:

Undone by Brooke Taylor
You Suck! by Christopher Moore
A Long Way From Chicago by Richard Peck
Toxin by Robin Cook
The Book of the Dead by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
The Wonder Spot by Melissa Bank
Frankenstein by Mary Shelly
Violet In Private by Melissa Walker

Booking Through Thursday

Here are my answers for this week's Booking Through Thursday meme:

What was the last book you bought?
I have been trying to limit my book buying but did break down recently and bought Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr.

Name a book you have read MORE than once
It is really hard for me to reread books, but I have done it for all the HP books, Anne of Green Gables and The Perks of Being a Wallflower just last week for Banned Book Week.

Has a book ever fundamentally changed the way you see life? If yes, what was it?
I would say no. All books have enhanced my life by providing me a place to escape, imagine, etc., but I wouldn't say they have "fundamentally changed the way I see life".

How do you choose a book? eg. by cover design and summary, recommendations or reviews
All of the above.

Do you prefer Fiction or Non-Fiction?
Fiction!

What’s more important in a novel - beautiful writing or a gripping plot?
Gripping plot. All the beautiful writing in the world won't make me read a book unless their is a good story behind it.

Most loved/memorable character (character/book)
Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables, Jo March from Little Women

Which book or books can be found on your nightstand at the moment?
A lot!

Look At Me by Jennifer Egan is what I am currently reading.
The Last Undercover by Bob Hamer was a prize I won from Amy during BBAW.
You Suck by Christopher Moore is a recent library pick.

The rest are all TBR at some point. Some are partially read, others are for Challenges, some have been on the bookshelf for almost a year!

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khalid Housseini
Toxin by Robin Cook
The Eyes of Darkness by Dean Koontz
Harsh Cry of the Heron by Lian Heron
The Book of the Dead by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
The Wonder Spot by Melissa Bank
Darfur Diaries by Jen Marlowe
The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin
Frankenstein by Mary Shelly
The Dubliners by James Joyce
Violet In Private by Melissa Walker

What was the last book you’ve read, and when was it?
I just finished Peeps by Scott Westerfeld last night.

Have you ever given up on a book half way in?
Yes! I have a couple on my nightstand now that are read only half way. They are still there in case I get the urge to continue them.

Booking Through Thursday

What, in your opinion, is the best book that you haven’t liked? Mind you, I don’t mean your most-hated book–oh, no. I mean the most accomplished, skilled, well-written, impressive book that you just simply didn’t like.

Wuthering Heights! I just could not make myself like this book no matter how well written it is. I know it is a favorite of many and I know it is a classic. I just didn't like it.

Booking Through Thursday

What was the most unusual (for you) book you ever read? Either because the book itself was completely from out in left field somewhere, or was a genre you never read, or was the only book available on a long flight… whatever? What (not counting school textbooks, though literature read for classes counts) was furthest outside your usual comfort zone/familiar territory?

And, did you like it? Did it stretch your boundaries? Did you shut it with a shudder the instant you were done? Did it make you think? Have nightmares? Kick off a new obsession?


This is a hard one. I read a lot of strange and "unusual" books. :)

I will go with one of the hubby's science fiction books. He reads "hard" science fiction, not quite sure what that means but I think it has to do with the fact that there is a lot of actual science. Yup, physics, nanotechnology, etc...you get the idea. The hubby never really tries to get me to read his books, but every now and then he reads one that he thinks I will like. He gave me 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke, which I surprisingly enjoyed. I even read all the books that came after. He also gave me The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K Le Guin. I don't think either of these would be considered "hard" but they are definitely more scifi than I usually read.

I have yet to finish Left Hand. The people on the planet, where the story takes place are all basically sexless/genderless except for short periods of time when they take on a male or female role to procreate.

So, yeah to all the questions listed above, except for kicking off a new obsession. Well, who knows, once I finish it maybe I will be hooked.

Booking Through Thursday

Autumn is starting (here in the US, anyway), and kids are heading back to school–does the changing season change your reading habits? Less time? More? Are you just in the mood for different kinds of books than you were over the summer?

Not only are children heading back to school, but so are their teachers. I am 4 weeks into school already (hard to believe), and I am already seeing a change in my reading habits. I am reading less, plain and simple. The first weeks of school are always the hardest. I get home tired, hungry and in the need of mindless activity. I tend to watch more television around this time. New seasons starting, college football on the weekends, teacher happy hours. Oops, that has nothing to do with tv, but it does take away time from reading. :)

The number of books I read this month will be significantly lower than the summer months.

Booking through Thursday

"Have you ever felt pressured to read something because ‘everyone else’ was reading it? Have you ever given in and read the book(s) in question or do you resist? If you are a reviewer, etc, do you feel it’s your duty to keep up on current trends?"


Just in the picture above I see a couple of books that I read because of the "pressure". The need to read what others are reading.

The Friday Night Knitting Club
Confessions of a Shopaholic

More recently...

Eat, Pray, Love

I usually read them to see what all the fuss is all about. It is a book. Hard to say no to reading a new book.It's usually a lot easier for me to avoid movies than books when it comes to this.

Booking Through Thursday

If you’re anything like me, one of your favorite reasons to read is for the story. Not for the character development and interaction. Not because of the descriptive, emotive powers of the writer. Not because of deep, literary meaning hidden beneath layers of metaphor. (Even though those are all good things.) No … it’s because you want to know what happens next? Or, um, is it just me?

You are not alone.

I am all about the story. That is probably why I read such a wide variety of books. YA, SciFi, Lit, Thrillers, Mysteries, even some Chic Lit once in a while. As long as the story grabs me I will read it. The one thing that will make me want to throw the book out the window is fake dialogue. I hate it when character conversations aren't realistic.

Booking Through Thursday

What is your earliest memory of a library? Who took you? Do you have you any funny/odd memories of the library?

We didn't live too far from our library in the small town I grew up in. We used to walk there a lot, especially in the summer when we craved the cold water from the water fountain, the AC, and the comfort of books all around us. My mom was definitely the first person that ever took me. She was always checking out books for me and my sisters. The library also had a great kids program. Readings, arts and crafts. That sort of thing. As I got older, my older sister, our next door neighbor and I would spend hours perusing the stacks and magazines. We would take our finds to the far back corner next to the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the playground. We would sit and read, talk and laugh, and sometimes play checkers. The best days were when it rained.